Number 491 - 21st November 2009
Just
announced! Arturo Brachetti will be interviewed and involved in a
Q&A session at the International Magic Convention in London next week.
With his unbelievably busy schedule currently including 8 shows a week
at the Garrick Theatre it has been a challenge to find suitable time for
Arturo to visit the convention, but everything has now come together and
the convention's revised schedule will be up on
www.internationalmagic.com at the beginning of next week. It means a
slightly earlier start on the Sunday to fit in all the lectures, the
Close Up Gala and the Presentation of the David Berglas Award to its
surprise, still undisclosed recipient, in addition to the Exact
Change Only with Arturo Brachetti session. Bearing in mind the
earlier start please be aware that if you are travelling by tube that
Blackfriars Tube Station is currently closed for building work. The
nearest tubes are now Temple, Mansion House and St Pauls. Registrations
available via
www.internationalmagic.com. See you there!
21.11.09
South
Tyneside International Magic Convention - March 2010. The first
three names for next year's South Tyneside International Magic
Convention have just been announced. First, Lennart Green (photo) -
World Champion of Close Up and Card Magic. This will be his only
appearance in the UK in 2010. Then, Tim Sonefelt - one of America's top
Children's Entertainers, and finally, An Audience with Wayne Dobson -
which will prove to be one of the convention highlights. With more names
to be announced in the coming weeks. Friday 12th March, Saturday
13th March, Sunday 14th March 2010. To pre-register email Karri at
karri.prinn@southtyneside.gov.uk or call 0191 424 7986. For more
information
Click Here.
21.11.09
Rune
Klan - The Session 2010. Rune Klan is a major celebrity in his
native country, Denmark. He has starred in dozens of his own television
magic specials and due to his television commitments and live
performances (which are always a sellout), he is very rarely seen
attending conventions, or more, performing at them. His appearance at
The Session 2010 will be his only magic convention performance for a
long time, and this may be your only chance in the near future to see
Rune teach and perform his amazing, hilarious magic. Rune is on the
cover of MAGIC Magazine this month (and just 35 tickets now remain for
the convention!)
16th and 17th January 2010.
www.sessionconvention.com.
21.11.09
Magic
Show opens at
QUAD (Derby’s new centre for art and film) on November 28th and runs
until January 31st. This is the first venue on a five-stop tour of a
Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition curated by visual artist Jonathan
Allen (aka the fictitious gospel magician
Tommy Angel) and writer Sally O'Reilly, which brings together 24
artists for whom theatrical magic is an important form, intellectually
and performatively. In addition, many collectors from the international
magic community (Eddie Dawes, Paul Kieve, Scott Penrose, Peter Lane, and
John Fisher, to name but a few in the UK, as well as The Magic Circle)
have loaned items for an archival section that explores magic's
sometimes surprising connections to the world of politics, warfare,
marketing and religion. A richly illustrated catalogue will accompany
the exhibition, containing essays on art and magic by the curators, as
well as texts on each of the featured artists. It also includes new
writing on the cultural history of magic by Simon During, Brigitte
Felderer, Peter Lamont, Pierre Taillefer, Helen Varola and Marina
Warner. After QUAD, 'Magic Show' tours to Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool
(13th February – 10th April 2010, coinciding with the magic convention);
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Carlisle (15th May – 4th July
2010); Chapter, Cardiff (30th July – 12th September 2010) and Pump House
Gallery, London (6th October – 19t December 2010). More information can
be found on the
South Bank Centre website.
21.11.09
Showzam!
Taking place during February half-term (Friday 12th – Sunday 21st
February 2010), Showzam! will celebrate the art of circus, magic
and new variety in its natural home of Blackpool. The festival will
feature some of the world’s most exciting and talented artists such as
Olivier award winning variety act, La Clique who will be bringing
their heady cocktail of cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow and
contemporary variety to Blackpool’s Tower Circus from Friday 12th to
Saturday 20th February. Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Stageworks present
‘Queens of Magic’ (Tuesday 16th – Saturday 20th February) which will
feature some of the world's best female magicians including illusionist
Fay Presto and the fantastic Romany Diva of Magic. Other confirmed shows
are, ‘Variety Notes’, (The Grand, Saturday 13th February) which will
play host to a range of different acts from the mesmerising Elvis the
Hula Boy to up and coming music variety act Frisky and Mannish. For more
information on all of the shows and events taking place as part of
Showzam visit
www.showzam.co.uk or call 01253 478 204.
