Award goes to organisation that helps young people with paralysis

08 September 2021

An organisation that uses magic to help young people with hemiplegia improve their lives is the first recipient of an award from The Magic Circle for services to the community using magic.

Breathe Arts Health Research use magicians from The Magic Circle alongside occupational therapists in a programme to help people with hemiplegia, a weakness or paralysis affecting one side of the body as a result of brain injury or stroke. The Breathe Magic programme uses specially designed tricks to develop hand and arm function, cognitive abilities, self confidence and independence.

The inaugural Martin Chapender award was one of the highlights of The Magic Circle Awards 2021 which for the second year was held online and broadcast to Members on TMC TV. Martin Chapender was a founding Member of the society but died before it decided on The Magic Circle as its name. One idea was to name it after him.

The host, on Monday night, was the Vice-President of The Magic Circle, Megan Swann.

Other winners included Russ Stevens whose services to British magic were recognised with The Maskelyne Award. Stevens’ has had a long career as a magician, illusionist and director and for the past few years has been the magic consultant on Britain’s Got Talent and a co-organiser of the Blackpool Magic Convention.

Hans Klok, the Dutch illusionist billed as ‘the world’s fastest magician’ and whose dynamic show is now headlining in Las Vegas, won The David Devant Award for services to International Magic.

Here is the full list of winners:

The David Devant Award for services to International Magic: Hans Klok MIMC (Member of the Innner Magic Circle)

The Maskelyne Award for services to British Magic: Russ Stevens MIMC

The Carlton Award for Comedy: Carisa Hendrix AIMC (Associate of the Inner Magic Circle)

The J N Maskelyne Prize (for outstanding contribution to magic literature): Mark Leveridge MIMC

The Martin Chapender Award (for services to the community using magic): Breathe Magic

The Silver Wand presented for outstanding service to The Magic Circle: Janet Clare MIMC, Scott Penrose MIMC and Richard Pinner MIMC

The Cecil Lyle Award for the Best Trick published in The Magic Circular monthly magazine: Reg Martin AIMC

For more information about this years awards contact PRO@themagiccircle.co.uk. A complete list of winners of all our awards through the years is available here: https://themagiccircle.co.uk/about/competitions-and-awards/

The Magic Circle 12 Stephenson Way London NW1 2HD

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