Martin Chapender (1879-1905) was a Liverpudlian magician, and in a roundabout way, is the reason we’re here. Chapender was a brilliant sleight of hand magician, able to expertly manipulate billiard balls, coins and playing cards. He created a sensation at London’s famous Egyptian Hall in its last season, but, tragically, he was to die from meningitis at the age of just 25. Following his death, his friend Neil Weaver proposed setting up The Martin Chapender Magic Society in his honour. While the idea for the society was accepted, the name was not. However, the initials TMC would remain – The Magic Circle was founded in the year of his death.