Dux of The Edinburgh Academy in 1948 after thirteen years at the school, Magnus won an open scholarship to Oxford. His journalistic career began on the Edinburgh Evening News, before moving to the Scottish Daily Express and The Scotsman.

He presented many television programmes, ranging from current affairs to history and culture. Memorable series included 'Tonight' and 'Vikings!' For twenty five years he was question master of 'Mastermind'.

He held many public offices, including founder chairman of Scottish Churches Archaeological Heritage Trust, trustee of the National Museums of Scotland, president of the RSPB and chairman of Scottish National Heritage. He was Rector of Edinburgh University. In 1989 he received (as an Icelandic citizen) an honorary knighthood. He served as a director of The Academy and was guest of honour at the 1979 Exhibition. Magnus died in 2007 after a battle with cancer. He was 77.

Magnus’ daughter, broadcaster Sally Magnusson, performed the opening ceremony.

Sally commented: “Magnus'  family is thrilled that the new performing arts centre has been called after him.  My father spent 13 extremely happy years at The Edinburgh Academy.  I unveiled the plaque with great pride."

Senior Deputy Rector, Deborah Meiklejohn, commented: “Providing Academy boys and girls with the o pportunity to perform to the best of their ability both in the classroom and in extra curricular activities is at the heart of the school’s ethos. The Magnusson Centre for Performing Arts provides our pupils with a fantastic facility which can be used for both small and large-scale productions."

Drama forms part of the Senior School curriculum in the Geits and Seconds and thereafter there are regular opportunities to act or to help backstage. A typical year might see a division one-act drama competition in October, a major production in March and a junior play in May, as well as the annual drama competition for the Fourths as part of their English GCSE curriculum. With small groups of interested pupils adding one-off shows to this list, there is always plenty of activity in the department.

Every year there are major productions for older and younger pupils, performed in the schooi's theatre spaces.  Pupils have the opportunity to act, sing, dance or gain experience in stage- management, lighting, and sound.

Productions are invariably of the highest standard (according to the Rector at least) and are almost always sell-outs. But outsiders wishing to sample the best that the Academy thesps can offer are always welcome (tickets can be purchased at the School Office). All tastes are catered for - one year the Senior Drama Group might stage a dramatic Greek tragedy, while our ever-youthful staff opt for a knockabout farce. 

All productions are initiated and controlled by the staff (led by the Head of Drama Mr Trotter) but the Academy also encourages pupils to present their efforts, organised solely by themselves. This results in the occasional "One-Act Play Evening".  It is in this willingness to encourage pupil initiative that the Academy sets itself apart.