21.11.09
Mystery
Magazine launches. News from Paul Cooke of Magic Books by Post:
"We here at MBBP have launched a new magazine called Mystery Magazine… a
magazine which we feel fills a need in magic, but especially in British
magic. Since Abra folded last March, we’ve been besieged by people who
really miss it. Its demise certainly created a void in British magic,
with that in mind we have created The Mystery Magazine. The magazine is
available in both printed & electronic (PDF) formats. It’s edited by
Walt Lees, it’s in full colour and it will be published monthly. For
subscription details please go to
www.themysterymagazine.com."
21.11.09
Hocus
Pocus Magic Co. have just launched a brand-new website featuring
their full range of magic including Stage Magic, Children's Magic,
Mentalism, Coin Magic, Card Tricks, Stage Wear, Puppets, Books, DVDs,
and more. Visit
www.hocuspocusmagic.com today!
21.11.09
Stratford
Circus Magic Festival - 2 for 1 tickets for the evening shows! (To
qualify call the box office on 0844 357 2625 and simply quote '2 for 1
offer'.) Featuring Christopher Howell’s Enchanted
Island, A Wizard Workshop, Paul Kieve’s Hocus Pocus Show, A Magical
Masterclass, and in the evening a magical double bill: At 7pm on November 28th standnotamazed are proud to present a double
bill of theatre and cabaret showcasing the finest in contemporary magic,
bringing the inaugural Festival of Magic at Stratford Circus to a close.
Love and Other Magic Tricks Winner Best Production Buxton Fringe.
Nominated for Best New Writing. “Love is like a magic trick. You can try
and work it out but that would spoil the fun” Part love story, part
magic show, Love and Other Magic Tricks reveals the smoke and
mirrors between a couple as they search for that delicate balance
between love and need. Followed by Magic to Cry For
standnotamazed return with another night of their all star, sell out New
Magic cabaret and variety show. Starring John Lenahan, Piff the Magic
Dragon, Richard Pinner, standnotamazed and very special guests!
www.stratford-circus.com. Time Out Critics' choice:
Click Here. "Harry Potter's favourite magician"
Click Here.
21.11.09
Martyn
James - Magi Lecture. Following the huge success of Martyn James at
Liverpool Mahatma Magic Circle recently [Review]
The Order of The Magi (Manchester) have booked his lecture “From
Illusion to Reality” for Tuesday 24th November at 8pm. This will be
at their headquarters The Irish World Heritage Centre Queens Road M8 8UF
(Map).
It is expected to be a very entertaining evening from an illusionist
well known to the magical fraternity. In fact Martyn topped the bill at
The Magi Centenary Dinner in March this year. Further details are on
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk Door charge for non members. Geoffrey
Newton PRO.
21.11.09
Zane's
Magic Shop is now offering free postage and packing on all orders
worldwide - whatever you spend! They also accept credit and debit cards
and PayPal Visit
www.zanesmagicshop.com to see what's new.
21.11.09
Magic
Noir - An Evening of Comedy Magical Entertainment. Starring Paul
Abbey, Careena Fenton, Martin Cox and Steve Dela. Tuesday 8th December
2009 Doors open at 7.30pm, Show starts at 8pm. Prices: £7 Full Price, £6
Concessions. Box Office: 01483 278000. Cranleigh Arts Centre, 1 High
Street, Cranleigh GU6 8AS (Map).
Paul Abbey emails: I always remember the way Ali Bongo brought folk
together, either via chat at the Magic Circle or during supper after,
and particularly as a result of the many Saturday night shows again at
the Circle, even after his sad loss earlier this year his spirit lives
on because of a tribute show Richard Pinner put on. As a result of a
casual conversation with some from the show that night, I was inspired
to try and put together a commercial show. It was suggested it would be
best to do it as a charity show as a celebration of my birthday next
year, Martin Cox said why not do it as a short tour, Steve Dela and
Careena Fenton joined the gang and after an initial pre production
meeting 'The 50th Birthday Tour' was created, the first show 'Magic
Noir' is on the 8th December 2009 at The Cranleigh Arts Centre, Surrey
and is the beginning of a short tour of the home counties over the next
6 months, resulting with a huge charity event to be held at the Capitol
Theatre, Horsham, West Sussex. We are all very excited about this as so
many folk have commented on how great it is to see this sort of thing in
suburban theatres, how great it is to see live entertainment, I guess
magical entertainment is alive and well in this so called recession and
has a great future!
21.11.09
Henry
Lewis MIMC Past Vice President and now Honorary Vice President and
Curator Emeritus of The Magic Circle has been invited to appear as the
guest performer for Thanksgiving in the USA at the Larcom Theatre on the
27th November 2009 and at the Cabot Theatre on the 29th November 2009.
