Mark Townend is both a Priest in the Church of England and member of the Magic Circle. He often performs close up and stage magic, entertaining such diverse groups as Massai Warriors and retried Roman Catholic Nuns. Mark has led retreats and given talks that combine magic and spirituality. He has also had many of his original magical stories and magic effects published, some of which he has performed on television. | "... the magic comes when the magician says or does something to make the broken item whole again." | | Reverend Mark Townsend |
Mark says: "I've been enchanted by magic and illusion for as long as I can remember. "It has had a profound ability to keep alive the experience of mystery and wonder, which has been so important for me." Mark has used his magical skills and knowledge to awaken others to that same experience of enchantment. He says: "Of course I do not claim any special powers, I simply allow the power of the magical experience itself to carry people into the world of childlike awe." Instills hope There's another reason why he finds magic is so powerful. Not only does it evoke wonder, it also taps into some of the deepest longings and hopes of humankind. Mark says: "When I see a good stage illusionist I often feel like I'm a participant in a religious ritual. "The visual images can reach places within our psyches that are usually assumed to be the domain of religion alone. "Take for example the so-called cut and restored effects; most magic performances, of whatever style, will include one or two tricks where something (or someone) is apparently broken or destroyed, and yet restored again. "Perhaps it is a rope, or a spectator’s shiny new watch, or a bank note, or even a volunteer from the audience. "When we watch something being broken, torn up or smashed, it resonates deep inside because we have all (regretfully) experienced the destructive side of life." The magic of tricks and real life
 | | Revd Mark Townsend performing tricks |
The experience of brokenness is simply a fact of life for us all, and Mark's not just talking about physical breaking. He says: "Many of us have also had more than a taste of emotional brokenness too: a broken promise, a broken heart, a damaged relationship, a bruised ego, a shattered dream. "The first part of the cut and restored trick, therefore, emotionally pulls us into the experience by ruthlessly exposing us to a display of destruction. "But the trick does not stop there; it doesn't leave us with that uncomfortable feeling of witnessing something being destroyed. "If it did, it might be symbolic but it would not be magic; no, the magic comes when the magician says or does something to make the broken item whole again." Mark believes the power of this cannot be overstated, for just as we all know what it means to witness something (even ourselves) being broken, we also know what it means to hope or dream for healing and restoration. The Gospel of Falling Down
 | | The Gospel of Falling Down book cover |
With that in mind Mark has attempted to combine these two powerful elements in his life (his magic and his faith) by writing a book for ALL people. He hopes that magicians will begin to see their own magic in a new and beautiful way – as something that has the capacity to truly transform and bring wonder to their audiences lives. He hopes that religious people (of any faith) might find that they have a unique inner magic and value without having to prove themselves or see themselves as right and others as wrong. | 
