Upcoming Events:

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

TUESDAY 12th MAY 2026, 7.30PM

We are pleased to welcome Graham Hey to The Order of the Magi in Manchester for an entertaining and insightful lecture on comedy magic and mentalism.

Graham’s background is firmly rooted in comedy. During the 1990s, he worked as a writer for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, contributing to shows featuring well known names such as Russ Abbott, Hale and Pace, and Griff Rhys Jones. Encouraged to try stand up himself, he began incorporating magic into his act, creating a distinctive blend of comedy and magical performance that has served him throughout his career.

He later became co owner of magicseen magazine, helping to shape one of the UK’s most recognised magic publications over a 20 year period. Alongside this, he performed his comedy mentalism on major cruise lines including Princess and Celebrity, refining material that is both practical and highly entertaining.

Graham’s creations have been used by a wide range of professional performers, including Mike McClean, Chris Dugdale, Chris Cox, Rafael Benatar, Sean Alexander, and Mel Mellers, among many others. His material is known for its strong visual impact, commercial appeal, and straightforward handling.

This lecture will feature a range of visual gags, close up and stand up magic, along with Graham’s trademark “funmentalism”. Expect practical ideas, workable routines, and plenty of thinking that can be applied directly to real world 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

https://www.ticketsource.com/order-of-the-magi/magic-lecture-graham-hey-magic-mentalism-for-comedy-clubs-cruises-cabaret-manchester/2026-05-12/19:30/t-kddnlmg

Contact:
Email: secretary@orderofthemagi.co.uk

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

TUESDAY 9^th 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

https://www.ticketsource.com/order-of-the-magi/lecture-ian-rowland-the-best-secrets-i-ve-learned-in-almost-50-years-of-magic-mentalism/2026-06-09/19:30/t-aaanomd

Contact:
Email: secretary@orderofthemagi.co.uk

Visitors:

Visitors are very welcome to attend up to two 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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Student Discount

Students in Full Time Education now benefit from a new discounted membership rate. Read More…

The article below, written by the Order of the Magi’s past editor Bayard Grimshaw, has been reproduced from “Magi Magoria” published by Supreme Magic in 1974, and covers a very brief history of Magic in Manchester and of course the Order of the Magi – one of the oldest societies for performing magicians in the world, up until the publication date.

Perhaps, one day, our current members could put together a further article dealing with the history of Magic in Manchester from 1974 to the present date…

MAGIC IN MANCHESTER
(Not just we Magi but also)
BAYARD GRIMSHAW

Understandably, the origins of Magic are obscure and a matter for speculation. We may assume that among our remote ancestors, as far back as the beginnings of community life, there came to the fore the “wise men”, those whose special knowledge of natural principles enabled them to keep a step ahead of the rest and to astound their fellows by their ability to bring about strange and awe-inspiring results. They would use their power for the common good, or for personal prestige, and perhaps – who knows ? – to amuse and entertain, too.

Read More…