Meet Mr. Vail

The goal is not simply to perform tricks. The goal is to create memories.

Mr. Vail is the performing name of Damon Dylan Stang, a professional magician working across Colchester, Essex, Suffolk and London.

Every magician has a first trick. For me, it started with a simple deck of cards and a performance for my grandpa.

One of the first pieces of magic I ever performed involved the classic three queens. At the time, it was just a trick I had learned and was excited to show someone. I remember performing it for my grandpa and seeing his reaction. There was something about that moment that made me want to learn more. My grandpa encouraged me to keep practising, keep learning and see just how far I could take it.

What started with a deck of cards quickly became something much bigger. For over ten years, I have dedicated myself to magic, spending countless hours practising sleight of hand, card magic, misdirection, psychology, presentation and performance. There have been plenty of moments where a move felt impossible, but those are often the moments that made me want to practise even more.

That original three queen trick was only the beginning. Over the years, I have taken what I learned from those early routines and developed it into performances where the ending can feel completely impossible. I have spent years learning from magic books, card books, performances and the magicians who have helped shape the art.

A lot of my inspiration has also come from watching magic and performance films. Now You See Me, Now You See Me 2 and Now You See Me 3, along with many other films, have influenced the way I think about the atmosphere, presentation and storytelling behind magic. I love the idea that a performance can feel like a story rather than simply someone showing you a trick.

But for me, magic has never just been about knowing how to perform a trick. It is about understanding people.

I pay close attention to body language, reactions, expressions and the atmosphere around me. Every person reacts differently, and I use those little details to shape the performance in front of me. The aim is to create those moments where everyone suddenly stops, looks at each other and thinks, "How did that just happen?"

The way I look is deliberately mysterious. The black coat, mask, gold details and darker style are designed to create a memorable first impression and set the atmosphere before the first card even leaves the deck.

But despite the look, I am actually a pretty relaxed and funny person. I want people to feel comfortable, laugh, enjoy themselves and become part of the experience. That contrast between the mysterious appearance and the person behind it is something I really enjoy.

Whether I am performing close up at a wedding, around a table at a private party, in a restaurant or on stage in front of a larger audience, I want people to leave with more than just a memory of seeing a magic trick.

I want them to remember how it felt.

After more than ten years of learning, practising and performing, that is what I continue to chase.

The impossible moment. The genuine reaction. The story people tell afterwards.