2026-27 Programme of Events

LECTURE: VINNY SAGOO

TUESDAY 14^th APRIL 2026
(The Helen Moran Memorial Lecture)

Vinny Sagoo has been announced as the Helen Moran Memorial Lecturer to start the 2026-2027 Academic Magical Year for The Order of the Magi in Manchester.

A Mathemagician of Over 30 Years Vinny Sagoo has dazzled audiences with his unique blend of mathematics and magic for over three decades. With a career spanning such a long and illustrious time, he has earned the title of a “mathemagician,” a term he has embraced and made his own.

Helen Moran was a much-respected honorary member of The Order of The Magi, who worked very hard behind the scenes. When Helen sadly passed away, she kindly left a bequest to provide the first magic lecture of the Society’s year and this year we are delighted to welcome Vinny Sagoo Magical Creator Extraordinaire on Tuesday 14th April at The Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens Road, Manchester, M8 OAE.

This promises to be an amazing night and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night.

Club Night: IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC

TUESDAY 28^th APRIL 2026
Members are encouraged to bring along their Three Favourite Tricks, and during the course of the night we’ll get through as many of them as we can with each member in attendance taking it in turns to perform one of their favourite tricks and other members then providing positive input and ideas related to those effects.

LECTURE: GRAHAM HEY
Comedy Magic & Mentalism for Comedy Clubs, Cruises & Cabaret

TUESDAY 12th MAY 2026, 7.30PM

Back in the 90’s, Graham was a comedy writer for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. Writing for people such as Russ Abbott, Hale and Pace and Griff Rhys Jones… He was talked into doing stand-up, but didn’t have much confidence so decided to add some ‘magic tricks’ to his act – so if they didn’t like his comedy, they might like the magic – and vice versa.

Eventually, he launched and was the co-owner of magic-seen magazine for 20 years, and performed his comedy mentalism act for Princess and Celebrity cruise lines.

Lots of performers have used his material including Mike McClean, Chris Dugdale, Chris Cox, Rafael, Miss Magic, Sean Alexander, Mel Mellers and many others.

He loves visual gags and tricks that are easy to do!

He’s released over 30 ebooks in the US via lybrary.com covering everything from ‘Funny ways to select an audience member’ to ‘Tricks using Scrabble pieces!’

His lecture will include visual gags, magic effects (close-up and stand-up), and funmentalism. Something for everyone!

This promises to be an amazing night and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night.

LECTURE: LEE ALEX
The Devils Handkerchief – It’s far more than just the Vanishing Bandana/Banana routine

TUESDAY 26^th 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.

After years of in-depth research, Lee Alex presents a fun and surprising talk on the “Devil’s Handkerchief.” The fascinating history of this handkerchief is told, supported by various performances, different visuals, and reproduction examples.

The “Devil’s Handkerchief” is explained through various games, teaching you exactly what it is, how it’s used, and when to use it. After this enlightening presentation, you will perceive the “Devil’s Handkerchief” not as a simple piece of cloth, but as a magical object to always have with you. Are you ready to take a step back in time?

This promises to be an amazing night and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night.

LECTURE: IAN ROWLAND
The Best Secrets I’ve Learned in Almost 50 Years of Magic & Mentalism

TUESDAY 9^th JUNE – 7.30PM

Ian Rowland is a speaker, trainer and magician based in London. After a successful career in media and IT, he started working for himself in 1998.

Ian is a successful corporate speaker and trainer whose clients include the FBI, Google, Coca-Cola, the British Olympics Team and the Ministry of Defence.

As a magician and mentalist, Ian has lectured and performed all over the world. He has lectured four times at the Magic Circle, three times

at Blackpool and three times at MAGIC Live in Las Vegas, as well at Mind-Vention and several other conventions, and has so far done two Penguin lectures.

Ian is the author of ‘The Full Facts of Cold Reading’ (which Derren Brown said was ‘the definitive work on the subject’) and has written over 200 articles on mentalism in the magic press.

His truly entertaining & highly educational lecture will be in three main parts.

