Number 657 - 26th January 2013
Live
Magic at Smoke & Mirrors, Bristol. Open 6 days a week with live music every
weekend and its own Parlour Magic Theatre, Smoke & Mirrors plays host to Morgan
& West, Wayne Goodman, Dee Christopher, Rob James, Matthew Wright & Matt
Edwards, Alan Hudson, Aldo Colombini, and Greg Wilson over the coming months...
To see who's on next visit
www.smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk - remember to book early as the theatre has limited
capacity.
26.1.13
Magic
Festival marks 10 years with special school trick. The South Tyneside
International Magic Festival, which celebrates a decade of spellbinding
entertainment in March 2013, launched this year’s line-up with a unique
performance at a South Tyneside school. Around 80 students at Mortimer Primary
School, South Shields, saw a team of top magicians from across the North East
perform a new 'group trick', specially developed to celebrate the festival’s
anniversary. The magicians, including magic television star John Archer,
festival organiser Martin Duffy, representatives from sponsors
MagicBox and several
other magicians who have attended or performed at the festival during the past
10 years, each took on a different element of the 10-part illusion, setting
alight a £20 note before transforming the remains into a levitating coin, a key
to unlock a chained performer and finally a bottle of champagne, which could be
used to toast the South Tyneside International Magic Festival’s return. Mortimer
Primary School’s year three students were also treated to a short magic show by
Magic Andrew, in which he made a rabbit appear and a question and answer session
with John Archer who is currently starring on CBBC programme Help My Supply
Teacher Is Still Magic. Since launching in 2004 the South Tyneside
International Magic Festival has attracted more than 60,000 magic fans and
professional performers, with many travelling from around the world to attend.
Full details about the South Tyneside International Magic Festival can be found
at
www.southtyneside.info/magicfestival. "Magic tricks a treat for pupils"
Click Here.
26.1.13
Magic
Night at Madame JoJo's London. "Magic Night presents the Duo Bogof, the
husband and wife team who will use live feeds to bring you into a looping
magical world where the real and unreal merge; Lee Hathaway (photo) shows you
how easy it is to cheat at poker; Pete Heat uses video trickery to hypnotise and
control and Josephine Shaker who gives us some fishy hot hoofing work. The Card
Ninja returns with his slicing cards and superfast sleight of hand, you can run
but you can’t hide from the Ninja. All expertly hosted my Christian Lee who will
attempt not to stab his hand." Magic Night at Madame JoJo's. Friday February
15th. Doors open 7pm. Show starts at 7.45pm. Tickets £12 including entry to
Good Foot. Show ticket plus dinner: £25. Tickets:
www.wegottickets.co.uk Madame
JoJo’s, 8-10 Brewer Street, London W1F 0SE 020 734 3040
www.magicnight.co.uk.
26.1.13
Keelan
Leyser and Charlotte Marie's Quick Change Act has been watched by quite a
few people recently. Last Saturday night on BBC1 they appeared on new show
"Britain's Brightest" in one of the memory challenges, with their Quick Change
Act, see
iPlayer (52 minutes in).
To top that the YouTube clip of their performance on Penn & Teller: Fool
Us has now reached over 8 million YouTube views (Click Here), and next Friday they are heading
off to China to perform in a live television show to celebrate the Chinese New Year, which will be
watched by no less then 140 million people, live. The biggest audience of
their career... no pressure then!
www.keelanandcharlotte.com.
26.1.13
Blackpool
Convention update. From the organisers: Blackpool Magicians Convention has
already sold 2,400 registrations and is heading for a sell-out. The Korean Gala
Show on Friday has been expanded to 8 performers: Yuji Yasuda, Yu Ho Jin, Ted
Kim, Lukas, Kim Hyun Joon, Haon Gun, Lee Hun and Nicky Yang. The Wayne Dobson
and Friends Show on Saturday features: Michael J. Fitch, Wayne Dobson, Joe
Monti, Simon Lovell, Colin McLeod and Mel Mellers. The dates are 22nd, 23rd,
24th February 2013. Visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com
to book.
26.1.13
Merlins
of Wakefield are presenting a lecture by Harry Robson on Wednesday 13th March:
"Harry is well known in the magic business, and has performed and lectured
all over the UK and Europe. He is a very skilled and accomplished magician whose
lecture contains real world stuff that knocks the spectators for six. Here is
your chance to see Harry and gain some fantastic new skills and effects. We
always sell out our lectures, so you must book in advance. Tickets £7.50 each,
Click Here for details. Please book early to avoid disappointment – no
admittance on the door!"
26.1.13
Julie
Noted - Entertaining the Under 5’s and other nice ways to go slowly insane.
Andy Clockwise writes: "On
Tuesday 5th February, Julie Carpenter - AKA Auntie Julie - will be presenting
her lecture 'Julie Noted - Entertaining the Under 5’s and other nice ways to go
slowly insane' to the Watford Association of Magicians. Having entertained the
under 5's for 14 years, Julie will share her experiences with practical advice
on how to engage toddlers with a mixture of magic, games and psychological
control as well as covering items specifically for toddler shows and more
general magic for older children featuring her new style magic colouring book
effect 'Zoo Time'. Julie will also talk about working in Hospitals, will teach
you how to learn twenty children's names in just 10 minutes, share some of her
favourite games with you and lend some good business practices and advice. If
you're thinking of starting out in this lucrative market, or if you're already
well established, there will be something for everyone from this triple IBM
award winner. www.auntiejulie.com. Don't miss it. Doors open 7.30pm, lecture
starts 8pm prompt. £10 temporary membership payable for non-WAM members.
