Number
132 - 4th January 2003
Ian
Keable looks at the careers of those who have made their names reading
minds and transmitting thoughts via the radio in Men of Mystery on
Tuesday morning on BBC Radio 4. The programme includes interviews with
Lesley Hazlitt and mind-reader Marc Salem. Lesley Hazlitt, who now lives
in Australia, formed half of the
Piddingtons, an act that attracted radio audiences of some 20 million back in the 1950's.
Other performers discussed are Uri Geller, Romark and Chan Canasta.
Produced by Karl Phillips, written and researched by Ian Keable and David
Britland. 11.30am on Tuesday 7th January (35 minutes) on BBC Radio 4.
4.1.03
The
Amazing Magic Circle Christmas Show sold out this year - all eight
shows... "The most successful Christmas magic show in Britain
today, now in its fifth year, grows in popularity proving that live magic
does have an appeal to a market that is becoming jaded with nearly 400 TV
channels that struggle to provide entertainment." Writes John Derris in
his review this week - to read the full review
Click Here
(Photo, left to right, David Ball, Chris Pratt and Mike Alderman).
4.1.03
Channel 4's
100 Greatest TV Treats of 2002 last week had David Blaine's Vertigo
at number 75 and Derren Brown's Mind Control 3 at number 67. David
Blaine's Street Magic can be seen on Sky tonight at 11.30pm, and Derren
Brown Mind Control 2, on Tuesday 13th. See
TV Magic. For
Derren Brown Spring Tour 2003 dates
Click Here.
4.1.03
Neil
Martin Productions are taking on a number of restaurant chains (both
large and small) and will be supplying them with weekly entertainment in,
and around, London. Primarily they will require entertainment from either
1-4pm or 1-5pm, mainly on Sundays, with a few restaurants requiring
performers on Saturdays as well. If you would like to join their 'team' of
entertainers, or know someone else that would, call Neil Martin or Chris
Banks on 020 8669 3128 during office hours, or email
acts@nmp.co.uk. Work is available
right now for professional, reliable and proficient entertainers. As is
standard with most restaurant residencies the pay isn't great, but it is
regular, provides an excellent opportunity to work in new material, and
can result in worthwhile professional engagements. 4.1.03
The
current
Radio Times has a half page feature on page 11 titled The Return of
TV Tricksters by Danny Kelly, and looks at where TV magic went wrong
"The trouble began when Nixon was replaced as top TV trickster by Paul
Daniels" and where it's now going right, "Penn and Teller, David Blaine,
The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter..." Kelly, who clearly loves
magic, refers to Tufty, Monkey Boy, the Colonel and Papa (the
Monkey
Magic gang) as magic's first boy band, and gives the new show
(Sunday's on Five at 8pm) a solid plug. 4.1.03
Geoffrey
Durham appears on
Puzzle Panel on Wednesday 8th January on BBC Radio Four.
Listeners are invited to email in their puzzles:
puzzle.panel@bbc.co.uk 4.1.03
This month John Derris is profiled in
Magic Profile. John is one
of those people who is full of positive energy, loves magic, both as a
performer and creator, and has spent a life-time in magic. John is also a member of
The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star. 4.1.03
Back
in 1998, Paul Gordon was invited to present the first close-up lecture
at the new Magic Circle headquarters in London. After a five year gap,
Paul is back on February 10th with a brand-new lecture, which includes new
tricks and many golden-oldies, all from Paul's professional working
repertoire. Visit www.natzler.com
(and follow the links) to see Paul's other upcoming UK lecture dates.
Paul's card magic is workable card magic, suitable for both strolling, and
table, close-up magic work. Paul also has a new range of magic at
www.natzlermagic.com -
including new items from magician Roger Crosthwaite.
4.1.03
The
Surrey Society of Magicians have some excellent events lined up: 9th
January John Derris, 13th February Mark Worgan, 27th February Charles
Gauci, 27th March Etienne Pradier, 10th April Jay Sankey, 24th April
Alakazam Magic. Contact John Field for more information, or to join the
society, on 01372 275515.
4.1.03
Dominic
Wood's Magic Book has just been published by Bodley Head Children's
Books. Featuring star-rated, step-by-step instructions and countless
photographs of Dominc, this book is ideal for young magic enthusiasts (7-11). The book includes tricks such as "Mind Reader" "Secret Vision" and
"Floating Fruit", top tips for a polished performance, and a run down of
the greatest magicians in history. To order from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here. 4.1.03
The Magic Club of Great Britain is based in Milton Keynes, and meets at the Beacon Pub in Bletchley. In April 2002 they had their first ever Magic Convention at The Stables Theatre, Milton Keynes, which was a great success. July saw the re-launch of their website, which offered a newsletter, special offers and an online magic catalogue. In September they launched a professional 12 part Magic Course, consisting of 12 monthly modules, on either CDRom or Video. Plans are currently underway to stage the first ever Magic Club of Great Britain Variety Show at the Halfway Restaurant in Dunstable on February 19th, 2003. The evening will cost £18.50 and will include a three course meal. During the meal club members will perform close-up magic, and the evening will end with a full-length magic show. The club welcomes magicians from other magic clubs or societies to their club nights. If you would like to visit email info@themagicclub.com or Freephone: 0800 298 5884 for more information. 4.1.03
Kreskin
made a few predictions for CNN for 2003... but they all seemed rather
lame to me - avoiding any real issues. See what you think,
Click Here. I
understand that his book, Secrets of the Amazing Kreskin, is
rather
good though Click
Here • Young magicians Steve Dela and Paul Dabek are planning to
present a full two hour Magic and Illusion show to audiences in Shropshire
later on this year, details when we have them • There's another article
from Kevin Gallagher this week, and with the January 31st tax dead-line
fast approaching it is appropriately on tax for magicians,
Click Here. Shame the
British Government isn't smart enough to realise that by only asking for
accounts from the self employed once a year no momentum is achieved, so
vast numbers of the self employed find themselves failing to hand in their
annual accounts on time, if at all. If the law required accounts to be
prepared every three months instead things would be a lot smoother...
• Don't miss Monkey Magic on Sunday! • Your news, dates,
reviews and views always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 4.1.03