Number 675 - 1st June 2013

Two appearances... two standing ovations... James More, seen here yesterday evening live on Britain's Got Talent. "Tonight we've had probably the best magician we've ever had." Simon Cowell. "'You're the fresh, young, sexy face of magic!' James More sets the BGT stage on fire (literally) but narrowly misses out on the final" Click Here.

"Could it be magic with James More!" (first round) www.youtube.com

"BGT's James More is hoping to make magic 'cool'" www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

"'Britain's Got Talent' James More: 'Semi-final stunt might kill me'" www.digitalspy.co.uk

"Britain’s Got Talent 2013: James More wows judges with his dangerous magic!" www.unrealitytv.co.uk

"Britain's Got Talent 2013: James More says he could die tonight!" www.tellymix.co.uk

"Britain's Got Talent 2013: We chat to James More!" www.tellymix.co.uk

Many congratulations to James on doing so brilliantly in both the first round auditions and in the semi finals last night. Britain's Got Talent has always been the toughest of gigs for a magic act for a number of reasons but James went straight for the jugular and it paid off. He also built up quite a fan base in the process. It's always exciting when a real magic talent breaks through... we're going to be seeing a lot more from James More in the future (and maybe next Saturday in the Final, if the judges play him as their 'Wild Card'). DT. www.jamesmoremagic.com. 1.6.13

Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams. Monday, 9pm on BBC 4. Documentary presented by Professor Simon Schaffer which charts the amazing and untold story of automata - extraordinary clockwork machines designed hundreds of years ago to mimic and recreate life. The film brings the past to life in vivid detail as we see how and why these masterpieces were built. Travelling around Europe, Simon uncovers the history of these machines and shows us some of the most spectacular examples, from an entire working automaton city to a small boy who can be programmed to write and even a device that can play chess. All the machines Simon visits show a level of technical sophistication and ambition that still amazes today. As well as the automata, Simon explains in great detail the world in which they were made - the hardship of the workers who built them, their role in global trade and the industrial revolution and the eccentric designers who dreamt them up. Finally, Simon reveals to us that these long-forgotten marriages of art and engineering are actually the ancestors of many of our most loved modern technologies, from recorded music to the cinema and much of the digital world. See TV Magic. 1.6.13

David Berglas talks with MagicFest Artistic Director, Kevin McMahon: "Join legendary magician David Berglas as he talks with MagicFest Artistic Director, Kevin McMahon, about his extraordinary career in magic. This is a unique opportunity to get to know Magic’s International Man of Mystery. David Berglas is one of the world’s most well respected magicians. Most known to the world of magic for his ground breaking work on 'The Berglas Effect' or 'Any Card At Any Number', David is also one of the UK’s most successful live performing magicians, and had TV shows in the UK and in Europe. He has arguably been the biggest influence on Derren Brown’s performance repertoire. 'One of our greatest living magical performers... Each show is indebted to his artistry and astonishing body of work. Thank you David.' Derren Brown. This question and answer event will be held at the Empire Rooms at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, where David made his Scottish debut in 1953. This is an event for the Scottish Magic Community, however there are a limited number of tickets available to the general public so don't miss out!" A conversation with David Berglas Saturday 29th June at 2pm at The Festival Theatre. Tickets £12/ £10 conc/ £5 child. Duration: 70 minutes. Ages 12+. Book online via www.magicfest.co.uk. 1.6.13

The hugely impressive Magic 1400s - 1950s has just been republished in a slightly more manageable size and at a much more manageable price. Magic 1400s - 1950s delves deep into hidden archives, pulling out 850+ stunning posters, photographs, handbills, and engravings documenting an incredibly rich, vivid world where anything and everything seemingly became possible, from supernatural magic and death defying escapes, right up to the sleight of hand of Cardini, Pollock and Kaps. MagicWeek took a look at this inspirational colossus of a book that really should be in every magicians all-time top ten, Click Here. 1.6.13

Card Shark. Drummond Money-Coutts goes globally with his first television special, Card Shark. Filmed earlier this year, the special takes inspiration from the 3 Card Monte as DMC meets with international card masters and then develops the idea of the Monte into a highly ambitious and dangerous stunt. Card Shark premieres Monday 3rd June at 9pm on National Geographic. Click Here and Click Here. 1.6.13

Magic at the Barn, Rochford, Essex. Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July. An amazing weekend of magic for all ages. Now in its 9th year, this year's show boasts a combination of sleight-of-hand close-up magic, stage magic, illusion, juggling and comedy, all held within the intimate and enchanting atmosphere of a 17th century barn theatre: "Joining Oliver Tabor this year is the brilliant Stephen Barry who will be the compere for the weekend, plus two of the UK's top acts. Two different acts over the two nights. Saturday features the comedy magic of Alan Hudson who appeared on ITV's Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and Sunday's show stars Mat Ricardo, a big international variety act who recently made an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show. Close-up magicians will start the evening as the doors open. Tickets: £12.50 (adults), £7.50 (children),  £35 (2 adults & 2 children). Ticketline: 01702 543242. www.magicatthebarn.co.uk. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7.30pm. Refreshments will be available to purchase during the interval. The Red Brick Barn, Sutton Hall, Shopland Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1LH (Map). 1.6.13

