I have always had a great interest in history, inspired by the historical novels of Jean Plaidy. Antonia Frasers “The Weaker Vessel” further cultivated an interest in ‘herstory’ Vs history. As part of my English Degree I studied Feminist literature and the gothic novels of the 19th Century. Bliss! A whole three years of reading wonderful books!
After university, I trained in theatre with Phillippe Gaulier and Desmond Jones. Both practitioners and pioneers of storytelling and physical theatre. I then re-discovered my childhood interest in magic.
Later I was fortunate enough to combine storytelling and theatre with history as a job. I worked at Warwick Castle part of the Merlin group, as Show and Performance Manager. I created seasonal tours and shows performed by a team of over thirty actors. My favourite productions were’The Royal Weekend Party,’ and ‘Seance, Spirits Unleashed!’ The Royal Weekend party is a walkthrough attraction in the Victorian part of the Castle. It features actors playing servants and friends of Daisy the Countess of Warwick. The characters talk to guests about their lives, bringing history to life.
‘Seance! Spirits unleashed’ was a walkthrough haunted house attraction with actors. I produced this for the Halloween Season. It was a fabulous project to work on as the story behind the seance was real. Legend states that Daisy the Countess of Warwick held a seance. The spirits manifested were so horrific that everyone fled from the table at once. The seance circle was broken and now the ghosts haunt the castle forever… The history of Warwick Castle is rich with folklore and legends. It was here that I learned my craft of bringing history to life through magic and storytelling…
One of the characters created at Warwick was a lady called Madame Macabre. Madame Macabre was a cross between Mrs Danvers from Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and The Woman in Black. A very austere Victorian Woman who lurked in a room presiding over a rotten feast of worms and general rot.. she invited people to dine with her and then screamed at them to get out.. She was a very one dimensional Halloween character, BUT she paved the way for Sylvia Sceptre.
When Warwick Castle was once more restructured I continued as a full time magician. Sylvia Sceptre began as a desire to combine my interest in Victorian Social History with magic. I am particularly intrigued by the Victorian fascination with mourning and death and the role of spiritualists as early magicians.. The beginnings of the act began over at www.pinterest.co.uk
Check out the next blog to find out how I researched and got the act together..
