has also followed in his dad’s footsteps and become one of America’s most highly regard-ed magicians and magical thinkers.
Mark has produced many other major attractions over the years for some of the world’s most prestigious theme parks and expositions. His clients included such cel-ebrated clients as Disney World, Disneyland, Six Flags, LEGOLAND and Busch Gardens. In fact, Billboard magazine commented on the huge crowds that his attraction was bringing to Busch Gardens and described it as, “One of the most spectacular revues ever devised for an amusement park.” Special mention must also be made of Mark’s magnificent ‘Hall of Magic Pavilion’ at the New York World’s Fair.
It would be remiss to try and summarize Mark’s career without making mention of his powerful accomplishments in the area of cor-porate entertainment. With his trusty goal of keeping the client’s product at the very center of his productions, countless industrial events were given added dimensions with ‘The Wil-son Touch.’ A list of his corporate clients would read like an excerpt from the ‘Fortune 500’ list.
If he didn’t invent this performance media then it is certainly true to say he reinvented it.
Having viewed some of superb custom illustrations and designs that accompanied his corporate proposals, it is easy for me to see why Mark became the number one name in the game in this highly specialized field.
Elaborate and carefully visualized presenta-tions had been a hallmark of Mark’s success from the very beginning of his performing days back in Dallas. They stood him in very good stead in the industrial market--why tell the client what you can do to promote their product when you can show them.
Mark the performer turned another cor-ner in his career and became Mark the author/
teacher in 1975 upon the publication of his book ‘The Mark Wilson Course in Magic.’ Upon its release it instantly became one of the most influential guides to performing magic that the world had seen. It has since been repub-lished several times, translated into numerous languages and sold over a million copies. Who can tell how many people it has started on their magical adventures?
The course is divided into thirteen main segments and delivers the finest overview of
FAIRS
Fairs and trade shows were all part of the performing market.
magical tricks since the Tarbell series of books. Follow-ing a brief introduction it explores card magic, money magic, rope magic, silk and handkerchief magic, im-promptu magic, mental magic, betcha’s, make at home magic, sponge ball magic, billiard ball magic, cups and balls and magical illusions, before winding up by discussing your potential future in magic. It is a truly encyclopedic exploration of our art form.
The simple and direct instructions, coupled with Marks invaluable insights have prepared many people to become magicians. Whether as full time pros or just to entertain a select group of friends, everything you need to know is contained within the pages of the book. Mark also dispenses and endorses the invaluable three golden rules of magic; “Practice, Practice, Prac-tice!” This is always my favorite piece of advice to any potential magician.
Reaction to his ‘Course in Magic’ was instant and highly favorable and Mark and Nani have kept right on teaching folk how to make magic with a continuing series of classes at the Magic Castle where Mark can be found teaching magic on a weekly basis. The discrimi-native folk who attend his sessions can benefit from personal instruction from Wilson himself. This highly successful and ongoing program has almost magical-ly been able to transform associate ‘Castle’ members into fully-fledged magician members.
Recently Mark has founded ‘The Mark Wilson Magic University’ as yet another means to share his magical knowledge. Always ready to keep abreast of technology, this is an online version of his best selling course, which uses video to teach interested individuals some great magic to enrich their lives. With purchase of a monthly subscription, each week you can learn three or four new effects, taught by Wilson himself. For a very modest fee (approximately $2.50 a trick) you can master enough magic to look like an expert to a lay audience--but only after you agree to an oath of secrecy!
Many magicians also take the opportunity to visit Mark’s website www.markwilsonmagic.com and shop at his online store to avail themselves of the various DVDs and routines that have been released to the magic fraternity. Mark’s celebrated ‘Mark Wilson Bingo Routine’ is available there and has become a huge hit with magicians and audiences around the globe. It is one of those unusual ‘bits’ that can be the hit of a cor-porate meeting or event. If you are not aware of it then I suggest you check it out.
It has taken me two lengthy articles just to scratch the surface of Mark and Nani Wilson’s contribution to the world of magic. It is something of a cliché to de-scribe someone as a living legend, but in the case of Mark Wilson it is the absolute truth. Through a long and
varied career in the magical arts, Mark has stood unique in his dedication and devotion to our art.
Mark Wilson is one of the most influential magi-cians of our era and also one of the most honored. Win-ning awards and recognition that might swell the head of other performers, he has also remained down to earth and accessible to his fellow magician. One thing that is unmistakable after spending time with Mark is his love of magic and all things magical.
It has been my honor and pleasure to write this pair of articles about two of the sincerest and most respected citizens of the magic world. It has been a fascinating story to write, following this seven-decade magical tour de force--and don’t assume it is drawing to a close any time soon. Having done my research, it is obvious to me that any day that phone in Mark’s office may ring, bringing with it the offer of another TV series--if it does I would bet my bottom dollar Mark would say
“Yes!”
A RARE OPPORTUNITY