The 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme has just been released and once again we are very grateful to Peter McLanachan (www.thecardman.co.uk) for providing us with a 'magic related' listing (see What's On for August). Once again magic features heavily - there's an incredible line up of both individual acts and full productions that embrace magic to the max. 1.6.13

Jan Logemann, current FISM World Champion of Card Magic, lectures in the UK this month:

Bradford Magic Circle (date to be confirmed) www.bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk
Aberdeen Magical Society 9th June www.aberdeenmagic.com
Newcastle Magic Circle 10th June www.newcastle-magic-circle.org
Devon Magic Circle 12th June www.devonmagiccircle.co.uk
Flyde Mystics 18th June www.fyldemystics.co.uk
Bath (not a society lecture, contact Paul Preager to attend) 19th June www.magicupclose.co.uk
Cardiff Magical Society 24th June www.cardiffmagic.org.uk
To see Jan at work Click Here. 1.6.13

Sonic Magic Shop (www.sonicmagicshop.com) is a brand new online shop exclusively stocking the unique magic of Tony Middleton*: "We are proud to announce 3 groundbreaking new releases that have been intensively tested in the real world. 1. Sonic’s Professional Black Art Table, A table so deceptive, you can’t see the secret even up close! Click Here; 2. Switch Set Pro, A dynamic, professional 3 phase coin routine, Click Here 'Sonic has polished this piece of intimate theater and has come up with a multi phase plot that will entertain and baffle your participants' Jeff McBride; 3. No Miss! Toppit, A new professional Toppit design that will increase your confidence! Click Here. The website also includes a Members Only section which is free to join. Members get free video tuition, a 30 page extract from Performing Magic, and video clips from McBride's Mystery School Mondays. *Tony Middleton ‘Sonic’, is an international magician and author of magic. His book Performing Magic, with forewords by Paul Daniels and David Berglas received outstanding critical acclaim from magicians including Jeff McBride, Geoffrey Durham, Kevin James, David Stone, and Michael Finney. He appeared with Chris Dugdale on ITV’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us. He has performed from Rome to Rio de Janeiro, and performed alongside Gary Barlow, Jools Holland, and for Sir Roger Moore, Will Carling, Prunella Scales, and Keith Floyd. He has appeared at top London venues including The Savoy, Claridges, Blenheim Palace, The Gherkin, The Natural History Museum, The National Portrait Gallery and The Royal National Theatre. He is also a guest speaker on McBride’s Magic & Mystery School web shows. Tony’s focus with Sonic Magic Shop is to provide innovative professional magic that works in the real world." 1.6.13

Variety @ UCL. London's newest variety night returns for one night only at The Magic Circle on Thursday June 6th: "The fantastic Young & Strange will be hosting the show, featuring the incredible mind-reading of Marc Spelmann, the Magic Circle Close-Up Magician of the Year 2012 Fay Presto, unique Japanese artistry from Megumi Shimamura, hilarious comedy from Lara A King and contortion from Felix. Edward Hilsum will be performing with his little assistants (doves!), with live music from Holly Turton and a very special surprise!" Thursday 6th June. Doors 7pm starts 7.30pm. Tickets £16.50 (£12.50 in advance for Students, Magic Circle members and Concessions) and full details from http://www.uclvariety.com. Showreel: Click Here. 1.6.13

The Card Shark Show, Mayfair Theatre London - July dates now added. "The Card Shark show stars Steve Truglia, an accomplished sleight of hand expert and close up magician. Having passed the notoriously rigorous performance exam for The Magic Circle, Steve sought out long ago hidden secrets within the Magic Circle’s incredible library, to further study these dark arts. In earlier life Steve’s time with UK Special Forces taught him the use of psychological operations to defeat an adversary; skills which are also used by gambling cheats and con artists to this day." An interactive multi-media show by award winning close-up magician Steve Truglia at The Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4BS. Shows start at 7.30pm. Running time one hour. For more info visit www.thecardsharkshow.com. 1.6.13

