I have noticed a lot of magicians and escapologists start out at a young age. I am new to escapology (really new) and was wondering if anybody started out when they were in their thirty’s or older?

Started in my 40's. I'll be 61 next month and I will do escapes until I can't do them any more. I am curently working on an escape that involves either a wheelchair on a walker for my later years.

I started in my mid-late teens, but put it on hold for a very long time, picking it up again when I was about 40

I did my first SJ when I was about 18. Needed a finale for my street show and everyone else seemed to be doing the 6' unicycle and juggling fire. So I did a straitjacket on a rola bola instead.

Didn't learn another escape until I was 24 when I started work on handcuffs.

I was a juggler quite young, but still not as young as most. Started that aged 14.

Personally I think the older EA will get taken more seriously.

I had an under 20 year old EA tell once "When the people see me do an escape and then see you do one they'll say hey if that kid can do it that guy should be able to do it right?" I replied "NO...when they see you do your escape the people will say, hey if that old man can do it that kid surely can!"

See pic I'm approximately 8

It's a similar photo to a Blackstone Sr. photo (with the birdcage on the head). I didn't copy the idea, It just happened to be the best I could think of at the time.

I believe Harry's picture is in the Blackstone Book but I can't quote a page number.

Click here to view attached image.

Jay, where was that taken? You look like you are in prison?

That was in my back yard.

Immediately after that photo I announced that I was going to be a magician and that I could fly. Then I ran down the driveway and fell on my face.

Thank you for all of your answers. It means a lot to me. Now I can tell my husband it is alright to start in your thirty's.
Jay I like the picture of you(how cute). Again thanks for the comments!

Julie

Jay's the one on the right!!

Same as Ros. I was 18 When I started Escapes. Magic was a lot longer.

I'm 60. I was in my mid-30s when I started really sinking my teeth into escapes (and stunt work). My imagination is drawn many interesting directions. My body manages to keep up. My sense of theater has not stopped developing, and most days I still like performing. I've traveled to a lot of cool places, and met a lot of delightful people. Who could ask for more?

Im in my late 30s, used to do magic way before and included escapology in my act, It grew from there and I now prefer it. Every time I do a show it pulls more people in than the magic ever did.