Number 197 - 3rd April 2004

Max Maven and Eugene Burger will both be appearing at this year's British Ring Convention (22nd - 26th September) in Eastbourne - more names to be announced soon. The British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians was founded in 1928 by Oswald Rae and is the largest Ring with close to 2,000 members. Visit www.britishring.org.uk for convention updates and membership details. 3.4.04

Artists booked for An Evening of Pure Magic at The Magic Circle in aid of Theodora Children's Trust on Wednesday, May 5th, have now been confirmed as John Gordon, Keith Fields, Duncan Trillo, The Amazing Boffo, Stephen Short and Magic Circle President Alan Shaxon (photo). The evening will start with a buffet and drinks in the clubroom, with close-up magic and parlour magic in the Devant room, hosted by the Theodora clown doctors. Then it's on to The Magic Circle's excellent theatre for the show. Tickets are £90 each from Emily Ayres at The Theodora Children's Trust Office, telephone 020 7713 0044. The Trust brings fun and laughter to sick children in hospital by training and supporting "clown doctors" who visit participating hospitals every week. Their visits have been shown to have a positive impact on the children's recovery and rehabilitation. www.theodora.org. 3.4.04

Ken Dodd Comedy Award winner Mark Shortland appears at The Magic Club in Walsall on Sunday, April 4th. Mark engages his audiences with a mixture of prestidigitation, visual gags and participation. This is an act that will keep you right on the edge of your seat. Mark will be supported by a number of local acts together with compare Saxon Tlyney and Keith Bennett. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8.30pm. Venue: the Quality Hotel Walsall, (formerly the Boundary Hotel) conveniently situated on the corner of the A34 Birmingham Road and the Broadway A4148. Admission £6 (£5 in advance) Pre book your ticket on 0121 628 9697 or at Keith Bennett's Magic Shop or by email boxoffice@magicclub.co.uk www.magicclub.co.uk (Map). 3.4.04

The Midlands Dealers Day is on tomorrow, Sunday 4th April, from 10am to 4pm hosted by the Leamington and Warwick Magic Society at Cubbington Sports and Social Club, Windmill Hill, Cubbington, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 7LN (Map). With a lecture at 12 noon by John Derris MIMC and workshops at 3pm with Frank Allen. Admission £5. Dealers: Practical Magic, Keith Bennett, Albion Magic Company, Stephen Tucker and Gary Young. John's recent lecture for the Northamptonshire Magicians' Club is reviewed this week: Click Here. 3.4.04

Box Jumpers. If you missed Box Jumpers Part Two on Tuesday, you can listen online: www.bbc.co.uk/radio4 (under 'Box Jumpers'). 3.4.04

Mandy Muden is presenting a Magic and Comedy night at The Magic Cavern, Barons Court, 28A Comeragh Road, London W14 9AU (Map) on Bank Holiday Monday, April 12th at 8pm. Performing alongside Mandy are Pat Page and Richard McDougall. All proceeds will go to Dreamflight. Telephone 020 8932 4747 Tickets £8 (concessions £6). 3.4.04

Alakazam.co.uk have lots of new products... including best sellers Entrapment Gold II "This is the best selling Entrapment Gold taken to a new level!" and Erazer "Adrian Gower has taken the Brainwave effect to new and exciting limits." Also, there's good news for any customer who places an order with Alakazam during April - they'll automatically be entered into a prize draw for a £125 Gold Time Machine. Visit www.alakazam.co.uk today! 3.4.04

Stars Of The Magic Circle perform on Thursday April 8th at 7.30pm at the BAWA Leisure Centre,  589 Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol BS34 7RG (Map) in aid of Bristol Frenchay Hospital Treadmill Appeal. Featuring: Alan Shaxon, Andy Clockwise (photo), Cosmick, Paul Dabek, Richard Pinner, Magical Mandy, Paul Preager, Mandy Davis and The Brian Banwell Duo. Admission £5 (Children under 14 free) payable on the door. 3.4.04

UK Escape Artists held their 2nd Convention in Chelmsford two weeks ago. The day featured milk can escapes, a packing crate escape, straitjacket escapes and an upside-down suspended escape, together with lots of discussion. The next meeting will be in October; for more information visit www.ukea.org.uk. 3.4.04

Criss Angel - Supernatural is on Tuesday 6th April on Sky One Mix. "More award-winning magic from Criss Angel, with a typically dark and enthralling show exploring the shadowy realms of mysticism and illusion to captivating and intense effect." TV Magic. 3.4.04

