The Magic Circle

Led by the Master, 25 Arbitrators and friends set out to go to the Magic Circle on 28th of March and, hey presto, 27 arrived and we were promptly admitted. It really works that magic stuff. We started with a buffet round the corner at the Ibis Hotel, useful in keeping starvation away for the next three hours of delight.

The show is in two parts. To begin with a team of magicians come to small groups and play card tricks right in front of you. Find the lady you never will. Pieces of rope transform themselves form three to one and back again. Patter was brilliant. Dean bounced in, hair straight up and a sticker on the back of his coat., “I am returning this suit tomorrow. Someone stole my other one today.” Then to the theatre for a short history of the magic Circle; so interesting, and after sandwiches and coffee in the Maskelyn and Devant Room, it was off to the show.

Tommy Copper's fez was in a show case, with brief notes by him of the jokes he intended to tell that night. One of the Magic Circle was a great friend and was wearing Tommy Cooper's cuff links, a pack of cards spread for showing to the punters; so moving.

More amusing patter introduced the three main acts.

The first magician described Derek Ross 's school days to us. Derek had written some clues on a paper, twisted it into four and sealed it in an envelope. His teacher's nick name was Nancy. There it appeared written magically on a pad in front of all of us. Hardly surprising if your teacher really is called Nancy, but the name of the school was right also and other clues as well. How did he do it? Magic or a trick? Mind reading or was it down to the paper or the pen? – they were the magician's, I wonder. Sylvia can't wait for more magical revelations of Derek's sinful past.

Then a magician of the old school came on. White tie and tails. No patter at all, but the subtlest of facial expressions, moods changed silently from despair to joy when his green, red and white ties knitted themselves together.

The last act was so smooth I can't remember what it was about. His manner was that of a successful solicitor persuading you to change your will at your expense, clever patter accompanied cool tricks. This ended an evening of charm, humour and fun. Just the thing for your children to enjoy, not forgetting your own enjoyment as well.

If you do want to take a party to the Magic Circle for their xmas show, they do four performances, then ring the xmas box office from October 1 st on 020 7387 2222. Get in early as the Master wants to book the entire theatre and I AM GOING FOR ROW 3.

See you there!

Past Master Andrew Drysdale