Number 985 - 11th May 2019

Merlins Festival Day - tomorrow, Sunday 12th May! The Magic Festival Day will take place tomorrow, Sunday 12th May at The Academy Theatre, Birdwell, Barnsley S70 5TU (Map). The day will feature lectures, workshops, some surprises and Gala Magic Show in the evening. Find out more, see www.merlinswakefield.co.uk. 11.5.19

Magic in the City – Bristol’s New Magic Convention, next Sunday 19th May. The Bristol Day of Magic re-launches on Sunday 19th this month as 'Magic in the City' after a year’s break. Back in Bristol itself for the first time in 25 years with a new venue and new format it all takes place under one roof at the modern Double Tree by Hilton, 5 minutes’ walk from Temple Meads station with free parking. Headlining the day is Dennis Behr along with lectures and shows from Henri White, Kieron Johnson, Jon Allen, Ken Dyne, Peter Clifford and Alan Hudson, together with newly announced comedian compère Jack Glanville and a selection of magic dealers. Tickets on the day just £45, see www.bristolmagic.club/magicinthecity. 11.5.19

Magic History Gathering at The Magic Circle - Saturday 8th June. From the organisers: On Saturday 8th June there will be another Magic History Gathering at The Magic Circle. For this highlight of the magic year Eddie Dawes and Peter Lane have lined up some excellent speakers. Subjects covered will be Paul Daniels shows, magicians in the First World War, Maskelyne, Hoffmann and also mal-observation of magic.

From America we have Richard Kaufman talking about De Land and his card tricks and John Gaughan about the automaton chess player. Dick Koornwinder from Holland will speak about Fred Kaps. After the talks there will be a table sale of collectable books at very reasonable prices. Coffee will be served from 10am and the day will finish at about 6.30pm. Tickets are now on sale on The Magic Circle website under 'Public Events'. The price of £45 includes morning coffee, a substantial buffet lunch and afternoon tea. See www.themagiccircle.co.uk. 11.5.19

Laura London added to South Tyneside International Festival of Magic 2019. From the organisers: Here is the 9th Act announcement for South Tyneside International Festival of Magic, from London, the Extremely talented Laura London. "Laura London is not just a fantastic magician, she is a worker. The material she performs in her Cheat Act has been refined and audience tested for many years, all over the world. Laura's done the hard part. All you have to do is watch, listen and learn." Chad Long. Laura's interest in magic began when she was 8 years old. Just one week after her 18th birthday, she became the youngest female member of The Magic Circle and now, 17 years later, Laura is a Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star.

Laura now concentrates on magic with cards and her exceptional skills have taken her to the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe in a show she devised and wrote herself 'Laura London: Cheat', that received 4 star reviews across the board. Her close-up magic and card skills have made her one of the most in-demand magicians in London, with residencies that have included Café Royal, Rosewood Hotel, The Savoy and the Hippodrome Casino. She is currently at the Café de Paris and Circus London. Laura will join Xulio Merino, Olivier Macia (Olmac), Mario Marchese (The Maker Magician), Mike Pisciotta, Maga Gisell, Richard Jones, Mark Shortland and Steve Hewlett. 11-13th October 2019. To book, see www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestival. Only £65 for the full 3 days of magic! Book now as it's limited to 150 people! 11.5.19

10th Anniversary MagicFest moves to December. From the organisers: Guess what? It's our 10th birthday! And we’re moving dates from the summer to Christmas, presenting a special line-up of world class magic, new specific shows and mind bending fun, for the whole family! Whilst we are currently planning the 2019 programme (to be announced in September), you can still enjoy some magic events this summer. Tickets are now on sale for The Secret Room at Lauriston Castle, our sell-out signature show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. We’re also presenting “Kevin Quantum - Neon Future”, it’s gonna be a fun summer! www.magicfest.co.uk. 11.5.19

David Blaine: Real or Magic - first ever UK and Ireland Tour, June 2019. 'David Blaine Real or Magic' promises to be an interactive experience featuring death-defying stunts with no two performances being the same.
5th June Playhouse, Edinburgh
8th June The 3 Arena, Dublin
11th June 02 Apollo, Manchester
14th June Arena, Birmingham
15th June BIC, Bournemouth
18th June Eventim Apollo, London
19th June Eventim Apollo, London