Contact: www.wamclub.co.uk.
26.1.13
Beyond Belief - Blackpool.
"Back by popular demand for the sixth consecutive year “The Magic’s
Back” Blackpool’s most fabulous magic, comedy and variety show is back at the
Horseshoe, Blackpool Pleasure Beach on Mondays and Tuesdays from 27th of May
2013. Once again Richard and his team with yet more additions have invested
heavily to provide a fast moving magic, comedy, illusion and variety show to
create a great evening of entertainment that will blow your mind!"
Mondays and Tuesdays 27th May – 29th October at 7.30pm. See
www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/shows to book. Box
Office 0781 222 9090. The Horseshoe, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Ocean Boulevard,
Blackpool.
26.1.13
More
Look No Hands by Wayne Dobson. Now available! "10 more incredible hands-off routines (11 if you count the
bonus trick) using Banknotes, Business Cards, Pens, Coins and of course Cards.
There are also contributions from guest magicians which are both absolute gems!"
Free with every order: Six Masterpieces by Wayne Dobson (Value £12).
Visit
www.waynedobson.co.uk for more info and to order.
26.1.13
The
Card Collection Sale is now on! Enjoy a 10% discount on orders for goods
over £25.00 and 15% on all goods orders over £40.00. Hurry - it's too good to
miss! Ends 12 midnight 4th February.
www.cards4magic.co.uk.
26.1.13
The
continuing adventures of Mel Harvey... "It all started quite innocently with
an advert on an internet sales site. I was advertising my spare set of Bryan
Clarke Punch & Judy puppets when I got a call from a casting agency in Milton
Keynes asking if I would like to go on the TV show PawnStars! It's on Sky's
History Channel. The last time I advertised I sold an old set of figures and a
booth to a man who had seen my ad. in Damascus! He came over to England, bought
the booth and the puppets and stayed for my P&J instruction course and is now
working in a shopping mall in Dubai. For PawnStars I had to go up to Chester to
the offices of Regal Pawn to film the "selling sequence" with the Punch figures,
including doing a shortened version of my Punch show. They made me an offer for
the puppets, but it was one I could refuse! So unless they are sold before, I
will be bringing them up to the Blackpool Convention next month, where I look
forward to meeting friends old and new." Mel Harvey.
26.1.13
The
new series of ‘Help! My Supply Teacher is Still Magic’ has a dedicated
website at
www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/help-my-supply-teacher-is-magic where you can enjoy
playalong interactive tricks, watch tricks to fool your friends with, and see
previously broadcast episodes. The series featuring magicians John Archer,
Fergus Flanagan, Katherine Mills and James Went continues on the CBBC channel on
Tuesdays at 6.15pm and is repeated on Saturdays at 2pm.
26.1.13
Poker
Face. New, from Magicbox: "Pablo Amira is world renowned for his direct
approach to mentalism and so when he approached Magicbox with a rather unique
idea we were more than ready to listen. After several months in development
Magicbox are happy to announce the imminent release of 'Poker Face'. Poker Face
is a utility item for the modern mentalist comprising five custom manufactured
poker chips. Not only are poker chips instantly recognisable the world over, the
poker theme is perfectly suited to displays of 'people reading' and prediction
style effects. The natural link between the poker chips and playing cards opens
up a whole new world of possibilities to explore. Poker Face comes complete with
five custom manufactured poker chips, draw string carrying pouch and booklet
outlining several routines direct from the creative minds of Pablo Amira and
acclaimed mentalist Michael Murray." Find out more, visit
www.magicbox.uk.com.
26.1.13
Steve
Gore is presenting his "Ramblings from a Suspender … of Disbelief!" lecture
at a number of clubs in the coming months. "It’s not all close-up magic; there
are effects for stage, parlour and kids too, so there’s something for everyone,
and it’s all doable stuff so no finger flinging!" Everyone who attends will
receive a free copy of Steve's lecture notes. "I thoroughly enjoyed your lecture
last night, one of my colleagues and I just kept looking at each other at the
end of each effect wondering 'whatever next'. I don't think I've seen/met a
magician with such an interesting array of effects and variations on originals
at the Guild before. You have a very creative mind, Well done my friend! Overall
it was one of the best lectures I have seen at the Guild and I joined in 1989!"
John Scott, Nottingham Guild of Magicians. See
What's On for dates.
www.stevegore.co.uk.
26.1.13
Gold Dust
Paul Gordon. "Are you a lover of card magic? Well, although
the official release of Paul Gordon's 'best of' book is at the Blackpool
Convention this
February, you can get your copy now. Gold Dust contains 150 of his very best
worker card tricks; plus many new items. At 352 pages, Gold Dust is a big book.
