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Magician Jason in running for prestigious award
Peterborough magician Jason Fenn is hoping the turn of a card can help him ace a competition to transform him into the next Derren Brown.
Peterborough magician Jason Fenn is hoping the turn of a card can help him ace a competition to transform him into the next Derren Brown.Magic Circle member Jason, who lives in Chatsfield, Werrington, has been shortlisted for one of the most prestigious accolades in magic, the Cecil Lyle award for best new trick.
He is hoping his hocus pocus will put a spell on the esteemed panel of judges at a star-studded London ceremony in November.
Now Jason, who has a day job as a Peterborough City Council youth justice officer, will have a anxious wait to see whether his novel take on one of the best known card tricks, Out Of This World, will be enough to clinch the prize.
Jason (30) said: "I have been a member of the Magic Circle for 12 years now. I joined after being introduced to the it by my teacher Keith Downs, who is also a magician.
"I love magic and have such a passion for it. When I heard I had been shortlisted for an award I was absolutely delighted. It is such a great honour."
Like Harry Potter, Jason started his love of magic at school and the gift of a magic set from his grandparents when he was just four led to him practising simple tricks and entertaining his friends.
Now, when he is not working, he has a thriving magic business which sees him performing at weddings, corporate events and children's parties in the area.
He said: "I do all sorts of tricks from the sleight of hand street-style magic of Derren Brown and David Blaine to illusions on a grander scale, such as sawing my dad in half.
"In fact, my dad is helping me build another illusion at the moment."
Spokesman for the Magic Circle, Nick Fitzherbert, said Jason will be one of twelve competitors in the running for the award.
He added: "The awards have run since 1989 and keep magic fresh by the magicians like Jason thinking of new twists on the old classics."
For more information on Jason Fenn visit www.jasonfennmagic.com
The history of the magic circle
WOULD-BE Magic Circle members seeking the privilege of bearing the letters MMC after their name must first be recommended and then undergo an audition and a 'magical exam' before the Circle's ruling council.
Famous members include David Copperfield, Paul Daniels and Tommy Cooper and Prince Charles, who in 1975, had to perform the classic cup-and-ball trick as part of his audition.
There are 300 members of the Inner Magic Circle, all handpicked by the president and 1,500 members in the Magic Circle in total.
The first women magicians were admitted in 1991.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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