Book via www.livenation.co.uk. Also see www.davidblaine.com/live. 11.5.19

Wayne Dobson on The Magicians' Podcast. Richard Young writes: Wayne Dobson takes to the podcast hot seat to discuss his incredible rise to fame, his encounter with Tommy Cooper, the Royal Variety performance and his three TV series for ITV called A Kind of Magic. Wayne also talks candidly about the bitter blow his career took when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the peak of his run and why he decided to hide the diagnosis for as long as possible. He also gives us a sneak peak into his autobiography, which is nearing completion, and shares one of his legendary practical joke stories. Plus "What's Going On?" with Alan Hudson. The Magicians' Podcast, listen now, via iTunes, Podbean or Spotify. 11.5.19

Wayne Dobson has a plea for help with a book he is writing with Bob Gill; it’s a detailed autobiography, very much warts ’n all. Wayne would welcome any memorabilia relating to his performing career, and would be interested to hear readers’ reminiscences and anecdotes regarding The Dobbo. When Wayne downsized to his current apartment he lost a load of memorabilia from his performing years, and he's particularly anxious to obtain sight of the programme for the 1989 Royal Variety Show that he famously appeared in with Frank Bruno and Harry Carpenter. We’d appreciate even the loan of such material, which we will deal with respectfully, photograph and return to you gratefully and safely. Please contact Bob Gill: bob.gill@me.com. 11.5.19

Magicseen Lite. Magicseen Publications write: On June 1st Magicseen Publications will be launching Magicseen Lite. This is a special digital taster version of the current issue which will contain some of the original edition's content and which will be made available free to anyone who would like it. Advertisers who already have an advert in the main full edition will be included at no extra charge in the Lite version, but other dealers are also invited to contact Magicseen if they wish to include a message in just the Lite issue. The copy deadline date is May 20th for the launch edition, and interested parties can get further details and information from markleveridge@magicseen.co.uk. Magicseen Lite will be available to download from June 1st from the Magicseen website (www.magicseen.co.uk) and will also be distributed by a number of other major magic dealers. So if you want to know what Magicseen is all about, Magicseen Lite will show you. 11.5.19

The MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, the legendary Chris Lynam on Beadle's Box of Tricks, from August 1989. See The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks Click Here. 11.5.19

Back with the Rizo’s - The New Ferran Rizo Lecture for 2019. Ferran Rizo writes: The Rizo duo of Nataly & Ferran are back and touring the UK for the third time with a completely new lecture, full of magic with cards, coins and a cup, suitable for all skill levels. As before, we are going to teach you effects taken straight from our professional repertoire. Original and creative magic for the amateur and professional. We are international lecturers, and close-up and stage magicians, performing in the best venues across Europe. We also have a TV show in Spain which you can enjoy on our YouTube channel: YouTube. Would you like to invite us to your magic club? Email magferran@gmail.com or visit www.ferranrizo.com. We look forward to amazing you with some of the best modern magic around. 11.5.19

Marc Paul lectures at the Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians on Wednesday 15th May at 8pm. Visiting magicians welcome (£5 charge). Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians, The ECC Sports & Social Club, Showell Road, Wolverhampton, WV10 9LE (Map). www.wcm-magic.co.uk. 11.5.19

Chance: Chris Tennant. Tickets are now available for 'Chance' a brand new magic and mind reading show by Chris Tennant. This 45 minute performance is the only magic act at this year's Barnstaple Theatrefest. The show is all about taking risks and exploring new options. For times and dates see www.theatrefest.co.uk. "One of the best performers we have ever had" The Trickery. 11.5.19

The Order of The Magi (Manchester) is holding a Table Top Sale this Tuesday, 14th May. There are still some spaces left at £10 per allocation. You may need to bring your own table as we only have so many available, so please check first with the secretary Mike Sharples secretary@orderofthemagic.co.uk 0774 8833666. Visitor’s entrance is £2 and further details are on www.orderofthemagi.co.uk. Plenty of car parking available. Bar, tea and coffee will be available. The Venue: The Irish World Heritage Centre which is a three minute walk from Queens Road tram stop on the Metrolink. No commission payable, what you take you keep. Geoffrey Newton PRO. 11.5.19

Major Magic Auction of the collection of the late John Ryan, in Dublin. Quentin Reynolds writes: Featuring small illusions, stage, cabaret, mentalism props and apparatus, close-up tricks, books and magazines gathered over a 70 year period. Most items with no reserve and nearly all in excellent condition. Tuesday, 4th June starting at 7pm. Viewing beforehand. Hosted by the Society of Irish Magicians. Venue: The Academy Plaza Hotel, 10-14 Findlater Place, off Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin D01 X2X0, Ireland. Free for members, small door charge for non-members. 11.5.19

