
15 Jan John
Magic has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, I’ve seen many of the greats perform. Harry Blackstone Junior, floating a light bulb over an audience of magicians in a theatre in Blackpool; Juan Tamariz leaving me speechless with his extraordinary card skills at a private show in London; spending time with the legendary Tommy Wonder in the Netherlands – all of these were awesome magicians, but I was prepared to be fooled badly and I loved every minute as a lover of magic, but when something happens unexpectedly, it hits hard and is memorable. I’d like to tell you a story.
I’ve been performing magic for some 30 years now, so as you can imagine, I have lots of trinkets and treasures I have collected along the way. Just before Christmas I was looking through some old photographs that I had taken on my travels and I came across one that brought some really fond memories flooding back to me! The picture was of a man named John.
John was a homeless man I met in the 90s during a residency I was performing at in Mayfair, London. I would hop on the tube and walk from Green Park, sometimes as often as three times a week. I first saw John huddled under the arch near Green Park joyfully swearing at passers-by.
He wasn’t always aggressive; often he was quiet, leaving people to go about their business. Occasionally, when I had some change, I would donate to his cause along with other suited and booted Mayfair wanderers.
This went on for more than a year. Sometimes John was there for extended periods then I wouldn’t see him again for a couple of weeks – in fact he was so well-known in the area he was often the subject of conversation and the residency even gave him a Christmas dinner.
As with many homeless people there were rumours of his backstory, of how he was a millionaire who lost it all with his wife leaving and him being left to live on the streets. Nobody really knew the truth though.
One night I decided that it was time to try and create a bond with John. On my way to work I turned right up the stairs and I called out to him “Hey John!”
I approached with a small piece of paper in my outstretched hand and as he focussed onto to, I flicked it and it turned into a £20 note. He looked at me in awe and gently took the money – and with a smile and nod I walked on, eager to tell the story of my good deed.
Well, friends being friends, they were just as eager to tell me what a mistake I’d made and that he’d just go off and buy alcohol to perpetuate his situation leaving me feeling a little foolish and bringing me back down to reality.
Months later, John was back under his arch and he would shout “Magic Man” as I was walking passed. I would ignore the ‘advice’ of my friends and pass him any change I had, but I would never do it within a magic trick again.
Then one day John floored me.
As I jogged up the stairs on a rainy evening I was hurrying passed John’s arch when he called to me, “Magic Man!”
“Hi John” I said as he fumbled with his right hand, bringing out a playing card with its back facing me.
“Name a card, Magic Man!” John said
Stunned, confused but ever curious I named a card.
John, without a beat turned the card around to face me and, sure enough there was my card. I was so shocked and caught off guard I asked that same question I am asked hundreds of times a week… “How did you do that!!”
John smiled a mischievous smile and simply responded “I’m lucky!”
I told everyone at the venue about the encounter – they were equally shocked. They would come up with theories on how he accomplished it, my personal favourite “he planted it in your brain” to which I would respond “Don’t be silly I’m the magician!”
I would see John in his archway regularly and would perform an I’m not worthy bow to him – god knows what other passers-by thought!
Then one day – John was gone. I would always look out for him but never saw him again – this mysterious man may have shown me the best trick I’ve ever seen.
*copyright David Redfearn ©
Marg
Posted at 22:02h, 16 JanuaryAmazing story I remember you at the Ritz way back , amazing magician.
Sue Roberts
Posted at 14:08h, 17 JanuaryI have booked David for many years the first being a month at Euro 2000. He has never failed to blow people’s minds. He is an amazing magician and entertainer. All my Corporate’s book him year after year.
David
Posted at 14:11h, 17 JanuaryThanks so much Sue.