Number 1156 - Saturday 20th August 2022

 

The ever-popular South Tyneside International Magic Festival and Convention is set to return in full in October. From the organisers: The event, now in its 18th year, was run as a smaller scale virtual event over the past two years, but is now back with a full programme of performances, workshops, lectures and dealers. Running from the 14th–16th October in South Shields, the festival will be bringing together a whole host of international artistes from a range of disciplines, who will be sharing their expertise with the professional attendees.


Among the highlights will be a lecture from USA-based Gregory Wilson, otherwise known as "The Honest Conman", who specialises in close-up magic, sleight of hand and confidence trickery. He has spent more than 40 years honing his signature "criminal act" and his skill in pickpocketing, card sharking, street swindling and mental manipulation has been recognised widely – leading to him giving his deception detection lecture to US federal law enforcement agencies.


Also visiting from the USA and addressing the convention attendees is Jeffery Wang, renowned for his coin magic and here for the first time in the UK. From Spain are Javi Benitez and Juan Luis Rubiales, from Portugal are Arkadio & Solange; plus just a few of the stars from the UK are mentalist Matt Daniel-Baker, Alan Hudson, Kat Hudson and Roddy McGhie. Attendees will be able to attend the two gala shows at The Customs House theatre, which will feature a number of acts on both nights, showcasing everything from comedy magic to mentalism, manipulation and illusions.


Steve Gore, magic consultant for the festival, believes it has a very strong lineup, "We brought together acts from the USA, from Spain and Portugal as well as from across the UK. We’re really delighted that we’ve managed to snare some of the best names in the business and that we can all finally come back to South Tyneside after an absence of two years."


The festival was always a must-go date on the calendar, and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back. Another first this year is a group booking option - buy 9 places and get the 10th free! A brilliant way to bring your friends from your magic club together and choose whether to spread the saving between everyone or donate it back to your club! All bookings available now at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/magicfestival. Please hurry though as it is limited to only 150 delegates, so that everyone gets a brilliant view and chance to jam and hang out with the stars of the festival! Only £65 for the whole 3 days.
20.8.22

 

Fringe Snippets:

"Who went too far: Jerry Sadowitz or those who cancelled his Edinburgh fringe show?" www.theguardian.com
"Should Edinburgh Fringe have cancelled Jerry Sadowitz?" www.theweek.co.uk

"Jerry Sadowitz hits back at Edinburgh Fringe organisers after cancellation of 'unacceptable' comedy show" www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk

"Ben Hart: ‘I’m always happy to help people out with a beheading" www.list.co.uk
"Chris Dugdale: Ethermind" 5 stars www.bouquetsbrickbatsreviews.com

"Joz Norris: Blink" 3 ½ www.chortle.co.uk
"Tom Crosbie: Nerd’s Eye View – Edinburgh Fringe" 4 Stars www.starburstmagazine.com
"Edinburgh Fringe Review: Joz Norris, Blink, Pleasance Dome" 4 Stars www.beyondthejoke.co.uk.
20.8.22

 

The Magic Emporium at The Wesley Hotel, London on Sunday 11th September. The Magic Emporium will be open from 10am until 6pm, including a special Dealers Happy Hour between 11am-12 noon, where you will have a chance to grab a bargain! This event will replace The Magic Circle Dealers Day this year and is being held at the Wesley Hotel, 81 Euston Street, London NW1 2EZ, just a couple of minutes from Euston Station. (Note: Tickets for The Magic Emporium will not admit you to The Magic Circle HQ or the Convention, which is now sold out. The HQ will be at full capacity.) Entrance: Members of The Magic Circle, free. Non members, purchase a ticket for £5 in advance via www.tmcshop.squarespace.com. Dealers interested in attending should email michael@themagiccircle.co.uk for stand reservation details. 20.8.22

 

IBM British Ring Convention, 1st-4th September, Eastbourne. From the organisers: The I.B.M. British Ring Convention at Eastbourne is only two weeks away! The full running order is now available at www.facebook.com/IBM.BritishRing25 and British Ring Magic Convention - IBM British Ring 25. The Convention Team are excited to have Sooty and Friends delivering an amazing show on Saturday 3rd September at just £12 per ticket. These are not part of the convention rates but can be purchased direct from the Box office at Sooty & Friends Eastbourne Theatres.

