Number 378 - 22nd September 2007
Southport
Convention Competition results. Here are the competition results from
the British Ring's Southport Convention last week. Many congratulations to
all.
Stage Competition Results:
The British Ring Shield Winner + £1000 (1st place) - High Jinx (photo)
Theo Speaker Cup + £500 (2nd place) - Club Magic
Alastair Wand + £250 (3rd place) - Alan Maskell
Tom Harris Cup for Comedy - Not awarded (oops!)
Dittia Shield for Manipulation - Club Magic
Conventioneers Trophy for Originality - Alan Maskell
The Dealers Trophy - Five of Hearts Magic Productions
Close-up
Competition Results:
Zina Bennett Cup + £1000 (1st place) - Steve Dela (photo)
Certificate + £500 (2nd place) - Alex Moffat
Certificate + £250 (3rd place) - Will Gray
Rovi Trophy for Entertaining Card Skill - Steve Dela.
22.9.07
Death
Defying Acts. It is 1926, and Harry Houdini is the most famous
performer in the world. Audiences flock to watch him perform his amazing
stunts. But the man behind the legend is a tortured soul, having been
unable to hear his mother’s dying words. He offers a $10,000 reward to
anyone who can contact his mother from beyond the grave. When a beautiful
but deceptive psychic, Mary McGregor, and her sidekick daughter, Benji,
take the challenge, Harry is initially skeptical, but is soon captivated
by her charms. The more time he spends with the mysterious woman, the more
attracted he is, and what began as a con soon evolves into a passionate
and complicated love affair, as Houdini attempts the most dangerous stunt
of his career. Filmed on location in London and at Pinewood Studios,
Herefordshire, and produced by Myriad Pictures, this movie is set to be
released in 2008. Starring Guy Pearce as Harry Houdini, Catherine
Zeta-Jones as Mary McGregor, Saoirse Ronan as Benji the brilliant Timothy
Spall as Sugarman. Scott Penrose was the screenplay consultant and advised
on the magic and the escape sequences.
22.9.07
Just
Alan, one of the world's leading storytelling magicians, will be
performing and lecturing at this year's International Magic Convention in
London (November 23rd-25th). A regular contributor to Jeff McBride's
Mystery School, Just Alan brings a stage perfectionist's sensibility and
presence to all his work. His signature pieces, including his highly
theatrical presentation of "Sands of India" are all set within narrative
structures and imaginative sets. This appearance will be his UK debut.
Also booked to appear is UK illusionist James Long. A multi award-winning
performer, James is taking time out of his busy schedule of performing on
major cruise ships to appear in the Gala Show. As in previous years, the
Gala Show will be repeated on the Saturday and Sunday nights in the
fabulous Shaw Theatre which, with its intimate setting and raked seating,
offers a perfect environment to watch a well balanced and highly
entertaining Evening of Magic. A perfect show to take friends and family
to. Separate Gala Show tickets are available from:
www.internationalmagic.com.
22.9.07
Ravi
Mayar's mobile magic. Ravi Mayar can be seen in three new Samsung
internet mobile phone commercials. For his audition Ravi went in well
prepared and combined today's technology, the phones, with yesterday's
technology, sleight of hand magic, to produce some stunning visual effects
that resulted in the contract. The commercials can be seen on YouTube:
Click
Here,
and
here,
and
here.
www.ravimayar.com.
22.9.07
Paul
Nardini a FISM World Champion of Comedy Magic lectures at the
Aberdeen Magical
Society on October 23rd
www.paulnardini.com
and the inimitable Aldo Colombini lectures on December 4th
www.wildcolombini.com. To attend either lecture, contact Norn Bichan
at the AMS mail@aberdeenmagic.com
beforehand.
