The Kennington mansion that became a surreal hideaway for A-list celebs escaping reality – Southwark News

From the outside, this innocuous building on a quiet South London street doesn’t look special. But for A-listers and high-flyers seeking refuge from the paparazzi’s prying eyes, the House of Magic is Disney on acid. In other words – escapism.

Founder Simon Drake was a successful TV magician in the 1990s. After a career spent dazzling the rich and famous at Royal Variety Shows and private dos, he now performs for famous clientele at raucous parties hosted at The House of Magic – his home and private venue.

Katy Perry said it was “so fun”. Hans Zimmer said it was one of his “best evenings ever”. “Easily the best night out I have ever had in London,” recounted pop legend Mark Almond. 

Decades spent rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous mean Simon understands what celebrities want – privacy and a good time. His homemade haunted house, with its huge dusty bookcases, whirring animatronics, and bizarre ornaments, feels more fantasy than reality.

“I think it’s the atmosphere, the quality and classiness that keeps people coming,” Simon says, “This isn’t Blackpool Pier entertainment. When people enter, they become almost childlike.”

But for all the wonders inside, Kennington is a far cry from the glittering streets of Mayfair. So why do the rich and famous venture this far south of the river, to an area sometimes associated with crime and deprivation?

“If celebrities wanted to be seen in public, they always went to places like Tramp and Café de Paris,” Simon explains.

“But here, they’ve got the luxury that nobody can ever see them. The paparazzi hate me because the guests drive into the gates, we shut the gates, and they’re out of the limo without being bothered.”

On my arrival, Simon excitedly ushers me through the building, barely giving my eyes time to adjust to the soft candlelight. Each part of the house is its own world – a haunted cellar, a Cluedo-style drawing room, an enchanted garden – all elegantly designed and painstakingly curated. 

The venue is so exclusive that staff must lock their smartphones away in a safe during celebrities’ private parties. But Simon, a whirring ball of energy who intersperses normal conversation with magic tricks, is happy to share stories he knows his clients wouldn’t mind.

He remembers holding a bash for the “fabulous” Katy Perry, who partied with staff after an X-Factor show. She insisted Simon unlock the safe where phones were stored so staff could take selfies with her. “That was really kind,” Simon says. “Most celebs don’t do that. They don’t think about ‘the little people’.”

The late Rik Mayall, a friend of Simon’s, spent two days shooting there. Simon still remembers their marathon boozing sessions. “When he was drunk he was totally crazy, but he was even funnier,” Simon says.

“Hugh [Grant] and Liz Hurley were here for his birthday party with a host of celebrities including quite a few Labour MPs,” Simon says. “He had us all in stitches. He’s very charming but also self-deprecating.” Alexander McQueen came twice and “loved it”.

Simon even hosted the wedding of an underworld figure, whom he doesn’t name but describes as an ‘enormous Scottish gangster’. “He spent £8,000 on flowers… the guests were all massive, wearing big gold rings – scary as anything. It was bizarre. The less said the better.”

Simons explains how the events, which tend to last six hours, see him take to the stage and perform a series of macabre illusions and tricks. Meanwhile, guests are free to explore every nook and cranny of the 1800s mansion. Guests are also treated to a fine dining experience to rival anything you might find in the West End. 

Downstairs hosts an auditorium and elaborate, fully-stocked bar. Here, Simon stages performances that nod to his work on The Secret Cabaret – his now-cult Channel 4 TV series. Now in his sixties, he still delights in effects both enchanting and unsettling, giving the entire act an escalating sense of dread that thrills audiences. Simon is often credited for dragging magic out of the cheesy Paul Daniels era and ushering in the cool grittiness of Derren Brown and Dynamo.

One can imagine things getting out of hand. Celebrities aren’t used to being told ‘no’ and you can see how a world of immersion could see them getting carried away. But Simon explains that being based in Kennington means only the more humble brand of celebs tend to come down.

“We don’t get people like that because they won’t come south of the river without a machine gun. The A-listers we get are down-to-earth people,” he says. 

‘A best kept secret’ is a tired cliche – but it rings true with The House of Magic. When Richard Branson visited, he said Simon should get City backing and turn it into a franchise but Simon says he never would. 

“I love the fact it’s word of mouth. I’ve put together something I’d like to go to myself. It’s not overcrowded, there’s no massive queues,” he says. “Chasing fame and money – I’ve always found it’s a waste of time. Yes, we attract celebrities. But it’s not about that. It’s about giving people a high-quality, authentic experience and, most importantly, an amazing time.” 

Simon hosts monthly public events. See: https://www.houseofmagic.co.uk/