24 June 2023 , 18:31
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A magician who performed for King Charles has been barred from The Magic Circle after being accused of breaking its historic vow of secrecy.
Scott Perry, known as “the bad boy of magic”, has been suspended as an apprentice at the 118-year-old society, which forbids revealing illusionists’ methods.
The 36-year-old, who has done magic for the King four times as well as pop star Will.i.am and actress Joanna Lumley, is said to have revealed elements of a sleight-of-hand trick by a rival magician in a YouTube video.
In the clip, which has been viewed 5,000 times, he reviews a kit for Noel Qualter’s The Fall trick, in which a playing card seems to pass through a clear sheet of plastic.
In the review, Mr Perry says “don’t waste your money” on the £33 trick and goes on to explain how it should be performed in front of audiences.
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The Magic Circle – whose Latin motto is “indocilis privata loqui” (“not apt to disclose secrets”) – said Mr Perry, who was admitted as an apprentice last October, was suspended in February following complaints from the public.
A spokesman said: “All apprentices agree to abide by our rules, one of which is not to deliberately reveal or expose secrets of magic tricks to the public. The complaints triggered our review process, which concluded Scott had deliberately exposed the workings of the trick and broke the rules he agreed to abide by.”
Mr Perry, from Lincolnshire, said Mr Qualter reported him to the Magic Circle for “exposing secrets” and added he was subject to attacks by other performers, including a three-hour video criticising him.
He said: “This experience has confirmed my suspicion I do not belong in a regressive, controlling club such as The Magic Circle. [It’s] a group that prevents freedom of information, even within gated walls.”
The Magic Circle was formed in 1905 to promote and advance the art of magic. Its 1,500 members include TV stars David Copperfield and Dynamo. Access is heavily restricted – and King Charles is among honorary members after doing a cups and balls trick for a panel in 1975.
Mr Perry said he deliberately did not reveal the key secrets of The Fall, saying: “Not even a competent magician could replicate that trick from what I discussed. Some parts of the society believe there should be no exposure of magic but if you search on YouTube you can find the secrets easily. This shows how outdated the Circle is. It needs to change with the times.”
Mr Qualter said he agreed with The Magic Circle.
On the accusation of being “outdated”, The Magic Circle’s spokesman added: “This will be news to our 31-year-old president, Megan Swann.”