Number 349 - 3rd March 2007
"There is always an air of anticipation
at the registration desk of a magic convention but it seems to be more
intense at Blackpool. Perhaps it is because, with over 3500 delegates, it
is the biggest magic convention in the world. Perhaps it is because it is
the only convention that some magicians go to. Perhaps it is because
organiser Derek Lever always provides a superb line-up of magical talent
each year. Whatever it is it works..." Peter Eldin and Mandy Davis report
on the Blackpool
Magicians' Club 55th Annual Convention this week,
Click Here.
3.3.07
Don't
miss The Illusionist which was released in cinemas throughout the UK
yesterday. On Monday, magic consultant James Freedman hosted a special
preview screening to a full house of journalists and magicians. James also
gave interviews on national radio and to the Daily Express last week, and
appeared on 'Richard and Judy' on Channel 4 yesterday (photo) to talk
about his work on the film. Known for his pickpocket skills James wowed
the couple with some close-up magic during the chat, which included a
couple of card tricks and an excellent coin routine. He then demonstrated
the definitive answer to Judy's "is the hand faster than the eye?"
question... See 'What's on near me?':
http://film.guardian.co.uk "Norton is simply magic"
Click Here.
www.dynamicfx.co.uk
www.nothingiswhatitseems.co.uk.
3.3.07
Day of Magic
- The Leamington & Warwick Magic Society are once again holding an
annual 'Day of Magic' - this year on Sunday 15th April from 10am to 4pm, and
are proud to welcome star lecturer, Gregory Wilson (photo).
Greg is a two-time FISM award winner with a number of best selling DVDs to
his credit and was a hit at the Blackpool Convention. There will
also be a lecture by Alain the Storyteller, current holder of the BMS
Close-up Magician of the Year title and leading British performer of
Bizarre Magick. Plus mini dealer dems from Merlins of Wakefield, Andrew
Normansell, Keith Bennett, Kaymar Magic and Made to Measure Magic. The
compère for the day will be Paul Kybert. Refreshments available
throughout. Venue: Cubbington Sports & Social Club, Windmill Hill,
Cubbington, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 7LN (Map).
Pre-booked tickets £10 or £15 on the day. Available from Ivor Williamson,
4 Woodleigh Road, Westwood Heath, Coventry CV4 8GT Telephone 024 7646
2701.
3.3.07
One
Night in Vegas featuring Daniel Dean is currently on tour across the
UK. "With beautiful dancing girls, spectacular costumes, big band swing
and powerful musical numbers this show has been wowing audiences across
the whole country. Featuring West End performers. If you like it big
glitzy and glamorous then this show is for you. With its dazzling lights
and special effects. Starring the outstanding showmanship of
singer/songwriter Martyn Lucas and Daniel Dean, a British Champion of
Illusion, as he performs the breathtaking illusions which won him the
title. All this and much more assisted by fabulous showgirls... to give
you the ultimate Vegas style show." For tour dates, booking information and
online video visit:
www.onenightinvegas.co.uk.
3.3.07
James
Brown
www.jbmagicman.co.uk lectures at the
Home Counties Magical
Society on Thursday 15th March - non members are welcome (£5.00). The
lecture starts at 8pm (doors open at 7pm) at the Shinfield Parish Hall,
School Green, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9EH (Map)
Contact Dan Hudson, Programme Secretary, for more information
programme@hcms.org.uk or 0118
93 10 981.
3.3.07
Terry
Herbert recently presented his excellent lecture for
The South Lincs Magical Society with magicians visiting from
Peterborough Magicians and the North East Lincs Magic Circle. Terry was
made an Honoury Life Member of The Society for his services to magic and
can be seen here receiving a Certificate from President Burger Bill.
