Number 634 - 18th August 2012
The UK's only dedicated
close-up magic convention, The Session, returns - Saturday
12th and Sunday 13th January 2013, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Now in its eighth year, The Session
has sold out every single year since its inception, and no doubt will sell out again this
year, with several overseas guests making their first appearances in the
UK. Simon Aronson from the USA with be lecturing and performing his
amazing mind reading act with his wife Ginny; Jay Sankey will partake in
a candid interview session, and will also be lecturing and staging a
workshop; France's Yoann Fontyn will talk
about his incredible card magic and John Archer will be giving a brand
new talk on comedy magic. Many more performers to be announced soon.
Register now at
www.sessionconvention.com.
And for Stateside readers, Josh and Andi are reviving the
Magi-Fest convention (a US convention with an 81-year history), see
www.magifest.org.
18.8.12
The
Mermaid Theatre Complex has recently undergone something of a
renovation and extension which means that International Magic are very
happy to announce that during their Convention later this year (London, November
16th, 17th, 18th) the Dealers will now all be situated in the extended Newgate
Suite. Not only will this allow easier access from the theatre between
events, but also the new space will allow the Convention to feature even
more dealers than in the past, alongside a new extra room where Michael
Vincent will be performing short Parlour type performances before the
Gala Show on Saturday and Sunday night. Alongside Michael's performance
there will be, as always, strolling close up performers and with the
foyer space of the theatre also being doubled in size during the
building work, even more room to enjoy the pre-show entertainment.
Convention co-organiser Noel Britten says "We've always considered we
have the best facilities of any of the all-round UK Conventions in terms
of the theatre for lectures, close up and stage but the dealers have
always been tucked away slightly and a bit of a walk towards the back of
the building, now that has all changed, and for us as a venue choice it
has added the cherry to the top of the cake."
www.internationalmagic.com.
18.8.12
Jurassic
Bark has just been nominated for the newly created TOAST award. Time
Out and Soho Theatre present a showcase for the first award at the
Edinburgh festival fringe for cabaret shows. The TOAST award will
celebrate quality and brilliance in cabaret. This is a congratulatory
show highlighting the shortlisted artistes for 2012. Follow the TOAST
awards on twitter @TOASTAward
www.timeout.com. See Piff the Magic Dragon: Jurassic Bark at 7.10pm
daily at the King Dome, Pleasance throughout the Ed Fringe Festival.
www.piffthemagicdragon.com.
18.8.12
Paloma
Faith assists much-loved Edinburgh Festival magicians Morgan & West for
Radio 1 Filth & Fun. Singer-songwriter Paloma Faith traded her usual
musical duties for a role as a glamorous magician's assistant last week
for Radio 1's cabaret show 'Fun & Filth', hosted by Nick Grimshaw.
Performing in Morgan & West's 'New Trick', a highlight of their current
show at Edinburgh's Gilded Balloon, Ms Faith's initial trepidation soon
gave way to wonder as a spellbound crowd saw an audience member's card
unexpectedly appear in one of the 19th time-traveller's left shoe,
despite all evidence to the contrary. Morgan & West said: "As a magical
double-act we've rarely had call for an assistant, but after this
experience we'd be happy to offer Paloma a full-time job on competitive
assistant rates." Fortunately the event was filmed for posterity:
Click Here.
Morgan & West continue their Edinburgh Festival run with family show
Morgan & West: Clockwork Miracles at the Gilded Balloon at 4.30pm
and late-night limited-capacity card table show Morgan & West: Lying
Cheating Scoundrels at the Gilded Balloon at midnight. See
What's On for Ed
Fringe listings.
18.8.12
Paul
Daniels and Leonard Nimoy feature in a double-bill of conversation:
Star Trek's Mr Spock speaks from 1980 - and the famous magician pops in
from 2009. 8am and again at 3pm today, Saturday 18th August, on BBC Radio 4 Extra. See
TV Magic for Radio and
TV listings.
18.8.12
A
Day with Delvin. "Sheer magical indulgence from 2.30pm to 9.30pm on
Saturday 22nd September at The Magic Circle. Over 50 effects
demonstrated and explained by the old pro. Over 500 books for sale. Only
£20 for the whole extravaganza... Close-up; Stand-up; Table Hopping;
Children's Magic; Cabaret, Mentalism and Stage. Tickets from The Magic
Circle Box Office on 0207 387 2222."
