US magician flown in to entertain
Magic was in the air, literally, as Buddies watched a US conjuror float a TABLE at a packed convention.
Pa i s l e y ’ s Magic Circle celebrated its 80th anniversary with a star-studded line- up of artists appearing at the Watermill Hotel.
Members flew in world-class illusionist Dirk Losander from America, who wowed the crowd with his feats of levitating objects – including a wand, a dollar bill and a dining table – in front of more than 100 attendees.
Other big names from the world of magic including sleight of hand guru R.Paul Wilson, who is also writer and presenter of the BBC’s The Real Hustle, master mind reader Drew McAdam, children’s favourite magician Dave Allen, and stage star and entertainer Fraser Stokes, wowed the audience.
Paisley Magic Circle President Tommy Templeton said the milestone event, which was years in the planning, ticked all the boxes for every guest.
He said: “There was something for everyone. “A weekend full of stuff. “We had close-up magic, we had stage magic, we had kids’ magic, we had mind reading and mentalism, as well as entertainment and games.
“Our invited guests gave convention lectures to our members, where they discussed their techniques.
“People came from across Scotland and the UK to join us for the 80th anniversary, and we were very pleased with the turn out and how well it was received.”
Tommy added that watching Dirk Losander’s stageshow was a spellbinding moment for the guests.
He said: “Dirk’s stage show was spectacular, especially when he made a table float in front of us.
“He invited a member of the audience up to the stage to make sure there were no wires attached, and then sent him back down.
“The climax of the act was making the table then levitate again before he made it disappear.”
The guests also enjoyed a gala dinner cabaret, compered by Ricky McLeod, and were entertained by magic showman Gary James.
The Magic Circle boss also thanked supporters, including Renfrewshire Council and Provost Lorraine Cameron, Steven Cameron Funeral Directors, The Watermill Hotel, Gary Dunn, David Gallagher, Alan Duncan and many others, for their help.
Paisley Magic Circle was founded in September 1938.
It was originally called the Paisley Magical Society but adopted the name Paisley Magic Circle in 1967.
The club has played a major role in the development of magic in Scotland.
It was Paisley that proposed the formation of the Scottish Association of the Magical Societies (SAMS).
In 1950, Max Raskin became the first president of SAMS, and he is commemorated by the Max Raskin Cup for Children’s Magic.