Number 175 - 1st November 2003

 

This year's Magic Circle Christmas Show runs for four days from Saturday December 27th. The show stars, from Poland, Salvano - a "classic" silent manipulator; from Las Vegas Joe Mattioli - an IBM Gold Medal winner whose act combines cutting-edge magic with comedy and music; from closer to home Terry Herbert, an award winning comedy magician who has performed all over the world, illusionists Tensai, whose act combines contemporary illusions with some of the classics of magic, and rising magic star Joe Tracini (photo) whose sharp patter and easy charm is proving to be an irresistible combination. Tickets are selling fast and can be ordered from the Box Office on: 020 7388 6480, have a credit card to hand. Show times are 2.30pm and 7pm daily, Adults £18.00 Children £12.00. The show is not suitable for children under six years of age. The Magic Circle, 12 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD. www.themagiccircle.co.uk Map. 1.11.03

 

"Paul Kieve's illusions are breathtaking" writes Andy Knowles for the BBC in his review of Scrooge which is currently on tour, starring musical vetran Tommy Steele, and featuring a lot of magic, courtesy of magic consultant Paul Kieve. Scrooge opened at the Birmingham Hippodrome two weeks ago and instantly sold out with all shows receiving standing ovations after every performance. Right now it is at the Newcastle Theatre Royal until Saturday 8th November, then Plymouth Theatre Royal from November 10th - 22nd, Hull New Theatre from 24th November - 6th December, and Liverpool Empire for six weeks from December 8th. The show then visits, at two-week intervals, the Edinburgh Playhouse, the Derngate Theatre Northampton and other venues to be announced. Updates will be posted on Paul Kieve's website: www.stageillusion.com. For more of the above review Click Here. Paul was recently awarded a Guinness World Record for his work on Our House - the musical and has also just completed work on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Magic is included in a total of six scenes, and Paul makes a cameo appearance in the Three Broomsticks Pub. The film is due for release in June, 2004. 1.11.03

 

"ITV pulls 'abysmal' animal show" and replaces it with a magic show(!) tonight at 5.30pm on ITV1 - Click Here for the full story from the Guardian. Phillip Schofield presents a celebration of magic's most mystifying tricks and illusions - from sophisticated card routines to death-defying escapes, from gentlemen conjurors to cool street magicians together with some of magic's biggest names including Paul Daniels, Geoffrey Durham, and Penn & Teller who reveal moments of magic that most impressed them. Close-up magicians will be pleased to know that sleight of hand expert Michael Vincent (photo) will be on the show. 1.11.03

 

Here's the latest "post box" news on David Blaine:

Blaine defies doctors: The Standard.

Blaine to appear on 'Larry King Live' Digital Spy.

Blaine in hospital quickie The Sun.

1.11.03

 

Casino - Magic and Illusion is being shown on BBC3 on Sunday. "Documentary series about the people who live, work and play in the opulent Venetian Casino in Las Vegas. This edition goes behind the city's glittering facade to meet the people: magicians, female impersonators, drag queens and a host of others, who create the unique atmosphere of the world's gambling capital." 1.11.03

 

Brainstorm - The Creative Card Magic of John Guastaferro is now available as a 2 DVD set from Earth's Largest Magic Shop. "Brainstorm - The Creative Card Magic of John Guastaferro, features some of John's finest card creations, highlighting a unique blend of creative presentations, diabolical methods and maximum entertainment value. Most of these effects can be done strolling, without the need for tables or lengthy set up, and are within the reach of the average magician. See for yourself how well this magic plays and discover the carefully constructed methods and routining behind the effects, all designed to captivate and floor audiences." Worldwide Format - to order Click Here. 1.11.03

 

Here are more results from the YMC J-Day, held two weeks ago, reported by Mandy Davis: Close-up Competition (Mark Leveridge Trophy) 1st - Steve Dela (photo) with an brilliant act which climaxed with Cups and Balls performed to music, every move on the beat exactly. 2nd - Troy von Scheibner with a new act which retained his excellent rendering of Cannibal Cards. 3rd - Hugh Stacey with some very neat card work. Stage Competition (Home Counties Magical Society Trophy) 1st - Jonathan Shotton whose act included a floating light bulb, 2nd - Steve Dela proving what a versatile magician he is and included a restored newspaper from which he produced a bottle of wine. 3rd - Jonathan Ash who is now working solo after previously competing as a double act. Congratulations to them all. 1.11.03

