Number 308 - 20th May 2006
David
Blaine Night on ITV. Buried Alive, Street Magic,
Frozen in Time and the all-new David Blaine: Drowned Alive will
be shown back to back on Saturday 27th May on ITV 1 and 4. The new
two-hour special is Blaine's spell-binding journey of mind, body and soul
in preparation for his latest breathtaking feat. Blaine, 33, has been
training for this most difficult challenge with a world class free-diving
team led by internationally renowned trainer Kirk Krack. Free-diving or
breath-hold diving is a competitive water sport without any underwater
breathing apparatus. For the first time, viewers will be taken inside
Blaine's home, as his trainers and coaches put him through punishing
physical and mental training. Blaine faces additional challenges in the
tank including hypothermia, blacking out, skin problems with his hands and
feet and nerve damage. He will need to acclimatise himself in the sphere
by regulating his breathing, sleeping at regular intervals and maintaining
his hydration levels and will receive liquid nutrition through a tube. The
longer Blaine stays underwater, the more body heat he will lose, his core
temperature will drop and the more oxygen he will use, making the
challenge much more grueling... Houdini would have loved this one! See
TV Magic for times. For David Blaine
posters and more visit
www.davidblaine.com.
"David Blaine Announces Next Stunt"
Click Here. 20.5.06
Losander
tours magic clubs in the UK
starting with the Blackpool Magicians' Club on May 22nd and finishing at the
Downtown Magic Club in Kent, on June 13th. "Dirk Losander - a master of
the art of levitation. Magic happens everywhere in any place when Losander
is there. He creates real miracles!" For details see
What's On. 20.5.06
Dominatricks
by Tyler Wilson, has just been published by Andi Gladwin.
"Dominatricks is a magic book that drips with style. It's soft-backed,
innovation-stacked and action-packed with 150 pages of material Tyler
counts on night after night to transform deafening laughter into stunned
silence. You can build a professional close-up / walk-around act on these
routines. Tyler did. Nothing is left out: you get the full handlings,
presentations, jokes and tips reaped from thousands of real world
performances." Tyler performed at the Session Convention in January and
got a fantastic reaction. This book includes 20 professional close-up
magic routines and sleights, a CD containing a performance video, bonus
material and more, with a foreword by David Acer. We've heard very good
things about this one already, and hope to have a review shortly. For more
information and to order visit
www.andigladwin.co.uk today! (There's even a version for left handed
magicians. Now that's what I'd call attention to detail, and gives you
some idea of the work and pride that has gone into this publication.) 20.5.06
Kevin
conjures up a career after TV fame. One year after his appearance on
TV's Faking It former Scots physicist Kevin McMahon is cutting out
a career as a comedy-magician and preparing for his first Edinburgh
Festival. After his time in the make-believe world of TV, he returned to
his old job as a PhD researcher at Heriot Watt University. Two hours
later, he chucked it in and declared: "I'm going to be a magician." Like
anyone in their first year in business, 25-year-old Kevin has faced
challenges he never imagined. "After I'd had my '15 minutes of fame' a
little over a year ago, that's when the tricky part – pardon the pun -
began. As so many people starting a small business find, just running it
takes over your life, and you think of little else. I wouldn't go back
however; the adrenalin rush when things go right is irreplaceable. It's
been a slog, and I've had moments of both joy and despair, but it's
thrilling, and financially I've got back up to where I was before I
started, so hopefully the future is magic." Said Kevin, who makes his
Edinburgh Fringe debut with a character-based comedy magic show this
summer. Tricks I Have Learned Since Being On Telly is the story of
three unforgettable characters all played by Kevin. Previews from August
3rd, opens August 6th at the Roxy 2, Lady Glenorchy's Close, Roxburgh
Place EH8 9EB. Grid Ref: E6. Venue Box Office: 0871 750 0077 Fringe box
office: 0131 226 0000, also see:
www.edfringe.com and
www.kevinmcmahonmagic.com. 20.5.06
Congratulations
to magician Paul Craven who, running in memory of his cousin Simon,
