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 HereMagic: The War Magician by David Fisher is reviewed by Neil Hanson in The Times Click Here. To order from Amazon.co.uk Click HereHiding 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

 

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