(1) Passing on the benefit of 40+ years’ experience, Ian will teach the three or four best and easiest ways to read minds & create your reputation as a true miracle worker

(2) Corporate talks and training: why most magicians should and could get into this lucrative and enjoyable market.

(3) Cold reading: you can do it and it’s more fun than you think!

This promises to be an amazing night and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night

AWAITING CONFIRMATION

TUESDAY 23^rdJune

CLOSE-UP MAGIC
COMPETITION

TUESDAY 14^TH JULY 2026

Best Close-Up Magic Trophy & Sly Smith Best Card Trick Shield both up for grabs on the night.

All members are welcome to enter and should please register their interest with Competitions Officer Max Townsend.

Members are also invited to bring (at no cost) friends and family along on the night to enjoy the performances so that our competitors have some non-magicians to perform to as well as fellow Magi members.

Entrants should present a routine of Close-Up Magic of between 12 to 15 minutes duration.

If you run any longer than 15 minutes or any less than 10 minutes you will lose marks from the Judges.

Become a part of the rich history of England’s 3^rd Oldest Magical Society by entering and perhaps even winning this competition!

LECTURE: KEVIN GALLAGHER
No Cards Tricks Here…. Just Pure Magic

TUESDAY 28^TH JULY 7.30PM

Kevin was a relative latecomer to Magic, not finding any serious interest until he was aged 32. Once bitten however, Magic quickly became something of an obsession and soon replaced his earlier love of chess, at which he used to play for his county, as his main pastime.

Just five years later, he gave up his job as a Systems Engineer to pursue a Magic career. He has never regretted this, though still retains a vested interest in computers, and his only regret is that he didn’t do it sooner.

Some years and two children later, his interest and love for Magic remains as high as ever. He now has an ever growing reputation and has performed all over the World including Europe, USA and the Far East.

Kevin is a multi-award winning professional magician with awards including 2004 – Second, IBM Competition&Second London International Competition, 2005 – Third place, European Magical Championships, Vienna, 2006 – Participated in FISM World Magical Championships, Stockholm, 2007 – Magical Judge, European Magical Championships, 2008 – FFFF MastersDegree, New York State& 2009 – Winner British IBM Card Magic.

This lecture covers sleight of hand magic, specifically with objects that normal objects such as coins, balls, dice, chain, rings, Rubik cube, CDs etc. but NO CARD TRICKS (unless specifically requested on the night because this is also one of his great passions).

This promises to be an amazing night and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night

MAGI SUMMER BARBECUE EVENT – 11^th AUGUST 2026

Come along, Join us & bring your partner for our Annual Magi Barbecue! David Owen, Mike Sharples & Stuart Cassels work together to keep those mouth-watering meaty delights appearing for our dining pleasure. This again has fallen on the same week that members Jonathan Royle & Mike Sharples celebrate their Birthdays so who knows there may even be Cake!

In any event this always proves to be a highly enjoyable evening of Food, Networking, Magical Jamming & Friendship.

AWAITING LECTURE CONFIRMATION – 25^thAUGUST ?

8^th SEPTEMBER 2026
Return of Order of the Magi’s
CABARET & STAGE MAGIC COMPETITION

Overall Best Cabaret Act Trophy and also Best Comedy Award are both up for grabs on the night.

All members are welcome to enter and should please register their interest with Competitions Officer Max Townsend. Members are also invited to bring (at no cost) friends and family along on the night to enjoy the performances so that our competitors have some non-magicians to perform to as well as fellow Magi members.

Entrants should present a routine of either Serious or Comedy Style Cabaret, Parlour or Stage Magic of between 12 to 15 minutes duration. If you run any longer than 15 minutes or any less than 10 minutes you will lose marks from the Judges. Become a part of the rich history of England’s 3^rd Oldest Magical Society by entering and perhaps even winning this competition!

MICHAEL DIAMOND – 22^nd SEPTEMBER
The Real InsideSecrets of Escapology

During this lecture Michael will be revealing facts and fascinating stories about escapology and its legendary performers as well as techniques, the equipment they used, and its relevance to escape artists today. There will demonstrations of how to escape from various different restraints from handcuffs to straitjackets through to chains and padlocks of all kinds and beyond.

