Blackpool Museum Project invited Blackpool-based magician and entertainer, Leslie Melville to share his story.
Blackpool Magic & Me
My introduction to magic was in 1942, when, as a 9 year old I discovered Paul Clive’s magic shop on Blackpool’s North Pier. The shop, where subsequently Harry Corbett bought the glove puppet that became famous as Sooty. I bought all my early magic tricks from Paul Clive and when, in 1947, my family briefly moved to the midlands. Using the stage name of Leslini, I won a junior magic competition at the Staffordshire Magical Society.
Returning to Blackpool, and following my National Service, I joined Butlins as a Redcoat children’s entertainer, spending time at Blackpool’s Metropole Hotel. Leaving Butlins in 1965 I became a professionally performing magician, playing clubs and cabaret dates throughout the country.
In the early 1980s and following three seasons performing as a cruise ship entertainer, I moved to the west coast of Scotland and reverted to children’s entertainment. Creating a troupe of like-minded performers whom we called ‘The Circus Pandemonium Clowns’. We featured in country parks, galas and festivals.
Blackpool kept calling and in 1983-84 I appeared as a magical Abanazar in the Freddie Davis pantomime, Aladdin, at the Grand Theatre, a role I subsequently reprised at other towns and theatres. Continuing my children’s entertainment activities I created a character whom I named Percy Piecrust, and in this guise for several years brought my Circus Pandemonium team to entertain the attendees of Blackpool’s annual magic festival.
In 1997, Percy was, at this event declared United Kingdom Children’s Entertainer of the Year. Percy was eventually retired and with advancing years other character forms took shape, including William Warlock, the Gothic horror storyteller. Later still, in partnership with my son Adrian, we took on a stall in Bonny Street Market, Melville and Catch, selling magic tricks. Happily Adrian continues to carry on the tradition and entertains children around the North of England.
I now spend time writing and creating magic routines and lecturing to magical societies, while continuing to explore the many facets of this entertaining art.
With thanks to Curiosity Creative, who facilitated the digital story telling workshop.
Thanks to our funders Blackpool Council and Heritage Lottery Fund.
To find out more about the Blackpool Museum Project visit our website:
blackpoolmuseum.com/
Find out more about the work of Blackpool Museum Project in creating digital stories at blackpoolmuseum.com/creating-digital-stories/
