The Secret Class

Performed by Mark Haslam

Created by Mark Haslam & Gordon Bean

The Magic Castle library is an enchanted place. One suspended afternoon, Castle favorite Mark Haslam sat chatting with Gordon Bean, then the Castle librarian. During a typically winding conversation about new tricks and old magicians, Mark suggested that they work on a full-evening show. Gordon agreed, and they started immediately, taking inspiration from a source that would be obvious only in retrospect: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

As had the Beatles, they decided to fit a series of individual pieces into an overall concept, and the concept they chose was where magic comes from. Envisioning an evening that would be more one-man play than standard magic show, they started sketching out a narrative that would reflect how Mark had learned his art largely in isolation, and largely through the written word.

If details are important for magic, they are even more crucial for a story, and for theirs Mark and Gordon drew on Mark’s experiences growing up in a small village in England’s Lake District, where birdwatchers up from London nest in the hotels, and where natural vistas celebrated by Wordsworth are visible outside classroom windows.

In the words of the antique village-fair poster that found their way into Sgt. Pepper’s:

Having been some days in preparation, a splendid time is guaranteed for all.

About Illusion Magic Lounge

Illusion Magic Lounge (formerly Magicopolis) is a premiere showcase for magic in Santa Monica. Each week we host different award winning magicians from around the world — including Magic Castle performers!

We host a variety of magic shows and events in our 150 seat theater and dazzle audiences in our close-up space for sleight-of-hand magic. We are home to a wine bar with magicians and a magic shop (so you can take some magic home with you too!)

At Illusion Magic Lounge we love to host special events, birthday parties, buy-outs, and more. Contact us to learn more.

For more information about Illusion Magic Lounge please visit our website.