Number 686 - 17th August 2013

 

Bill's Magical Mystery Tour. All aboard for a star-studded variety show paying tribute to Blackpool's behind-the-scenes wizard. On Saturday 31st August, the Pavilion Theatre in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens will host a one-off charity night of variety with an all-star cast including Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist magician James More and local panto and BBC Radio Lancashire favourite Steve Royle, together with a host of surprise guests. The show, Bill’s Magical Mystery Tour, is dedicated to the memory of Bill Thompson, of Blackpool’s House of Secrets magic shop. Although not well-known by the general public, as one of the most well-respected behind-the-scenes figures in the world of magic, Bill was responsible for setting numerous would-be wizards on the road to stardom.


Hosting the show will be TV magician and Countdown favourite, Paul Zenon who’s returning to his old stomping ground of Blackpool for the variety night. As well as being one of Bill’s many protégés, Zenon is also one of the show’s producers, having known Bill since he was just eleven years old and worked alongside him for many years in the Promenade Magic and Joke shop. Paul describes Bill as his lifelong friend and mentor and is proud to be associated with the memorial show. He says: “Bill was responsible for my career and that of many others in show business. We all miss him greatly and hope that this night of variety will capture some of his spirit and be a fitting tribute to this hugely talented, warm and generous man.”


Proceeds from the show will go to The Wonderbus, a charity set up by Paul which provides isolated and house-bound older people with a bit of fun and companionship by taking them on day-trips to see a range of events and shows – such as this one! To find out more about The Wonderbus, visit www.thewonderbus.org. Tickets are priced at £15 each with a special offer of half price for OAPs. Suitable for 14+, tickets are available from www.blackpoollive.co.uk (booking fees may apply) or by calling 0844 856 1111. "Under no illusion why magician is back in town" Click Here.
17.8.13

 

International News. This story and accompanying video from The Huffington Post really caught my eye. It encapsulates just what makes magic 'magic' in just a few short minutes. DT. "...For small business owners, turning your passion into profit always comes with risk. But when that passion is something as unique as magic, you better hope you have one heck of a trick up your sleeve..." Click Here. Also see www.mariothemagician.com. 17.8.13

 

West End Magic, Leicester Square Theatre, 22nd September: West End Magic returns to the Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday September 22nd with a family friendly show presenting some of the most exciting names in magic and variety in the UK. This show will feature illusion, mind magic, knife juggling, comedy magic and more. Starring Oliver Tabor, Mat Riccardo, Morgan & West and Christian Lee. The Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX (Map). Doors 3pm, Show 4pm, Tickets: £15 full price, £10 children, £40 family ticket for four. West End Magic launched in 2007 at the Albany Theatre in Deptford. Born from the Demon young magicians' club whose members met weekly at Davenports for 15 years. The club disbanded in 1997. Ten years later some of the original members reformed for 'A Night of Magic' in 2007. Changing its name to 'West End Magic' it now has a permanent home at the Leicester Square Theatre, a stone's throw from the theatres which used to house Houdini and Chung Ling Soo in the early 1900’s during magic’s golden heyday. 17.8.13

 

Saturday 21st September 2013. What will you be doing? Jay Fortune writes: Why not give a moment to do a little magic and raise smiles and money for charity. It's Magic Moments Day once again and we're looking for magicians to stage their own event, club together with their local society and give the gift of magic. Please visit our Magic Moments page to read all about it and help make this year's day the best yet. No contribution is too little. Times are difficult for many, and the strain on charities has never been greater. Let's do what we can as magicians and make someone's day on Magic Moments Day - Saturday 21st September. To get involved please visit our page here on MagicWeek. 17.8.13

 

Ali Cook is performing with Eddie Izzard and Josh Widdicombe this Sunday, 18th August, at the V Festival (Weston Stage). For more info and last minute tickets see www.vfestival.com. Ali talks about the alternative magic scene to the original alternative comedian Alexei "Ullo John Got A New Motor" Sayle, on The Radio 2 Arts Show: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b037psw0 (1 hour 7 mins in). "'Sometimes it’s hard to add humour to magic' Perfect Playlist: Ali Cook chooses his comedy favourites" Click Here. "Ali Cook talks Principles and Deceptions, Get Lucky, Epic and The Anomaly" www.indielondon.co.uk. See What's On for Ali's tour dates. 17.8.13

 

