Number 478 - 22nd August 2009
Derren
Brown: The Events. Derren Brown is to present a string of
interactive stunts in his upcoming series of four specials for Channel
4, entitled Derren Brown: The Events. Viewers will be encouraged
to take part at home for the first time. Each show will have its own
underlying theme: to trick, to win, to fool and to control. Derren has
described the stunt in the first special as one that “could be a career
breaker" adding, "in the modern world of mass communication and big
business, simple tricks can be developed to make even the most secure of
systems vulnerable when you know where to push.”
Derren Brown goes Back to the Future... "Illusionist Derren Brown dices with death in the trailer for his top secret new show. The mystery man returns to Channel 4 next month with The Events, which telly chiefs have described as his 'most ambitious' project yet. Fans were left baffled last night after a trailer showing him walking backwards while he dodged traffic that missed him by inches..." To read the full story by Nadia Sam-Daliri (and watch the video) in The Sun Click Here.
3D coming to a small screen near you... Also being lined up is an hour-long showcase of three-dimensional trickery. "Derren Brown's 3D Magic Spectacular" will see Derren play host to some of the world's "greatest, funniest and most shocking magicians". Channel 4 launches new era of programming, Click Here. 22.8.09
Paul
Zenon makes a welcome return to Countdown week commencing Monday
31st August on Channel 4. Jeff Stelling and Rachel Riley host the show
in which contestants race against the clock to pit their wits against
vowels, consonants and numbers. Dictionary Corner guest Paul Zenon
supplies the magic. Daily at 3.25pm - see
TV Magic.
22.8.09
Magic
Night at Madame JoJo’s, London. Magic Night guarantees to sharpen
your senses on Friday September 4th, when mind reader Marc Spelmann will
be reading minds and hammering six-inch nails into his face, AJ will
once again be risking life, limb and the safety of the front row by
juggling huge blades on a skateboard, and James Pritchard will be
swallowing lots of sharp objects in the weirdest cocktail you’ve ever
seen. Madam Galina, the hilarious over-sized ballerina will be
pirouetting amongst the knives and searching for her Nureyev and Lady
Carol will sing with her Ukulele. And MC Christian Lee will be
accompanied by his Guillotine... so, chop-chop, and get down to Madame
JoJo’s at 7pm on Friday September 4th (7.45pm showtime). Tickets £10,
conc. £7, or meal deal ticket (two tickets plus dinner for two) £40.
Tickets can be bought at Ticket Web
www.ticketweb.co.uk
or call Ticket Web on 08700 600 100 or use
www.lastminute.com
for a magic night meal deal. Madame JoJo’s, 8-10 Brewer Street, London
W1F 0SP (Map)
020 7734 3040
www.magicnight.co.uk.
22.8.09
Henry
Lewis - US performance and lecture dates. Britain's Henry Lewis MIMC
appears at
Magic Chicago
on Wednesday 2nd September in An Evening with Henry Lewis, and
then lectures at Magic Inc on Saturday 5th September. Henry Lewis is the
Honorary Vice-President and a Gold Star Medalist of The Magic Circle.
Along with those impressive accomplishments he also serves as the
society's museum Curator Emeritus. Henry has mystified audiences
worldwide from St. James' Palace in London to theatres in the United
States, Canada, Scotland, Ireland and the Middle East. Magic Chicago
invite you to join them for an evening of light-hearted and entertaining
magic. The show will conclude with an interview. For details of the
Saturday lecture at Magic Inc contact
www.magicinc.net/magicinc. Later in the year Henry will be back in
the States for two performances with Le Grand David Spectacular Magic
Company at the Larcom Theatre on November 25th and Cabot Street
Cinema Theatre on November 27th
www.legranddavid.com.
22.8.09
FISM
2012. Bookings are already flooding in to Arthur Casson,
Registration Officer of Blackpool Magicians’ Club, for FISM 2012.
