ACCOUNTANCY is not a funny business, but one ex-exponent of the number-crunching fraternity is on a mission to prove that bean counting and comedy do mix.
Magical comedian and ex-accountant, Ian Keable grew up in Buckinghamshire and moved to London in his teens. An accountant by day, Ian honed his talent for magic tricks by night in the city's comedy clubs. He brings his show, Conjuring Up Comedy, to The Abbey Theatre Studio, St Albans, next weekend.
Back in the day, Ian tells me he appeared alongside several comedians who have since become household names.
He says: "I qualified as an accountant in London and became interested in comedy clubs. There was a flourishing scene in the '80s and I shared a stage with Jack Dee, Frank Skinner, Lee Evans and Eddie Izzard. Frank Skinner is the funniest comedian ever.
"In the beginning I died many a death. One time at The Comedy Store I was booked in at 1am. I was only doing an unpaid open spot and had five minutes to demonstrate my abilities.
`Arthur Smith was the compere and I followed a comedian who simply tore the place apart. Smith came back on stage and said `let's have a round of applause for Harry Enfield'. It was interesting because it was just before Harry got his break with Friday Night Live. I think I lasted two minutes on stage that night."
So how did the lure of comedy seduce Ian away from the desk job?
"It began as a part-time hobby," says Ian. "I appeared on New Faces when I was still an accountant. Marti Caine was the compere and Joe Pasquale won.
"It was slightly embarrassing to think my collea gues had seen me on TV. I tried to keep it separate from my work by just doing evenings, but then an international company offered me three months' accountancy work in India and I felt I had to turn it down. Soon after that I resigned.
"No doubt financially I would be better off if I'd stayed as an accountant, but I've had a much more enjoyable life. I've no regrets in that respect."
And so he shouldn't. Ian has now clocked up more than 17 years in the magic trade, has been named the British Magical Champion of Comedy and been given a Variety Award for Best Magician. He is also a Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star.
Ian returned to his roots in 2006 to perform in the villages around Buckinghamshire and in Hemel Hempstead last year.
I ask if he finds time to add to his repertoire between tours?
"I go to magic conventions," says Ian. "It's not quite Harry Potter country, but there are these sad people in bunny rabbit ties. It's an interesting mix though, with professionals, amateurs and a few international visitors.
"I also go on `busman's holidays' where I'll ring up the local magic club and stay with other magicians. They're very hospitable.
"You can't tell secrets to other people, so I guess that's why we open up to other magicians."
Conjuring Up Comedy is at The Abbey Theatre Studio, Holywell Hill, St Albans on Saturday, March 8 at 8pm. Tickets: 01727 857861
© St Albans and Harpended Review 2008