Number 218 - 28th August 2004

 

Seaside Sorcery, the Mini-Convention being organised by Blackpool Magicians' Club on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th November, 2004 at the Horseshoe Showbar, Pleasure Beach, South Shore, Blackpool is now taking registrations. This promises to be an excellent weekend beginning on Friday 12th November with a Jumbo Charity Magic Auction at 7pm at the Savoy Hotel, Queens Promenade, Blackpool with auctioneers Mike Shepherd, Steve Eastham and Derek Lever wielding the hammer. On Saturday 13th November 20 magic dealers exhibit their wares, the British Junior Magical Close-up Championships take place followed by the British Junior Magical Stage Championships, there's a lecture by Poland's Salvano (one of the very best magic lecturers in the world) and in the evening a three course dinner and Gala Show starring Duncan Trillo. On the Sunday the dealers are open again and the British Magical Inter-Society Championships for Close-up and Stage Magic take place followed by four mini-lectures and a Gala Show starring Salvano. All this for just £40.00 (Juniors £35.00). For more information and a registration form visit: www.blackpoolmagic.com. 28.8.04

 

Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh have joined forces to co-produce a stage adaptation of the much-loved classic Mary Poppins, based on the stories by P L Travers and the 1964 Walt Disney film. The production will preview from 15th September at the Bristol Hippodrome with a press night on the 28th and then run through to November 6th before opening at the Prince Edward Theatre in London's West End on December 15th, some forty years after the film's premiere. Jim Steinmeyer designed the effects for Mary's magic in this all new and very lavish production. Tickets. 28.8.04

 

Tommy Cooper 'funniest Briton' Comedian Tommy Cooper has topped a poll of the funniest Britons of all time, according to Reader's Digest magazine. He beat the likes of Billy Connolly, Rowan Atkinson and Benny Hill to take the top spot in the 20-strong list. For more on this story from the BBC Click Here (thanks to Phil Smith). Jerome Flynn can be seen on stage this evening as Tommy Cooper in the last night of John Fisher's Jus' Like That! at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Click Here. 28.8.04

 

Geoffrey Ronning from Stage Hypnosis Center helps entertainers increase their profits and maximize their results and is now advertising with MagicWeek. SHC is a site for professional stage hypnotists and independent entertainers who want to grow a more profitable, successful business. The site is continually updated and offers hypnosis "how-tos," free booking strategies, marketing examples, tutorials, induction techniques, and much, much more - to help skyrocket your business. Visit www.stagehypnosiscenter.com today! 28.8.04

 

Steve "Lindsay" Hamilton.


From Bill Miller: It is with regret that I write to inform readers of the sad news that Steve "Lindsay" Hamilton passed away on Saturday night, 21st August 2004, aged 45. Steve had been diagnosed with cancer late last year and had undergone extensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments prior to his admission last Thursday. Steve was married and leaves two daughters, Lindsey 9 and Emma 7.

 

Following a very steep learning curve with such experts as Roy Walton, Jerry Sadowitz, Peter Duffy and Gordon Bruce, Steve took to the close-up market, an act that was honed to perfection. Every word scripted and crafted, every move flawless. He created a classic kids show which had so much energy in it, adults in the audience were exhausted watching him, and then he launched an assault in the corporate cabaret world. Every major Scottish blue chip company I can think of has used Steve to enthral and entertain their staff and clients on more than one occasion. Work abroad in Chicago, Monte Carlo and Istanbul, stand testament to his skills.

 

Those who knew Steve will miss him greatly, those who didn't have missed the opportunity to watch a master of our craft. For funeral information please contact dusty@magicalsolutions.co.uk or telephone 01383 732757. Anyone wishing to send a card, please write to: Mary Hamilton, 20 Southern Avenue, Burnside, Glasgow G73 4JN. Bill Miller aka Dusty. 28.8.04

 

Paul Daniels has never been one to shy away from giving his opinion on all manner of subjects. In Public Opinion (11.20pm, Monday 6th September, BBC 1) the public have their say... "Gyles Brandreth hosts a panel show in which six celebrities are brought face-to-face with the opinions of the public, as they finally get to see themselves as others see them." Paul Burrell, Jim Bowen, Richard Park, Dani Behr, Paul Daniels and John Fashanu are featured, see TV Magic. Did you know that Paul Daniels now offers a range of custom built flight cases? See www.the-magic-store.info. Paul Danies Under No Illusion Click Here "For decades, magician Paul Daniels has captured the imagination of audiences throughout the world. Now, at last, his secrets are unmasked as the magician speaks frankly in his autobiography." 28.8.04

