Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, he toured the UK with his parents who were magicians themselves. The papers once dubbed them ‘one of the world’s finest and most original illusionists’.
‘I had a great opportunity of working in theatre, circus, film and TV studios, just learning the business from the performers and stars of yesterday,’ he said.
Now his act, which incorporates escaping straitjackets and making people levitate, takes him across the world. He performed on cruise ships for 15 years, as well as in Dubai, Qatar, and Sharjah, and has made hundreds of television appearances.
‘It’s nice to bring this Victorian magic to a new audience. There’s the older audience who remember seeing these shows and the younger generation who have never seen them, so we bridge that gap.’
The West Show saw the full range of his abilities, including switching around the colours of a traffic light, setting himself free having been tied up by a member of the audience, and then freeing himself from a straitjacket.
He said he loved visiting Guernsey.
‘We love coming back here. The audiences are warm and welcoming and friendly, any time we get an opportunity we’ll be here.’
And he praised the West Show as a ‘feel-good’ event. The people behind other performances are friendly, he said, which makes for a great outdoor scene.
Just as his act harks back to bygone days, Mr Van Buren warned that events like the show would die out if not supported by the people.
‘It’s one of the last community-style events, where no matter what your beliefs, you can all come together and enjoy yourselves.’
The rain earlier that day may have threatened other acts, but it was no bother for Mr Van Buren. What really would have threatened the act is strong winds.
‘That can be a nightmare, particularly with the levitation at the end. We don’t want them floating away into the distance, so if anyone saw a lady floating through mid-air, you know where she’s come from. Please send her back to us.’
You need to be logged in to comment.