Number 265 - 23rd July 2005
Steve
Dela wins The Magic Circle's Young Magician of the Year Competition 2005.
In a tough competition that would have left many a professional
floundering seventeen year old Steve Dela from Shropshire captured the
judges votes with his on-stage charisma, original routining, skillful
manipulations, excellent use of music and pure showmanship. Comedy
magician Darren McDonald placed second and funny magic trio Henry Lewis
and company placed third. All seven finalists should be really proud to
have made it to the finals as the standard was so high. "Steve faced one
of the toughest competitions I have seen but he proved himself to be a
very worthy winner" said Magic Circle President Alan Shaxon. And Steve
said "Winning this competition is a dream come true... it is particularly
exciting as it falls in the same week as The Magic Circle celebrates its
Centenary." The competition was introduced in 1961 by Derek Speight and
has helped launch many a successful career. Debbie McGee, David Goodsell,
Duncan Trillo and George Kovari judged.
www.stevedela.co.uk. 23.7.05
Science
of Magic, 27th July 7pm - 8.30pm. "Abracadabra! After centuries of
secrecy, the enigmatic world of magic and illusion will be unlocked at the
Dana Centre. Join Richard Wiseman, one of the UK's leading psychologists
and former magician, to explore the science of showmanship and the
psychology of magic in an evening of spectacle, illusion and discussion.
Witness jaw-dropping performances by critically-acclaimed Las Vegas
magician Jeff McBride. Then discover the psychology and science behind
some of the world's greatest magic tricks." For booking details and more
information
Click Here. Jeff will also be a guest on Radio 4's Midweek
programme on 27th July at 9am. 23.7.05
John Carney Lecture.
Thursday: Manchester, Friday: London. "One of the best lectures I've
ever seen... excellent advice... his tricks are superlative... an expert
in pure sleight of hand." Dai Vernon. On Thursday 28th July John lectures
at the Irish World Heritage Centre (upstairs room), Queens Road,
Manchester M8 8UF (Map),
Tickets: £15.00 payable on the door. Doors open 7:30pm for 8pm start email
Martin Allcock for more details if need be:
martin@magical-entertainment.co.uk. And the gang at
www.opusmagazine.co.uk (JJ and Chris Power) would like to remind
everyone that, in association with The Prestige Society, they will be
hosting John Carney for his only London lecture on Friday 29th July. If
you would like to attend, make your way to the
Plough pub, 27 Museum Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1 (Map)
for 7pm. The tickets are £15.00 and can be paid for on the night. The nearest
underground stations are Holborn (Central Line) and Tottenham Court Road
(Central and Northern lines). "We will be in the pub until 7.30pm when in keeping with Opus protocol we will guide the faithful to a
purpose-built secret location for a great evening of magic." said
Chris. Nothing is
ever straightforward with these guys - but it will be an excellent night! 23.7.05
Illusionist
Alex Lodge performs at
The
Academy, Basingstoke, on five Saturday nights during the Summer: July
30th, August 13th and 27th, September 10th and 24th. The Academy, Unit 1,
West Ham Lane, Moniton Trading Estate, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 5EE (Map). 23.7.05
International
News. The 2nd MINDvention will take place from November 13th-15th,
2005 at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Names already
announced include Banachek, Bruce Bernstein, Lee Earle, Larry Becker,
Richard Osterlind (schedule permitting), Barrie Richardson, Luke Jermay
and Harvey Berg! Three full days of shows, workshops and discussion groups
in which to explore this fascinating subject from all sides. Everyone from
working mentalists to interested newcomers will enjoy, learn and profit
from this one-of-a-kind event. Registration is $175 until August 15th.
Visit
www.mindvention.com for more information. 23.7.05
Mark
Worgan has just published "Simply Professional" twelve fully detailed
routines from his working repertoire, including, cabaret, close-up and
children's magic. "Among the twelve is one of my favourites invented for
the Komedia show, called Bean There, a signed card to tin of Baked Beans."
All the routines are easy to master and are designed for maximum
entertainment. Priced at £15.00 including p&p, email
mark.worgan@btinternet.com
for ordering information. 23.7.05
Paul
Gordon presents a full lecture on professional close-up card magic,
with routines, tips, presentation points, sleights and more, plus a
"wee-small-hours-session" on October 20th at Magical Mayhem in Hitchin,
Hertfordshire and at the Order of The Magi, Manchester, next year on April
11th. 23.7.05
Stephen
Barry and Pete Firman were invited to perform at last week's after
show party for the premier of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
starring Johnny Depp. The venue was laid out with thousands of chocolates
and sweets and even had running chocolate fountains. The two amazed
guests, including star Johnny Depp and the movie's director Tim Burton,
but still had time to pop in a couple of everlasting gobstoppers! 23.7.05
Following
the success of Philip Hitchcock's performances onboard the stunning
new Queen Mary 2 cruise liner over the last year, Philip's show was
specially requested for the Independence Day celebrations this month.
(Seen here onboard the QM2 with John Cleese). Philip joins the Golden
Princess next week. 23.7.05
Marc Paul popped into the Sun Online offices last week to promote Magic, the BBC2 series, which was being repeated on UKTV Documentary, and also to talk about The Magic Circle Centenary Celebrations. He ended up performing a number of effects for members of the staff. Click Here to read the interview and see the video • Darren Kidby has just flown out to Dubai for a 10 day gig for "Adventure Surprises" following the success of his performances at the "Heritage Village" last time around www.darrenkidby.com • "British magician revitalizing genre" Click Here • "Guy Pearce will star in the Houdini drama Death Defying Acts, a movie based on true events that took place during escape artist Harry Houdini's 1926 tour of Britain." Click Here • "Teenage magician Mark Waddington, a member of the Bradford Magic Circle, was at Eureka! The Museum for Children, in Halifax, to reveal the UK's only open-air Maze of Illusions." Click Here • "Roy Horn reported to have 'given up' on therapy." Click Here • "Reality TV Column: Mindfreak: Just A Guy Trying Way Too Damn Hard." Click Here • "Carey's trouble and strife." Click Here • That's it for this week, your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 23.7.05