Number 201 - 1st May 2004
The
British Magical Society have just announced that they will be holding
a special one day magic convention to celebrate their centenary on
Saturday, 5th February, 2005, exactly 100 years to the day from their
inception. The convention will feature four lectures, a close-up gala, an
informal meal and a gala stage show. The venue is the recently refurbished
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall in Birmingham - we'll bring your more
information nearer the time. The British Magical Society is even older
than The Magic Circle and is one of the best loved societies in the UK
presenting a solid schedule of events each year. New members are always
welcomed and membership details can be found on their website:
www.britishmagicalsociety.co.uk. 1.5.04
International
News: MAGIC magazine in the States is once again gearing up to stage
its own magic convention. The first one in 2001, to mark the magazine's
10th anniversary, attracted registrants from all over the world. MagicWeek
can't say who they've lined up this time (because we haven't got a clue!)
but here are some of the names from last time around: Michael Ammar, David
Blaine, Dan & Dave Buck, Lance Burton, Mike Caveney, David Charvet,
Michael Close, Dana Daniels, Michael Diliberto, Michael Finny, Joseph
Gabriel, Paul Gertner, Tim Glancy, Glen David Gold, Charles Greene III,
Jeff Hobson, Guy Hollingworth, Alan Howard, Joshua Jay, Rory Johnston,
David "Silly Billy" Kaye, Richard Kaufman, Mac King, Rune Klan, Mark
Kornhauser, Chad Long, Bill Malone, Max Maven, Jeff McBride, Bill
McIlhany, Billy McComb, John Moehring, Nicholas Night, Earle Oakes, Gary
Ouellet, The Pendragons, Marc Phillips, Channing Pollock, Gaston Quieto,
Jon Racherbaumer, Eberhard Riese, Apollo Robbins, Bob Sheets, Jim
Steinmeyer, Marc Summers, Topas and Gregory Wilson. Register now and
you'll be put into a monthly draw to win Vegas show tickets and also be
guaranted a place. Vist
www.magicmagazine.com/live for more information. 1.5.04
Gazzo
lectures across the UK throughout May. If you can only attend one
lecture this year (as they say) make sure it's this one! There are just a
handful of real street performers out there and Gazzo, who hails
from the UK, is one of them. See What's On
for dates. 1.5.04
Illusionist
Russ Stevens is back in the UK (on and off) for the next few weeks.
Tomorrow he flies out to Monte Carlo for a special performance of his
illusion show at a private birthday party at Le Meridien Hotel.
Then he joins the QE2 in four weeks, followed by a contract for Celebrity
aboard the stunning 91,000 ton Constellation where he'll present
his full show. 1.5.04
The
Liverpool Magic Circle are holding a Total Dealer Day on 20th
June at Birchley St Mary's Parochial Club, Trent Road, Billinge, Wigan
from 10am to 4pm. Exhibiting: Stephen Tucker, Wild Jacks, Jeani Magic,
Keith Bennet, Albion Magic, Merlins, PH Marketing, Castle Magic, Master &
Mystery, Spellbound Magic, Magic 4 you 2 C. The day also features "Magic
at the Table" which will encourage visitors to perform some magic (so
don't forget your cards) with Paul Ingram starting the proceedings. Entry
is £2 and includes entry into a 25 prize raffle. More information on
www.liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk. 1.5.04
Television
Variety Stars. For the third year running Andrew Van Buren and his
full company joined the cast of Coronation Street for a star studded
variety spectacular at the Manchester Opera House on 18th April. Over
twenty Street Stars performed their own secret skills which included
comedy, singing, music dance & sketches! Van Buren's illusion act included
the magical centre-stage appearance of William Roache (Ken Barlow). During
the second half of the show Van Buren made a return appearance with his
juggling and plate spinning act, backed by the David Windle orchestra.
More information on:
www.vanburen.org.uk. 1.5.04
Congratulations
to James Nichols (a.k.a The Wandering Magician) on becoming the
Close-up Champion of Southern England at last Sunday's Basingstoke
Festival of Magic. 1.5.04
Paul
Gordon's card work can currently be seen on Showtime Arabia
Television. Over 60 sequences were shot to be used to promote Arabia's TV
and Movie schedules:
www.showtimearabia.com. Paul's added some new products to his website
from Martin Breese, Peter Duffie and Roger Crosthwaite,
Click Here. 1.5.04
Anthony
Pearson reviews Late Night Magic at the Jerymn Street Theatre this
week, Click Here
and for more information, Click Here.
The shows run every Friday and Saturday evening until June 12th. The
evening includes a three course meal in the Getti restaurant above the
theatre, with close-up magic at the tables. 1.5.04
Blackpool's
Mystique Show opens on Friday, May 7th. From their website: "Enter the
bizarre world of cabaret, comedy and illusion starring master magician
Richard De Vere, hosted by a hilarious comedian Phil Walker and featuring
canine superstar Schnorbitz, supported by a cast of stunning dancers and
amazing singers. Book your seats for Mystique and interact with the world
of magic, illusion, mystery, comedy, song and dance."
For bookings:
Click Here. 1.5.04
"Derren
Brown is a 'mind control' illusionist, whose chess ineptitude he
himself describes with a rude word. Yet he was able to take on nine strong
players, including two grandmasters, in a simultaneous exhibition on
Britain's Channel 4, and actually win the match." Writes Morgan Daniels in
ChessBase News,
Click Here • "Vicar in David Blaine stunt for Church Appeal. A Rector
from a village near Bath has found a novel way to inspire his congregation
- by dangling above the pulpit. The Rev Nigel Done, of Norton St Philip,
is to be suspended in a David Blaine-style Perspex box inside his church
to raise money for much-needed renovations." Writes Rachel Pegg in The
Bath Chronical,
Click Here •
Singer/Magician Danny Davis together
with partner Maxine Santanna are among 14 contestants battling it out to
win a Spanish farmhouse in a new reality TV show,
Click Here •
"Real disappearing act as thieves strike."
Click Here •
That's it for this week. Your UK magic news is always
welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 1.5.04