Real Life

Your stories: A magic marriage

Napier mum Mandy Reid’s enchanting career has become a family affair.
Magic marriage

Magic marriage

Not many women can say that their husband enjoys sawing his wife in half, but my husband Bill (53) has done that to me more than 200 times!

He’s a magician and I’m his assistant, and we’ve been entertaining crowds in New Zealand for 29 years.

We met 30 years ago when we both joined a roller-skating club in Hamilton. There was an instant connection between us, and three years later we were married.

We’ve always been involved in community theatre and the arts, and were first introduced to magic in 1985 while doing a theatre show in Gisborne.

It’s risky business, so good thing Mandy (49) trusts her husband to keep her in one piece!

It featured a performance by Kiwi magician and Grand Master of Magic Jon Zealando, who inspired us to produce our own magic act, Bill & Mandy.

I never thought I’d become a magician’s assistant, but now Bill and I do it professionally full-time, after nine years part-time, and have toured throughout New Zealand.

Our act has won a number of top accolades and I am a three-time winner of the Best Assistant award at the annual New Zealand International Magicians Convention.

I am actually a trained magician in my own right and have committed to the sacred oath to never reveal the secrets of magic to non-magicians, but I prefer working as an assistant.

My role requires me to ensure everything is where it should be to prevent any accidents. It’s all about precision and you have to stay alert.

Our show features traditional magic, from rabbits coming out of a top hat to me being sawn in half – sometimes even threes! It can be quite scary at times, but nothing has gone wrong.

Both Bill and I are in our element on stage and thrive on performing illusions and working with animals.

The couple treat their furry assistants like members of the family.

We also enjoy hosting children’s parties and have an unusual ability to hold the young audience’s attention past the norm. This is something we have become well-known for.

Our magic has become an integral part of our family. Liam, our 11-year-old son, is part of the act. He has grown up with our quirky work, attending his first show when he was just seven days old. After I had Liam, we were on the road again and he first appeared on stage at 22 months old. Magic brings our family together.

We consider all the animals we use as pets – they are not just stage props. At our Napier home, we have two bird aviaries that house up to 40 doves. We also have four rabbits that live in our home. Every time we go away, the animals come with us as they’re like our babies.

Bill and Mandy’s spellbinding show includes their son Liam, who has been raised on magic tricks.

Our job gives us so much joy. To perform in front of children – to see their eyes pop and jaws drop with amazement – is worth the travel and hard work.

I’m also studying to become an early childhood teacher as I’ve always had a good rapport with little ones. I’ve found I can incorporate magic into teaching and, once I finish my three-year degree, I want to use it in the classroom.

I think it will be a new and exciting learning method and will give me the ability to use my skills in a different way.”

As told to Aroha Awarau.

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