Number 370 - 28th July 2007
Mind
Control With Derren Brown. The Sci Fi Channel in the States broadcast
the first of Derren's new six one-hour shows on Thursday. Here's what some
of the critics made of our very own Jedi Master: "The stunts (or whatever
they're called) Brown performs, especially on tough, cynical New Yorkers,
are hilarious and astounding."
Click Here "It's not so hard to understand the appeal of Derren Brown,
the star of Sci Fi's new six-part series about psychological trickery. If
I met him on the street, handsome and British and debonair as he is, I'd
probably let him take my wallet, too."
Click Here "I think that Mr. Brown has bought into something real: our
childlike joy in being fooled. Its almost as if he is playing peekaboo
with his adult audience, turning jaded viewers into temporary innocents,
and doing so with the kindly detachment of an especially amusing uncle."
Click Here. "...there's something decidedly refreshing about British
import Derren Brown, whose mentalist routine is part magic act, part Jedi
mind trick."
Click Here "Also refreshing is Brown himself, who doesn't gussy
himself up like some kind of evil magician or waste a lot of time with
melodrama. He looks and acts just like everyone else and lets his
demonstrations speak for themselves."
Click Here. Derren's live 2007 show will tour again in the first
quarter of 2008, in different cities and venues, and plans are underway
for another West End season.
28.7.07
The
Nottingham Guild of Magicians are once again staging a Magic &
Laughter Show at the
Bonington
Theatre, Arnold Leisure Centre, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 7EE, on Sunday
23rd September. "This time we are delighted to have with us probably the
world's greatest ventriloquist Ray Allen (with Lord Charles!),
International Illusionists Amethyst, The Crazy Stunts of Kevin Burke &
Company, Graham Harper, Clive Moore and Jeanie and, provisionally booked,
Scott Penrose. Show time 7.30pm - 10.00pm, (Doors open 7pm) Tickets are
£12.50 each. Amethyst (Danny Hunt and Annette), Kevin Burke and Scott
Penrose (contract permitting) will also be lecturing during the afternoon
from 2pm - 5.30pm (Doors open 1.45pm). Tickets for this are £5.00 each"
Tickets for both events are available from Freddie Wilkinson on 0115
9614551
www.nottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk.
28.7.07
Mark
Bennett is opening a new Magic Bar! The Cheltenham venue
planned for last year fell through at the last minute but Mark is
delighted with the new site he's found in Clifton, Bristol, and plans to
open in September. The new bar will feature a baby grand piano, a small
stage for stage/cabaret magic and, of course, a bar. Mark will be holding
open auditions for magicians and musicians (email
mark@illusionsmagicbar.co.uk
mobile: 07974 005280), and also welcomes visits from anyone who'd simply
like to pop in for a quick to look to see how the transformation is coming
along. 2 Byron Place, South Triangle, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1JT
www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk.
28.7.07
Ian
Kendall returns to the Edinburgh Fringe for the sixteenth year, with
the catchily titled 'Ian Kendall's Magic Show'. Carrying on his penchant
for ambiguous show names, Ian will be performing his show at The Zoo venue
at 8.50pm from August 3rd - 18th. You can read more about Ian
Here and read a review of a Ian's 2005 show
Here.
28.7.07
Merlins
of Wakefield have just released their latest 16 page Preview
catalogue. If you'd like a free copy, which contains over 70 items, email
your postal address to
merlins@btconnect.com and they'll pop one in the post! Merlins are
running a series of one day Sensational Summer Magic Schools for 10 to 16
year olds who are just getting into magic. If you know anyone who would be
interested in the day course, or are interested yourself, then email them
or call 01924 339933 for details and an application form. Do hurry, as
places are limited to 10 per day, and they're going fast!
www.merlinswakefield.co.uk.
28.7.07
The
C.A.N.N.A.B.I.S Effect. Lee Hathaway and Daniel Young have just
released The C.A.N.N.A.B.I.S Effect (Card At Named Number Amongst Blanks
is Selected). "If you could simply imagine a card routine and have it
become real, the Cannabis Effect would be it." To watch a preview video
visit
www.thecannabiseffect.com.
28.7.07
The
Real Hustle returns with a new series - Monday, 8.30pm on BBC 3 "A
team of hustlers - Alexis Conran, Paul Wilson and Jessica Clement - try
out some notorious scams on members of the public, filmed with hidden
cameras and intercut with interviews from fraud protection experts, police
and scam victims. Jess reveals how looking good doesn't have to cost you
anything at all. The team get people to sell their cars by accident,
ransack a five-star hotel room in under five minutes and hit Ibiza for a
spot of sun, sea and scamming." See
TV Magic for listings.
28.7.07
One-week
only sale! Paul Gordon is offering five new items: "Corner of
Piccadilly", "The Second 16th Card Books volumes 1 and 2", "16th Card Book
DVD" and his new 205-page 50-trick book "Cardistry" (that's a packet
trick, three books and a DVD) in a one-week only sale at £30.00 off the
normal retail price - visit
www.paulgordon.net for details and to order.
28.7.07
Kennedy
lectures for the Ipswich Magical Society on Monday, August 6th. "Kennedy is one of the UKs
top working mentalists. It promises to be a fascinating evening." Guests
are welcome; please contact the secretary first:
www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk.
