Mr Alexander’s Magical Emporium

The queues are growing, the excitement is palpable, the bouncers are looking serious.  The grand opening of the Magical Emporium is fixed for 10.00 am, Saturday February 1st.  Queen Victoria (aka Rita) will be there to cut the ribbon. Those who have contacted me via the front door will have first dibs. https://mralexander.co.uk/emporiumentrance.  Do it now to be at the Private View the night before.

Everything must go, but in stages (no pun intended).  All the items that are on the shelves there (except the stage) can go as soon as the Emporium opens.  The stage must wait until after this final season on the road.  Of course anyone interested in buying the stage will be advised to come and see it in action (and maybe even join in or watch the setup).  All the bigger props and costumes I use in the Stage Show this summer will also have to wait until the autumn, so watch out for the final round of selling then.  The two chair balances are available now, as is the 3ft unicycle.  I’m too wobbly to perform those now and I want to survive the season!

There’s some great stuff there. I’ve divided the shelves up into seven different themes:  Books and DVDs, Stage magic and illusions, Card magic, Juggling stuff, Extraordinary memorabilia, Circus stuff and Magic effects, tricks and props.  There’s still a great deal more to add, but hopefully by 1st February most things will be listed.  As well as the big things there’s quite a few less expensive items.  I’ve collected magic all my life and I’m a bit of a squirrel so there’s a lot there. I’ll try and make it clear what you are receiving (without giving the secret away). In any case, I’ve always said ‘It’s not what you do but who you are that counts.’  In life as in performance. I’ll either tell you a story around the item, write out a script that goes with it or just show you how it works. Every purchase will have a free gift included with the parcel and a personal hand written message from me.

A few people have said ‘I’m no magician, what is there for me?’  I say to them that everyone needs a bit of magic in their lives and if you know a child or two, or even someone who was a child once, and can perform a little trick for them, they will remember it (and you) forever.  Believe me, this comes from someone who knows.  Some of the magic tricks are classics of their kind and many only require  basic practice.  If you buy a trick and discover it’s not for you I will refund the cost without quibble and believe me there’s no other magic shop on earth that will do that. 

Or you might like a weird and wonderful souvenir of my amazing travelling life.  For example there’s a Box of Broken Dreams or my special Crystal Ball which guided me though the best (and worst) of my life, a very beautiful miniature wooden chest of drawers or a Japanese bowing flower which has sneaked through from the Magic section and needs a bit of tlc… These are all on the Extraordinary Memorabilia shelf.  One that will fill as the season progresses and I re-discover things in the cupboard under the stairs in the theatre, so come back if you don’t find anything suitable first time.

As with any Magic Shop, I hope you’ll discover, as my good friend Lawrence Weetman imagined, “a beautifully decorated little magic shop, the wise old performer demonstrating tricks and teaching skills to those coming in to spend their pocket money (or more).” 

Of course I’ll teach you a few tricks, demonstrate some magic and juggle a few things for and with you. It will also be lovely to share a cuppa, catch up on old times, remember occasions even I have forgotten, and say hello to those youngsters (and others) who I’ve never met before. 

There’s still time to see me somewhere this Summer so put the dates below in your diary, tell me when you’re coming and I’ll put the kettle on ready.

It’ll be lovely to meet again on a road near you, one last time,

Mr Alexander

2025 provisional dates

Halton Festival (nr Chester)    June 7th and 8th

Kippen Fair (nr Glasgow)          June 14th (no stage)

Hollowell Steam (Northants)     July 5th and 6th

Camp Sancho (Herts)                  July 25th - 28th (no stage)

Shrewsbury Flower Show         August 8th and 9th

Isle of Wight Steam Show         August 22nd - 25th 

Wallingford BunkFest                August 29th - 31st

Queen’s Park Day, Kilburn       September 14th