Number 393 - 5th January 2008
Justin
Lee Collins is The Convention Crasher. In the first episode of
a new three-part series, funny man Justin Lee Collins crashes a magic
convention in Canton, Ohio. He has just four weeks to transform himself
into a master illusionist, good enough to compete against the magicians in
the convention's "Battle of the Magicians" competition. Can Justin pull
off Houdini's classic 'Metamorphosis' in front of an audience of
professional magicians, or will he end up all in a flap? The Convention
Crasher 10pm on Thursday 17th January on Channel 4. (MagicWeek can
reveal that he does get placed!) See
TV Magic.
5.1.08
The
Session 2008 is only a few weeks away (26th and 27th January). Andi
Gladwin and Rob James have just managed to book one of America's finest
young card magicians, Ricky Smith. Ricky has received excellent reviews
from some of magic's finest, and will be making his first ever convention
appearance at The Session 2008, teaching his "Cherry Control" and more of
his fantastic magic. Tickets are not available on the door so book now to
ensure that you get a seat at the UK's only dedicated close-up convention.
www.sessionconvention.com.
5.1.08
Blackpool
Magicians Convention have extended the deadline for registrants to
receive a free copy of "Down A Magical Memory Lane" by Derek Lever (value
£25.00). The original deadline was 31st December 2007, however if you
purchase a Gold Card Registration before 21st January 2008 you will now
receive a free copy of the book! The deadline has been extended due to the
late mailing of the Blackpool Convention Leaflets. The convention is
nearly sold out... so hurry!
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
5.1.08
Mel
Mellers lectures for the Home Counties Magical Society on Thursday
17th January at 8pm (doors open at 7pm). Non members welcome, £5.00
charge. Venue: The Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield, Reading
RG2 9EH (Map)
or can contact Dan Hudson, Programme Secretary:
programme@hcms.org.uk telephone
0118 93 10 981.
5.1.08
Magician
Damien O'Brien ended 2007 by appearing at a string of high profile
events including the OK magazine Christmas Party and Chelsea and Charlton
players' parties. "I'm looking forward to 2008 - it is already shaping up
to be a great year; I have just signed a deal with a clothing company and
a major magazine." Right now Damien is getting ready to film for a new TV
show before heading off the St Lucia to present an award at the Caribbean
Urban Music Awards 2008. "The Scene Magazine interviews Damien O'
Brien"
Click Here.
5.1.08
The
Liverpool Mahatma Magic Circle will be holding a very special 'Magical
European Capital of Culture Celebration Dinner & Cabaret' on Saturday 17th
May at the superb
Formby Hall
Golf Club (the new home of the country's first Golf PGA Academy). Paul
Stone will be producing the event. Numbers are limited to 150 people, and
over 100 tickets have already been sold. Tickets are £47.50 per person,
and include an excellent four course Dinner and a terrific Cabaret,
available from Paul Stone:
qualityevents@aol.com.
5.1.08
Congratulations
to Carl Charlesworth (Magic Carl) - winner of the Watford Association
of Magicians Children's Entertainer of the Year 2007/2008 award. Carl
gained first place with his unique handling of the Miser's Dream, 'Spot'
(inspired by the great Tommy Cooper), a funny and original performance of
'Hippity Hop Rabbits' and his sidekick Ernie the orangutan! "I am proud to
be the new keeper of the WAM Children's Entertainer of the Year Award. I
was exceptionally happy to be presented the award by last year's winner,
my first and great friend in magic, Magic Dave (Dave Allen). Dave is the
reason I started in children's magic - thanks Dave!" The competition took
place on Friday 28th December 2007 at WAM's meeting place in Bricket Wood,
Carl said: "Joining WAM was one of the best (magical) choices I ever
made."
www.carlcharlesworth.com
www.wamclub.co.uk.
