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Sorry. Haven't got round to going to any of them yet.
I saw a short documentary about the Magic Circle not so long ago. Think the rabbits and combovers scared me off.

OMG What have I let myself in for?

For the benefit of others I received three very pleasant and welcoming replies earlier today. Below is a brief summary of what I've learnt so far. Will report back after I've paid my first visit. beeno - you sure you don't want to tag along too?

Darlington Magic Circle http://www.thedarlingtonmagiccircle.co.uk/index.html - Precursory meeting with member of he committee followed by a brief 'audition' on the fourth meeting. You also get to meet Sean Connery!!!
To become a full member you must attend 4 meetings, (You will be asked to leave at 9pm to allow full members to fully discuss secrets). At the 4th meeting an audition piece or talk (for non performers) is to be performed in front of the members and a vote is to be taken. Anybody elected as a full member will then be entitled to stay for the full length of the meetings upon payment of joining fee and yearly subscriptions. (Currently £15 Joining fee and £20 subs)
Appears to be a full programme of fortnightly meetings etc.

Durham Society of Magicians - No website that I know of. Only prerequisite is a genuine interest in magic. Monthly meetings. £6 membership and £2 per meeting

Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians http://homepage.ntlworld.com/magicmartyy/Home333.htm - Has two separate groups; one for beginners/newbies with monthly meetings and for more proficient/full members with fortnightly? meetings respectively. Appears to have a full programme of activities and lectures. Emphasis placed upon performing magicians, not just interested in magic. Provide a number of fund-raising shows each year. Joining the full Circle appears rather daunting going by the website! £25 joining fee and £20 annual membership

Honouring my promise. I attended the "Prep Group" of the Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians for the first time last night. Apparently it has been dormant for a year or so but it has certainly been well and truly brought back to life.

There were around 20 new-comers and 4 or 5 'old hands' in attendance. the new members ranged from young school kids only just starting out with magic to 40+ year olds in almost the same boat to the same age ranges again but at more advanced standards. A very mixed bag (other than a distinct lack of the female version) and all helping one another. The old hands ranged from older teens on up and up and up and I'd better stop there if I plan to return. Members had traveled in from Tyneside, North Yorkshire and Co Durham as well as from the immediate Teesside area.

A very friendly and welcoming group. The evening included some demonstrations, practice sessions with one to one tuition and group work and a brief competition for those who felt confident enough. After the younger generation departed there was an informal chat and pint in the bar.

If anyone is in the area I would certainly suggest that you get in contact with the Circle and arrange to attend one of the meetings. I'm sure there is enough to interest most ability levels; even the working pros present were entertained by some of the younger ones. After all, if after your first encounter it's not for you nobody is going to be hammering on your door if you don't want there to be a second time. Just a minute, theres someone ringing the doorbell...

That sounds very cool, Jae, I hope the clubs in the U.S. are as friendly and inviting. I think over the summer I'll go to a few meetings of a local one. Unfortunately, I'll be away for three weeks at the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. It will be exciting, but I'm sorry I'm not going to be practicing magic round the clock.

Jae wrote:After all, if after your first encounter it's not for you nobody is going to be hammering on your door if you don't want there to be a second time. Just a minute, theres someone ringing the doorbell...

Well at least they kept true to your word and didn't hammer on your door
Sounds promising. I'll have to get round to attending sometime. When is the next meeting? and where exactly is it situated?
Thanks.

The 'Prep Group' meet monthly at the Southlands Centre, Ormesby Rd. 7.15 - 9.15pm (plus optional visit to bar for adults afterwards). Next meeting is on the 11th June with a basic theme re mentalism. Get yourself along. They may be lulling me into a false sense of security but they all appeared fairly normal other than their addiction to pulling cards out of rabbits... so quite tame for Middlesbrough!

Two down, one to go!

Last night I met 'Sean Connery' and was made most welcome by all at the Darlington Magic Circle. A quite different crowd to those in Middlesbrough. Youngest about 15 and the average age being considerably older. I would say more mature but the humour and banter within this group would not permit that. A little more honestly there was a good spread of ages from 20's on up. Members are mostly local but a few travel quite a considerable way to attend which either says something about the Circle or or some of its members!

What is it with magic? Where have all the ladies disappeared to? None here either. If anyone needs a female assistant you're apparently not going to find them by joining your local magic circle! I'm not surprised about the male domination but am by the lack of any females as I can't see any reason why that should be so.

The planned meeting was replaced by an auction. I am sure I wasn't the only one returning home with more than I expected. There will no doubt be one or two wives/girlfriends seeking compensation over the Bank Holiday. Some unusual auctioneering and counter-bidding going on making it a good laugh. DMC do not operate a separate Prep group and you may be invited to join the Circle following a short audition (or talk for mon-performers) on your fourth visit. I've been told that accomplishment has been variable in the past (I think they may have been setting a trap there ) but a genuine interest in magic and being able to get along with the other members and the banter are just as key.

It may not be the 'political' thing to do but I intend to attend both the Boro and Darlo again. After all a single visit does not necessarily give you enough to base a full picture. I have an invite to the Durham Society of Magicians next week after which I should be ale to stop replying to my own posts but hopefully others may be encouraged to check out one or other of the groups themselves having read my drivel. There are others with the same addiction out there so you may as well meet them - if only the once!

OK, final of the trilogy!

I attended the Durham Society of Magicians meeting this evening. Before I go on I had better say that just because I came third in their Magic Quiz, was provided with a couple of tricks and walked away with a rather nice voucher to spend in a well known magic store has in every way possible influenced my comments.

There were only half a dozen or so members present which apparently is down to it being half-term and some families being away. To be honest the numbers did not matter as the conversation was really interesting. There are some 'seasoned' members with wonderful anecdotes and knowledge of the golden age of magic as well as younger members well versed in more recent trends. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the chat. What was nice was that nobody was attempting to be better than anyone else and the feel was one of a group of folk simply enjoying talking about things magical and performance related matters.

I will certainly recommend this group to those of you in the Durham area or even to students at the Uni who are 'passing through'. the only drawback is that unless you know EXACTLY where the the meeting place is you could easily do as I did and head towards the nearby prison. I can tell you that they do not appreciate escapologists there!

It looks as if I will be attending all three of the local groups at least in the immediate future as each appears to offer something a little different to the others. I believe it will take a few visits at least to determine whether any of them are more suited to me and what I want or not but I do hope these few comments encourage others to make contact with their local clubs/circles and pay them a visit. they may not be for you but you won't know unless you check them out and even meeting up with one kindred spirit must make it worth the effort.