Number 281 - 12th November 2005
International Magic Convention,
London - update. Due to an unprecedented number of competitors in The
Kevin Reay Close-up Competition this year the competition will start at
10.30am sharp on Saturday morning. Here's the programme of Events.
Friday evening 25th November: Lecturing from 7pm Kostya Kimlat (USA)
followed by Roberto Giobbi (Switzerland). Saturday 26th November:
Doors open 10am. 10.30am: 22nd International Close-up Competition
for the Kevin Reay Trophy and £1000 featuring (in random order, with other
names to be confirmed) Mario Bove (Italy), Glenn Farrington (USA), David
Blanco (UK), Erik Nordvall (Sweden), Karl Berseus (Sweden), Antonio Perete
(Spain), Martin Eisle (Germany), Szabo G Gabor (Hungary), Gianfranco
Preverino (Italy), Helder Guimaraes (Portugal), Olmac (France), Philip
Tawfik (Austria), James James (UK), William Houston (UK), Ralf Gagel
(Germany), Rick Merrill (USA), Rex Cooper (UK), Steve Dela (UK), Ferenc
Galambos (Hungary). Followed by two Star Lectures: Jerry Andrus (USA) and
David Merry (Canada). 7.30pm Evening Gala Show. Sunday 27th
November. Doors open 10.30am International Dealers, Close-up Session:
Roberto Giobbi, Jerry Andrus, Rick Merrill, Kostya Kimlat and Arthur
Trace. Lecture by Rick Merrill. Special Event (details will be released on
Saturday 26th November). Presentation of Kevin Reay Trophy and Orders of
Merit. 7.30pm Evening Gala Show (repeat of Saturday show). Various
convention packages are available, with prices starting at £25.00
Click Here. Special convention room rates at the
Euston Novotel (0207 666 9300) which is part of the same complex, are
also available. This year's convention is dedicated to the memory of Ron
MacMillan and all steps have been taken to make it the most memorable
ever. For more information visit:
www.internationalmagic.com. Don't miss this one! 12.11.05
Many
congratulations to Nicholas Einhorn, judged The Magic Circle Centenary
Close-up Magician, last Monday evening at The Magic Circle's first ever
"all winners" close-up competition, seen here with Magic Circle
President Alan Shaxon making the presentation. The contest was open to previous
winners of the close-up competition and six performers took part.
Nick's act featured some very smooth card magic, intricate coin work, and an
original routine that caught everyone out at the end (that I don't want to
give away here). Nick was also awarded the originality award for his
closing routine. The special competition was one of a number of events
held this year to celebrate The Magic Circle's 100th anniversary. Andrew
Murray was placed second and Alan Bertin third. Nicholas Einhorn lectures
and performs at Mark Leveridge's Commercial Close-Up Forum next year, on
January 29th,
Click Here. 12.11.05
Davenport's
Christmas Wonder Show runs from Monday 19th December to Tuesday 3rd
January 2006 in Norfolk. Starring Roy Davenport, Ali Bongo, Richard
Griffin & Hayley Jane, David & Pauline Conway, Nigel Syer, Deanna Galipo
and the Demon Dancers. Auden Theatre, Gresham's School, Holt, Norfolk NR25
6EA (Map)
Tickets £8.00 - £13.00. To book contact the Auden Theatre Box Office:
01263 713444 or
Click Here for more information. Roy Davenport will present a stunt
for the "switch on" of the Holt Christmas Lights on November 23rd. 12.11.05
Bonhams
conjure up some magic for Christmas. The Ergatoudis Collection of
Magic and Puzzles - Bonhams, Knightsbridge, London, 21st December 2005.
One of the most important private collections of magic tricks, books and
puzzles to be sold at auction in 30 years will appear at Bonhams'
Knightsbridge salerooms on 21st December 2005. The collection belongs to
the family of the late John Ergatoudis, President of Leeds Magic Society.
