A 13-year-old boy used a telling off for practising a card trick in school as the motivation for an act which has won him The Magic Circle’s Young Magician of the Year title.
Harry Merlin Piper became the youngest ever winner of the award, as he performed sleight of hand with lights and playing cards, and made his pencil case “talk”. He beat seven other contestants at the competition held at The Magic Circle’s theatre in their London headquarters last night.
Harry, whose father Rodney James Piper runs a magic dinner show venue in Salou, Spain and is himself a Member of the Inner Magic Circle, was born in Spain.
Harry said:”This is the most magical moment of my life. When I was told off in class, I thought I could use this and make an act based on my school experience. It worked!”
Harry owns a ventriloquist’s dummy who missed out on performing in this show. He can speak four languages English, Spanish, Catalan and French,
Arabella Crawford from London was second with her act based around a Gollum character and third was Rafferty Coope from Winchester. All three are members of The Young Magician’s Club which teaches magic to 10 to 18-year-olds.
The awards were presented by Marvin Berglas, the President of The Magic Circle. He said: “The originality, creativity and showmanship from all the competitors was wonderful. It was a tough task for the judges due to the really high standard. I know it’s corny to say they were all winners but the true winners were the audience. They loved all the acts. Congratulations to young Harry Merlin Piper who took hone the trophy. He was exceptional. The future of magic is in good hands.”
The competition was hosted by Simon Lipkin and produced by Preston Nyman.

For more information please contact Charlie Burgess, The Magic Circle charlieburgess@themagiccircle.co.uk mob 07941371440