Magician's giant wand trouble
With its huge wand perched on top, car park barriers are proving a big problem for Black Country conjurer Russ and his "magic" Mercedes.
The 35-year-old tours hospitals to entertain sick children and regularly encounters surprised looks from passers-by thanks to the car's eye-catching giant wand. The two-metre prop, placed at a 45 degree angle,
is so big it has been likened to a rocket launcher and regularly leaves Russ in a pickle when it comes to parking before a show.
His latest fix was in Wolverhampton on Sunday when he was due to perform at the Tettenhall Wood Institute in Wood Road.
Yet again the Merc would not squeeze under an adjacent car park's height entry barrier, leaving Russ in a predicament.
He said: "The car park had a height restriction barrier and I couldn't get in because of my magic wand, so I had to park alongside shops, which passers-by would have found amusing.
"The wand is so big some people call it a rocket launcher and occasionally it causes me problems. I can't fit into any multi-storey car parks, for example.
"I can assure people that it isn't a rocket launcher though, it's a commissioned wand.
"It's a bit of fun really. The Mercedes gets me out and about all over the Black Country, for magic performances both for work and for charity."
Russ the Magician, otherwise known as Russ Stokes of Lingfield Way, Kingswinford, has been touring the area as a full-time magician for the last 15 years.
He said: "I was an electrical power tools salesman and went to Las Vegas for my parents' wedding anniversary where I saw this magic shop called Houdini.
"The magic bug bit me and I've never put it down since. I got married five weeks ago to my wife Melissa and she also works with me as Missy Makeup.
"I make a better living from it than working full-time as a power tools salesman. I also enjoy performing at hospitals all around the region entertaining the children."