Preparations are well under way for this feast of magic to be held in
Blackpool in three years time (9th - 14th July 2012) and several major stars of magic are
already lined up to appear. Derek Lever, Executive President of FISM
2012, and his team are determined to make the 2012 World Championships
of Magic the biggest and best the world has ever seen. The conference
will be held at the Blackpool Winter Gardens, the Grand Theatre, the
Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the world famous Blackpool Tower Circus. A
registration form for this epic event can be downloaded from the
Blackpool Magicians’ Club website
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
22.8.09
The
hand may be quicker than the eye - but it's not as fast as Usain Bolt!
Robert Fox was recently personally requested to visit Usain Bolt's
training camp to perform for Usain and his team ahead of the
12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics. It seemed to do the
trick, as last week Usain Bolt smashed his own world record in both the
100m and 200m races in Berlin, to ensure his palce in the history books
as the greatest athlete of our time. Robert and Usain will be hooking up
again ahead of the 2012 Olympics in London.
www.r-fox.co.uk
www.usainbolt.com.
22.8.09
Jon
Allen is presenting his lecture for International Magic on Thursday
27th August at 7.30pm at their usual venue - Casa Italiana' (2nd Floor),
136 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL (Map).
The lecture costs £10 per person. For more information or to attend
contact Martin MacMillan at International Magic on 020 7405 7324 or
email
martin@internationalmagic.com.
www.close-upmagician.com.
22.8.09
Put
the kettle on... you are invited to Afternoon Tea with Richard
Wiseman. "During the Edinburgh Festival I invited some of my favourite
magicians, skeptics, psychologists and comedians to join me for
afternoon tea. Over a plentiful supply of cakes, pastries and sandwiches
we chatted about this and that, and occasionally the other. I hope that
you will feel moved to put on the kettle, relax and join us."
richardwiseman.wordpress.com.
22.8.09
Kidology
UK 2009 – Uncle Ted’s Famous Fishing Game. Albion Magic have secured
the rights to this popular team game endorsed by Quentin Reynolds in his
lectures. Re-launched at Kidology there will be a significant reduction
on the usual retail price of £38 for those at the convention. Kidology
this year is on Tuesday September 8th. It's at the usual venue: the
Civic and Wulfrun Halls, North Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1RQ (Map).
Tickets need to be booked in advance and cost £35.00 which includes a
buffet lunch. This year's lecturers are Ali Cardabra (Walk Around Magic
for Children); Derek Lever (Children's Magic Props Through the Ages);
Michael Diamond (Halloween Magic) and Michael Fitch (Kids' Cabaret).
Plus 14 dealers with all the latest children's props. Visit
www.practical-magic.com for more information.
22.8.09
An
Evening with Derek Lever. Hot foot from his visit to Beijing, where
he and his team successfully bid for Blackpool to host the 2012 FISM
Convention, Derek Lever will be on stage at the Blackpool Magicians’
Club on 27th August. The meeting, held in the club’s superb
headquarters, starts at 8pm (doors open at 7pm) and is open to all
members and associates of
Blackpool
Magician’s Club.
22.8.09
Rabbits,
Hats & Big Boxes - Pat Fallon MIMC Gold Star will be appearing at
The Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin 14 on Sunday 6th September at 8pm.
Tickets €18/€15. "This is a rare opportunity to see Ireland's most
successful all round magician present his full evening show. Pat Fallon
looks like a real magician and no wonder, he has been at the forefront
of the international magic scene for the past twenty years. His show
‘Rabbits Hats & Big Boxes’ fulfils everybody’s idea of what a real magic
show should be. Amazing classic stage magic with beautiful white doves,
colourful silk scarves and a big fat rabbit, comedy interaction with
members of the audience and of course a series of baffling stage
illusions. This one and a half hour show is full of the kind of magic
that is often spoken about but seldom seen." Bookings:
www.milltheatre.com, and to listen to Pat talking about his magic
Click Here.
22.8.09
Magicseen,
September 2009. News from Mark Leveridge: Subscribers and purchasers
have got a real treat in store when they receive the latest issue (no.28
Sept.09) which is now ready, because it contains an exclusive interview
with world magic legend David Copperfield. Just what is it like to be
the most recognised magician on the planet? Issue 28 sets out to tell
you as well as gives you a private tour of David's amazing magic museum.
