For over thirty years, I’ve been exploring the strange, the gothic, and the fascinating spaces where reality and illusion blur. My practice spans theatre, academia, and bizarre magick, evolving from my early days as an actor and director into a lifelong dedication to mystery entertainment. Whether I’m staging interactive séances, uncovering the forgotten histories of Victorian spirit mediums, or performing at events like HorrorConUK, I love creating experiences that challenge how we see the impossible. Alongside my live and digital performances, I serve as the Chief-Editor of The Journal of Performance Magic, blending my love for hands-on stagecraft with deep research into the psychology of belief. Welcome to my cabinet of curiosities—a place where storytelling, scholarship, and the supernatural meet.
Performances & Exhibitions
- (2026) (artist) Hiding the Elephant in the Room [HEiR] [Film and Vitrine]
- (2024) (performer) ‘Mr Punch’s Cabinet of Curiosities’ HorrorConUK, Sheffield.
- (2022) (writer and performer) The Davenports Play Huddersfield, The University of Huddersfield
- (2021) (Writer & Performer) in Crowley, D.(2021, July 12). Séance: A View Through the Veil. Steel Films
- (2019) (performer) Séance: A view from through the veil. Leeds Trinity University
- (2018) (performer) ‘Mr Punch’s Cabinet of Curiosities’ Central Library, Huddersfield.
- (2017) (performer) Halloween Happening, Laurence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield.
- (2017) (performer) A Weekend of Wonderful Things Yorkshire Sculpture Park
- (2016) (performer) Halloween Happening, Laurence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield.
- (2016) (performer) The Cabinet of Caligari, Heritage Quay, Huddersfield.
- (2016) (performer) ‘Mr Punch’s Cabinet of Curiosities‘ In: Horror Con, Sheffield.
- (2016) (performer) ‘Vortex’ Vibe, Vortex Gallery, Huddersfield.
- (2015) (performer) ‘Christmas Ghost Stories: An Evening Of Stories And Séance Magic’ Tolson Museum, Huddersfield.
- (2015) (performer) ‘Mr Punch’s Cabinet of Curiosities‘ Laurence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield.
- (2015) (performer) ‘Mr Punch’s Cabinet of Curiosities‘ In: Horror Con, Sheffield.
- 2014 (magician, oracle, performer) YMEDACA Yorkshire Sculpture Park
- 2011 (performer) How Psychic are you? – the sequel, Laurence Batley Theatre
- 2010 (performer) How Psychic Are You? Laurence Batley Theatre
- 2009 (performer) Bizarre Magick [Performance] The Ninth Biannual Conference of the International Gothic Association, 21-24 July 2009, Lancaster University
- 2009 (performer) Many Magics – an informance – Milton Theatre
- 1997 (artist/performer) Four Lands (The Journey Project)
- 1996 (performer/writer/director) Abductions Mythos Theatre Company @ Discurs’96, Giessen, Germany.
- 1988 – 1990 – Performer in the bad ThePsycho Druids The Bedroom Disciples
- 1987 Marina Leisure Centre – Character Performer
Publications, Writing & Editorial
- (2022) (Writer) ‘Mashing up Magick: Bizarre Magick and the Fuzzy Gothic’ in Gothic Mash-Ups Washington: Lexington Books
- (2020) (writer) Performing Real Magic(K): The Conjurer and Audience in Bizarre Magick, The University of Huddersfield
- (2018) (writer) Time Well Spent with the Mediums. In: The Penny Mysteries Issue 2. London, Velvet Bear Productions
- (2018) (writer) The Davenports visit Huddersfield in 1865. In: The Penny Mysteries Issue 1. London, Velvet Bear Productions
- 2018 (writer) ‘Foreword’ In: The Magicians’ Guide To The Baffling Blocks. Sheffield, Carter’s Magical Events
- (2016) (writer) ‘Strange Ceremonies: Creating Imaginative Spaces in Bizarre Magick in The Luminary, Issue 7, pp. 54-63 ISSN 2056-9238
- (2015) (writer) ‘Strange Ceremonies: The Laboratory, Library, and the Living Room; Creating Imaginative Spaces in Bizarre Magick.’ In: Locating Fantastika, Lancaster University.
- (2015) (writer) Impersonating Spirits: The Paranormal Entertainer and the Dramaturgy of the Gothic Séance. In: New Directions in 21st-Century Gothic: The Gothic Compass. Routledge, pp. 163-174. ISBN 1138810614
- (2015) (writer (with Stuart Nolan)) Performing Fabulous Monsters: Re-inventing the Gothic Personae in Bizarre Magic. In: Monstrous media/spectral subjects: Imaging Gothic from the nineteenth century to the present. Manchester University Press, pp. 128- 142. ISBN 978-0-7190-8977-0
- (2015) (writer) ‘The Fairy Goblet of Eden Hall to Hunting Mammoths in the Rain – experiencing the paraxial through performance magic and mystery entertainment.’. In: Tales Beyond Borders, The University of Leeds
- 2014 (writer) Can We Perform Real Magic? (a provocation). In Paul Voodini, Aye Demon! Reader of Minds Press.
- 2014 (writer) Out of Tricks. In: Todd Landman (ed.) The Magiculum. EyeCorner Press.