Manchester Circle of Magicians (website) are launching a Junior Magic Section on 30th April. Meetings will be held in the prestigeous David Lloyd Centre in Trafford Park, Manchester, which is close to the famous Trafford Shopping Centre; allowing the parents to enjoy some retail therapy whilst their children are instructed by professional magicians. This will be the only Junior Magicians' Club in the Manchester area and has been formed due to many requests from parents and teachers during the past two years. At the first meeting they will be given free tricks and will be taught how to present them after signing an oath of secrecy. In the future it is hoped to have exchange visits with other Junior Magic Clubs and a Junior Magicians Convention is on the drawing board. For further information please contact Don George don.george@tiscaali.co.uk or Derek Lever deriko@skynow.net (Telephone: 01253 810113). 3.4.04

Sometimes it's not who you know but what you drive that can result in a nice engagement! Martin Sanderson drives an MG so when a call came through to see if he'd like to launch the new MG Super Car, the SV-R, Martin knew the job was his (which it was!). He's now ordered a brand new MG ZS which will be ready in the Summer and there's the possibility of a nationwide launch that would involve hundreds of magicians. www.sanderson-magic.com. 3.4.04

Bammo Monte Monster! Is a new monte routine from Bob Farmer that's ideal for walk around work and resets automatically. "A criminally weird hybrid Monte thingy that will have Farmer fans pacing their cells in delight. Bob's Monster is a masterpiece of monte technology." Paul Harris. Available from www.thelittlemagicshop.co.uk (who have also just added a 'Movies' section to their website). 3.4.04

Close-up magician and children's entertainer Rhiannon has revamped her kids show after taking a while off to focus on her close-up magic. Her party show is aimed at children between 6 and 10 years old. For more information and bookings email rhiannon_magic@hotmail.com or telephone 07745 884791. 3.4.04

Peter Duffies Subtle Miracles is reviewed by Lewis Jones this week "If I had a favourite, it would have to be Fusion Assembly: a clever matrix effect in which the pieces of a torn-up card, instead of just moving around as coins do, re-assemble themselves and heal together as they are revealed." To read the full review Click Here. 3.4.04

Barnaby, a member of Liverpool's Mahatma Magic Circle, has been booked again as the magical entertainment at Greenwood Forest Park in Snowdonia. Together with the Ricardo Pirate Show and Smarty Marty the Clown, Barnaby will be performing over the Easter period from April 3rd - 17th (not including Sundays). Dates for the Summer holidays are May 29th to 1st September (also not Sundays). The purpose built outdoor theatre is situated in beautiful woodlands and the show is family oriented. Barnaby hopes to see you there - so say hello. For details and directions visit www.greenwood-centre.co.uk. 3.4.04

Richard Leigh for False Impressions presents Oliver Tabor at The Magic Cavern, Barons Court Theatre, 28A Comeragh Road, West Kensington, London, W14 9AU. Box Office 020 8932 4747 or contact richard@falseimpressions.com. Two minutes walk from Barons Court or West Kensington tube stations. 3.4.04

Congratulations to Tony Griffith on winning the Bath Circle of Magicians Close-up Competition last week. Tony now has only has two places left for his Creative Magic Lecture/Teach-in Day on Sunday 23rd May, at his home in Bristol. People attending this 'Day' are coming from far and wide - Belfast, Manchester, Oxford, Huddersfield... Email Tony tony@tonygriffith.co.uk or telephone 01275 837017 if you'd like to snap up one of the last two remaining places. Tony is also organising a UK lecture tour by Jahn and Gun Gallos from Sweden. This popular couple are lecturing in April in Reading 15th, Gloucester 16th, Leicester 19th, BMS 20th, Leamington 21st, Bath 22nd, Weston 23rd, and at the Peterborough Day on April 24th. Again contact Tony for further details. 3.4.04

There are a few places left for 'Card Idol' at Barons Court on April 26th. This show is aimed at magicians and the general public. If you have not considered performing your magic in front of a live audience before and would like to then this could be for you. This show is just a bit of fun (with no nasty comments from the judges!). The winner will receive two tickets to a top West End Musical. To book your place contact the box office, telephone: 020 8932 4747. 3.4.04

Magician Tom Rose emailed asking us to let readers know that he (www.truemagic.co.uk) isn't connected with new advertiser www.truemagicstore.co.uk and wanted us to highlight this point, to avoid any possible confusion. 3.4.04

"The baffling Derren Brown will make you believe the unbelievable at the Victoria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent next Wednesday" writes Julia Thorley in the Liverpool Daily Post • Chuck Hickok is coming to the UK in September and would like to hear from Magic Clubs/Societies who would like to book his lecture. Interested parties should contact Trevor McCombie: lecture@peterarcane.com • John Derris's recent lecture at the Northamptonshire Magicians' Club "An excellent and inspiring lecture/presentation" is reported by Mark Farrar this week, Click Here • Look out for a bunny in chocolate top hat in Marks & Spencer stores over Easter, called "Magical Mervin" • "Royal Punch and Judy Stolen" Click Here • Happy Birthday to David Blaine who is 31 tomorrow, he's due back in the UK soon • Your news, articles, and reviews are always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 3.4.04

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