Number 681 - 13th July 2013
The
Secret Life of Uri Geller... "Uri Geller, the controversial
mentalist, paranormal expert and spoon bender, has had a life in front
of the cameras, a life surrounded by controversy, a life dotted with
amazing psychic demonstrations. But most people do not know that, away
from the bent cutlery and broken watches, he has been leading a second,
covert, life as a 'psychic spy', working secretly and without
recognition for nearly 30 years. This secret life has included work for
military and intelligence agencies on three continents; indeed, the
scientists who first did rigorous research on Geller more than 40 years
ago (and concluded that he has a phenomenal gift) were funded by the
CIA. In this documentary, the intriguing story is explored, with
compelling interviews from Uri himself as well as those who knew and
worked closely with him." 9pm on Sunday 21st July on BBC 2. See
TV Magic.
13.7.13
In
conversation: Derren Brown and Andy Nyman. "When thinking of collaborations,
well-known names such as Gilbert and Sullivan, Kander and Ebb, and Rodgers and
Hammerstein spring to mind. However, long-time collaborators Derren Brown and
Andy Nyman are fast becoming a contender to that list, but whether that’s down
to the pair’s ever-growing success or their supernatural abilities to literally
work their way into people’s minds is unknown..." writes Kate Stanbury, for
www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk. "Derren Brown is simply gobsmacking"
Click Here • Theatre review: Derren Brown - Infamous at Palace Theatre"
Click Here • "Derren Brown: 'I get kicked out of casinos'"
Click Here • "Magic of being on stage still amazes me, says Derren Brown"
Click Here.
13.7.13
Dynamo
dominated in the media last week, with the launch on Thursday of Dynamo:
Magician Impossible series 3. Here's a look at just some of those stories... "Dynamo: 'They treated me like Justin Bieber in
Russia'"
Click Here • "For his next trick: Dynamo to work his magic at V
Festival"
Click Here • "Kimberley Walsh, Rachel Stevens and TOWIE's Lydia
Bright turned up to Dynamo's secret London show last night"
Click Here • "Magician Dynamo: Samuel L. Jackson was toughest gig"
Click
Here • "It's On!
Illusionists Dynamo And Criss Angel Go Head To Head Over Allegations Of
Stolen Tricks"
Click Here • "Dynamo's 12 most incredible tricks on video ahead of TV
return of Dynamo: Magician Impossible"
Click Here • "Breakfast's Louise Minchin caught out by Dynamo trick"
Click Here • "Oops! Iggy Azalea leaves Dynamo gig with unsightly
lipstick smudged across her nose and chin"
Click Here • "Video: Magician Dynamo chats Robbie Williams, fainting
girls and being stabbed by Jessica Ennis"
Click Here • "Dynamo trumps any frilly-shirted conjuror"
Click Here • "Dynamo: Magician Impossible"
Click Here.
13.7.13
Davenport's
Magic Kingdom: A Dream to Reality. "Amazing! Incredible! Wonderful! Wow!
These were some of the utterances emanating from the four-score invited guests
to the official opening of Davenport's Magic Kingdom situated in North Walsham,
Norfolk on Saturday July 6th..." Donald Bevan reports on the official
opening of this
innovative magic exhibition / museum / entertainment venue, that enjoyed its
official opening last Saturday. To read the full report
Click
Here. For more information and to book a visit, see
www.davenportsmagickingdom.co.uk. "Paul Daniels at opening of Davenport’s
Magic Kingdom in North Walsham"
Click Here.
13.7.13
Have
You Got What It Takes? A cash prize of £1,000, a magnificent trophy and the
title of 'International Close Up Magician of the Year 2013' awaits one lucky
contestant taking part in this, the 30th, International Close-Up Competition
that forms part of the International Convention in London this year (November
15th, 16th & 17th). With many overseas Convention organisers in the audience, it
also acts as a wonderful 'showcase' resulting in further work offers overseas.
Those who are thinking of entering this prestigious competition, which also has
2nd and 3rd cash prizes as well, are invited to contact International Magic at
admin@internationalmagic.com
for an application form and set of rules. Photo: Last year's winner Pierric,
from Switzerland.
www.internationalmagic.com.
13.7.13
Steve
Dela’s Fantasmagoria, Thursday 25th July. An evening of spectacular magic,
mind reading and visual illusionary culminating with the world famous ‘Bullet
Catch’ as you have never seen it before! Steve began performing magic
professionally at the age of 16. Just one year later he won The Magic Circle's
prestigious ‘Young Magician of The Year’ competition which meant that he also
gained automatic entry to this world famous organisation at 18. Within just two
months he had been promoted to ‘Associate of The Inner Magic Circle’ with Silver
Star. Steve still holds the honour of being the youngest ever recipient of that
degree.
Venue: Club Langley, 2 Hawksbrook Lane, Beckenham BR3 3SR (Map).
