Magician Paul never misses a trick with Fringe holiday

Published on Friday 14 August 2009 10:03

PAUL Temple never has to think about where to go on his holidays.

For the council worker follows the same routine every year – leaving the stress of the health and social care department behind to turn full-time magician for the month.

The 50-year-old, who lives in West Calder with his wife and three children, can once again be spotted busking on the Royal Mile near St Giles' Cathedral every day during the Fringe.

He said: "It all started when I was six and on a rainy holiday in Devon."

"My dad showed me a card trick which I can still do to this day, even though it's rubbish, and I took it from there."

Mr Temple also plays weddings, galas and parties, and refuses to use animals or anything other than traditional props.

He said it could not be further away from his daily duties within the local authority, where he is a project worker.

"Words fail me when I try and compare the two," he said. "It's just so different, I can't begin to explain it. When I'm out there doing my magic I feel like I'm in another world, like it's a different person who goes back to work at the council the following day."

Although his family don't share the same enthusiasm for his magic – his wife thinks it is "deception" and his two oldest children are "embarrassed" – he is more passionate about it than ever.

His favourite tricks include the traditional "cups and balls trick which even the Pharaohs did", as well as more conventional card tricks and illusions.

He added: "I did turn my back on it for a few years, and my mother talked me out of trying to make a living from it because it wasn't reliable.

"But ten years ago, I was in Skegness and saw a magic shop and went in, and that was it back again.

"Connecting with the audience is the most important thing for me. I also like to do storytelling of things like pacts with the devil and so on.

"I'm getting a lot of gigs just now. I recently did Celtic Football Club.

"I take all my holidays over the Fringe to concentrate on the magic, and the council are quite happy with that."