There are many thrills to be derived from the telling of ghost stories and the macabre; in high school, my friends and I used to spend our music lessons holding fake seances in the rehearsal rooms, in lieu of perfecting performances of Clair De Lune for the fiftieth god-forsaken week. While I'm fairly sure that if we had conjured up the spectre of choice, a lifetime of trauma would have ensued, I think we were always slightly disappointed when nothing happened, other than a teacherly lecture as to why we don't try and raise the dead on school time. I am delighted to report, however, that a macabre alternative exists in adulthood in the form of the surreal and wonderful world that is Simon Drake's House of Magic.

Based in Kennington, you will first walk through an enchanting garden full of smoke and mysterious foliage. Note well that this will become most atmospheric when night falls; if you turn up in broad daylight as we did, the illusion is somewhat lost. Luckily such daylight becomes a mere memory as you step inside the dark forboding doors to the welcoming arms of Rafe the Butler. As we entered the room, Rafe was rather convincingly positioned behind a pillar, watching everyone with such stillness, I would initially question whether or not he was a statue. He would later come to life as a highly comedic yet sinister servant to the underworld as he took us on a tour of the Haunted Cellar. The Cellar exists as a corporeal jumblesale of childhood nightmares. Most notable for me was a homicial looking Easter Bunny head; an insanity perhaps borne from guilt, after acknowledging his key role in an ongoing childhood obesity epidemic. Be warned as well, vampires lurk in the shadows and in addition to a thirst for blood, 100 years in a coffin have left them craving other carnal pursuits...

Upstairs lies The Drawing Room where you can once more marvel at the intricate oddities which Simon Drake has used to decorate the home. You might experience an allligator snapping at you from the walls. Or walk past a painting of a possessed girl who desperately claws at the glass, trying to capture your atention to help her escape (a similar sight can be observed from walking around Canary Wharf on a Monday morning). Simon Drake, having spent decades in the film industry, has peppered the room with delightful special effects such as mechanical coin-operated displays which come to life with the most impressive little details. The fact he has built this himself from scratch makes the experience all the more impressive and enjoyable.

After you have explored this fascinating house, a buffet dinner awaits. Food is delicious and plentiful and we were highly pleased by a low-priced and highly-stocked bar. Patrons have the options of either returning to the Drawing Room to dine or reserving a table by the stage which will also be the home of the pièce de résistance - the magic show itself. I've  been witness to a lot of magicians in the last year - from the stealthy skills of those who have performed for Penn and Teller to the farcical trickery of one resembling Gob from Arrested Development. And I can honestly say that Simon Drake's magic show is outstanding. I do not wish to ruin the experience for you by talking about all the different acts but know that it contains vanishing girls, sawn off limbs, levitation and some brilliant sleight of hand trickery. Even though anyone with a rational brain can work out how most of these tricks are performed, it's the ability to do it so effortlessly and subtlely (so that the audience cannot observe the tricks at work) that is so impressive. While I clearly know I have not just watched a man stab a knife through his hand, there is still a part of my brain that instinctively starts internally screaming when I see it directly in front of me. Or who knows, maybe there is no trick and it is just genuine, bona-fide magic. N.B. Never say this to a scientist. Ever.

Your night then continues in The Drawing Room where you are invited to an evening of dancing amongst the ghouls.

Simon Drake won an international cult following the success of his Channel 4 television series 'The Secret Cabaret'  and the fact he still has so much enthusiasm  and joy for the craft of magic and the enjoyment of the audience is undeniable. He made such an effort to ensure his guests were having a great evening and it was a joy to hear the passion in his voice when talking about this house he built from scratch. Adding to the mystery of the affair, the exact location of the house remains a secret until you purchase a ticket and are sent the address and details of how to find it. This is definitely a memorable, unique and exciting night out and I would highly recommend it both for private hire or to join one of the venue's public events. Simon Drake's clients include Elton John, Eric Clapton, Kate Bush and - most importantly - Reservoir Dogs star Harvey Keitel. With an accolade from Mr White, what more do you need?

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