Number 305 - 29th April 2006

 

The Original Chinese Conjuror - A musical diversion suggested by the lives of Chung Ling Soo. Directed by Martin Duncan (Chichester Festival Theatre) starring Richard Morris and Andrew Watts. Music: Raymond Yiu, Text: Lee Warren. Saturday 1st, Sunday 2nd and Friday 7th July, at 9pm, Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, Islington, London N1 1TA (Map). Raymond Yiu and Lee Warren's new music theatre work tells the extravagant true story of William Robinson, whose onstage death at the Wood Green Odeon in 1918 brought to an end a brilliant magic career. For years he had fooled the British paying public into believing that he was a more exotic figure than proved the case. Young composer Raymond Yiu and his librettist (and magician) Lee Warren, have drawn on vaudeville, magic shows and musical theatre to tell this engaging story. The production receives its world premiere on Southworld Pier as part of this June's Aldeburgh Festival (15th, 17th, 18th June) before heading to the Almeida in London. Almeida Box Office: 020 7359 4404 www.almeida.co.uk. 29.4.06

 

Dynamo's Estate of Mind. Thursday 11th May, 11.05pm, Channel 4. "Street magician Dynamo is emerging as one of the most exciting talents around with his stylish and energetic approach to magic influenced by underground poker clubs and the hip-hop movement. This programme sees Dynamo and Marcus (his best mate and cameraman) embarking on a 48-hour journey from their home town of Bradford to the bright lights of London. Dynamo performs tricks in the infamous Delph Hill Estate where he grew up, his old school, and the youth clubs, bars and kebab shops where he first started performing his magic. Dynamo sets himself the challenge of blagging food, transport and access to night clubs and exclusive parties for the entire 48 hours with no money, using only his magic skills." Zeal Television for Channel 4. www.dynamoworld.com. Dynamo will also feature in MTV's new worldwide series 'Barrio 19' which starts on 7th May. 29.4.06

 

The Magic Circle Collectors Day. Saturday 3rd June at 9.30am. A gathering for people interested in the history of magic. There will be talks by Joseph Atmore on the American mentalist Dunninger, Ed Hill on Kellar, Jon Marshall on sideshow illusions, and video clips of Malini, Houdini, Goldston, Piddingtons, Canasta and more, many never seen before. Also Scot Penrose and friends will recreate some of the tricks of Karl Germaine. You don't need to be a member of The Magic Circle to attend. Tickets include lunch and are £30 for the day from The Magic Circle box office 020 7387 2222. The Magic Circle, 12 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD (Map) www.themagiccircle.co.uk. 29.4.06

 

Houdini in the Desert. "The greatest collection of magic in the world lies hidden inside a nondescript Las Vegas warehouse. Want access? At midnight, press the mannequin's brassiere. Enter the showroom of what appears to be a mail-order lingerie warehouse in an industrial section of Las Vegas. Press a button hidden in a mannequin's brassiere and a secret door swings wide, revealing an Ali Baba's trove of sports cars, vintage automatons, gargoyle heads, gadgetry and an electric chair. It's the secret workshop of David Copperfield, magician extraordinaire, whom Forbes visited one midnight. Here he keeps 80,000 books, illusions, posters and memorabilia that together conjure up the whole history of magic." To read the full story from Forbes Click Here. "David Copperfield Tricked Muggers" Click Here (includes latest video news). 29.4.06

 

Mind reading challenge in York city centre. A unique mind reading challenge is set to be performed in York City Centre. In an amazing test of mental skills, northern mind reader Kennedy will locate an unknown object hidden somewhere in the City Centre. Setting the challenge will be Paul Barrett, York City Centre Manager, who will secretly select an object and place it anywhere within the city's historic streets. Taking place on the morning of Thursday 18th May, the mind reading stunt is a press event launching the York Magic Festival, one of the first events of its kind in the UK. Members of the press will be able to follow Kennedy as he locates the object through the power of his mind. Kennedy says "This is going to be one of my hardest challenges to date. I'll be using all my skills and mind power – my reputation is literally at stake!" www.yorkmagicfestival.com. 29.4.06

 

One Hundred by Warlock. Elizabeth Warlock presents a copy of her book "One Hundred by Warlock" to The Magic Circle Library, seen here being received by librarian Peter Lane. Published by Richard Kaufman it comprises 100 favourite effects of her father Peter Warlock that he had created during his lifetime in magic, many of which had been published in various books and magic magazines (a number now defunct) over a period of some 70 years. Peter personally chose the effects for the book before his death at the age of 91 in 1995. The book is a tribute to his great love of magic and his very original thinking. 29.4.06

 

An all-new JezRose.co.uk launches (literally!). Jez Rose has a brand new website (www.jezrose.co.uk) which includes news of his fund raising foundation that raised £20,000 for charities last year, plus the first DVD teaching mind reading tricks aimed at the general public, and news of Jez Rose: All in Your Mind for ITV1; his upcoming TV show which will be screened shortly. Dates as soon as we have them. For more information visit www.jezrose.co.uk. 29.4.06

 

Magician is "Star Out of School" in new TV series. Teachers' TV is turning the spotlight on teachers in the new series "Stars Out of School", revealing just how talented so many are outside the classroom. One teacher featured in the series is Andrew Jeffrey from Windlesham Primary School in Brighton, who swaps being a Deputy Head and Maths teacher with being a semi-professional magician. Andrew, who is President of the Sussex Magic Circle, regularly performs close-up magic at the Komedia in Brighton. He has even developed his own maths magic act in which he uses magic to teach his pupils maths skills. "Stars Out of School - The Magician" featuring Andrew Jeffrey will be broadcast at 12.15pm on May 1st, followed by repeates. Teachers' TV broadcasts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on digital satellite (Sky 880), digital cable (NTL 803, Telewest 240), HomeChoice (845), and overnight for recording on Freeview (88). After this date it is available online via www.teachers.tv. Also see: www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk. 29.4.06