3.3.07
Alakazam's
Top Five Blackpool Sellers: 1. Collard, 2. Decisions, 3. Taylor Made
Booktest, 4. Unexpected DVD, 5. Ice Coins. "The basic outline of Collard
begins with you introducing a large stuffed toy dog and announcing that
you would like the audience to name him or her for you. Now you have
several spectators in the audience call out a letter at a time, which you
make a note of on your home-made birth certificate! Note at this point -
none of the letters are forced and they can spell out even the most
bizarre of names! You now have a spectator join you on the stage and draw
their attention to the dog that has been sitting at the other side of the
stage and especially the collar that he or she is wearing. They will see
that the collar already has a name on it... impossibly, it matches the
previous randomly selected name exactly!" Watch video clips and see all
the latest releases at
www.alakazam.co.uk.
3.3.07
WD40.
The semi-hardback edition of the Wayne Dobson book, WD40, was launched at
last weekend's Blackpool Convention and quickly became a strong seller.
The book contains 40 of Wayne's top routines plus his life story 'Star
Struck' - we hope to bring you a review shortly. Magicseen are the publishers of
both the semi-hardback and also the limited edition version of the book
which is due to be released at the end of March. Orders for both editions
can be made directly from the Magicseen website at
www.magicseen.co.uk
or via
www.waynedobson.co.uk.
3.3.07
The
Money Roller is in stock! Top Secret's Malcolm Norton emails to let us
know that The Tony Lackner Money Roller is now in stock: "This is the same
effect as performed by Paul Zenon on his television special! It has taken
years for me to track this down! But finally here they are... The
performer take a blank strip of paper and states it is an unprinted £10
note (any denomination could be used). The paper is placed into the roller
tray and you proceed to move the roller over the paper visually printing
the £10 note. The illusion is perfect and will blow away any spectator.
Just imagine paying for your drinks in the bar with this! Get yours now
while you can!"
Click Here more details and to order.
3.3.07
Mix
N' Mingle with Shaun McCree. Just released by rsvpmagic.com - a brand
new twin disc DVD set, starring one of the UK's busiest close-up workers, Shaun
McCree. "This is one of our most ambitious projects yet, running at over
three and a half hours on two DVDs. I've spent a long time trying to
convince Shaun to make public his working material and I've finally
succeeded!", says Russ Stevens, head of rsvpmagic.com. Close-up
magician Peter Duffie said "I have known Shaun McCree ever since he turned
pro 20 years ago. Everything I have seen Shaun do has been top-notch. A
creator of new and exciting magic using original methods is a rarity. I
can't recommend this DVD set highly enough." For more information and to
watch a clip visit
www.rsvpmagic.com.
3.3.07
Urbantrix
presents Matt G' at 7.45pm on Saturday 3rd March "After a long period
of performing abroad Matt G' is now back touring the UK with his upbeat
stage act. A fantastic mix of mind reading, magic and illusion." Bromley
Little Theatre, North Street, Bromley. Kent BR1 1SD (Map). Tickets £6.00
per person which must be booked in advance through Ticket Web or
www.urbantrix.co.uk in advance. No tickets will be sold on the night.
Contact:
management@urbantrix.co.uk.
3.3.07
International
News. The legendary magic collection of entertainer Jay Marshall will
be sold at auction on Saturday, May 5th, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency
Woodfield Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Jay Marshall
(1919-2005), whose career included performances in vaudeville, nightclubs,
TV and on Broadway, assembled one of the finest collections of
magic-related material of the 20th century. The collection includes books,
posters, magic props, and memorabilia touching on 300 years of magic
history. At his death, a portion was donated to the American Museum of
Magic. However, an outstanding selection of rare and collectible books,
posters and ephemera will be offered at this sale... Posters and
autographed books of Houdini, including books from his personal library. A
1781 edition of Hocus Pocus and other important 18th- and 19th- century
magic books. Books signed and inscribed by Professor Hoffmann. Many modern
books inscribed by their authors to Jay Marshall. Ephemera and publicity
materials of Herrmann, Kellar, Thurston, Blackstone and others, including
scrapbooks, photos, handbills, postcards, throwout cards, etc. A
descriptive and illustrated catalog for the auction will be available
online from April 1st at
www.squashpublications.com. More information: Jay Marshall Auction,
c/o Meyerbooks, PO Box 427, Glenwood, IL 60425, USA. or Jay Marshall
Auction, c/o Squash Publishing, 2903 N. Richmond, Chicago, IL 60618, USA.