PropDog are now advertising with MagicWeek: PropDog Ltd, is a company dedicated to the design, manufacture and retail of magic props and gimmicks. Launched in April 2012 and based in Twickenham, West London, PropDog is owned and run by professional magician Dave Bonsall. With over 10 years of prop manufacturing experience, the products created and sold are aimed at working professionals and serious magicians. PropDog are the creators of the Ring Flight Revolution, the Bonsalope, Coloured Card on Ceiling Wax and many other products used by hundreds of professional performers around the globe. They are currently making props for The Illusionist's worldwide tour and specialise in custom 'one off' commissions. To browse PropDog's online product range visit www.propdog.co.uk. All items on the website are in stock and are always dispatched the same day where possible. To follow the manufacturing side of the company, you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PropDog, please do visit and like our page. 17.8.13

 

Hot Flush by Wayne Dobson: "The magician shows five cards replicating a poor poker hand. If you have the worst hand in poker and you're a magician, what do you do? Click your fingers and turn them into a royal flush! Hot Flush is easy to do and ideal for the beginner; but don't be fooled by its simplicity. Professional magicians have been using 'Hot Flush' gaining fantastic reactions in the real world. A gambling effect which won't take hours of practice to perfect, and will give you great reactions. Custom made gimmick on Bicycle stock." Shipping August 26th. Pre-order today via www.magictao.co.uk (and watch the video demo too). 17.8.13

 

Marc Oberon Lecture. Ian Brennan writes: South Staffordshire Society of Magicians are pleased to announce Marc Oberon for their opening lecture for the 2013/14 season. Marc will be lecturing on Monday September 2nd, in the Longford House, Staffordshire, WS11 1SJ (Map) see www.3sm.org.uk for more details. Entrance £5 for non members. Marc is a world-renowned performer and has won multiple awards around the globe for his close-up, parlour and stage magic. He is known for his work on the Master Deck, for the 'Create Your Own Magic System' and more recently for Clean Cash. Marc has performed worldwide, including at the Magic Castle and is bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to our club for you to share. The South Staffordshire Society of Magicians is a friendly club and we welcome magicians from a wide variety of disciplines. Come along and enjoy an evening of magic. For more details visit www.3sm.org.uk or email brennan@3sm.org.uk. 17.8.13

 

Mark Shortland's 'On and Off Stage' lecture - now booking for April and May 2014. British Magical Champion, British Magical Comedy Champion, IBM Stage Magician of the Year, IBM Close-up Magician of the Year, Four times winner of IBM Comedy Trophy, Member of the Inner Magic Circle, regular performer at The Magic Castle, Hollywood and twice nominated for 'Parlour Magician of the Year' at The Magic Castle; that's Mark! Not many magicians have had the success that Mark has achieved in the relatively short time he has been performing. This full evening lecture will show what got him to where he is today. This is one of the few lectures focusing on cabaret and stand up performances. Mark's show has won him many awards and the backbone of the act will be explained, along with theory, choosing volunteers and audience management. The lecture will also include close-up routines, children's effects and mentalism. Literally something for everyone; all delivered in Mark's wonderful performing style. Mark currently performs around the world for the top cruise lines, as well as corporate and private functions throughout the UK and indeed worldwide. Dates are available in April and May 2014. Email mark.shortland@mac.com also see www.markshortland.com. 17.8.13

 

Praise for Bristol's Smoke & Mirrors! Mark Shortland writes: As Magicians we will always look out for live magic shows wherever we are. Well, now there is a new venue to visit. Smoke and Mirrors in Bristol. It is not Illusions Bar which I thought, they are two completely different venues, both run brilliantly by Mark Bennett. I was invited down to perform last weekend and had an absolute blast. The venue is like a mini Magic Castle. Mark has done great work getting this project up and running and has thought of everything a performer would need for performing to a great audience. People have specifically bought tickets to come out and watch a magic show. They even pay extra to sit in the front row! I cannot speak highly enough of the venue and what Mark has achieved. Just like if you go to Bath you would take in Noel Britten's Bizarre Bath, well, if you are in Bristol then go to Smoke and Mirrors. To check out what is on go to www.smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk. Mark is also open to putting shows on, so if you are in the area and want to fill an extra night contact Mark and he will organise all the advertising for your show. Great job Mark, thanks for the invite, every success for the future and I look forward to coming back to perform again next year. 17.8.13

 

Loose Ends, with Paul Daniels. Danny Wallace is joined by Will Young, Paul Daniels, Miranda Sawyer and Laura Wilson for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Nadine Shah. 6.15pm on Saturday 24th August on BBC Radio 4. Also see TV Magic. 17.8.13

 

