117 Years of Magic in Manchester
Since 1909, The Order of The Magi has been Manchester’s hub for magicians and magic enthusiasts alike, offering a welcoming space for everyone passionate about the art of illusion. From magic tricks to children’s entertainment and balloon modelling, our society embraces all aspects of the magical arts. We gather twice a month at The Irish World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill, sharing ideas, learning from renowned magic lecturers, and hosting fun, friendly competitions.
Whether you’re a seasoned magician or just starting out, if you’re in Manchester or nearby, come and see the magic we can create together. Take a look at our Membership Page to explore the benefits and join one of the UK’s oldest magic clubs.
Upcoming Events:
LECTURE: LEE ALEX
The Devils Handkerchief – It’s far more than just the Vanishing Bandana/Banana routine
WEDNESDAY 27th MAY 2026, 7.30PM
Everything you want to know about the “Devil’s Handkerchief”… and more! Including all the things you don’t yet realise you really do need to know.
We are pleased to welcome Lee Alex to The Order of the Magi in Manchester for a detailed and engaging look at one of magic’s most overlooked utility props.
Following years of dedicated research, Lee presents a fascinating and often surprising exploration of the Devil’s Handkerchief. This lecture goes well beyond the familiar vanishing bandana or banana routine, uncovering the rich history behind the prop and its wider potential within modern magic.
Through a combination of performance, visual examples, and practical demonstrations, Lee brings the subject to life. Using a series of interactive ideas and clear explanations, he breaks down exactly what the Devil’s Handkerchief is, how it works, and when it can be used to best effect. Along the way, you’ll discover applications and thinking that may well change how you view this classic piece of magical equipment.
This is a thoughtful and informative session designed for magicians who want to deepen their understanding of classic methods and explore new ways to apply them in performance.
Visitors are very welcome. Tickets are £10 per person when booked online in advance, or £15 on the night.
Venue:
Irish World Heritage Centre
Irish Town Way, off Queens Road
Cheetham Hill, Manchester
PLEASE NOTE: This lecture is taking place on a Wednesday, instead of our usual Tuesday meeting, to fit in with Lee Alex’s busy schedule.
LECTURE: IAN ROWLAND
The Best Secrets I’ve Learned in Almost 50 Years of Magic & Mentalism
TUESDAY 9th JUNE 2026, 7.30PM
We are delighted to welcome Ian Rowland to The Order of the Magi in Manchester for what promises to be a highly engaging and informative lecture.
Based in London, Ian is a respected speaker, trainer, magician, and mentalist. After a successful career in media and IT, he began working independently in 1998 and has since built an impressive client list that includes organisations such as the FBI, Google, Coca-Cola, the British Olympic Team, and the Ministry of Defence.
Within the world of magic and mentalism, Ian has performed and lectured internationally. His appearances include multiple lectures at The Magic Circle, Blackpool, and MAGIC Live in Las Vegas, as well as MindVention and other major conventions. He has also delivered two Penguin Live lectures and is widely known for his writing, including over 200 articles in the magic press. His book The Full Facts of Cold Reading has been described by Derren Brown as “the definitive work on the subject”.
This lecture is both entertaining and practical, structured in three main parts:
First, Ian shares some of the most effective and accessible techniques he has developed over more than four decades, focusing on strong methods to create the impression of genuine mind reading.
Second, he explores the world of corporate speaking and training, offering insight into how magicians can successfully enter this rewarding and often overlooked area of work.
Finally, he looks at cold reading, breaking it down into clear, usable ideas and demonstrating why it can be both highly effective and genuinely enjoyable to perform.
This is a lecture aimed at magicians and mentalists who want to develop their skills, expand their thinking, and gain real world insight from one of the most experienced performers in the field.
Visitors are very welcome. Tickets are £10 per person when booked online in advance, or £15 on the night.
Venue:
Irish World Heritage Centre
Irish Town Way, off Queens Road
Cheetham Hill, Manchester
Contact:
Email: secretary@orderofthemagi.co.uk
Visitors:
Visitors are very welcome to attend up to three meetings or lectures during each Magi syllabus year (April to March), giving you the chance to experience what The Order of the Magi has to offer.
Advance tickets for lectures are £10 per person when booked online, or £15 on the night. Open events such as sales days, auctions, and competitions are not included within this limit.
