Number
1343 - Saturday 21st March 2026
LADs 2026 The
Northamptonshire Magicians' Club Centenary Convention - 27th September.
From the organisers:
An incredible Magic convention featuring international lecturers and world-class
dealers travelling from all over the world to inspire magicians in
Northamptonshire.
It's happening. LADs is back for one final time.
After eight years of sold-out events and unforgettable lectures, LADs (Lectures
and Dealers) returns in 2026 and this time, it's going to be something truly
special.
Organised once again by David Penn, Patron of the Northamptonshire Magicians
Club, LADs became the biggest one-day magic convention in the UK attracting
over 300 delegates every year. But for the past few years, magicians have kept
asking the same thing: "Can we do it one more time?"
Well, now we are.
To celebrate the roots of it all and the club where it all began members of
the Northamptonshire Magicians Club have spent the last five years raising funds
to bring back LADs for one final event, marking the club's upcoming centenary.
Let's celebrate 100 years of magic together!
Expect a full day of international lectures, inspiring power talks (presented in
a TED-style format), a dedicated lecture environment, and a completely separate
dealers' area featuring the best names in magic retail.
Tickets go on sale on the 22nd of April. If you click "Buy Tickets" you
will not be able to complete your purchase until the 22nd of April at 10am.
Only 200 tickets will be available due to venue capacity.
70+ NMC members already expected to attend.
This will sell out book early to avoid disappointment. Put the date in your
diary now! 10am - 8pm on
Sunday 27th September at
Delta Hotels Northampton.
www.northamptonshiremagicians.uk/lads2026.
21.3.26
The
Magic Circle Convention 2026 - London, Sunday 5th July. A date for
your diary! This year's convention will be dedicated to the memory of
Wayne Dobson: "We are proud to dedicate this year's Convention to a true
icon of magic. Wayne inspired generations with his brilliance, humour,
and unforgettable performances and this will be a special opportunity
for us all to come together and celebrate his life, his magic, and his
lasting impact on our art." Convention details to be announced over the coming weeks.
www.themagiccircle.co.uk.
21.3.26
Cards
In Common 2026 Convention - Manchester, 16th May. Cards In Common is
a community-led playing card event created out of a simple idea:
bringing people together - brought to you by the team at A. Haines
Playing Cards. After attending a similar convention in London last
year, we were approached by multiple people asking the same question
"Would you ever do something like this in Manchester?" A week later,
the venue was booked!
From the very beginning, A. Haines Playing Cards was about more
than creating and selling playing cards. It was about building real
connections with real people. While much of the playing card world
exists online, there are very few opportunities to come together in
person, meet like-minded people, and share that passion face to face.
From this motivation, Cards in Common was born. Intended as a smaller,
more intimate one-day event for up to 100 attendees, Cards In Common
offers an alternative to large conventions. It's a space where
conversations happen, friendships form, and everyone feels welcome.
Attendees can learn from expert speakers, chat over coffee, browse
playing card stalls, share ideas, and enjoy being in a room full of
people who simply love playing cards. Open to anyone with an interest in
playing cards - magicians, cardists, collectors, creators, and
enthusiasts of all backgrounds - the event is built around one unifying
idea: A Shared Love of the Shuffle. Are you someone with no
experience of playing cards but want to come along and find out what
it's all about? You are welcome too!
Doors open at 9am for sign-in, coffee, conversation and browsing the
vendor stands, with talks beginning at 10am. All food is included in the
ticket cost, and the day is designed to be relaxed, welcoming, and
community focused. Saturday 16th, The Holiday Inn Manchester - City
Centre by IHG, 25 Aytoun Street, Manchester M1 3DT. For registration
details see
www.ahplayingcards.com [Many thanks to Gordon Astley for the heads
up! DT].
21.3.26
Wessex
Magical Association 2026 Convention - next Sunday, 29th March! We're excited to announce that
the Wessex Magical Association's 2026 Magic Convention will take place
on Sunday 29th March. Join us for another great One Day Convention,
culminating in a Gala Show in the evening. Lecturers confirmed: Andi
Gladwin, John Morton, Oliver Tabor and Jamie Williams. Plus magic dealers during
the day. There are two links for Day and Gala tickets.
Day ticket:
www.ticketsource.co.uk.
Gala Show ticket:
www.ticketsource.co.uk. Bournemouth School for Girls Main Hall,
Bournemouth BH8 9UJ. Sunday 29th March 2026 from 9am. Also see
www.wmagic.co.uk.