Talking of legends, we also spend some time 'down under' with Australian
magical icon Ben Harris, plus FISM Grand Prix winner Norbert Ferre tells
us what makes a good magic act, Paul Stockman explains his path from
drummer to mentalist, John Helvin reveals his huge talent as a magical
portrait artist, and Noah Kelly explains what he did with 2 tons of
cheese in the name of publicity! Our feature articles include Magic In
Singapore with 3 Masterclass tricks from that part of the world, Craig
Petty begins a major series on gimmicked coins, and JC Sum takes us
backstage during his successful world record illusion bid. All this plus
product reviews, letters, news and more make Magicseen issue 28 a must
read! Available on subscription, as a single copy purchase or as a
download from
www.magicseen.co.uk.
22.8.09
The
Amazing Chang: The Magic of Whittington-Wickes (exhibition), 17th October 2009 -
10th January 2010 at the Royal Pump Rooms Museum, Leamington Spa,
Warwickshire. Leamington Spa magician David Taylor MMC will be
performing a range of classic parlour and close-up magic for visitors at
the opening of the exhibition on Saturday 17th October
2009 between 12 noon and 3pm. For more information
Click Here.
www.davidtaylormagic.co.uk.
22.8.09
Magic
couple delt a winning hand. ACES Magic Society President Martin
Lewis and Secretary Nicky Moon are getting married today in Southwick,
West Sussex. After proposing during a magic show for friends and family
in November last year, the wedding has been designed with a magical
theme, including a cake topper in the form of Martin sawing Nicky in
half!
22.8.09
International
Brotherhood of Magicians British Ring President's Dinner. 2009/2010
IBM President, Shirley Ray and Dave welcome you to the president's
dinner and an Evening of Magic in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales at
The Coniston
Hall Hotel - Dinner & Cabaret, on Saturday 17th April 2010,
featuring John Archer, John Kimmons and Amethyst. Tickets available from
Dave Cass, Sadler Hall Lodge, Church Lane, Adel, Leeds LS16 8BU
(Telephone 0113 225 4816) Price £45.00. Venue: Coniston Hall Hotel,
Coniston Fold, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 4EA (Map)
Telephone 01756 748080.
22.8.09
The
Skipton Factor, - tickets now on sale. Variety show, The Skipton
Factor, returns for a third year running to raise money for Sue Ryder
Care Manorlands Hospice. The show, organized by magician Mark Waddington
features local talent, and this year, features international artistes
too. "As well as bringing back the favorite acts from previous shows,
I've also managed to book Illusionists Danny Hunt and Annette Claire,
collectively known as Amethyst" said Mark. The evening promises an
action-packed show featuring comedy, illusion, dance, circus skills,
music and more! Friday, 16th October. Tickets are £7 for adults and £4 for under 12's,
available by calling 01756 792879 or emailing
info@skiptonmagician.co.uk.
It is advised to book tickets well in advance.
22.8.09
Lee
Smith, creator of the Fifth Element, will be lecturing at the Mystic
Ring on Thursday, September 3rd at 7.45pm. Steve Milroy, Sec. Mystic Ring
emails: "The lecture will be based on real world close up magic and
performance. All routines and effects are used by Lee in his working
repertoire. Regularly performing for many large corporate and celebrity
clients these effects get him booked time and time again. Nearly all are
impromptu and can be used in any close up situation. All this plus tips
on approaching groups, audience management and much, much more. Not to
be missed. Visiting magicians welcome, admission £5. The Mystic Ring
meets at Dunstable Conservative Club, 49 High Street North, Dunstable,
Bedfordshire." For more information visit
www.mysticring.co.uk or email
themysticring@hotmail.com.
www.walkaboutmagic.com.
