Number 357 - 28th April 2007
Derren
Brown Mind Reader. "Those who have watched him on TV, seen his
extraordinary shows or read his
book will know that Derren Brown is an astonishing, mesmerising and
utterly baffling talent. Now the master of illusion is kicking off his
mind-meddling UK tour Derren Brown Mind Reader: An Evening of Wonders,
at Blackpool Grand Theatre [Sunday April 29th] - and he promises lots of
audience participation. 'Although I can't reveal much at this stage, I can
say that this show will be dark; full of surprises,'" said Derren. To read
the full article by Caroline Dutton in This is Lancashire
Click Here.
Readers in the States will be able to see Derren sooner than they expected on SCI FI Channel in Derren Brown Project which premieres on July 25th at 10pm: "British sensation described as 'part James Bond, part Yoda.' With numerous top-rated series and specials to his credit, Derren has astounded UK television audiences causing them to conclude that he knows your mind better than you do. SCI FI's original U.S. produced version of the Derren Brown Project (official title TBD) will consist of 6 jaw-dropping 1-hour episodes that must be seen to be believed. The British press has called him 'mind-blowing,' 'fascinating' and 'a warlock.' He doesn't claim to be a mind reader, though he can seemingly predict and control human behavior. He describes his craft as a mixture of suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship. Whatever you choose to call it, his unparalleled gift is a powerful and provocative form of entertainment." Derren Brown The Heist has been nominated for a Rose d'Or in the "Television Show" category. 28.4.07
Houdini
- The Musical. "Harry Houdini performed countless shows across the
world, but two changed his life forever. You are invited to both! Houdini
the musical, a new show based on the life of the greatest magician ever,
combines a breathtaking score with some of the most spectacular illusions
ever staged including the infamous Chinese Water Torture Cell, his most
dangerous escape from two tonnes of water. Live on stage! Houdini the
musical, a story of betrayed relationships, sinister plots, love, romance
and sacrifice from the golden age of variety, when the great Houdini
topped the bill...and will again."
www.houdinithemusical.co.uk
June 6th - 9th
Playhouse Theatre - Weston-super-Mare.
June 13th - 17th Theatre Royal, St Helens, Merseyside.
June 21st - 23rd
Regent Centre, Christchurch, Dorset.
June 25th - July 1st Lowther Pavilion, St Annes, Lancashire.
August 23rd - 26th
Medina Theatre,
Isle of Wight.
September 3rd - 5th
Futurist Theatre, Scarborough
September 17th - 23rd Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon.
October 2nd - 5th Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl.
October 8th - 11th Bridges House Theatre, Warwick.
28.4.07
57th
IBM Ring 85 Irish Magic Convention. With only days to go Laurent
Beretta (photo) has just been added to the Gala show of the 57th IBM Ring
85 Irish Magic Convention that will take place at the 5 star Hilton Hotel
in Belfast on the 4th, 5th and 6th May 2007. Already booked: David Acer,
Manuel Muerte, Rafael, Terry Seabrooke, Graham P Jolley, Frank Carson,
Noel Britten, Xavier Mortimer, Quentin Reynolds, Dave Jones and Philippe
Beau! An excellent line up and first class venue too... The entire
convention is dedicated to the memory of Billy McComb, who died just over
a year ago. Billy was a founder member of the Ulster Society of Magicians
and a series of special events are planned in his honour. For registration
details contact George Bleeks on 07860 115611
george.bleeks@ntlworld.com.
For all additional enquires contact Paul Mc Eneaney on 07866 490381
paul@cahootsni.com or visit
www.online-usm.com.
28.4.07
"TV
Paul in Scare. Magician Paul Daniels has revealed how he was rushed to
hospital fearing he had suffered a stroke. The 69-year-old TV star was
given a scan after he woke in the middle of the night with no feeling in
his left leg..." To read the full story by Melanie Swan in The People
Click Here.