 

Unique Magic Events present: "An exclusive one day performers workshop 'Making Magic Pay' on Monday 18th October 2004 at Bailbrook House in Bath. Hosted and presented by Paul Stone, featuring Phil Jay, Paul Zenon and Jonathan Jay. A rare opportunity to hear some of the UK's top earning professional performers and find out why they are so successful, and how you can make their techniques work for you!" For more information email paulstone@unique-events.biz. 28.8.04

 

Paul Zenon's Dirty Tricks was launched at the Edinburgh Festival. Similar in format to his '100 Ways to Win a Tenner' the book is full of "pranks, wind-ups and practical jokes" and offers a guide to getting your own back! The cover price is £9.99 but there's an introductory offer of £3.00 off if you order it through Paul's website: www.paulzenon.com. 28.8.04

 

"Mandy Muden is one of a handful of professional magicians who also happen to be women. While The Magic Circle, a club for magicians, boasts nearly 1500 members, only about 70 are female. Mandy's new show Burn the Witch is on at the Edinburgh Festival and she talks about why there are so few women with wands." BBC Radio 4 interview: Click Here. 28.8.04

 

"Bringing art and theatre to a traditional fairground ride. Although this is traditionally the time of year when the most exciting and innovative theatre can be seen at the Edinburgh Festival there is certainly at least one exception to be found at The Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane, East London." BBC Radio 4 interview: Click Here. 28.8.04

 

"Friends and Magicians. "George Fowler (photo) and Brian Knowles are now in their 70's and have been friends since they were 14, when they founded the Harrogate Society of Magicians. Ray Kershaw went along to one of the society's monthly gatherings to meet them..." BBC Radio 4 interview: Click Here. 28.8.04

 

Kidology UK 2004 registrations have now topped 150 (see What's On for convention details 6.9.04). The caterers have set a deadline of midday, Wednesday, September 1st for final numbers, so if you haven't yet booked time is limited! To register telephone Albion Magic on 0121 532 4509 or Practical Magic on 01691 690789. More information: www.albionmagiccompany.co.uk and www.practical-magic.com. 28.8.04

 

Introducing a new monthly evening of magic at the Café Royal on London's Regent Street in The Grill Room, one of London's most famous restaurants that has re-opened its doors for diners to experience superb classic English cuisine in arguably the most decadent dining room ever created. First opened in 1865, The Grill Room is still today the alluring jewel of the famous Café Royal with its beautiful hand-painted ceilings, blood red drapes and gilt edged mirrors - the perfect backdrop for an exquisite evening of dark close-up magic and mentalism. James Cheung is your host with special guest close-up magicians and mentalists. The Grill Room, Café Royal, 68 Regent Street, London W1B 5EL. See What's On for September dates. 28.8.04

 

Tony Griffith will be holding another Creative Magic Lecture/Teach-In day at his home in Bristol on Sunday 21st November. This is the fourth such day that Tony has held and all have been most successful. The material presented places emphasis on subtlety, routining and entertainment. Areas covered include close-up magic, after dinner speaking, trade shows, promotion, publicity and organisation. Tony Griffith has considerable experience in the world of magic, having presented his commercial magic at a variety of engagements both in the UK and overseas and has given over 100 performances at The Magic Castle in Hollywood. The cost for the day is £40 (£30 if booked before the 30th September) and includes morning coffee, buffet lunch and light tea. For more information email: tony@tonygriffith.co.uk or telephone 01275 837017. 28.8.04

 

edfringe.com has links to fringe show newspaper reviews and 'punter reviews' - "all the reviews - right here, right now! Every year some of the best tips for shows are often received from the local barman, a punter beside you in the queue, or the taxi driver taking you home." Visit the site and search, entering a show's specific name or "magic" Click Here The MagicWeek book shop is out-growing itself as we constantly add recommended titles to the list, Click Here • "For a couple of hours one weekday night, a small empty office space next door to a loan company became a magic club. Members of the Baton Rouge Magic Club and guests met for a lecture by British magician Mark Mason." Click Here"Magician Roy Horn makes rare appearance on Vegas Strip" Click Here and Click HereStrike action hits magician, Click Here and Click Here "Nineteen-year-old magician Patrick Donovan knew before any exchange of words that I was the person he had spoken with on the phone" Click Here Richard Leigh's Magic Cavern broke box office records last week with two shows selling out (Doug Segal and Dominick Zwolinski) resulting in the theatre's busiest night in 12 years • That's it for this week, your news and reviews are always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 28.8.04

 

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