WITH a name like the one Mark Daniel inherited, he was almost pre-destined to take up magic.

But it's much more than a hobby for the 16-year-old from Little Lever. It's a money-spinning business enterprise.

The Canon Slade entrepreneur set up his business, MDM Entertainments, when he was only 12, offering his magic services and a mobile disco.

Mark, of Masefield Road, didn't make any money at first. But as he grew older and polished up his act, the money started to roll in. And he expects the money side to improve as he gets older and can take his act into the adult world of cabaret.

Always one to think big, Mark quickly got bored with card tricks and two years ago began to perfect his "big" illusion act.

It seems to involve thrusting swords into pretty female assistants, balancing them on swords, or putting their necks under a guillotine blade. "I like the torture tricks," he admits.

Mark gets a lot of his ideas from the TV. "I work out how they did the illusion, then I build the props."

This inventiveness has saved Mark a small fortune. His sword box cost him about £20 to make. To buy it would have set him back about £500.

Future

At the moment he's studying for 10 GCSEs, keeping with one eye on the future. They include drama, German and technology. "Drama for the act, technology to help me build the props, and German will come in handy for cruise ships."

Mark has also decided to take a year out of his education and devote it to developing his magic in front of cruise ship passengers. He can be contacted on Bolton 437715.

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