Biography
Geoffrey Durham (born 22 July 1949) is a British comedy magician and actor, widely recognized for his long-running persona as "the Great Soprendo."
Born in East Molesey, Surrey, England, Durham developed an interest in magic at age ten, performing occasionally for friends and family. However, by 13, his enthusiasm had diminished. He later studied Spanish at Leeds University and took a position as a stagehand at Leeds City Varieties Theatre. After 18 months, during which he became head flyman, he left to pursue acting.
After several years in stage productions, his passion for magic was revived while preparing for a Liverpool show where his character performed tricks. Rediscovering his enjoyment of magic, he decided to make it his career.
For over 15 years, Durham performed as an outrageous Spanish magician, using the catchphrase "Piff Paff Poof!" As 'The Great Soprendo,' he appeared on numerous children's TV programs, including Crackerjack, and toured theatres across the UK.
Once he retired the Great Soprendo character, Durham continued to find success under his own name. He was a regular contributor to Channel 4's Countdown and his Newspaper Tear trick was featured on the channel’s Fifty Greatest Magic Tricks. He also occasionally appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Puzzle Panel.
In 1988, Durham served as magic consultant for the Doctor Who episode The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, coaching Sylvester McCoy for scenes in which the Doctor performs magic in the Dark Circus. He received an on-screen credit for his work.
A member of the Inner Magic Circle, Durham was awarded the Maskelyne Award in 2002. He had previously declined to join the Magic Circle due to its male-only policy, instead joining the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Durham appeared in the 1987 film Wish You Were Here, starring Emily Lloyd and Tom Bell.
He married writer and comedian Victoria Wood in March 1980; the couple separated in 2002 and divorced in 2003. They had two children, a daughter named Grace and a son named Henry.
In December 2014, Durham married business psychologist Helen Morris Brown.
After attending a Quaker meeting in 1994, Durham became a member of the Society of Friends two years later. He has described his involvement with Quakers as "the single most inspiring, moving and rewarding thread running through the whole of my adult life." He was active in the Quaker outreach initiative Quaker Quest and continues to speak regularly at Quaker events.
