Number 210 - 3rd July 2004
Derren Brown Plays Russian Roulette
- Special Edition. Channel 4 presents another chance to see the now
infamous stunt performed by master psychological illusionist Derren Brown
in October 2003. A member of the public loaded a handgun with a single
bullet... the rest is history. 11.25pm on Thursday 15th July on Channel 4.
In this Special Edition Derren discusses some of the questions raised by
the presentation and also performs some "street magic." 3.7.04
Marc
Salem plays Mind Games at the
Tricycle Theatre from 21st July to August 8th. "He doesn't bend spoons,
saw women in half or communicate with the dead but he does read thoughts
and identify hidden objects as he takes his audience on a captivating
excursion into the possibilities of the human mind that is hilarious,
astounding and completely mystifying." After sell out seasons in the West
End, on Broadway and at the Sydney Opera House, Marc Salem's Mind Games
returns to London for three weeks only! "So amazing. I have seldom
experienced such wonder in a theatre" Guardian. "The King of
Mind Readers"
Time Out. Box Office: 020 7328 1000. 3.7.04
Maxello
Magic are now advertising with MagicWeek. Founded in Thailand back in
1976 their aim has always been to supply magicians worldwide with quality
props, equipment and magic tricks at a price that is next to unbeatable.
They manufacture a lot of the material that they market and also buy from
suppliers worldwide. Thanks to the internet ordering overseas has never
been easier, visit
www.maxello.com today! And for a "sometimes hard to find" classic of
magic
Click Here! 3.7.04
Magic-Notes.com
has just been launched by Jamie Badman... "Welcome to the premier internet
resource for downloadable Magic Lecture Notes and Manuscripts! In here you
will find some of magic's finest creators, thinkers, performers and
lecturers offering their works to you to download and digest at your
leisure! With Magic Notes you are able to track lectures in your area or
see when your favourite magical star is lecturing near you - and all the
details on how to book a seat at an event will be made available to you
through this site!" Sounds like a great idea - visit
www.magic-notes.com
today. (We've just been told that The Wizard is Dead by Yaniv
Deautsch, recently reviewed in Magic and Genii, is now
available on the site.) 3.7.04
The
Order of the Magi are holding a Giant Auction on Tuesday 13th July at
7.30pm (lots accepted from 6.30pm) at The Irish World Heritage Centre,
Queens Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester. Directions on their website
www.orderofthemagi.co.uk. "Come and sell those unwanted props or buy
something for your next show." Further information from Peter Moran 0161
798 8839. 3.7.04
TheLittleMagicShop.co.uk
has been out of action for the last three weeks due to major server
problems but they would now like to let their customers know that after
upgrades and allsorts the site is now back online. They hadn't stopped trading and as
of today all is 100% working! Visit
www.thelittlemagicshop.co.uk to see what's new. 3.7.04
"Doesn't
take mind reader to tell that crowd is amazed. The ability to keep a
poker face while telling Bill Clinton-sized fibs can certainly be a handy
personality trait. But even the most duplicitous of natural-born liars
would find it hard to fool illusionist and mind reader Drew McAdam."
Writes Duncan Forgan in the Scotsman
Click Here. 3.7.04
Jim
Steinmeyer's Hiding the Elephant is to be published in a soft
back edition, here in the UK, on November 4th by William Heinemann (Random
House). "In 1918 Harry Houdini performed a single illusion that has been
hotly debated ever since: he made a live elephant disappear on stage. How
did he do it? The answer lies in this dazzling tale of innovation,
chicanery and keen competition that is the backstage story of the golden
age of magic. Hiding the Elephant chronicles the race among history's most
legendary conjurers to make things levitate and disappear. A master
illusionist and captivating storyteller, Steinmeyer introduces us to the
eccentric personalities behind floating ghosts, disembodied heads and
vanishing ladies and takes us backstage to reveal the mechanics of their
mysteries. He carries us to a time when Queen Victoria held private
séances and all of England believed in magic." (We still do!) More
information nearer the time of publication. 3.7.04
Last
Monday Michael Murray (www.magicbox.uk.com)
won the Newcastle Magic Circle Stage Competition. Robert Temple came
second with his manipulation act and Graeme Shaw third, but it was Michael's mentalism
act that stole the show and won him the Edmund Younger Cup for the second year
in a row. Meanwhile Michael has a new effect, Beyond ESP, coming out
in a couple of weeks. Visit
www.magicbox.uk.com for details and to pre-order. 3.7.04
Charles
Pemberton has been asked to provide some magicians for a big charity
event in London on Sunday 11th July. It is the Royal Theatrical Fund
"Midsomer Village Fayre" and is being hosted by John Nettles (Midsomer
Murders). Strolling/close-up magicians would be ideal, performing anytime
between 1pm and 5pm. The details are: A Midsomer Village Fayre at St
Paul's Church Yard, Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London WC2 on Sunday
July 11th. For more information email Charles Pemberton:
charles@wsgilbert.com. 3.7.04
Peter
Kane's son, Tim Kane, has just set up a website both as a tribute to
his late father and also featuring his father’s library, which
includes around 1000 items for sale. He'll be adding additional items on a
weekly basis and invites MagicWeek readers to have a look:
www.kano.btinternet.co.uk. 3.7.04
Manchester
Circle of Magicians launched a Junior Magic Section in April at the
David Lloyd Centre in Trafford Park, Manchester which is close to the
famous Trafford Shopping Centre, allowing parents to enjoy some retail
therapy whilst their children are instructed by professional magicians.
