Number
1167 - Saturday 5th November 2022
Max Maven by David Britland
This week we have the sad news
Max Maven has passed, on November 1st, 2022. He was one of the most influential
mentalists of our time, reinventing the art in the 1970s with his dramatic
presentation and clever approach to both effect and method.
Max Maven was born Philip Thorner Goldstein on December 21st, 1950. He was 9
years old and visiting Israel when someone showed him a paddle routine. To Max’s
astonishment the man gave him the paddles, the secret, and a passion for magic
that lasted for the rest of his life.
As a young man he tried every kind of job, including working as a DJ, a graphic
designer and playing in two bands but magic was his true calling and mentalism
became his speciality. His decision to shave his hair into a vampiric peak, wear
eye shadow and jewellery and dress only in black was made in the 1970s. ‘People
told me I was crazy,’ he said. But his new alter ego, the Mephistophelean Max
Maven became his future.
Max Maven, Yiddish for 'expert,' cut a distinctive figure in the world of
entertainment. He played the club circuit and made many television appearances
including hosting his own television series in the UK. He redefined interactive
magic for our time, as showcased in his CD-ROM Max Maven’s Mind Games and many
effects he and others used on television. He always maintained close links with
fellow magicians, contributing hundreds, possibly thousands of articles to
magazines, appearing at conventions across the globe, and taking office at The
Magic Castle. Max Maven always had time for everyone.
His last major interview with magicians took place in July, at FISM 2022 in
Quebec. Talking to interviewer Luis de Matos he discussed the things he had
learned over the years. I thought the following summed up Max perfectly. He
said, ‘One of the things I’ve learned is that being cynical takes a lot of
effort. And it’s much easier to be nice.’
5.11.22
FISM
Québec 2022 : Max Maven Interview. Luis De Matos' intimate conversation with
Max Maven, July 26th, 2022.
YouTube.
"Max Maven Dies: Mentalist And Magical Historian Was 71" www.yahoo.com.
"RIP Max Maven: Death of performer, 71, mourned by magic community" www.thefocus.news.
Max Maven - Masters Fellowship. On Thursday, September 27th 2022, the Academy of Magical Arts gave Max Maven its highest honor, the Masters Fellowship. Max has had a profound influence on our art, as well as on the lives and careers of countless among us. As a way of showing Max our love, we put together a bit of a thank you card. For you, Max. Marcie Hume, Michael Albright, Erika Larsen. Music by Alice Guerlot, Lonely Anticipation and Thomas Toccafondi, Velvet Moon. YouTube. 5.11.22
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This
week Max Maven in a guest spot on The Paul Daniels Magic Show on 29th September
1984. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To see more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here.
5.11.22
Derren Brown.
As Channel 4 celebrates 40
years The Guardian have assembled a
Top 40 homegrown originals list, with Derren Brown: Mind Control (2000-2003)
coming in at healthy 27, writing: "The mentalist foxed us with his mix of 'magic,
suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship'. Brown pivoted into
one-off specials, with 2003’s Russian Roulette condemned by police and 2004’s
Séance attracting hundreds of complaints." [Pedantic Note: The Guardian
placed 'Big Brother' 1st in its "Top 40 homegrown originals only" list, but Big
Brother is of Dutch origin, created by John de Mol Jr., and first
broadcast in the Netherlands in 1999. It was then franchised out worldwide. In
contrast Derren Brown's work was, and continues to be, homegrown and supremely original! DT].
"Derren Brown: Go-to Northampton hotel for celebrities reveals what it was like to host famous magician and 'Jedi master'" www.northamptonchron.co.uk. 5.11.22
Mark
Leveridge Retires From Magicseen. After almost 18 years as editor and
co-owner of Magicseen Magazine, Mark Leveridge has now retired from the role,
the current November issue being his final one. Mark said: "Nothing lasts for
ever, and for me personally I have reached a point in my life where the most
precious commodity in it, is my time. Fun though Magicseen has been, I have
decided that this is the right moment to leave my editor's desk and to withdraw
from the magazine. It's not a decision that I took lightly, but once having made
the decision, it feels like the right thing to do." Although no longer involved
with Magicseen, Mark is not retiring completely from magic and will continue to
put his energies into Mark Leveridge Magic and his online club, E-Club Pro.
Magicseen will move forward under the stewardship of Phil Shaw, one of the
founders who started the magazine back in 2005.
5.11.22
The
November 2022 issue of Magicseen Magazine, number 107, is now available, packed full of interviews,
advice, masterclass effects and product reviews, plus much more. Visit
www.magicseen.com to get your copy
in printed or PDF format, or subscribe to receive each issue automatically
through your letterbox for 12 or 24 months.
