Val was a huge influence to me and many other magicians when growing up - but a really lovely guy all round. When we were casting this film, it was Paul Nardini who suggested Val and I immediately knew he would be perfect - and he was. Val will always be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

@@rpwfx thank you very much for such kind words. They are very much appreciated. Paul remained one of Dads very good friends. He and Mhairi were so very kind as Dad became less mobile.

With all due respect, that's more of a problem in the magician as a person than it is one of the audience. Misanthropy is sterile. And certainly not a worldview that allows good performances.

If people are being misanthropic to you, then that’s your fault as a person. Don’t say that everyone is being misanthropic just because people don’t like you.

lycopodium 52 and there you go and prove my point.

celestialDrive I never said this problem was simply a lifestyle choice.

Erdnase23 I’m only 1 person, much too small of a test group to prove a point. And anyway, I was being like that because I hear this argument so much and it pisses me off- no, the audience aren’t being rude just because ‘that’s just how they are’, maybe if you stopped being a show-off and actually just behaved normally around other people they might start liking you and enjoying the magic more. I have nothing against you as a person, I don’t know you, but misanthropy during magic is much more likely due to the performer than the spectator. Unless you’re performing for some teenager who thinks he’s better than everyone else.