Not just men's magic - 19th November 2021

Around the globe, both children and adults are fascinated by magic. However, despite women being admitted into the magicians' society, "The Magic Circle", since 1991, it’s still a field which is dominated by men.

About to take the stage at Los Angeles' iconic Magic Castle, American magician Kayla Drescher explains:

Kayla Drescher: "Amongst anyone that calls themself a magician, so that ranges from a hobbyist, to your uncle Bob with the coin coming out of your ear, all the way to David Copperfields, about 7 percent of someone who calls themselves a magician, 7 percent are women. And anybody that makes an actual career, whether it be full time pro, or semi-professional, about 2 percent of those magicians are women.

Women have performed in magic acts for centuries as the "glamorous assistant", but Drescher feels their purpose has been as a prop, rather like stage furniture such as a lamp or table. Yet she admits that this role does allow enthusiasts to pick up magic talents.

Kayla Drescher: "I think some of the best magicians who are women have come from starting as an assistant. And I think it's really, really cool that more women are wanting, are loving magic enough that they want to do it on their own. I think that's key."

Appearing on stage with her magician husband, John, as well as their two daughters Jasmine and Haylie, Mari-Lynn supports as more of a conventional assistant.

Mari Lynn: "You know, it's something you've got to really have a bug for, you gotta love it. And not everybody, you know, who comes in contact with it falls in love with it, so. Because it's not an easy business and it's certainly not easy for women."

With both daughters already interested in the craft and going on stage, John doesn’t see why there should be any discrimination.

John Shryock: "I mean, there's some really fantastic female magicians. I, I don't – I, I, I've never seen why they're – what's – you know, it's just entertainment. And if you, if you entertain the crowd, it doesn't matter if you're a boy or girl. You just, you just have fun and, and if you love magic, it's, it's, it's great."

Women magicians have more tricks up their sleeves.