Number 84 - 2nd February 2002
Congratulations to Paul Zenon on winning an 'Avion' for the best
world-wide in-flight entertainment video presentation for 2001. Paul recorded a
special in-flight magic show that has now been seen by more than 18 million
Brittania Airlines passengers... Back
down to earth and Paul can be seen on The Wright Stuff on Channel 5 on
Friday 8th February, he'll be joining the panel on this current affairs chat show.
2.2.02
Two
ornate hand-carved wooden chairs, that originally belonged to
the Egyptian Hall (front-stalls I believe), were transferred years ago
to the wardrobe department of the Players Theatre, London, by Mary
Maskelyne when she worked there. The chairs are now for sale and would
definitely rate "high" on any magic collectors list. The Magic Circle
already own
three or four, and members will remember seeing past president
Francis White sitting happily on one at the old Circle HQ at Chenies Mews. For more
information telephone Larry Parker on 020 8788 4831.
2.2.02
"In
the last days of the millennium as the forces of evil attempt to dominate
the earth, a handsome young street magician, Michael Devane is mankind's
last chance to preserve morality. Since the beginning of time, a war has
raged between good and evil for the fate of the earth. Fighting the battle
for good is the Grand Magus. At the turn of each new millennium, when the
forces of evil are at their most powerful, a new magician is chosen to
lead the confrontation against The Other Side..." Death by Magic - 8pm on
Sunday 17th February on Sky MovieMax 1.
2.2.02
Bobby Bernard is one of three judges in a new TV show that
looks like magic's answer to the 'Pop Idol' phenomenon - but with a bitter twist! Amateur
magicians were invited to audition via an advertisement in The Stage
(MagicWeek back issue: 0081), judges then
dissect the act, and then the act comments on the judges! Details are
a little sketchy at the moment - it's not clear if this will form a part
of the new Jerry Atrick series on Channel 5 with Jerry Sadowitz, or
whether it is a separate entity. We'll
keep you posted...
2.2.02
John Archer is featured in
Magic Profile for February.
John is one of a small handful of performers who somehow manage to combine
mind-reading and comedy, and make it really work! John closed the day at
last year's MindMagic convention.
2.2.02
Alakazam have
Michael Ammar's Easy to Master Thread Miracles in stock on both DVD and
PAL VHS. This three volume set has received high praise already and,
without wanting to give anything away here, should be high-up on any
magician's shopping list!
www.alakazam.co.uk
2.2.02
Black Artefacts have
released a number of new items this week including "The World's Smallest
Tarot Set" seen here. At 12mm x 22mm, this must be the smallest
ever full-colour Tarot set, complete with miniature wood and brass box
and antique style polished magnifying glass. Also new, a "Psychic Reader's Kit," and a "Pendulum" (that comes
with an great effect) made from lead crystal on a real silver chain, complete with
velvet
mat and suede pouch. And finally "Draculea" - a letter from the infamous
Count Draculea, instructs your victim with a set of Tarot cards. On
reading the letter they find that they have dealt themselves the very card
that the Count predicted, thereby turning themselves into a vampire!
Hand-made props that look and feel genuine (circa 1850). Visit
www.blackhart.co.uk for more information.
2.2.02
The Basingstoke
Festival of Magic takes place on April 21st at the Kempshott Village
Hall, Stratton Park, Pack Lane, Basingstoke. With lectures by Brian Eames
(photo) and Lyn Thomas. The Close-up Championship of Southern England
Competition (for the Alan McGurk Trophy). Magic Dealers: Pennywise Magic,
The Magic Zone, MAC Magic, Colin Rose ( Five of Hearts Magic Productions),
and Mike Danata's Magic Studio with more to be announced. Followed by a
Gala Show starring: Obleo, the current Young Magician of the Year winner,
Lyn Thomas (aka The Great Velcro!), Dennis Goodwin (winner of the British
Ring IBM comedy award), with more names to be announced. Doors open at
9.30am. Tickets in advance: £10 adult, £5 junior (Under 14), on the door
£12 and £7. Registrations to: Dave Cohen, 13 Buckfast Close, Basingstoke
RG24 9HD. Include stamped envelope please.
2.2.02
Chewin' the Fat
(10.35pm BBC 1 Friday nights) featured a lame Siegfried and Roy spoof
Magitainers Sebastian & Max that could have been very funny, but
wasn't (even the canned laughter struggled).
2.2.02
Jonathan Frakes
of Star Trek fame is to
direct a new movie called Illusion in which an Illusionist is mistakenly
accused of a crime and uses his skills as a magician to eventually clear
his name.
2.2.02
The tables were turned on MagicWeek last week when a film crew from
The Daily Show
(Comedy Central - USA) descended on our office to expose the truth behind
the headlines! You may remember the story that we ran on Fay
Presto a few weeks ago Back Issue 0072 "Top London magician Fay Presto found herself in
court on Friday 2nd November losing the right to ride her rhinestone clad
scooter to gigs in London without insurance..." well, The Daily Show,
picked up on this story interviewing Fay Presto, and then MagicWeek
the following day. Matt Walsh was the interviewer (a cross between Dan
Rather and Bart Simpson) and it went out
in the States on Tuesday • This week Stuart Bowie reports on
ImagE - The Interactive Magic Experience
Mark Leveridge's innovative magic event that was held last Sunday • And we
have an article on exposure from Tony Russell
Click Here - articles and reviews are
always welcomed • Please read the Terms and Conditions when
submitting free classified advertisements to MagicWeek - I simply
don't have the time to re-format ads that don't comply. That's it for this
week, see you next week, Duncan.
2.2.02