Principal Edwards Magic Theatre

Formed in 1968 at Essex University in England, this UK ensemble began life as an artistic hippie co-operative centered on Belinda ‘Bindy’ Borquin (vocals/recorder/violin/piano), Root Cartwright (guitar/mandolin/recorder) and David Jones (percussion). Jeremy Ensor (bass) and the vocalists Martin Stellman, Monica Nettles and Vivienne McAuliffe joined them at the outset, while an assortment of dancers, technicians and stage hands soon expanded the roster beyond ten members. After cutting Soundtrack for John Peel’s Dandelion Records label, the group left university behind to create a commune. Their second album, The Asmoto Running Band, arrived under the production of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and was followed by an ambitious season at London’s Hampstead Theatre Club. The residency intensified an internal dispute over artistic direction, leading to the unit’s disintegration in December 1971. Bourquin, Cartwright and Jones then rebuilt the band with Nick Pallett (guitar/vocals), Richard Chipperfield-Jones (bass/vocals) and Geoff Nicholls (drums); after shedding the ‘Magic Theatre’ suffix they finished the rock-orientated Round One once more under Mason’s guidance.