Beverly, Boston MA.
21.11.09
Big
Top. A colourful, upbeat comedy set in and around a travelling
circus, Big Top stars Amanda Holden, John Thomson (a magic fan in real
life), Sophie Thompson, Tony Robinson, Ruth Madoc and Bruce Mackinnon.
What do you do when you've advertised a death-defying stunt that
everyone has bought tickets to see, and the performer is just a little
bit too injured? How do you manage a group of people who are so jealous
of each other that they are happy to sabotage their colleagues'
performances? What do you do about others who are so dedicated as
performers that they are willing to sabotage their own chances of
survival? How do you hold onto your star acrobat when he is being chased
by immigration officials? Fraught with problems and dealing with a
cacophony of egos, Ring Mistress Lizzie must somehow keep the whole
thing going. Every Wednesday from 2nd December at 7.30pm on BBC1.
21.11.09
The
Groaning Magic Wand hasn't been available for years, but now it's
back - bigger and louder than ever! Hand the wand to your young helper
and it starts to groan, much to the amusement of the children watching,
and your helper of course! Measuring approximately 46cm in length and
made entirely from hard wearing ABS plastic it is built to last. For
ordering info visit:
www.magicianscave.co.uk.
21.11.09
The
Academy of Magic have added a video documentary of the IBM British
Ring Fringe to their site, featuring an interview with Fay Presto and
performance clips from John Lenahan, Hyashi, Lee Hathaway and John
Kimmons. Visit
www.academyofmagic.com.
21.11.09
The
Manchurian Approach Training - Hypnosis for Magicians with Anthony
Jacquin. 9am Saturday 12th - 4.30pm Sunday 13th December 2009
Concepts: Become The Hypnotist. Learn an observation/attitude-based
hypnosis model. Learn how to perform with hypnosis. Apply it to magic
and mentalism. No history and theory lessons. Just tuition and practice.
Mixture of classroom training and public performance. The cost of the
course is £399. Book with deposit by emailing
enquiries@anthonyjacquin.com expressing your interest. The trainers
are Anthony Jacquin, Kev Sheldrake and Amit Bad'ass'iani. Venue: Head
Hacking, Shoreditch, London E2. For more information visit:
www.anthonyjacquin.com.
21.11.09
Geoff
Williams will be presenting his "The Lecture Your Mother Never Gave You"
lecture for
Paisley
Magic Circle at 7.30pm on Thursday 3rd December at their usual
location, St Margaret's Church Hall in Renfrew. Geoff is the author of
the critically acclaimed 2-DVD set "Miracles For Mortals". His DVD "The
'I Hate David Copperfield' Trick" reached number 2 on the Murphy's Magic
Supplies bestsellers list last year. He has presented his lecture around
the USA, including at the Magic Castle, the Las Vegas Magic Invitational
and the Midwest Magic Jubilee and also in Italy and Australia. Before
lecturing at Paisley,
Geoff
will be performing and lecturing at this year's International Magic
Convention taking place next weekend in London.
21.11.09
Dynamo
has a new showreel for 2010 (and it's excellent)
Click Here • "Young Ewell magician wins award in London"
Click Here • "Rise and fall of the Indian rope trick"
Click Here • "Cyril’s magic set to conquer Asia"
Click Here • "Magician David Copperfield pulls back the curtain on
some lingering questions"
Click Here • Seven Keys of Kalanag by Val Andrews is reviewed
by Ian Keable this week,
Click Here • Where do the best magic lecturers advertise their
services? Here! • There
are still a few seats left for Steve Dela's Fantasmagoria at The
King's Head on Monday 23rd November. Don't miss Steve attempting a live
bullet catch! King’s Head Box Office: 0844 209 0326
www.kingsheadtheatre.org • UK magic acts The Twins and
Stuart & Barry were featured on The World Magic Awards in the
States on Thursday:
www.worldmagicawards.com • Alan Rorrison emails that he has launched
some new iphone apps:
Click Here • Pete Hathway is one of two magicians that have made it
through to the final 12 in an online talent competition. The other
magician is Steven Bridges. To vote for Pete visit
www.1click2fame.com
- he'd really appreciate your support • Andy Nyman emails that
unfortunately due to commitments on 'Ghost Stories' he has had to pull
out of performing at the Blackpool convention next year • "Teen magician
has magic in the blood"
Click Here • "Staten Island teen wins top magician honors"
Click Here • That's it! See you next week, Duncan.
21.11.09