 

Congratulations to Etienne Pradier on his recent competition win in France where he was awarded 1st place in the Close-up Competition at the Colombe D'or in Juan les Pins. Etienne is currently on tour with MSN Microsoft visiting Singapore, China, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and India! 29.4.06

 

Jay Fortune is featured in Magic Profile this week. Top Trick? "Immortal by Robert E. Neale. It’s a card trick but uses the deck as a way of finding out how long the spectator has left to live. I have altered the handling and presentation making it highly comical (and ultimately more sick) than it already is! It also has meaning to it as the spectator actually cares about their card as opposed to most tricks which have all the personal interest of a can of Spam!" To read the full profile Click Here. 29.4.06

 

Blaine plans underwater stunt. "David Blaine's latest stunt will involve spending a week underwater. 'Drowned Alive' will take place in New York, and it will feature the magician submerged in an aquarium, with food and air supplied by tubes. He is also planning an attempt to break the record for breath-holding, which currently stands at eight minutes and 58 seconds." To read the full story from ITV.com Click Here. The stunt will be broadcast on ITV we understand. 29.4.06

 

Buy 2 Get 1 Free! When you purchase two or more Sankey Magic products from The Merchant of Magic www.magicshop.co.uk you will receive one of the Sankey Magic "Classic Series" DVDs worth £20 - free! For the entire month of May, chose from: Sankey Very Much, Short & Sweet, No Card Tricks, Sankey Live, Sankey 1999, and 45. (Let them know which DVD you'd like when you place your order) www.magicshop.co.uk. 29.4.06

 

Mark Shortland lectures at Southend Sorcerers Society on 7th May. Non-members are welcome to attend on payment of a £5 guest fee. The Sorcerers meet at Saxon Hall (previously known as Flights Leisure Centre), Aviation Way, Southend SS2 6UN (Map) 7.30pm for 8pm start. 29.4.06

 

Happy and Glorious: A Celebration of the Life of HRM Queen Elizabeth II "Featuring real life accounts of the pleasure and joy experienced by members of the public when they have met the Queen." Jack Stephens's report of his meeting, when he performed close-up magic for HRM Queen Elizabeth II at a small private dinner, is included. To order from Amazon.co.uk Click Here. 29.4.06

 

Breaking the Magician's Code is being shown once again ITV2 (6pm on Saturday 6th May). Switch on your TV, see how it's done. Soulless magic - without any fun. 29.4.06

 

Dave Allen AKA Magic Dave, Children's Entertainer of the Year, will be lecturing at the Home Counties Magical Society on Thursday 15th June and non members are welcome (£5.00 door charge). The lecture will start at 8pm at the Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9EH (Map) More information: Dan Hudson, Programme Secretary, programme@hcms.org.uk or 0118 93 10 981. 29.4.06

 

Magic Cavern Open Auditions. The Magic Cavern is looking for a magician or actor with magical knowledge to take the role of "first cover magician" to present the current production created by Richard Leigh. 'The Magic Cavern' is a stage show in the round at the intimate Barons Court Theatre. It is a one man show scripted and performed to music. Most performances sell out and audiences are 95% family audiences seeing a magic show for the first time. For further details email richard@falseimpressions.com with your CV, a cover letter and photo. Auditions will be held at The Magic Cavern, Barons Court Theatre, 'The Curtains Up' 28A Comeragh Road, London W14 9AU on Sunday mornings on the 14th, 21st and 28th May. 29.4.06

 

The Magic Cavern season of Sunday Matinees now runs to September 10th. Every Sunday at 3pm with extra matinees during school holidays. Guest performance slots are available for most matinees. Contact richard@falseimpressions.com www.falseimpressions.com. 29.4.06

 

York Society of Magicians Annual Auction. Wednesday 10th May 2006. Once again this popular and well attended auction will be held at the Next Generation Centre, Windmill Lane, Hull Road, York YO10 3LG (Map). Doors open 6pm, auction commences at 7pm (till late). Admission £2.00. With 17 lots already booked in it looks like being another very full evening night. There is still space for another 3 or 4 lots. Contact Michael Shepherd on 01904 709500 or email michaelshepherd@castlemagicalservices.co.uk. 29.4.06

 

Teenager's amazing hat-trick. "A teenager has weaved his magic over judges at a top magician's convention. Joe Harper, 14, dazzled judges at the Northern Magic Circle's Easter Parade with his 10-minute routine, featuring five amazing tricks. Among the crowd was one of Joe's magical heroes, Paul Daniels. Driffield School student Joe, of The Mount, said: 'It was brilliant. It was a small convention so we got to meet everybody and Paul Daniels was really nice.'" To read the full story in Diffield Today Click Here. 29.4.06

 

Dade Freeman (Kinesis) emails: The Magic Experience - Leicester 22nd to 27th August will not be going ahead due to one of the funding bodies pulling out. I would like to thank all those who offered their time and assistance with this project." 29.4.06

 

"Magic and knickers in festival line-up" Click Here • The Corporate Zone Magic Day is reviewed by Marc Dominic this week, Click Here • "Magician pulls reappearing act" Click Here • "Young magician's success no illusion" Click Here • "Edward Norton starrer 'The Illusionist' to big screen in August" Click Here • Thanks to everyone who submitted news this week - the deadline for all submissions is 12 noon Friday. Have a good bank holiday weekend, see you next week, Duncan. 29.4.06

 

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