The Secret Cabaret was a magic-based television programme that ran for two series, of six episodes each, on Channel 4 in the UK during the early 1990s. It was conceived and fronted by British magician Simon Drake and was praised for giving a new and shocking twist to the presentation of illusions. In addition to various magicians the show featured sideshow acts and presentations by experts on fraud and confidence tricks, all interspersed with vintage archive footage of freak shows and daredevil stunts. It was nominated for a Royal Television Society Award.
WriterRicky Jay
Show 1
Jan 9, 1990
Show 1 (first broadcast 9 January 1990) - guests included contortionist Rocky Rendall, ghost hunter Tony Ehlert and knife jugglers Carletti & Belle.
Show 2
Jan 16, 1990
Show 2 (first broadcast 16 January 1990) - guests included Mike Comerford, Mark Raffles and Fluke.
Show 3
Jan 23, 1990
Show 3 (first broadcast 23 January 1990) - guests included Les Hilton, Jeanin Lionet, Tony Andruzzi, Stromboli and John Gaughan.
Show 4
Jan 30, 1990
Show 4 (first broadcast 30 January 1990) - guests included Bartschelly, Jenny Randles and John Gaughan
Show 5
Feb 6, 1990
Show 5 (first broadcast 6 February 1990) - guests included trapeze artist Sue Brent, Charlie Marsden & Lloyd Williams, vaudevillian Jay Marshall, escapologist Alan Alan and vampire hunter Sean Manchester.
Show 6
Feb 13, 1990
Show 6 (first broadcast 13 February 1990) - guests included Watt the Man, Normando Rojas, Tony Andruzzi and Rocky Rendall.