21.3.26
The
Modern Mind Readers: Mind Reading, Marriage & Other Milestones -
Upstairs At The Gatehouse Theatre, London. From the promoter:
Mind Reading, Marriage & Other Milestones offers a fresh take on the
art of two person telepathy and magic. The Modern Mind Readers have road
tested their show across Canada and America, reaping great reviews with
every performance. This is something different, imaginative and packed
with a lot of fun and humour.
What happens when two mind readers fall in love, build a life together,
and raise a child, while performing impossible feats around the world?
Step inside a truly personal evening of mentalism where astonishing
demonstrations meet real-life connections. Blending sharp humour,
emotional depth, and remarkable audience participation, this is a show
where the impossible feels intimate, human and completely unforgettable.
"You're so bossy! Phenomenal. We absolutely loved it!" Penn &
Teller. From revealing hidden thoughts to impossible predictions, The
Modern Mind Readers deliver cutting-edge mentalism that blurs the line
between reality and illusion. Two minds. One extraordinary connection.
March 31st & April 1st at 7.30pm at Upstairs At The Gatehouse Theatre,
Highgate, London. Tickets are just £20.
www.upstairsatthegatehouse.ticketsolve.com. The Modern Mind Readers:
YouTube.
21.3.26
Join
Sheffield Circle of Magicians. Sheffield Circle of Magicians is
looking for new members. Established in 1920 the club provides a space
for magicians local to Sheffield to meet, share ideas, practice their
magic, and learn. They are holding a special audition night on Thursday
23rd April 2026 from 7.30pm at The Old Queen's Head.
In the past year the club has expanded significantly, holding more
planned events than ever before, with the largest membership numbers it
has had for a long time. The club also hosts an annual public show 'A
Night of Magic' and a competition night for its members. At the core of
the club is lecture nights, where well know magic creators and
performers visit, talk and teach.
Are you a magician living in Sheffield, South Yorkshire or the surrounding areas? Would you like to learn and share ideas with other magicians? Are you passionate about magic and bringing more magic to your local community? If so, Sheffield Circle of Magicians would love for you to audition to join. Please contact us via our website www.sheffieldcircleofmagicians.co.uk or Facebook group Magicians of Sheffield for more information or to arrange an audition.
Whether you are a total beginner or an advanced professional the circle
is open to magicians of any skill level, performance style or personal
background over the age of 16. Our criteria is that you care about the
art of magic... oh and keep the methods secret!
Club President Luke Robson said: "auditions are an important part of
joining the club; every member has done one. It shouldn't be scary, it's
a case of sharing your magic with others. Although we'd love to meet the
next Dynamo or Derren Brown the most important thing is that members
care about magic and are passionate about what they do. April is the
start of our 2026/27 season (our 106th year) and we are hosting this
audition night as our first event, so prospective new members can
benefit from the full year's programme of events."
Sheffield Circle of Magicians create a safe, respectful, welcoming
environment where anyone passionate about magic can share ideas,
socialise, and collaborate. We hope that will soon include you too!
www.sheffieldcircleofmagicians.co.uk.
21.3.26
Desert Island Tricks:
SOS - Adam Dadswell.
"This week Adam Dadswell returns to rebuild his list years after his first
visit to the island. Some picks stay because they still hit hard in real shows,
others get replaced by newer pieces that fit the way Adam performs now, with
clearer premises, cleaner handling, and bigger moments for spectators..."
YouTube. Brought to you by
www.alakazam.co.uk.
21.3.26
Hull
Magicians' Circle Annual Dinner and Theatre Show, Saturday 18th April.
With a four course meal and a great show featuring the comedic talents
of Cruise ship and BGT juggler Tommy J and the magical performance of
"Out of the Hat" by vaudevillian duo Norvil and Josephine. Tickets are
available now at £50. Contact:
secretaryhullmc@gmail.com.
21.3.26
Mind2Mind
on Craig Petty's Magic TV: 'Talk Magic'. Every week Craig Petty sits down and chats
with a well known magician; a creator, a performer, or someone who has had a
positive impact on the Magic Community. This week "Mind2Mind - World
Champion Mentalists & Top Dubai Magicians"
YouTube.
21.3.26
The MagicWeek Video Archive.
A new magic clip or show every week! This week,
magic from The Great Soprendo on Crackerjack from 1st December 1985
(this date was a repeat broadcast, according to my notes). See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To see more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here.
21.3.26
John
Salisse CBE. John was born 100 years ago on 24th March 1926. He was well
known as a semi-pro performer and as secretary of The Magic Circle. For
decades his passion was collecting information and ephemera about the
Maskelyne family. He was proactive in sharing his knowledge through
writing and lecturing, and his collection became internationally known.