You can still register for the convention online at www.britishring.org.uk until Saturday 27th August. After that date, registration is only in person at the Registration Desk in Eastbourne, which opens in the Welcome Building at 9.30am on Thursday 1st September. Card, PayPal, bank transfer and cash all accepted! I.B.M. British Ring Conventions are always chock full of magic, friendship and fun, so why not come along to meet and support the lecturers, performers, competition entrants and dealers and help make our 2022 convention the best yet! We look forward to seeing you there!
20.8.22

 

Nigel Mansell and The Magic Circle. Formula 1 legend Nigel Mansell left an interviewer open-mouthed by pulling off an amazing magic trick. The 1992 world champion couldn’t resist showing off his sleight of hand skills with a pack of cards at the end of a special interview that was filmed to mark 30 years since he won the F1 world title. His show of wizardry came after the British hero had discussed how becoming a magician turned his life around following a terrifying 240mph crash at Le Mans. That 2010 smash left Mansell with a bleed on the brain and unable to talk until he used magic to teach himself to speak again... To read the full article and watch the video interview Click Here. (The Classic will be held at Silverstone across the weekend of August 26th-28th and will feature a host of attractions, including Mansell's F1 world title-winning car from 30 years ago being part of an interactive display.) 20.8.22

 

Huge boost for leisure and tourism industry as IAAPA Expo Europe heads to London. The European leisure industry’s premier Expo and networking event returns to the UK for the first time since 2011, taking place at ExCeL London in September. Thousands of UK and international leisure industry professionals are set to gather in London later this year for the annual IAAPA Expo Europe. The event is the flagship European trade show of The Global Association for the Attractions Industry, shining the spotlight firmly on the recovering tourism industry in this special Jubilee year for the UK, and putting London at the heart of Europe’s leisure industry in 2022. ExCeL London, September 12th-15th. To register as an attendee Click Here. To register as an exhibitor visit Click Here. 20.8.22

 

Aidan McCann on Craig Petty's Magic TV: 'Talk Magic'. Every week Craig Petty sits down and chats with a well known magician; a creator, a performer, or someone who has had a positive impact on the Magic Community. This week: "Aidan talks about his first experience performing on stage, performing online during the pandemic and much more." YouTube. 20.8.22

 

The MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week Nathan Burton on The World's Wildest Magic from 1997. See The MagicWeek Video Archive. To see more from The MagicWeek Video Archive Click Here. 20.8.22

 

The Speaking Magician. On Wednesday 31st August at 7.30pm Jez Rose is running a free 30 minute webinar for magicians looking to add keynote speaking to their bookable services. Ending with a Q&A session the free webinar will be recorded and made available if you’re unable to make it live. With almost 20 years experience as a global keynote speaker and conference host, Jez will offer guidance specific to magicians on content; how to include magic and when not to, and the business of speaking. Book your free place here: www.thatjezrose.com/shop/live-business-webinars. 20.8.22

 

Magician and actor Ali Cook stars as DCI Simmons in dark comic thriller Ragdoll. Here is a sneak peek: www.instagram.com. Download the series here: www.amazon.com. 20.8.22

 

Mervyn Cole presents A Day of Magic - Sunday, 2nd October, Lymington, Hampshire. We are holding another Day of Magic and are inviting you to join us to buy and sell new and old tricks and have a catch up with old faces. Venue: The Scouts HQ, Lodge Road, Pennington, Lymington SO41 8HE (behind the Sports and Social club). Opening time 9am. Light refreshments available. Entry £4.00 and table £4.00. Call Merv for more details: Tel 01590 719497. 20.8.22

 

The August/September Mark Leveridge Podcast. Starting this month Mark's audio podcast is becoming bi-monthly (i.e. every two months). However, whereas the length of all previous podcasts was fixed at 30 minutes, the new breed of bi-monthly editions will run to 45 minutes. Here are the topics covered in the latest issue: Changes are afoot for MLM updates. Technology and magic – finding the balance. Taking a look at Andi Gladwin’s theory about incremental changes leading to new magic. PR can be a great way to promote your shows if done correctly. Discussing whether show deposits are worth the hassle. When stage names might be a good idea. The importance of good eye contact for performers. How to stop nerves by countering all your worries. You can get free access either from www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast-archive, or from www.markleveridge.podbean.com where you can also sign up to be a follower and receive each new bi-monthly release automatically. 20.8.22

