Magic society’s centenary shows will raise money to help save Aberdeen Arts Centre.
Harry Houdini visited Aberdeen in 1909. While he was here, he tracked down the grave of John Henry Anderson in St Nicholas Kirkyard and paid for its upkeep. Anderson, known as the Great Wizard of the North — a title given to him by Sir Walter Scott — had helped popularise the bullet catch and was among the magicians who shaped Houdini’s own career.
Anderson had been dead for decades. Houdini made a point of finding him anyway.
Aberdeen Magical Society was founded in 1926 by a group of amateur conjurors, including the architect T. Scott Sutherland. A hundred years on, it meets twice a month, runs competitions in close-up magic, card magic and entertainment, and brings in guest lecturers from around the world.
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A club with a track record
Some members have gone on to wider recognition. Barry and Stuart, the macabre comedy magic duo, first met through the club before going on to make television for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Watch. In the 1990s, member Bill Duncan presented Bill’s Magic Box for Grampian TV.
For its hundredth year, the society is staging two nights at Aberdeen Arts Centre on 4 and 5 September 2026. The shows, titled 100 Years of Magic, will include escapology and mind reading performed by its members, ranging from professionals to hobbyists. All proceeds go to the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign, which launched in May 2025 and has raised over £165,000 of its £660,000 target.
What the society’s president says
“I wonder if the founding members could have imagined what was to come over the next 100 years,” says Garry Seagraves, the society’s president.
Membership is open to anyone aged 18 or over, whether they want to perform or simply study the craft.
Tickets are on sale now at the Aberdeen Arts Centre Box Office.