John died in 2006, but I think he would be pleased to know that his
extensive collection of ephemera is still available to today's
researchers.
www.davenportcollection.co.uk.
21.3.26
Nottingham
Guild of Magicians Annual Card Competition 2026. Andrew Hickling
writes:
The Nottingham Guild of Magicians are holding their annual card competition on
Thursday 2nd April at The Winchester Bar, 1a Winchester Street, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5
4AH.
Arrive 7pm.
Show starts 7.30pm.
Tickets £15.00 in advance.
40 seats are available from
www.thenottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk.
21.3.26
Aberdeen
Magical Society will mark its centenary with two special performances
this September, celebrating 100 years of magic while raising funds
for a key local venue. The society's 100 Years of Magic shows
take place at Aberdeen Arts Centre on the 4th and 5th of September,
featuring a mix of sleight of hand, mind reading, comedy magic, illusion
and escapology. The line-up will bring together members from across the
club, from experienced performers to dedicated amateurs.
Founded in 1926, the society has been a fixture of the north east magic
scene for a century, continuing a tradition shaped by figures such as
John Henry Anderson - the Great Wizard of the North. Over the years it
has helped develop notable acts including Barry & Stuart, while
maintaining a regular programme of meetings, lectures and competitions.
All proceeds from the centenary shows will go to the Save Aberdeen Arts
Centre campaign, which aims to secure the future of the 350-seat
grassroots arts venue. For many in the magic community, the support
reflects the importance of having accessible stages where new and
established performers alike can share their work. Tickets are available
from:
www.aberdeenartscentre.com.
21.3.26
The
Mesmerist - Watford Palace Theatre,
final performances today.
In 2020, Rufus Hound learnt of the death of his estranged grandfather. The last
five years have been a dizzying journey of discovery for Rufus, which culminates
in the headline production of Watford Palace Theatre's spring season, The
Mesmerist.
The production is a collaboration between Rufus and Watford Palace Theatre, as
he takes his family history and weaves in the discovery that his grandad had
been a magician with the stage name The Mesmerist.
Old boxes Rufus inherited were filled with illusions, journals and props from
his grandfather's final magic show, previously performed in its entirety only
once at Watford Palace Theatre in 1983. Intrigued, fascinated, out of work
during lockdown and looking for a new project, Rufus learnt the show. This is
that show. That labour of rediscovery and reinvention is uncovered and ready to
be shared, as The Mesmerist is born from a legacy, resurrected from a forgotten
past.
Prepare for magic, mystery and unforgettable theatre as multi-talented actor,
comedian and presenter Rufus Hound (One Man, Two Guvnors, National Theatre; A
Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story, Birmingham Repertory Theatre) takes centre
stage. 2nd to 21st March.
Director: Steve Marmion. Magic Consultant: Scott Penrose. Watford Palace
Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 1JZ.
www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk.
21.3.26
Magic at the Midland - Manchester, 22nd March. Magic at the Midland is Manchester's premier magic show. You will be amazed and amused by the magic of Steve Price, one of the UK's top magicians. Steve will have you laughing and wondering just how he does the impossible, turning ordinary objects into extraordinary memories. Steve is a Gold Star Member of The Inner Magic Circle, and he is widely acknowledged as one of the UK's busiest and most well-established magicians. Come and see the show that has entertained thousands of people across the UK and on cruise ships around the world. 7.30pm at The Midland, 16 Peter Street, Manchester M60 2DS. Book here: www.magicatthemidland.com. 21.3.26
Loose Ends. Stuart Maconie is joined in Salford by Derren Brown and Eddie Kadi. Plus, music from Dilettante and the cast and creator of musical Peter's Field. 6.15pm on Saturday 28th March on BBC Radio 4. Also see TV Magic. 21.3.26
News
Deadline reminder. Please submit news by Thursday if possible - absolute
deadline 12 noon Friday, no exceptions. Many thanks, DT.
21.3.26
"Danny
Lee Grew brings 24K Magic show to Cromer Pavilion"
Click Here "Andover tour date for magician and comedian Pete
Firman"
Click Here "Appleton celebrates magician and escape artist Harry
Houdini"
Click Here "Steve Price's Magic on the Mersey marks anniversary in
style"
Click Here "Derren Brown: Only Human Review Bradford Alhambra"
Click Here "Illusionist who perished in Edinburgh theatre fire
honoured in musical" [subscription]
Click Here "Inside Nick Mohammed's life from career as magician to
rarely-seen wife"
Click Here "Michael Berger (Magic Mike'), street magician who won
landmark busker-rights case"
Click Here That's it for another week. Your UK magic news is
always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan.
21.3.26