Derek Lever
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| Derek Lever | |
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| Born | August 30, 1937 Kearsley, Bolton, UK |
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| Occupation | Magician and convention organiser |
Derek Lever (born 30 August 1937 in Kearsley, near Bolton, Lancashire) is an English comedy magician and the founder and Managing Director of the Taurus Magic Supply Company. He is a very well known figure in the 'magic world' and is also a professional hypnotist and fire eater.
Derek has been performing magic and the allied arts for over 50 years and at the age of 11 years he claimed to be the World’s youngest fire eater. After serving 2 years in the Royal Air Force on National Service he turned full time professional and entertained in Night Clubs and Theatres all over the world. Later he opened a successful Theatrical Agency handling many stars and speciality acts for some 10 years.
Derek owns a vast collection of Magic tricks both rare and ingenious and frequently displays these in his lectures all over the world with “The World’s Most Ingenious Magical Apparatus” or the “Magical World of Jack Hughes”. He has lectured at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. He has also practiced as a Medical hypnotist and is a well known Magical Auctioneer and organises several magic auctions in various parts of England.
He is married to Anne Lever who has been in magic virtually as long as Derek has and was his magician's assistant for many years when he performed magic (illusion). She is currently Editor of the Magigals Magazine which is circulated to over 80 lady magiciennes in England and abroad and is an Honorary Life Member of Manchester Circle of Magicians. In 2004 she received an award from the Guild of Magicians which was inscribed "In ongoing recognition of her commitment to the world of magic". She is also Derek’s “right hand” in his business.
In 1984 he joined Blackpool Magician’s Club where he is currently Convention Organiser of the "world's largest" Magic conventions THE BLACKPOOL MAGIC CONVENTION. This takes place every February, when over 3,000 magicians from all over the world are entertained for 3 days by International Magic stars in the Winter Gardens Complex, Blackpool, England. A Past President of the club he has originated and organises the British Magical Championships which takes place in the 3,000 capacity Opera House, Blackpool. He is a recipient of the 'David Berglas Award' and the Murray Award and is an Honorary Life Member of the Club.
Derek is an Honorary Life President of Manchester Circle of Magicians and also the current secretary. His wife Anne Lever is an Honorary Life Member and is President Elect of the club.
In May,2007 Derek and Anne travelled to Bejing, China to tutor the China Acrobats Association on how to organise the FISM World Championships of Magic which will take place in July, 2009.
[edit] Achievements and Awards
- Past President of the British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Order of the Magi.
- Honorary Vice President of the British Magical Society.
- Awarded a Presidential Testimonial by the Society of American Magicians.
- Awarded a Presidential Testimonial by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
- Awarded, the David Berglas Trophy for Services to Magic by the British Magical Society and The World Famous "Murray Award" at the Blackpool Convention in 2002.
- In 2004 he was awarded an "Order of Merit" from the Magic Castle, Hollywood.
- Honorary Life Member of the Guild of Magicians.
- Honorary Life Member and a Past President of Blackpool Magicians Club
- Honorary Life President of Manchester Circle of Magicians
- Honorary Life Member of Nottingham Guild of Magicians
- Winner I.T.V.'s New Faces talent show.
[edit] Bibliography
- Derek Lever Stranger Than Fiction Taurus Magic Supply
- Derek Lever Jack Hughes World of Magic Taurus Magic Supply
- Derek Lever Ken Brooke and Friends Taurus Magic Supply
- Derek Lever Encyclopedia of Crocodile Magic Taurus Magic Supply
- Derek Lever Blackpool Bafflers Taurus Magic Supply
- Derek Lever Sensational Secrets Taurus Magic Supply
- written numerous articles for magic magazines. Taurus Magic Supply
[edit] External links
- Taurus Magic Supply
- Manchester Circle of Magicians
- THE BLACKPOOL MAGIC CONVENTION
- Blackpool Magician's Club
- FISM 2009 World Championships of Magic
