The council meeting of the Magic Circle on 9 October 1991 was a historic moment when the first group of women, including Debbie McGee and Fay Presto, were welcomed into the previously all-male society of magicians. However, the meeting also revealed a surprising twist as the council voted to expel a member named Raymond Lloyd, who was actually a woman named Sophie Lloyd disguised as a man to gain entry to the society.
Sophie Lloyd had joined the Magic Circle 18 months earlier by concealing her true identity, but decided to reveal herself when the organization decided to admit women in 1991. Unfortunately, she was swiftly expelled by members who felt deceived by her actions. Now, the Magic Circle is on a mission to find Sophie Lloyd and offer her an apology for what happened, as well as the opportunity to rejoin the society.
Laura London, the first female chair of the Magic Circle, expressed her desire to reconnect with Sophie Lloyd and hear her side of the story. She believes that inviting Lloyd back into the society would be a remarkable gesture. The Magic Circle is even considering the idea of creating a movie based on Lloyd’s daring escapade.
Further investigation revealed that the elaborate ruse was actually orchestrated by magician Jenny Winstanley, who enlisted the help of actor Sophie Lloyd to carry out the deception. Winstanley’s goal was to become the first woman to be admitted to the Magic Circle, and she believed that this elaborate plan would prove that women were just as capable as men in the field of magic.
Despite their efforts, tracking down Sophie Lloyd has proven to be a challenging task for the Magic Circle. The trail goes cold in 1997, with no further information about her whereabouts. Laura London remains hopeful that they will be able to locate Lloyd and offer her closure for her extraordinary feat.
While the landscape of magic has evolved over the years, it remains a predominantly male-dominated industry. Only 5% of the Magic Circle’s 1,700 members are women, highlighting the need for more diversity and inclusion in the field. London acknowledges the slow progress in achieving gender equality in magic but remains optimistic about the future.
In conclusion, the story of Sophie Lloyd’s daring deception serves as a reminder of the barriers that women have faced in the world of magic. The Magic Circle’s quest to find and reconnect with Lloyd is not only about righting a past wrong but also acknowledging her pioneering spirit and the statement she made for women in magic. Sophie Lloyd’s legacy continues to be remembered and appreciated by women in the industry today.