As the UK’s first Professor of children’s anaesthesia I have given talks in over 30 countries in seven of the world’s eight continents (I await an invitation from Antarctica!) I must be a reasonably good communicator as I have even been invited back. In over 30 years working at Great Ormond Street children’s hospital I have many amusing stories to tell about my experiences and the extraordinary people I have met.

Since anaesthesia might be regarded as a kind of magic, it was perhaps natural that on retirement I should pursue a second career as a different kind of magician. I joined The Magic Circle in 2009 and for ten years was their Welfare Officer. I have been elected to the Inner Magic Circle and awarded their prestigious gold wand. My special interest in magic centres around the amazing characters who have populated its history and I love telling some of their stories and demonstrating some of their illusions.

Magic is one of the oldest forms of entertainment. It has also been used to quell conflicts or support military exercises. Once a very gendered pursuit, the number of female magicians is increasing slowly. David will talk through the history of magic.

David Hatch is Emeritus professor of paediatric anaesthesia in the University of London. He took a serious interest in magic on his retirement. In 2009 he successfully auditioned for the Magic Circle, and was their welfare officer from 2011-2021. He was awarded the Silver Wand in 2019 and in 2020 was promoted to membership of the Inner Magic Circle. He performs under the stage name ‘Professor Whizzo’, www.profwhizzo.co.uk and in 2014 he won the stage magic competition Christian Magicians UK. He donates all his profits to charity. He is a recognised speaker for the charity Mercy Ships.