Number 135 - 25th January 2003

Come and cruise the Norwegian fjords and be introduced to the hilarious and intriguing crew of The Sunbeam: Ray Randall the ubiquitous cruise director, John Rothenberger the verbose port lecturer, and 'Make it with Mavis' the craft lady! You'll experience all the fun of a day aboard a cruise ship; lifeboat drill, line dancing and the Captain's Cocktail Party, before joining Bertie in preparing for his debut performance of the cabaret act that has taken him around the world. Bertie Pearce is a graduate of the Ecole Internationale de Theatre Jaques Lecoq in Paris and has a string of TV, Theatre and Cabaret credits to his name. His natural flair for comedy and magic, combined with hilarious audience participation creates a unique evenings entertainment. At the Bridewell Theatre, London from February 28th to March 9th. Tuesday to Sunday 7.30pm (plus Sunday matinee at 3.30pm). Box Office telephone: 020 7936 3456. Tickets £12.50 (£8.50 concessions). 25.1.03

Following on from their successful British tour for Qdos in Raiders of The Lost Bark last year, illusionists Safire have been asked back this year to perform again. They are about to embark on a 50 date UK Theatre tour, once again with the Chuckle Brothers, in a brand new show called Star Doors. They will be performing some original illusions, designed to fit in with the Sci-fi theme, and will also be playing characters in the show itself. Once again it is a lavish production, produced and directed by Phil Dale. The Chuckles Strike Back! First Performance February 8th, at the Futurist Theatre, Scarborough. 25.1.03

The Magic and Manipulation of Geoffrey Buckingham has just been released on both video and DVD. Geoffrey Buckingham was one of Britain's rare FISM success stories, wining the Grand Prix in Paris in 1951. A real gentleman of magic I saw him perform and lecture years ago and am sure that this digitally re-mastered re-released double length video (and now DVD) will be snapped up straight away. For more information and to order from Earth's Largest Magic Shop Click Here. 25.1.03

Pete Firman (Monkey Magic's Tufty) has just finished filming a new series of Celebrity 5 Go Dating for Channel 4. The dating show sees five male celebrities date five female celebrities in a host of weird and wonderful locations during the course of a week. Pete is one of the five, and said the whole experience was "really hard work" (not sure we believe that Pete...). The five episodes are set to begin in early March. 25.1.03

Kovari presents Stars of the Magic Circle at the Coliseum Theatre, Manchester on March 12th. "Fun for all the family as the Great Kovari brings a whole host of the UK's top magicians together" All tickets are £10 each. Box office telephone 0161 624 2829. 25.1.03

Colin Rose presents a special "Card Manipulation and Spinning Workshop" on Sunday March 1st and Saturday March 15th at the Five of Hearts Magic Studio in Lincolnshire. The all-day workshop runs from 10am to 5pm and covers card productions, spinning and flourishes. The day has been designed to both inspire and encourage, and all magicians, particularly beginners and enthusiasts, are welcome. Lunch and refreshments are included in the day which costs £100. To register telephone Sharron Rose on 01775 840103 or email ColinRoseMIMC@aol.com. 25.1.03

The Modern Mystic League, Blackburn are holding their second annual Table Top Sale at the St Silas' Parish Centre, Preston New Road, Blackburn, Lancashire on Sunday 9th February. From 3pm to 5pm. Sellers and buyers are most welcome. For more information visit the website: www.memel.co.uk. 25.1.03

Derren Brown appeared on Channel 4's revamped RI:SE on Monday morning... "Undoubted highlight of the opening show was magician Derren Brown working his mind-bending tricks on Jamie Oliver. He had already won £100 by correctly mind-reading Iain Lee." To read the full report in the Guardian Click Here. 25.1.03

Tonight sees the final 'preview' of Geoffrey Durham's Little Miracles at the Wimbledon Studio Theatre, London, before Geoffrey takes this all-new show on the road. His last one man show was so popular that he is off again, with a show that is bigger and more mind-boggling than ever before, from stunning close-up magic to the levitating members of the audience! 25.1.03

