Number 375 - 1st September 2007
UK
mentalism group established. Psycrets: The British Society of Mystery
Entertainers has been founded by Roni Shachnaey and Dr Todd Landman
after a successful meeting of mentalists in London on 7th July 2007. The
society aims to provide a formal space for mentalists and mystery
entertainers to share ideas and enhance the art of mystery entertainment.
Regular meetings will be scheduled to include discussion of effects,
methods, tools of the trade, the business side, and to buy and sell
mentalism products. Membership benefits include a lapel badge, a members
card (with its own 'special' features), a newsletter, access to a 'members
only' section of the website
www.psycrets.org.uk,
and discounts and other bonuses relating to mentalism events and products.
The organisation is purely private, non-denominational, has no association
to any organised form of occult practices, and operates a tolerant policy
of non-discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, political views, or any other
categories of social identity. Membership comprises a £10 start up fee
plus £25 per annum membership fee. In the absence of documentary evidence
regarding status as a mentalist or mystery entertainer, members will carry
the title of 'associate member' for one-year, after which the committee
will decide full membership based on contribution to the society, evidence
of public performances of mentalism, publications of effects and books,
and other suitable displays of a commitment to the art of mentalism. While
based in the UK, the society is international and fully welcomes members
from around the world. To join, please request an application form from Dr
Todd Landman, 1 Elm Cottage, Mission Lane, East Bergholt, UK CO7 6XH
Email:
drtodd@metaphysical-magician.com.
1.9.07
The
Secret Cabaret with Simon Drake, Series One and Two, The Creator's Cut -
out now on DVD! When the ground-breaking first series of The Secret
Cabaret first aired in 1990 on Channel Four it achieved instant
critical success. The show's title said it all; you did indeed enter a
Secret Cabaret and at times you dared not peek. Each week master showman
Simon Drake subjected himself to a series of gruesome magical feats
involving swords, blades, daggers and more, all for our entertainment
pleasure... Mad Max meets Rocky Horror or something like that. Now, some
15 years on, Simon Drake has managed to obtained permission for his pieces
to be released as a compilation DVD featuring a
wealth of material. From series 1: The Cremation, Balls from Mouth
Routine, The Impaler, Needle through Arm, Laser Bending Routine, The
Shadow Box, The Assistants Revenge, Smoking Routine, Swords through Body,
The Dancing Cane, Drinks production and Balloon mime, Houdini’s Milk Churn
Escape, The Cigarette Rolling Routine, Needles from Mouth, Spikes in
Coffin, Sawing a Girl in Half (and not restoring her), Bullet Catch, Man
in a Bottle, and from series 2: Hanging Routine, Silhouette Routine,
Russian Roulette, Knife Through Arm, The Snake Lady, Egg Production
Routine, The Hospital Scene, Flowers Production, The Pickpockets Hand, The
Floating Table, The Guillotine, Death comes to Las Vegas, The Living
Half-Man, The Drinking Act, Chainsaws through Head, Killer Rope, Mary
Queen of Scots’ decapitated head, The Fire Routine, The Iron Maiden, The
Devil of a Hat, The Voyeur Illusion, Dorian Grey parts 1 and 2. Plus a
photo library of 60 rare stills, newly shot close-up magic, strange and
bizarre footage and rare spooky automata from private collections. Anyone
who remembers the show from the first time around will no doubt hold it in great
affection - and for those who never saw it then you're in for a
real treat. Essential magical viewing. Visit
www.secretcabaret.com for more details and to order.
1.9.07
71st
British Ring IBM Convention Southport - 11th-16th September! This week
PRO Bob Hayden presents a run down
of all
the performers who will be appearing in each of the daily stage shows,
which take place in the Southport Theatre:
Click Here.
Photo:
Vik and Fabrini,
direct from the Crazy Horse in Paris. They will appear in the Saturday show.
www.britishring.org.uk.
1.9.07
Kidology
- 200 not out and still counting! Registrations for the Kidology
Convention have gone through the 200 mark for the third year running and
are going onwards and upwards. However, there is still room if you would
like to be part of the UK's biggest magic festival for children's
entertainers this Tuesday, 4th September in Wolverhampton. Featuring four
lectures from Poz, Jozo Bozo from Croatia (photo), Dave Charles and Ali
Bongo, 12 top dealers and lunch all for £35.00. To reserve your place,
contact Practical Magic on 01691 690789 or email
info@practical-magic.com.
For more information visit Practical Magic's website
www.practical-magic.com.
