Number
917 - 20th January 2018
Blackpool Magic
Convention: Special Late
Night Events. From the organisers:
This year the convention will be hosting a series of special late night
events taking things into the midnight hour.
Todd Robbins will present an exclusive screening of his documentary
'Play Dead', the hugely successful Off-Broadway play written with
Teller. This will be followed by a detailed Q&A.
Noel Qualter will again present his magic game-show 'Never Mind the Buzz
Saw', where no one is safe. An irreverent and topical look into the last
year of magic around the world. Not to be missed. 'Not the Gala Show' and
'Beat the Wand' are evenings of magic and comedy
that are not for the faint-hearted. If easily offended, stay
away!
Book Now at www.blackpoolmagic.com.
20.1.18
Scottish
Association of Magical Societies Convention 2018. From the
organisers:
The 2018 convention will be taking place at The Normandy Hotel, Renfrew
on 27th, 28th and 29th April.
The Saturday Night Gala show will be reverting back to a Dinner
Cabaret format, which better suits the layout of the Normandy Hotel.
Acts Confirmed for the Saturday Night Dinner Cabaret are:
Our 2017 SAMS Stage Competition winner, Elliot Bibby.
Singer, comedian and musician Gordon Cree. And all the way from the USA, we are delighted to welcome Jeff McBride and Larry
Hass, with compere Harry Robson.
Jeff McBride and Larry Hass will both be lecturing and doing workshops
with a third lecturer still to be confirmed.
Dealers confirmed so far are: Harry Robson, Heidi Costumes, Adrian
Harris, Alan Duncan and Jimmy Craig.
Hotel rooms should be booked through our secretary, Elizabeth McNamara.
Please contact her rather than book through the hotel as it makes it
easier to monitor the room allocation. Elizabeth can be emailed at
elizabethmcnamara@btinternet.com or
call 01563 821241.
Our Registration Secretary this year is Janet Colvan, email
magic.janet71@gmail.com. Registration forms can be
downloaded from
www.scottishassociationofmagicalsocieties.co.uk.
Competitions are being run by Graeme Taylor, email
emearg112@hotmail.com or call 07539 662825 for more information.
20.1.18
New
TV Magic Special 'Adam Patel: Real Magic' coming to Amazon Prime Video.
A new magician hits our TV screens very soon in the shape of
Yorkshire-born British Asian pharmacist turned illusionist, Adam Patel.
Adam's one-off special 'Adam Patel: Real Magic' follows Adam on a tour
of the country, performing his unique brand of magic to celebrities and
members of the public. It will be released on Amazon Prime Video next
month. The trailer can now be seen on
YouTube. Also see
IMDB and
www.adampatel.com.
20.1.18
Christian
Magicians UK Conference. Andi
Gladwin and Ben Earl to lecture. From
the organisers: Andi Gladwin and Ben Earl will be lecturing on 13th
February 2018 starting at 2.30pm until 6.00pm at High Leigh Conference
Centre, Lord Street, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 8SG (Map).
From the organisers: Andi Gladwin is a world-class close-up sleight of
hand magician who has performed all over the world and he is co-founder
of Vanishing Inc. The feedback from his lectures wherever he appears is
always fantastic. He was such a hit last year we are delighted to
welcome him back again. Want your magic to reach the next level? Then
all you need to do is watch, listen, learn and allow yourself to be
entertained in the process.
Ben Earl fooled Penn and Teller, had his own TV show, and is an international creator and performer. This is your chance to see and learn from a great magician at the top of his game. Ben has been studying, teaching and performing for almost twenty years and is one of the world’s leading practitioners. His lecture is guaranteed to show you one of the best thinkers in working magic at this moment in time. If you are a working pro, or just a keen amateur, then make time for this fantastic opportunity on 13th February. Hosted by Mark Shortland “The Best Kept Secret In Magic”. The inventor of “Amazebox”, has appeared on Penn & Teller, is a magical creator, teacher and award-winning comedian. Who better to guide us through this event than one of the most generous members of the magic community. Mark works both stage and close-up throughout the world and features on numerous cruise ships. All this for £24.99 and even “That’s Magic”. To book Click Here. 20.1.18
The MagicWeek Video Archive. This week,
silent magician Christian, in an appearance on Jonathan Ross's The
Big Big Talent Show from 23rd August 1997. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional
'bonus' video
Click Here.
