Number 240 - 29th January 2005
Ron
MacMillan. 20th September 1932 - 26th January 2005. Ron MacMillan
passed away peacefully on the 26th January 2005. Founder of
International Magic in 1962, Ron became known to thousands of
magicians across the globe through his mail order and magic shop business
International Magic, his award winning manipulation act, the
Magic Info magazine and, of course, the annual International Day of
Magic, that expanded into three days and presented some of the very
finest magicians in the world. My first ever trick pack of cards was a
'Miracle' deck (a Svengali deck) produced by International Magic. My first
ever convention was the first Day of Magic in '72... I wonder if he ever
knew how many budding magicians he had helped directly and indirectly over
the years. A book of messages has been set up on the website
www.internationalmagic.com for friends who want to pass on their
wishes. His love of magic united magicians across the globe and he will be
greatly missed by his family and many friends in magic. 29.1.05
The
9th British Close-up Magic Symposium, which will take place at Bath
University on Sunday 10th April is fast approaching! Numbers are limited
to just 100 and half the numbered seats are already sold. The strong line
up features Richard Sanders (Canada), David Stone (France), Boris Wild
(photo, France), Mark Leveridge (UK), Brian Glover (UK) and Mark Mason
(UK). This year's event will boast 4 lectures and 2 close-up gala shows.
Registrations can be made by telephone, fax, through the mail, or directly
from
www.markleveridge.co.uk using the secure online form. This event only
takes place every two years - so don't miss it! 29.1.05
"One
of the few female magicians to be elected to The Magic Circle, Kerry
Scorah's brand of magic tricks and comedy has taken her to the bright
lights of Hollywood and Las Vegas. On Friday, she appears in Undercover
Magic, a new series on Sky One where tricks are performed on an
unsuspecting public - all in the name of good fun." Writes James Ellis for
Metro. To read the full story
Click Here. The first of the new series is repeated this evening on
Sky One Mix, see TV Magic.
www.kerryscorah.co.uk . 29.1.05
Only
50 tickets now remain for the Blackpool Magicians' Convention! The
names of the specially invited competitors in the UK Children's
Entertainer of the Year Competition at the Convention on Saturday 26th
February have just been released, and they are: Marvo The Magician, Marc
Dominic, Magic Malcy, Magic Mark, Johnny Hardy, Eddie Hughes and compere
Paul Joyce. New magic dealers attending this year are: Doc Eason, Kenton
Knepper, Jay Sankey, Rick Thomas, Shoot Ogawa, Mahka Tendo, Rafael
Benatar, Stan Allen (Magic Magazine), Penguin Magic, Sasco Magic, Jesters
Magic, Jim Pace (White Rabbit Magic), Beard Enterprises (Juggling
Equipment), Tom Yurasits Productions, Sparks Magic, Tora Magic and Kitchen
Table Magic, making a grand total of 105 Magic Dealers - a world record
for any Convention! Only 50 tickets remain, so you're advised to book
immediately if you want to be there. By phone or fax: Arthur Casson 01253
393688 or download a registration form from
www.blackpoolmagic.com. 29.1.05
Dr
Extispicy's Psychic Party Experience comes to the Magic Cavern on
Monday 28th February 2005 at 7.30pm. "Descend into the depths of The Magic
Cavern for a journey of mind games, magick and storytelling for the
discerning adult. Your host Dr Extispicy weaves a fascinating path with a
little dry humour along the way. Where psychology meets science and magic
meets imagination. Warning: Extra Sensory Perception demonstrations/Rune
Stones and Tarot cards are used in this show." Online sales £8.50
Click Here to order. Or call the hotline 08700 600 100. Reservations
at Barons Court Theatre Box Office on 020 8932 4747 Or on the door
(Subject to availability) £10.00 and £9.00 Concessions. The Magic Cavern
at Barons Court, Barons Court Theatre, 'The Curtains Up', 28A Comeragh
Road, London W14 9AU. 2 minute walk from either Barons Court or West
Kensington Tube Stations. Enjoy a meal or a drink before the show in 'The
Curtains Up' pub (above the theatre). Full details of the new season can
be found at
www.falseimpressions.com. 29.1.05
Mark
Leveridge Magic is pleased to announce that its New Releases for 2005
are now available from their website. There are 5 new products for
close-up and children's work: Colour Coins, Hide And Seek, In Flight
Entertainment, The Magic Party Giant Farm Animals and Risky Business, plus
the new updated 2005 CD Illustrated Catalogue.
www.markleveridge.co.uk. 29.1.05
Philip
Partridge appears on the Becky Want Show today (Saturday 29th January)
at 11.15 am on BBC Radio GMR 95.1 and 104.6 FM discussing his career in
magic and having some fun in the studio.