22.8.09
Dave
Allen will be lecturing and performing in the gala show at
Ivardo's
Minnekongress in Norway (Friday 4th September - Sunday 6th
September) together with British magicians' Mark Leveridge and Tony
Griffith.
22.8.09
Tony Griffith is now scheduling a 2009/2010 UK lecture tour with
his 'Reflections' lecture. The items presented in this lecture are all
practical commercial routines that Tony has performed throughout his
career and are taken from his three recent highly successful published
books, Reflections, Further Reflections and Final Reflections. For
quotes on these books visit
www.tonygriffith.co.uk. Magic club secretaries contact Tony for
details and dates: 01275 835463
tony@tonygriffith.co.uk. Tony will present his 'Reflections'
lecture, and perform, at the
Ivardo's
Minnekongress in Norway (Friday 4th September - Sunday 6th
September).
22.8.09
The
KIDabra International Conference is held annually in Pigeon Forge,
Tennessee, for family and children's entertainers. Dave Andrews reports:
"This year, three Brits went over. Kimmo was invited to lecture and
perform on the Gala Show, Jimmy (Jimbo) Carlo and Dave Andrews went as
'support' and entered the first ever KIDabra Competition. Kimmo blew
them away with both his lecture and his act in the Gala Show, Jimbo won
First Place in the Competition and Dave Andrews won the 'People's Choice
Award' - clean sweep from all counts, and thoroughly enjoyed by all the
registrants, fortunately! Jolly Roger was there as our team leader, and
headed up a late night question and answer session with the four of us
taking questions from those still up at 11.30 pm. Not only was it a good
and very friendly Conference (no egos!), Pigeon Forge is a fantastic
place as well. It is the home of Dollywood, many theatres, many
eateries, many shops and sits at the foot of the beautiful Smoky
Mountains. I believe all three of us will be back next year, and it
would be brilliant if a few more Brits went as well!"
www.kidabra.com.
22.8.09
We
Are Klang. "Comedy series set in the council offices of the run-down
town of Klangbury. It is the local elections and the mayor is challenged
by a slick Barack Obama-alike. The three councillors must save the
campaign by enlisting celebrity support in the form of hopeless magician
Derren Chillblaine. But it is a different celebrity, in the form of a
chef, who cooks up a storm. Will the boys save the day and keep the
mayor in office? Features a special guest star, the Department of
Audience and Mr Schnitzer." 10.30pm on Thursday 27th August on BBC 3.
See TV Magic.
22.8.09
Maurice Fogel - In Search of the
Sensational by Chris
Woodward and Richard Mark, published by Hermetic Press - last few copies
remain, mint, unopened, together with limited edition bookplate signed
by Chris Woodward, Nadine Fogel and Richard Mark. £36.00 plus postage.
Email Chris Woodward
c.woodward@tesco.net
to order.
22.8.09
Bolton Magicians Club - Table Top Magic Sale. Bolton Magicians Club are holding a Table Top Magic Sale at their HQ the Doffcocker Inn, Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 5QE (Map) at 8.30pm on Wednesday 26th August. Visitors welcome, buy, sell or exchange. www.bolton-magic.co.uk. 22.8.09
Hypnotic baby! Rachel Houghton, fiancée of Jonathan (Alex Smith) Royle, gave birth to a beautiful baby daughter, Ashleigh Alexandra Louise Smith, at 2.15pm on August 16th (soon to be world's youngest professional hypnotist and magician we are told!) roylehypnotist.wordpress.com. 22.8.09
Stand
Up: A Professional Guide to Comedy Magic by Ian Keable gets the
thumbs-up from Jez Rose this week,
Click Here • We've another British Ring update from Bob Hayden
this week,
Click Here • "Copperfield sued over 'assault'"
Click Here • "Spain's magicians say television show that gives
away secrets is a dirty trick"
Click Here • "Magician Paul Daniels
to perform in village hall"
Click Here • "Patricia
Sheridan's Breakfast with ... The Amazing Kreskin"
Click Here • "Paul to put the magic into ambucopter
anniversary"
Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcomed - see you
next week, Duncan.
22.8.09