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: OLIVER TABOR
The Openers and Closers Lecture
TUESDAY 23rd JUNE 2026. 7.30PM
We are pleased to welcome Oliver Tabor to The Order of the Magi in Manchester for a lecture focused on one of the most important aspects of any performance – how you begin and how you finish.
This lecture explores strong opening effects and memorable closing routines, along with the thinking behind them. Oliver will share a range of material suitable for close-up, parlour, stage, and mentalism, all drawn from his professional working repertoire.
Expect practical routines and ideas including quick opening card effects, a gimmickless bottle production for parlour and stage, structured opening and closing mentalism pieces, and effects using everyday items such as bubbles, roses, and business cards. The emphasis throughout is on material that is visual, engaging, and proven in real performance conditions.
Alongside the routines, Oliver will also discuss stagecraft and performance techniques. Drawing on principles used by stage manipulators, he explains how ideas such as body movement, timing, and eye contact can be applied across all areas of magic, helping to strengthen overall presentation.
Oliver is a full time professional magician specialising in visual stage magic, with regular performances in theatre shows and cabaret venues around the world. He is a member of The Magic Circle with Gold Star, a past President of the I.B.M. British Ring No. 25, and an award winner in the stage category at the FISM European Championships. His long running show West End Magic has been resident at the Leicester Square Theatre for over 10 years and continues to tour the UK. He also runs his own dedicated magic theatre in Essex.
Lecture notes and selected products will be available to purchase after the event.
“Presented with grace, and an innocent humility, Oliver is a modern-day gentleman of magic. The whole lecture provided tips, tricks, gems and takeaways for everyone. This therefore, was a lecture for everyone…irrespective of individual genre.” – The Magic Circle, April 2023
“A fabulous new lecture from Oliver going through his openers and closers from his professional repertoire. The knowledge shared was clearly straight from his stage act that has been touring and works in the real world night after night. The audience were appreciative of the wisdom passed on and all came away with something to improve the way we open and close our set.” – International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention, September 2024
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
As Seen On Granada Reports!
The Order of The Magi recently appeared on Granada Reports, as presenter Paul Crone recently visited our Manchester headquarters to explore the remarkable story of one of England’s oldest magical societies.
The feature celebrated over 117 years of magic in Manchester, showcasing classic sleight of hand, mind reading, and interviews with current members of the society.
Founded in 1909, The Order of The Magi is the oldest magic society in the North West and the third oldest in England, continuing to bring together magicians, mind readers, and enthusiasts from across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Take a look at Paul Crone’s visit and see what makes The Order of The Magi so special.
Watch the Granada Reports Feature
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:
- What Happens at a Magic Club? A Look Inside a Magic Society
If you have ever thought about joining a magic club, you have probably wondered what actually goes on behind closed doors. Is it all top hats and secret handshakes? Is there some sort of magician’s oath? A mysterious initiation? A hidden room beneath Manchester where members gather around candlelight discussing card controls? Well… not quite. Despite what some people imagine, joining a magic society is nothing like joining the Freemasons, and sadly rather less like Hogwarts than many of us might secretly hope. At its heart, a magic club in the UK is simply a place where people with a… Read more: What Happens at a Magic Club? A Look Inside a Magic Society - 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
Membership
Membership is open to anyone with a serious interest in the performance of magic, and / or the history of the noble art.
more
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.
more
Programme
We host a wide range of exciting magical activities in Manchester, including competitions, lectures and auctions every year.
more
Magazine
The Magi Magazine is the Order of The Magi’s Club Periodical, and has never missed an monthly publication.
more
