Salford based magician Dean Williamson is set on spreading his passion of magic to the rest of Salford.

Since he was a child, magic has been Dean’s main focus in life, learning the tips and tricks from his uncle.

He said: “He performed this trick with an elastic band and I still remember it today. I’ve never worked out how it was done, I probably should investigate that.”

During the day, Dean works in sales behind a desk, but at night he travels across the country performing tricks for flabbergasted audiences.

“It’s a lifelong passion, I just want to get out and perform.

“I don’t want to sit behind a desk, I don’t know anyone that does really. I love nothing more than being on a stage in front of people.”

Originally from Blackpool, the self-confessed home of magic, he grew up surrounded by the art. Every February, the town hosts a big convention, featuring big names in the industry such as Dynamo, Uri Gellar and Hans Klok.

However, in the Greater Manchester area, the emphasis on magic isn’t as prominent, but Dean aims to change that.

“As far as I’m aware, no-one in Salford or the Greater Manchester area does what I’m doing. So I want to put what I’m doing on the map.”

By putting on spectacular shows and getting his name out there, Dean is wanting to get others involved in magic. From performing for adults, to performing for children, he wants to spark a love of magic to others and get them involved.

In his career, he has worked with big names such as BBC and Odeon. Last Christmas they had a theme at the Odeon called the magic of Christmas, so Dean worked in collaboration to bring the Christmas spirit alive.

As well as spreading the magic, Dean aims to spread the message of mental health awareness and to show other performers that it’s okay to not be okay.

“There’s an usually high number of performers that suffer from mental health, and a lot of creative people that struggle. I was diagnosed with ADHD and Tourette’s when I was younger, and I managed to live a ‘normal’ life.

“But as a performer there’s this idea that there’s a Mr. Perfect on stage, and he can do all these crazy things, but it doesn’t show the human side. And that’s what I want to show, and to appeal to more people.

“There’s two elements to it. First, is to bring awareness of mental health in general, and getting the word out there, and the other half is to say if you have an issue, don’t be afraid to go out there and perform. It’s the best thing you’ll do. When you go on stage, people don’t want you to do bad, they want it to go well. It’s such a warming feeling that everyone’s celebrating you and for you.”

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“I traditionally perform for adults, and when you perform a really good trick, it turns adults to kids with their reactions.”

In future, he aims to branch out and expand on Salford’s magic scene, but even now, as an adult, he still wants to try and learn his uncle’s elastic band trick.

“I feel like learning about it may lose the magic behind it, I want to keep the legacy of the ‘amazing trick’ alive.”


For more information, check out Dean’s website, or his YouTube channel.

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