Chris Rawlins, 2013 lecture dates. Chris Rawlins, the young UK Mentalist and author of both 'Mind Experiments' (with Kenton Knepper) and 'Roulette', will be presenting a selection of material from his books, a soon to be released product called 'Reveal', and a few new items in his lecture that focus mainly on stage and parlour mentalism; although he does teach some effects suited to the close-up worker too. Alongside the performances and explanation of his effects, Chris teaches in-depth subtleties and justifications, enabling all those present to learn his material on a new level. Chris will be lecturing on the following dates: 3rd June Leicester Magic Circle; 26th June Bolton Magicians Club; 24th July Derby Magic Circle; 6th September Bradford Magic Circle. If you are interested in booking Chris to lecture at your local Magic club email chrisrawlinsmentalist@gmail.com also see www.chrisrawlinsmentalist.co.uk. 1.6.13

Magic Night at Madame JoJo's, London, on Friday June 21st stars Morgan and West, Pete Heat, Ben Hart, Tina Turner Tea Lady and MC Neil Henry. "Magic Night presents some sharp and incredible tricks with light bulbs, tea, shadows, colourful underwear and 80s singing Divas. Morgan and West, the polite Victorian magicians will be second-guessing your preferences and playing with shadows and your mind, whilst hilariously surreal Pete Heat makes you dress him in unusual ways. Ben Hart will pull you into a world of strangeness and wonder, where reality moves and shifts and along with physical objects. Tina Turner the tea lady will also be with us, with a voice like the mighty turner and some incredible comic tea making skills. Mighty sorcerer Neil Henry will compere all proceedings using tricks." Magic Night at Madame JoJo's. Friday June 21st. Doors open 7.00pm. Show starts at 7.45pm. Tickets £12 including entry to Good Foot. £14 on the door. 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. 1.6.13

Paul Gordon lectures for the Huddersfield Circle of Magicians (7pm for 7.30pm) on Tuesday 4th June at Orlando's Italian Restaurant, 5 Wakefield Road, Grange Moor, Wakefield WF4 4DS (Map) "A night of incredible card magic, for everyone." To book email: hcmlibrariandarron@hotmail.co.uk. £5.00 per person or £25.00 per society. www.huddersfieldmagic.co.uk, also see www.paulgordon.net. 1.6.13

Chris Dugdale is flying high! After shows in Berlin, Valencia, Copenhagen, Guernsey, Barcelona and Amsterdam this year he is now off to Budapest on Monday to film Dracula for NBC television. He guest stars as a magician in the series, which will be shown in prime time across the US. In addition, Chris's show in Spain recently got voted the top show of the IFS world conference beating The Who's Roger Daltrey and Queen's Roger Taylor and numerous other acts. To celebrate the launch of Close Up Success 2.0 Chris Dugdale is giving away his latest DVD via download, featuring:

Reorder – first featured in Magicseen’s book “Best of British” this is the first time it has ever been captured on film. Performance and explanation of this stunning effect, perfect for walkaround.
You're Unbelievable – AKA The trick that fooled Roy Johnson! Based on a John Bannon idea, a prediction goes very wrong until the twist at the end…this may well fool you!
The One-hand Second Deal - a close look at this elegant one handed solution.
The 2 Ace 4 Ace Production – performance only of one of the most visual ace productions with an added kicker…
The Flip File Double – one of the most amazing double lifts ever…
Zebra Crossing and the Real Invisible Deck – performances only of these incredible effects.
Elmsley Finesse - make your Elmsley count as natural as possible…
The Flying Card At Any Number – AKA the World’s most impossible card trick. A card is signed and shuffled into the deck. Then a number is freely named by the spectator. Suddenly a card spins out into the air and lands back in the deck at that exact number. It is the signed card.

See www.closeupsuccess.com for details. 1.6.13

The “Stuff you will use” lecture by Steve Evans. Julie Carpenter writes: On Tuesday 4th June at 8pm, the Watford Association of Magicians are pleased to invite you to the “Stuff you will use” lecture by Steve Evans. The effects, taken from Steve’s commercial act, are effects that people can use in most situations, that can be shaped to fit your own performing persona. But the lecture is really about performance, audience management and making people laugh. What you need to do, to connect with your audience and truly make them a part of your show. This is the first and last time Steve will be sharing his thoughts on just how you go about doing that, or at the very least prevent them from heckling! Not to be missed by amateur or professional alike, this really is a lecture that has something for everyone. There is a temporary membership fee for visiting magicians of £10. Contact juliecarpenter@themagiccircle.co.uk for venue details. 1.6.13

Morgan & West's Magical Menagerie with Oliver Tabor & Luke Jermay. Morgan & West have travelled to the four corners of the empire to bring back the greatest specimens the magical world has to offer. Each show sees two new dabblers in the dark arts unleashed upon the audience, presided over by conjurer-collecting duo Morgan and West. Minds will be read, impossibilities realised and thoroughly good times had by all. The June line-up features multi-award winning member of the Magic Circle Oliver Tabor and acclaimed mentalist Luke Jermay. Tuesday 4th June, at 7.30pm at Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AQ (Map). See www.morganandwest.co.uk for details of this show and many others throughout June and July. 1.6.13

