A Day in the Life of Christopher Whitelock…

So what do magicians get up to all day? Are their days filled with magic, trickery, mystery, and intrigue? Well, actually, no, without wishing to ruin the illusion, it can all be a little more humdrum than that!

If he’s not jetting around the world performing, Chris starts his day in his office at home. The first job is to check his emails and see whether he has had any new enquiries. If he has, he will contact the potential client, find out a few more details, and confirm the booking. Five days before a gig, he will again make contact to double-check the particulars and make sure everything is okay.

Finding new work and bookings is a big part of Chris’ day-to-day work, so he regularly calls agents and clients to enquire about potential jobs. He may also find himself designing new promotional material such as flyers and posters, and as an avid user of social media, he will also spend time tweeting and updating his Facebook page.

Having completed his admin, Chris will then turn his attention to any upcoming gigs and make preparations. “I may have a corporate party; for example, I recently performed at a party with a Samba theme, and there was a yellow and green colour scheme, so I sourced cards and props that fit in with the theme.”

He also spends time learning new material and perfecting different techniques. “I am learning all the time,” he explains. “What might work for a group of 25–40-year-olds may not work for a group that is 60 or older.” His office is crammed with cupboards and drawers overflowing with books, DVDs, and various props, and he can while away many happy hours researching new skills and adding them to his extensive repertoire.

If he has a gig that day, Chris will meticulously check the travel and weather reports before setting off, and on arrival at the venue, he will ensure he is familiar with the layout of the room, which is essential when he is performing his trademark close-up tricks. Alternatively, he may be teaching or consulting, possibly at a theatre company that needs an actor to be able to perform convincing magic on stage.

No two days are ever the same, though if he has corporate events, they tend to be on Thursdays, and weddings—of which Chris can do three in a day—usually fall at the weekend. On other days, he may be at a trade show, flying to Dubai, or travelling 10 minutes down the road to a gig.

Depending on where he is and who he’s performing with, Chris may go out with his fellow performers after a show, or he may pick up a sandwich on his way home before putting his feet up and unwinding. In his free time, he likes to relax by playing music, cooking, and watching films.

“Every day is varied, and I love it,” says Chris. “I very rarely stop, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”