20.1.18
Luke Jermay: Sixth Sense,
Artsdepot, London. From the producers: Luke Jermay is the most incredible man you've probably
never heard of. He can read your mind.
No really; he can read your mind. He doesn't use mind games or
psychological tricks; he is not a trickster, there is no smoke and
mirrors. You'll be amazed at Jermay's incredible powers; he knows your
past, present and future, sometimes better than you do. From your
favourite schoolteacher, childhood pet, Jermay impossibly knows all, sees all, and tells (almost) all,
in an expert display of telepathy developed to amazing razor sharp
accuracy.
Luke Jermay's awe-inspiring intuitive abilities have gained him high
profile fans such as Derren Brown, Dynamo and Uri Geller who all agree
Jermay is astonishing. Thursday 8th February at 7.30pm. Artsdepot, 5
Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner,
North Finchley,
London
N12 0GA (Map).
£12 / £10 conc.
Strictly 14+.
www.artsdepot.co.uk.
20.1.18
Magicseen Publications Announce A Major
New Book Project. From the publishers: We are delighted to announce that
Magicseen Publications has been chosen as the publishers for a trilogy
of books featuring the amazing mentalism and magic creations of
international performer Devin Knight. Entitled Devin Knight - A
Lifetime In Magic, Volume 1 of the three book set will be published
at the Blackpool Convention on Friday 16th February 2018, and will
feature 9 strong effects from Devin's personal repertoire. The soft
backed book has 130 photo illustrated pages and contains mentalism and
magic that is truly reputation making. Devin is meticulous in his
approach to his methodology, and every effect he creates has the maximum
impact yet is achieved by practical means. The huge experience gained
over many years as a top pro enable Devin to understand exactly what is
needed to devise impossible looking effects, and this book will explain
everything in painstaking detail to enable you to capture the same
stunning reactions as he does with the material. You can pre-order the
book now, and if you place your order by Tuesday 13th February 2018, you
will also receive a link to download a free copy of the excellent Chris
Rawlins e-book Roulette. Plus, if you are attending the Blackpool
Convention, you can pre-order your copy with no p&p charges and collect
at the convention itself. Subscribers to Magicseen can, as always,
purchase the book at their normal 20% discount. For more info and to
pre-order your copy
Click Here.
20.1.18
The
Magician by Heist Films.
Cinemagoers in Norfolk are enjoying a magical treat this month. ‘The
Magician’ is a short movie made by Heist Films that has been shown on the
big screen in Great Yarmouth’s Hollywood Cinema. It’s centered around
magician and entertainer Olly Day, who has just finished his 9th record
breaking season starring in the Cromer Pier Christmas Show.
Olly said “It took two weeks to film, both on location and backstage
during my summer season at the Pavilion Theatre, Gorleston, and another
week to sort and pack all the props and tricks away. It's amazing what I
have collected over 40 years!”
The film follows his early career as a keen young magician through to
his teenage years (played by his 13 year old son George)
on to his current theatre shows.
It’s only three and a half minutes long, but really captures the essence
of what it is to be a magician. Watch 'The Magician' on Vimeo:
Click
Here. Also see www.ollyday.com.