28.4.07
Magicians
Wanted! Endemol are producing a new Saturday night entertainment pilot
show for the BBC. "We are looking for a variety of entertainers who have
real talent and class for a brand new entertainment pilot. Comedians,
Ventriloquists, Magicians, Variety Performers... If you have a genuine
talent and are of a professional performing standard contact us now for a
chance to showcase your act in style. The show will thrive on the magical
combination of two of Britain's best-loved entertainers. It will be a high
energy, feel-good family fun show. We are currently scouting and casting
for "Variety" acts and performers in and around the London area, who will
be championed by our hosts. The pilot will be recorded in front of a live
studio audience. This will be one part of the 1 hour long show, which will
also comprise of other entertaining strands. The show will be recorded on
the 31st May. The pilot will be non-transmittable." Contact: Danielle
Thornton on 020 8222 4910 email
saturdaynightshowdown@endemoluk.com. All applicants must be 16 or
over. (Auditions are planned for May 10th.)
28.4.07
RSVPMagic.com
launch a brand new product today! They've seen your show - now let
them learn some easy-to-do tricks via your own custom-made DVD! "You Can
Do Magic Too" teaches 8 easy-to-do tricks, suitable for all ages, and each
disc is customised with your name (on the actual DVD footage itself).
"This must be the ultimate after show sales tool for any magician and
really is a great way to generate extra income after a show. Of course
it's also a perfect publicity tool - as every DVD has your contact details
on it as well!", says RSVPMagic.com's owner Russ Stevens. To watch a video
sample and for further details, visit
www.rsvpmagic.com.
28.4.07
Magicians
Cave Productions are now advertising with MagicWeek: "Here at
Magicians Cave Productions, it is our aim to provide every magician, no
matter what level of ability with good quality magic at affordable prices.
We also offer a custom made to order service, where I will build your
props to you own specifications. Individuality is always the way forward
and something I can't stress enough, from making change bags/hats/banners
etc in your colours to hand painting your props so they all fit in with
your existing style/image." Visit
www.magicianscave.co.uk today!
28.4.07
Martin
Freeman to play disillusioned illusionist. Martin Freeman, who
co-starred in 'The Office', returns to the small screen as a struggling
magician in a new TV comedy for Channel 4. In 'Other People', which is
currently in its pilot stage, he will play a 30-something who was
successful as a teenage magician but is now struggling for success.
Freeman told Broadcast magazine: "It's about this guy who used to
do all the big shows like the Royal Variety Performance and Saturday
Superstore when he was 18, but is now a bit washed up. It's that feeling
that most thirtysomethings have of feeling like they are not quite where
they thought they would be."
28.4.07
Let
Me Entertain You the entertainment extravaganza that gives anyone with
talent the chance to entertain is back... Host, Brian Conley (photo), will
be introducing a range of performers (including a number of magicians) in
the new series, which will run from 28th May to the 22nd June at 6.30pm on
BBC Two. The live, one hour grand final will take place on June 22nd.
We've heard that Magic Sam won his heat and semi final, lasting three
minutes without being gonged off in both - so is through to the final.
Transmission dates for Sam's appearances are June12th and June 15th with
the final on June 21st (or 22nd). Good luck Sam! Video promo of the show
Click Here. Sam's MySpace
Click
Here.
28.4.07
Carmen
Electra will no longer be the be the special guest star in magician
Hans Klok's new show at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Instead
Hans Klok will team up with celebrity guest star Pamela Anderson for the
show at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Theater for the Performing
Arts. "The Beauty of Magic" will open for previews in late May with a
gala premiere scheduled for June 2nd. After performing his first magic
trick at the age of ten, Hans Klok went on to win a number of awards,
including the European Youth Magician Champion Trophy, and first prize at
the Grand Prix of The Netherlands. He soon began to appear on television
specials in both Europe and the United States, including "The World's
Greatest Magic" on NBC and "The Masters of Magic" on ABC. "The Dutch
Copperfield," Klok's live stage shows have been selling out large arenas
throughout Europe and Asia for the past decade. "The Beauty of Magic" is
produced by Stage Entertainment in conjunction with Planet Hollywood
Resort & Casino.
