For our August Christ Church meeting we were wonderfully entertained by a delightful chap – Steve Short – on the life of the UKs most famous and best loved magician, David Nixon. Steve himself was a magician and a huge fan of David Nixon and with videos and pictures he gave us a fascinating insight into the life of the great man.
He took us through the way a childhood interest in conjuring evolved into David becoming a master of his trade and a member of the Magic Circle. He performed, by request, before the late Queen Elizabeth in two Royal Command performances . He partnered with another treasure, Norman Wisdom. After a guest appearance in Scarborough which wreaked havoc with his act, but delighted the audience, they became a comedic duo, performing together many times.
David could sing, dance, play the bass and was adept at technology before its age, also a chess grandmaster and a peerless performer whose warmth and wit made him a natural star. In his more than thirty year career he had dozens of shows around the country in clubs and theatres as well as TV. Cafe Continental, What’s my Line, Candid Camera and Comedy Bandbox to name just a few. He was also Basil Brush’s first partner, – who remembers that?!
To aid his performance Steve invited our own treasure Shirley Clarke ( Events Team member who organises the speakers), up to be his glamorous assistant with a few illusion acts, it was a hoot, very entertaining and a most enjoyable morning for all. Well done Shirley.
