Number 210 - 3rd July 2004

 

Derren Brown Plays Russian Roulette - Special Edition. Channel 4 presents another chance to see the now infamous stunt performed by master psychological illusionist Derren Brown in October 2003. A member of the public loaded a handgun with a single bullet... the rest is history. 11.25pm on Thursday 15th July on Channel 4. In this Special Edition Derren discusses some of the questions raised by the presentation and also performs some "street magic." 3.7.04

 

Marc Salem plays Mind Games at the Tricycle Theatre from 21st July to August 8th. "He doesn't bend spoons, saw women in half or communicate with the dead but he does read thoughts and identify hidden objects as he takes his audience on a captivating excursion into the possibilities of the human mind that is hilarious, astounding and completely mystifying." After sell out seasons in the West End, on Broadway and at the Sydney Opera House, Marc Salem's Mind Games returns to London for three weeks only! "So amazing. I have seldom experienced such wonder in a theatre" Guardian. "The King of Mind Readers" Time Out. Box Office: 020 7328 1000. 3.7.04

 

Maxello Magic are now advertising with MagicWeek. Founded in Thailand back in 1976 their aim has always been to supply magicians worldwide with quality props, equipment and magic tricks at a price that is next to unbeatable. They manufacture a lot of the material that they market and also buy from suppliers worldwide. Thanks to the internet ordering overseas has never been easier, visit www.maxello.com today! And for a "sometimes hard to find" classic of magic Click Here! 3.7.04

 

Magic-Notes.com has just been launched by Jamie Badman... "Welcome to the premier internet resource for downloadable Magic Lecture Notes and Manuscripts! In here you will find some of magic's finest creators, thinkers, performers and lecturers offering their works to you to download and digest at your leisure! With Magic Notes you are able to track lectures in your area or see when your favourite magical star is lecturing near you - and all the details on how to book a seat at an event will be made available to you through this site!" Sounds like a great idea - visit www.magic-notes.com today. (We've just been told that The Wizard is Dead by Yaniv Deautsch, recently reviewed in Magic and Genii, is now available on the site.) 3.7.04

 

The Order of the Magi are holding a Giant Auction on Tuesday 13th July at 7.30pm (lots accepted from 6.30pm) at The Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester. Directions on their website www.orderofthemagi.co.uk. "Come and sell those unwanted props or buy something for your next show." Further information from Peter Moran 0161 798 8839. 3.7.04

 

TheLittleMagicShop.co.uk has been out of action for the last three weeks due to major server problems but they would now like to let their customers know that after upgrades and allsorts the site is now back online. They hadn't stopped trading and as of today all is 100% working! Visit www.thelittlemagicshop.co.uk to see what's new. 3.7.04

 

"Doesn't take mind reader to tell that crowd is amazed. The ability to keep a poker face while telling Bill Clinton-sized fibs can certainly be a handy personality trait. But even the most duplicitous of natural-born liars would find it hard to fool illusionist and mind reader Drew McAdam." Writes Duncan Forgan in the Scotsman Click Here. 3.7.04

 

Jim Steinmeyer's Hiding the Elephant is to be published in a soft back edition, here in the UK, on November 4th by William Heinemann (Random House). "In 1918 Harry Houdini performed a single illusion that has been hotly debated ever since: he made a live elephant disappear on stage. How did he do it? The answer lies in this dazzling tale of innovation, chicanery and keen competition that is the backstage story of the golden age of magic. Hiding the Elephant chronicles the race among history's most legendary conjurers to make things levitate and disappear. A master illusionist and captivating storyteller, Steinmeyer introduces us to the eccentric personalities behind floating ghosts, disembodied heads and vanishing ladies and takes us backstage to reveal the mechanics of their mysteries. He carries us to a time when Queen Victoria held private séances and all of England believed in magic." (We still do!) More information nearer the time of publication. 3.7.04

 

Last Monday Michael Murray (www.magicbox.uk.com) won the Newcastle Magic Circle Stage Competition. Robert Temple came second with his manipulation act and Graeme Shaw third, but it was Michael's mentalism act that stole the show and won him the Edmund Younger Cup for the second year in a row. Meanwhile Michael has a new effect, Beyond ESP, coming out in a couple of weeks. Visit www.magicbox.uk.com for details and to pre-order. 3.7.04

 

