Club info
From a notice in the Evening Chronicle to one of the UK's oldest magic societies — our story since 1933.
The Newcastle Magic Circle is one of the oldest and most successful magic societies in the UK. Founded on 23 February 1933, it took its original name from the Saville Restaurant on Saville Row in Newcastle — The Saville Magic Club.
The restaurant was run by club founder and former professional magician Burt Fry, who placed a notice in the local Evening Chronicle for magicians to contact him. And so, the circle was born.
Attended by Harold Ralford, Arnold Duffle, Norman Stout, Bob Gaygey, Bill Johnson, Ian Gray, Bill Hutchinson, Tom Cato and Burt Fry. Bill Hutchinson became the club's first President, with Tom Cato as Secretary — a post he held for 21 years.
When the Circle moved to the County Hotel opposite Central Station, the name changed to the Newcastle upon Tyne Magic Circle — today known simply as the Newcastle Magic Circle. Notable visitors included Chris Charlton, Voltare, Bobby Kimber, Chefalo, Col Ling Soo (Herbert J. Collings) and Graham Adams.
Magicians from Edinburgh, York and Blyth attended. It was so successful that another followed in 1951. Goodliffe wrote in Abra that harmony and good fellowship were the keynotes — visitors felt they had good value for money, and would enjoy coming back for more.
The Silver Jubilee and Golden Jubilee conventions cemented a tradition of ambitious gatherings. In 1983 the one-day event expanded, with Paul Daniels starring in the Gala Show.
With the exception of December, the Circle meets every month with a varied programme of lectures and competitions — hosting some of the world's finest magicians. We now meet at MagicBox in Camperdown, with a dedicated performance area. One of our proudest traditions remains the President's Annual Dinner, which sells out every year.