5.1.08
International
News: "Variety Live, a fantastic International Variety Show direct
from the London Palladium is coming to Suncoast Hotel & Casino in
Summerlin for 3 Nights only on Thursday January 31st, Friday & Saturday
February 1st & 2nd 2008. 'Variety Live' is a stunning show that stars a
world class line-up of talent from across the globe featuring six
sensational performers! Video:
Click Here also see special guest star Dan Dunn in his famous YouTube
clip which has had over 10 Million visits
Click
Here. This unforgettable show for the whole family features the very
best Variety acts from around the world! Tickets are $19.95, $29.95,
$39.95 and are available directly from Suncoast Box Office on (702) 636
7075."
5.1.08
Mental
UFO II, from Labcomagic, is now more versatile than ever. Meet the
Labco team at the Blackpool convention in February, or if you can't wait
until then visit
www.labcomagic.com for all the latest on Mental UFO II.
5.1.08
Gordon
Drayson was interviewed on BBC Radio 2 on Friday, talking about his
website
www.balloontwisting.co.uk (which now includes a shop) and balloon
twisting in general. The show was the Steve Wright show, which was
presented over the Christmas/New Year period by Liza Tarbuck (photo). In a
few days visit
www.bbc.co.uk/radio2 and select "Listen Again" to hear the chat (final
30 minutes of the show).
5.1.08
Chris
Congreave lectures at the Bolton Magicians Club on Wednesday 9th
January at 8.30pm. The Venue is the Diffcocker Inn, Chorley Old Road,
Bolton. Further details of this and other lectures can be found at
www.bolton-magic.co.uk.
www.christophercongreave.co.uk.
5.1.08
Galithia
Conexion have just returned from a successful trip aboard Britanny
Ferries' mv Bretagne. "It was the first time that the company has
tried a Christmas four day cruise and we were chosen for the main cabaret,
performing two shows in the theatre with our blend of funky and fresh
magic with a touch of comedy."
www.ianrhamilton.co.uk.
5.1.08
Alex
Lodge lectures for the Associated Conjurers of East Sussex on
Wednesday 9th January from 8pm-10pm at the Thomas A Beckett Church Hall,
Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex. Visitors welcome: £5.00 entrance
fee, free entry for members of Southdowns Magicians Club or green ticket
"Bring a Friend" entry. For more information contact Martin Lewis or Nicky
Moon thisismagic@msn.com,
telephone 01903 532413,
www.acesmagic.co.uk.
Alex is also taking bookings and dates from other clubs, telephone 01256
326839 for more information.
5.1.08
Jonathan Royle has just released several new DVDs teaching Memory Magic, Cold Reading, Mentalism and Pseudo Hypnosis. These are new for 2008 and can be found exclusively at www.hypnotherapycourse.net. 5.1.08
Magicians: A Digital Phantasmagoria By Max Scratchmann. A Tribute to the Seven Sorcerers who topped the bill at the Electric Theatre, 1904-1954. Aberdeen Arts Centre, Kings Street, Aberdeen, 5th January – 31st January 2008 (Unsuitable for children under ten years of age). Admission Free. 5.1.08
"Magic Martin" Lewis, from Worthing, was recently invited to participate in an hour-long BBC2 documentary to be aired in May with Daisy Asquith (BAFTA nominee and Channel 4's Cutting Edge film maker) looking at the life of a children's entertainer. Martin and partner Nicky have enjoyed meeting up with other entertainers involved in the project, and sharing the highs and lows of the work with Daisy Asquith. Martin and Nicky can also be seen on an upcoming edition of Bargain Hunt for the BBC, which will be filmed at Ardingly Antiques Fair later this month 5.1.08
Bob (Kit) Taylor (19.10.16 to 1.1.08). Remembered by Alan Coventry, Click Here. 5.1.08
"Modern
day Houdini puts life on the line"
Click Here • "Magician strikes gold"
Click Here • "Full of tricks"
Click Here • "Growing up with Houdini: Memorabilia more than smoke and
mirrors to family"
Click
Here • "What The Magic Circle pulled out of the hat"
Click Here • "Chen a card-carrying magician"
Click Here • "Just magic for crash victim"
Click Here • Next Saturday we'll be looking at the new George McBride
DVD from Big Blind Media. Your UK news is always welcome - see you next
week, Duncan. 5.1.08