- 2013 (writer) The Bizarnival of the Strange. Mystic Menagerie, 1 (13), pp.10-12
- 2012 – present (chief-editor) The Journal of Performance Magic
- 2012 (contributor) Liber Mentis Psycrets
- 2011 (writer) Collective Delusion and the Madness of Crowds. In: Occult Magic 2: Into The Darkness. London, Valentine Entertainments.
- 2011 (writer) Introduction. In: Scripting & Storytelling for Paranormal Entertainers. Lowestoft, Aken Productions.
- 2010 (writer) Throw Six to Start. Mystic Menagerie, 1 (3), pp.21-24
- 2009.(writer (with Stuart Nolan)) Nolan, S. Performing Fabulous Monsters. The Ninth Biannual Conference of the International Gothic Association, 21-24 July 2009, Lancaster University
- 1996 – 1997 (editor) Mythos Magazine
Presentations, Lectures & Workshops
- (2026) Performing ‘real’ Magick : The themes and performance of bizarre magic(k). Invited talk – The Magic Circle
- (2026) The Davenport Brothers’ notorious visit to Huddersfield in 1865. Invited talk – Kirklees Libraries
- (2024) – presentation – The Transformed Magician: How Magicians Made Magic Horrible Again -for Transformation: Australasian Horror Studies Network Conference
- (2023) ‘What Sounds Do Ghosts Make?’, Interactive Workshop, Huddersfield Art Gallery
- (2023) Presenter How to See Impossible Things Video Essay and Magic, Videographic Entanglements Symposium, The University of Huddersfield
- (2023) Presenter – ‘Live on-stage interview with Reece Shearsmith’ Doomsday XI, Derby
- (2022) (presenter) ‘Making Dark Magicks‘ Doomsday XI, Derby
- (2021) (Presenter) Hiding the Elephant in the Room, Lines of Flight Seminar Series, The University of Huddersfield
- (2019) (presenter) Four Stage to Hacking Reality, Psycon 2019: Exploring Occult Themes within Performance Arts. London.
- (2019) (presenter) Spiritualists and Magicians: Outrage, Appropriation and the Birth of a Performance Genre. Leeds Trinity University
- (2017) (presenter) Magic as Broken Knowledge The Magiculum Symposium, The University of Huddersfield
- (2016) (presenter) ‘A Cabinet of Curiosities’ Doomsday VII, Whitby.
- (2015) (interviewee) ‘Seance and Spookshow Podcast’ Episode 12.
- 2014 (presenter) Performing Seance: Four Steps to Collective Delusion. Milton Theatre.
- 2013 (Panel Member) Bizarre Magick Roundtable Doomsday ’13
- 2011 (m.c.) Scrambling Your Minds Psycrets, Milton Theatre
- 2011 (lecturer) Tabula Mentis IX
Directing, Producing & Advising
- (2022) (director) The Return of the Davenports – a one-act play, The University of Huddersfield
- (2015) (advisor) Nosferatu, Proper Job Theatre Company.
- 2014 (director) Vampire Survivors. Milton Theatre
- 2013 (advisor) Magic of Medicine The Thackray Medical Museum
- 2013 (director) Dr, Svengali’s Travelling Winter Show. Milton Theatre
- 2012 (director) Bizarnival of the Strange, Milton Theatre
- 2010 (director) South lake medical – a horror attraction, Milton Theatre
- 2007 (director) England’s Home of Mystery
- 2005 (producer / actor) Spoken by Crowds, Roro Films
- 2002 (director) Headsmen’s holiday & Hugo Carp, Festival of Contemporary European Plays
- 1999 (director / actor) Pheadra’s Love, Corridor Theatre Company
- 1996 (director) Greek, Corridor Theatre Company
- 1995 (writer / director) Witch-house The Dreams of Walter Gilman – Laurence Batley Theatre
Acting
- 2013 (actor) Mr Shiraz: No Prophecy AshTV
- 2004 (actor) Vendetta, Roro films 2004
- 2000 (actor) Howard Barker’s The Europeans, Festival of Contemporary European Plays
- 1998 (actor) The Treatment, Corridor Theatre Company
- 1996 (actor) Howard Barker’s Ego In Arcadia, University of Huddersfield production and UK premiere
- 1994 (actor) Mates, Edinburgh Fringe Festival
- 1993 (actor) Plastic People, Edinburgh Fringe Festival
- 1993 (actor) Angels Still Falling, Dulouz Theatre Company
Organisation, Judging & Media Content
- (2025 – ongoing) Organization committee for Doomsday Magick Convention
- (2024) (expert comment) Harry Potter fans boo as ‘miserable muggles’ nix annual King’s Cross even – The Washington Post
- (2024) – started a secret life as a Youtuber
- (2022) (judge) The Hex Factor, Doomsday XI, Derby
- (2018) (judge) The Hex Factor, Doomsday IX, Whitby
- 2012 – present (coordinator) Magic Research Group
Education & Early Career
- 1991 – 1994 – Studied Theatre at the University of Huddersfield
- 1989 – 1991 – Screen Printer
- 1987 Assistant Stage Manager – Copycats tour
- 1985 Hippodrome Circus – Spotlight Operator
- 1985 left School then went to college until 1988
- 1970s first magic set and shows