Number 165 - 23rd August 2003
Master
showman David Blaine is currently gearing up for what can best be
described as the ultimate mental and physical endurance test. Suspended by
a crane above the River Thames, Blaine plans to spend 44 consecutive days
in a perspex box measuring just 7' x 7' x 3' - with one tube supplying
water and another to remove waste. "I will have no food, no sex, no
phones, no books, no music, no television, no privacy and no other
stimulation. It will be a public isolation that I will have to endure by
adapting and surviving as an animal on instinct" said Blaine. The stunt
will form part of his new TV Special Above the Below which is
being made by controversial film director
Harmony Korine. Sky One will
show live coverage of Blaine entering the box, near Tower Bridge, London,
from 8pm on Friday September 5th and will also show his exit, all being
well, on Sunday October 19th. Sky One will also stream the whole thing
live every day on its interactive digital satellite TV service. Channel 4
will show highlights on September 8th and October 20th and will feature
the endurance test as a part of their planned Magic Month in
October - which will also include Britain's master mind manipulator,
Derren Brown,
who is going to try his luck at Russian Roulette - live.
23.8.03
James
Randi appears live on Channel 4 tonight in the Ultimate Psychic
Challenge as part of Channel 4's Psychic Night (TV
Magic) on Channel 4. We don't normally cover psychic stuff in
MagicWeek but thought that tonight's show may be of interest.
23.8.03
The
Portsmouth and District Magic Circle Jumbo Day takes place on Sunday,
October 26th from 9am. The day features "bring and sell" stands (no charge -
they provide the table space and you do the selling), lots of magic
dealers, an auction run by Mervyn Cole, a lecture from Terry Herbert,
video sessions with Bob Hamilton, close-up sessions with Neil Austin,
Stephan Barney, James Brown and Stuart Wilmott and in the evening a gala
show starring Tensai, Peter Wardell (photo), Loki, Nick Keys and David
Bonsall. For full details visit their website
Click Here. If you've never seen Peter Wardell work now is your
chance.
23.8.03
The
Downtown Magic Club, Ashford, Kent, present An Evening with Colin
Rose on Monday, September 15th. Colin will present his excellent
lecture "On Tour with Richiardi" together with a dealer demonstration featuring
magic from his exclusive range. For more information contact Miki Travis
on 01233 620120 or visit the website:
www.downtownmagicclub.co.uk. To see the fine range of magic that
Colin Rose produces
Click Here.
23.8.03
Nicholas
Einhorn recently appeared on CBBC's Xchange and is seen here
with the presenters. Nick's performance, originally scheduled to last just
four minutes, was extended to eight, when the producers realised just how
strong the impact of Nick's magic was on the studio audience. Nicholas will be back again
later on in the series.
www.einhorn.co.uk.
23.8.03
Uri
Geller had fun on Saturday night when he participated in a special
edition of ITV's Stars in Their Eyes singing She as Charles
Aznavour. And very good he was too! Uri Geller can be seen in On
Holiday with... the Gellers on Sunday night at 11.10pm on Channel 4.
TV Magic.
23.8.03
PH
Marketing are advertising with MagicWeek again. Run by Paul Hallas this
mail order company have, over the past six years, built up a loyal following
by specialising in close-up magic and mentalism. PH Marketing often obtain
items in small quantities that are not available elsewhere, and also have
a number of their own 'exclusives.' Paul has just published a new booklet
on the Mene Tekel deck by Chris Wardle, which includes background
information, variations on the deck and tricks with it. Also, there are
just a few copies left of Small But Deadly - soon to be republished
in the USA by H & R Books in Texas. Visit the website today:
www.PH-Marketing.co.uk.
23.8.03
International
Magic have just had a special range of Tally-Ho cards produced
especially for
close-up and stage workers. Printed by the U.S. Playing Card Company they
match the standard cards perfectly and are available in both the 'Fan' and
'Circle' designs. For full details of all the individual cards that are
available (sold in sets of 20) telephone International Magic on 020
7405 7324.
www.internationalmagic.com.