22.9.07
The
Ultimate Variety Show. On November 5th Stuart and Jayne Loughland are
launching a new venture, the couple will stage the first of many Variety
Theatre Productions. The Ultimate Variety Show will star comedian
Jimmy Cricket, Safire Illusionists, The Magic Light Puppet Company,
Pauline Hulme, Elaine and Sue, The Linzi Grace Dancers and compere Martin
Barry. It will be held in the theatre at the Venue Cymru,
Llandudno. Showtime 8pm, all seats £10.00, concessions, senior citizens
and children £7.50. Box Office 01492 872000. Their next show, in the New
Year, will star Wayne Dobson, date TBC.
22.9.07
Electric
Empire presents 'Magic Night' at the Soho Revue Bar on Friday
October 5th. Doors open 7pm, show starts at 8pm, tickets £10
(concessions £6). The
Soho Revue Bar, 11-12 Walkers Court, Soho, London
W1. 'Critics Choice' in Time Out. 'For contemporary comedy and
cabaret you can't do better than this show of talent, whose performers are
literally magical' Zara Rabinovicz, The Times Epoch. Starring
illusionist juggler Matt Hennem, Christian Lee - a rising star in the
magic world, light and dark magic from The 2 Magicians (Barry and Stuart),
Irish comic Janice Phayre, resident Magic Night compere Tiffany Stevenson,
plus close-up magic from Neil Henry and Lee Hathaway. Tickets:
www.ticketweb.co.uk.
22.9.07
Table
Top Magician Training Course. Tony Jackson, the course creator,
emails: "The tabletop magician training course is designed to teach people
the methods and principles needed to become a successful close-up
magician. It allows the students to learn all the ingredients necessary to
work in this field. It is based on Tony Jackson's tabletop routine that he
has used for over 20 years all over the world. Professionals show the same
effects to different audiences and amateurs show different effects to the
same audience. It has comedy, surprise, interaction, mind-blowing psychic
stunts and above all it is extremely entertaining. Ask any professional
magician what the secret to audience management is and they will all say
'keep them entertained.' This routine will get the spectators on your side
straight from the off - the result often a standing ovation and of course
repeat bookings. The course also teaches the business side of magic. After
all there is no point in having a great routine if you can't make any
money from it. It is aimed at the keen amateur or beginner but can also be
changed to suit the more experienced magician if necessary. If you have
ever wanted to get into this field of work this is an ideal opportunity to
learn from someone who has been there and done it and still does. For
further information please look at my website."
www.magiciantraining.co.uk.
22.9.07
Tony
Griffith has just published a new book entitled Reflections; the first
of a trilogy of books detailing routines and thoughts gathered over a
lifetime in magic. Featuring 12 routines from Tony's commercial
repertoire, 3 items for the children's entertainer (including a novel
puppet idea), an article 'How Children Differ,' and 10 items from Tony's
much acclaimed Magic of Science show which he presents in schools. With a
22 page section called The Magic Answer Game that poses various
magic questions for you to consider in relation to Restaurant work,
Corporate Dinners, After Dinner Shows, Trade Shows... and more. Foreword
by Steve Beam. Available from Tony Griffith, 33 Davids Road, Whitchurch,
Bristol BS14 9JH at £15.00, plus p&p at £3.00 (UK) or £9.00 (overseas air
mail). Dealers enquiries welcomed. For more information email
tony@tonygriffith.co.uk.
22.9.07
Circus
Showdown - The UK’s 1st Annual Circus Cabaret Competition at Hackney
Empire
www.circusshowdown.com on 27th September. Competing: One man and his
balloon, Bruce Airhead, funnily sweet Kalki Hula Girl,
Desireé Kongerød bending for Britain with her stunning contortion
performance, The Wrong Size performing their awe inspiring,
breathtaking aerial act, The Juggling Dream team, Gandini Jugglers,
The comedy magic circus duo of Norvil and Josephine, World-famous
Kwabana Lindsay performing his funny slack rope and fire act, and
the innovative, UpSwing Aerial. The show will guest star Her Royal
Highness, the great Australian Empress Stah performing her rarely
seen Swinging from the Chandelier act and Divine Company performing
their bathing costumes and bubbles dance routine. Compered by Crazy
Chris Lynam. Experience this amazing once in a lifetime show at the
Hackney Empire on Thursday, 27th September. Tickets £15.00 / £13.00 (upper
stalls). Call Hackney Box Office now on 020 8985 2424 or visit
www.hackneyempire.co.uk to book.
