The Scottish Conjurers Association

What is the SCA?

The SCA is a magic club based in Glasgow.  It is a place where magicians get to perform their tricks at themed club nights, learn from other magicians, watch lecturers and compete in the annual competitions.

History of the  SCA

The Scottish Conjurers Association or SCA as it’s known to its members was established in 1924 by 4 magicians.  It is the longest running magic club in Scotland and one of the longest running magic clubs in the UK.  At one point, the Scottish Conjurers Association was thought to be like the Scottish Magic Circle where members would be a member of a smaller club and also a member of the SCA.   Although this is not the case, many members are a member of both the SCA and a more local club. 

Club nights have been hosted in several places over the years with the club currently situated in the Scottish Mask and Puppet Theatre in the west end of Glasgow – Just off Great Western Road at the Byers Road side. 

The club meets from September to May on Wednesday nights at 7:30 – 10 and welcomes new members over the age of 14. 

Thinking about joining the SCA?

If you’re interested in developing your magic and are wondering the best way to go about that the joining a magic club is a great option.  The Scottish Conjurers’ Association has members ranging from absolute beginners who are interested in learning some magic as a hobby for themselves to the full time professionals.  The club consists of around 40 active members; several are amateur magicians who have been studying magic for over 50 years, there are semi professional magicians who perform at the occasional wedding, corporate event and restaurant and there are also full time magicians who travel and perform all over the world.  Many of the top magicians in Scotland are members of the Scottish Conjurers Association.  Their talents ranging from children’s magic, card and coin magic sleights, mind readers/mentalists, spiritualists, ventriloquists, balloon modellers etc. 

When you decide to join the SCA you can come to two closed nights to get a better idea of what it is we do.  Then you need to get two members to sign an application form so as long as you don’t annoy too many people you should be fine.

What actually happens at the SCA?

The club nights are in three main categories:-

1.       Themed

2.       Informal

3.       Lecturers

The themed nights can be seen on the clubs website.  Around 6 – 12 members will perform 1 or 2 tricks in accordance with the theme.  Most themed nights will include cards and a few jokes.  One of the themed nights is New Members’ Night.  In New Members’ night the newest members have to perform a quick trick. There’s an interval where you can get a tea/coffee and have a chat to some of the other members.  If you’re new to magic the interval is great because you will get some constructive criticism on your performance.  It’s also a great way to get to know the other members as you can approach them and ask them where they learned the trick.  One thing I must emphasise about out club is that the SCA is not a teaching club.  It is up to the performer of he wishes to share the secret of his trick.  However, if you have demonstrated that you will take the time to learn the mechanics of the trick and you ask nicely, most of the members are more than happy to help.  Generally speaking; if you would like to know how a trick is done, ask the performer where he learned it and then the magician will either teach you the trick or at least point you in the direction of where the secret can be obtained

The Informal nights don’t have any real structure.  Members will attend and will show each other tricks/sleights they’re working on, talk about shows they’ve performed, new tricks they’ve purchased and generally just chill out and have a laugh.  Informal nights are great for new members as you get a chance to get to know the members better.

At the SCA we have the best lecturers of any of the clubs in Scotland.  In my time we’ve hosted, Michael Ammar, David Penn, Craig Petty, Gordon Bruce, David Stone, Sean Farquar, Pat Page, Mel Mellors, John Archer and the list just goes on.  Over the years the SCA has built a reputation as being a club that treats it’s lecturers with great respect and therefore when lecturers are coming from over sea’s they phone the magic circle first and phone the SCA second and then they look at the other magic clubs in the UK.  Magic lecturers are a great way to learn magic, pick up tricks for a deducted price but above all it’s just great to meet your heroes in magic.  

Other Events to look out for:-

The mega auction is a fantastic day which is usually held on a Sunday between 10 and 4.  It’s a great opportunity to sell some of your unwanted tricks and purchase someone else’s unwanted tricks for a fraction of the price. Magic tricks, magic books, magic videos and magic DVDs will all go for about 25% of their RRP so it’s a great way to buy some discounted tricks and if you don’t like them... Sell them at the next year’s mega-auction.  It’s generally held in the Southern General hospital and admission is free for members and £3 for non-members. 

The competition nights are a great way for members to put on a 10 minute magic show usually won by Chris Dinwoodie or Big Paul McTear.