Number 195 - 20th March 2004
Box
Jumpers: Pick of the Week. Radio 4's Box Jumpers, a two-part
look at the world of the magician's assistant presented by Debbie McGee,
has been selected as the radio "Pick of the Week" in the current edition
of Radio Times. Written and researched by Ian Keable and David
Britland and produced by Karl Phillips the programme looks at how
assistants become 'magician's assistants' in the first place, what makes a
good assistant, 'character' assistants, what is actually involved in the
role (both on and off stage), sexism, ageism, attempts at role reversal,
performing as magicians in their own right and lots more. And includes
interviews with Gay Blackstone, Linda Lusardi, Jinger Lee (of Mark Kalin &
Jinger), Teller (from Penn & Teller), Kinga (from Nicholas Night & Kinga),
Joannie Spina (used to work with David Copperfield), Nancy Hammond (used
to work with Doug Henning), Mandy Muden, Stacey Jones (from the Majestix),
Moi-Yo Miller (assistant to Dante), Nani Darnell Wilson (Mark Wilson's
wife), Pam Thompson (partner in The Great Tomsoni act) and Psychic Tanya
(works with The Amazing Jonathan). Radio 4, 11.30 am part one on 23rd March
part two on March
30th. 20.3.04
Graham
P. Jolley, Safire and Martin Cox are all on the bill at this year's
Surrey Society of Magicians Annual Dinner next Saturday, 27th March, at
the Reigate Manor Hotel, Reigate. 7pm for 7:30pm, black tie preferred but
not obligatory. Tickets are £35.00 each from Stephen Barney
stephen@ashv.demon.co.uk
telephone 07966 202121 or James Fortune
james@magicfun.co.uk telephone
020 8763 1995. It's a great line up and is already virtually sold out...
so hurry! 20.3.04
Late
Night Magic in the West End. Richard Leigh in association with The
Jermyn Street Theatre is presenting a season of magic and illusion cabaret
shows at the theatre entitled Late Night Magic in the West End
every Friday and Saturday evening from March 26th to June 12th. The
evening includes a three course meal in the Getti restaurant above the
theatre, with close-up magicians visiting the tables. Enjoy a pre show
drink before taking your seats downstairs in the theatre for Late Night
Magic. This opening season will feature the classic magic of Oliver
Tabor and the visual comedy magic of Matt Edwards. The meal is served from
9.15pm with the magic and illusion cabaret at 11pm. Three course meal,
coffee, close-up magic and Late Night Magic cabaret £30 inc.
pre-booked only (24 hours notice). Cabaret only, doors open at 10.45pm,
£12.50, tickets available on the door (subject to availability). Box
Office 020 7287 2875 or
www.falseimpressions.com for more information. 20.3.04
Practical-Magic.com
are now advertising with MagicWeek. Jeremy and Cheryl Le Poidevin
purchased Practical Magic in 1996 and now specialise in quality magic for
Children's Entertainers, close-up magic and general magic supplies such as
rope and silks. The company has won the British Ring IBM Dealers' Trophy
three times and are constantly adding to their own range of magic, as well
as sourcing interesting magic from around the world. Practical Magic
regularly
produce a large A4 catalogue - the current edition has 64 pages and over
200 photographs... and it's free! Email
info@practical-magic.com and
visit the website today:
www.practical-magic.com. 20.3.04
James
Freedman's recent Magic Circle lecture is reviewed this week by Matt
Edmondson "James, immaculately dressed and clearly spoken introduced
himself and then proceeded to return watches, phones, packs of playing
cards, sponge balls (only magicians…), wallets and other assorted items
that he had stolen from unsuspecting Magic Circle members prior to the
lecture..." to read the full review
Click Here.