Contact Gabe Fajuri,
gfajuri@ameritech.net or David Meyer
meyerbooks@sbcglobal.net.
3.3.07
The
Second 16th Card Book. Tom Craven (a regular at Obie O'Brien's FFFF)
and Paul Gordon's "The Second 16th Card Book" is now in stock. With
contributions by Harry Lorayne, Phil Goldstein (Max Maven), Karl Fulves,
Marty Kane, Peter Duffie, Justin Higham, Roy Walton and eight other
leading cardmen. Fifty card effects over 110 pages. Paul kindly sent
through a copy and I can see this title being snapped up by card magicians
everywhere as it is full of great material. If you were at Blackpool and
saw Paul Gordon performing non-stop magic in The Ruskin Hotel most of the
effects he did were from this new book! Visit
www.paulgordon.net/acatalog to order and for more information. (Harry
Lorayne's long-awaited Best of Friends III, featuring with five effects
from Paul Gordon, is now available directly from Harry Lorayne.) Paul
Gordon presents a new lecture for The Sussex Magic Circle in Lewes, Sussex
on Thursday 24th May 2007. If interested in attending, contact Stuart
Harley magic@stuartharley.co.uk.
The lecture will feature magic from the new book.
3.3.07
Mitox.
When you perform mentalism do your audience believe it's real? "For me
performing mentalism is about giving people a window into a world where
the things that I do are possible. Imagine how your audience will respond
when they are faced with a person, not a trick, not a routine, a living
breathing human being whose very existence redefines what is possible. I’m
talking about addressing your craft as a professional, as a craftsman, and
developing a toolkit which will allow you to become something unique..."
Mitox, 148mm x 210mm, 165 Pages, £25.00 (ex delivery). Find out more from
http://mitox.phillsmiff.com.
3.3.07
The
Prestidigital team have been at it again and are pleased to announce
the release of Prestidigital 4. This features a great interview with
Charlie Frye including his super-clean bill switch, as well as the usual
DVD-Rom features, 'Real World Reviews' 'Clip-O-Rama' and a guide to
'Surviving a Magic Convention' with self-help advice from FISM! Visit the
website for the full contents and more:
www.prestidigital.tv.
3.3.07
Congratulations
to Colchester magician Michael J Fitch winner of the United Kingdom Children's Entertainer of the Year
2007 title at the Blackpool Convention. Michael has been performing magic since
the age of four and has worked all over the country, including a
performance at Buckingham
Palace for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Michael and
his wife are expecting their second baby in April, so Michael is donating
his
prize money to a local Children's charity linked with the special baby
care unit. www.michaeljfitch.co.uk.
"Magician wins prestigious competition"
Click Here.
3.3.07
Practical
Magic are offering a brand new catalogue to readers, which was being
given out at the Blackpool Convention last week. A4 sized, with 60 glossy
pages and over 250 full colour photographs, the items in the catalogue are
aimed mainly at the children's entertainer and the stage magician, with a
small number for close-up, though there are plenty of essentials listed as
well, such as rope, sponge balls and a huge variety of silks. The
catalogue is free, but 4 x First Class stamps would be appreciated to
defray postal costs. (Overseas postage will be charged at cost.) For your
copy, write to Practical Magic, Gadlas Villa, Gadlas, Ellesmere,
Shropshire SY12 9DY.
3.3.07
Congratulations
to Magic Circle member Steve Price on winning the Fellowship of
Christian Magicians United Kingdom (FCMUK) Stage Competition held in
Swanwick on February 20th. "FCMUK is part of an international group of
Christians who use their performing abilities to promote the Christian
faith. Previous winners include Pete McCahon and Mark Shortland. Steve
performed a couple of his favourite comedy cabaret items to scoop first
prize. Steve also presented a workshop entitled 'Three ideas for a family
service' and closed the public show with an act which included a death
defying guillotine illusion. Steve will be performing later in the year at
Cheltenham Bible Festival, Firm Foundations and Leading Edge – as well as
many other events." For more information visit
www.stevepriceillusions.co.uk or
www.fcmuk.org.
