Number 301 - 1st April 2006
David Copperfield: Destination Moon.
Illusionist David Copperfield is to team up with Sir Richard Branson
www.virgingalactic.com on the inaugural flight of Branson's Virgin
Galactic SpaceShipOne in 2008 (promotional video clip:
Click Here, broadband users
Click Here). On 27th September 2004 at the Royal Aeronautical Society
in London's West End, Sir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan made their
announcement to the world's media that Virgin Galactic was now in a
position to commence a programme of work that would result in the world's
first affordable space tourist flights. Just two years on and the Virgin
publicity machine has gone into overdrive, inviting the world's foremost
illusionist to be a part of the team. David Copperfield will be aboard the
inaugural flight in his own "egg pod" that will
leave the mother ship and head towards the dark side of the moon. At this
time, during a live
transmission that will be seen by many millions across the globe, David will make the moon disappear.
Viewers will simultaneously be invited to watch the moon's disappearance
using normal
telescopes directed at it, from their homes - ruling out once and for all
the "it's all done with camera tricks" line that has plagued magicians
since the early days of televised magic in the 50s. "We still have a few small technical issues to
overcome, but we're
nearly there and it's all very exciting; I'm thrilled to have been invited
'on board' by Sir Richard Branson."
David Copperfield will start his training mid 2007 in both the USA and France and the whole project will culminate in a major three-hour TV special David Copperfield: Destination Moon in 2008. Branson, a magic fan for many years, said: "We hope to create thousands of astronauts over the next few years and bring alive their dream of seeing the majestic beauty of our planet from above, the stars in all their glory, and the amazing sensations of weightlessness and space flight. The development will also allow every country in the world to have their own astronauts rather than the privileged few. What a wonderful way to launch my dream." One small step for man - one giant leap for David Copperfield. For a reservation form, not for this specail inaugral flight but future flights, Click Here. 1.4.06
The Bristol Day of Magic
in
Weston-super-Mare
is just six weeks away... and they've got a great lineup this year! Moving away from the usual 'trick lectures' the day will feature
a new 'One Man Show' event in the afternoon, this year starring the
brilliant Graham Jolley. An interactive children's workshop and lecture
will be staged by Louis Baerts, who received excellent reviews following
his FISM appearance in 2003 and magic star Michael Finney and incredible quick change act David & Dania
(both from the States) will star in the evening gala show together with
Dave Jones, Peter Wardell, Roy Davenport, John Archer, Steve Della, the
Balloon Brothers and Richard Cadell. Close-up rooms will feature
specialist performers in specific areas of close-up magic. Plus magic
dealers and more. 14th May 2006. Visit
www.bristolmagic.co.uk for
more information and to download a PDF registration form, or telephone
Andy Mac 0117 9422449 for registration details. 1.4.06
RSVP,
the UK exhibition for live events, took place at Olympia, London, last
week. Among the official exhibitors were psychic entertainer
Alex Crow, the
UK's leading magical entertainment company
Dynamic FX
(photo) and
Laura London from TV's Playing Tricks - all busy taking orders.
For effective ways to sell yourself to the corporate market visit the
Corporate Zone Magic Day website:
www.corporatezonemagicday.co.uk. 1.4.06
The
Lord of the Rings. "It cost $27 million to produce and clocked in at a
robust 3½ hours, but for fans of JRR Tolkien's trilogy, The Lord of the
Rings, it was worth every second and penny. Thursday's gala premiere drew
an eclectic audience that included Canadian luminaries and even a
descendant of Tolkien, the visionary author of the works." To read the
full story and watch a video clip,
Click Here and for a review from Canada.com
Click Here. The Lord of the Rings is due to open at the Dominion
theatre, London, in March 2007. Behind the scenes
Click Here. 1.4.06
"Vizage"
illusionists are appearing in "A Night at the Music Hall" with Paul
Shane, Rosemary Squires, Freddie "Parrotface" Davies and Andy Eastwood at
The Grand Theatre, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1DE (Map)
www.grandtheatre.info from Tuesday 18th April to Saturday 22nd April
2006. Performance Times: Matinees 2.30pm (No matinee on Tuesday 18th),
Evenings 7.30pm. Ticket prices: £4.50 - £16.50p Box Office: 01902 429212. 1.4.06
Dynamo
in this weekend's Guardian Guide on Saturday. Dynamo talks
about growing up in Bradford, meeting some of the biggest artists on the
planet and starring in his own TV special 'Dynamo's Estate of Mind' which
will be broadcast on Channel 4 and E4 towards the end of May in the
feature. Next week he heads off to New York alongside cartoon band The
Gorillaz and De La Soul. The Gorillaz are to play a
five-night gig at New York's legendary Apollo Theatre, and Dynamo will be
performing magic backstage throughout the event.
www.dynamoworld.com. 1.4.06
Dobson's
Choice - TV Stuff Volume 2. We've got a clip from Wayne's new DVD this
week, Click Here.