You will see various handcuffs and restraints from his collection along with the evolution and techniques of escaping from them, he will also reveal the misleading information laid down by many books of incorrect methods and relate the story of the famous “Mirror Cuffs”.

“The life of an escapologist” is also spotlighted, including what they go through, the rivalry, how to deal with the unexpected and their fight against fraudulent mediums (as opposed to the real ones).

This promises to be an amazing night and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night

ROGER CURZON – 13^th OCTOBER
Bizarre Magick & Storytelling Spooky Magic

To those already in the world of Bizarre Magic Roger will need no introduction he truly is a living legend of the field and we are excited to announce has agreed to present what likely will be his last ever Live Lecture at The Order of the Magi much to the joy of many of our members including Andrew Normansell & President Matt Price both of whom are also respected within the Bizarre Magic World.

Yes this is the same Roger Curzon who is the ingenious inventor of the “Miracle Signed Card to Envelope” and who has published several amazing books on Bizarre performance & miracles through Russell Hall’s “Magick Enterprises” in Sheffield.

Come along for an experience you will never forget as Roger shares with us a selection of his finest works including new ideas and those carefully selected from his stunning previous works including: Dark Matters – The Arcane Thaumaturgy of Dr. Jacob Tordoff, Sublimations & Orphic Fables.

This promises to be an amazing night, indeed we predict it to be one of the highlights of the year and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night

HALLOWEEN & BIZARRE MAGICK – 27^thOCTOBER
Come along & show us what you learned at the last meeting from Roger Curzon’s amazing Lecture or just share with us your already favourite Spooky, Halloween Themed or all year round Bizarre Magick tricks & routines. At times the lights will be turned off and the candles lit as collectively we explore the world of the mysterious together alongside our resident Bizarre Practitioners Andrew Normansell & President Matt Price…

LECTURE: MARK LEVERIDGE
The Legendary Leveridge Legerdemain Lecture

TUESDAY 10^TH NOVEMBER 2026, 7.30PM

If you have not yet heard of Mark Leveridge where have you been hiding?

Seriously he is a Magical Legend and has invented some of the most ingenious Magic used by Top Professionals around the world over the past 4 decades.

For the last few years Mark has successfully presented lectures containing varied, practical effects from his E-Club Pro vaults. Leveridge Legerdemain is the latest collection of this material, all of which is completely different from that used in previous E-Club Pro based lectures.

Mark will perform and give full explanations of all the included effects. The lecture contains magic that is suitable for a close-up show, mentalism, parlour work and strolling, there really is something for everyone here!

With over 40 years’ experience of presenting lectures to magicians all over the world, Mark believes that he can offer a presentation that is professionally delivered and which has no associated sales attached, thus making it a true lecture and not a thinly disguised dealer dem!

This promises to be an amazing night, indeed we predict it to be one of the highlights of the year and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night

24th NOVEMBER 2026 – THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

A social evening to discuss, share ideas and perform tricks for fellow members on the theme of Christmas which is fast approaching. Come share ideas and get inspiration of things you can use in your December shows & at Social events leading up to the big event.

LECTURE: ANDREW NORMANSELL

Cabaret Obscura – Revisiting Occult & Bizarre Magick

TUESDAY 8^th DECEMBER

Andrew Normansell is a highly experienced magician, mentalist, and entertainer known for his sleight of hand, humour, and corporate performances.

However Andrew Normansell is also highly respected in the world of Bizarre & Supernatural Magic as he is also the author of literally dozens of books & creator of even more miracles of this genre.

Demons may be summoned, Devilish plots will be explained and Mysterious experiences will be witnessed & experienced by all who attend this spine chilling presentation crafted around ingenious secrets & methods which will be shared with you during the nights events.

This promises to be an amazing night, indeed we predict it to be one of the highlights of the year and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night

MAGI CHRISTMAS PARTY GET-TOGETHER

TUESDAY 22^nd DECEMBER

Those who can may join us in Manchester City Centre mid-afternoon at a mutually agreed location which will be discussed nearer the time at a club meeting before visiting a few local watering holes prior to getting the tram (or Uber) to the Magi HQ for further festive drinks and Magical Jam Sessions. In previous years we’ve also ended up playing Magical themed games… so quite literally anything could happen…

CLUB NIGHT: WHAT MAGIC DID SANTA BRING FOR YOU?

