A local magician with a penchant for the darker side of magic has been accepted into the world’s oldest magic society.

Michael Kelly has been named as the Isle of Man Envoy for the International Assembly of the Society of American Magicians, and hopes that his role will open up further opportunities for his fellow local magicians.

The society is the oldest magic society in the world, pre-dating the better known ‘Magic Circle’ by three years, and counts the famous Houdini as a former society president.

Michael, who is also a member of the Manx organisation Magicians of Mann, is a particular fan of the darker side of magic, taking inspiration from the work of Edgar Allen Poe, incorporating storytelling elements and mystery theatre to create tricks that are filled with ghost stories, eerie happenings and haunting phenomena.

He came to the attention of the society after he took part in an online show hosted by the international assembly.

‘The society has been an extraordinarily welcoming and encouraging environment,’ said Michael.

‘I have made some very good friends and have been able to take a very active role, having featured on the “Darkstone Dossiers” for Halloween last year, and also performing in one of the International Gala Shows.

‘The connections I have made and the advice and mentors I have found have helped me to add considerable polish and pacing and professionalism to my own performances.

‘ Joining the Society of American Magicians is the best thing I could possibly have done to truly turn magic into an art. ‘

Michael hopes that he will be able to encourage more Manx musicians to join the society and learn from some of the world’s greatest magicians via online zoom lectures, courses and workshops.

He will also appear on more of the online shows hosed by the society

Michael frequently appears across he island and will perform twice during March.

He will host his show ‘Haunted Dolls’, his latest spine-chilling presentation at Peel Centenary Centre at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 19.

Following that, Michael can also be encountered up close and personal at the Seven Sins Speakeasy cocktail bar, beneath Bar George in Douglas, on Thursday, March 17.

Tickets and further information are available at tinyurl.com/KellyDolls