Number 351 - 17th March 2007

David Acer, Manuel Muerte, Rafael, Terry Seabrooke, Graham P Jolley, Frank Carson, Noel Britten, Xavier, Mortimer, Quentin Reynolds and Philippe Beau head the lineup at the 57th IBM Ring 85 Irish Magic Convention in May. The Convention runs from May 4th - 6th and coincides with two of the city's most exciting cultural events; The Festival of Fools International Street Theatre Event and 'The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival'. Special rates have been negotiated for convention delegates staying at the five star Hilton (contact the Hilton on 02890 277000). For registration details contact George Bleeks on 07860115611 george.bleeks@ntlworld.com and for all additional information contact Paul McEneaney on 07866490381 paul@cahootsni.com www.online-usm.com. Photo: David Acer. 17.3.07

Feed The Children Variety Performance 2007 - An Evening of Magic, Comedy, Music, Dance and Illusion. Mark Shortland presents: John Archer, Alan Shaxon, Guy Barrett, Roy Davenport, Bertie Pearce, Michael Pearse, Jonathan Shotton, the fabulous Performers Dance Company and Charlotte Rogers, an exciting young new singing talent currently supporting Eton Road. With close-up magic from Kerry Scorah, Mike Alderman, Chris Pratt and David Ball. A truly outstanding show not to be missed! Saturday 24th March at 7pm at Bearwood College Theatre, Bearwood Road, Sindlesham, Wokingham RG41 5BG (Map). For tickets call: 0118 932 0095 (hurry!). Adults £15, Under 16s £10, Family of 4 £45, Group of 10 adults £140. Group of 10 children £90. Feed The Children is an independent charity that receives no funding from Government or the DEC. All donations are gratefully received and can be made at www.feedthechildren.org.uk. 17.3.07

Northern Magic Circle 51st Easter Parade, 7th - 9th April 2007. The Swallows Three Tuns Hotel, Durham. Featuring: Gala shows, Dealers, Competitions, Workshops, Children's Showtime, Junior Show and a Ladies Event. For more details contact the registration officer: Bill Peckitt, 18 Pentland Drive, Huntington, York YO32 9PQ Telephone 01904 762910 www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk. 17.3.07

Etienne Pradier lectures at the Home Counties Magical Society on Thursday 19th April. Non members are welcome (£5 charge) and the lecture will start 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 telephone 0118 93 10 981. 17.3.07

Perth Magic Circle Magic Show. Perth Magic Circle stage their annual magic show on Tuesday April 3rd, at the Perth & District Ex-Servicemen's Club, 8-10 Brown Street, Perth. "We are very excited to announce that our headline act and special guest star performer for the evening will be the wonderful Jay Scott Berry. Unbelievably all of the 100 ticket allocation sold out within the hour, but please get in touch with PMC secretary Michael McMillan 07818034396 and he will put you on the list in case of any cancellations." 17.3.07

Chris Congreave is seen here alongside a Sean Connery look-a-like at a recent car launch for Nissan in Guildford. Chris's Ice Coins DVD was released at the Blackpool convention and is now available from www.alakazam.co.uk, and we've heard good reports following a recent lecture that Chris gave to the Kidderminster League of Magicians, "If the selection of effects that he did is anything to go by, get one quick [the DVD] as I am sure they will go like hot cakes" emailed Jimmy Carlo. To book Chris to lecture at your magic club visit www.christophercongreave.co.uk. 17.3.07

Malin Nilsson, magic consultant for the Cherry Orchard at Malmö Theatre of Drama. Chekhov's the Cherry Orchard is one of his most famous works and has been seen on stage the world over since it premièred at the Theatre of Moscow in 1904. The UK production was mentioned last week and another is about to open in Sweden. The play features a female conjuror who, in one scene, entertains with magic. Professional magician Malin Nilsson was brought in to consult on this scene. Apart from teaching the actress Katarina Lundgren-Hugg, a conjuror's "characteristic moves", she also had to reinvent methods for the tricks described in the manuscript. The play premieres at "Intiman" in Malmö, Sweden on March 30th. Malin herself is currently performing for the public at the theatre Victoria with her variety show "Varieté Säkra Filéer" (the title doesn’t translate into English, but has something to do with variety and fish - and is extremely witty in Swedish!). 17.3.07