1.9.07
Chris
Cox - Epsom and Windsor dates. Chris Cox - Everything Happens for a Reason
plays the Epsom Playhouse on Thursday 20th September and the Windsor Arts
Centre on Friday 21st September - see
What's On for details.
Edinburgh 2007 Reviews.
Click
Here. www.chriscox.info.
1.9.07
Tabula
Mentis: The London Mentalism Meeting II. Drawing on the success of
their first meeting, a second meeting has been organised for 27th October
- 10am until late. Lectures, performances, informal discussions.
Registration is £10. For full details
Click Here or for more information contact Dr Todd Landman on 01206
298972
drtodd@metaphysical-magician.com.
1.9.07
Close
Up Success - Parts 1 and 2, from the 12 part "Close Up
Success" course, which also includes a DVD package and live seminar, are
reviewed in MagicWeek this week.
Click Here to read the review. With just a handful of places remaining
for inclusion in the live seminar, don't leave it to late to register,
visit
www.closeupsuccess.com for full details.
1.9.07
Magic
Sam's Dead Good Night Out! After reaching the grand final of BBC2's
Let Me Entertain You Magic Sam has used the £2000 that he won to
produce his own theatre show. "It is a new concept for the traditional
variety show. It's on Saturday 6th October and tickets are £10.00 This is
not a show for children but isn't too offensive!" Magic Sam and Chorley
Little Theatre Presents 'Magic Sam's Dead Good Night Out!' Featuring The
Lancashire Hotpots "hilarious approximation of washboard-wielding
Lancashire folk music", Name In Brackets "one man and his guitar making
shouty, sweary, drunken, rappy acoustic stuff in one hell of a funny way."
Nick Frazer "a hands down great stand up comic!" The Glitter Kittens "If
you are yet to witness the revival of burlesque you are in for a bloody
treat." With your host The People's Magician Magic Sam! Plus " To book
call 07930 177331
www.chorleylittletheatre.com. Chorley Little Theatre, Dole Lane,
Chorley, Lancashire PR7 2RL (Map).
1.9.07
Bosom
pals. Pamela Anderson just re-signed her contract for The Beauty of
Magic with
Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas through to December 2007. She's having a
blast performing with Hans Klok and wants to do more illusions in the show
(including some dangerous ones). Illusion consultant
Rafael is seen here
with Pamela, having just returned from Las Vegas where he worked on some
new material for the production.
1.9.07
Confessions
of a Miracle Worker: "Top Television Hypnotist and Mystery Entertainer
Dr. Jonathan Royle will be holding a unique two day training course on
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st October in Rochdale, Lancashire, teaching
the true inside secrets of developing a Super Power Memory, performing
mind-blowing Mind Control style feats, mastering the many arts of the
Super Human Side Show Yogi and also revealing reputation making magic
secrets and shortcuts to stage and therapy hypnosis success. There's
something for everyone and when you book now you'll save £350 on the usual
cost of attending." Visit
www.hypnotherapycourse.net for full details.
1.9.07
Alexis
Conran, Jessica Clement and Paul Wilson demonstrate how to stage
the real hustle every Monday on BBC 3, with repeats throughout the
week. Last week saw Paul Wilson's excellent card technique put to good
effect in a game of cards that had his opponent scratching his head as he
lost hand after hand... See
TV Magic for details.
1.9.07
Dial-Abolical
and Plunge of Death - released by Alakazam Magic on Monday! In 'Plunge
of Death' Alakazam Magic is proud to introduce Jasper Blakeley, performing
in character as Monrokvia's greatest mindreader and magician - Kockov.
"This DVD features his heart-stopping 'Plunge of Death' routine, as well
as a special bonus performance and explanation of his reputation-making 4
gun finale, 'Real Live Russian Roulette'. And in Dial-Abolical for the
first time ever, the mullet-haired maestro reveals some of the mentalist
routines that have helped make him a house-hold name in his former
Eastern-block homeland. This DVD features his incredible 'Dial-Abolical'
routine, an unbelievable Phonebook mind-reading effect. As a special bonus
he also performs and explains the full working of his sensational
blindfolded 6-person book test using 6 ordinary books." Pre-Order today to
purchase both discs for just £24.99! More information from:
www.alakazam.co.uk
(scroll down a little).
1.9.07
New
Talent show! ITV are making a new talent show with a difference...
it's on ice! The producers of Dancing on Ice would like to hear from
magicians (whether you've been skating for 5 minutes or 5 decades) who
think they have something different to offer. Email
icetalent@itv.com for more details.
