A Week Immersed in Magic: Cambridge Magician at The Magic Circle
- brian storey
- Oct 26
- 4 min read
Not every performance has a ticket or a stage. Some of the best magic sneaks up on you, at a legendary club, in a hidden shop, over a curry, or in the middle of a story that’s been passed down for generations.
That’s the thing about magic: it’s a living craft. The best lessons happen when no one’s expecting them.
Legends at The Magic Circle
Recently, I had two mates, Peter and Tony, come to visit. Peter flew in from the Netherlands, Tony came down from Manchester, and we first met in Blackpool at the world’s biggest magic convention a couple of years back. They’re both cracking magicians, and we decided to spend four days throwing ourselves into all things magic.
A Night at The Magic Circle with a Cambridge Magician
On the Monday night we headed to The Magic Circle. That was special. The president himself, Marvin Berglas, gave them a proper welcome and introduced us to legends like Michael Vincent and Chris Wood. For Peter and Tony it was unforgettable. For me? It was a reminder of how lucky we are to be part of such a supportive community.
Then came the “jamming.” If you’ve never seen it, imagine a bunch of magicians around a table, swapping ideas and testing material on each other. It’s nerve-racking, they spot everything, but it’s also one of the fastest ways to sharpen your skills.
A Stop at London’s Last Magic Shop
On Tuesday, as part of a long sightseeing tour of London, we made a pilgrimage to International Magic in Clerkenwell, now the only remaining bricks-and-mortar magic shop in the capital.
Walking through its door is like stepping back in time. The shelves are packed with props and books that have inspired magicians for generations. In fact, some say that Ollivander's Wand Shop in Harry Potter took inspiration from its timeless feel. Whether that’s true or not, it’s easy to see why the rumour persists.
Shops like this are more than just retail spaces; they’re places where stories are swapped, skills are passed on, and young magicians get their first taste of the craft. It was a joy to stand outside, take it in, and feel part of that history.
A Story in a Clock
Later in the week, we had the huge privilege of being welcomed into the home of John Davenport. Now, John isn’t just any magician, he’s part of a family that’s been central to British magic for over a century. The Davenport magic business started back in 1898 and became a mecca for magicians worldwide. Four generations on, John is carrying that torch with his research and his museum-worthy collection of props and memorabilia.
Among the treasures he shared with us, one story stuck. A simple wall clock, given to the family during the war, was thought to have vanished years ago. Decades later, when the clockmaker was in his eighties, he discovered it had been kept safely all along.
John told us how the clockmaker’s face lit up, and how he even shed a tear, when he realised his clock had been treasured rather than thrown away. It was a moving reminder that magic isn’t just about tricks. It’s also about history, connection, and the stories that outlast us.
Curry House Conjuring
But it wasn’t all history and heritage. Some of the best bits of the week were far less formal. In pubs, restaurants, wherever we found ourselves, the three of us couldn’t resist pulling out a deck of cards or a coin and performing for whoever was nearby.
One night, we ended up in an Indian restaurant, and the manager and owner became our audience. The tricks weren’t new, but the fun was in the way we played them, adjusting to people who didn’t know us, seeing what landed, and finding the sweet spots where the connection really sparked.
And here’s the thing I forget sometimes: a lot of people have never seen live magic up close. They’ve watched endless TikToks or YouTube clips, but having something impossible happen inches from your face? That’s a different world entirely. The gasps and laughs reminded me why I fell in love with this in the first place.
And yes, I had a few business cards handy. You never know, do you?
Lessons Offstage
If last week proved one thing, it’s this: don’t be shy about performing anywhere. Dinner tables, pubs, even in front of world-class pros, the nerves and the feedback are what help you grow. As a Cambridge magician and proud Member of The Magic Circle, I’ve learned the value of performing in all kinds of places, from legendary venues to local curry houses.
For me, that constant practice means that when I am booked, whether it’s for a wedding, a corporate event, or a private party, I don’t just turn up with polished routines. I bring confidence, timing, and adaptability that come from hundreds of little moments like these.
Because real magic isn’t confined to a stage. It happens in the spectator’s mind, and when it’s live, it can stay with them for years.