5.11.22
The
Wizards Weekend - Newcastle
upon Tyne, next weekend! From the organisers: Roll Up, Roll Up! Come along to the first
ever Chris Cross Convention - "The Wizards Weekend", taking place from 11th -
13th November 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne! Expect Lectures, Gala Shows, Special
Surprise Guests, Dealers and Demonstrations, A Magic Auction, Masterclasses and
More! Confirmed Special Guests to date: Chris Cross, Billy Kidd, Marc Oberon,
John Archer, Franz Harary, Laura London, Mark Mason, Freak, Claire-Elizabeth,
Jonathan Goodwin, Noel Britten, Jamie Raven and James James.
A very exclusive and friendly convention, featuring some of the biggest names in
magic today, in an up close and intimate setting. Limited to only 175
Registrants. Secure your place now! The Full Registration Ticket includes
registration for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday and entry to both Friday and
Saturday Night Shows. Please note that all acts and guests are subject to change
at any time, however, at the time of tickets being released, all names that have
been released are 100% confirmed!
www.thewizardsweekend.com.
5.11.22
Ferran
Rizo and Natalie Machado Order of The Magi Manchester Lecture. Mike Sharples
writes: The Order of The Magi is pleased to announce that on the 15th November
2022, we will be hosting Ferran Rizo and Natalie Machado in Manchester as part
of their UK tour. Ferran and Natalie have lectured all over the world and now it
is our turn to experience the magic of this amazing couple.
This lecture has something for everyone, from cards, coins, comedy and a
bucketful of entertainment. The venue is The Irish World Heritage Centre, Irish
Town Way, off Queens Road, Cheetham Hill Manchester. The venue is 5 minutes walk
from the Metrolink tram stop and there is plenty of free on-site parking at the
IWHC. The lecture starts at 7.45pm and non members are welcome for an entrance
fee of £5.00 which is payable on the door. For more information please contact
Secretary Mike Sharples on 0774 8833666.
5.11.22
Bernard
Mariano 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: "Bernard Mariano - Hong Kong Magician Extraordinaire"
YouTube.
5.11.22
Lee
Hathaway lectures at the British Magical Society. Phil Sweeting writes: Lee Hathaway lectures live at the British
Magical Society on Tuesday 8th November at 7.30pm. Lee needs little introduction - his many distinctions in the
world of magic are well known. He will be performing his well-reviewed new
lecture and we'd love you to join us - visiting magicians welcome for only £5 on
the night, including free buffet. The British Magical Society, The Weoley Castle
Working Men s Club, Barnes Hill Road, Weoley Castle, Birmingham B29 5TY.
5.11.22
Kane & Abel: Twinpossible.
Kane and Abel perform comedy and magic based on the clichés of being twins. Can
they really feel each other’s pain and read one another’s thoughts? Don’t miss
this show to find out.
Friday 11th November at 7.30pm at
Viva Arts & Community Group,
Soham, Cambridgeshire.
Tickets (£15.00)
www.viva-group.org.uk.
5.11.22
The
Ultimate Drunken Deck. Chris Dugdale asks: Is this the most visual
close-up trick of all time?
www.kickstarter.com.
5.11.22
The
Ocean at the End of the Lane. From the imagination of Neil Gaiman,
best-selling author of Coraline, Good Omens and The Sandman (now a major Netflix
series), comes the National Theatre’s major new stage adaptation of The Ocean at
the End of the Lane.
This five-star spectacular from the producers of War Horse and The Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth
and friendship, taking audiences on an epic journey to a childhood once
forgotten and the darkness that lurks at the very edge of it.
The man behind the magic is Jamie Harrison, an Olivier, Tony award-winning magic
and illusions director and designer. He previously was awarded the Edinburgh
International Magic Festival's Great Lafayette Award for outstanding
contribution to stage magic and has worked on productions such as Harry Potter
and the Cursed Child, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Pinocchio.
John Bulleid is the associate magic and illusions director whose work behind
multiple Olivier Award winning productions includes The Worst Witch, Death of a
Salesman. He holds the title of Associate of The Inner Magic Circle with Silver
Star.
The tour opens in Salford at The Lowry on 12th December 2022 and plays there
until 8th January 2023 where the show commences its tour to 28 venues, finishing
in Wolverhampton on 30th September 2023. For more information and to book visit
www.oceanonstage.com.
5.11.22
Magic Roulette!
Looking to magic away those Monday Blues?
Forget rabbits from hats and dated tricks...