28.4.07
Bizarre
Bath - The Comedy Walk is reviewed by Jez Rose this week. "A
beautiful sunny April evening and I'm here in Bath, that historic city where
many years ago people came to have their ailments healed by the mystical powers
of the Roman Baths but where for the last 16 years people have flocked for a
very different mystical evening..."
Click Here.
28.4.07
David
Copperfields Project Magic, the innovative program that utilizes
magic as an integral part of a variety of medical therapy programs is
celebrating its 25th Anniversary. To commemorate the success of the
program and to introduce Project Magic to a new generation of magicians
and health professionals, an international conference will be held at the
MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on June 29 30, 2007. David Copperfield and
other Founding Directors of Project Magic will host the conference. The
conference will include presentations and demonstrations from Project
Magic programs from around the world; illustrating the many ways magic has
touched the lives of patients with various medical challenges. Project
Magic started at Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital in California and was
endorsed by the American Occupational Therapy Association in 1982. Since
that time it has grown to include programs in many countries worldwide. At
the conference, both magic and non-magic arts-oriented programs will be
highlighted, to show how valuable the arts can be in the therapeutic
setting. Magicians and Health Professionals are cordially invited to
participate in this 2-day conference. For registration information
contact: Julie DeJean, OTR at:
jdejean@stormontvail.org or Ron Porter, Ph.D. at:
ron@amagicalevent.com. Project
Magic is also looking for magicians who have been involved in the program
over the past 25 years to share their stories and information about their
programs. Those interested in presenting at the conference, or just
sharing a story should also contact Julie DeJean or Ron Porter.
28.4.07
Fresh
from wowing Richard and Judy on their afternoon show recently - 19
year old close-up magician Alex Ward has just released his first effect
through Alakazam, Sealed In. "Once in a while, someone visits the shop and
totally floors me with something incredible!" Peter Nardi
www.alakazam.co.uk.
On May 2nd Alex opens his magic club "Trix" at the Phoenix Artist Club,
Charing Cross Road. "This will be a place where magicians can meet, have a
drink and a bite... and talk magic! Admission is free for the initial
meetings. It will run from 2-4pm in the VIP area at the rear of the club:
The Phoenix Artist Club, 1 Phoenix Street, Charing Cross Road, London WC2
(Just on the corner of the two streets under the theatre itself For
further details email
steve@alexwardmagic.com or call manager Steve Blacknell on 07973
656201.
www.alexwardmagic.com.
28.4.07
Cutting
Up Touches - A Brief History of Pockets and the People Who Pick Them
by David Avadon has just been published. Cutting Up Touches is the first
book ever written on the history of exhibition pickpocketing. In it, David
Avadon traces this light-fingered entertainment from its murky music hall
beginnings to the largest showrooms in the world. He profiles Giovanni and
Borra, the architects of stealing on stage. He spotlights Dominique and
Ricki Dunn, who made emptying pockets hilarious nightclub entertainment.
He explains the stealth and showmanship of a wide array of wallet
snatchers. He explores the powerful subliminal emotions touched by each
act of pocket thievery. And he shares the fascinating lore surrounding
this street crime turned performance art. Illustrated with photos,
playbills and posters, many published here for the first time. Hardbound,
150 pages. Price: $25.00. Order from:
www.squashpublications.com.
28.4.07
Chris
De Rosa, of The Art of Illusion, will be appearing and disappearing
nightly at the
Casino De
Monte Gordo, Algarve, Portugal from May 17th three months in the
spectacular illusion show, It's Magic! The show features a full cast of
stunning dancers and effects, and will feature many illusions built and
created by Chris De Rosa. The show runs for a further three months in
Praia Da Rocha Casino.
www.derosamagic.com.
28.4.07
York
Society of Magicians Annual Auction. Wednesday 9th May: Next
Generation Centre, off Hull Road, York. Doors open 6pm, auction commences
6.30pm. A vast array of magic props, books and accessories have already
been booked in and are waiting for your bids! Meals and refreshments
available. Entrance charge £2.00. Only 5 more lot numbers available. For
further details contact Michael Shepherd 01904 709500
michaelshepherd@castlemagicalservices.co.uk.