Volume 2 in this three-part (to be) series features both original TV
footage and newly shot commentary from Wayne and once again there's some
brilliant material here, including Wayne's vent work in his Ring on
Rope routine. Featuring the Pyramid, Coin in Bottle, Silk in
Cigarette, Ring on Rope, Egg Bag, Passage of Time, Amazing Tale, Ringo
Rabbit, Invisible Deck, Sam Shovel and bonus footage: Sawing in Half and
Banana Drama. Worldwide playback, highly recommended. Order from:
www.waynedobson.co.uk. 1.4.06
NightIllusion.com
are now advertising with MagicWeek. Night Illusions was the brainchild of
magician Terry Knight MMC. Terry has been performing magic professionally
for over 12 years and in that time has adapted and redesigned many of his
working effects. Originally a design engineer by trade, Terry is more than
equipped to design his own range of easy to use magical effects. The site
includes a number of demonstration video clips, visit
www.nightillusions.com today! 1.4.06
The
Order of the Magi Annual Dinner and Cabaret 24th March 2006. Reported
by Geoffrey Newton PRO: The Order of the Magi Annual Dinner and Cabaret
continues to be the highlight of the society's year. For the fourth year
running the Irish World Heritage Centre was full to capacity with diners
enjoying this annual event. Guest of Honour was actress/director Noreen
Kershaw (photo left with President Peter Moran and his wife Helen) from
the BBC 'Life on Mars' and ITV 'Watching'. Another distinguished guest was
Tony Warren, the creator of Coronation Street. After a fine meal and witty
speeches the cabaret consisted of Steve Dela, The Magic Circle Young
Magician of the Year, Comedy Juggler Steve Royle and Illusionist Andrew
Green. All of which brought this wonderful evening to a resounding close.
The Magi dinners completely sell out very fast these days and the date of
the 2007 dinner is Friday 23rd March. Tickets go on sale on 12th December
2006 so make a note in your diary now to avoid disappointment. 1.4.06
Kockov
wins with a bang! Jasper Blakeley has won this year's Cardiff Magical
Society Cabaret Competition. It's the second time he's won by playing his
Russian alter-ego, Monrokvian Master-Magician - Vladimir Dimitri Kockov.
Despite strong competition from great acts, including escapologists,
linking ring performers, levitators, mentalists and balloonologists, it
was Kockov's original four gun Live Russian Roulette Routine that pulled
the most marks. Kockov will compere this Saturday night's C.M.S. Dinner in
Cardiff, followed by a charity performance of his one-man 90 minute show
at Barry Town FC on Friday April 7th. There are only few tickets left for
the show (£5.00 each) , email
magic@jasperblakeley.co.uk or call 07973 731335 for more information. 1.4.06
Brand
new balloon twisting website launches. Gordon Drayson has just
launched a brand new site for Balloon Twisters. The site is designed to inform and cover everything
"Balloon Twisting" related and readers are invited to register on the site
(free). Members will then be able to add a link to their websites, add
a location marker onto the world map, view and add to the calendar of
events, join in with chat via a dedicated mail-list chat and much more.
Members can upload their creations onto the photo gallery to share them
with fellow members. Visit
www.balloontwisting.co.uk for more information and to join. 1.4.06
Welsh
Witches of Eastwick. At the New Theatre, Cardiff, from the 18th to the
22nd of April, the Orbit Theatre Company
www.orbit-theatre.net will be performing the Welsh premiere of Cameron
Macintosh's West End show. The magical consultant for the show was Steve
Sanders,
Click
Here. 1.4.06
Tony
Parx, Ricky McLeod (photo) and Alexander Allan lecturer at the SAMS
2006 Convention in Greenock, Scotland on 28th-30th April. For more
information visit
www.scottishassociationofmagicalsocieties.co.uk. 1.4.06
John
Palfreyman is enjoying his 80th year by presenting his "Before he
hangs up his wand lecture tour." Recent appearances include The Cornish
Magicians, The Hull Magicians' Circle, and The Shropshire Magical Society,
and upcoming bookings include lectures in Hereford and Surrey. For more
information and to book John's lecture for your club, email
j.palfreyman@btopenworld.com. 1.4.06
International
Magic are running a special offer on Bicycle Cards throughout April -
available to personal callers only.