Join us for London's only magic night with a twist. Expect the unexpected as
award-winning magicians create brand new magic routines based on suggestions
from the audience each month. Hosted by Tom Brace, this week’s guest acts
included Abel From Kane & Abel and Ava Beaux.
Monday 7th November at 7.30pm at
The Glitch, Waterloo, London.
Tickets £10.00 from
www.designmynight.com.
5.11.22
Houdini's
Automatic Flowering Rosebush. Potter & Potter write: Potter & Potter Auctions sold the great
magician's Automatic Flowering Rosebush apparatus for a world record $270,000
(plus buyers premium) on October 30th. This extraordinary illusion with full
provenance to the beloved performer traded hands at the company's October 30th,
2022 Salon De Magie -The Klosterman Collection Part III event. Estimated at
$25,000-50,000, it realized $324,000, nearly 13x its estimate. Watch this lot
being sold here:
YouTube.
This object now holds the world record for the most expensive piece of magic
memorabilia sold at public auction.
5.11.22
New
Releases from MLM. The two new download products released in the E-Club Pro
Select range for Nov/Dec 2022 are now available, and here are the details. 1.
Coffee Break. A card is genuinely freely chosen by a spectator and slipped
sight unseen into an envelope which is placed onto the performer’s hand. By
simply rubbing his fingers across the envelope, the magician claims to be able
to divine the name of the selection inside, and after a few moments names a
card. The spectator takes the envelope and removes the card to reveal the
performer is correct. This is just one effect made possible by this special,
versatile envelope stack idea. Simple to make, this gimmick is based on a tried
and tested classic principle. 2. Horoscope. From a pile of 12 cards each
bearing one of the 12 star signs, a spectator removes theirs and it is slipped
unseen by the performer into an envelope which is left in view. 12 further
cards, which bear descriptive character trait words for each of the star signs,
are shuffled and three selected by spectators at random. The performer takes the
three cards and tries to assess whether the words on any of them appear to apply
to the first spectator. He eventually decides on one card. On removing the star
sign card from the envelope it is seen to match! Both the above downloads cost
just £7.00 each (or only £3.50 for E-Club Pro members) and are available from
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
5.11.22
Portsmouth & District Magic Circle Sale - Tomorrow. Nicky Lewis writes: Tomorrow is the day that Portsmouth & District Magic Circle are delighted to be hosting the largest secondhand sale of Props and Magic on the South Coast on Sunday 6th November 2022. Doors for sellers will open at 7am with buyers attending from 9am. We are using a new venue for this event and there is plenty of parking on site as well as a restaurant. We look forward to welcoming everyone along. Venue: Innlodge Hotel Portsmouth, Burrfields Road, Portsmouth PO3 5HH. Free entry, please bring cash. 5.11.22
"As
Teller recovers, it’s the Penn & Michael show at the Rio"
www.reviewjournal.com.
5.11.22
The Amazing Johnathan Documentary. "Benjamin Berman finds the line between truth and illusion start to blur as he documents the final tour of a dying magician." (Repeat) Sunday 12th November on Sky Documentaries. See TV Magic. 5.11.22
"World's
oldest magician known for 'creating poodles from thin air' in magic act dies"
www.mirror.co.uk.
5.11.22
"The Illusionists: Magic, Magic and More
Magic in Morristown"
Click Here • "‘The Illusionist’ at North Beach’s Palace
Theatre Has Me Believing in Magic Again"
Click Here • "Las Vegas magician Penn Jillette on his new book
'Random' and more"
Click Here • "Ben Zabin Is a Marijuana Magician"
Click Here • "What to expect from David Blaine’s
enchanting new Resorts World Las Vegas residency, ‘in spades’"
Click Here • "Comedic magician Piff the Magic Dragon
comes to Dallas"
Click
Here •
"How a magician-mathematician revealed a casino loophole"
Click Here •
"‘Murder?’: Mysteries still surround Harry Houdini’s Halloween death"
Click Here • "Criss Angel admits he feared for Ginuwine's
life after singer blacked out during underwater stunt gone wrong on his
new TV series Magic with the Stars in Vegas"
Click Here •
"Magician who starred in Spanish version of BGT dies after collapsing on
stage mid-show"
Click Here •
"'It's unfair for me to hold onto this stuff': Debbie McGee says her
decision to sell late Paul Daniels' magic props was 'really emotional'
as she details how she wants to 'pass on his legacy'"
Click Here • "Criss Angel admits he feared for Ginuwine's
life after singer blacked out during underwater stunt gone wrong on his
new TV series Magic with the Stars in Vegas"
Click Here • That's all for this week. Have fun if you're
attending the
www.londonmagicconvention.co.uk
tomorrow. See you next week, Duncan.
5.11.22