The Magic Circle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the magician's organisation. For the Wiccan symbol, see Magic circle. For the term used to describe a group of law firms, see Magic Circle (law). For the album, see Magic Circle (album).
The Magic Circle is a British organisation dedicated to magic. Its headquarters are in London, and professional magicians who want to join need to first demonstrate their skills to existing members. There are currently approximately 1500 members (including Charles, Prince of Wales) in 41 countries. Members must be over 18 years of age.
The Magic Circle was founded in 1905, after a meeting of 23 amateur and professional magicians at London's Pinoli's Restaurant. The first official meeting was held at The Green Man public house in Soho, but meetings were later held in a room at St. George's Hall in Langham Place, where David Devant and John Nevil Maskelyne were regularly seen. Devant became the first President of The Magic Circle, and in 1906, Maskelyne edited the first issue of The Magic Circular, a publication that has been a regular feature for Magic Circle members ever since.
The club was a men only organisation until 1991 when the vast majority of members voted to admit women.
The current president (2006) is Alan Shaxon.
The Latin motto of the society is Indocilis Privata Loqui which means "not apt to disclose secrets". Anyone who explains how a trick is done is subject to immediate expulsion from the society.
Since 1998 The Magic Circle Headquarters building in central London has also been available for use as a venue for meetings and corporate entertainment and was voted 'best unusual venue' by the hospitality industry. You can tour the building online here
The Magic Circle Headquarters houses a theatre, museums, libraries, dining room, clubroom and bars.
One of the society's youth initiatives is The Young Magicians Club, which is open to magicians between the ages of 10 and 18. The Young Magicians Club has its own magazine called 'Secrets'.
Membership of The Young Magicians Club currently requires no interview or exam so that young magicians of all stages can join. Often new members are almost total beginners, and having to pass an examination to gain membership would detract from the main point of the YMC which is to learn and have fun despite how long you have been doing magic.
Membership of The Magic Circle requires the applicant to undergo an interview and pass exams to show proficiency and skill.
Within The Magic Circle, there is a smaller select number or members never exceeding two hundred and fifty magicians known as The Inner Magic Circle. Membership of The Inner Magic Circle is denoted by the letters M.I.M.C after the members name. Membership of The Inner Magic Circle is by call of the society's President.
