Val Andrews
Val Andrews was a multifaceted English magician, writer, and raconteur born in Brighton, Sussex. He began his career in show business at the age of twelve, initially performing magic tricks under the name Val Vox from 1938 to 1948, inspired by a performance from the renowned illusionist Dante. After relocating to London and changing his stage name to Vanson, Andrews primarily performed in British vaudeville shows and also engaged in various other creative pursuits, including cartooning and comedy writing. He faced personal tragedies, including the loss of his daughter, Christine, in an accident.
In addition to his magic performances, Andrews became an accomplished author of biographies on magicians, notably documenting the life of his early inspiration, Dante. He also contributed to the literary world with a series of Sherlock Holmes novels starting in the 1980s, becoming a prominent figure among authors of Holmes-related works. His writing is known for its theatrical flair, reflecting his extensive experience in performance art. In recognition of his contributions, Andrews received a Literary Fellowship from the Annual Academy of Magical Arts in 2000. Throughout his life, he maintained a passion for magic and theatrical history, leaving a lasting impact in both fields.
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Subject Terms
Val Andrews
Writer
- Born: 1926
- Birthplace: Brighton, Sussex, England
- Died: October 12, 2006
Biography
Magician, raconteur, and writer Val Andrews was born in Brighton, in the county of Sussex, England. His mother, Dorothy May Evans, was a milliner, and his father, William Frederick Andrews, was an architect and surveyor. An only child, his schooling ended at age twelve, when he entered show business. From 1938 to 1948, Andrews performed magic tricks under the name Val Vox. His decision to become a magician was set in motion at the early age of nine, when he saw a performance by the great illusionist, Dante, and was inspired by his extraordinary personal magnetism and showmanship.
Settling in London in 1943, Andrews changed his professional name five years later to Vanson, working under that name until 1951. Most of his work as a magician was in British vaudeville summer shows and Christmas shows, but in difficult times Andrews also demonstrated magic in stores. He also worked as a cartoonist and handed out brochures in the street. From 1949 to 1960, he ran a comedy writing business.
Andrews married in 1959 and divorced ten years later. His daughter, Christine, was tragically killed in a street accident when she was eight years old. Throughout his life, Andrews continued to pursue theatrical work as a magician, performing in the United States in the 1980’s. Eventually, Andrews became recognized not only as a noted magician but also as a photographer and expert on theatrical history, authoring a number of biographies of other magicians, including Goodnight, Mr. Dante: A Biography of Harry A. Jansen (“Dante the Magician”), 1883-1955, a tribute to the magician who first inspired him. Andrews also is known for performing a magic trick called the Val Evans Card Rise effect.
Andrews first discovered Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories as a child, when he found a pile of old Strand magazines containing the stories in his family’s attic. Captivated by these mysteries, Andrews regretted that Doyle had not written more of them; in his later adult years, Andrews decided to make up for this by writing a number of highly inventive novels featuring Holmes. Andrews began his series of Holmes books in the 1980’s and since then has become the best and most prolific of all of the authors who have written additional novels about the famed fictional detective. Andrews books are enriched by his fifty years in show business and often draw on his knowledge of magic, magicians, the theater, and theatrical history. In 2000, Andrews was the recipient of a Literary Fellowship awarded by the Annual Academy of Magical Arts.