ALL THE SUITS ARE MADE FOR MEN
keRRy SCoRah, 46, is married and lives in newent, Gloucestershire.
I Grew up watching saturday night entertainment shows featuring paul Daniels and Debbie McGee. I loved everything about their performances.
I was entranced by the illusions he created. I also loved Debbie’s costumes and make-up, and to my mind the assistant was as vital a part of the show. But it didn’t cross my mind in the seventies and eighties that a career as a magician was an option for women.
I’m originally from hull and in 2000 I began working with a local magician when he needed an assistant to perform the ‘Dagger Chest illusion’. This is where a box is fitted on the head of the assistant. Daggers are then pushed through the doors. They are then opened at the front to show all the daggers — but the head has vanished. It was then I got bitten by the magic bug. I joined hull Magicians’ Circle and started to learn tricks.
I let go of my former career working for estee lauder bit by bit. on the make- up counter I was always asked to perform magic by my colleagues. on training days we would often open with a magic trick.
I finally went full-time in 2005 and taking the leap has paid off. since then I’ve even had the opportunity to perform on TV in a show called undercover Magic.
The wedding season is about to start, when my schedule goes crazy. I’m lucky in that I’m often hired two years in advance!
what’s difficult are the outfits. Men have it easier because their suits have so many pockets and hiding places. unless you have an outfit specially made, it’s a nightmare finding a female magician suit with lots of inside pockets. Trousers generally don’t have enough pockets and jackets are too bulky around the chest area. I’ve had to adapt my act instead.
There are times I have to pinch myself when I’m boarding a flight to an upmarket destination. I have performed in Davos, switzerland, at the G8 summit, and I’ve also been booked for shows in las Vegas, Dubai and the Magic Castle in hollywood.
I was recently watching a TV programme about a magician with a family member, when he asked: ‘what time’s he on?’ I pulled him up on it and said, ‘Don’t assume it will be a man!’
I really want to get the message out to little girls, ‘you can do this too!’ It’s a fantastic career.