(Photo courtesy of Gordon Drayson). 20.3.04
Subtle
Miracles by Peter Duffie. Peter Duffie is one of the world's most
creative card men and Subtle Miracles gathers together some of his
most inventive work. Seventeen ingenious routines are featured in this
collection many of which were originally marketed as exclusive manuscripts
- now brought together. There is also a selection of
brand new material using equally clever methods. Price £22.50 available
from
www.martinbreese.com. 20.3.04
For
a second year running Vizage will present their unique blend of magic,
illusion, dance and live vocals at
The Royal Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne. This year's show is called
The Magic of Variety and will run from March to the end of October. Stalls
& Dress Circle £12, Upper Circle £11, £1 reduction for senior citizens,
children £6. Royal Hippodrome Theatre, Seaside Road, Eastbourne. Box
Office telephone 01323 412000. For more information and
to book
Click Here. 20.3.04
The
Leeds Magical Association present their 8th Convention on May 15th and
16th and have moved to an excellent new venue: the Ramada Leeds Parkway
Hotel. The hotel has a self contained conference and banqueting suite in
which all the activities will take place and overnight guests will have
use of the extensive leisure facilities and pool. The events begin on the
Saturday evening with the President's Dinner and International Cabaret.
Shirley Ray is President this year and diners can look forward to a top
notch meal and five-act cabaret. The Sunday Convention features 17
dealers, a dealer demonstration, two star lectures, all star close-up,
'Learn with the Experts' and a closing cabaret show. The artistes lined-up
for the weekend are: Jay Scott Berry (photo), Richard Pinner, Luke Jermay,
Mark Mason, CoSMiK, Fred Corvenieo, Martin Cox, Kerry Scorah and John
Hotowka. Full details and a registration form are available from the
website www.leedsmagic.co.uk and
the booking office is now open! 20.3.04
The
Great Nardini, Brian Sefton and Martyn James & Company (photo) have
all just been added to the line up at this year's IBM Irish Ring
Convention following on from their "Best of British" performances at the
Blackpool Convention. Special registration rates apply until the end of
March, visit www.online-usm.com
for more information. 20.3.04
Hull
Magicians' Circle are holding their 70th Anniversary Dinner at the
University of Hull on Friday, April 23rd. With close-up magic, a
competition for the Jasper Maskelyne Silver Ward for Originality and a
full show featuring Fluke, John Archer, Roy Davenport and Martyn James &
Company. Reception 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Dress: dinner jacket or dark lounge
suit. Tickets £25.00 each from Rex Stott, Hon. Secretary, telephone 01482
869232. 20.3.04
The
North Wales Magic Circle Show takes place at The Little Theatre in
Rhyl at 7pm on April 15th. Starring: Safire Illusionists, Robert John, Mark
Thorold, Terry Jones, Magico, Howard Faye and compere Noel Massey. Tickets
are £4 for adults and £2 for children under 16, family tickets (2+2) are
£10. The box office number is 01745342229. 20.3.04
John
Styles is Jonathan Witchell's guest on BBC Radio Kent (96.7
- 97.6 - 104.2 Fm - 1602 MW) this Sunday afternoon between 3pm and 4pm in
a "Desert Island Discs" type programme, reviewing John's life as a
Magician and Punch & Judy "Professor". John has recently been providing
magical advice on a new episode of "Misdomer Murders" and his balloon
modeling TV commercial for "Purple Loans" is back on air. Also, his
Regency puppets and booth should be seen in a forthcoming episode on "The
Regency House Party" on Channel 4. (Photo by Charles Green, Edgeware). 20.3.04
Magic
Spells, the children's classic, is back, in stock and available by
return from
www.topsecretmagic.co.uk together with another classic Bongo's
Giant Hat! Visit their site for more information and click on "New
In." Also coming soon from
Top Secret Magic
the exclusive range of Joe Porper originals. Visit the website to see
what's new. 20.3.04
Philip
Partridge will be appearing at Europe's largest informatics event -
Healthcare Computing at Harrogate International Centre this week drawing
crowds onto the PC World Business stand from 22nd - 24th March inclusive
www.philippartridge.co.uk. 20.3.04
"Channel
4's psychological illusionist, Derren Brown will be driving a Nissan
Primera for the duration of his forthcoming UK tour."
Click Here • A new Magic Forum has been added to the 'forum links' this week
Click Here • Max the Magician
www.maxthemagician.co.uk will be performing Magic and Mindreading at
the Out & Out Restaurant, Crossbush, Arundel on Saturday 3rd April 5.30pm
till 7.30pm. For further details ring Kim Fleming on 01903 884381 • That's
it for this week - thanks to everyone who sent in news last week, Duncan. 20.3.04