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News14 May 2026
Fundraising
Line-up announced for Aberdeen Magical Society’s spectacular centenary shows
A Scottish magic society has announced the line-up for two spellbinding performances to celebrate its centenary.
Aberdeen Magical Society will celebrate ‘100 Years of Magic’ with a two-night run at Aberdeen Arts Centre on September 4-5, 2026.
All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign, launched in May 2025, which aims to preserve the 350-seater theatre for the benefit of the local community.
Tickets are available now from https://www.aberdeenartscentre.com/whats-on/100-years-of-magic.
Appearing on both nights are Garry Seagraves, Four Magicians, Dave Goulding, Carl Howse aka The Great Hootini, James Dickson, Smith & Burns, and Eoin Smith.
Rounding out the Friday line-up are David Anderson aka The Magician’s Apprentice, Paul Rae, Jim Aitken, and Chris Begg as Kreestan Sennachie.
Filling out the bill on Saturday are Sid Ozalid, Stuart Sharkey aka The Collieston Conjurer, Steve Meredith, and Magic Jono.
The show’s producer, Jeff Burns, said: “Audiences are in for a real treat this September when we bring the best magical entertainers from across the north east of Scotland to Aberdeen Arts Centre for two spectacular shows.
“From escapology to mind reading, comedy to classics of magic, huge illusions to intimate sleight of hand, every act brings their own unique spin on the art of magic. And with different line-ups on each night, audiences can experience even more magic across the centenary celebration.
“Aberdeen Magical Society is open to everyone with an interest in magic – our members include everyone from internationally-renowned acts to magicians just starting out on their journey. Performing in a venue like Aberdeen Arts Centre means we can include everyone, no matter what stage of their journey they’re at, to truly represent the local magic community.
“To be raising funds for the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign at the same time as celebrating our centenary is the icing on the cake. Many of our members had their first experience performing on a professional stage at this amazing venue, and we’re proud to be supporting it this year.”
Aberdeen Arts Centre fundraising manager Julia Smith added: “The line-up 100 Years of Magic looks incredible, and we are so excited to welcome all these amazing magicians to Aberdeen Arts Centre in September.
“A year into the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign, we’re grateful to our local performing community – including Aberdeen Magical Society – and the businesses and individuals who continue to support us.”
Meet the Performers
Carl Howse – The Great Hootini
Carl is an award-winning magician with 25 years’ experience entertaining all ages. A member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Equity, and Aberdeen Magical Society, he’s performed for stars like Alan Shearer, mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington, the cast of Emmerdale — even gracing The London Palladium… bar!
Chris Begg as Kreestan Sennachie
Chris is an award-winning professional actor, director and magician. As his magical, alter-ego, Kreestan Sennachie, he has performed extensively throughout America, mainland Europe and the UK. His one-man shows, The Imagicarium of Mr. Dickens and the Graveyard Shift play are regulars at fringe festivals.
Dave Goulding
Dave has been a performing escapologist and magician for many years. Over the past few years, Dave has been in demand from the media as an expert in the fields of escapology, magic and psychic/paranormal phenomena, appearing on television, on the radio and in the printed press.
David Anderson – The Magician’s Apprentice
David became a magician's apprentice due to the wonder of magic, the entertainment it gives people, and making the impossible... possible.
Eoin Smith
Eoin is a multi-award-winning magician with an act packed with original magic, quirky humour and demonstrations of skills that cannot be explained. Eoin's performances have taken him across Scotland to five-star hotels, theatre, comedy and cabaret clubs, and beyond. He also works with theatre companies to design magic and illusions for the stage.
Four Magicians
Stars of the UK’s favourite magic show (as voted by magic fans), four of Scotland's top magicians blend jaw-dropping illusion, incredible sleight of hand and sketch comedy. Minds will be read; laws of nature will be defied; dad jokes will be told. ★★★★ Broadway Baby
Garry Seagraves
Garry is an acclaimed magician with decades of experience, performing close-up, cabaret, and large-scale illusions with his wife JJ. A Magic Circle member and president of the Aberdeen Magical Society, he’s toured the UK and sold out nine solo shows in Aberdeen in recent years.
James Dickson
James is a magician and artist from the north east of Scotland. Disillusioned with traditional magic from an early age, James has spent a lifetime reimagining the art form—transforming it into something that can be beautiful, visceral, and deeply meaningful.
