Three decades after her expulsion, Sophie Lloyd is reinstated by London’s Magic Circle. Once banned for infiltrating an all-male magician’s society, Sophie Lloyd is finally welcomed back — as the Magic Circle publicly acknowledges its past exclusion of women.
Official recognition for Sophie Lloyd at the Magic Circle
Thirty years after being cast out, Sophie Lloyd has been officially reinstated as a member of London’s prestigious Magic Circle. Founded in 1905, the organization once barred women entirely — prompting Lloyd to take drastic measures to prove her worth. Disguised as a man named Raymond, she passed the Circle’s rigorous entrance process: a 20-minute live performance in front of 200 people and three examiners, followed by an in-depth interview — all without raising suspicion.
Her stunt wasn’t a prank. It was a deliberate, activist move undertaken with fellow magician Jenny Winstanley, who has since passed away. Their goal was clear: to challenge the myth that women couldn’t match men in the art of magic. Their success pierced the walls of an exclusionary institution — but came at a steep cost.
For 18 months, Lloyd performed and studied under the guise of Raymond. In 1991, the Magic Circle finally opened its doors to women. It was then that Sophie revealed her true identity, hoping to be recognized as a legitimate member. Instead, she was expelled on the spot. The organization branded her act as “deliberate deception,” and rejected her — as they did Jenny.
Lloyd recalls being shocked by the backlash. “To me, it was clever, it was a statement,” she said. But the Circle, rooted in tradition, met her gesture with hostility. Deeply hurt, she continued her magic career for another decade before leaving the UK entirely.
Today, that chapter comes full circle. Sophie Lloyd — and her extraordinary talent — are finally being honored.
A long-awaited act of reparation
In recent months, the Magic Circle has been actively trying to track down Lloyd. Under new leadership, the organization wants to right a wrong. They eventually located her abroad. On Thursday, in a formal ceremony, Lloyd was presented with her membership certificate.
Laura London, the Magic Circle’s first female president, expressed her excitement to the BBC: “It’s incredibly exciting after months of searching for Sophie… We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome her back.”
The event marks more than just a personal redemption. It represents a public reckoning — and a move toward reconciliation. Lloyd’s reinstatement is not only a celebration of her courage and talent, but a symbol of institutional change.
The ceremony also paid tribute to Jenny Winstanley, Lloyd’s co-conspirator in the original act of protest. “She was a wonderful woman who would’ve loved to be here,” said London. “I wish I’d had the chance to meet her.”
While the Magic Circle opened to women more than 30 years ago, they still represent just 5% of its 1,700 members. True gender equality remains a distant goal. But Lloyd’s return sends a clear signal: the Circle is evolving — and finally recognizing that talent knows no gender.