More than 350 lots of magic memorabilia are expected to fetch up to
£100,000 when the collection is sold. With items from the mid 17th century
to the mid 20th century, and prices starting from £50 upwards, lots are
bound to disappear in no time at all. John Ergatoudis became interested in
magic as a young man, becoming an amateur magician and later a passionate
collector of tricks and books. His four-bedroom house on the outskirts of
Leeds was crammed floor to ceiling with his collection, and extended
beyond to the garden shed, loft and garage, with each piece carefully
packed away in cardboard fruit boxes. Photo: Physique Cabinet of Tricks.
For a larger image.
Click Here.
www.bonhams.co.uk
(details will appear on their website nearer the date). 12.11.05
Kidology
2006. Albion Magic and Practical Magic have just announced details of
their next Kidology Convention for children's entertainers. It will take
place on Tuesday, 5th September 2006, once again at The Civic Hall,
Wolverhampton. Lecturing: Scott Penrose with Classic Magic, Andy Clockwise
presenting "Kidwise by Clockwise", How to avoid the pitfalls of
entertaining children" with Moira Fletcher. Ian Davis and Steve Dimmer
with "Effects for Christmas", Quentin Reynolds (photo) with "How to get
more from the magic you already do" and Ian Thom presenting "Magic with
puppets." Tickets are £30 including lunch and will go on sale in January.
www.albionmagiccompany.co.uk
www.practical-magic.com. 12.11.05
Professor
Richard Wiseman is giving a talk entitled Mind Magic at the Royal
Institution (London) on Monday 14th November, on the psychology of magic.
"Magicians appear to achieve the impossible. They make solid objects
vanish into thin air, defy the laws of gravity and predict the future with
uncanny accuracy. In this highly interactive event, Professor Richard
Wiseman invites you to step backstage and discover the secret science of
sorcery. Prepare to be amazed as you learn the hitherto hidden psychology
employed by some of the worlds greatest illusionists to deceive and
astound..."
Click Here. Richard has also just added some audio clips of Jeff
McBride speaking at a Science Museum event on magic, back in July
Click Here. 12.11.05
Kevin
Gallagher recently gave a short series of masterclasses for the
'Accademia Italiana Arte Magica' which is a production school for serious
students of the Art of Magic, run in Italy by Andrea Bondi. Previous
courses have been given by Jean Pierre Vallerino, Henry Evans, Aldo
Colombini, Jason Latimer and Hayashi. Workshops are intense and students
who are able to demonstrate sufficient proficiency are awarded a
certificate of attendance which go towards their final diploma, which
normally takes three years. Students study all branches of magic as part
of their course, from entertaining children to large scale illusion. Kevin
also performed and lectured at a number of magic events around Italy and
Switzerland including Venice, Pascara, Bologne, Luzern, Milan and Zurich. 12.11.05
The
Magic Cavern Christmas Show featuring Dominick Zwolinski. "A seasonal
show of colourful magic and puppetry for children of all ages." December
20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th at 3pm. £10.00, £8.50
concessions. Box Office 08700 600 100 (24hrs with fee) or book online via
www.falseimpressions.com The Magic Cavern, Barons Court Theatre, 28A
Comeragh Road, London W14 9AU (Map)
2 minutes walk from either Barons Court or West Kensington Tube Stations.
Full details:
www.falseimpressions.com. 12.11.05
Watford
Association of Magicians 60th Year. President Terry Seabrooke and
Chairman Martin Cox invite you all to celebrate Watford Association of
Magicians 60th Year with a special dinner on Friday 20th January 2006 at
the Metropolitan Sports Club, Aldenham Road, Bushey, Hertfordhire. With a
three course meal and close-up magic followed by a top magical cabaret,
starring Wayne Dobson, Safire, Scott Penrose and Michael Pearce. £32.50
per head. For more information contact John Wright 01923 689152
bigj@redmail.com. 12.11.05
There's
no ducking out of this one... Last week I was a bit tough on
Ducktastic, so, with just days to go, here are two links to balance
things up a little, taken from the
Guardian and
Telegraph. Tickets are available for just £10.00 each:
"Ducktastic's ticket prices are quackers!"