23.8.03
Brighton's Klub Magic
presents Mel Harvey, Mandy Muden and John Archer, introduced by Mark
Worgan on Monday, September 1st. Tickets are £10 each and the doors open at 7.00pm with the show
starting at 8.00pm. The venue has recently been redesigned and seats 300
cabaret style, allowing guests to enjoy food and drink. For upcoming dates and to book visit the website:
www.klubmagic.co.uk
or telephone 01273 647100.
23.8.03
Predicta
is a brand new effect seen at FISM and now available from
Alakazam.co.uk "This completely fried everyone in the shop when we saw
it. You ask your spectators to name any four two-digit numbers between 10
and 99. You draw a four-square grid on a sheet of paper and ask your
spectator to do the same, telling them to place one number in each square,
saying you will attempt to duplicate their actions. When you compare
answers, you have not been too successful (although occasionally you may
be) but then, you reach into your wallet and remove a lottery type scratch
card, with four foil squares on the face. The spectator scratches off the
foil panels, and below, printed on the card are their four, freely named,
numbers!" Visit:
www.alakazam.co.uk.
23.8.03
Mark
Worgan MMC will be lecturing at the
Medway Magical Society
on September 9th and the
Associated
Wizards of the South on September 16th. Mark's lecture covers children's magic, close-up and comedy
cabaret and includes tricks and explanations, thoughts on presentation and
magic theory. A full evening of entertaining chat and magic is promised.
Mark can be contacted at:
mark.worgan@btinternet.com.
23.8.03
Scotland's
Gary James, recently appeared in garage band SKAMM's new pop video
"Jefferson Shuffle" coming up soon on MTV.
23.8.03
Last
week you may remember that I mentioned the new video/DVD from
www.magicbox.uk.com
that features 90 minutes of non-stop magic. Well MagicBox kindly sent
through a copy and I can now report that not only is the idea a good one,
but that so is the finished disc. There's really no better way to judge a trick
than by seeing it performed on the public and these guys clearly had lots
of fun as they went out and about in Newcastle to make this disc. The
whole project has "the Geordie touch" stamped on it (mishaps and all!) and
I can really recommend it, either as a DVD or video. A great way to see 50
items, and great value at under £5.00 as well.
www.magicbox.uk.com.
23.8.03
The
Magic Cavern at Barons Court presents Simon Coronel: "Warm, welcoming
and downright amazing sleight of hand expert from Australia" on Monday
22nd September at 8.00pm. Barons Court Theatre, West Kensington, London.
Box Office 020 8932 4747
www.falseimpressions.com. The next 'Magic Cavern' date is Monday 6th
October. If you are interested in presenting your act/show at The Magic
Cavern (now booking to April 2004) contact Richard Leigh.
richard@falseimpressions.com.
23.8.03
International
News, from Jose Angel: XV Jornadas Internaciaonales de Magic in
Victoria, Spain features four gala shows (stage, close-up, outdoor,
children's), five lectures, a magic fair, a dealer show, a magic dinner and
more... September 19th, 20th, 21st 2003 Registration £28.00 ($40.00 or
€40.00) For more information visit:
www.aia-vg.org.
23.8.03
How
do you review a book that's all about real
mindreading? I don't know but I've had a go this week,
Click Here
• ITV are looking for a magician to perform the classic "catching a bullet
between the teeth"' illusion on a high profile network entertainment show.
Can you help? For more details call Matt O'Connell on 020 8614 4466 •
Following on from a couple of weeks ago here's another Edinburgh review
link:
Click Here • Tony Osborne is selling his late father-in-laws magic
collection which includes a number of Supreme items: "We have quite an
assortment to sell - much of it very good quality older 'Supreme'
items and are keen for them to go to loving homes at fair prices."
Telephone 01753 541818 (Slough, Berkshire) to arrange a visit • That's it
for this week, your magic news is always welcomed (and really appreciated), see you next week,
Duncan.
23.8.03