20.1.18
Jamie
Daws lectures at The Surrey Society of Magicians this Thursday, January
25th. Adam Mosley writes: With over 10 years’ experience with
releasing material to the magic community, Jamie’s material speaks for
itself! From incredibly visual eye candy to the darkest most bizarre
tales you could imagine, his effects are diverse and intriguing to say
the least! Within the past 2 years, his lectures have been highly
praised from magic clubs and societies which ultimately aided him in
being asked to partake in a bespoke lecture for Murphy's Magic at the
Table UK lecture series. Now part of the Alakazam Academy and taking his
new tour to different countries, his teaching style is clear, concise
and in-depth. If you would like to learn how to amaze, confuse, delight
and sometimes even scare your audience, then “Opening More Daws” is for
you! Members are free and visiting magicians are welcome for a £10
entrance fee. The lecture takes place in East Horsley, Surrey, at 8pm.
For full details email Adam Mosley
info@surreymagic.org.uk.
20.1.18
'The
Magicians Hat' a brand-new Magic Moments project. An interactive
exhibition of themed hats, art and performance magic, featuring hats
used by magicians of the past, present and future comes to the Barons
Court Theatre from March 22nd - 25th 2018. This exciting concept was
developed by Richard Leigh, collaborating with magical artists of
various disciplines to create something truly memorable and unique in
the field of magical entertainment. Mulit award-winning designer and
milliner Jennifer Rowley has hand-made interactive, futuristic, optical
illusion magic hats imagining a look for the magician of the future.
Richard Leigh has devised stunning new interactive illusions based
around the iconic top hat, including ‘The Wishing Hat’, ‘The Angel or
Devil Hat’ and the ‘Anamorphisis Hat’. Jay Fortune has painted and
donated three original art portraits of famous magicians from the past
and present and magician Brian Watson showcases some of his beautiful
handcrafted work. The event is officially part of London’s Hat Week
2018, and the event takes 30 minutes to view. Tickets are just £8 per
person via
www.falseimpressions.co.uk/the-magicians-hat/. All money raised will
be donated on behalf of Magic Moments to the St Helena Hospice in
Colchester, Essex. A wonderful show for the young and the young at
heart!
20.1.18
Careena Fenton has returned from the USA Trophy in hand, as she won
the prestigious 'Screaming Goat' magic competition at South Carolina's
East Coast Spirit Sessions magic convention in the USA. Performing in
her Gothic Victorian character Miss Sylvia Sceptre, this is not only the
first time a non-US magician has won, but also the first time a female
magician has won the coveted trophy. The East Coast Spirit Sessions is
an annual convention held in Myrtle Beach, and focuses on bizarre magic
and mentalism.
www.careenafentonmagic.com
www.sylviasceptre.com.
20.1.18
Mahdi the Magician, Secret Cellar London, Wednesday 31st January to Sunday 4th February. Born without hands or feet, Mahdi Gilbert is perhaps the world’s most extraordinary sleight of hand magician. Having fooled Penn & Teller, he will perform in London for the very first time at Vault Festival 2018.
Mahdi Gilbert was born without hands or feet and has struggled through bullying, loneliness and depression to now receive recognition from some of the greatest magicians of our time. Throughout his childhood in Toronto, Mahdi was tormented for his physical differences and constantly wondered what would become of his life. Captivated by sleight of hand and card magic, he dreamt of becoming a professional magician – but as he began to study he came across a seemingly insurmountable obstacle: every magic book ever published has been written for performers with two hands. Undaunted, Mahdi started to develop his own techniques. At first he struggled to even pick up a deck of cards but through dedication and determination he developed an exceptional act that fooled Penn and Teller and has amazed the greatest magicians in the world.
In this show, Mahdi gives us an insight into the determination and graft that have brought him to the top of his profession and weaves flawless, jaw-dropping magic through his amazing and inspiring life story. Tony Middleton – one of the founding producers of Secret Cellar – comments: "I am a magician myself and I’m in awe of what Mahdi has achieved. To become so accomplished given the difficulties he has faced is not only incredible - but incredibly moving."
