The Secret Cabaret (1990)
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.
📺 Seasons & Episodes
Season 16 episodes
1. Show 1
⏱ 30 minShow 1 (first broadcast 9 January 1990) - guests included contortionist Rocky Rendall, ghost hunter Tony Ehlert and knife jugglers Carletti & Belle.
2. Show 2
⏱ 30 minShow 2 (first broadcast 16 January 1990) - guests included Mike Comerford, Mark Raffles and Fluke.
3. Show 3
⏱ 30 minShow 3 (first broadcast 23 January 1990) - guests included Les Hilton, Jeanin Lionet, Tony Andruzzi, Stromboli and John Gaughan.
4. Show 4
⏱ 30 minShow 4 (first broadcast 30 January 1990) - guests included Bartschelly, Jenny Randles and John Gaughan
5. Show 5
⏱ 30 minShow 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.
6. Show 6
⏱ 30 minShow 6 (first broadcast 13 February 1990) - guests included Watt the Man, Normando Rojas, Tony Andruzzi and Rocky Rendall.
Season 26 episodes
1. Show 1
⏱ 30 minShow 1 (first broadcast 15 January 1992) - guests included Matthew Gryczan, Jeanie, Named Seuqcaj and Enrica.
2. Show 2
⏱ 30 minShow 2 (first broadcast 22 January 1992) - guests included Tkach, Charles Black, Snake Lady and La Dorina.
3. Show 3
⏱ 30 minShow 3 (first broadcast 29 January 1992) - guests included Stevie Starr, Len Di Maggio and Staubertis.
4. Show 4
⏱ 30 minShow 4 (first broadcast 5 February 1992) - guests included Max Oscar, Bessie Standing, Matthew Gryczan and Named Seuqcaj.
5. Show 5
⏱ 30 minShow 5 (first broadcast 12 February 1992) - guests included Elvis Mokko, Tony Zavosky, Anne Marie Bates and David Benn.
6. Show 6
⏱ 30 minShow 6 (first broadcast 19 February 1992) - guests included The Mandragores, Percilla & Emmitt Bejano, Jonny King, and Matthew Gryczan. (Open Media and BFI also list "Dorian Grey" but that is the name of an illusion performed by Simon Drake and not a performer).[5]