Paul Draper lectures for the British Magical Society, Birmingham. Paul Draper, anthropologist, magician and "mind reader" travels the world in search of magic and mysteries to bring you his show "Mysteries of the Mind." Corporations and Universities from all over the United States hire him to help them build stronger teams, understand their clients better, and learn some of the secrets of the ancients. “I'm able to achieve immediate measurable results in just 45 minutes. Many of my clients have claimed that my full day workshops have changed their lives! Sounds impossible, I know. But that’s what the show is about.” 7.30pm on Tuesday, 4th June at Selly Oak Ex Serviceman’s Club, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 7DL (Map). Non-members are invited to attend for a modest £5 fee. See www.britishmagicalsociety.co.uk for details. Paul Cadley. 1.6.13

Ricky McLeod (Tricky Ricky) was presented with the Tom Richardson's award for Children's Magic at the West Lothian Magic Circle's annual competition last week. "It was a great competition with members entering right into the spirit of it. Ricky won the award with three items that will be shown as part of his lecture "Tricks of My Trade" at the IBM Convention in Buxton later this year." www.trickyricky.com. 1.6.13

The Magic Triangle presents A Night of Comedy Magic with Tim Shoesmith and Andy Clockwise at The Village Hall, Church Street, Thorrington CO8 7HQ (Map) at 7.30pm on Sunday 16th June. It is an open meeting so magicians and their friends and family are welcome to attend. Admission just £3.00. Full details: www.themagictriangle.co.uk. Keith Norman Chair, The Magic Triangle. 1.6.13

Magician Michael Carr lectures at The Pentacle Club this Tuesday, 4th June. All welcome. The lecture starts at 8pm at St Laurence's School, Arbury Road, Cambridge CB4 2JX (Map). There is a door charge of £5 for non-members. www.michael-carr.co.uk. 1.6.13

Paul Draper lectures at The Surrey Society of Magicians on 13th June. Paul Draper has appeared with David Copperfield, Lance Burton, and Teller as an expert on the History Channel. He has performed for HBO Comedy Fest at Caesar's Palace, on Criss Angel's Mindfreak on A&E and on documentaries accompanying Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist. In addition to his corporate shows and lectures, Paul Draper is frequently called upon as an expert in fields ranging from magical history to human consciousness. As an anthropologist and member of the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness, Paul Draper pursues studies with Native American ghost dancers, South American cannibals, and spiritualists. "If you've got an embarrassing secret, you might want to bring a tin-foil hat." - Rick Lax, Las Vegas Weekly. Members are free and visiting magicians are welcome for a £10 entrance fee, the lecture takes place in Bookham, Surrey at 8pm. For full details contact Adam Mosley info@surreymagic.org.uk. 1.6.13

Care & Share Balloon Days. Graham Lee writes: There are two more balloon "Care & Share" days coming up next week at Capel Manor College, Enfield. On Tuesday 4th June there is a basic balloon modelling course, everything you would need to know to get you started in this fantastic world of latex with tips and tricks of the trade a plenty during the day. Then on Thursday 6th June at the same venue there is a basic follow-on day that will help you progress further. Both days run from 10am till 5pm with four, one hour sessions throughout the day. For more information and to book, see www.qualatexballoons.co.uk. 1.6.13

David Arkay is touring Tenerife with his brand new show, Arkay Illusion, "combining, creativity, music, magic and dance." David can be seen performing at hotels across the island until October 31st. 1.6.13

Muriel Constance Sharp, passed away on the 22nd of May 2013. Muriel was the wonderful assistant and loving wife of children's entertainer Eris Sharp. For all of those who knew the Sharps, this year marked their 70th year of marriage. Colin Lanfear. 1.6.13

"Derren Brown: 'Most magicians are kleptomaniacs'" Click Here • "The magical David Copperfield" Click Here • "Veteran magician finds new place to perform" Click Here • "Jesse Eisenberg explores world of street magic for heist film" Click Here • "Does Criss Angel Become Gator Bait?" Click Here • ""Illusionist Derren Brown banned and escorted out of casino after attempting to play Blackjack" Click Here • "Liberty Science Center's Genius Gala" Click Here • "Exclusive Interview: David Kwong on Now You See Me" Click Here • "David Copperfield Reveals What’s up His Sleeve for ‘Now You See Me’" Click Here • "Copperfield introducing new stage illusions while inspiring cinematic creation" Click Here • More from BGT: "Stevie Pink master illusionist takes to the stage" Click Here and "Stevie Pink makes a motorbike appear out of thin air" Click Here and "Menacing Aaron Crow shoots an apple off Dec's head!" Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcome - see you next week, Duncan. 1.6.13

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