See www.secretcellarlondon.com and www.facebook.com/SecretCellaratVaultytowers/. Vault Festival 2018 runs from 24th January until 18th March in and around The Vaults, Waterloo. For full programme and ticket information visit www.vaultfestival.com. Mahdi the Magician: Wednesday 31st January to Sunday 4th February at 6.10pm. Plus Matinee on Saturday 3rd February at 3.55pm. Venue: The Vaults, Leake Street, London SE1 7NN (Map). Prices: £18.50. Performances last 1 hour. 20.1.18
New:
Zane's Mind Reading Express Deck! Zane writes: Pre-order now before
the official release date in early February to save £5.00. This amazing
deck does not exist elsewhere and is currently a 'Zane's Magic Shop'
exclusive! Perform quick-fire mind reading, ideal for mix ‘n’ mingle
situations! Visit
www.zanesmagicshop.com for full details and to pre-order.
20.1.18
Jon
Allen, 'The Interrobang
Lecture', South London Magic Society. Simon Rosselli writes: You
will learn:
A multi-phase routine using a pen and a coin... with a surprise finale.
A simple and devious peek.
A fantastic finale to an 'any signed card' routine, using a balloon and a
move never really used in close-up.
The greatest impromptu routine ever that turns a child into a mega-star
magician.
Why you should learn about things for which you have no current interest.
Why Jon thinks one of the 'classics' of magic is a terrible trick.
Tuesday 6th February. Doors open 7pm. Lecture 8pm - 10pm.
£10 admission for non-members. South London Magic Society, Clock House
Methodist Church Hall, Clock House Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4JP (Map).
www.southlondonmagic.co.uk.
20.1.18
The
Order of The Magi (Manchester) presents a lecture by Lawrence Turner on
the subject of Rough and Smooth on Tuesday 23rd January: How it works, how to do it yourself,
the pros and cons of
various products, various decks, applications, and something you may
not have seen before! You can bring your favourite deck and make your
own personalised Invisible Deck. 7.30pm start at the Irish World
Heritage
Centre, 1 Irish Town Way, Manchester M8 0AE (Map). Door charge for non
members. Details on
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk.
Geoffrey Newton PRO.
20.1.18
75th
Anniversary year of the London Society of Magicians. To complete the 75th Anniversary year of the London Society of
Magicians I am compiling a special edition of The London Gazette. This
was the monthly magazine of the LSM. If anybody, including members past
and present, would like to contribute an article or is willing to have an
effect published, please contact me. Bob Pamplin
bob@bobsyourunclemagic.co.uk.
20.1.18
Steve Gore is to present his new lecture 'Lemon Squeezy' for Coventry
Magic Circle on Tuesday 23rd January. From the organisers: His lectures have received
excellent reviews from the Magic Castle, the IBM British Ring Convention,
the British Magical Society and over twenty magic societies. His new
lecture includes lots of his original effects including 'The GPS Deck',
'The Amnesia Deck', 'The Casino Con', and 'Visions from Vegas'. He also
lectures on other non released effects which can be made up yourself.
It’s not all close-up magic though, there are effects for stage, stand-up and
mentalism too. All his
effects are also easy to master, allowing you to focus on the
presentation. "Straight away from the off, Steve showed us some bewildering effects
based on his own ideas; everything from a trick with a rubber band to
some powerful card work which was strong in performance but easy to do.
His nice laid back style made the lecture very enjoyable.
Steve would be enjoyed by any society."
Clive Moore,
President, IBM British Ring. Start time 8pm. Venue: Saunders Club,
Bedworth, Coventry CV12 8RJ. Non members welcome, door charge to be
confirmed. For more details contact Dan Bent 07941 779489.
20.1.18
Scottish Young Magician of the Year 2018
date change. Kenny Kerr writes:
It was previously decided to hold the competition on the 3rd June at
Falkirk Town Hall, to coincide with the SAMS delegates meeting / AGM
which would have been held on that day, prior to the competition. However, after encountering problems with the hall availability, the
competition has now been moved on by one week to Sunday 10th June. As a
result of this, the Delegates Meeting / AGM will also be moved to this
date, to keep everything together.