18.8.12
John
Derris: The Ultimate KISS Lecture. "John Derris's KISS Lecture (Keep
It Simple Stupid!) has been seen during the last three years in over 50
magic clubs in the UK and Europe. It's a system acknowledged as a
breakthrough to better magic presentation, better bookings and better
fees and it took him to engagements in over 14 countries! This was
followed by the success of his acclaimed and now out-of-print book
'KISS', both here and in the USA. We have invited John to give what is
in his words 'the last Ultimate KISS Lecture/presentation' on Wednesday
22nd August. John has kindly added items from his personal programme to
this lecture including his famed goldfish bowl production. The lecture
will include performing tips passed on over the years from many of his
friends in magic which have included Al Koran, Dai Vernon, Pat Page and
Alex Elmsley. This is not a lecture on specialised technique. It is a
presentation on selling yourself and your magic and it's based on a
simple premise: People pay you for what they see, not what you do.
Payment on the door at £15 per lecture but you must reserve a place in
advance, please email via
www.internationalmagic.com to book." Venue: Casa Italiana, 2nd
floor, 136 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL (Map).
18.8.12
Channel
5 invited Mr Snuggles (aka magician Steve Dela) made a return visit
to the Big Brother House last week, but this time to complete an entire
task with the housemates. Snuggles Salon was set up to perform horrific
beauty treatments on unsuspecting housemates. Videos of Steve's
performance can be seen on the Channel 5 Big Brother site
Click Here, 2.55 onwards. (Contains profanity. The 'housemate' is
even more horrific that Mr Snuggles. DT).
18.8.12
Chain Reaction. Derren
Brown talks to comedian and musician Tim Minchin.
Tag-team interview show, where last week's interviewee is this week's
interviewer. Today, Derren Brown talks to comedian and musician Tim
Minchin about beliefs, magic and music. 12.30pm on Saturday 18th August
on BBC Radio 4.
18.8.12
Magiclatex
- in the UK. MagicNevin are now stocking Magiclatex products and are
the only UK dealer that is stocking their entire range. From lemons to
doves, and feet to fingers, visit
www.magicnevin.com to see the range and watch demonstration videos
too.
18.8.12
Andy
Nyman will star alongside Chloë Grace Moretz, Aaron Johnson and
Christopher Mintz in Kick-Ass 2 next year playing the role of 'The
Tumour' one of the movies bad guys.
www.andynyman.com.
18.8.12
Confessions
of Real Mind Readers - York: "Confessions of Real Mind Readers is a
special, day long event taking place on August 25th at The Royal York
Hotel, York. Featuring talks, workshops and hands-on instruction from
three of the country's leading, performing mentalists, Luke Jermay, Paul
Voodini (photo) and Chris Rawlins, this is not your average ‘magic lecture’ but
rather an intensive examination of what it means to read minds in the
modern age. Filled with usable material as well as techniques, tips and
tricks to instantly improve your performance, Confessions of Real Mind
Readers is a full-day seminar that will make you and your show better!
Places are strictly limited to 40 so book now to avoid disappointment!"
Visit
www.yorkrealmindreaders.eventbrite.co.uk for details.
18.8.12
Castle
Magic Inter-Society Quiz. "A big thanks to everyone who attended the
recent Castle Magic Inter-Society Quiz at Orlando’s restaurant near
Huddersfield. With teams from Huddersfield, Barnsley, York and Wakefield
everyone had a great night. The Quiz master was Michael Shepherd, ably
assisted by Bob West on the scoreboard. The contest was won by Merlin’s
of Wakefield Team, consisting of Phil Peters, Mark Lee and Ian Waring
(seen here receiving the trophy from Michael Shepherd). The trophy and
prizes were generously supplied by Travis Perkins, via Castle Magic."
Phil, Merlins of Wakefield.
18.8.12
"Paul
Daniels and his Bizarre Magic Calculator App"
Click Here • "Who in Hollywood Owns a Private Island"
Click Here • "Top mind-bender uses hypnotism for good"
Click Here • "Chris Addison talks to Derren Brown"
Click Here • "Morgan and West: Lying, Cheating Scoundrels"
Click Here • "Blindfolded magician reaches Mangalore on his scooter"
Click Here • "Edinburgh Festival 2012: Pete Firman at Edinburgh Festival"
[video]
Click Here • "Barrow man Dave hopes to create TV magic for CBBC show"
Click Here • "Journeys are magical for Hackney train passengers"
Click Here • "Magician Ian conjures up new role as Rotary Club president"
Click Here • "Escaped chimp resting at magician's house, headed for
sanctuary"
Click Here • The News deadline for MagicWeek Number 635 (Saturday 25th
August) will be 12 noon Tuesday 21st August • See you next week, Duncan.
18.8.12