Number 223 - 2nd October 2004
This
year's IBM British Ring Shield competition was won by North Wales
based illusion act Safire (Stuart and Jayne). Stuart has now held the
title twice and Jayne three times. Jayne first won it in 1983 with her
brother, Marc. Then again in 1995 with Stuart in 'Marie Claude Chantelle
and Company' where they also won the Originality and Comedy awards.
'Safire' is the act they have been performing together for over 15 years
now. The couple's transparent sub trunk, that they closed their act with,
was presented to perfection at break-neck speed and earnt them a strong
and deserved ovation. More competition results below.
www.magic-of-safire.co.uk. 2.10.04
Paul
Daniels has just released a live performance DVD of his Max Malini
show... "Recorded in London's West End earlier this year, the DVD contains
the full show, up close and personal, with all the Malini classic effects.
It's not a 'how-to' disc, but magicians will certainly learn a lot just by
watching this master of magic - the appearing ice is a highlight you won't
want to miss." For more information and to order visit:
www.the-magic-store.com. 2.10.04
The
UK's biggest 'Mental Magic' Convention, now in its third year, will
take place on Sunday, November 7th, at Waterfall Studios, London
www.magicinmind.com. Booked so far: Ali Bongo, Jack Delvin,
Wayne Dobson, Ron First (Israel's Talk Show mentalist will be flying to
the UK especially for the event) and Roni Shachnaey (photo). Plus dealers
and a couple of surprise lectures too! 10am - 7.30pm. Registration is
£55.00 which includes all food, cold drinks, tea and coffee, throughout
the day. To book, email
Spiz@DrMagic.co.uk or telephone 020 8746 2000 (ask for Julie or Dave
Smith). Seats are limited and reservations are on a first come first
served basis. 2.10.04
The
British Magical Society have just announced that they have booked
Daryl & Alison (photo) and John Lenahan to lecture and perform at their
Centenary Convention in February (5th and 6th). For updates and a PDF
registration form visit
www.britishmagicalsociety.co.uk. 2.10.04
Everybody's
Magic featuring contributions from Wayne Dobson, Geoffrey Durham, Paul
Daniels, Guy Hollingworth and Paul Zenon amongst many other top names in
magic can now be pre-ordered from
www.magictricks.co.uk. All contributions have been donated free of
charge and all profits will go to the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity
www.rainbowtrust.org.uk. The Charity cares for children with a life
threatening or terminal illness and also assists their families. Practical
and emotional support is offered from diagnosis through to and following
bereavement, both within the family home, and at their two respite centres
in Surrey and Northumberland. MagicTricks.co.uk asked the contributors to
provide their favourite beginners trick and tricks which first stimulated
their interested in magic, together with a biography. What an excellent
project. To pre-order and for more information visit
www.magictricks.co.uk. 60
tricks, 120 pages, £9.99. 2.10.04
More
British Ring Convention Competition results. In the stage competition,
congratulations to:
Viva (photo) who were placed second and also won the originality award
(for a third time),
Mark Shortland,
who was placed third and also won the comedy award and to Kohei Kobayashi
who won the manipulation award.
Mel Harvey won the
Close-up Competition, with
Kevin Gallagher
in second place and Steve
Dela (who also put in a strong performance in the stage competition) in
third. 2.10.04
The
Looking Glass by FISM award winning magician Paul Nardini caught my
attention at last week's IBM convention in Eastbourne. Here's a routine
that I can see going straight into a working pro's act. In a nutshell a
spectator selects and signs a card which ends up sandwiched between two
sheets of Plexiglas. For a proper description and to watch a video clip visit
www.paulnardini.co.uk. 2.10.04
Nigel
Mead and Friends present 'An Evening of Magic & Illusion' at the
Uppingham Theatre, Uppingham, on Friday October 22nd at 7.30 pm. Starring:
"Astonishing mind-reader The Grey Man, close-up magician of the year 2001
Peter Wardell (photo) and 'Kicks and Tricks', a breathtaking fusion of
Dance, Song and Illusion performed to a rock soundtrack." Emceed by
Nigel Mead who has appeared on BBC, ITV and Channel 4, and has performed
for Steven Spielberg and Sting. To book telephone 01572 823318, email
upp.the.arts@uppingham.co.uk,
or book in person at Uppingham Sports and Books, Market Place, Uppingham. 2.10.04
The
Magic Circle's Stage Magician of the Year
2004 competition takes place on Sunday, October 17th, at 6pm. Tickets
are now on sale at £12.50 each and are available from:
The Centre for the Magic Arts, 12 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD (cheques
payable to 'The Magic Circle' enclose an SAE). To order with a credit card
telephone 020 7387 2222. 2.10.04
Marc Paul lectures
at the
Bexleyheath Society of Magicians on Wednesday, 6th October. Visiting magicians welcome (£5 door
charge). Doors open at 7.30pm ends 10.30pm. The lecture is from 8pm to
10pm. Venue: Bexleyheath & District Club for the Disabled, Barton Close,
Bexleyheath, Kent. Further information from: Mark Styles on 01689 818984. 2.10.04
DVD
set Scams and Fantasies by Darwin Ortiz is reviewed this week
by Graham Nichols. "Even
if card magic is not your weapon of choice, you would have had to be
stranded on a desert island for a very long time to be unaware of
pasteboard maestro Darwin Ortiz. His books are always in high demand, and
his latest treasure chest 'Scams & Fantasies with Cards' has now been
complimented by the release of a four DVD set by Mike Maxwell's A-1
Magical Media..." To read the full review
Click Here. 2.10.04
Pennywise
Magic specialise in supplying silks for magicians and keep a large range of sizes and colours in stock at all times.
