Inside Hollywood's Magic Castle, the inspiration for a novel Sun Princess experience

To better understand what Princess President John Padgett promised will be an 'extraordinary experience,' Seatrade Cruise News visited The Magic Castle with a small group of media who were wowed by the history and quirky characters within, and dazzled by the close-up magic acts involving cards, sleight of hand and flying shrimp (don't ask!).

This reporter emerged with a metal fork bent and twisted, allegedly by psychic powers, an autographed playing card used in a show and a tiny shrimp lapel pin.

And, like the other reporters, scratching her head over the coins vanishing into thin air, the multitude of baffling card tricks, the seemingly impossible appearance of large objects from small cups and those flying shrimp — raw on the table then fried when flipped into the air and mysteriously popping up time and again on someone's shoulder.

But it was more than the close-up magic that impressed. The venue and the scene were like being transported back to the Victorian era but amid contemporary, elegantly dressed patrons and more than a few eccentrics. A private club, performance venue and restaurant, The Magic Castle contains four theaters, six bars, a fancy dining room and a library whose secrets are off-limits to non-magicians.

The Magic Castle has 5,000 members, half professional magicians, and the rest are magic enthusiasts. There's a strict formal dress code and photography isn't allowed past the lobby.

Iconic institution

For Negin Kamali, a longtime Angelino who works for Princess Cruises, The Magic Castle is an 'iconic institution. There's a lot of mystery about it. It's an honor to be able to work with them to bring The Magic Castle to the world aboard Sun Princess.'

Erika Larsen welcomes visitors to The Magic Castle. Above right, with Artemis the owl. Lower right is the lobby

Erika Larsen, whose whose Uncle Milt opened The Magic Castle in 1963 with her parents Bill and Irene Larsen, was the lively guide to the media group. Erika, president of Magic Castle Enterprises, has magic in her blood since her grandfather William Larsen began publishing Genii, the Conjurer's Magazine, in 1936 and founded the Academy of Magical Arts in 1952.

Poised on a hill in a formerly dilapidated 1909 chateau, the building is not just mysterious; it's been designated a Los Angeles cultural-historical monument.

'All the famous magicians and the big acts of the day performed here,' Erika Larsen said.

That's still true.

Open sesame

When patrons enter the lobby, with its wood paneling, flocked wallpaper, Tiffany lamps, Houdini poster and a front desk topped by rabbits and hats, they have to say a password to Artemis the owl before the bookshelves swing open to admit them to the club.

Inside last Thursday night was an incredible scene. Not exactly the Mos Eisley cantina from 'Star Wars' — no intergalactic creatures or violent outbreaks — but the people-watching was stellar, and everyone was elegantly behaved and attired in suits, ties, cocktail dresses or evening gowns.

The Magic Castle is a warren of intimate, dimly lit rooms, all Victorian in style, with antiques, vitrines of curiosities, a fireplace and paintings, photos, posters and displays of famous conjurers. Erika's Uncle Milt, who died in April, collected bits and pieces from condemned mansions, saving treasures from the wrecking ball, and some items are from movie sets (one bar is from 'Hello Dolly!').

The eyes of a painting in another bar move. One room houses a piano played by Irma the ghost, who takes requests. When someone said 'Play "Walking in Memphis,"' instantly Irma did. Eerie! Shows take place in rooms with a few chairs around a table or bar for close-up magic or in small theaters, one called The Palace of Mystery.

Seance room

In the Houdini Seance Room, current Magic Castle owner Randy Pitchford, great nephew of the renowned British magician Cardini, was seated with his wife Kristy and guests last Thursday night.

'We hold seances here. This room is profound,' Pitchford said.

Later, he joined several resident performers, one called The Shaman, to present a rapid-fire cornucopia of close-up magic.

'Things the cruise world has never seen'

'There are so many things we'd like to create with The Magic Castle, things the cruise world has never seen,' Pitchford told the reporters.

Renderings of Spellbound by Magic Castle on Sun Princess show the same ornately decorated Victorian interiors. The space will have three intimate rooms including a fireplace, a bar with sleight-of-hand servers, a 30-seat theater and even a resident spirit. 

Plus, of course, Artemis the owl. 

Multiple shows by reservation will take place throughout, with the admission fees to be announced soon.