JUST HEARD THE SAD NEWS OF THE PASSING OF CHRIS PRATT yesterday. An excellent  magician and performer, an outstanding servant of  The Magic Circle, their most efficient secretary for many years and a real gentelman. My wife said he would always come up to her at social events, give her a kiss on both cheeks and engage in genuine conversation – and he hardly knew her. There aren’t many that do that these days but Chris came from an age of social courtesies that nowadays are a bit thin on the ground.

He ran with clockwork precision the stage show for the “Meet The Magic Circle” evenings and the Magic Circle Christmas Show which became a sell out and financially successful event year after year attracting performers from all over the world. I remember one magic routine which he performed to perfection whereby he could riffle the pack and find any card called for. He told me it was taught to him by another practitioner of the effect Len Wallace and Chris did it with the ease of a master.It was his signature piece. With a career in the legal profession he always presented a calm, considered persona even in sometimes heated political arguments on magic matters but I never, never saw him lose his cool. It was an admirable trait that endeared him to many but sometimes drew caustic comment from others.

He was a gentleman in every way both on and off stage and magic has lost a true friend and ally. All our feelings and condolences are extended to his wife Gill and her family at this time although his demise follows a long and debilitating illness when they staunchly stood by him day by day. Thank you Chris for your friendship and all you kindnesses.

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