Charles Pemberton has been asked to provide some magicians for a big charity event in London on Sunday 11th July. It is the Royal Theatrical Fund "Midsomer Village Fayre" and is being hosted by John Nettles (Midsomer Murders). Strolling/close-up magicians would be ideal, performing anytime between 1pm and 5pm. The details are: A Midsomer Village Fayre at St Paul's Church Yard, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London WC2 on Sunday July 11th. For more information email Charles Pemberton: charles@wsgilbert.com. 3.7.04

 

Peter Kane's son, Tim Kane, has just set up a website both as a tribute to his late father and also featuring his father’s library, which includes around 1000 items for sale. He'll be adding additional items on a weekly basis and invites MagicWeek readers to have a look: www.kano.btinternet.co.uk. 3.7.04

 

Manchester Circle of Magicians launched a Junior Magic Section in April at the David Lloyd Centre in Trafford Park, Manchester which is close to the famous Trafford Shopping Centre, allowing parents to enjoy some retail therapy whilst their children are instructed by professional magicians. Three meetings have now been held. The first one was a lecture by Derek Lever, the second by children's entertainer Gary Gizmo and last Friday a lecture on sleight of hand by Peter Roberts. The 23 junior members are very enthusiastic so if any other junior magicians would like to join them please contact Don George via email don.george@tiscali.co.uk or telephone: 0161 941 2956. 3.7.04

 

Jay Fortune is organising a lot of outdoor shows during the summer for various corporate clients and is having a bit of a job finding people who have a skill (magic, juggling, balloon modelling etc.) who would like work large crowds in and around Hertfordshire and Essex. For more information email Jay enquiries@magicklive.com. A few of the shows are for radio station Kool AM - in the photo: Jay presenting his live breakfast show which features the occasional magic trick. 3.7.04

 

Richard Leigh can be seen at The West Cliff Theatre, Clacton on Sea in All Star Summer Showtime 2004 every Saturday from 24th July - 11th September. Box Office 01255 43 33 44. 3.7.04

 

An Aberdeen based company which uses humour and magic to demonstrate and convey important themes, topics, key learning points and to entertain, is supporting a Robert Gordon University student's premise that humour in the workplace can boost productivity. Like Aberdeen student, Jane Richardson, Fifth Dimension is also encouraging more British firms to follow the growing US trend by introducing humour policies into the workplace. Jeff Burns, who is one of three partners at Fifth Dimension, says, "We have found, like Jane Richardson, who has just completed a thesis on humour in the workplace, that fun and laughter can create a more productive and creative work environment. Humour can also make briefing and training sessions more entertaining, particularly within 'dry' industries which are highly technical or scientific." Bill Duncan performs the Black & Decker saw illusion on Fifth Dimensions' Dawn Schultz. www.fifthdimension.uk.com. 3.7.04

 

Surprise! Surprise! The two most surprised people this week must be Derek and Anne Lever who were both presented with awards at the Nottingham Guild of Magicians Convention. Derek was made an Honorary Life Member for Services to Magic and Anne was presented with a crystal flame engraved "In Recognition of Her Ongoing Commitment to the World of Magic". The presentation was organised by Andrew Morrison and Freddie Wilkinson on behalf of the Nottingham Guild of Magicians. 3.7.04

 

Magician Steven Dick has been shortlisted for a comedy writing competition for Channel 4. The winner is chosen by a web vote. That's where you can help. He needs to muster all the support he can from all quarters... Click Here and then scroll down to item number 11 "Party Political Broadcast" Then send an email with "Party Political Broadcast" in the subject line. That's it! Three words, one email. But enough to really help out Steven, who writes "Obviously it would be great if folk liked my idea, but hey, this is TV so lets not worry too much about morals!" 3.7.04

 

ChilldrensPartyShows.co.uk launched on Wednesday, July 1st; this just came in (Saturday, July 3rd) "Thought you might like to know that I've today taken my first booking as a direct referral from the Children's Party Shows website. Not bad considering it was launched just 2 days ago. Thought this might help in your marketing of the site to other entertainers." Mark Andrews. Thanks for letting us know Mark www.childrenspartyshows.co.ukPaul Maverick reports on The Masters Ultimate Stage Hypnosis Seminar in Las Vegas this week, Click HereThe Ferrybridge Day of Magic (Sunday 4th July) will now be held at its old venue in Ferrybridge and not at Knottingley - further information from Michael Shepherd on 01904 709500 email castle@evemail.netThat's it for this week, your UK magic and reviews are always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan. 3.7.04

 

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