Doors 7pm, show 8pm – 10pm. Tickets £15 (show only) or £18 (show with BBQ).
Tickets are available from
www.fantasmagoria.moonfruit.com also see www.magic.uk.com
and What's On for more dates.
13.7.13
Magic Night at Madame JoJo's - London. "Magic Night on Friday, August 2nd, features nut and egg tricks, toilet paper, private detectives, fruit, and a dangerous 'hand stab' that makes unsolicited body piercing look safe. We have concocted a fun, high-octane night of tricks and for this show. It’s August, it’s hot (hopefully) and we have some fine laughs and magic for you. Steven Barry returns with some mind bending trickery whilst the excessively tall Lee Hathaway is onstage (we advise not lending him money). AJ will be playing with knives and endangering himself in ways no human ought to. Wez Zaharuk, the prop meister extraordinaire, plays with an array of objects and whips up members of the audience (literally). Compered by the Tommy Cooperesque Christian Lee with spikes." Magic Night at Madame JoJo's. Friday August 2nd. 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. 13.7.13
Harry
Robson Home Counties Magical Society Lecture. Robin Maddy writes: The Home
Counties Magical Society are very pleased to announce that Harry Robson will be
presenting his lecture 'A laugh a Minute with Harry Robson' at their meeting on
Thursday 18th July. The lecture will be in two parts, Performance and then
Explanation, of a wide variety of effects. A half-hour workshop will follow the
lecture to reinforce the items taught. Visitors are most welcome at a fee of
£10. Meetings start at 8pm at the Shinfield Village Hall, School Green,
Shinfield RG2 9EH (Map).
For details how to find us please visit our website at
www.hcms.org.uk we look
forward to seeing you there.
13.7.13
Magic
Show becomes top Blackpool attraction. Michael Jordan's High Jinx Magic and
Illusion Show became
Trip Advisor's number one attraction in Blackpool last week. The Family
variety show which features magic, illusion, juggling, music and dance has been
an instant hit with Blackpool visitors, since it opened at the Horseshoe last
year. The two-hour evening show is on every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and
Sunday at 7.45pm until November 4th. Matinee shows are every Saturday with
additional selected dates throughout the season
www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com.
13.7.13
Kidology
UK update. Alec Powell writes: Julie
Carpenter will be one of the lecturers at Kidology UK, the
convention for Kids Entertainers held on 9th and 10th September 2013.
She will be focusing on entertaining the under fives in a presentation
entitled 'Julie Noted'. This is a very important market for children's
entertainers and will be of great value to anyone wanting to get into
that area of work. She will also be appearing in the 'night before the
convention cabaret' with her G.I. Julie act. The cabaret will also star
Sammie Brookes with the Magic of Dean Martin and the fabulous 'Slightly
Unusual' Comedy Illusionists. Tickets for the night before are now in
short supply. To book go to
www.kidologyuk.co.uk.
13.7.13
Chris Congreave and Gary Jones's 'Magicians Workshop' took place on Sunday, 7th July, and was a great success. Here's some of the feedback: "Just a quick note to once again thank you for a fantastic day yesterday, the whole day was fun and extremely informative" Gary Plumridge. "Brilliant, practical advice from two guys who really know the business!" Grant Maidment. "You could not ask for two better tutors. Gary and Chris’s experience just shone through in everything they said and did." Derek Gustard. "Words of wisdom in spades and great tricks given by two superb professionals." Paul Turner. Chris emails: "In light of the really positive feedback, we are in the early stages of planning another, and would ask if anyone is interested in coming along to the next one, to contact us via our website www.magicians-workshop.co.uk and we will keep you fully informed as to when and where it will be. 13.7.13
News
from Warped Magic: "warpedmagic.co.uk
is run by a full time professional close-up magician, so please feel free to
call or email with any questions. Warped Magic is an online UK based magic shop
that stocks all the latest magic effects, DVDs, decks of cards and accessories,
including a full range of Sherpa pens and the latest releases from Marc Oberon
and Richard Sanders." Visit
www.warpedmagic.co.uk to see what's new.
13.7.13
Join
The British Magical Society. Membership Secretary Jay Adkins writes: The
British Magical Society is situated in Birmingham, England. Established in 1905,
it is one of the oldest and most well respected societies in Great Britain and
the world. Our members range from casual hobbyists right through to working
professional magicians, mind readers, and other entertainers. We have meetings
at least three times a month and at the majority of meetings, there is a
lecture. These lectures are given by working professionals, not just from the
UK, but all around the world. And currently we are looking for new members to
join our society, whether you know two tricks, or two hundred, we'd love for you
to come along. Anyone wishing to join will be required to fill out an
application form, along with their first year's subs and one-off joining fee.
Applicants will be interviewed and, if accepted, are usually considered as
Candidates in the first instance. Within a few months, Candidates will be
required to present an audition act for consideration for full membership. For a
membership application form email:
membership@britishmagicalsociety.co.uk.
www.britishmagicalsociety.co.uk.
