Number 187 - 24th January 2004

Jack Avis 1921-2004 is remembered by John Derris. "A quiet, totally honest, retiring man, shy by nature, quite devoid of ego and not one to push himself to the front of the crowd, he hated fuss and any adulation that might justifiably be directed his way. His respect for the history and practice of magic went deep and he demanded the same from others and he was passionate about exposure and the rape of secrets." The funeral will take place on Thursday, January 29th, at the Beckenham Crematorium, Elmers End Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TD at 11.30am. Click Here to read the full tribute. 24.1.04

We heard that Wayne Dobson 'stormed it' at last week's World Magic Seminar at the Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas with a twenty minute set that resulted in a standing ovation. Wayne will be closing the Saturday night show at this year's Blackpool Convention - latest convention news and updates next week. And many congratulations to Wayne and Marianne on their engagement - just announced! 24.1.04

Reality and unreality meet when magician and mad-cap mentalist Max Somerset stars in a brand new off-beat six-part magic series for Sky One, Max Magic. Combining hidden camera stunts and celebrity guests with street magic and good old fashioned sleight of hand, the series promises to be a riot of comedy and mystery. Co-starring with Max are Joe Piper and Chris Woz. All three take on mad characters to astonish their victims, and the results are anything but predictable. Over the course of the series their disguises will include a pet shop owner, a washed-up Swedish illusionist, a nerd obsessed with the Matrix and a mystical Highland guru, among others. Max Magic is a Carlton TV production for Sky One. Starring: Maximillian Somerset with Joe Piper and Chris Woz. Executive Producer: Matthew Young. Series Producer: Ross Welford. Magic Consultants: Scott Penrose and Paul Cooke. Starts Friday, February 6th at 7pm on Sky One. 24.1.04

Visage have just been added to the line-up of performers appearing at the Nottingham Guild of Magician's President's Night on Sunday, February 1st. Hosted by outgoing President Freddie Wilkinson the show promises "Magic, Illusion & Variety" featuring Paul Derek, Jon Hicks, Neil Haywood, Soren Petersen an Tony Austin. The venue is the Bonington Theatre, Arnold, Nottingham. Doors open at 7pm and the show begins at 7.30pm. Tickets (£5.00 each) and directions to the theatre from Freddie on 0115 9614551. 24.1.04

Merlins of Wakefield are back online and email: "We suffered a technical problem that took three weeks to sort out. Thanks to all our regulars who contacted us about the problem, but everything is now OK again. Sorry for any inconvenience caused, normal service has now been resumed, as they say." www.merlinswakefield.co.uk. 24.1.04

Paul Leacy lectures at The Associated Wizards of the South on Tuesday 17th February. Paul will present his own routines from his working repertoire including Card to Spectator's Wallet, Impromptu Invisible Deck and Cups and Balls (with a unique method). For further details contact Ian Marriot, Honorary Secretary of the AWS, on 01794 324345. Paul's website: www.maxthemagician.co.uk. 24.1.04

Klub Magic, Brighton's own monthly magic show at the Komedia Theatre, continues to develop a strong following. The next show on Monday, February 2nd ,features Keith Fields, Marc Paul (photo) Tensai and Mark Worgan hosting - it should be a great night. Visit www.klubmagic.co.uk to see who's appearing next at the best regular magic show in the South. 24.1.04

The Rise of the Indian Rope Trick by Peter Lamont has received some excellent press: "Lamont's dry, irrepressible sense of humour suffuses and subverts his wonderfully entertaining book" writes Iain Finlayson in The Times and "The truth here is more bizarre than even the most outlandish fiction" writes Peter Preston in The Guardian. To order a copy from MagicWeek in association with Amazon.co.uk, or to read more reviews, Click Here. 24.1.04

Paul Gordon and Natzler Enterprises present a new easy to do trick for both working magicians and hobbyists. The New Magician's Insurance Policy features a 52 card gag, a "repeatability factor", and, using the Policy Number, a "card under shoe" finale. See www.natzler.com for more information. "I love it, Paul. It's my kind of magic!" Aldo Colombini. 24.1.04