www.philippartridge.co.uk. 29.1.05
The
Preston Magic Circle are appearing at the Blackburn Thwaites Empire
Theatre on Saturday 5th February in a Family Magic Night from
7.30pm. The society prides itself on being a performing society and are
gearing up for the show which is to help raise funds to build a balcony
circle at the theatre which is run by volunteers. Former Junior member,
professional illusionist Andy Green, will be appearing. Tickets: Adults
£8, Concessions £7, Box office telephone 01254 680137. 29.1.05
Kevin
Gallagher has been booked to perform at the 2nd joint
SAM
European/50th Austrian Convention in May and will take part in the
European Magic Championships Close-up Gala. Kevin has also recently
accepted invitations to perform and lecture at the Italian and Swiss
National Magic Conventions. 29.1.05
Derek
Lever's Charity Magic Auction in Blackpool last week raised over £400
for the Asian Tsunami Disaster Fund. Hard working auctioneers Derek Lever,
Mike Shepherd and Steve Eastham knocked down hundreds of items in a five
hour session. Many volunteers from Blackpool Magicians' Club and
Manchester Circle of Magicians assisted in ensuring everything ran
smoothly. 29.1.05
Mick
Hanzlik is now making a larger version of his SupaLok following
requests from a number of performers. Not yet advertised on his website
the new larger lock is ideal for stage use as the lock is half as big
again as the original. It costs £135 including worldwide delivery. The
lock is also available from Hocus-Pocus Magic in the States and also from
Wayne Dobson at conventions and when he lectures. Keep an eye out for it
at Blackpool.
www.mickhanzlik.co.uk/supalok. 29.1.05
Guy
Barrett has just returned from performing in Dubai. Invited back for a
second year, this time as part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of
'Dubal', he appeared at the Gitex IT Convention for Nokia, Dell and
Emirates Computers. Guy and his dancers performed at Dubal's own outdoor
concert venue, situated next to the beach, entertaining 12,000 company
employees who had been invited to the celebration.
www.guybarrett.com. 29.1.05
At
their AGM held on 17th January the Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians
elected the following officers. President: Eric Leonard, Treasurer: Steven
Lewis, Secretary: Eddie Loughran, Vice President: Normal Philips.
www.middlesbroughcircle.fsnet.co.uk. 29.1.05
Now
you see it by Stuart M. Kaminsky. From the publishers: "Illusion gets
more deadly than reality on Toby Peters's twenty-fourth outing from
Edgar-winning author Stuart M. Kaminsky. A string of star-studded
successes - most recently with Cary Grant in To Catch a Spy and an
edgy Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierced - has won Tinseltown
detective Toby Peters a bit of local celebrity, and that's something his
new client, Harry Blackstone, understands. At the Pantages Theater in Los
Angeles, Blackstone is billed as the World's Greatest Living Magician. Of
course, should the giant buzz saw in the climax to Blackstone's act cut
the beautiful young woman in fact in half, his sterling reputation would
be ruined. And someone among the Los Angeles Friends of Magic is decidedly
intent upon ruining it - whatever the price, including the life of Toby's
prime suspect. Unfortunately, with the corpse count mounting, the evidence
is pointing increasingly to Toby's client as the man behind the
murders..." To order from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here. 29.1.05
Former
Cardiff Magical Society President 'Taffy the Clown' has just been
awarded the Grimaldi Award for outstanding services to Clowns
International. The prestigious award ceremony took place at the
Brookland’s Hotel, Barnsley last Saturday. Taffy said he was honoured to
receive the award and thanked all the members for their votes. Members of
the CMS would like to offer their congratulations. 29.1.05
Illusioncraft
will be releasing the X-Factor at the Blackpool convention... but
what is it? - watch this space! •
Kovari Magic Productions
will be exhibiting at the Blackpool Convention. Kovari Jr will be manning
the stand and it's good to be able to report that his father, Kovari, is
now doing well now, walking again, and even managing a little back
palming! Kovari Magic Productions, telephone: 01525 270536
• Ian Kendall has
just released a new CD called Tops, Seconds and Bottoms it's a 48
minute lesson on false dealing, all done from the same normal grip. Full
details and clips of the deals can be found at
www.virtualmagicshow.com/deals
• "Farewell to Johnny Carson, truly 'one of the lucky people'"
Click Here and "Late Night Legend Johnny Carson Dies"
Click Here • "Comic Aid for tsunami victims"
Click Here • Michael Vincent and Nick Einhorn are appearing the
College of Magic's 25th Celebrations next month in South Africa
www.25yearsofmagic.com • "Magicians can do tricks without making their
wallets disappear"
Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 29.1.05