3.3.07
Good
to see Mark Raffles looking so fit following his recent surgery, seen
here with Ann L Roe (Jones) and Ali Bongo early on Friday morning at the
Blackpool convention. The card that Mark is holding is a Christmas card of
Ali, from an original in oils, by Ann.
3.3.07
Magicians
Wanted for BBC Show. "The second series of Brian Conley’s Let Me
Entertain You is coming to primetime on the BBC, and we are looking
for Magicians of all ages who can entertain our audience for a maximum of
three minutes. If you can bring something truly amazing to the show, you
could win BIG prizes." For more information call 020 8846 2091 or email
john.adams@liontv.co.uk.
3.3.07
Blockbookers Ltd email: "Blockbookers Ltd are proud to announce that El Loco has had the privilege and honour to be asked to perform at The Agents Association Annual Ball in Stratford. After storming the Playlist Showcase in Blackpool and The Showcall Showcase in Park Hall it's proof that Loco is going from strength to strength, and Blockbookers Ltd are proud to represent him. Many thanks to Wayne Dobson for his kind words to him at the Magic Convention, it's nice to know that the professionals are now beginning to recognize his talents." 3.3.07
Valerie and Gilles Mageux email from France: "We are in the process of writing a book called 'The Art of Costume Change & Its Artists Throughout Time' These artists have been magicians, comedians, dancers, and singers to name a few. For our research we need to acquire as much material as possible. This is where you can help as we need to find as many documents and posters on this subject. Your help will be much appreciated and credit in the book will be given for anything used. For further information please email us at the address below. Thank you." Valerie and Gilles Mageux valeriemageux@wanadoo.fr. 3.3.07
Michael Hurll Television Ltd email: "I hope the readers of MagicWeek, can help me with this research request for a TV show. Are there hidden, or packed away in sheds, attics, barns or garages, in Britain, or Europe, stage magic props and any really big prop illusions? Circuses in Eastern Europe - old music hall magic revues? Are there any 'grande illusion- makers' / builders around? I am looking particularly for dangerous, ghoulish, freaky illusions. To be performed either on location from a famous landmark, or within a Studio L.E. Production Scene or dramatic scenario. 'Expensive looking type productions - 'Big Ben', Loch Ness, Wembley Stadium, or a spectacular studio revue production with dancers and effects... Disappearing an Elephant, catching a bullet in the teeth, Loch Ness strait-jacket escape under water, blindfold driving thru the West End, 20,000 volts through body, crossbow of death, circular saw escape, anything with electricity, fire, water, levitation etc. If you can provide the mechanism, I can get the settings, decor and casings constructed." Performer 18 -25 and consultant also need. Contact Michael Hurll Television Ltd. for more information: mh@ucgtv.com Office Tel: 0208 987 6400, Mob:07889 983279 MHTV, 114 Power Road, London W4 5PY. 3.3.07
Neil Bonner emails: "There seems to be some confusion about Keith Barry's ITV show but I think I have cleared it up. According to Keith's management, the piece in the Irish Post about him landing a six-part ITV series is "rubbish." Your original story was correct - it's a one-off show, though he is likely to do more if it's a success. It will be on Saturday, May 19th and will be live." 3.3.07
Newly
crowned European Magical Close-up Champion Jerome Burgeon (France)
seen here with last year's winner Marc Oberon. Olmac was placed second and
Mark Shortland third (photo by Alan Jones) • "Photo special:
Burnham-On-Sea's Lakeside Club raises laughs and cash"
Click Here •
Thanks to Mats Kjellström for this link:
www.erdnase.com •
Your UK news and reviews are always welcome - see you next week, Duncan. 3.3.07