Number 144 - 29th March 2003
Paul
Daniels was admitted to St Mary's Hospital in Newport on the Isle of
Wight on Tuesday after falling ill as he prepared to go on stage with his
one-man show An Audience with Paul Daniels. Doctors have since
carried out tests and he has now been diagnosed as suffering from an
infection from which he is now steadily recovering. Doctors expect him to
leave hospital on Sunday 30th. For more news visit the BBC
Click Here. Paul Daniels is a real workaholic - his spokesman said the
entertainer was feeling exhausted after a hectic touring schedule. As we
go to press we understand that his public shows up until April 7th are
being cancelled but the London Masterclass on Saturday April 5th will go
ahead, as will the US Masterclass events. Two reviews of the Masterclass
were submitted to MagicWeek during the week, so we've decided to run them
both, Click
Here. And from magicians everywhere, our best wishes to Paul for a
swift return to full health. Masterclass website:
Click Here.
29.3.03
Jus'
Like That! opens at the Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road in
London's West End on April 8th, with previews from April 3rd. Tommy
Cooper died on stage at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1984 of a heart attack.
Set on the night of his death, Jus' Like That! provides a
behind-the-scenes insight into Tommy Cooper's world. Starring Jerome Flynn, written and
created by John Fisher, directed by Simon Callow, magic direction by
Geoffrey Durham. Tickets £15.00 - £37.50
Click Here. Joe Pike reviews Jus' Like That!, seen at The
Oxford Playhouse just over a week ago prior to its London run,
Click Here.
29.3.03
Prepare
to be amazed by five of the finest magicians in the country in the
intimate surroundings of one of London's top performance clubs on Friday
May 2nd at 8.30pm in An Evening of Comedy Magic Illusion & Mentalism
staring Andy Nyman, Pat Page, Chris Power, John Lenahan and Danny Buckler.
Venue: Downstairs at The King's Head, 2 Crouch End Hill, Crouch End,
London N8 8AA (Map).
Nearest Tube: Finsbury Park (then jump on a W7 bus to Crouch End
Broadway). Telephone 0208 340 1028 Email
100664.2552@compuserve.com
Tickets: £8 / £6 No pre-booking (first come - first served).
29.3.03
When
The Mind & Magic of David Berglas was published at the end of last
year it caused a real stir amongst mind readers (I guess they knew how good
it was going to be!). Written by David Britland, published by Jim
Steinmeyer and with introductions by Paul Daniels and Uri Geller, the 566
pages (including many in colour, plus hundreds of black and white
diagrams and photographs) were quickly devoured by magicians everywhere.
Limited to just 1000 copies it has becoming increasingly hard to actually
find a copy. David Berglas now has a small quantity available direct,
priced at £110 each including delivery. If requested David would be happy to
personally sign your copy. For ordering information email David Berglas:
mindmagic@davidberglas.co.uk.
566 pages, 62 chapters, 8½" x 10", printed on high quality paper, sewn
binding, hard cover, quarter bound in satin, library fabric spine,
gold-stamped cover, and very highly recommended!
29.3.03
ReadMinds.co.uk
are advertising with MagicWeek from today. Their aim is to supply the
most comprehensive range of mentalist magic in the UK, stocking hard to
find videos, books and tricks as well as many accessories. Run by
Alakazam's Peter Nardi this specialist online store should prove to be
very popular. Visit them today:
readminds.co.uk.
29.3.03
Objective
Productions are keen to hear from any UK magicians who have illusions
available for hire. They are particular interested in hearing about
original or unique illusions and are not interested in "rip-offs" or
unauthorised copies built without the creators' permission. Please send
details of illusions available (ideally on VHS tape) and hire costs, to
Anthony Owen, Objective Productions, Bickerton House, 25-27 Bickerton
Road, Archway, London N19 5JT.
29.3.03
International
News: FISM approaches. Frederic Denis sends an article from France
with news of French Illusionists' Kamyleons who are set to enter
FISM this year following a string of competitions successes. To read the
article Click Here.