Click Here for details, or call in to International Magic, 89
Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5BX (Map). 1.4.06
James
Brown's DVD "Fancy a Pot of Jam?" is now available to pre-order from
his website (see the "Magicians Only" section which includes a trailer).
James is currently lecturing across the country and welcomes enquiries
from magic club secretaries.
www.jbmagicman.co.uk.
Produced by
www.alakazam.co.uk. 1.4.06
Ray
Roberts - From Goldilocks to Goldin. Bolton Magicians' Club are
pleased to announce that Ray Roberts will be presenting his lecture
entitled 'From Goldilocks to Goldin' on Wednesday 5th April at the Cotton
Tree, Prince Street, Bolton at 8.30pm. Ray will deal with aspects of
children's magic through to cabaret magic and illusion. Visiting magicians
from other societies are welcome. There will be an entrance fee of £3.
Further information:
www.bolton-magic.co.uk or telephone Jim Hodgkiss 01204 522651. 1.4.06
Another
Bite of the Cherry: Cheetah's Handbook Volume 2 is reviewed by Rich
Aviles this week. In ebook format it features work from Jamie Badman, John
Bodine, Luke Dancy, Andi Gladwin, Rob James, Kostya Kimlat, Colin Miller,
Robert Moreland, Jack Parker and Tyler Wilson over 70 pages. "The Cheetah
guys deliver the goods with this release. I believe even more so than in
the first volume. It's a limited release so my advice is to get it while
it's hot (while you can!). You will be rewarded with an ebook packed from
beginning to end with very creative, practical material that not everyone
on the block is performing." To read the review
Click Here. 1.4.06
Derren
Brown Trick of the Mind Series 2 - just released on DVD. The
award-winning Derren Brown returns with more Tricks of the Mind, combining
psychology with showmanship and a pinch of magic, with ambitious visual
stunts and celebrity guests. 2 hours 22 minutes, 16:9 Anamorphic (get your
Plasmas out), and Dolby Digital Stereo, available from Amazon.co.uk in
association with MagicWeek
Click Here. The first of the new series went out on Sunday evening and
once again Derren has upped the ante - brilliant stuff. 1.4.06
Tony 'Doc' Shiels. News from Quentin Reynolds: One of the founders of bizarre magick, Tony 'Doc' Shiels retired from active performing twenty years ago. Moving to Co. Kerry in south west Ireland, he devoted himself to painting (like Chan Canasta) and has had a number of exhibitions in Ireland and Cornwall, where he had lived for many years. Recently he has been working on a screenplay with a magic background, based in Blackpool, where Doc started his performing career. With the help of Prof. Eddie Dawes I have been able to track down some lost articles of Doc’s. If you Click Here you will find links to two articles, "Puzzlers or Paranormalists" a discussion on whether performers of mental magic claim to possess genuine psychic powers, and another on "Telling Ghost Stories." More articles will be added shortly. 1.4.06
Cowell goes for variety with new TV show. "Simon Cowell's new TV talent show promises to be a real circus. Singers, comedians, jugglers, animal acts and anyone else hungry for stardom will be welcome on 'America's Got Talent,' the summertime series that Cowell, the tart-tongued judge on Fox's 'American Idol,' is producing for NBC. Group acts or singles, old or young all are eligible to try for the $1 million prize, he told a telephone news conference Monday. 'You can be 2 years old, 100 years old. You can be the next Destiny's Child, you can be the next Jackson 5 or you can be the next David Copperfield,' Cowell said. To read the full story from ABC News Click Here. 1.4.06
DMI Productions have a customized illusion base for sale, which they produced but never actually used, for details visit: www.dmiproductions.co.uk/illusion • The College of Magic, South Africa, received full page coverage in the New York Times last week as well as receiving a front page feature on their website, to read the full story Click Here and for a PDF Click Here • Jon Allen lectures at the Mid Essex Magical Society on Thursday 6th April at 8pm • Phoa Yan Tiong passed away on March 22nd 2006 aged 79. Born in Batavia, Indonesia and of Chinese origin in his prime days he travelled all around Europe with his magic and he lectured in the USA • "Summer reading with a magical twist" Click Here • That's it for this week, see you next week, Duncan. 1.4.06