The Order of the Magi are holding a Giant Auction. On Tuesday 28th January at 7.30pm at the Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens Road, Manchester. Admission £2 on the door. The Auctioneers are Geoffrey Newton and David Charles (winner of the "Most Entertaining Pitcher" in a national competition organised by the Market Traders Association). Up for auction on the night will be an authenticated Elusive Rabbits trick, once owned by the late Tommy Cooper, with proceeds going to the Tommy Cooper Memorial Fund. For more information telephone Les Brown on 0161 442 2313 or visit the website: www.orderofthemagi.co.uk. 25.1.03

Chris Dugdale has just launched a new website www.chrisdugdale.com. His lecture Psychological Applications for Magicians is now being advertised for the first time following successful lectures at The Home Counties Magical Society and the Milton Keynes Day of Magic. For bookings, or more information about the lecture, email Chris Direct at chris@chrisdugdale.com. Chris has just completed a record breaking December Season, so book the lecture and see what all the fuss was about! 25.1.03

Lyn Gardner reviews Triple Espresso a highly caffeinated comedy in the Guardian. The show featuring songs, send-ups and comedy and the "weary magician Buzz Maxwell." It is currently playing at the Arts Theatre, London. Review: Click Here. Box office 020 7836 3334. 25.1.03

Manchester Circle of Magicians held their first Annual General Meeting last week with 150 of the 275 members attending. The following officers were elected: President: Carl Royle, President Elect: Harry Robson, Secretary: Derek Lever, Assistant Secretary: Anne Lever, Treasurer: Phil Tilston, Editor: Walter De Ruyter, Welfare Officers: Geoff and Judith Berry, Fund Raising Officer Jason Duckworth. Derek Lever was elected as Honorary Life President, Peter Woolley as Honorary Life Vice President, Walter De Ruyter and Anne Lever as Honorary Life Members. A number of star international Lecturers have been booked to appear during the year and a star studded Awards Convention will be held in June (more details when we have them). The meeting was followed by an exciting Chemical Magic Lecture by Paul Warren, who ensured the proceedings went with a bang! Membership of the Club costs just £10.00 per year and even if you don't live in Manchester you'll receive six copies of The Magic Times Magazine by post bi-monthly. The next meeting is on Monday 24th February, with two star International Lecturers, John Mendoza and David Acer, admission is free to members. 25.1.03

The Best in the Business are currently looking for first class children's entertainers for upcoming two-week cruise contracts starting in April. Performers must have 4 x 30 minute shows and be able to compere talent and fancy dress competitions as well. Magicians are invited to send their details to: The Best in the Business, 1 Easton Farm Cottages, Easton Lane, Chichester, Sussex P020 7NU or email mikefairall@aol.com. 25.1.03

There's 50% off David Blaine's Mysterious Stranger at Amazon.co.uk right now - bringing the price down to just £8.99. "This is a very personal volume, with Blaine's passionate, opinionated, determined personality evident on nearly every page... pure gold." US Publishers Weekly, October 2002. To order a copy for immediate delivery Click Here. 25.1.03

The Stoke on Trent Magicians Society was launched just six months ago, and meets at the Foley Arms, King Street, Fenton, Stoke on Trent every Wednesday evening at 8.30pm. They would like to hear from other magicians in the area who would be interested in joining this small but dedicated club. "We are interested in anyone who has a serious will to learn magic and also seasoned magicians who are willing to share what they know." For more information contact: Liam Ball on 07949 274378 or 01782 373634 and Ray Presto on 01782 763974 or 07776 088219. 25.1.03

What do Darth Vader, David Blaine and Uri Geller have in common? Click Here • Last week we passed on contact details for a new CBBC TV programme where the children teach the teachers... we've been asked to add that if you are successful and become a "teacher" do, of course, make sure that you (and your "pupil") don't expose any magic in the final show • The new Queen Mary, the world's largest cruise ship (150,000 tons), is currently being built in St. Nazaire, France. To give you an idea of its size the QE2 is 66,000 tons. The QM2's maiden voyage is set for January 2004. The cruise ship market continues to expand offering excellent work for magicians and illusionists the world over • Don't underestimate the power of the force (get it), see you next week, Duncan. 25.1.03

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