28.7.07
Woo
the Wizard wows at Waterstone's! Last Saturday Terry Herbert, in his
alter ego Mr Woo the Wizard, entertained crowds at Waterstone's,
Lakeside, for the launch of the latest Harry Potter title Harry Potter
and the Deathly Hallows. On August 14th Terry has been invited to
lecture and perform at
Kidabra International in Tennessee. This the world's top children's
performers conference and will feature some of the very best in the
business of entertaining children.
www.comedymagic.co.uk.
28.7.07
Marc Salem's Mind Games Extra
- final shows this weekend! World-renowned
mentalist Marc Salem takes his audience on a captivating excursion into
the possibilities of the human mind through a series of hilarious,
astounding and mystifying Mind Games. Following sell-out seasons in 2004,
2005 and 2006, Marc Salem returns to the Tricycle Theatre. Using
psychological techniques, a sharp eye, and a quick wit, he engages
audiences in a series of mesmerizing and mystifying Mind Games. A
thoroughly engaging performer, Marc's interactive demonstrations delight
and amaze audiences of all ages - this year the show features extra Sunday
performances at 3pm and 6pm for family audiences. "Tantalisingly
insoluble. A fascinating evening's theatre." The Guardian. Visit
www.tricycle.co.uk for details and to book. "A pick'n'mix of stunning
mind tricks"
Click Here.
28.7.07
Magicians
Cave Productions present a lecture and dealer dem on Thursday 16th
August at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm) at the Darlington Magic Circle. Paul
Stephenson (Magicians Cave) is a manufacturer and importer of magic props
and visiting magicians will benefit from a 10% discount on any purchases
made on the night. The lecture will cover the practicalities of being a
working magician in today's market, discussing lighting and sound together
with tips on dealing with agents and getting holiday camp work. In Paul's
own words "Our dealer dems aren't, and never will be, some clever dick
bragging about how good his props are or a run of the mill, boring dealer
dem. I would rather like to think of myself as the Che Guevara of the
dealers, not afraid to say if a prop is rubbish or if a prop is over
priced. I think it's important to warn anyone easily offended: stay away
as I do have a tendency to swear. The Chubby Brown of the dealer dem." For
more information visit
www.thedarlingtonmagiccircle.co.uk
www.magicianscave.co.uk.
28.7.07
There's
lots on at The Magic Cavern in London from now right through to the
end of the year - see What's
On for details. Producer Richard Leigh also presents magic and
illusion shows in the West End at The Jermyn Street Theatre for eight
months of the year, with Late Night shows and now a new Saturday Morning
show called 'The Sideshow' - A family magic and illusion show set in the
fairgrounds of yesteryear. See
What's On. 'Late Night
Magic' returns in October featuring Jay Fortune presenting his full stage
show 'Magick and Mayhem'. In 2008 four of Richard Leigh's most successful
shows from London will be available for Magic Convention Gala Shows
worldwide. 'The Magic Cavern Show', 'The Sideshow', 'The Twilight
Ballrooms' and the intimate card show set in a miniature theatre called
'Card Symphony' - enquiries to Richard Leigh:
falseimpressions@gmail.com.
28.7.07
Houdini
the Musical - update. Jamie Allan emails: "Just to let you know the
Houdini tour is not cancelled just suspended. We found it was too big for
the venues we where going into, in most cases the illusions won't even fit
though the stage wings. The show has gathered some excellent reviews and
we have had a lot of interest from the 'Big Boys' and we are currently in
talks to move it into a much larger venue with a much higher profile. We
are also currently ironing out a couple of points with the show and having
more sets and another major illusion constructed."
www.houdinithemusical.co.uk.
28.7.07
MagicWaistcoat.com
email: Production of the Snow Leopard Vest is now coming to a close and
all pre-orders to date will be sent out on 1st August. People have the
chance to benefit the 10% off pre-order price until Friday, 3rd August.
After this date the Snow leopard Vest will return to its normal price.
www.magicwaistcoat.com.
28.7.07
An Evening with Barry Miller - The Pentacle Club, Tuesday 31st July, visiting magicians welcome. "Barry has a wealth of performing experience, including producing and performing in his own full evening show, and was for many years the stage manager for the British Ring Convention. Visiting magicians are welcome to join us for an evening of magic, chat and experience (small charge for non-members)" Click Here. 28.7.07
"NBC
also looking for a successor to Uri Geller"
Click Here Here's a video link to a Central TV story on James
Milner, after he'd taken part in The Young Magician of the Year finals
last week
Click Here 'An Audience with Dynamo' the stage show - coming soon,
keep an eye on MagicWeek! "'Mind-blowing' magician only 13"
Click Here "The secret of success"
Click Here "Interview: Magic, Inc. and Jay Collen - A Slice of
Everyday Enchantment"
Click Here "Princess Tenko hurt as stunt goes wrong"
Click Here "Worlds merge like magic"
Click Here "Over 10,000 queue for final Potter book"
Click Here "Magic moments - The great Newdini and his lovely
assistant relish in the glory days of their traveling magician past"
Click Here "The amazing skeptic"
Click Here That's it for another week. Your magic news is always
welcomed - see you next week, Duncan. 28.7.07