Here is an update from the newly formed Liverpool Magic Circle. "We will be meeting every two weeks on Thursday nights starting from 29th January at 8pm. The Venue is the Crown Inn, Leyfield Road, Liverpool L12 9HA Map. Anyone interested in joining should contact secretary Richard Smith, 12 Thornhurst, Ribblers Lane, Southdene, Kirkby, Liverpool L32 7RW. Telephone 0151 548 6899 or 0797 9804823, email secretary@liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk. 24.1.04

If you're a magician, escapologist, balloonologist, bearded lady, magic dealer, magic demonstrator, magician's assistant, sword swallower, sword thrower, hoaxer, jokester, cheat or hustler, sleight of hand master (or mistress), pickpocket, pool shark or just plain "nuts" then Objective Productions would like to hear from you for an upcoming project. "If you can do an amazing trick we want to see you in action! Even if you've contacted us before please get in touch again. Please send us a VHS tape telling us on camera who you are, why you do what you do and showing us a great trick (no more than three) which you feel illustrates your personality." Tapes should be sent to: Magic, 314 King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 0RR (no calls or callers). 24.1.04

Indian magic dealers Magic King will be exhibiting at the Spring Fair 2004 at the NEC Birmingham from January 31st to February 5th and can be found in hall 16 on stand C 15 "We cordially invite all our brothers in magic to come and take a look at world class products which the magic world has yet not seen." Dr. Jimish C. Modi, Magic King, Prudential Exports, Mumbai, India. 24.1.04

Magic Car Boot Sale. At Beechmen Circus Warehouse, 43 Union Street, West Bromwich on Sunday 1st February from 9.30am. Entry £4.00 Stalls £10.00 Dealers: Albion Magic Co., Keith Bennett, Practical Magic, Merlins, Steven Tucker and Hocus Pocus. Stalls must be pre-booked. 5 minutes from the M5 (junction 1). More information: 0121 532 4509 or 07831 115448. Map. 24.1.04

Bob King lectures at the Bolton Magician's Club on Friday 27th February. "Bob King has been in magic for over fifty years, fourteen of those as one of the first ever 'Bar Magicians.' These years have not only taught Bob what laymen want to see, but also how to adjust his presentational style to suit any type audience. He also has the knack of being able to impart that knowledge clearly and entertainingly to others in his lectures." This lecture is entitled "Magician Foolers" and doors open at 7.30pm at the Great Lever Golf Club, Plodder Lane, Farnworth, Bolton. (Half a mile off junction 4 on the M61). Advance tickets £4 plus s.a.e. or £6 on the door. More information: www.bolton-magic.co.uk or telephone Jim Hodgkiss 01204 522651. 24.1.04

Last week I found myself trying to help sort out a number of magic dealings that had basically "gone wrong" mainly via the For Sale and Wanted ads, which we run as a free service. Over 99% of transactions go without a hitch, but you should still be cautious, of course, if you are dealing with a complete stranger. If selling goods, don't send them until you have received payment. If buying goods, don't send payment unless you feel confident dealing with the seller. When buying illusions ensure that they are authorised models; do some homework and establish who the inventor was and who the authorised builder is (here's a useful link from Magic Auction in the States: Click Here). Never deal with anyone who has taken your email address from your ad on MagicWeek and, without your consent, emailed you a list of "bargain" magic. Print out emails and keep records of transactions and avoid anyone who starts to complicate things... "If I send you a £2 postal order, 3 magic books and a packet of Corn Flakes will you send me blah, blah, blah..." Finally, please read all the Terms & Conditions before sending in an ad. Thanks, Duncan Trillo, 24th January. 24.1.04

Martin Sanderson has just returned from a whirlwind tour of the UK performing at trade shows for Kronenbourg and can just about be seen in this photo - surrounded by delegates! • Geoffrey Durham is live on stage tonight at the Corn Exchange, Newbury • Michael Vincent, Paul Hallas, Mark Leveridge, Marc Paul and Bob Wooding present their workshops at IMAGE on Sunday • "No pain, no Blaine" writes Julia Buckley in Cherwell Online and the Mirror runs "Macca Facing Quiz by Police" covering the on-going police investigation following Sir Paul McCartney's visit to David Blaine's Above the Below endurance feat last year • That's it for this week, your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 24.1.04

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