Cambuslang magician produces an ace as he joins elite Magic Circle

Oct 8 2009 By Mike Larkin

A CAMBUSLANG magician pulled a rabbit from the hat when he joined the Magic Circle's most elite group at the first attempt.

Chris Dinwoodie, 27, has been made an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle after dazzling experts from the ancient society with his sleight of hand.

He was given a prestigious silver star and is now free to rub shoulders with senior members such as Paul Daniels and legerdemainloving royal Prince Charles.

But before he was given his award the prestigious club's examinations secretary Rob Cox had him on edge with some verbal trickery of his own.

He said: After my audition I thought I did well, but you never know.

I got a message on my answerphone from the secretary and it said he wanted me to call him back.

I wondered what if there was some sort of problem, so I phoned him up. It had been a while since my audition and I had expected to get my certificate through the post. When he answered he asked how I was feeling, which I thought was a bit strange.

He then said I was not a member of the Magic Circle. I was pretty shocked as I had been told I had done well at my audition.

But his despair turned to jubilation seconds later when he was told the rest of the message.

He said: Just when I was wondering what I had done wrong, he told me I was in the Inner Magic Circle.

I have to admit I shouted a bit and there were more than a few swear words.

It was a great feeling. He told me there I was one of only four people who had been given the honour in his time as secretary.

And he got a shock when he was allowed into the top-secret area of their website.

He said: When I went on the website someone was looking for advice for his show, and one of the first replies was from Paul Daniels. It made me realise I was in with the big boys now.

Chris is a previous Scottish close-up magic champion, and has performed for some big names, including Princess Anne and Gordon Strachan.

He said: The celebrities tend to be cracking.

It used to be a bit nerve wracking, but now I am getting used to it.

Gordon Strachan was funny. He asked me if I could magic him up a new striker.

The only one I have ever had a problem with was Dara O'Briain. He said he hated magic and he wanted to burn all magicians at the stake, and I don't think I managed to change his mind.

He has also been making his first steps into the world of TV.

Chris, who is performing at Club Noir later this month, said: I taught a BBC kids presenter how to do magic, and also did some card flourishes for Fashion TV, which was a lot of fun.