Jim Aitken
Jim is a longstanding member of Aberdeen Magical Society and has held the positions of secretary and librarian. He is proud to serve on the current committee. Over the years he has performed both as an amateur and professional and his recent retirement has reignited his desire to perform professionally once more.
Magic Jono
Aberdeen based kids’ magician Magic Jono (Jonathan Geary) provides a children's fun magical entertainment service for all kinds of children's events. Magic Jono is proud to be a member of the Aberdeen Magical Society and is a four-times winner of the Society’s Jocky Scott Trophy, awarded for entertainment value.
Paul Rae
Paul has been learning and performing magic for many years and performs for a variety of audience types. In recent years he has developed his skills in mentalism, mind-reading and mind illusions. His routines bring the audience on a journey of wonder. His aim is to entertain and leave the audience wanting more. Be prepared to believe the impossible!
Sid Ozalid
If you like silly, you will love Sid. High energy, interactive family nonsense. From the Edinburgh Fringe to international stages in New York, Paris, Melbourne and beyond, Sid has built a legendary reputation for shows that are unpredictable, magical and utterly unforgettable. A wonderful blend of mayhem, magic and dad dancing.
Smith & Burns
Comedy magic duo Smith & Burns travel the globe, captivating and amazing audiences with their humour, sleight of hand, mind reading and illusions on cruise ships, theatres and in the world’s most exclusive venues including Hollywood’s Magic Castle, The London Magic Circle, Wonderground in Las Vegas and Monday Night Magic in New York.
Steve Meredith
Steve has loved magic since he was a boy and is always striving to learn more. He is a past president of Aberdeen Magical Society and proud to have been a member for over 30 years. Magic for him is a kind of universal language that has the ability to connect with everyone.
Stuart Sharkey – The Collieston Conjurer
Stuart is an award winning, professional close-up magician. Blending humour and sleight of hand, his performances captivate intimate audiences, leaving them amazed, questioning reality, and eagerly anticipating the next impossible illusion he reveals before their very eyes with effortless charm and style.
About Aberdeen Magical Society
Formed in 1926 by a group of amateur conjurors including acclaimed architect T. Scott Sutherland, Aberdeen Magical Society is one of the most active magic clubs in the country, meeting twice a month to give its members the chance to socialise and further the art of magic. A varied programme of events takes place each year including public shows; three competition nights for close-up magic, card magic and entertainment; guest lecturers visiting from across the globe; and themed nights run by the members themselves.
The society builds on a tradition of magic in the north east, following in the footsteps of giants like electro-magic pioneer Walford Bodie (1869-1939) and John Henry Anderson (1814-1974) – named the Great Wizard of the North by Sir Walter Scott – who popularised the deadly ‘bullet catch’. A great inspiration to Harry Houdini, when the famous escapologist visited Aberdeen to perform in the Palace Theatre in 1909, he paid for the upkeep of Anderson’s grave, which still stands in St Nicholas Kirkyard today.
Aberdeen Magical Society has spawned its own magicians of note, too. In the 1990s, member Bill Duncan presented Bill’s Magic Box for Grampian TV. More recently, macabre comedy magic duo Barry and Stuart rose to fame with a string of hit shows for the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Watch after first meeting at the society.
Membership of Aberdeen Magical Society is open to anyone aged 18+ with a genuine interest in performing or studying magic – from amateurs and newcomers to the arts to seasoned professionals. For more information visit www.aberdeenmagic.com or follow Aberdeen Magical Society on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Aberdeen Arts Centre
Aberdeen Arts Centre is an independent arts venue in the heart of Aberdeen, operated by registered charity Castlegate Arts Ltd for over a quarter of a century.
For more than 60 years, Aberdeen Arts Centre has played a crucial role in the north east’s vibrant arts scene through its programme of performances, Creative Learning Programme for children and adults, and an Artist Development Programme to support local professional creatives.
In May 2025, the centre launched the Save Aberdeen Arts Centre campaign – a three-year fundraising drive to raise £660,000 to secure its future. Individuals and corporate sponsors can find out more and donate at https://www.aberdeenartscentre.com/save-aberdeen-arts-centre.
Aberdeen Arts Centre encompasses a 350-seater auditorium; café bar; flexible spaces for performances, events, exhibitions and meetings; and the Children’s Theatre, opened by Catherine Hollingworth in the 1950s as a pioneering youth theatre (the first of its kind in the UK) and now used as a vital resource for professional artist development.
For more information, visit www.aberdeenartscentre.com or follow Aberdeen Arts Centre on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @AberdeenArtsCentre.
