Number 226 - 23rd October 2004

 

The Magic Circle Christmas Show line up has just been announced. The show will star, from Argentina: Mirko, from the States: George Saterial (photo), and from the UK Alan Shaxon, John Styles and emcee Peter Hudson. There are two shows a day from Monday December 27th to Thursday December 30th at 2.30pm and 7pm. Tickets are £19.00 (adults) and £13.00 (under 14). To order with a credit card call The Magic Circle Box Office on 020 7387 2222 (weekdays 10am - 5pm). Book early... the show sold out last year and will no doubt do the same this year! The Magic Circle. 23.10.04

 

Duncan Trillo wins The Magic Circle's Stage Magician of the Year Competition 2004. Reported by David Beckley, Press Officer, The Magic Circle: On Sunday night (October 17th), Duncan Trillo, a 'Gold Star' member of The Inner Magic Circle was presented with the prestigious Stage Magician of the Year Trophy. This event, held every two years, is the UK's top magic competition. Duncan presented a superb display of skill, magic and above all, entertainment. Classic card manipulations, combined with his incredible dancing handkerchief, which seemed to take on a life of its own, proved, beyond doubt, that his was the winning act. The Judging Panel, chaired by Sir Bill Cotton CBE, also included Lady Cotton and Paul Kieve, the UK's foremost magical advisor to theatrical productions and stage plays. The second place was taken by Keith Fields, with strong magic including the production of a bowl of water and an unusual signed card location. In third place was Tensai whose striking oriental act climaxed in the 'free floating' of his lovely assistant. Reported by David Beckley, Press Officer, The Magic Circle. Photo by Peter Ryder Photography. Duncan's hands can be seen manipulating cards in brief slow motion interludes (filmed in digital HSV) in the new BBC series Magic next Saturday, October 30th, at 8.25pm on BBC2. 23.10.04

 

Jus' Like That! is on tour again, starring Jerome Flynn as Tommy Cooper. "...this show succeeds in bringing to life the mesmerising stage presence of a timeless comic act." The Independent. "This show is an unabashed celebration..." Daily Telegraph. "An unashamed Tommy Cooper Celebration. Jerome Flynn is a wonderful Tommy Cooper." The Times. See What's On for dates. www.juslikethat.com. 23.10.04

 

The Competitors at Blackpool Magicians Club's Seaside Sorcery Convention on Saturday and Sunday, 13th and 14th November, have been announced. In the British Junior Magical Championships Close-up section: Cosmo, Dazzling Darren, Marcus Taylor, Joe Ray, and Matt Denham. In the Stage section: Magic Michael & Co., Dazzling Darren, Marcus Taylor, Joe Ray, Josh Miller and Jonathon Shotton. In the British Magical Inter-Society Championships: Kevin Gallagher, Will Gray, Robert Temple, Harry Robson, Andrew Lee and Peter Roberts performing close-up and in the Stage section: Shane, Dave Ralph, Robert Temple, Johnny Hardy, Malcolm Bromwich and Stuart Brown. Societies represented are: Wolverhampton Circle, Leicester, Durham, Blackpool, York, Manchester Circle, Nottingham Guild and Hull. In the evening two Gala Shows starring Duncan Trillo and Poland's Salvano plus a Dinner. Also included in the registration fee of £40.00 are five lectures and 18 Magic Dealers! For more information visit www.blackpoolmagic.com. 23.10.04

 

MAGIC - Programme Two: Levitation is on tonight at 8.10pm on BBC 2. The Dream of Flight, the Indian Rope Trick and how magic becomes big business. In the hands of a master illusionist Levitation has a special potency – and this newfound power to defy gravity quickly became the centrepiece of every stage magician's act. At a time when huge travelling shows toured the world illusionists would do anything to outdo one another with more and more fantastic levitations – even by getting up on stage and stealing their rivals' techniques... See TV Magic. 23.10.04

 

Eyes, Lies and Illusions, reviewed last week by John Derris (Click Here), had a helping hand from magic consultants Design for Deception. The partners, Roy Marsh AIMC and Jack Delvin MIMC were both engaged to show a small group of members of staff how to make and perform some simple magical effects which they would then later teach to children attending the exhibition in a series of limited workshops. "We spent a most enjoyable morning at the gallery showing the staff how to 'see' through a hole in their hand without the need for surgery, how to make a playing card vanish, how to make a magic wand and then have it penetrate someone's head painlessly and lots more!" said Roy. "The staff certainly enjoyed themselves too and told us that they had seen the creation of magic, and its performance, in a completely different light... and that it was much tougher than they thought!" For more information about Design for Deception visit www.designfordeception.com. Hayward Gallery: www.hayward.org.uk. 23.10.04

 

Richard Leigh for False Impressions is presenting a number of shows at The Magic Cavern over Christmas: The Magic of the Circus (a children's magic show), Christmas Ghost Stories, a new play by Crispin Dexter and Cabaret with Zac Bauman and magic support act. December 21st to January 2nd. For more information visit www.falseimpressions.com. 23.10.04

 

