‘Wow!’ was the favourite expression heard at the Centenary Centre in Peel on Friday, when the Magicians of Mann staged ‘An Evening of Magic’ for a large audience, eager to be entertained and amazed. 

The show got off to a good start, when Juan Corrin demonstrated how to push solid metal tubes through Lexi Watterson, who emerged with no apparent injuries!

The tension created was soon broken as Peel’s own Chris Burns burst onto the stage, claiming to have been to the Aussie outback.  With the brilliant help of birthday girl Anya Jagus he ably demonstrated the peculiar properties of Kangaroo Cola, after which they both danced ‘Gangnam Style.’  Only Chris knew why! 

King William’s College student Andrew Martin introduced his best friend ‘Scruffy’’, a dog with a mind of it’s own and considerable magical ability. The younger members of the audience were delighted with Scruffy’s antics, aimed at thwarting his frustrated handler.  All ended well however as the swallowed hanky appeared in a previously empty box.  Fredrik Stromberg’s performance succeeded with a particularly effective vanish of a large yellow dice.  Compere for the evening was Bev Michelson, who next re-introduced Juan Corrin, from Douglas.  This was a very entertaining act, starting with a large glass of lemonade appearing inside an obviously empty roll of paper.  Much fun ensued as a signed playing card was lost in the pack, failed to reappear as anticipated but was magically found by thrusting a dagger through a paper bag containing all the cards, impaling the chosen card in the process.  It was a wonderful moment of mystery.  Michael Daniels then performed an amazing Cups and Balls routine and ‘Find the Lady’ two of the classic tricks in magic. Seven ‘cardsharps’ were shipped off to England by order of the High Bailiff in 1871 for doing the same card trick and swindling passers-by.  On this occasion no money was involved, but the audience were thoroughly perplexed as the cards were never where they expected. Despite the swindle, we understand that Michael has been allowed to remain on the Island!

The second half opened with Paul Martin, chairman of the Magicians of Mann.  Highlights of the act included a little known gadget allegedly designed for plumbers, called the ‘iPipe.’  It certainly had strange properties, and the tap on one end of the empty pipe even produced a stream of water.  With the assistance of audience members, coins vanished, only to magically appear in a small shot glass covered by a larger pint glass, isolated on a table.  A genuine mystery to all present!  He was followed by Michael Daniels from Onchan, with an act performed to music that contained many ‘Wow’ moments.  Lexi Watterson, a member of The Magic Circle in London since her performance in their Young Magician of the Year Competition, showed much skill in her new and entertaining act.  Colin Boardman’s stage act, well known locally, was very professional as always, with a bottle of wine appearing from a burst balloon, ropes that stretched and the classic metal rings which linked and unlinked in a fantastic sequence assisted by a volunteer from the audience. To close the show, John Cain from Peel demonstrated in traditional style how to cut a lady (Lexi Watterson) in half, despite her head and ankles being shackled and with spectators pulling on ropes tied to the shackles.  Amazing, and a fitting end to a wonderful evening of magic.

Mike Clague, secretary of the Magicians of Mann and producer of the show , explained “We were very grateful to be given the opportunity to stage the show in conjunction with the Centenary Centre.  Ernie Leece, Mike O’Neill, Mark Cain, Josua Marais, Paul Ellison and Mark O’Connor were terrific behind the scenes, and we look forward to returning to the Centre in the future.”

The Magicians of Mann meet on the third Tuesday of each month at the Catholic Columba Club in Douglas.  New members are made very welcome and anyone interested can contact Mike Clague on 878328 or contact@ymom.info for information.  Mike can also provide details of the Young Magicians of Mann, a separate magic club for 11 to 18 year olds who meet at the Youth Arts Centre in Douglas on Wednesday evenings.

Photo - Michael Daniels.