Gold foil embossed saddle stitched cloth hardback. See
www.paulgordon.net/golddust.html for reviews, contents, video demos
and ordering
info."
26.1.13
Bexley
Magic Society. Roy Marsh reports: "At
the Annual General Meeting of Bexley Magic Society on Wednesday 23rd January,
Roy Marsh MIMC stood down as President after completing the customary three
years in office. He thanked the club for their support and then handed over the
chain of office to the new President, Chris Latham MMC (pictured). Chris was
introduced to the club by Roy and he was then coached by Jack Delvin (another
member of BMS and currently President of The Magic Circle) for membership of The
Magic Circle a few years later. Chris is a very active man in his post
retirement years, despite suffering from ailments that would slow down younger
men. He is a member of a number of clubs and organisations including a rugby
club, a branch of Probus and 41 Club (for ex Round Tablers). His magical
connections also extend to being a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of
Makers of Playing Cards of which he is still a member. The club looks forward to
seeing Chris in his official capacity at each of their major events, as well as
presenting trophies at the various competitions."
26.1.13
Congratulations
to Chris P Tee (Christian P Taylor) winner of the Bristol Society of Magic's
coveted "Children's Entertainer of the Year 2013" competition last week. Chris
writes: "I'm over the moon. It's the first competition I have entered and it's
the first time there's been a trophy. There were at least 80 people in the
audience, most aged between 11 to 17 years and they voted for me and my daft
brand of magic that is very much family based humor with stealth gags built in
for the adults!"
Here's a link to an earlier show
Click Here.
www.magicminidisco.com.
26.1.13
Jack
Stephens, a Wiltshire based close-up magician and member of The Magic Circle
and the International Brotherhood of Magicians, was booked to appear at the
promotion of a new wine named 'The Magician' at a lovely wine bar, The Naked
Grape, in Miami, Florida. He flew out last Monday, stayed 2 days and then flew
back again. Sunny Florida, to freezing England... in seven short hours! Jack
performed mix 'n' mingle magic for 2 hours, and included some balloon modelling
too. After the close-up entertainment, there was a prize draw in which a lucky
contestant won a pack of 'The Magician' wine. A fair draw? Of course not. With
the use of the proverbial change bag, Jack ensured a selected client won the
prize!
26.1.13
Magic
Car Boot Sale now in its 20th year. Weather permitting Paul Zenon will be
there with his Z-Ray deck, as will former BBC Radio presenter
Gordon Astley. Sunday 3rd February 2013 at The Masonic Hall, Edward Street, West
Bromwich B70 8NT (Map).
From 9.30am, admission £4. Over 20 stalls, with few stall spaces available. For
information contact Alec Powell on 07831 115448.
26.1.13
Magicians Wanted for charity event in Hampshire. Jason Law emails: "I am one of the organisers for a small charity festival in Hampshire raising money for the brilliant Teenage Cancer Trust. 2013 is our fourth year and will be on 'star-wars day' (Saturday 4-May), with about 30 bands across three stages and a bunch of comedians. We are looking for one or more magicians to wander around the site doing impromptu tricks during the day and would be happy with amateurs, semi-pros, beginners - basically anything we can get! We do have a budget, but as 100% of the receipts are donated to TCT, we obviously try to keep our costs to a minimum." Email info@dumbfest.com if you'd like to help. Also see www.dumbfest.com. 26.1.13
Edinburgh Fringe Festival show technician services: "Magicians taking part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival should be interested to know that technical support is now available and is an important part of their presentation. Graham Colvan is an experienced theatre and event technician who is well respected within the magical community and has already assisted a number of magicians in the past at the Edinburgh Fringe, including Rob James, Alan Hudson, Young and Strange, and The Colour Ham. He offers very competitive rates and is knowledgeable in the art so would be a valuable asset. All venues require a technician and it is worthwhile having one that already has a good knowledge of what is required by a magician. Graham has a superb support network and can offer various services to any magicians who are coming to Edinburgh. Contact Graham for further information and make your Fringe experience one to enjoy. graham.colvan@gmail.com." 26.1.13
"Q
& A: Magician Pete Firman"
Click Here • "Street magician Ryan Hicks wows at Britain’s Got
Talent 2013 London auditions"
Click Here • "Canadian magician wows Taipei with science-based
magic"
Click Here • "Young Cliviger magician entertains Clarets players"
Click Here • "JLS wowed by young Folkestone magician"
Click Here • "A steady stream of magicians"
Click Here • "New Generation Master Illusionist Christian Ford
Presents Entertaining Evening of Magic at Encore Dinner Theatre"
Click Here • "Whatever You Do, Don’t Call The Amazing Kreskin A
Magician"
Click Here • "Massive Blackpool hotel blaze - probe underway"
Click Here • "Milford Magic Monday"
Click Here • "Entertainer works magic to cheer up Barrow"
Click Here • "Whirlwind year for Port Dover illusionist"
Click Here • And finally, it may not be magic, but "Going once,
going twice... KA-POW! Batmobile sold for $4.2m"
Click Here I couldn't not report. That's it for another week, your
UK magic news is always welcome, see you next week, Duncan.
26.1.13