A top magic expert, known as the real-life Dumbledore, tells Kerry Ann Eustice how working with Harry Potter inspired his new book, Hocus Pocus Harry Potter magic expert and illusionist Paul Kieve will share tricks and stories with Sydenham bookworms, when he talks about his new book Hocus Pocus at Kirkdale Bookshop later this month.

Paul was invited by fellow magician Fluke (also known as Sydenham-based photographer Ann Powell, who has exhibited at the bookshop) to appear. Having made his name creating illusions and effects for West End productions such as Lord of the Rings, Zorro and Witches of Eastwick, Paul became magic advisor on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

“I made the Marauders Map which folds up at the end, did tricks live to camera and taught the kids in the background tricks.”

Of course, star Daniel Radcliffe was never in the background, so initially never had any lessons. This did not stop him developing a fascination and asking Paul to be his tutor.

“I would teach him in his lunch break and he got seriously into it. He took the linking rings I bought him everywhere. I would always bring him an old books and stories so I could inspire him in a rounded way. I realised it would be a good idea for a book — teaching magic with stories of the great magicians.”

Paul then went on to combine these elements with a fictional narrative, where old-style magician show posters in overblown young magician Paul’s bedroom come to life to get his ego in check and teach him some classic tricks.

Tricks from masters such as Chung Ling Soo — a performer who was famous for catching bullets on china plates and being shot when his renowned routine went awry in 1918.

“My grandfather used to tell me that story as a kid,” said Paul, revealing where his interest in magic first came from.

“Chung Ling Soo was a very popular entertainer — in the league of Jonathan Ross, although maybe that’s not such a good comparison now,” he joked.

“The book covers the tales of great magicians, real wizards, not the fictional ones. I use magic in my talks to show what they would have done in the golden age of magic, 100 years ago, before cinema, when great magicians toured.”

Through Hocus Pocus, Paul hopes to recall the glory of what he calls the golden age of magicians.

“People always seem to fascinated by stories of great magicians, the history of it all is very important – the Magic Circle is plastered with names from the past,” he said.

“It was a fascinating time. If you imagine the magicians with the curvy moustaches and big beards, they were all competing with each other to find the best illusion – it was a very romantic and theatrical era for magic. In the talk I discuss what they did, the tricks they had and the fact they often came to a very sticky end. They would attempt very dangerous ticks to make their magic better than everyone else’s – stuff we couldn’t do now. These tricks and illusions were all created by somebody.”

Paul Kieve at Kirkdale Bookshop, Sydenham, Nov 22. 6.30pm. 020 8778 4701.