Number
1352 - Saturday 23rd May 2026
Aberdeen
Magical Society has unveiled the line-up for its centenary show, 100
Years of Magic - a two-night celebration at Aberdeen Arts Centre on
4th & 5th September at 7pm. The performances will raise funds for the
Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign, a drive launched in 2025 to secure
the future of the 350-seat venue. A core group of performers will appear
on both nights: Garry Seagraves, Four Magicians, Dave Goulding, Carl
Howse (The Great Hootini), James Dickson, Smith & Burns, and Eoin Smith.
The Friday programme is completed by David Anderson (The Magician’s
Apprentice), Paul Rae, Jim Aitken, and Chris Begg as Kreestan Sennachie.
The Saturday line-up features Sid Ozalid, Stuart Sharkey (The Collieston
Conjurer), Steve Meredith, and Magic Jono.
The shows will showcase a wide range of magical styles, from close-up sleight of hand and comedy to mind reading, escapology and large-scale illusion. With different acts each night, audiences can experience varied programmes across the two performances. Tickets are on sale now via www.aberdeenartscentre.com. 23.5.26
Cinderella
at The London Palladium, Christmas 2026. You shall go to the most
magical ball in the land this Christmas as the world-famous London
Palladium invites you to the dazzling rags-to-riches fairytale
Cinderella. Comedy legends Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders reunite on
the West End stage for the first time in 17 years as the wickedly
hilarious Ugly Sisters, with incomparable panto sensation Julian Clary,
wand in hand, as the glittering Fairy Godfather.
Palladium panto favourites Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge are
back by popular demand, joined by acclaimed TV and theatre star Dex Lee
as Prince Charming, with musical theatre’s Hope Dawe stepping into the
glass slippers as Cinderella. Expect the most spectacular costumes in
Pantoland, dazzling special effects, riotous laughter and all the magic
that has made The London Palladium the true home of pantomime for the
past decade. 5th December - 10th January
www.palladiumpantomime.com.
23.5.26
Potter
& Potter Auctions: Magicana of the Golden Age, June 20th. Highlights
of this closely-curated sale include remarkable rarities from the golden
age of conjuring: a diverse array of Houdiniana, Victorian magic
apparatus, relics from the stages of St. George's Hall, rare posters,
select modern props, and choice ephemera. See
www.potterauctions.com.
23.5.26
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This
week, Lance Burton Master Magician: On the Road, shown here in
the UK in April 2002 (featuring lots of famous magic faces throughout!). See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The
MagicWeek Video Archive
Click Here.
23.5.26
Britain's Got Talent. Magic Catch-up from the past 7 days:
"Don't stop him now... Rafferty Coope turns Magic into Music!
Semi-Finals BGT 2026"
YouTube
"Young magician, Rafferty Coope wins Semi-Final 4's public vote! Semi-Finals BGT
2026"
YouTube
Tonight's last of the semi-finals at 7pm features the return of Jake Banfield, competing for a place in the Final which will take place live, next Saturday. 23.5.26
Brighton
Fringe returns for its 21st year, running to 31st May. We are an
open-access festival, meaning that anyone can pay our registration fee,
find a venue and put on an event as part of Brighton Fringe. Here are
five magic shows playing the final week:
Kane & Abel,
Andrew Frost,
Danny Lee Grew,
Katherine Rhodes,
Seska.
23.5.26
Dave
Forrest Lecture - York Magic Circle, 1st June.
Adrian Salamon writes:
Our next meeting on the 1st of June is a lecture with Dave Forrest. Most of you
will know who he is, but for those who don't, from his own site....
"Dave Forrest is a world-renowned, award-winning magician based in the west of
Scotland with over 25 years of experience. A four-time performer at The World
Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, he is known for his funny, engaging and
interactive performances that leave his audiences amazed and thoroughly
entertained.
Dave is also a highly regarded creator of magic, having invented some of the
most popular magic effects that feature in the repertoires of professional
magicians world-wide."
Open to all -
Associate societies: £5
Everyone else: £10. Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. York Magic
Circle,
302 Thanet Road, York YO24 2NW
www.yorkmagiccircle.co.uk.
23.5.26
"Derren
Litten: How One Sketch Became Benidorm" Ben Hanlin's What's The Trick?
YouTube.
23.5.26
Jungle
Adventure: A Magical Expedition. Join Andy Green on a thrilling
quest to return the mythical Akiki bird to its home deep in the
enchanted jungle! Along the way, you'll discover magical creatures,
laugh at Andy’s wild conservation capers, and experience jaw-dropping
illusions. Expect the unexpected in this wild expedition... A
fun-filled, family-friendly show of magic, wildlife, and laughs for all
ages! Find out more on Facebook & Instagram @jungleadventurelive.
Chorley Theatre: Tuesday 26th May at 2.30pm
www.ticketsource.co.uk
Rotherham Civic Theatre: Wednesday 27th May at 2pm
www.rotherhamtheatres.com
Arlington Arts Centre Newbury: Thursday 28th May at 2pm
www.arlington-arts.com.
23.5.26
New
in the MLM Select Range. Jumbo Duo. Two Jumbo cards are
freely displayed and left in view on the table. A regular sized deck is
shuffled and cards are dealt onto the table in a pile until a spectator
calls ‘stop’. The card stopped at is left on top of one of the Jumbo
cards to one side. The deck is given another shuffle and then left
squared on the table. The other Jumbo card is tapped on the pack, and
when it is spread face down, now in the deck’s centre is one face up
card, and its value matches the Jumbo card that was tapped on the deck.
Finally, the card dealt down to at random at the start is now turned
over to reveal it is the perfect match of the Jumbo card it has been
sitting on. Jumbo Duo is easy to do and comes as a downloadable
video file costing just £7.00. To watch a dem and to order go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
23.5.26
Nuns!