TUESDAY 12^th January 2027

To ease us gently into the new year our first meeting is a Club Social where members are encouraged to perform and discuss what new Magical and/or Mentalism related items they treated themselves to for Christmas. Our experienced members are also encouraged to positively & constructively share ideas and other handlings for these tricks so that all members can learn & grow along the way. Often these nights turn out to be some of the most enjoyable fun & educational of the year so be sure to come along.

LECTURE: DAVID MICHAELS –
TrickapidiaLecture – 15 Years of Magic & Mentalism for all Styles

TUESDAY 26th JANUARY 2027

David Michael is an international comedy magician fusing razor sharp wit with expert sleight of hand creating an experience like no other!

As comfortable performing on stage to an audience of hundreds to performing intimate close up magic to small groups of people David’s magic will leave each person captivated with wonder and thinking
“How the hell did he do that!!??”

David has performed across Europe and the UK performing at hotels and magic bars in Spain, cruise ships in Norway to sold out holiday parks in Devon as well as performing at the world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

This lecture is fully comprised of material from David’s working set as a professional of over 15 years to date and has received positive rave reviews wherever David has presented it.

This promises to be an amazing night, indeed we predict it to be one of the highlights of the year and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night

JONATHAN ROYLE

Royle Reveals Magic, Mentalism & Hypno-Tricks

TUESDAY 9^th FEBRUARY 2027, 7.30PM

At the time of this lecture Royle (formerly Known as Alex-Le-Roy) will be entered into his 49^th year in Showbusiness having made his stage debut aged 3 as Flap the Clown on Gandey’s Circus in 1978.

He is now better known as a Comedy Magician, Mind Reader, Psychic Entertainer & Hypnotist who has performed all around the world including 100’s of TV, Radio & Media appearances, his own 6 Part European Television Series in Amsterdam & One Hour Television Special on German RTL TV in the 1990’s.

During the course of this evening he will demonstrate and then explain a mixed bag of Magical, Mentalism & Hypnosis Style effects.

There will be things suitable for Close-Up, Cabaret, Stage, Corporate Events and Television all of which Royle has worked extensively in over the decades.

This promises to be an amazing night, indeed we predict it to be one of the highlights of the year and non club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night

CLUB NIGHT – WHAT DID YOU BUY AT BLACKPOOL?

23^rd FEBRUARY 2027-

Come along and share your best memories of what you saw and experienced last week at Blackpool Magic Convention 2027.

You are encouraged to perform & try out your new tricks for fellow members.

And if you did not go to Blackpool, no worries come along and get all the gossip and see the latest tricks and miracles performed up close.

LECTURE: Adrian Sullivan
The Master of Mystery presents Miracles for Close-Up, Parlour & Stage…

TUESDAY 9^thMarch 2027, 7.30PM

Widely Known amongst Magicians for his creations such as “Just Think” & “Eliminator” among many others, Adrian Sullivan will be presenting Magic for all performance styles and no doubt will have many of the required props available on the night at bargain prices also.

Adrian’s lectures are always Magical, Highly entertaining and educational as he shares his decades of hard won real world performing experience.

Adrian’s philosophy is to keep the magic as simple as possible so you can concentrate on having fun and entertaining your audience, this

truly is a lecture you will take numerous ideas away from that you will use.
This promises to be an amazing night, indeed we predict it to be one of the highlights of the year and non-club members can attend for just £10 when booked in advance or £15 paid on the night

ORDER OF MAGI AGM

TUESDAY 23^rdMARCH 2027

AGM & then final social meeting of the 2026 to 2027 Magi Academic Year.

The AGM part of the evening is admittedly not the most entertaining part but it is necessary before we move to the bar for Magical Jamming Sessions & drinks.

It’s your chance as a member to have your say and vote on matters that will help shape the future growth of the club and what we do in the years ahead.