 

The Basingstoke Festival of Magic takes place next year on Sunday, April 25th. Featuring: The 10th Close-up Championship of Southern England competition (for the Alan McGurk Trophy); lecturers from: recent FISM winner Nick Einhorn (photo), Pat Fallon and Mike Austin; plenty of magic dealers and catering throughout the day. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door, include directions, and are now available. Cheques, made payable to "The Magicians of Basingstoke" should be sent, enclosing an SAE, to: Norman Morris, 5 Budds Close, Basingstoke RG21 8XJ. 1.11.03

 

Jez Rose has just finished advising on an upcoming BBC programme that looks at the psychology behind various cons and scams. The show will air later on in the year. Jez is also currently working with one of the top five high street banks on psychological techniques for a new advertising campaign which sounds very clever - details nearer transmission time. And finally, together with Marc Paul, Jez has written a book looking at mental relaxation and 'mind control' techniques... "how to make people think what you want" - more details when we have them. 1.11.03

 

A Trick of the Mind by Judy Wait has just been published by Oxford University Press. "Erin has always been fascinated by magic, ever since she was a little girl, and now she hopes that if she teaches Matt some tricks he will notice her. But Matt dreams about Kirsty, and hopes that learning some magic will impress her and even persuade her to ditch Billy and go out with him. Then everything goes terribly wrong and Matt runs away to London, to try and make his living on the streets of Covent Garden..." This one should be on every teenage magician's Christmas list. Available from www.amazon.co.uk. 1.11.03

 

Hypnotist and mind reader David Bolton is appearing at the Sheffield City Hall on Monday December 15th. "More than your standard evening of hypnosis, The David Bolton Hypnosis Show will produce gasps of amazement as members of the audience appear to gain all manner of astonishing powers. With David's help the volunteers are able to read thoughts from a distance, they have x-ray vision and can predict future events all whilst in a state of trance. There is also plenty of laughter as the volunteers' realities are totally changed." Tickets are £8.00. Box Office telephone 0114 2789789. 1.11.03

 

Monkey Magic series 1 is about to be repeated on Five - see TV Magic. Ali 'Monkey Boy' Cook is interviewed in More Magazine Click Here and you can vote for him as More's Celebrity Man of the Year: Click Here. Alistair is also interviewed online by BBC Teens Click Here and can currently be seen alongside the other Monkey Boys on The Greatest Magic Tricks in the Universe… Ever - he's been busy promoting the show on BBC1's Breakfast and Nickelodean. 1.11.03

 

David Regal's 4 Volume DVD Set: Premise, Power, & Participation is now available from www.alakazam.co.uk. Full details on their website. 1.11.03

 

The Magic Circle Annual Dealers' Day takes place today, Saturday 1st November, at the Royal National Hotel, Bedford Square, London (Map). Car parking is available both at the hotel and in the surrounding streets. Entrance is free for Magic Circle members on production of a current membership card and just £5 for non-members (£3 for under 18s). The doors open at 10am and close at 5pm. 40+ dealers will be there. 1.11.03

 

Harry Anderson offers a guide to misdirection, optical illusions and audience manipulation on Sky One this week. See TV Magic "Roy Horn Moved to UCLA Medical Center" The Guardian The full line-up for Birmingham's The Magic Club show on Sunday November 2nd has now been confirmed as: Noel Britten, Tony Shelley, Max Butler, Keith Bennett and Saxon. For more information visit: www.magicclub.co.uk. Venue details: Click Here October 28th saw Peter Bently MMC hosting his first President's Night at the Magicians of Basingstoke, we had excellent reports of the show that featured: Mike Austin, Stephen Barney, James Fortune and Andy ReayTonight is the final night of Philip Hitchcock's season at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool, in The Billy Pearce Laughter Show. Box Office telephone 01253 290190 • Next week we'll bring you the latest news on the upcoming Blackpool ConventionYour magic news is always welcomed. That's it, see you next week, Duncan. 1.11.03

 

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