The greatest feat “Raymond Lloyd” may have ever pulled off might not have been the illusions performed on stage, but rather the remarkable deception that led an esteemed, male-only society of magicians to accept his membership. In 1991, Lloyd was welcomed into The Magic Circle, a prestigious organization based in London, only to unveil months later that he was, in fact, a woman. This revelation resulted in her ousting from the group.
Now, years later, The Magic Circle is on a heartfelt mission to track down the elusive Lloyd—hopefully, to embrace her back into the folds of their membership. Marvin Berglas, the president of the society, expressed a desire to apologize and extend warm welcome to her, stating, “I would love to look her in the eyes and say, on behalf of the other magicians that we have, ‘You’re absolutely welcome.’”
Founded in 1905 and boasting notable honorary members such as David Copperfield and Criss Angel, The Magic Circle has a rich history initially dominated by men. This gender exclusivity was challenged by pioneers like Jenny Winstanley, who famously stated, “I always wanted to be the first lady in the Magic Circle. Really wanted to prove that women are as good as men.”
As the organization seeks to amend its past practices, it represents a broader cultural shift and determination to embrace diversity within a once-closed community. The ongoing search for Lloyd is not just for reconciliation, but also an opportunity to reassess and redefine what inclusion means for magicians today.