29.3.03
Stars
of The Magic Circle are presenting A Night of Magic in aid of
the Brackenbury School Playground scheme on Wednesday April 9th at 7.30pm
(doors open at 6.45pm). Staring: John Archer, Andy Nyman, Nick Einhorn,
Pete Wardell and Scott Penrose with close-up magic from Pete Firman and John
Allen. No one under 12 admitted. Venue: Brackenbury School, corner of
Brackenbury Road and Dalling Road, London W6. Tickets (£7.50 each) are now
limited and are available from the school or by emailing
sophabbott@hotmail.com.
29.3.03
Martin
Daubney emailed to say that he'd managed to see Derren Brown on the
21st at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, the first date in the current
live
tour: "If you like Derren Brown then you will like this live show. In fact
if you have never heard of Derren Brown you'll still like it! Sure there
was a loyal fan base at the first of his national tour in Stevenage
tonight, but there were many who had never seen him on the box before, and
really enjoyed the evening's entertainment... things happen, a couple get
hypnotised for a short while, minds are read... in fact the very thing you
might see on one of the television shows... but live and uncut." A lot of
the dates are now SOLD OUT so if you haven't booked your tickets yet
hurry!
Click Here.
29.3.03
The
replica "Houdini Water Torture" escape, as seen on
television on The Paul Daniel's
Magic Show, is now owned by of Merlins of Wakefield. Phil Peters
and Mark Lee, who have recently moved into new premises, purchased it for
their magic museum which they hope to open in June. The
original Houdini Water Torture was destroyed in a fire, many years ago,
and this is now believed to be the only one in the UK. We'll let you have
more details of the museum in the near future. Contact Merlins
on 01924 339933 email
merlinswakefield@compuserve.com.
29.3.03
Noel
Britten's Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk begins its 12th season on April
1st. If you are going to
Mark Leveridge's
Day on Sunday April 6th or the
Bristol
Day of Magic on Sunday May 11th then why not 'walk the walk' on the
Saturday night? "Bizarre Bath is weird and wonderful, poking fun at the
more eccentric elements of the city, as well as using passers-by in an
enormously entertaining piece of street theatre. It's the brainchild of
entertainers Noel Britten and JJ who have taken their renowned acts all
over the world, and who now provide an evening show that is unique to
Bath. On the evening I was there, a group of about 50 people - comprising
locals, tourists, day-trippers and passers-by - had assembled at the
Huntsman Inn for the start of the walk. Not that you have to do much
walking. It's more of a gentle stroll, interrupted by moments of lunacy.
It is clear that the tour's great success depends much on the presenter's
interplay with passers-by." Bath Evening Chronicle. Visit the website:
bizarrebath.co.uk.
29.3.03
The 8th British Close Up Magic Symposium
takes place on Sunday 6th April 2003.
This year's line up includes: Jay Sankey, Joachim Solberg (photo), Richard
Pinner, Lee Davis, Roger Curzon and Sean Carpenter. All the lectures
and shows take place in a steeply tiered lecture theatre guaranteeing
great visibility. Full details and online booking from
markleveridge.co.uk.
29.3.03
Joe
Pasquale's
10th Anniversary Tour is currently playing to virtual sold-out
audiences across the country. Tonight he's at the Pavilion Theatre,
Weymouth with Special Guest Wayne Dobson. Box Office: 01305 783225
pasquale.tv 29.3.03
Clive
Barker's Lord of Illusions
(18) is
now available on DVD from
Amazon.co.uk. This is the Director's Cut which may be a good thing as
the original was 'confused' to say the least. Featuring Billy McComb at
The Magic Castle and a number of theatrically staged illusions
Click Here • Steve Majes emailed to say that he'd recently spotted
Geoffrey Durham as The Great Soprendo on some old Crackerjack
repeats on the Challenge channel at 11.45pm on Saturday nights, and very
good he was too! • Next week another in the series of articles from
Kevin Gallagher • That's it for this week, your news is always welcomed,
see you next week, Duncan.
29.3.03