I am a magician and pickpocket. I think that I might hold the record for the most variety theatres
that any variety artist has played in Blackpool. I have appeared in 16 theatres including the
Tower Circus many being summer seasons. My first weeks engagement was at the Palace
Theatre, way back in 1947 when Blackpool was the mecca of seaside entertainment.
I have spent all my working life in show business ever since my first appearance at Queen’s
Park Hippodrome Manchester in 1938. Perhaps all this is to be expected, as so many of
my family were successful variety artists. You could say it’s in my blood.
It all began with my grandfather, Tom Traynor who was born in Cork, Ireland in 1859.
He was one of a new breed of emerging variety artists billed as Irish American Comedians.
He met my grandmother, Elizabeth, whilst he was appearing at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
They married and my mother, Amelia was born in 1888.
Tom taught my mother to clog dance and aged 10 she appeared on stage at the Theatre Royal
in Manchester alongside another clog dancer called Charles Chaplin in the Eight Lancashire Lads.
My mother went on to become a pianist and played for the old silent films.
I took my stage name ST CLAIR from my great uncle F V St Clair, a performer and topical songwriter,
who wrote for all the stars of the day including Dan Leno and Marie Lloyd. He was made an OBE
and appeared in the Royal Command Performance of 1912.
There were other members of my family in the profession but my mentor was Uncle Chris.
He was a professional magician playing the Halls as Rolyat. He put my first act together
when I was about eight and soon I was appearing in concerts and charity shows. My family had
taken me to see an Italian act called Giovanni, who inspired me in the direction of pickpocket magic.
Soon after my first professional engagement
in Manchester in 1938, I went on to tour the theatres of the times.
With the onset of war, being an entertainer, I was drafted into ENSA,
the Department of National Service Entertainment based at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
For the next three years I entertained military personnel where ever I was directed, firstly in England and later throughout Europe,
sometimes performing under horrendous conditions. I was awarded a Badge and Diploma for my War work.
After the war, it was back to theatres which were then flourishing. Orchestras to play
your music, stage staff to carry and set your props. Beautiful stage sets, twice nightly
six nights a week and enthusiastic theatre audiences to entertain. Not forgetting, of
course, cruise ships and the great Northern Club scene which emerged.
However, new regulations forced great clubs to close and television did the same
for theatres. But like the phoenix rising from the ashes, live entertainment is raising
its head again in a new form and in new venues.
Helped by my Queen of Diamonds and wonderful wife, Joan, my soulmate for some 70 years,
I have enjoyed adapting my act to move with the times.
It seemed inevitable that I would gravitate towards Blackpool, after all, my mum and dad had eloped here to get married.
I feel very fortunate and privileged that I am still working and accepted by today’s audiences.
I recently appeared in Las Vegas and am thrilled to still be part of my wonderful profession.
By the way, keep it a secret that my age is 95.
It must be magic.