The Magic Circle’s Quest to Reunite with a Long-Lost Member

The Search for a Long-Lost Member of The Magic Circle

The Magic Circle, the prestigious British organization devoted to the art of magic, is on a heartfelt quest to locate a former member who was expelled in the 1990s for masquerading as a man. Established in 1905, The Magic Circle was exclusively male until a transformative vote in 1991, which allowed women to join the ranks of magicians. This historic decision, passed with overwhelming support, marked a significant turning point for the organization, welcoming female talents into its fold for the very first time.

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During that pivotal meeting in October 1991, magician Raymond Lloyd unveiled one of the most remarkable illusions in the history of the organization. As it turned out, the man known as Raymond had been a woman all along. Raymond’s true identity was Sophie Lloyd, who, with the support of fellow magician Jenny Winstanley, had disguised herself as a male alter ego for over a year and a half. At just 29 years old, Sophie captivated audiences as the teenage Raymond, famed for her incredible trick of making five-pound notes vanish in flames. However, rather than celebrate her creativity and the spirit of the organization’s new inclusivity, Lloyd faced immediate expulsion. The membership reacted with outrage over what they perceived as a “deliberate deception,” seemingly overlooking the essence of magic itself.

Desperately Seeking… Sue

Since its inception, The Magic Circle has undergone significant evolution. Initially, women were denied membership based on the unfounded belief that they could not maintain the secrecy essential to the craft. In a historic move, Megan Swann, whose real name is Megan Knowles-Bacon, became the first female president of The Magic Circle in 2021. Yet, of the 1,700 members today, only a mere 5% are women, highlighting the ongoing need for diversity within the organization. Now, The Magic Circle is actively searching for Sophie Lloyd, hoping to reinstate her as a member. Current president Marvin Berglas has expressed regret over her expulsion, stating she should never have been removed from the organization in the first place. The search is being spearheaded by Laura London, the Magic Circle’s first female chair.

However, the trail has grown cold. Following her ousting, Sophie Lloyd seemingly vanished from the public eye, leaving behind only a fleeting mention in a local news article from 1997. Sadly, Jenny Winstanley passed away in 2004, but her son has shed light on the situation, suggesting that “Raymond” was likely a stage name and that her true first name was Sue. Berglas has voiced a genuine hope that Sophie can be found, allowing the organization to embrace her once more. He stated, “We really do hope that Sophie can be found so that we can welcome her back into our society.” London shared with Britain’s The Guardian that The Magic Circle is “desperate to right this wrong.” She expressed a yearning, saying, “I think just to even sit down with her and find out her side of the story would be wonderful for us. But more than that, we could invite her back into the society, which would be the most incredible thing.”