Click Here. 12.11.05
Kennedy's
second publication, 'Tell Tale Factor' is now available "Tell Tale
Factor is not something for the feint hearted but for the seasoned
professional. It is a booklet which details a new technique in mindreading
which allows you to tell someone what they are thinking with no pre-show,
nothing written down... You simply get someone on stage, ask them to think
of a playing card, country, animal, almost anything at all, and you reveal
the thought." For more information
Click Here. 12.11.05
Scrooge,
was reviewed in the Guardian on November 9th "The best feature of a dull
evening is Paul Kieve's illusions. Marley's Ghost, boomingly personified
by Barry Howard, is mysteriously magicked up from behind a door. A chair
spins round and there is the crinolined Ghost of Christmas Past. And the
future spirit is a draped, hooded, faceless phantom who appears to be 12ft
tall and Dickensianly glides along the ground like a mist. Kieve's tricks
give the evening a much-needed touch of magic." To read the full review
Click Here. For more on the show, and the touring version,
Click Here. 12.11.05
Southend
Sorcerers held their annual senior and junior close-up competition
last Sunday at Eastwood Community Centre. Competitors performed their 10
minute acts at three tables with a judge at each table. In the senior
competition, Richard Graham (photo) won, meaning that he has now won both
the close-up and stage competitions for two years running, as well as
being awarded Clubman of the Year for 2005 at their recent presentation
dinner. For more information email
richardgraham.magic@tiscali.co.uk. In the junior competition, the
winner was Daniel Brookes, performing a thumb tie routine and cups and
balls.
www.southern-sorcerers.co.uk. 12.11.05
An
Evening with Mark Raffles at Bolton Magicians' Club on Wednesday 16th
November at the Cotton Tree, Prince Street, Bolton at 8.30pm. "A rare
opportunity to see and hear the master of pick pocketing. Visiting
magicians from other societies are welcome." Entrance £3.00. For more
information visit
www.bolton-magic.co.uk or telephone Chris Stickland on 01204 452802. 12.11.05
Magicseen is now being stocked by Borders, the book shop chain, in stores across the UK. "Borders are stocking Magicseen in 35 of their biggest stores and if it goes well, this will be increased. Borders have a great reputation for selling specialist magazine titles, and they really like our magazine." Said Magicseen editor Mark Leveridge. For more information and a list of stockists visit www.magicseen.co.uk. 12.11.05
The North Western Society of Magicians, based in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, celebrated ninety years last Saturday with a grand dinner and cabaret. Guests of honour were Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, who had just returned from Barbados only hours before! Special gifts and decorations were plentiful to celebrate the special occasion. Tickets for the event sold out in only three weeks, after going on sale in August. The cabaret starred British Magical Grand Prix winner Mark Shortland, manipulator Andrew Green, and master of magic Paul Daniels. Website Click Here. 12.11.05
E4's Mental Magic Week got magicians up and down the country reaching for their digital boxes... so, with my "I've been well and truly dumbed-down by E4, but do you know what, I quite liked it" hat on, here are my top moments. First, Jonathan Goodwin's The 7 Stupidest Things to Escape From - the pier escape I found very funny, it really worked for me, as did Jonathan's poor Dad assisting with every stunt right through to the bitter end. When Magic Tricks go Wrong was compulsive viewing, from the now infamous Robert's World of Magic sack escape to some genuinely chilling escape attempts that ended in tragedy. And the first in Criss Angel's Mindfreak series was OK in a "what a lot of rubbish" sort of way. With the aid of some blatant edits Criss Angel's mix of magic and BS works to a degree, but any real chance of impressing is spoilt by his vanity. 12.11.05
"Duo
dive deep for submerged magic on NBC special"
Click Here Quick Change man Sven Schoppenhauer has a brand new item,
the Vegas Scarf. "An absolute necessity for dove workers, wearers of tails
and tuxedos, or simply anyone who ever wanted to own an elegant scarf.
This scarf changes colour from white to red."
Click Here my-magicshop.com now have Midas in stock, visit
www.my-magicshop.com
for details Look out for Dynamo on CD:UK today (11.30am - 12.30 on ITV1)
"Pick a card, any card"
Click Here "Move over, David Blaine"
Click Here "5 minutes with...Teller"
Click Here Roy Horn: "We Will Be Back"
Click Here That's it for this week, your UK news is always welcomed,
see you next week, Duncan. 12.11.05