If you find yourself wanting to attend more regularly, membership offers the best value, with full access to all lectures, club nights, competitions, and social events throughout the year, along with the opportunity to take part and perform.
To discover more about becoming a member of The Order of the Magi, please visit our Membership page.
Have a Magical Lecture or Event Idea?
The Order of The Magi is always looking to keep our event line-up fresh and exciting. From lectures and competitions to hands-on workshops and brainstorming sessions, we love adding new, unique, and inspiring experiences to our calendar.
If you have a lecture idea or a creative concept that you think our members would enjoy, please drop an email to ents@orderofthemagi.co.uk with the details. And if you’re a member with a fun event idea, be sure to let Jonathan know – we’d love to hear it!
The Order of The Magi News
The 2026 to 2027 Magic Programme is Now Live
The Order of the Magi is pleased to announce that our full programme of magic lectures and events for the 2026 to 2027 season is now available.
Over the next 12 months, we will be hosting a wide range of magic events in Manchester, including professional lectures, club nights, competitions, and social evenings. The programme features an exciting mix of established names and original thinkers from across the UK and beyond, covering close-up magic, stage performance, mentalism, bizarre magic, and more.
Whether you are looking to develop your skills, discover new ideas, or experience high quality magic from leading performers, this year’s programme offers something for every magician.
Lecture entry for visitors remains at £10 when booked in advance online, or £15 on the night.
This year’s lecturers include:
- Vinny Sagoo
- Graham Hey
- Lee Alex
- Ian Rowland
- Oliver Tabor
- Kevin Gallagher
- Chris Rawlins
- Michael Diamond
- Roger Curzon
- Mark Leveridge
- Andrew Normansell
- Adrian Sullivan
- David Michaels
- Jonathan Royle
You can explore the full list of events, dates, and details on our events page.
Members: Annual Subs Now Due!
Members should note that your annual subs are now due. Please see the latest magazine for details, or contact the Treasurer.
Student Discount
Students in Full Time Education now benefit from a new discounted membership rate. Read More…
Latest Blog Posts:
- The Mystery of the Missing Magi Volume: Correcting the Numbering of The Magi Magazine
For more than a century, members of The Order of The Magi in Manchester have received a monthly copy of The Magi magazine, the Society’s long-running journal covering magic, magicians, lectures, performances, club news, and the rich history of one of the UK’s oldest magical societies. Recently, a question was raised regarding the numbering of The Magi magazine and whether the 2026-2027 Society year ought to be appearing as Volume 118 rather than Volume 116. What initially seemed like a small point of curiosity soon developed into a fascinating journey through more than 100 years of magical history, archive material,… Read more: The Mystery of the Missing Magi Volume: Correcting the Numbering of The Magi Magazine - The Magi becomes a proud supporter of MagicWeekOver the years, The Order of The Magi ‘s news and events has been published on MagicWeek – an online news site for magicians around the world, that has been updated every week for 22 years – and we are extremely grateful to Duncan Trillo for his support in our activities. So when Duncan published that individuals and societies could become a supporter of his site for a small donation towards the running costs, it was with great pleasure that we said “yes!” – a small gesture of thanks to him and his amazing website, for everything he has done… Read more: The Magi becomes a proud supporter of MagicWeek
- A History of Magic in Manchester
The article below, written by former editor of The Order of The Magi, Bayard Grimshaw, has been reproduced from Magi Magoria, published by Supreme Magic in 1974. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the early history of magic in Manchester, the development of performing magic in the city, and the story of The Order of The Magi itself – one of the world’s oldest societies dedicated to the art of magic and magical performance. Although written more than fifty years ago, the article provides a valuable snapshot of Manchester’s magical heritage up to the time of publication and reflects the… Read more: A History of Magic in Manchester
Membership
Membership is open to anyone with a serious interest in the performance of magic, and / or the history of the noble art.
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History
Read our History to see just why Manchester’s The Order of the Magi, is such a popular and respected Magic Club all over the world.
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Programme
We host a wide range of exciting magical activities in Manchester, including competitions, lectures and auctions every year.
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Magazine
The Magi Magazine is the Order of The Magi’s Club Periodical, and has never missed an monthly publication.
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