Entrants for the competition should be under 18 years of age on the date
of the competition, 10th June 2018, and be resident in Scotland. The
closing date for entrants is Sunday 29th April 2018 (SAMS Convention
weekend).
Please contact Graeme Taylor emearg112@hotmail.com
07539 662825 for more information, or to enter the competition.
20.1.18
The Mark Leveridge January Podcast. Mark Leveridge
muses over a number of magical
topics to set you thinking. For instance, having attended a Bootleg
Beatles concert, Mark ponders whether tribute magic acts would work in
the same way. He explains how you can turn yourself into a Business
Magician and get work from local companies; suggests the best ways to
get a marketable idea out into the magic world, and warns of the dangers
of trying to second guess what potential show bookers can afford. All
this plus more informed comment and opinion can be yours for free when
you go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php or
www.markleveridge.podbean.com, from where you can also sign up to
automatically receive each new future podcast when it is released on the
1st of each month.
20.1.18
The
Summer Social for Magicians and Cardists, in Reading. A free one-day
Event on Monday 11th June, from 11.30am - 11.30pm. Organiser Richard John writes:
There will be Mini Lectures during the day time, with the use of a
projector and camera. You will be able to
learn some amazing new things from your peers. If you want to host a
15-20 minute lecture get in touch!
hello@richardjohn.london.
We will, for the first time at these events, be putting a tab behind the
bar. We want to thank you for coming, that's why the first drink is free
and there will be a selection of canapés on offer throughout the day. If you haven't been to one of these days yet, I'm sure you know someone
who has, and that they are not to be forgotten. For the people who attended
Yateley, Bristol or Reading before we look forward to seeing you again, for
first timers, we look forward to welcoming you. Monday June 11th 2018, 11.30am to 11.30pm.
Visit
facebook.com/events/815171392003993/
for more info and to register your interest.
20.1.18
Perth
Magic Circle Table Top Magic Sale, 4th February. Adrian Harris
writes: Perth Magic Circle is holding a Table Top Sale on Sunday 4th
February in the Perth & District Ex-Servicemen's Club, 20 Milne Street,
Perth PH1 5QL (Map)
from 1pm to 4pm. Tables for sellers are free but must be booked in
advance by contacting Gus McGregor on 07547-635501 or via the Perth
Magic Circle Facebook Page. This will be a great chance to raise some
cash before the Blackpool Convention so act now, look out your surplus
Magic and get your table booked!
There will be many bargains to be had if previous sales are anything to
judge by, so put the date in your diary now.
20.1.18
When Magic Goes Horribly Wrong. "Entertaining documentary special looking at the sometimes funny, often dramatic, and sometimes even deadly consequences when magic tricks fail. Witnesses, escapologists and magicians, both famous and amateur, tell their stories, illustrated with archive clips and specially shot material, while graphics help to dissect the tricks to discover what went wrong and why." Friday 26th January on My5 (repeat). See TV Magic. 20.1.18
Book
a magic lecturer for your club today! Visit the MagicWeek
Lecturers page.
20.1.18
"8
Ways 'Impossible' Lived Up to the Claim of Best Magic Show On Earth"
Click Here • "Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams tells a child magician
his dead rabbit is ‘dog food’ stunning audiences"
Click Here • "The story behind a street magician who wows people on
city streets"
Click Here • "Troupe of magicians plans to amaze and surprise
Proctors crowd this weekend"
Click Here • "Florida Magician of the Year Event Huge Success at
Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse"
Click Here • "Pamela Anderson, 50, looks ravishing in a plunging
black leotard as she plays a magician’s assistant during show in
Germany"
Click Here • "Australian Illusionist Cosentino Talks About Magic,
Appreciates Indonesian Masters"
Click Here • "Criss Angel: Magician and illusionist bringing stage
show to Hard Rock"
Click Here • "How magic turned illusionist Cosentino’s life around"
Click Here • "Be amazed with Aussie World's illusionist"
Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcome, see you next
week, Duncan.
20.1.18