completed the London Marathon on St George's Day in just over four and a
half hours, raising close to £6000 for the charity Children with
Leukaemia. This finisher's picture was taken only minutes after he crossed
the line, I wonder if he is the first person ever to have done a card
flourish for an official marathon photograph?! The 5 of spades signifies
Paul's 5th marathon in as many years. "I wasn't sure that I would have
enough energy after 26.2 miles even to smile, let alone get the cards out
- but it was, as ever, a fantastic day when you genuinely see the best
side of humanity - it really is a magical event." Said Paul. Visit
www.bmycharity.com for more details of Paul's motivation and to make a
charitable donation. 20.5.06
Michael
Diamond has a new website which will be of interest to magicians that are
into Bizarre Magic and Sideshow Stunts:
www.bizarremagic.co.uk. The site also includes a link to
www.dragonskull.co.uk featuring Michael's range of 'Bizarre Magic'
products. Michael Diamond also lectures - interested club secretaries
should email
diamond_jade_illusion@hotmail.com for details. 20.5.06
Latin-Magic
have just returned from the P&O Oceana, where they were presenting their
unique illusion show that combines Latin dance, magic and illusion. The
act was an instant hit, and they will be returning in July. For more
pictures and news visit
www.latin-magic.biz. 20.5.06
Sean Carpenter Lecture.
Described by The Stage as outstanding, the British Champion of Close-up
Magic 2003 lectures at The Pentacle Club. Don't miss it! 8pm on Tuesday
23rd May at St Laurences School, Arbury Road, Cambridge, CB4 2JX (Map)
Tickets £5 for non-members. Contact Alan Maskell, Secretary, on 01223
462647
AlanMaskell@TheMagicCircle.co.uk
www.seancarpenter.co.uk. 20.5.06
COMAGI
Corporate Magic is pleased to announce that co-owner Allan Petrie was
awarded the Children's Entertainer of the Year award at the Scottish
Magical Championships held in Greenock at the end of April. Allan competed
against some of the top Children's entertainers in the country including a
contestant from Germany.
www.comagi.co.uk. 20.5.06
Da
Vinci Code Book Test. Brand new from
www.trickshop.com "At last, the world's hottest book can now be one of
your hottest mentalism effects. A phrase, on a randomly selected page in
The Da Vinci Code, is revealed by a prediction; encrypted with an ancient
cipher. What's more, aside from a prediction slip encoded using the
ancient cipher discussed in the book and an easy-to-use decryption key (we
supply ready-to-print artwork for both), everything else you need to
perform this effect can be borrowed... paper, pens, the book and a deck of
cards. There are absolutely no gimmicks or advance preparation required,
and you finish completely clean! How many other Book Tests can stand up to
those claims?" We were kindly sent a copy, clever stuff from
www.trickshop.com, very topical, and great value too at just $4.95 as
an instant PDF download. 20.5.06
Simon
Lovell's Strange & Unusual Hobbies show is reviewed by Steve Evans
this week "The show opened with a card trick where the chosen card was
transposed (in a spectator’s hands) with a previously discovered 'wrong
card' - something that Simon said he was very good at finding! This was
card work level 1 but was also a perfect demonstration of Simon’s ability
to sell what he is doing to an audience as they were fried when the chosen
card was finally revealed..." To read the full review
Click Here. 20.5.06
The
Cups & Balls has long been the favourite trick of Tony Shiels.
While he is well known in mentalism circles for his major contribution to
bizarre and storytelling magic - and indeed for the world-wide publicity
he achieved when he raised the Loch Ness Monster - it might surprise
readers to know that the Cups & Balls was one of the mainstays of his
touring show. He became obsessed with learning all he could about the Cups
& Balls and his original research has now been compiled and edited into an
easy to read ebook you can either read online or download immediately -
there is no charge. This is not a book of technique but one of research
and makes fascinating reading for the Cups & Balls student. Visit
www.theshielseffect.com (and click on Expert Escamoteur's Equipment on
the left). 20.5.06
Graham
Lee has more Care & Share Balloon Jam/Workshop days coming up.
He's in Mildenhall on Wednesday 7th June and Ashford on Wednesday 12th July.