22.9.07
The
Magic Circle Dealers' Day - Saturday, 3rd November, from 10am - 5pm at the Royal National Hotel,
Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG (Map).
Entrance to members and bona fide magicians on the door (small charge for
non-members). All enquiries, including stand hire for Dealers, to Dr Peter
Altman, Honorary Organiser
peter@altman-publishing.com 01923 404918.
www.themagiccircle.co.uk.
22.9.07
The
Skipton Factor. A night of magic and swing is promised when Skipton's
Mark Waddington, and King of Swing, Dave Dean, take to the stage to raise
money for Manorlands Sue Ryder Care Hospice. The Show, called "The Skipton
Factor" will feature local talent joining together to create what will be
a truly amazing night. Mark, the Teenage Trickster from Skipton, decided
he wanted to raise money for Manorlands, a charity that he has close
personal ties to. "Places like Manorlands need regular donations to be
able to run. As a result, I have decided to organize a show, to raise
money for them, in memory of my Grandad and Great Uncle." The show
promises to be a real night of variety, featuring singers, dancers,
jugglers and magic. Friday 12th October at the
Town Hall, High Street, Skipton from 7.30pm. Tickets are £6 each and
can be reserved by calling 01756 792879 or 07754 671340.
22.9.07
Stan
Marshall 1937-2007. Remembered by Paul Scott. Stan Marshall Cornwall's Tallest Magician died
suddenly on Monday 3rd of September following a heart attack. Stan was a
talented magician and a member of The Magic Circle for many years. He was
also a member of the Cornish Magical Society for over 40 years, in fact
one of his last shows was at St Mawgan Airbase raising funds for the
Society. Generous to a fault he helped many on their way to becoming
better magicians. In the 1960s he played a key part in the birth of
surfing in the UK. He befriended two Australian lifeguards and allowed
them to set up a workshop in his chicken shed making surfboards, believed
to be the first built in the UK, they went on to form the Bilbo surf
company. Stan was a larger than life character who will be sorely missed
at meetings of the CMS, especially AGMs. He is survived by his wife Betty
and his three children Roy, David and Lesley, to whom our thoughts go out
to. Rest in peace my friend. Paul Scott.
22.9.07
From the desk of Chris Dugdale and Phil Jay: "Here is a great free trick for all MagicWeek readers. Click on the link below and open up the vid: Click Here. You can then adapt this for your company/own playing card, and use it on a suitable mobile phone/portable web device. Have fun, this is simply a great idea for magicians to use." 22.9.07
The
Illusionist by Jennifer Johnston. "When Stella first meets Martyn,
he's just a stranger on a train. She knows nothing at all about him. But
very quickly she is won over by his charm and breathtaking illusions, and
when he asks her to marry him, she agrees. However, as they begin their
life together, Stella starts to feel uneasy. What exactly is the
show-stopping illusion he claims to be working on, locked away in that
room? Who are those men that visit the house at strange hours? And why are
her questions never answered? As Stella realises that she barely knows the
man she married, her thoughts turn to escape..." Available from
Amazon.co.uk with 25% off
Click Here.
22.9.07
"Boys’ magic trip to see Uri" Click Here • Happy Birthday to David Copperfield, 51, last Sunday www.davidcopperfield.com • MagicWeek news submissions: News submitted between 18th - 27th September will appear in issue 379 (29th September ). This issue (Saturday, 22nd September) was uploaded a little earlier than usual. See you next week, when all will be back to normal! Duncan. 22.9.07