Number 204 - 22nd May 2004
Really
sad news to report this week that Tony Shelley died on Sunday
evening, May 16th, following a massive brain haemorrhage that struck, out
of the blue, on the Friday while he was performing at a magic show in
Alcester, with members of the British Magical Society. Tony was a Past
President of the British Ring and Past International President of the
International Brotherhood of Magicians and also a Past President and
Honorary Secretary of the British Magical Society and a member of The
Inner Magic Circle. But more than that he was a much loved and respected
man who people instantly warmed to and will be sadly missed by all who
knew him. Our thoughts go out to Boon, Elizabeth and children Mark and
Victoria. Tony was only 65. The Funeral and Memorial Service will take
place on Tuesday May 25th at 12.15pm at St. Matthews Church, Birmingham
Street, Walsall. A Cremation will take place after the Service for family
members only. 22.5.04
Roy
Horn's First Video Appearance Since Tiger Attack. "It's a moment so
many have waited so long to see. Magician Roy Horn is talking and joking
alongside his longtime partner, Siegfried. Today's video appearance has
surprised and delighted many of Roy's fans and friends who still weren't
sure about the success of his recovery. News 3's Steve Crupi reports from
Roy's Las Vegas home, where Roy's been busy working on a new TV series."
Video and story:
Click Here. 22.5.04
Derren
Brown hosts a special programme that will bring twelve members of the
public together to recreate a séance at 10.35pm on Monday 31st May on
Channel 4. See TV Magic. Friday's
Trick of the Mind was excellent. 22.5.04
Marco
Tempest is The Virtual Magician Keeper of Secrets and his
fast-paced, CG-enhanced, "sci-fi meets reality" TV series comes to Sky 1
on Monday May 31st. "His imaginative combination of computer-generated
imagery, video, music and stagecraft with his unique vision of future life
is creatively unique and unequalled within the performing arts. No one
else combines the incredible technical savvy with the showmanship, the
physical skills and the charisma of Tempest. With all that talent, it’s
amazing that he seems to enjoy poking fun at himself, and all those
marvelous toys! Marco gets a kick out of bending reality around the edges.
Is that image IN the screen, or just in front of it?" See
TV Magic. 22.5.04
Gary
Young's 8th
Top Secret Magic Day approaches! Tommy Wonder is flying over to the UK
especially and will be lecturing and performing together with CoSMIK, Mark Shortland, Luke Jermay, Viva
and Terry Seabrooke. 18 magic dealers will display all the latest gear and
(as predicted!) the day is virtually sold out... so hurry if you still
haven't booked a ticket! Visit:
www.topsecretmagicday.co.uk for full details. Sunday, June 6th, Milton
Keynes, 9am -
9.30pm. 22.5.04
International
News. Pieras Fitikides is organising the
Cyprus Magic
Convention which will run from November 3rd - 7th, 2004. This is the
first time that a magic convention has been staged on the beautiful island
of Cyprus making it the ideal opportunity to combine magic with a
holiday. Already a number of top performers have been confirmed, including
guest of honour David Berglas, and the five star
St. Raphael Resort
Hotel looks like it will be the perfect convention venue. The stated aims
of the convention are: To pay tribute to outstanding magicians and their
contribution to the magic fraternity; to promote the art of magic; to
establish Cyprus as a meeting place for foreign magicians; to promote
friendship between magicians and to establish the Cyprus Magic
Convention as an annual event. Sounds good to me! For more information
visit the website:
www.cyprus-convention.com. 22.5.04
GotMagic.co.uk
are now advertising with MagicWeek. Specialising in magic for the
children's entertainer they offer a unique range of products ranging from
Attack of the Book Worms to The Magic of Thinking Creatively DVD
Set. From the company: "Here you will find high quality, modern props
and supplies that you won’t necessarily find anywhere else. We aim to be
the resource for the professional magician so if there is something
you need (prop, utility item or even waistcoat!) get in touch and we will
source it for you." Visit
www.gotmagic.co.uk
today! 22.5.04
Last
week there was a touch of magic in the air in Reading when the Mayor
held a Grand Charity Gala Dinner at Caversham Park. Local magician David
Hawkins (photo) teamed up with Lee Florida to provide close-up magical
entertainment for the 300 guests and celebrities during the champagne
reception and then around the tables during the dinner. It was a very busy
night but the close-up performances were really appreciated by the guests.
David and Lee donated their services free of charge and, although it will
be some time before the official figures are released, it is expected that
the event will have raised many thousands of pounds for local charities.
This event concluded a busy week for David, performing at a European
Travel Industry Gala Dinner in Brighton, a large corporate event for
Nokia, a dinner party for the board members of a European bank and a
lavish wedding at the exclusive Woodlands Park Hotel in Cobham.
www.david-hawkins.co.uk
www.leeflorida.co.uk. 22.5.04
Magic
Spectacular 4: A Fistful of Broken Wands takes place at the Bloomsbury
Theatre on 2nd and 3rd June at 8pm. Featuring award winning magic, music
and comedy from Alfonso Rios, Jonathan Goodwin, Tim Vine, Milton Jones,
Jessica Cornish, Stuart Scott, Steve King, The Band and Paul Dabek.
Tickets £15 (£12 concessions). For full details visit:
www.thebloomsbury.com or call the Box Office on 020 7388 8822. 22.5.04
The
Mid-Ulster Magic Circle are hosting a one day "Halloween Convention"
on Saturday November 6th at the
Fitzwilliam International Hotel at Belfast International Airport
Northern Ireland. Magic Circle President Alan Shaxon and Perthshire's 'Mr.
Magic' Adrian Harris have already been booked. The convention is open to
all magicians. Further details from Joe Glover 02838 325079 or Des
Callaghan 02894 453667 or
Click Here to visit the website. 22.5.04
Steve
Giles is presenting An intimate evening of Close-up Magic and Mind
Reading every Wednesday at The
Hotel L'Horizon, St Brelade's Bay, Jersey, from May 26th. Seats are
£20 each or £37 including a meal and numbers are restricted to just 20 for
each performance. To book telephone the Hotel on 01534 743101 - booking in
advance is suggested as numbers are limited... so if you're visiting
Jersey this Summer book now! 22.5.04
Congratulations
to Paul Gordon and fiancée Judy who are getting married today.
Magician Father Roger Crosthwaite is conducting the service. Back to
business and for anyone who has had difficulty in placing orders recently
Paul reports that all is now back to normal, the gremlins have gone, and
some new products have also been added to the website. Visit:
www.paulgordon.net. 22.5.04
"...The
event organiser on the other hand spends the rest of the year
organising sales data or some such task, and this is their one chance in
the year to give vent to their latent theatrical aspirations. They are not
going to give up this chance easily." Be Prepared writes Black Hart
Click Here. 22.5.04
A
number of magicians were approached last week regarding an upcoming
"documentary" production for Channel Five that plans to expose some of
David Blaine's work. Steer well clear
• Do you believe in magic? Patrick Jones
asked Sir Ian McKellen in the Independent. "As a devotee of Penn & Teller,
Derren Brown and Tommy Cooper, of course I do" he replies
Click Here • Mark Worgan's recent Klub Magic
evening at the Komedia in Brighton is reviewed this week by Martin
Breese Click
Here
• That's it for
this week. It's our daughter's 6th birthday party today so I've decided to
perform my full silent act... should be fun!! Your magic news is always
welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 22.5.04