In 1968 a group of Maltese
magicians, consisting of George and
Alfred Sharples,
Philip Sammut and
George Gatt, set up the Malta Magic
Club. In a few months, through the initiative of the Sharples
brothers, it became affiliated as Ring 202 with the International
Brotherhood of Magicians, the world’s largest magical organization. More
members joined, including a few British servicemen and foreign residents
who gave an international flavour to the club when it changed its name to The Malta Magic Circle. Activities
during this period included various stage shows at the De Porres Hall,
Catholic Institute, Astra Theatre in Gozo and the Manoel Theatre.
George Sharples and
Dr. Joseph Saliba were instrumental in the club obtaining a
regular meeting place. George Sharples also prepared a project which won
the Ring an international award for two consecutive years.
Unfortunately, the circle wound up in the mid-seventies.
Vanni Pule’, Chris Gove’ and Louis Abela resuscitated the circle with some new and old members and it became known
as The Magicians’ Society, obtaining
its old affiliation with the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Since
then it has been very active in the National and International Circles,
hosting a variety of international performers and lecturers. Its
activities and members have been widely publicized in local and overseas
media.
In 1989 the International President of the Brotherhood was the centre of a
number of activities to commemorate his official visit. In 1993 The
Magicians’ Society organized an International Convention with the
participation of various guests from abroad. This ended with a stage show
for the public at the University Theatre.
In 1997 the society organised the first in a series of variety shows called "Illusions" held at the Auditorium
Theatre at St. Agatha in Rabat. The event proved to be so successful that
it was held again in 1998, 2000 and 2001. In March 2004 a new style of movie-themed stage show called "cineMAGIC" held at the Sir Temi Zammit Hall, was received with much acclaim. One year later "BroadWay Magic", a musicals themed show was held at the Salesians' Theatre in Sliema. In February 2006, on the initiative of George Sharples, a fund raising stage show "Magic4Life" was held in aid of the Renal Unit.