More than twenty years ago I had the chance to be at the Magic Circle and watched Brian Barnes performing Al Koran's Miracle Blindfold Card Act. I had not a clue as to what methods were being used and there was not a doubt that Brian Barnes was completely blindfolded and genuinely could not see. The evening at the Magic Circle was a special one and was for The Close Up Magician of the Year. Brian Barnes wanted to join the Magic Circle so they allowed him to perform this act for his examination. His performance was so immaculate that he was granted his membership of the Magic Circle and what he didn't realise was that he also won the Close Up Award as well.

How often do we see some magic and remember it for nearly a quarter of a century. Not often for sure but this performance stuck in my mind and is still there. Immaculate, well timed and a work of art in reality.

I persuaded Brian to allow me to film him for what is about to become a series of DVDs on the Magic of Al Koran and I got in a smal