- a new medieval comedy by all-female comedy trio Dog Complex Theatre.
Co-written and directed by Police Cops’ Zachary Hunt. Our show will
contain live magic created by The Hunger Games OnStage's magic
consultant Patrick Ashe - we think this show would be right up your
street!
The Place: Bavaria. The Year: Medieval. The Teeth: Rotten. Sister
Gertrude wants to be the holiest nun: forgoing sin, fearing desire, yet
secretly wondering what lies beneath Monk Bertram’s robes… So when
whispers of witches start to plague the convent, Gertrude teams up with
mysterious witch-hunter Yarrow and sets forth to rid the world of
devilry and naughty lustful thoughts. Expect action-packed physical
comedy, astounding magic and an all-female soundtrack (except that one
Evanescence song where the guy says “wake me up”).
Performed by only three women, this absurd and hilarious epic follows
two women battling their own shame, and portrays self-love as an act of
defiance in a world built on repression and fear. Ed Fringe 2026:
Assembly George Square - Studio 5. August 7th-31st (not 17th & 25th).
8.45pm. 60 minutes.
23.5.26
Phil
Tilston Lecture - Surrey Society of Magicians, 28th May. Paul
Dickson writes: Phil Tilston is a highly experienced close-up magician
with a strong background in practical, real-world magic. Having spent
over a decade performing at Houdini’s Magic Bar as a resident magician,
Phil has developed a repertoire of material designed to entertain,
engage, and work consistently in live performance settings.
Alongside his professional work, Phil has built an impressive track
record within the magic community, achieving multiple awards across
close-up and competition environments – including wins at the North West
Close Up Magic Championships and the Alakazam Magic Club competition.
Phil’s lecture focuses on material that has been refined through
performance – not just theory, but routines and techniques that have
stood the test of time in real working conditions. What to Expect: A
selection of practical close-up routines developed and refined through
real-world performance. Insights into creativity – how effects and
presentations are built from initial ideas. Lessons learned from 10
years working at Houdini’s Magic Bar. Detailed teaching on key sleights,
including the One-Hand Top Palm. And a variety of effects including:
Colour changing penknives. Out to Lunch routines. Thimble work. Card
magic (approximately 50–60% of the material). A 3-Fly routine. Okito box
work. Material released through Alakazam and used in professional
settings
This is an evening focused on strong, practical magic – the kind of
material that works in the real world, often requiring little or no
table space, making it ideal for walkaround, restaurant, and close-up
performances. Thursday 28th May at
The Surrey Society of Magicians, Nomad Theatre, Bishopsmead Parade, East Horsley,
Leatherhead KT24 6RT. Doors 7.30pm. Lecture 8pm. 15-minute interval. Finish
10pm. Visiting Magicians are welcome with a £10 fee, payable on the
door.
www.surreysocietyofmagicians.co.uk.
23.5.26
Bron
Ivy
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 "Bron Ivy - Moving from
hobby to professional and becoming Family Entertainer of The Year."
YouTube.
23.5.26
Watford Association of Magicians Fish & Chip Supper, 26th May. Lee Bell writes: WAM Fish & Chip Supper, 26th May. Tickets now on sale. £26.00. Doors open at 7.15pm, when the close-up performers will begin. Food served from 7.45pm. Awards at 8.25pm. Surprise Cabaret begins at 8.35pm until approximately 10.15pm. The Venue: Henderson Hub, High Street, Abbots Langley, Watford WD5 0AR. Email Barry Harris barybazz@aol.com for menu options and payment details. We look forward to see as many of you as possible. 23.5.26
The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club, 28th May. Featuring ventriloquist Neville King, Jingles, Samantha Jones, and magic act Chris North & Jill. Series 5, Episode 6. From 1976. Thursday 28th May on Talking Pictures TV. See TV Magic for details. 23.5.26
Monumental
Magic! Around 20 years ago the team at Magicbox performed at the top
of Grey’s Monument in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Now, just last week, Chris
"The Great Magician of the North" Cross found himself up there,
performing a little magic! A spectator's chosen card printed itself onto
a previously plain handkerchief, 120 feet in the air, high over the city
below.
YouTube. Cross said: "I've always wanted to go up to the top of
Grey’s Monument and it’s brilliant that
Newcastle City Guides are making this happen! They operate tours for
the public. It’s always incredible to be doing new things in the city I
love. I do hope Earl Grey was looking down enjoyed it. When I got home,
I even had a cup of Earl Grey to celebrate!"
23.5.26
Free
Magic & Mentalism Mind Reading Video Lecture Download. Jonathan
Royle Writes: To celebrate the 10th Year Anniversary of the 3rd Lecture
I gave for England's 3rd Oldest Magical Society, Manchester's Order of
the Magi (where I will lecture again in February 2027), I am giving away
to help promote the club and attract new members a video download
package of my 2016 Magi Lecture, at no charge until 31st May:
Click Here.
23.5.26
News
Submissions. MagicWeek welcomes your UK magic news (major and
minor), but please remember the news deadline: Thursday if possible. Final
deadline: 12 noon Friday. Many thanks, DT.
23.5.26
"Derren
Brown: Only Human – combining magic, misdirection and mentalism to great
effect (Grand Opera House until Saturday 23 May)"
Click Here • "Essex magician in ITV Britain's Got Talent
semi-finals"
Click Here • "Jame Phelan and The Man Who Was Magic coming to
Winchester"
Click Here • "Comedy legends lovingly revisited in The Last Laugh at
The Kings Theatre, Southsea. Review"
Click Here • That's all for this week. Your UK
magic news is always welcomed. Have a good bank holiday weekend,
Duncan.
23.5.26