It's A Kind of Magic: Cardini

I'm a huge fan of magic, especially the close-up stuff. Partly this is because I have little dexterity myself and admire it so much in others -I'm in my mid twenties and I still haven't cracked walking without falling down! So the suavity and grace of magicians always bowls me over, much like broken paving stones on the street. There's nothing like trying to work out how it's done either; though having been the proud owner of a deluxe Paul Daniel's magic set when I child I actually know - bloody hard work and loads of practise. Those of a cynical nature will notice that Christmas is in fact rolling round again... but, truley I love almost everything about magicians, from the personas, the rivalries, the posters (which would make a great Christmas present), and the showmanship. The actual tricks aren't bad either.

It's such a shame that there isn't more of an opportunity to see more live magic. There are societies around with exhibition dates for the non-magician (not in Aber , oh no, google 'Aber' and 'magic' and there'll be something about druids no doubt - they're the cutting edge round here), and of course there's Derren Brown doing his devilish bit for the art form. I have yet to see Brown perform, due to irritating things like exams, which crop up whenever his tour is nearby (ha -Swansea), but one day. In the meantime I enjoy the TV shows, all of which are available on 4oD. This is nowhere near enough though! Where have all the magicians vanished to?

When in doubt look to youtube: here's a vintage performance from Cardini, the quality is the best I can do sadly....

Cardini is acclaimed as the"greatest exponent of pure sleight of hand the world has ever known", and this magicians' magician's manipulations of cards made me wonder why I'd wasted my life studying? Surely to god I could have been doing something more mesmeric. Then I remembered my aforementioned dyspraxic lack of coordination, and a lack of patience - not something that Cardini suffers from as you can see. The above footage shows one of my favourite magic tricks; impeccable timing, misdirection, slights and superb dexterity all serve to keep the fans of cards falling and you just have to wonder where on earth he stashes them? Sadly there are few recordings of this master, but the wonderful tipsy character he created, who possesses a bizarre Midas touch with cards, billiard balls and cigarettes, is unforgettable.

Cardini was born in 1895, under the unassuming name of Richard Pitchford, in the equally unassuming Mumbles. After enlisting, he passed his time in the trenches practising magic whilst wearing gloves because of the cold; this later served as a hallmark of his skillful routines. In 1916 Pitchford was nearly killed when a bomb exploded nearby, but recovering in hospital gave him ample time for card practise - though his request for gloves promptly had him dispatched to a psychiatric ward.

He was a former President of the Magicians Guild, he chose his name to invoke the stature of Houdini (the self proclaimed 'King of Cards'), and his bell-boy assistant was also his wife, but that's about all I can find in terms of biographical details. That and the rather charming fact that Cardini's son's pram was used in Gone with the Wind - Rhett wheels little Bonnie Blue around in it!

Cardini pioneered many techniques still in use, and has often being imitated; I could watch his routine over and over, but still I don't know how he does it though.