Jez Rose has just launched the world's first range of Mind Reading Sets! "It was an idea of mine for many months to launch a range of magic sets but focusing on the huge interest in mind reading. I secured a patent earlier this year for the concept of mind reading sets to prevent imitations, and am very pleased with the first editions that have just been launched. There are three in the range: Mind Reading with Cards, ESP Mind Reading and Psychological Mind Reading. Just in time for Christmas, they'll make excellent gifts and are due to go into high-street stores (including Toymaster) next year." Available online now from www.magictricks.co.uk, www.merchantofmagic.co.uk and www.jezrose.co.uk. 23.10.04

 

Mark Gray and Nathan Ward (photo) have teamed up with local jazz band Salsa South Connection and comedian Rob Smith to raise money for a school in Indonesia. They'll be presenting a fantastic night of entertainment for the whole family at the Brook Theatre, Old Town Hall, The Brook, Chatham, Kent ME4 4SE (Map) on November 12th at 8pm. Tickets: £7.50 seniors, students and under 16s £6.50. For further details or to book telephone the Box Office on 01634 338338. 23.10.04

 

Tony Griffith only has a few spaces left for his Creative Magic Lecture/Teach-in on Sunday 21st November. The material presented will place emphasis upon subtlety, routining and entertainment. Areas covered will include Close-up Magic, After Dinner Speaking, Trade Shows, Promotion, Publicity, Organisation and Children's Entertainment. (Click Here to read past report). The cost for the day is £40 which includes morning coffee, buffet lunch and afternoon tea. Telephone Tony on 01275 837017 or email tony@tonygriffith.co.uk for more information or to book. 23.10.04

 

Romany "Diva of Magic" is currently in Hamburg, Germany performing as Romany, Diva der Magie, magical MC for a variety dinner show in a beautiful Spiegeltent (built in the 1920's, full of mahogany, mirrors and red velvet) playing 6 shows a week for 4 months until January 15th 2005. "The tent sits about 400 guests who are served a 4 course gourmet meal and entertained between courses with a variety style show played mainly in the round. The company includes Russian trapeze artists, a New York jazz singer/tap dancer, an orchestra, another hula hoop dancer, 3 gorgeous Italian roller skaters, plus a lovely English comedian who I get to giggle with... Everyone pulling their legs in impossible directions back stage to warm up while I clip clop back and forth on my platforms, changing costumes for each entrance and cramming my German script as fast as I can..." More on Romany at www.romanymagic.com. 23.10.04

 

2nd West Lancs Magic Convention - update. Sunday April 24th 2005. Doors open at 10am at St Mary’s Parochial Club, Trent Road, Billinge, Near Wigan, Lancashire WN5 7QT (Map). With lectures from Richard Sanders (photo) and Fred Corvenieo and magic dealers open throughout the day. In the evening cabaret there's cabaret with Fred Corvenieo followed by The West Lancs Magician of the Year Competition. While the judges are deliberating Keith Cooper and Carol will present their illusion act, with the awards being presented at around 11pm. For details, registration and competition application forms (and dealer stand enquiries) contact Roy Critchley, steelemagicinc@aol.com. 23.10.04

 

Tariq Knight and Chris Nicholson, two of the magicians from Playing Tricks, will be appearing on Ready Steady Cook this coming Thursday, 28th October. They'll be there to help the show celebrate its 10th anniversary and will be "cooking, performing and having a laugh" at 4.30pm on BBC2. TV Magic. 23.10.04

 

Northumberland based mentalist and psychic entertainer Kennedy will be performing at the haunted Blacksmith's Table Restaurant in Washington, South Tyneside on Sunday October 31st. Kennedy has guaranteed a night of "bizarre and rather frightening goings on" Blacksmith's Table Restaurant, The Green, Washington Village. To book telephone 0191 415 1788. 23.10.04

 

"Have you ever dreamed of learning the deepest secrets of stage magic and hypnotism? This revelatory autobiography offers a fascinating insight into the life secrets of a magician and hypnotist of international reputation. Ormond McGill, the Dean of American Hypnotists, has hypnotised audiences all over the world with his exciting stage shows. Using original sketches, photographs, and press material, Ormond explains techniques such as: Mind reading, Atomic Magic, Hypnotherapy of Zen, Acupressure Hypnotic Induction, Computer Hypnotherapy, Abundance Hypnosis, Mind control and Yogi Pramayama Practices. For hypnotists, magicians and everyone eager to learn more about the secrets of the stage show, this book provides wise counsel from the master performer. Join Ormond on his odyssey and share in a lifetime of rich and varied experiences. This is a performance not to be missed!" Now that's telling you... available from Amazon.co.uk Click Here. 23.10.04

 

Ireland's Fred Corvenieo returns to the UK in 2005 and would like to hear from clubs who would like to book his lecture/dealer dem. Possible dates are around March - May. Clubs can book Fred's lecture/dealer dem via Roy Critchley. Email: steelemagicinc@aol.com or telephone 07901 990 220 for more information. 23.10.04

 

If you missed Marc Paul on BBC Radio 4 last week you can hear the programme via www.bbc.co.uk instead Click Here (Note: This link will change on Monday I think) • Simon Shaw emails that the Ipswich Magical Society's Annual Convention on November 7th is shaping up very well with more performers added Click Here for full details • Jez Rose has been booked again for Princess Sophia of Monaco's private Christmas party and will fly out at the beginning of December. He'll be performing in cabaret for 300 guests, including Royalty and Heads of State • Your UK magic news is always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan. 23.10.04

 

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