Modern Magic, The Charlotte Street Hotel, London. Prepare to believe in magic! Downstairs in the sumptuous screening room at the Charlotte Street Hotel, the audience will have their minds read, senses manipulated and experience some of the most astonishing feats of modern magic. Sit down and relax as Jake takes you on a journey of dapper deception, sophisticated sleight of hand and mischievous mind games. Saturday 29th June. Tickets: £30. The Charlotte Street Hotel, 15 - 17 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RJ (Map).  www.modernmagic.co.uk. 11.5.19

Jay Adkins: Mind Magician Live. From the promoters: His inimitable style combined with memory feats will stun and amaze. Jay uses various techniques to captivate and engage his audience and give the feeling of real mind reading. Jay Adkins Mind Magician is a live audience show combining cutting edge mentalism with mind magic. Your audience members will be involved in the show from the very start and be blown away by the mind reading demonstrations. They will leave the show asking "how is this possible?". The show combines mind reading, comedy, predictions and danger. Friday June 7th at 4.30pm. Venue: Gardners Arms Droitwich, Vines Lane, Droitwich, Worcestershire WR9 8LU (Map). www.jayadkinsmagician.co.uk/live. 11.5.19

The May Mark Leveridge Podcast. Another collection of magic themes are covered by Mark in his monthly half hour audio podcast: Does Uri Geller really still need to make wild claims in the media? If your spectators have paid specifically to see you perform there is perhaps more pressure on you to deliver than if you are just the 'hired help'. Getting started at a gig as a strolling magician can be tricky to know the exact right moment to jump in. Mark considers the assertion by Dr. Kuhn that magic is an enjoyable sensation because the audience knows that magic is not real. Anthony Owen's demise is a real shock and a huge loss to magic. The second hand magic market is surely going to be affected by the lack of physical trick instructions. Mark anticipates his annual trip to the marvellous 4Fs close up magic convention in the US. The Mark Leveridge podcast can be listened to online or downloaded to any mp3 player, and it is completely free! The podcast is available from www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php, where you will also find access to all of the 76 previous issues, or from www.markleveridge.podbean.com, where you can also sign up to be a follower and receive each new podcast automatically on the 1st of each month. 11.5.19

Jay Adkins: A State of Mind Tour. From the promoters: After the success of the 2018 Mind Magician Live Tour, Jay Adkins asks you to get ready once more for his State of Mind Tour in 2019! With two hours of mind splitting mentalism and a generous helping of comedy, Jay is sure to amaze and delight. This year's show is all about the audience, what they are thinking and what they experience. The audience will be involved every step of the way. With over 20 years of performance experience under his belt, Jay Adkins brings to you a powerhouse performance of entertainment and mind-blowing psychological illusions, including never before seen routines designed and built just for this show! Friday October 18th at 7.30pm. Venue: Stourport Civic Hall, Martins Way, Stourport-On-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 8UJ (Map). www.jayadkinsmagician.co.uk/live. 11.5.19

Blind Date: "a panto performer, a voice artist and a magician". "Classic dating show hosted by Paul O'Grady. Single dad George picks between three single mums who have all brought their daughters to the show. Mia chooses from the entertaining trio of a panto performer, a voice artist and a magician. Plus the results of last week's blind dates." Sunday 12th May on Channel 5. See TV Magic for details. 11.5.19

News Deadline reminder. Please submit news by Thursday if possible - absolute deadline 12 noon Friday, no exceptions. DT. 11.5.19

Freddie Starr, remembered by Wayne Dobson. Wayne writes: I just heard the sad news that Freddie Starr passed away today. Although I haven’t been in touch with Freddie since he left to live in Spain many years ago, he was instrumental in my achieving the success I was able to achieve. Freddie gave me my first real start on the road to success. This is a shortened extract from my forthcoming autobiography relating to my time with Freddie in which I share some of the stories I remember... to read the full article Click Here. 11.5.19

Northern Magic Summit 2019 - reviewed by Donald Bevan this week, Click Here • "Magical exhibition to open next month celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Aberdeenshire Electric Wizard" Click Here • "Artist creates iconic optical illusion looks where she blends into the background" Click Here • "Magician Rodd Hogg reveals his next big summer stunt 'could kill him'" Click Here • "The Secret Magicians of The Music Industry, Part 4: Danny Robinson, APA" Click Here • "Ezra Miller turned his face into an optical illusion for the Met Gala that made it look like he had 7 eyes" Click Here "Do you believe in magic? This New West illusionist will persuade you" Click Here • Many thanks for your UK magic news as always, see you next week, Duncan. 11.5.19

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