Having stopped believing in Father Christmas, the Tooth Fairy and magic a long, long time ago, I headed down to the venue not with scepticism but instead with a determination to suss out just how the tricks of the trade were done.

What I expected were the usual sleight-of-hand deceptions, cup-and-ball sequences and tap-three-times-on-this-and-thats. Instead, this turned out to be the best night out I'd had in ages, with a diverse range of acts - some predictable, yet still enjoyable due to the humour attached, and some just downright extraordinary.

Host Mark Worgan's style was that of the former - standard paper-tearing tricks, where the torn tissue was then transformed into a hat, and disappearing water, poured back out of a newspaper seconds later, complete with altered hue. However, teaming his act with deadpan wit and the ability to poke fun at himself and his profession, Worgan proved magicians are good for more than just children's party entertainment.

Stand-up comic and illusionist Noel Britten was simply outstanding. Again, with humble escapology tricks and plenty of self-deprecating humour, Britten clearly had the talent to rival any of today's top TV funnymen.

In particular, his talk of finding ways to actually spend a giant five pound note ("Quick! Take it, I'm shrinking!") was choke-on-your-drink hilarious.

Final guest act Tensai, a Japanese/Cockney illusion duo, used kung-fu-style music and a wordless, well choreographed performance to help create the atmosphere for their most spectacular optical trick, the grand finale of the whole night.

After apparently slicing and dicing his assistant by means of a set of steel blades and an inescapable box, the Oriental magician then proceeded to "float" said assistant, seemingly without the aid of physical objects, about a foot in the air above the stage.

After witnessing such visually amazing and unfathomable events up close, I have been forced to reconsider my views.

Although I still do not believe Santa Claus exists, it's quite clear magic certainly does, in the form of this monthly night of top-notch entertainment from Mark Worgan and his Magic Circle mates.