 

All Magicseen Issues In Stock. From the publishers: If you are happy to receive your Magicseen Magazines in digital format, you get the best of many worlds. For instance, you don't need to create more bookshelf space every time a new issue is published, you can read your copy on a computer, tablet or phone, and if you want to delve into the back issues, unlike with the printed copies where some are now sold out, every single one of the 105 editions is available to you! The price per individual digital copy is just £4.50, and a 1 year sub will only set you back £24.00, with a 2 year sub being even better value at a mere £40.00. Oh, and if you are a subscriber, not only do you get a 20% discount on all purchases of Magicseen books, but every time a new magazine is published, you are entitled to request any two back issues for free! This enables you to gradually build a complete file of Magicseen in a highly economical way. Being a Magicseen digital subscriber makes a lot of sense no matter how you look at it, so go to www.magicseen.com right now and treat yourself to regular doses of Magicseen goodness. 20.8..22

 

Tricked Canada. Magician Eric Leclerc plays elaborate tricks on random people on the street and leaves them amazed while a hidden camera captures their reactions. Wednesday 24th August on Virgin Media Two (repeat). See TV Magic for details. 20.8.22

 

John Pye. The British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians write: It is with great sorrow we share news that Past British Ring President John Pye passed away yesterday morning [13th August]. John was also Executive Secretary for many years, stepping down from this role in 2018, and many of our members will have lots of fond memories of him and his dedication and contribution to the British Ring. John was also Past International President 2012-13 and was highly respected throughout the magic community. Whilst John had been unwell for some time his passing was sudden and unexpected and our thoughts are with Carol and family at this sad time.


The service and interment will take place at St. Ambrose Church, Grindleton on Tuesday 30th August at 12 noon. No flowers by request. Donations in memory of John, if desired, are invited for St. Ambrose Church, Grindleton, c/o Rev. Mark Williams, The Rectory, Sawley Road, Grindleton, Clitheroe BB7 4QS. Funeral arrangements by Brian Price and Son Ltd. Funeral Directors. Tel: 01200 441297. Here is the link if you are using Sat Nav to get there www.goo.gl/maps.
20.8.22

 

Ricky Gardiner. As the President of the Nottingham Guild of Magicians it saddens me to pass on the news of the passing of Ricky Gardiner on Tuesday 16th August 2022. He had recently been diagnosed with cancer but nevertheless his passing came much sooner than had been expected. He passed away peacefully at home.

 

Ricky had been a member of the Nottingham Guild since 1982 winning many awards and performing in many shows for the club. At the time of moving away he was a valued member of the committee and to this day his name has always been mentioned on the way he performed his effects. He was made an honorary member of the Guild in 2016 in recognition of the hard work and support he gave to the Guild.


Ricky's funeral will take place at 12.30 pm on 31st August at Radcliffe Crematorium, M26 4EU. It would be helpful for his niece, Helen, if anyone wishing to attend could let her know in advance for catering purposes (hmrgardiner@gmail.com). Andrew Morrison, President Nottingham Guild of Magicians. (Photo: Ricky Gardiner on the left, after winning the Nottingham Guild of Magicians Close-up Competition in 2010.)
20.8.22

 

"Wonderville Magic & Cabaret – Piccadilly Circus, London" Click Here • "Wonderville at the Haymarket in the West End – review" Click Here • "Review: Wonderville: Magic & Cabaret - Haymarket London" Click Here • "Inside Siegfried and Roy's fantastical 'Little Bavaria'" Click Here • "Does Appleton or Milwaukee have the right to claim Houdini as its own?" Click Here • "10 of the Most Famous Magicians the World Has Ever Seen" Click Here • "Police rescue 'magicians' from mob in Bugweri" Click Here • "Awkward moment as 'AGT' magician flubs trick on live TV: 'Oh. We'll get back to you…'" Click Here • "Yu Hojin Shocks The Audience With Jaw-Dropping Magic" Click Here • "Who is AGT’s Yu Hojin?" Click HereThat's it for this week, your UK magic news is always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan. 20.8.22

 

Back

 

© www.magicweek.co.uk