Number 140 - 1st March 2003
Eugene
Burger heads a strong line up at this year's Bristol Day of Magic
on Sunday 11th May. Eugene will lecture, and perform in the close-up session.
Also lecturing award winning entertainer Paul Megram (aka Colonel Custard).
Lined up alongside Eugene Burger for the close-up session: Mark Mason,
Mark Shortland and John van der Put. On stage in the evening: Carl Dean &
Claudine, Brian Sefton, John Archer, Obleo, Terry Herbert, Peter Wardell,
the Daniel Dean Dancers and compere Noel Britten. In the afternoon, for
young magicians, a special workshop organised by Mandy Davis, and
throughout the day non-stop magic from 20 magic dealers all there to
assist you with your profit and loss accounts. The Bristol Day is one of
the very best, and highly recommended. Visit their excellent website, and
print out a registration form right now!
www.bristolsocietyofmagic.co.uk
1.3.03
Magic's
all over the Radio Times again this week. We had quoted from the
article (on Saturday), but have just received an email informing us that
Paul Daniels was misquoted in it, so to set the record straight here's the
first part of that email: "Paul was dismayed to read the current comment
in MagicWeek regarding the Radio Times article. Sadly, once again, the
media have presented mis-information and distorted comments to suit their
own purpose. Anyone who knows Paul well, knows that he NEVER speaks out
about any magician publicly, regardless of his personal views, which in
this instance were not correctly relayed. The reality is that he respects
what David Blaine has achieved with magic on TV, and thinks Derren Brown's
programmes are excellent. Paul is often portrayed in the media as being
bitter about the success of other popular magicians of today - this is
absolutely untrue. Paul believes that there is room in magic for many
different styles, and each has their own appeal to different audiences."
Andrew Lock 2.3.01. The new series of Jonathan Creek started on
Saturday evening on BBC 1.
3.3.03
Blackpool
Rocked last weekend as thousands of magicians from all over the world
descended on the town for two and a half days of total magic. Manuel
Muerte combined superb misdirection with real comic talent in a
brilliantly routined close-up set, Wayne Dobson was at his very best on
Friday night in a new spot that included his classic vent routine
(complete with 'assistance' from Joe Pasquali!), Noel Britten proved once
again that he is the best magic emcee in the UK, and young Joe Tracini
offered a hint of what's to come in his first ever magic convention
performance... and won the Junior award in the process. Here are the
results of all the competitions, British Magical Grand Prix Champion:
Martyn James, British Magical Champion of Illusion: Martyn James, British
Magical Champion of Comedy: Cosmik (Martin Cox and Kerry Scorah), British
Magical Champion of General Magic: Rousseau, British Magical Champion
Junior Category winner: Joe Trancini, British Magical Champion of
Close-up: Sean Carpenter, United Kingdom Children's Entertainer of the
Year: Mr Trix (John Dixon), And the special awards: The Murray to Alan
Shaxon, The Ken Dodd Comedy Award to Joe Tracini, Blackpool Magicians'
Club Life Membership to Derek Lever, Ian Ogilvy and John Todd, and
Blackpool Magicians' Club special presentation to Geoffrey and Amanda
Thompson. Many congratulations to them all, and to President Steve Eastham
and organisers Ian Ogilvy and Derek Lever, who together with "the team"
once again produced an excellent convention. In the photo: Competition
winner Kerry Scorah finds out if Martin can bounce (he can't).
1.3.03
Paul Zenon
joins Jeff Green, Mike Wilmot, and Pauline McGlynn on Shoot the
Messenger on Wednesday, 12th March, on the Paramount Comedy Channel in
the popular game show hosted by
Bradley Walsh. TV Magic.
1.3.03
David
Copperfield appears as himself on Scrubs at 10pm on Thursday 13th March on Sky One. "JD is
riding high after correcting a misdiagnosis by Dr. Cox, but is soon jerked
back to reality. Meanwhile Elliot is struggling personally and
professionally as she is forced to relinquish all of the luxuries that her
father had been financing. And Carla learns that sometimes it's better to
keep her opinions to herself."
1.3.03
Manchester
Circle of Magicians had a huge celebration on Monday 24th February as
the total membership reached the incredible figure of 300. As part of the
celebrations Aldo Colombini (photo) and David Acer each gave a one hour
lecture to a capacity audience of 180 who gave them both a standing
ovation. Members were also delighted to hear that their Magical Awards
Convention has been booked for Sunday 31st August at Middleton Civic Hall,
Middleton Near Manchester just off the M62. There will be a Dealers' Fair
comprising 19 Dealers, North West Close Up Championships, King of Kids
Entertainers Competition, Lectures, and a star Gala Show. Registration fee
will be £20.00 but only £10.00 for members of Manchester Circle (details
of membership can be found on
www.taurusmagic.net). The next meeting is on
Monday 24th March with a star Lecture by Jay Sankey (members only) and the
famous Jumbo Magic Auction is on Tuesday 15th April with
professional Auctioneers Derek Lever and Mike Shepherd providing the
action.
1.3.03
David
and Angelique Diamond (aka Corporate Illusion) were delighted
to have been selected to perform in front of 250 multi-millionaires at the
recent Entrepreneurs Forum in Newcastle upon Tyne earlier this month. The
event received excellent TV and press coverage and guest speaker (and
magic fan) Sir Richard Branson was quick to join in with the magic - seen
here, with David working the magic, "mid floatation." David and Angelique
have some international contracts lined up, but can also be seen nearer to
home at both Coombe Abbey and Lumley Castle where they'll
present a mixture of illusion, close-up and stand-up magic throughout the
year.
1.3.03
Our House (the West End musical with magic effects by Paul Keive)
has just won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, beating
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Lloyd Webber produced Bombay Dreams. The
show has also just extended its run by six months. Set in present day
Camden, this contemporary and fast moving musical features the hits of
Madness including 'Our House', 'Baggy Trousers', 'It Must Be Love', 'House
Of Fun', 'One Step Beyond' and 'My Girl', as well as two brand new songs. For more information
visit the website: www.ourhousethemusical.com.
1.3.03
The
first in the new
Derren Brown - Mind Control series went out on Friday evening on
Channel 4 - we have a review from Matthew Blackwell
Click Here • Martin Breese
has now increased his offer regarding the pirated Digital Pabular
(mentioned last week) from £100 to £150. Please
Click Here if you think that you may be able to help •
Merlins of
Wakefield have moved to new premises, just three doors along from
their old shop, and are now at: 15 The Springs, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
WF1 1QE. The phone number remains unchanged: 01924 339933. The new larger
shop stocks over 1000 magic effects to suit all... Email them for their
latest March Preview... it's Free!
merlinswakefield@compuserve.com • The Joe Pasquali tour is now on -
see
What's On for dates • That's it for this week, your UK magic news
and reviews are always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan.
1.3.03