A tough crowd: Robot magician rejected by The Magic Circle
The AI-powered assistant has been denied a place in Britain's most famous magic club
A humanoid robot magician from Northampton has been refused membership of The Magic Circle, one of the world's most prestigious magic organisations.
The robot, known as D4RYL, uses artificial intelligence and advanced engineering to perform magic tricks including apparent mind-reading and moving objects without physical contact.
Its creator and owner, Northampton magician David Penn, said he was "disappointed" by the decision.
Penn, who has worked as a professional magician since 1994 and now performs exclusively as "The Tech Magician", developed D4RYL after encountering similar humanoid technology at a trade show in Hong Kong last year.
"I turned a corner, and one of D4RYL's brothers was there and shook me by the hand," he said.
"It felt like real magic to me, and I thought if I can translate that to the stage, then that could only be good for my audience."
Standing ovation
D4RYL appears alongside Penn during a live stage show, where it interacts with audience members and performs illusions.
According to Penn, the robot can connect to the internet and artificial intelligence systems, allowing it to learn scripts and information.
Among its routines, audience members experience what Penn describes as the robot sending thoughts into their heads, while other effects create the illusion of touch from across the room. Penn said audience reaction had been overwhelmingly positive since the show launched in May.
"On the very first day we did it, after seven months of work, we got a standing ovation," he said.
The magician believes the act is unique within the industry.
"Nobody's doing it, to actually incorporate a humanoid into their act and have it perform the magic alongside them."
The Magic Circle, founded in 1905, requires prospective members to meet strict standards of magical knowledge and performance.
Penn is already a member of the organisation's elite Inner Magic Circle, a distinction held by a limited number of members worldwide.
He applied for D4RYL to become a member but said the application was rejected because the robot is not human.
"They've denied him on the grounds that he's not human."
While he said he understood the organisation's position, he hoped it would recognise D4RYL's abilities as a performer.
"He's moving people emotionally. He's performing groundbreaking magic.
"When he leaves the stage, the applause is sustained."
AI debate
The decision has sparked wider discussion about the role of artificial intelligence in traditionally human professions. Penn said he believed magic benefited from a human connection between performer and audience but questioned whether AI-powered performers should be excluded entirely.
"The Magic Circle just isn't ready now to admit somebody who is not human," he said.
"I was hoping that D4RYL could change that."
Penn also argued there was still a human element behind the robot's performances, as he programs and mentors D4RYL.
Despite the setback, Penn said he hoped growing public interest in the story might prompt The Magic Circle to reconsider in the future.
"I'm a proud member," he said. "I just want D4RYL to join me."
To find out more visit www.davidpenn.co.uk