Between a sweet shop and a building site lies Magick, the spiritual home of Britain's finest illusionists.

Conjurers and card-sharps from all over the world know of the humble store that sends books, tricks and DVDs to aspiring illusionists around the globe.

Some of the magic world's biggest names get their tricks and ideas from Magick and know of its unique power.

But it's the being there that makes it so special.
Every Saturday a marvel of magicians of all ages gathers among the labyrinthine corridors of 8 Broad Street to practice tricks and polish their art.

Among these are the sorcerer's apprentices themselves, two Sheffield lads with talent and a mania for magic.

Tom Hudson and Dan Ellis are the pick of a new crop of conjurers hotly tipped to make their mark in the entertainment world.
Their Saturdays are spent under Magick's spell and the gathering of kindred spirits beneath owner Russell Hall's roof.

"I come to the shop every Saturday and learn from everyone here. I have learned a lot from Roger Curzon and Russell," said full-time magician Tom from South Anston.

"There is nothing else like this anywhere in the country.

"Nowhere has this kind of learning atmosphere where people come and talk magic, practice tricks and watch and learn from others. It has helped me to have the confidence to put myself about to get work. You have to get yourself known."

Tom does his rings trick, right up close as I desperately try to spot a flaw or a clue as to how he did it. I couldn't.

Not even when I asked him to do it more slowly. He made metal rings link and unlink less then a foot from the end of my nose.

It's impossible of course, but he did it again and again, each physics-defying moment more mind boggling than the last.

"The trick is different every time I do it," said 17-year-old Tom. "It changes each time I'm never quite sure how it's going to turn out.""
I know what he means.

Tom's love of illusion started when he was given a Merlin Magic set as a seven year old.

"That started me off with an interest in magic and I used to play with that all the time and do tricks for my family until I was about 11," said Tom, now 17 years old.

"Then I gave it up for a while and started again when I was 12, that's when I got more into entertaining people with it.

"When I was younger I just did the tricks and there was no performance aspect to what I did, then I started working on that side of things. The tricks are what it's about but there's more to it than that, the performance is what really counts.""

Tom is already tantalising audiences part-time and has a slot at the Parish Oven pub in Thorpe Salvin at weekends.

"I'm trying to get myself out there and known as much as possible."

That will to succeed as a magician in a world of Muggles is shared by his friend and fellow devotee Dan Ellis who is just 15 years old. Dan, from Crosspool, taught himself the basics of magic with props from another era.

"My grandad, Arthur Cusworth, was a magician and a member of the Magic Circle," said Dan.

"He died when I was young but his props have always been around. I got more serious about magic wen I went to Las Vegas on a holiday. All the big names like Lance Burton, David Copperfield and Penn and Teller had sold out two years in advance. We went to some of the smaller shows. I bought some books, practised at home and started coming here, to Magick."

Tom does a spot at the Ranmoor Tandoori for customers and he's hoping to get more work.

"I want to do this for a career," said Tom of Tapton School.
"My mum and dad are okay about it. I'm good enough to entertain people, I just need more practice and more work."

Dan does card tricks at the age of 15 that would stand the test of close-up TV cameras. He too has the gift and the gumption to make his mark.

Tom sums up their desire.

"We have to get out there and let people know what we can do," he says as they both hand me their business cards.

"There are corporate events, weddings and private parties where close-up magic is in big demand. It's just a case of changing the presentation slightly."

Tom can't talk any longer because he has to get on his moped to fetch chips for everyone's lunch.

You wouldn't want to be behind him in the queue.

He looks down at the old fashioned factory-length lunch order listing cod, sausages, peas and fishcakes and sighs.

Even a sorceror's apprentice has to go to the chippy.



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