Number 234 - 18th December 2004
Peter
McCahon.
August 10th 1965 - December 15th 2004.
Very sad news to report that Pete McCahon died in hospital on Wednesday 15th December, following a massive heart attack. Peter
went into hospital on Thursday 9th with chest pains and was resting and
undergoing tests. Friends and family had visited and all seemed to be
going well. On Tuesday night he complained of further chest pains and was
sedated. He suffered several massive heart attacks in the early hours of
Wednesday morning. Peter was only 39 years old and was enjoying real
success in his chosen career. He will be greatly missed by his friends and
family. Peter is remembered by Neil Martin,
Click Here. The
funeral service will take place on December 24th in New Malden, Surrey.
Friends should email Neil Martin for details:
neil.martin@nmp.co.uk. 18.12.04
South
Tyneside's 2nd International Magic Week Convention - update. As an
addition to the programme of events two Masterclass Lectures, to be held
at The Little Haven Hotel, South Shields at 2.15pm on Sunday 20th March,
have just been added. Richard Osterlind and Jamy Ian Swiss will each
provide a Masterclass for up to 25 people. The lectures, which cost £60
per person, can be booked via Andy Buyers or Karri Prinn, telephone 0191
424798, or email
events@s-tyneside-mbc.gov.uk. Further details on the website
Click Here. 18.12.04
Tom
Lauten has worked for over 20 years as a special effects artist for
films and television, his speciality being prosthetic make up and creature
effects. In recent years he has rediscovered his love for magic and
illusion and has combined these two passions to produce "Elite TTs". Hand
crafted thumb tips made with the latest translucent flesh-like plastic,
from casts of the performer's actual thumb. UK based magicians are invited
to visit Nimba
Creations (Tom's special effects studio) to have their thumbs cast.
After a period of "lab work", performers are invited back to have the
completed tip fitted and finished with a super-realistic and robust paint
finish. The service will also be offered to overseas clients in the near
future. There are plans for a further range of associated products, all
finished to high quality. For more information
Click Here. 18.12.04
"On
5th September 2003, New York Illusionist David Blaine entered a small
Perspex box adjacent to the River Thames. 44 days later, on 19th October,
he left the box, four stone lighter. That much, at least, is clear. And
the rest? The crowds? The chaos? The hype? The rage? The rows? The lust?
Nicola Barker fearlessly crams all that and more into this ribald and
outrageous novel, her most irreverent, caustic, up-to-the-minute work yet,
laying bare the heart of our contemporary world, a world of illusion,
delusion, celebrity and hunger." Available from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here. 18.12.04
MagicBox
are about to release Beyond ESP 2 - the follow up to their original
best seller. "Beyond ESP 2 has been printed to the highest standard by the
US Playing Card Company and the plastic coated cards come in a box titled
'International Paranormal Research Association ESP Testing Cards.' Two
decks are included, a red backed deck of ESP cards and a black backed
deck, plus some extra cards. The new booklet features five effects and
routines from some of the biggest names in mentalism. Pre-order today for
the special price of £11.99 (usual price £14.99). Due for release in
January 2005.
www.magicbox.uk.com. 18.12.04
My-MagicShop.com
have a new quick change tie and bow-tie in stock, and have demonstration
videos online
Click Here and
Click Here. 18.12.04
Marc
Paul's Mind Games double video set and The Dynamic Walkaround Magic
Video, both taken from the
www.tvmagic.co.uk
website, are reviewed this week. See Reviews. 18.12.04
Paul Zenon's Tricky Christmas
and White Magic TV specials are being repeated this Christmas on E4
and ITV2. Tricky Christmas:
"Street magician Paul Zenon in a Christmas special with his distinctive
'hit and run' magic and
stylish stings. Paul takes to the streets of London, Blackpool and Dublin
on a mission to daze
and amaze the public with a spree of festive hustling." White Magic:
"Mystery and illusion, as Paul Zenon takes his own brand of street magic
and humour to the streets of Sweden." See
TV Magic. 18.12.04
Derren Brown's Trick
of the Mind series is being shown back to back on E4 on Sunday 19th
from 10.30pm to 1.30am.
"Psychological illusionist and former magician Derren Brown demonstrates
his unique powers..." See
TV Magic. 18.12.04
Eddie
Burke of Mister "E" Enterprises is starting to release some of the
late George Blake's forgotten magic to which Eddie holds sole rights. Just
in time for Christmas he is releasing Recurring Card price £8.00 and Card
Trick 27 price £6.00. Order both before 24th December at the special price
of £10.00 plus postage. Contact Eddie on 01782 304909 or
info@mreenterprises.co.uk. 18.12.04
"David
Copperfield Says He's No Island Trickster" - Read the story and see
the video:
Click Here • Magic: The War Magician by David Fisher is
reviewed by Neil Hanson in The Times
Click Here. To order from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here • Hiding the Elephant: How Magicians Invented the
Impossible by Jim Steinmeyer is reviewed by D J Taylor in The Times
Click Here. To order from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here • Paul Gordon is looking for more information on Edward G
Brown for a book he is working on (Click
Here for details). If you think you can help with photos, family
history, or any related material, email
info@paulgordon.net • Extra show
dates have been added to the Magic Cavern's production of The Circus of
Illusion: 7pm on Tuesday 28th and 7pm on Thursday 30th December
www.falseimpressions.com for tickets and more information • This year's
Royal Variety Performance (ironically, the 100th) on Wednesday evening was
a dismal affair, fronted by TV "stars" from BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing
and Eastenders... audiences switched off in their droves as the evening
dragged on... and they wonder why "variety" is dead (maybe it's because
there wasn't any!) • There are a number of special Christmas Magic Shows
on this year - see
What's On • Congratulations to Joshua
Miller on winning ITV's 'Ministry of Mayhem' Talent Contest. Josh was
placed in both this year's J-Day Stage Competition and the recent
Blackpool Junior Stage Competition. One of the judges was the infamous
Simon Cowell from ITV's X Factor. 18.12.04
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the MagicWeek team, Duncan,
Keiko, Amelia and Louis, to all our readers and advertisers all over the
world, have a Magical Christmas, thank you to everyone who contributed
during the year, and very best wishes for 2005. 18.12.04