The Northern Magic Circle annual Convention 2026

The Northern Magic Circle annual Convention 2026 11-12th April at the Crown Hotel, Harrogate. Here, in alphabetical order, are the performers and lecturers who you'll be able to see over the weekend.

Deanna

Part of a magical family, dancer and choreographer Deanna will be opening our Saturday night gala show with her delightful 'Magic in Movement' presentation.

Steve Gore

Steve, the self-styled 'happiest magician on the planet', has performed at the Magic Castle in Hollywood for A-list celebrities and lectures extensively with his own creations to magic societies, including The Magic Circle. He has won over twenty awards and served as President of the Northern in 2009/10.

Griffin and Jones

Griffin and Jones, the pioneers of 'Slapdash Magic', are winners of the British Ring Shield. The 'award-winning idiots' have been wooing audiences with their own brand of homemade miracles since 2011: 'Some of the most impressive, impossible magic you are likely to see.' The pair will be headlining on our gala show and lecturing bright and early on Sunday morning.

John Hotowka

John has been performing magic professionally since 1981, and entertaining corporate audiences since 1989. He was one of the first to present close-up restaurant magic in Europe, and has performed from Manchester to Milan, from Derby to Dubai, from Hull to Hamburg and from York to New York. On Saturday he will be delivering the opening 'keynote' lecture and performing in the gala show.

Darren Mac

A former, outstanding, Northern Magic Circle Junior, Darren now travels the UK as a corporate, trade show and wedding magician, picking up accolades wherever he goes with his bright and engaging personality. On Saturday he will be in Harrogate, as the compere of our gala show.

Jon Marshall

Jon, proprietor of the Magic Carpet Theatre Company, has spent a lifetime in magic, touring internationally with Professor Jon's Flea Circus and many magical sideshows. He will be relating his experiences of renovating a trick bicycle in the BBC's Repair Shop and revealing some sideshow secrets.

Sabi Molnar

Sabi, from Budapest, has been involved in magic since 2017, appearing on Hungary's Got Talent! and working with the Smiling Hospitals Foundation for sick children. He has amazed audiences around the world as a cruise ship performer, and has appeared at hundreds of corporate and private events. Sabi has written three books on magic, and in 2020 he founded his own magic school, where he teaches the art of magic to the younger generation. This will be his first appearance in the UK, both on our gala show and lecturing.

Geoffrey Newton

We welcome back Geoffrey, a regular and popular contributor to the Northern Lights with 'Newton's Notes', presenting simple but effective original tricks which anyone can make up and do. His focus this time will be on the magic of the prolific Ian Adair.

Matthew Pritchard

Dr Matt Pritchard, the 'Curator of Wonder', has a huge (26K+) following for his unique creations of grand illusions in miniature. He is twice winner of the Best Illusion of the Year competition, and is one of the few recipients of The Magic Circle's prestigious Hoffmann Award. His appearance venues range from tiny village schools to Las Vegas casinos, and on Sunday he will be presenting our special lecture dedicated to the late John and Carol Pye.

Neil Roberts

Past President Neil is well known to Northern audiences through his enormously enjoyable talks on a range of show-biz subjects. Multiple award-winner and long-time stage manager, Neil will be regaling us with some of his 'Northern (High) Lights' as only he can.

Adrian Sullivan

Adrian, the 'Master of Mystery', is a long-established dealer and creator of original effects and routines. He will be lecturing on Saturday, with reasonably-priced items for sale throughout the weekend.

Douglas Tilston

Douglas began practising magic at the age of eleven, and became the Junior British Magic Close-up Champion at the Blackpool convention with a routine which earned him a standing ovation. Having recently returned from performing at FISM, Douglas will be sharing his magical skills in the guise of the Mad Hatter, in a specially-themed presentation on our gala show.

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