The tricks of his trade

Lindsay Sandham

Many children experiment with magic sets. Some never put them away.

Like Frank Thurston, a magician who’s been performing at the

Orange County Fair since 1992.

Performing the classic magic tricks with his own unique flair, the

Bakersfield resident does four shows a day, most of them in the Kids

Park Activity Area, and each one different than the last.

“It’s the routine that makes it my own,” Thurston said. He said

magic is the second-oldest profession and therefore, you rarely see

new tricks -- it’s up to the magician to put an original spin on it.

For Thurston, it’s comedy and slightly off-color jokes that set

him apart.

“This is what I call a family magic-comedy show,” he said.

Thurston thinks it’s important to have humor, so parents can also

enjoy themselves.

He also said he doesn’t plan out his routines ahead of time -- he

waits to see what the audience is like and then improvises.

Thurston does the fair circuit every year. From April through

October he travels up, down and across California with his wagon full

of tricks.

“This is my absolute favorite fair of the year,” said Thurston.

“It’s a large fair but it still retains the county-fair feel.”

Thurston has been practicing magic since he was 6 years old and has

been making his living as a full-time, professional magician for 21

years.

His uncle was a magician and owned a magic store, which made it

easy for Thurston and his older sister to learn all the tricks of the

trade.

They used to do performances for the family in their living room

or in their backyard.

Thurston began earning some extra cash in high school by

performing at parties on the weekends. He earned a full scholarship

in theatrical arts to California State University Bakersfield.

Throughout college, he continued to earn money on the side by

practicing and performing magic.

“My studies started getting affected by the magic,” Thurston said.

He finally made the decision to take a year off from college and

practice magic full-time. He never went back.

“It’s not your normal job,” Thurston said. “It’s not so bad --

they’re basically paying me to play for a living.”

Thurston said he feels fortunate to have tapped into the magic

market when he did, but for most people, he recommends the pursuit of

higher education through college. Meanwhile -- what is the secret to

magic tricks?

“The hand is quicker than the eye,” the magician revealed.

“Anyone who’s ever stuck their finger in their eye knows that.”