Two nights of close-up magic and illusions from the north-east’s magic community, raising funds for Aberdeen Arts Centre.
Aberdeen has a long and unusual relationship with magic. John Henry Anderson, who performed here in the 19th century under the name the Great Wizard of the North (a title bestowed by Sir Walter Scott), popularised a trick that was deadly. Harry Houdini, so inspired by Anderson that he paid to maintain the man’s grave in St Nicholas Kirkyard after visiting Aberdeen in 1909, is one of the stranger footnotes to the city’s touring history.
Aberdeen Magical Society, formed in 1926 by a group of amateur conjurors, has been part of that tradition ever since. This September, the society marks its centenary with two nights of magic at Aberdeen Arts Centre.
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What’s on
The shows on 4 and 5 September bring together a broad cross-section of the north-east magic community. The bill across both nights spans escapology, mind reading, comedy, close-up sleight of hand, and full-scale illusions. The line-ups differ between Friday and Saturday, so there’s a reason to come to both.
Meeting twice a month, with close-up and card magic competitions, visiting lecturers from around the world, and themed nights run by members, the society has been a working part of Aberdeen’s magic scene for a century. Membership is open to anyone aged 18 or over with a genuine interest in magic, amateur or professional.
It has produced some notable names along the way. In the 1990s, member Bill Duncan hosted Bill’s Magic Box on Grampian TV. Barry and Stuart, the macabre comedy magic duo who built a TV career across the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV, first met at the society.
Where the ticket money goes
All proceeds go to the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign, a three-year fundraising drive launched in May 2025 aiming to raise £660,000 to secure the venue’s future. Many of the performers have their own history with the Arts Centre, having made their first appearances on a professional stage there. The building also houses the Children’s Theatre, opened in the 1950s as the first youth theatre of its kind in the UK.
Tickets are on sale now at aberdeenartscentre.com. More about the society at aberdeenmagic.com.
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