Magic Mentors 3

Patrick Page

Patrick “Pat” Page (17 March 1929 – 11 February 2010) was a Comedy stage and Close Up magician born in Dundee, Scotland. He appeared on TV with Paul Daniels in the 1970s and worked on a variety of show business productions. In 2006 he was asked to be a consultant on the film Casino Royale, which used several scenes involving playing cards. Patrick Page also worked as an adviser for Derren Brown. Throughout his long career, he worked the club circuit, wrote books, and recorded instructional videos for magicians.

I was introduced to Patrick Page’s magic during his seminars in Germany. Most likely I attended his lecture more than any other magicians’. His approach to magic and performance was based on years of experience. Working in all different kinds of venues stage and close-up he was a master of both. I am still using some of the things he showed in my stage and close-up performances.

The fact that I am a professional magician now is partly because of him. He asked me what I did for a living and if I liked it or if I preferred doing something else. I said not particularly and he asked me what I rather that. I said magic. He looked at me, paused and said then do it for a year and see if you like it. That’s what I did years later and never looked back. Here is a short clip of him performing at a lecture one of his favorite routines.