Both days are being sponsored by Sempertex Balloons (more info:
www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk). In June he visits the Millennium
Jam in Belgium, an event that is attended by over 250 balloon twisters
from around the world. Graham is organising an all-inclusive trip; for
more information email:
info@balloonartwholesale.co.uk. 20.5.06
Auction
of magical effects that belonged to Len Neil who passed away in 2004.
The Merlin Magical Society are auctioning Len Neil's magic collection on
Thursday, June 1st at 7.30pm at Little Heath Parish Hall, Thornton Road,
Potters Bar EN6 1JJ (Map)
The auction will run from 8pm to 10pm. Entry fee £5.00 for non members;
contact John Clayton on 01708 732298 or Ali-Cardabra on 0208 807 1663 in
advance to reserve a place. The auction will include 200 tricks and books
including a signed edition of The Magic of Robert Harbin (No. 339, reserve
set at £300) and bound Abracadabras Volume 1 to 60 (reserve set at £120).
For more information contact John Clayton on 01708 732298. 20.5.06
Vizage
will be appearing at six nights a week in two alternating shows throughout
the summer: Summer Spectacular '06 and Viva Las Vegas,
nightly at 8pm at The Spa Theatre, Spa Complex, South Bay, Scarborough
YO11 2HD (Map)
www.scarboroughspa.co.uk from 25th May to 30th September 2006. Monday,
Tuesday Wednesday: Summer Spectacular at 8pm and Thursday, Friday and
Saturday Viva Las Vegas. Box Office 01723 357869 Tickets £9.75 Concessions
£8.75 Children £6.75 Family Ticket (2 + 2) £29.00 20.5.06
Magicians holidaying on the Greek island of Zakynthos (Zante) should look out for Scotland's Paul Brignall who will be presenting his popular Comedy Cabaret and close-up magic in the resorts of Kalamaki, Argassi and Lagana throughout the summer. www.ukscreen.com/company/paulbrigna. 20.5.06
Sheffield Circle of Magicians have the following lectures lined up for 2006: Martin Cox (June 1st), Roger Curzon (September 20th), Dave Charles (November 21st). Lectures are held at the Three Cranes Pub on Queens Street, Sheffield starting at 7.30pm sharp. For more information contact Simon Green 01142 488725. 20.5.06
Johnson Magic. Nic Picot has a good range of Johnson Magic products available to order on his website: www.magicfm.org. 20.5.06
Conjuring up some deceptively good fun. Edinburgh Magic Circle Open Night, Pleasance Cabaret Bar. "Television has a lot to answer for if you're a magician. These days, it seems if you can't produce a Jumbo Jet from behind a two foot square curtain, walk across the Grand Canyon on thin air or survive certain death in the clutches of an iron maiden, then you can't be very good. In the days of David Nixon and Ali Bongo, the real trick was to keep coming up with new ways to sell the same card tricks and sleight of hand stunts with metal hoops. Paul Daniels might have upped the ante a bit, but it was still more or less the same prestidigitation repackaged. Audiences are more sophisticated these days. Many people have a rough idea how the big stunts are done because they've seen TV shows revealing their secrets...." To read the full piece by Martin Lenonin the Scotsman Click Here. 20.5.06
It's a scam! Just a quick reminder, especially for anyone who is new to the internet, that there are thousands of internet scams out there, some now targeting entertainers. Typically they will involve up-front offers of payment that ultimately involve the recipient banking a cheque and then being obliged to forward on money, as the initial payment was too large (for whatever reason). The original banked cheque will eventually be returned to you, by your bank, as a worthless piece of paper... and you'll be out of pocket. Beware! 20.5.06
The 46th Bristol Day of Magic is reviewed by Mandy Davis this week (thanks Mandy!) Click Here • "Robbie plans mystical element for tour" Click Here • "Master of Illusion - David Copperfield blurs line between magic and reality at Dodge Arena" Click Here • "Singer and Illusionist Darren Romeo Receives Standing Ovation from Legendary Magician David Copperfield" Click Here • That's it, thanks to everyone who contributed news this week, see you next week, Duncan. 20.5.06