Pinetown’s ‘magic dragon’ pens book
Local magician, Arthur Reed, bares it all in his autobiography entitled 'Arthur Reed, The Magic Dragon'.
THE names Arthur and Avril Reed bring back many fond, musical and magical memories for many families that lived in the Highway area.
After the death of his beloved wife, Arthur decided to pen an autobiography of his magical life of dance, hypnosis, magic and art, entitled Arthur Reed, The Magic Dragon. After a long battle with cancer, Avril died on 20 October, 2012. He wrote in the dedication of his book: “My loving wife, Avril, who always encouraged me and became part of my outrageous adventures and my wonderful guardian angel who made it all possible.”
However, Arthur, who was born on 18 March 1940, the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, does not reveal any of his magic tricks in this tell-all book of his life.
After surviving a lightning strike at the age of five, taking up ballroom dancing when he was 18 and eventually being mesmerised by a hypnotist in action at a coffee shop after a dance lesson, Arthur eventually met the love of his life, Avril (neé Bosch), at a tap studio.
“Now I had a gorgeous girlfriend that was to be my wife for the next 53 years,” Arthur wrote.
The couple married on 22 October, 1960 at the Methodist Church in West Street. They welcomed their first child, Michelle Anne, into the world two years later, followed by their second daughter, Charmaine Vannessia, about a year later.
From discotheques, the World Conference of Magicians, fire-eating and fire-walking, the famous broom illusion, the Grahamstown Art Festival to the circus, Arthur and Avril Reed certainly became household names in the Highway area.
Their garage at their house in Fifth Avenue, Ashley also became a gallery that showcased some of Arthur’s artwork as well as his miniature wood-crafted instruments.
If you would like a copy of Arthur’s book, contact him on 072 543 3794 or email arthur@arthurreed.co.za.
Win a book
TO win a copy of Arthur Reed, The Magic Dragon, visit www.highwaymail.co.za and fill in the form below the article.
The competition closes on Thursday, 19 February at midnight. The winner will be notified telephonically on Friday, 20 February.