28.4.07
Kernow
Magic presents The Awakening. From the home of the UK Mystery School
and the team that brought the Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger Masterclass
to the UK, comes a new show. Produced by Kernow Magic, The Awakening
features a mixture of magic and illusion presented by Cornwall's own Kenny
Roberts and Rational-Mystic Alan Jones. This will be the first show in
what will hopefully be a series of similar excursions by the duo. "We've
been aware of each others work for a number of years", says Kenny, "but
until now we've never worked together." This first show will take place on
17th May at the Princess Pavilions in Falmouth, Cornwall and there will be
a second chance to see aspects of this show when Kenny and Alan present
'Magical Reflections', a show to promote the Cornish Hydrotherapy Charity
on June 1st in Newquay, Cornwall. Tickets are £10 in advance and £12.50 on
the door. The show starts at 8pm. Box Office 01326 211222. The Awakening
will not only bring together these two performers for the first time, but
will also include, as its finale, a new version of the infamous "Bullet
Catch". Kenny is of course better known as the Director of Kernow Magic, a
dealership which has been going from strength to strength over recent
years:
www.kernowmagic.co.uk.
28.4.07
Mirrored
Images - The baffling mind illusions of Ivor Cole with guests John
Derris and Bertie Pearce with Angel. Ivor Cole brings to the New End
Theatre a spell-binding performance of mind illusions. Audience members
project thoughts to each other, defy the laws of gravity and witness the
mind prevailing against danger. Audiences are encouraged to bring
discarded paper-backs and playing cards for use in the performance.
One-time leading Fleet Street lawyer, Ivor Cole, has honed his powers of
persuasion and psychological techniques to amaze audiences in this new
show. "His appearances in the UK and abroad reflect the study of the
Powers of Persuasion, misdirections and psychology to create the most
baffling illusions of the Mind." Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd May at 8pm.
Tickets: £15 £12 (concessions) New End Theatre, 27 New End Hampstead,
London NW3 1JD. Box office 0870 033 2733
www.newendtheatre.co.uk (5 minute walk from Hampstead underground).
28.4.07
Mel
Mellers Comedy Cabaret Magic Show - free tickets! Mel Mellers is
recording a new DVD and you and your friends are invited! Thursday, May
3rd, at The Connought Hotel, West Hill Road. Westcliff, Bournemouth,
Dorset BH2 5PH. Email:
melvynmellers@aol.com (no need to pre-book but be early!).
28.4.07
Tony
Middleton (known as 'Sonic') is currently acting as magic consultant
at Nottingham Playhouse. The education department enlisted Tony's
assistance to help create magic for their new production 'A Wedding Story'
and to coach actors during rehearsals. The show will tour the UK in late
May. The bulk of Tony's professional work is performing at corporate
functions and private parties.
www.sonicmagic.co.uk.
28.4.07
Jay
Marshall Magic Auction update. Several bonus lots not listed in the
catalogue will be added to the sale, including Houdini material. The
auction will take place both live at the 38th annual Magic Collectors'
Weekend honoring Jim Steinmeyer in Schaumburg, Illinois (a suburb of
Chicago) and simultaneously on eBay Live Auctions so that anyone,
worldwide, can bid live on the material in the auction as it happens (the
ebay seller name is "jayandlefty"). May 5th. Catalogues and more
information from
www.squashpublications.com.
28.4.07
Movie
Preview: Next, Starring Nicolas Cage
Click Here
"People think it's going to be a typical magic event, and then it goes
somewhere completely unexpected"
Click Here "Actor and magician Yeltsin's neighbors in cemetery"
Click Here "Magician Teller To Adapt 'Macbeth' For Stage As A
Supernatural Thriller"
Click Here "Two minute warning"
Click Here "Copperfield demystified, in five steps"
Click Here "Magic moment as Josh makes final"
Click Here "Not just an illusion"
Click Here "Comedy and Magic Tonight"
Click Here That's it for another week - see you next week, Duncan. 28.4.07