Orders go out first class. Colour samples on the website. Excellent value
too. Visit:
www.pennywisemagic.co.uk today! 2.10.04
The
Magic Circle Dealers' Showcase takes place on Saturday October 30th at
the Royal National Hotel, 66 Russell Square, London WC1 (Map).
10am - 5pm. Door charge: free to members and YMC members on production of
their membership cards, small charge for non members. 2.10.04
Mark
Elsdon's Zenner-Tech was demonstrated to me by Peter Nardi at the
Eastbourne convention... and very powerful it is too! Perfect for a formal
close-up mentalism type presentation at a table this really is very strong
and very 'clean' - and all can be examined at the end. Read the full
description on the website, or ideally ask to see a demonstration at The
Magic Circle Dealers' Showcase (above) to feel the full impact of
this effect. More information:
www.alakazam.co.uk. 2.10.04
Mark
Worgan's Klub Magic returns after a summer break on Monday 4th October
at the Komedia Theatre, Brighton. This Monday Mark introduces Mark
Shortland, Scott Penrose and Vizage. For tickets
Click Here. This is this is the second show of the new run. Mark's
Klub Magic nights attract a wide and diverse audience and have proved to
be very popular with regular comedy audiences. Visit
www.klubmagic.co.uk for the latest news. 2.10.04
Manchester
Circle of Magicians are presenting a Star Lecture by Cody S. Fisher
(photo) from the USA on Wednesday 6th October at 8pm at Salford Masonic
Hall, Hemsley House, 41 The Crescent, Salford, Manchester. Members: free
of charge. Non-members: £5.00. And on Tuesday 19th October, at 7.30pm,
they hold their Jumbo Auction. Entrance charge is £3.00 (members free).
Details from Derek Lever on 01253 810113 or email
deriko@skynow.net. 2.10.04
Jeff
Burns was awarded the Jock Scott Trophy this week at the Aberdeen
Magical Society's annual competition. The award is in memory of Jock
Scott, a late member of AMS, who was well known for his entertaining magic
and sense of humour. Jeff, who won the trophy for a second time, competed
against four other acts assisted by sidekick Hamish the punk! 2.10.04
A new magic shop is opening in Southport at 101b Eastbourne Road, Birkdale, and they plan to hold monthly magic meetings from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on either the last Wednesday or Friday of each month. All attendees must be members of a Magic Society. Call Rob Graham on 07977 008546 for more information. 2.10.04
Summer Season 2005. Richard Leigh for False Impressions in association with Trevor George Entertainments (UK) require young enthusiastic talented magicians/actors/performers for a touring summer season in 2005. You'll be working for a major holiday park company five to six nights a week (20 week season), on good fees plus accommodation performing in a 30 minute touring show featuring magic and illusions and working in skin characters (full training and direction will be given, own act not essential). For more information email Richard Leigh richard@falseimpressions.com or send a biog., photos and covering letter to: Richard Leigh, False Impressions, Plexus House, 1 Cromwell Place, South Kensington, London SW7 2JE. Closing date for applicants is Wednesday 13th October. 2.10.04
Elliot Wood emails: "I need someone to cover for me a short magic show in Spalding, Lincs on the evening of 16th October. It's a family show at a local church hall, just need someone to do half to three quarters of an hour of stand up (clean!) magic, and perhaps a little mix and mingle afterwards. It is a Church event that I agreed to do for free, but I have double booked and I can't get out of the other gig. I will pay expenses plus a few quid gratuity to whoever can help me out." Email Elliot: elliot@elwoodmagic.co.uk, or telephone 07748 985632. 2.10.04
Following
on from a feature in Bella magazine, reported last month, Dizzy Lizzie
(photo) appeared on Central News last week performing at a school show
• "It's been a pressure" quipped Paul Daniels as he bid good bye to
Vanilla Ice last week on The Farm. To read all about it
Click Here and
Click Here • Illusionist and juggler Andrew Van Buren has been made a
Water Rat, Click Here •
"Magician gets so close to predicting headline – but he was spot on about
the small animal"
Click Here •
Luke Jermay lectures at the
Cittie of Yorke
Pub, 22 High Holborn, London WC1 today at 4.30pm (Map).
Call International Magic on 020 7405 7324 to check last minute ticket
availability (£10.00 each) •
That's it - see you next week, Duncan. 2.10.04