The Magic Circle

If I did know how he did it, I would not be able to say because the first rule of The Magic Circle is not to tell your secretsThe Magic Circle is often asked to comment on latest stunts, most recently by the excellent Derren Brown. Below are links to some of our responses in the media.

Fans split between scepticism and wonder at Brown stunt
InTheNews.co.uk
Fellow performers were reticent about Brown's possible methods for the lottery numbers stunt, with Jack Delvin, president of the Magic Circle, ...

How did he do THAT? Derren Brown predicts winning lottery numbers ...
Daily Mail
He added: 'This will shock the world of magic.' Jack Delvin, president of the Magic Circle, said: 'If I did know how he did it, I would not be able to say ...

 Paul Daniels urges Derren Brown to get one wrong in lottery trick
guardian.co.uk
The Magic Circle - of which Brown is not a member - was also cautious about lifting the cloak of secrecy. Jack Delvin, its new president, said Brown had ...

Jack Delvin has spent a lifetime in magic and is as passionate about magic and its future today as he was when he first started outIllusionist Jack Delvin has been elected by the members of the exclusive magicians’ club as their new president.

A professional illusionist for over 50 years, Delvin was a close friend of the recently departed Ali Bongo, his predecessor. In his career he has performed for the Sultan of Brunei and at leading theatres including the London Palladium and Her Majesty’s Theatre.

He has also appeared and advised on television shows such as One Foot in the Grave and Noel Edmond’s House Party.

Every other year, The Magic Circle, through its Youth Initiative, holds a Competition to find The Young Magician of the Year. The Competition, which was first held in 1961, is open to young people between the age of 14 and 18 years.

We are pleased to announce that Michael Jordan won The Young Magician of the Year Competition 2009.

Second place was Megan Knowles-Bacon and Carl Scutt was placed third.

The Competition has been held biennially since 1961 and has so far produced 25 winners, (there have twice been joint winners). All except two of them have gone on to successful careers in entertainment; the others are a doctor and a lawyer. Those winners who have gone on to make very successful careers in show business include the first winner, Johnny Hart, who in 1961 appeared at the London Palladium, subsequently presented his magic in Las Vegas for many years and now lives in Denmark where he advises on magic in films and television; Russ Stevens, joint winner in 1977, starred in the Mystique Illusion Show in Blackpool for nearly 8 years; Richard Cadell became a highly successful illusionist and is now Sooty’s presenter; Andrew O’Connor, who won in 1981, has developed a highly successful career, starring in the touring production of "Barnum", producing and presenting numerous TV shows and has recently made his film directorial debut; Dominic Wood took the title in 1995, going on to become a favourite children’s television presenter. In 2007 the title was taken by 16 year old Ben Hart, and the previous two winners, Paul Dabek in 2003 and Steve Dela in 2005, are also making names for themselves as rising stars of magic

The team behind The Magic Circle Headquarters has been awarded the title “Venue Team of The Year”.

The announcement was made by the Association of Event Organisers at the annual Excellence Awards held at the Hilton on Park Lane and hosted by comedian Jason Manford. This is the latest industry honour for the team responsible for London’s most magical venue.

Marketing Executive Hollie Taylor commented, “I understand that entries for this award were at an all time record level this year, so to win is something very special indeed.”

Sales Manager Paul Jablon said, “We were shortlisted with four other world-class venues; Earls Court & Olympia, the Business Design Centre, the Scottish Exhibition Centre and ExCeL London. I’m delighted that all our hard work has been recognised with this prestigious award this year.”

A spokesman for the judges revealed what had impressed them. “Excellent new marketing initiatives and a highly successful and focused sales approach have resulted in a great list of new clients and a massive turnaround for the venue. Our congratulations to The Magic Circle Headquarters”

The team effort from Tracey Mullis, Peter Saturno, Paul Jablon and Hollie Taylor deserve all our congratulations. Last year The Magic Circle headquarters was highly commended for this award and this year the team excelled themselves by winning the top award.

Well done everybody!

CMA Board Ltd.

The theatre was standing room only at The Magic Circle's HQ in London to watch some of the leading close-up magicians in the country compete with each other. Always a popular event the two audiences enjoyed a  high standard of performance throughout. Congratulations go to Pete Wardell whose assured performance of coins to glass and his acclaimed cups and balls routine won him 1st place in this year's competition. (Pete has now 100% record in winning competitions he has entered). John van der Put came in second place whose act featured a clever and entertaining "card in laptop screen" along with his signature VDP card transformation. Paul Brown came third with a beautiful set piece featuring a theme of alchemy that resulted in him being awarded the Ali Bongo Originality Prize as well. Many favourable comments were made afterwards about the quality of all the competitors.