RECENTLY I WAS ASKED TO JUDGE a close-up competition at the Ilford Magic Society, a club where I had lectured some time ago. As I was chatting with the two other lay judges before the contest, I remembered that the Ilford Magic Society was the club where some of our most famed professionals of today first riffled a pack of cards as youngsters.

I’m thinking here of Nick Einhorn, today one of our busiest and most creative professionals who has picked up a clutch of awards for his work both at The Magic Circle and at FISM.

Then there is Andrew Murray, again a most accomplished working professional who has won many competitions and lastly Paul Kieve, who started life as a working magician but who today is Britain’s leading theatre,TV and film consultant, devising original magic effects and illusions for world class productions. He first secured fame with his incredible work on the play “The Invisible Man” staged in London which received rave reviews.

With this in mind I wondered what lay in store with the contestants lined up for this, their latest contest for club members. All the entrants showed originality and magic ability beyond the average but it was David Perez from Spain, now living in Britain who presented an original Ambitious Card Routine followed by Richard Saunders Ring on Shoelace on Shoe.

Everything he did was neat, precise and his handling was excellent but it was his Iberian accent and charm that won him extra points to be declared the winner. Magicians who have the benefit of a Continental accent always enjoy a bonus in presentation which adds a certain piquancy to any performance of magic. This is where French magi Etienne Pradier and David Stone score, adding an allure  to their excellent magical skills.

He  reminds me of Juan Tamariz without necessarily copying Spain’s leading magician but it is the inherent gestures and mannerisms of Spanish nationals which makes his performance and that of others from his country so attractive.

Watch his name. I am certain he’ll turn up and win again I believe in future competitions as he seeks to further his career.

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