13.7.13
The
Twins FX have just launched a brand new website 'special-effects-hire.com'
and write: "The Twins FX hire is the home of an extraordinary collection of
special effects, characters and creations, all available for hire to add the
‘wow' factor to just about any production, event or live show. Created by
multi-award winning The Twins FX, one of the leading companies operating in the
field of theatrical special effects, illusions and animatronics, this
revolutionary hire service combines personal service, innovation and engineering
expertise with an unrivaled dedication to excellence. We deliver exceptional
effects and turn ideas into reality. Drawing on our wealth of experience and
knowledge, we produce amazing special effects to create intimate and powerful
entertainment experiences. Our creations are tailor-made to suit your needs. We
make the impossible... possible. Click with The Twins FX Hire at
www.special-effects-hire.com."
13.7.13
Chris
Wardle Lecture - The Pentacle Club. Alan Maskell writes: Chris Wardle,
A.I.M.C, makes a welcome return to The Pentacle Club on Tuesday 16th July, to
present his latest lecture ‘New Tricks’. This is a collection of brand new
material covering close-up, stand up, children’s magic and mentalism with the
emphasis on cunning, streamlined methods which produce baffling effects. Anyone
who has seen Chris previously will know that they are in for an evening of
practical material that they will use. His ideas have appeared in books,
magazines and have been used on TV and the stage. He has a regular column in The
Magic Circle’s monthly magazine. The Club meets at St Laurence's Primary School,
Arbury Road, Cambridge, and doors open at 7.40pm with the lecture starting at
8pm, visitors are welcome and there is a £5 charge for non-members.
13.7.13
Hungarian
Card Magician Jozsef Kovacs is currently in the middle of his UK lecture
tour. A regular columnist in the IBM British Ring magazine The Budget and
contributor to a number of magazines and publications, Jozsef’s original
creations are not to be missed. See
What's On for remaining venues
and dates.
13.7.13
Paul Scott
Cornish Magical Society lecture: On Sunday 21st July 2013 at 3pm the Cornish Magical Society presents
the Close-up & Card Lecture of Paul Scott. "A lecture packed with tricks and
routines from over 40 years as a professional performer." It takes place at
Carnon Downs Village Hall which is between Truro and Falmouth. Visiting magicians
welcome. For more details ring 01726 851823.
13.7.13
News
from the Northampton Magician's Club: Tony Griffith will be presenting his highly acclaimed Reflections lecture
for the Northampton Magician's Club on Tuesday 16th July. The venue is the
Yeoman of England, High Street, Wootton, Northampton NN4 6LP (Map)
and the time, 8pm. Non-members welcome, £8 charge. Details
from Royston on 01604 411413.
Tony is now booking his Reflections lecture for the next twelve months. For more
details see www.tonygriffith.co.uk
www.northamptonshiremagicians.com.
13.7.13
The
Magic Triangle Magic Mart, Sunday 21st July. Doors open 6.30pm, sale starts
7.30pm. Thorrington Village Hall, Church Road, Thorrington, Colchester, Essex
CO7 8HQ (Map).
An opportunity to sell all those tricks and props that you have bought and
never used and an opportunity to buy tricks and props that others have bought
and never used, to replace them with!
To book a table (£5 each) call 01206 543969 or email:
enquiries@themagictriangle.co.uk.
Keith Norman, Chairman, The Magic Triangle
www.themagictriangle.co.uk.
13.7.13
Magical writer and performer Adam Hudson
www.magicadz.com has created a new
"Any Card at Any Number" effect titled 'Annabelle’s Card' which has been labelled
"elegant and
deceptive" by mind reader Marc Paul and "a step closer to the Holy Grail of card
magic" by Wayne Dobson.
Proceeds generated from the effect will be donated to The Sick Children's Trust
www.sickchildrenstrust.org which is a charity that Adam is an ambassador for.
The effect can be obtained as a instant download from
www.magicbox.uk.com and
all support for this campaign would be much valued and appreciated.
13.7.13
"Review:
Luke Jermay – Sixth Sense"
Click Here • "Joe Hadsall: Journalists clueless in covering
magicians"
Click Here • "Arsenal have a resident magician... but after eight
years without a trophy isn't it time he pulled some silverware out the
hat?"
Click Here • "‘Magic Camp’ Allows Kids To Discover Tricks — And
Themselves"
Click Here • "Teen magician works his magic in Las Vegas"
Click Here • "Las Vegas’ crown prince of magic: Jan Rouven follows
in the footsteps of masters"
Click Here • "Magician honoured after receiving honour from his
hero"
Click Here •
"Local teen magician heads to convention in Las Vegas"
Click Here • "David Copperfield's magical relationship with God and
Judaism"
Click Here • "The Tricky Business of Innovation: Can You Patent a
Magic Trick?"
Click Here • Another busy week. Many thanks for your news, see you
next week, Duncan.
13.7.13