ITV emailed: "We are not necessarily looking for the finished article, so
anyone interested wouldn’t need to be the greatest skater, primarily we
are looking for the entertainment factor. I would point out that as this
is a talent show, we can’t pay for contestants, but the overall winner
will receive an incredible prize. It would also be a great opportunity for
someone to get exposure for their talent."
1.9.07
Paul
Hallas, well known to magicians in the UK as both a performer and
dealer, has just released two sets of DVD's. Set
one Mind Stuff and set two Clever Card Magic. Fans of Paul
will find both sets available by visiting the new magic website
www.mreenterprises.co.uk, operated by Eddie Burke and Lady Kerrensa
Burden.
1.9.07
Legerdemain
Magic starred in new BBC series 'The Restaurant'. New magic duo James
Pritchard and Kane Sojka, who together make up Legerdemain Magic, appeared
in the second episode of BBC2's 'The Restaurant', which aired last week.
They were hired by one couple who had to throw a successful birthday party
to survive the series' first elimination round. James and Kane gave an
engaging and lively performance that contributed to getting their clients
through to the next round of the show. To find out more about the duo,
visit
www.legerdemainmagic.co.uk.
1.9.07
Mark
Worgan lectures at the
Northamptonshire Magicians' Club on September 4th. Admission for non
members is £8.00. The event will be held at the club's new venue - The
Quality Hotel, Westone, Northampton. To attend contact either Malcolm
Chase Secretary, 01604 232639 day (01604 460570 evening) or Club President
Roy Gilbert on 01604 411413.
1.9.07
Jay
Fortune’s agency Corporate Kids Parties is expanding and entertainers
of all descriptions are welcome to submit their details for possible
future work. Jay is particularly keen to hear from young, dynamic
children’s entertainers for both private parties and corporate work.
Corporate Kids Parties are also supplying various shopping centres
across the UK with Santa Claus costume characters and would welcome
enquiries from outgoing people who have had experience in this field.
Contracts run throughout November and December and are variable and
lucrative. Contact Jay directly with photographs and CV/biog:
mail@jfortune.co.uk (Please note
all performers must be CRB checked and hold the relevant certificates).
1.9.07
Trevor
Duffy lectures for the
Edinburgh
Magic Circle on Monday 10th September. The club would like to extend
an invitation to visiting magicians to join them at The Edinburgh City
Football Club, 7 Baxter Place, Edinburgh EH1 3AF (Map).
The lecture starts at 8pm and the doors open at 7pm. Tickets are £10 for
non EMC members and £5 for members.
1.9.07
Mel
Harvey visits the Sussex Magic Circle on Thursday 6th September to
present "An Evening with... Mel Harvey" The evening will cover magic
hints, tips and anecdotes picked up during Mel's virtual forty years as a
full time award winning magical entertainer. Topics will include working
at large holiday camps, children's TV and touring UK theatres in variety
shows. There will also be a section on promotion and publicity, routines
for close-up and children's shows, plus details of cruise work on five
star American cruise ships. For more information visit
www.sussexmagiccircle.co.uk.
1.9.07
Wanted!
Experienced magicians, illusionists, jugglers, street entertainers and
variety/specialist acts wanted for work throughout the year at Alton
Towers Theme Park and hotels. DVD or CD-ROM showreels should be sent to:
Daniel Wood – Creative Manager (Entertainments), Alton Towers, Alton,
Staffordshire ST10 4DB.
1.9.07
The
Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero (now
in paperback). "Using exclusive access to newly uncovered archives, Kalush
and Sloman reveal the clandestine agreements in which the British and
Americans recruited Houdini to be an active secret agent. In exchange for
his cooperation, the governments of these two countries facilitated his
rise to the top of the world stage." The authors give thrilling accounts
of his assignments, such as his participation in early aerial surveillance
and his use of his own magic magazine to communicate espionage-related
information. "Amazing... meticulously researched, imaginatively written
and passionately presented" David Blaine. Available from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here.
1.9.07
James
More's recent Bournemouth Star Trail / Search For A Star win is
reviewed by Mike Danata this week,
Click Here • "Illusion for the Masses"
Click Here • "Something totally out of left field"
Click Here • "Criss Angel Dispels His Magic Spell Over Women"
Click Here • "For our next trick, nine films to star at Toronto"
Click Here • That's it for this week, your UK news is always welcome
but please remember the Friday 12 noon deadline. See you next week, Duncan. 1.9.07