Three meetings have now been held. The first one was a lecture by Derek
Lever, the second by children's entertainer Gary Gizmo and last Friday a
lecture on sleight of hand by Peter Roberts. The 23 junior members are
very enthusiastic so if any other junior magicians would like to join them
please contact Don George via email
don.george@tiscali.co.uk or
telephone: 0161 941 2956. 3.7.04
Jay
Fortune is organising a lot of outdoor shows during the summer for
various corporate clients and is having a bit of a job finding people who
have a skill (magic, juggling, balloon modelling etc.) who would like work
large crowds in and around Hertfordshire and Essex. For more information
email Jay
enquiries@magicklive.com. A few of the shows are for radio station
Kool AM - in the photo: Jay presenting his live breakfast show which features
the occasional magic trick. 3.7.04
Richard Leigh can be seen at The West Cliff Theatre,
Clacton on Sea in All Star Summer Showtime 2004 every Saturday from
24th July - 11th September. Box Office 01255 43 33
44. 3.7.04
An
Aberdeen based company which uses humour and magic to demonstrate and
convey important themes, topics, key learning points and to entertain, is
supporting a Robert Gordon University student's premise that humour in the
workplace can boost productivity. Like Aberdeen student, Jane Richardson,
Fifth Dimension is also encouraging more British firms to follow the
growing US trend by introducing humour policies into the workplace. Jeff
Burns, who is one of three partners at Fifth Dimension, says, "We have
found, like Jane Richardson, who has just completed a thesis on humour in
the workplace, that fun and laughter can create a more productive and
creative work environment. Humour can also make briefing and training
sessions more entertaining, particularly within 'dry' industries which are
highly technical or scientific." Bill Duncan performs the Black & Decker
saw illusion on Fifth Dimensions' Dawn Schultz.
www.fifthdimension.uk.com. 3.7.04
Surprise! Surprise! The two most surprised people this week must be Derek and Anne Lever who were both presented with awards at the Nottingham Guild of Magicians Convention. Derek was made an Honorary Life Member for Services to Magic and Anne was presented with a crystal flame engraved "In Recognition of Her Ongoing Commitment to the World of Magic". The presentation was organised by Andrew Morrison and Freddie Wilkinson on behalf of the Nottingham Guild of Magicians. 3.7.04
Magician Steven Dick has been shortlisted for a comedy writing competition for Channel 4. The winner is chosen by a web vote. That's where you can help. He needs to muster all the support he can from all quarters... Click Here and then scroll down to item number 11 "Party Political Broadcast" Then send an email with "Party Political Broadcast" in the subject line. That's it! Three words, one email. But enough to really help out Steven, who writes "Obviously it would be great if folk liked my idea, but hey, this is TV so lets not worry too much about morals!" 3.7.04
ChilldrensPartyShows.co.uk launched on Wednesday, July 1st;
this just came in (Saturday, July 3rd) "Thought you might like to know
that I've today taken my first booking as a direct referral from the
Children's Party Shows website. Not bad considering it was launched just 2
days ago. Thought this might help in your marketing of the site to other
entertainers." Mark Andrews. Thanks for letting us know Mark
www.childrenspartyshows.co.uk •
Paul Maverick
reports on The Masters Ultimate Stage Hypnosis Seminar in Las Vegas
this week,
Click Here •
The Ferrybridge Day of Magic (Sunday 4th July) will now
be held at its old venue in Ferrybridge and not at Knottingley - further
information from Michael Shepherd on 01904 709500 email
castle@evemail.net •
That's it for this week, your UK magic and reviews are
always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan. 3.7.04