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Women mastering magic - 19th November 2021

Whether they're youngsters or grown-ups, magic has audiences transfixed the world over. Yet although the doors of the magician's society, "The Magic Circle", have been open to women for several decades, this realm remains patriarchal – as American performer Kayla Drescher, set to grace the stage at Los Angeles' Magic Castle, points out.

Kayla Drescher: "Amongst anyone that calls themself a magician, so that ranges from a hobbyist, to your uncle Bob with the coin coming out of your ear, all the way to David Copperfields, about 7 percent of someone who calls themselves a magician, 7 percent are women. And anybody that makes an actual career, whether it be full time pro, or semi-professional, about 2 percent of those magicians are women.

Whilst historically playing " the glamorous sidekick" before spectators, Drescher maintains that women have resembled a prop, functioning like a mere lamp or table. Nevertheless, the entertainer recognises the value of being in close proximity to an expert, providing an ideal vantage point from which to master the skills.

Kayla Drescher: "I think some of the best magicians who are women have come from starting as an assistant. And I think it's really, really cool that more women are wanting, are loving magic enough that they want to do it on their own. I think that's key."

With her own role more in line with tradition, Mari-Lynn entertains her spellbound audiences with obvious relish, supporting her magician husband John alongside their daughters, Jasmine and Haylie.

Mari Lynn: "You know, it's something you've got to really have a bug for, you gotta love it. And not everybody, you know, who comes in contact with it falls in love with it, so. Because it's not an easy business and it's certainly not easy for women."

Since both girls have demonstrated considerable flair for the art and the performance, John fails to see why discrimination against women magicians abounds.

John Shryock: "I mean, there's some really fantastic female magicians. I, I don't – I, I, I've never seen why they're – what's – you know, it's just entertainment. And if you, if you entertain the crowd, it doesn't matter if you're a boy or girl. You just, you just have fun and, and if you love magic, it's, it's, it's great."

Women magicians won't just vanish into thin air.