Review: Paul does tricks, not magic at Leamington show

At a time when the phrase ‘national treasure’ is used to describe pretty much anyone who’s been in showbiz for more than ten years, it’s worth asking why the term is never applied to Paul Daniels.

He could be a Bruce Forsyth, still doing his schtick on primetime TV. He could even be a Ken Dodd, who packs this venue out every year (tonight, the is about a third full at best). But, judging from his list of tour dates, he’s at about the same level as Des O’Connor. Why is this, when magic is popular again, and when he’s still the person most of us think of when we read the word ‘magician’?

Perhaps the mystery is solved tonight, when real mystery is in short supply. He can still patter with the best of them, still has impeccable sleight-of-hand, still holds an audience. But his performance is perfunctory these days. He does tricks, not magic. He’s spent so long railing against those who claim supernatural powers that he now lacks wonder in his own art.

His best routine is still the linking rings, which remains unchanged since 1985 and remains perfect in pacing and execution. Others take a while to get going, but there are no duds; laughs, gasps and applause are elicited. Debbie McGee’s there too, and is a likeable presence.

But the uninitiated would have no idea that the small man before them was once a towering figure in light entertainment. He now styles himself as a “comedy magician”, which is sad, because he’s better than that.And with less ego and more humility, he may yet be afforded the respect due to a man of such talent.

Peter Ormerod