News
NMC News Round-Up 2026: Issue 8
Erik Tait Lecture
What a night! Packed notices, a brand new website unveiled by Dean (with a quick demo from yours truly, and only one moment where the projector and I disagreed), and then a lecture from Erik Tait that left everyone rethinking what they do at the table.
If the name is new to you, Erik is your man for close-up. IBM Gold Cups champion in 2018, third in the world for card magic at FISM in 2022, and the voice behind the Penguin Magic Podcast. He clearly still has a soft spot for the high street, and he now performs as resident magician at The Hand and The Eye, the new brick and mortar magic venue in Chicago, a reminder that the shops we love are worth supporting.
His walk-around material was the real gold. Three Coins Across and a card that is repeatedly forced, which he described as a jazz piece that grew into something better than the ambitious card. The framing was refreshingly human: people do not know you are there, so apologise for the interruption, do not force the magic on anyone, and offer fun instead. You are the house magician. Be modular, so you can stop at any point without anyone feeling short changed. In other words, know when to shuffle off.
Plenty for the technically minded too. Expanded shell tips, including shrinking your framing so the brain fills in the gaps (it is remarkable what an audience will “see” when it has just enough, and no more, to go on). Holdouts and clips for jumbo coins. A one handed top palm with the bevel taken against a plane rather than a point. A gloriously silly algebra prediction involving a spade, a peek, and a marked deck doing quiet duty while you look away. Then Simon’s “real ambitious card” with an exotic backed card, which Erik cheerfully admitted was far too complicated, while being excellent food for thought.
His thoughts on false shuffles were worth the ticket alone. Before choosing a sleight, honestly ask what the shuffle actually has to accomplish; efficiency usually beats technique, and advice you cannot act on is not really advice. He rounded off with Zee by Steve Reynolds, a zero shuffle piece that makes the point beautifully.
A superb expert lecture, and one that sent several of us home with homework. Next meeting, bring your questions, your coins and your best excuse for why the top palm went wrong.
Dimple’s “Mosher Magic”
Monday nights are normally reserved for a cup of tea and an early night, but a good number of NMC folk fired up the cars and followed the A19 down to PLAY at Canon Park, Middlesbrough’s answer to the Ouseburn, to cheer on our very own Tom “Dimple Magician” Daws. Tom was airing his brand new Mosher Magic set alongside his favourite band, Keep Flying, who had kindly flown over from the States. A 7:30 start on a Monday? Bold. Worth it? Absolutely.
What followed was a proper variety turn. Staple gun roulette explored parts of Tom’s anatomy that really should not be in the firing line (the dark side of the act, and no, we are not revealing how it worked), then a spot of plectrum probability that would have had any card sharp nodding in quiet appreciation. The closing KISS finale brought the whole room to its feet, which was technically impressive given that everyone was already standing.
Bear in mind Tom only picked up the guitar five weeks ago. Five. The gags and the magic just kept coming regardless, and you did not need to be a Mosher to enjoy yourself (most of us are not). If it all comes round again, get your name down sharpish. Sleight of hand, and indeed sleight of fretboard.
Member Spotlight: Corey
Each month we aim to meet a different member of the Newcastle Magic Circle, to hear about their favourite effects, their influences, and what keeps their love of magic alive. This month, we’re in conversation with Corey Dwyer.
Corey’s route into magic began with a shopping trip, a shop doorway, and a grandmother who said yes.
What first sparked your interest in magic?
“When I was younger, I used to go into town with my Grandma to help with her shopping, and one day we stumbled across Magicbox. I asked if we could go in, and she ended up buying me my first magic trick. It was also where I first met Graeme, Kris, Clive and Michael.
From then on, every time we went into town, I’d make sure we stopped at Magicbox to see what new tricks they had. (Unknowingly, I was that annoying customer who wanted to see absolutely everything, spent hours in the shop and then walked away having bought the cheapest thing possible.)
This went on for a few years until I was finally old enough to get a Saturday job there. I ended up spending several years working at Magicbox, absorbing as much knowledge as I could, learning and performing pretty much everything that came through the door, before eventually heading off to university and leaving magic behind for a while.”
That early immersion has since become something more than a hobby; it is a way of channelling a busy mind.
What keeps your love of magic alive today?
“There’s a multitude of reasons that keep my love for magic alive, but the first is definitely the creative challenge. As someone whose brain is constantly in overdrive, I find magic to be the perfect way to channel that energy. Whether it’s finding new uses for old methods, creating tricks or putting shows together, it all helps keep my mind in check.
As someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy performing, magic also gives me the opportunity to bring my ideas and thoughts to life through other people, whether that’s co-writing shows with Tom Bolton or consulting on theatre productions. I also tend to fidget quite a lot, so I thoroughly enjoy having something difficult to sit and work on, which is probably where my fascination with sleight of hand comes from, particularly gambling sleights and deals. There’s something incredibly satisfying about working on a move that feels almost impossible until eventually you get it.”
His list of influences is long, and deliberately varied.
Who has most influenced your style or approach to magic?
“There are more people who have influenced my magic over the years than I could ever possibly list. Obviously, as I’ve already mentioned, the Magicbox team have been some of the biggest influences on my learning, right from the moment I was first introduced to magic and still to this day. The same goes for Tom Bolton, who I’ve worked with now for several years.
As I’ve grown within magic, other influences have become more apparent, all for different reasons. Daniel Madison, R. Paul Wilson and Jason England for their sleight of hand, Ben Earl for his storytelling, Dani DaOrtiz for his thinking, Blake Vogt for his creativity, Derren Brown for his showmanship and show development, Danny Hunt, Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher for their consulting work, and Derek DelGaudio for showing the world that magic can be so much more than just tricks.
I think the biggest thing I’ve taken from all of them is that there’s no single way to approach magic and often the most interesting ideas come from looking at it from every perspective.”
Despite being a self-described reluctant performer, he is clear about what he would choose to perform.
What is your favourite effect to perform, and why does it resonate with you?
“Although I don’t perform particularly often, and playing cards are definitely my comfort zone, I’d say my favourite effect to perform is probably PK Touches, specifically within a paranormal or séance theme. Not only is it an absolute heavy hitter in terms of the effect itself and the reactions it gets, but in its simplest form, it’s completely propless and can be performed practically anywhere. Plus the paranormal is something I feel a lot of people are naturally intrigued by, so being able to give someone an experience that replicates that feeling, even just for a moment, is something they’re unlikely to ever forget.”
For Corey, the difference between a good trick and a memorable one comes down to people.
What do you think makes a magic performance truly memorable?
“I personally think connection is the defining factor in what makes magic memorable. As displayed by Ben Earl, a true moment of connection with a spectator, gently weaved with an interesting story, can make even the most simple of tricks astonishing. Without getting too ‘artsy fartsy’, I think magic can be so many things; it can be a simple trick in the pub to bring a bit of joy among friends, helping them forget even just for a moment the worries in their lives, or it can be a big stage piece that brings people to tears and leaves a younger generation inspired.
Or it can be me spending six months learning a gambling sleight that absolutely nobody wants to see.”
His preferred setting reflects an interest in the whole picture, not just the moment of revelation.
Do you prefer close-up, parlour, or stage, and what draws you to that setting?
“I personally find stage the most interesting space to work in, as you have full control over the environment. Whether that be set design, lighting, sound etc., every minute detail can become part of the show and help shape what the audience experiences. It also means the audience has specifically chosen to come and experience magic, which to me is a much nicer place to start a performance.”
Corey’s sense of the club is one of shared knowledge and generous support.
What does being part of the Newcastle Magic Circle mean to you?
“Being part of NMC to me is a sense of community; a bunch of like minded people all meeting under one roof sharing knowledge, experience and passion about a subject we all love. No matter whether you’re a beginner, working professional or a non performer there’s a place for everyone. The NMC is also the opportunity to see and learn from some of the best minds in the business you wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to see.”
Looking forward, he wants the club to keep passing on what it has given him.
What are your hopes for the future of the club?
“I hope the club continues to grow and thrive, not only inspiring the next generation of magicians but continuing to support those already involved. Having benefited so much from the knowledge and generosity of other magicians growing up, I’d love to see the club offer those same opportunities to others, while continuing to evolve and progress.”
His advice to newcomers is generous in scope but simple in essence.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to a new magician joining the club?
“My advice for anyone starting out would be to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Whether that’s reading books, attending lectures, watching performances, checking out the latest products or learning from YouTube, you never know when something you’ve picked up along the way might come in useful! It also helps to expose yourself to as many different ideas, concepts and performance styles as possible. Not only does it help you discover what you enjoy and what works best for you, but it also gives you a much broader understanding of magic as a whole. From there, you can start to hone in on the areas that interest you most and develop your own approach to magic.”
And when asked what he wishes he had learned earlier, he answers with perfect comic timing.
What’s something you wish you had learned earlier in your magic journey?
“How to get a girlfriend…”
Corey’s story is a reminder that magic can be a creative outlet, a craft to obsess over, and a community to belong to, sometimes all at once. And that a Saturday job in a magic shop can shape a life far more than anyone behind the counter expects.
Our Annual Dinner
With only a couple of weeks to go, this week is your final opportunity to buy your tickets for our Annual President’s Dinner: A Night At The Movies”.
It’s so easy to buy but so disappointing to miss out. Get yours here!
