http://www.vishvish.com/story/magical-marco <p>Marco is a middle-aged professional magician. By day, he works at the International Magic shop in London's Clerkenwell, and by night he performs at private engagements or charity events.</p> <p>The story follows Marco during his performances and shows him in action, entertaining people with his banter and his magic. His life and history are alluded to - from running two West London scrapyards to the backstage bar at the Hammersmith Odeon for 20 years. Named Marco's Bar in his honour, he entertained many rock stars and celebrities in his time there and ended up leaving the bar to perform full-time at their parties.</p> <p>As photo stories go, it's light-hearted, yet the nature of performance magic means that people's reactions are nearly always genuine. The presence of a camera can often stiffen people up, but the delighted responses to Marco's tricks supersede that.</p> <p>Magic Marco: <a href="http://www.magicmarco.co.uk/">http://www.magicmarco.co.uk/ </a></p> <p>International Magic: <a href="http://www.internationalmagic.com/">http://www.internationalmagic.com/</a></p> Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000 en-gb vishvish.com RSS generator 2.0 http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-354 Magical Marco Tired after a long run at the store and nights of entertaining, but still the perfectly-tailored professional. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-355 Magical Marco Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-356 Magical Marco Wand - check. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-357 Magical Marco A second pack of prepared cards, in case of being asked to repeat the trick immediately... Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-358 Magical Marco Some accessories... Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-359 Magical Marco And not forgetting... Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-360 Magical Marco Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-361 Magical Marco Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-362 Magical Marco Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-363 Magical Marco Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-364 Magical Marco "Give us your money!" More polite than Bob Geldorf, but when performing for charity, Marco is more than a match. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-365 Magical Marco "I name your card Bob" - terrible joke, but they love seeing their card with the name magically upon it. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-366 Magical Marco Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-367 Magical Marco Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-368 Magical Marco Years of practice guarantees Marco an audience. He is a busy magician, working most nights up to Christmas. On a night like this, he only has a few hours to get around 600 people. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-369 Magical Marco A quick magician's shuffle. The sleight, or actual magic, happens well away from the moment, or performance. Here's Marco's right hand shields the left thumb from revealing its secret. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-370 Magical Marco Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-371 Magical Marco Footballers. Say no more. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-372 Magical Marco The question is: What's Marco just shown her? Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-373 Magical Marco "Have another drink, dear." Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-374 Magical Marco The young lady discovers that the back of her card - that she signed - is in fact a ticket to the ball. Her companion spots that Marco's phone number is also on the card. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-375 Magical Marco A quick scan of the table before Marco chooses who to focus on. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-376 Magical Marco Marco asks "how many balls are you holding now?" Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-377 Magical Marco After witnessing Marco produce some sponge male genitalia in her friend's hand, a young lady suggests some improvements to the trick. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-378 Magical Marco Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-379 Magical Marco Marco prepares for the evening's show, overseen by Miaow. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-380 Magical Marco Magic invented by Marco and posted back to himself. Vish Vishvanath http://www.vishvish.com/photo/magical-marco-381 Magical Marco From his days running the backstage bar at Hammersmith Odeon. Vish Vishvanath