Northumberland Village Varieties Show. Chris Cross is reviving the variety show with 'The Northumberland Village Varieties Show'. After selling out in April, the show returns to The Northumberland Hall in Alnwick on 6th September. "An evening of razzle dazzle excitement! Expect performances of magnificent magic and illusion, stand-up comedy at its best, live local musicians, daring stunts of escapology and contortion, a world-renowned unicyclist juggler, a hat manipulation expert and many more acts." Tickets are expected to sell out for this show so get them while you can! Tickets are just £7.00 each in person at The Alnwick Tourist Information Centre or via www.chris-cross.co.uk. 17.8.13

 

Silly Scott was the winner of the first ever Portsmouth and District Magic Circle & Mystic Matt "Children's Entertainer of the Year Award" which took place in July. The award is in memory of children's entertainer and popular member of the Portsmouth and District Magic Circle Matthew Tasker and the competition was held at his former junior school. The standard of the competition was very high and Silly Scott was voted overall winner by the audience of 140 children who attend the school. The club will formally present the award to Scott at their Jumbo Day on Sunday, 3rd November. www.jumboday.co.uk www.sillyscott.co.uk. 17.8.13

 

Morgan & West's Magical Menagerie, Tuesday 3rd September at 7.30pm, Oxford. Roll up roll up! Time travelling magicians Morgan & West bring you another season of the UK's finest magical talent psychics, conjurers and prestidigitators live and in captivity! The first show of the new season features Young & Strange and Paul Dabek (photo). Venue: Arts at The Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AQ (Map). www.oldfirestation.org.uk. 17.8.13

 

Sean Heydon will be the goal keeper in the 'Balls to Cancer' charity football match on Sunday 18th August. Sean’s team will be playing the Hollyoaks’ and Eastenders’ cast. For more information about the charity, to make a donation, or for ticket information visit the Balls To Cancer website at www.ballstocancer.com. Sean puts the fizz into his magic in a routine he'd created to help raise awareness for the charity, Click Here . You can follow Sean on facebook at www.facebook.com/alternativemagician and on twitter @seanheydon too. 17.8.13

 

Two new releases from Kovari Magic for the I.B.M. convention in Buxton. Kovari writes: "The Three Shell Game Revisited. I managed to add six improvements and invented two new moves for this well known routine. You will receive: 3 different working surfaces, 3 walnut shells, 3 egg shells and 3 half golf balls. These items are moulded and glazed to improve the working. Also supplied, an instructional DVD. Also just released: New and impossible see-through billet knife! See www.kovarimagic.com for more details." Also see www.magicconvention.co.uk. 17.8.13

 

I'm Spazticus. 10.50pm on Wednesday 21st August on Channel 4: "The new series of the hidden camera show continues, with individuals with varying disabilities pranking members of the public in cheeky and irreverent ways. In this edition, the general public are amazed by blind street magician 'Blindymo', and unsuspecting guests on new TV Food show 'Dine At Mine' are shocked when their amputee host stirs up trouble with her custom made arm whisk. Then things get really saucy when they nose around her bedroom. Max acts like a right little baby, but luckily a member of public is on hand to burp him. And people are still talking back to the talking guide dog." See TV Magic. 17.8.13

 

Deceptive Behaviors. Dean Odell writes: "I am conducting a research study for my Forensic Psychology MSc about beliefs regarding deceptive behaviors. As magicians I would be grateful for your participation https://qtrial.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3ISxNGEezSqvcKF." 17.8.13

 

"‘Now You See Me’ Sequel Materializes At Lionsgate" Click Here • "Vanishing act as magic series over in a flash" Click Here • "Tom Binns is Ian D Montfort: Psychic Fayre, Pleasance Courtyard, review" Click Here • "Magician plans to 'walk on water'" Click Here • "Can you pull a player out of that hat, Dynamo? Magician wows Welbeck and Evra behind the scenes at Old Trafford" Click Here • Adam Steinfeld has posted the second installment of his new Houdini-horror web series at www.yohoudini.com • "Magician Louie Foxx and his little helper" Click Here • "Magician David Copperfield to Continue 2013 Shows at MGM Grand" Click Here • "Zatanna’s hocus pocus history trailer for Injustice: Gods Among Us appears" Click Here • "Magic Capital of the World is right here in Colon, Michigan" Click Here • "Magician Justin Willman uses tech for tricks" Click Here • "Carnival of Wonders Inspires Audience's Imagination" Click Here • "The Illusionists UK Tour Comes To Portsmouth Guildhall" Click Here • "World premiere for tale of a master 'illusionist'" Click Here • "Derren Brown is right, theatres can be terrifying, so play safe" Click Here • Many thanks for your news submission as ever. See you next week, Duncan. 17.8.13

 

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