The Young Magicians of Mann present MAGIC! at the Douglas Youth Centre, Kensington Road, IOM on Sunday 25th March from 2pm - 3.30pm "Magic Dance and illusions for all the family" All tickets £5.00 each from the Youth Office: 01624 686057. Contact person - Mike Clague, 01624 878328.. 17.3.07

Meet Steve Dela. Humberside Young Magicians' Workshop are hosting a 'Meet Steve Dela' morning on Saturday 31st March from 10.30am - 1pm. Steve, current Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year, is appearing in the after-dinner theatre show at Hull Magicians' Circle Annual Dinner on Friday 30th March and has kindly agreed to talk, show some of his magic and demonstrate some of his original ideas to Humberside Young Magicians' group on Saturday 31st March. There will be items for sale. They would like to share this meeting with other young magicians in the region and extend an invitation to them, accompanied by an adult, to join them for this informal event. And bring a trick or two! There is no charge and light refreshments will be available. It’s at Hessle Town Hall, South Lane, Hessle, Nr Hull HU13 0RR (Map). Contact Richard Morrell if you would like to attend. Telephone 01482 375514 email rich@magician.org.uk www.stevedela.co.uk. 17.3.07

Paul Gordon presents an "all new" card magic lecture for the Winchester Magic Circle On May 3rd at 8pm. Contact Rob Gafney for details: president@winchestermagic.com www.paulgordon.net. 17.3.07

Three past presidents from The Order of the Magi (Peter Moran, Geoffrey Newton and Mike Sharples) in their green rimmed, Guinness sponsored toppers arranged the society’s entry in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manchester City Centre last Sunday. This annual event consists of floats, bands and walking supporters and is a mile long as it wends its way from Cheetham Hill through to the Town Hall in Albert Square (receiving the salute form The Lord Mayor) and back to the starting point. Throughout the route the team handed out balloon sculptures and puzzle cards to the thousands of well wishers lining the streets. 'The Irish World Heritage Centre has been our headquarters for over 10 years now and we share a very cordial relationship with them. It was a pleasure to support the Irish community in Manchester on this important occasion. Up to date details of all our activities are always on www.orderofthemagi.org.uk' Geoffrey Newton PRO. 17.3.07

News from the College of Magic South Africa: "We are very excited to announce that famed British performer and International Man of Mystery - David Berglas - has once again shown his continued dedication and support of the future young stars of magic in Africa. David was one of the very first to fill his 13 Magical Milestones envelope in support of the College of Magic's capital fundraising campaign ... with an unbelievable £5,000! Find out how you, too, can make a difference in the lives of so many young people by visiting www.13magicalmilestones.com. The "13 Magical Milestones" capital fundraising campaign aims to raise 1.3 million South African Rand (approx. £90,000) during 2007 to permanently secure South Africa's home of magic ... the College of Magic! 17.3.07

Mike Danata's Magic Studio will be open on Sunday 1st April from 8am to 6pm to coincide with the Bournemouth One Day Magic Convention on the same day... pop in, say "MagicWeek", and you'll be given a free gift worth £4.50! (no purchase necessary). Plus there's 10% off all stock all day for personal callers and all phoned-in or emailed orders, telephone 01202 39166. Visit the website for address and map: www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk. 17.3.07

Hypnotist Jonathan Royle is running his last ever "Hypnotist in a Day" seminar on Saturday 31st March and Sunday April 1st 2007 in Keighley, West Yorkshire. As a special offer readers can book both the Stage Hypnosis and NLP and Therapy Days for just £97.00. Email jonathan@royle2898.fsnet.co.uk for details. 17.3.07

There's a mini-review of Wayne Dobson's WD40 this week Click Here • Blackpool's European Close-up Championship and two day close-up show is reviewed by Mandy Davis this week Click Here • The Chuckle Brothers touring show Spooky Goings On 2, starring the magic and illusion of Safire is reviewed by Freddie Wilkinson Click Here • House of Magic have their own magic forum at www.houseofmagicuk.co.uk/forum • "Hey Presto" Click Here • "David Copperfield on the magical arts" Click Here • "Magazine cover is no illusion" Click Here • "Criss Angel-Cirque du Soleil Vegas Deal Expected This Week" Click Here • "Hot Property: Poof! There's a castle for Las Vegas magician" Click Here • "Hypnotised student wakes up in Marrakech" Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 17.3.07

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