Number 256 - 21st May 2005
Derren
Brown: The Gathering. Prepare for plenty of Derren Brown's brand of
magic and mind games in this specially-made recording of a live show shot
in a mystery location in front of an invited audience of magic experts and
celebrity fans. This one-hour fusion of magic, suggestion, psychology and
misdirection gives the cynics the chance to decide: is Derren a fraud...
or should he be burnt at the stake? "I've always loved performing live and
of course it gives people a chance to see that everything's fair. The
audience will be made up of interested parties; some famous faces, some
psychics, magicians, psychologists and so on. Part of the fun of it for me
is having very little control over who I use on stage. The volunteers will
all be randomly selected from the unprepared audience. It's not something
I've done on TV before, although it is a taste of what I do on tour.
Hopefully it will be a very memorable evening for all concerned." 10pm,
Sunday, 29th May, Channel 4. See Derren live on stage tonight at the
Congress Theatre, Eastbourne. 21.5.05
The
Magic Cavern, London, is launching a series of Sunday Matinees from
Sunday, June 19th. Presented by Richard Leigh with guest magicians every
week. Show times are 2pm and 4pm. Tickets are £8.50 (online) or from the
24 hour booking line on 08700 600 100. Reservations can also be made via
the Barons Court Theatre Box Office on 020 8932 4747 or bought on the day,
on the door, subject to availability (£10.00, £9.00 concessions, Family
ticket for four £30.00). For more information and dates visit
www.falseimpressions.com. 21.5.05
A
new production of Theatre of Blood opens at the
National
Theatre on 19th May. It's an adaptation of the MGM movie starring with
Vincent Price and is a collaboration between the NT and Improbable. Paul
Kieve is the illusion consultant and he's developed a number of new, extra gory,
illusions, specifically for the production. During the play several
newspaper critics are murdered in various violent and bloody ways (payback
time!). The play is in previews at the moment and the illusions have been
getting a fantastic response. For more information visit:
www.bloodandguts.co.uk. 21.5.05
Secret
World of Magic has proved to be a great success for Ali Cook and Pete
Firman, being enjoyed by both magicians and the public alike. The pair
were recently interviewed on chatshow.net talking about their work and
magic in general,
Click Here. To read more about the show, including "Ali's diary",
visit www.alicook.com
and click on the new Secret World of Magic link. 21.5.05
The
first Close-up Magic Convention in Sussex, which had the 'Sold Out'
boards out last Saturday, is reviewed by Martin Breese this week... "The
day closed with close-up from Paul Gordon, Mark Mason, Stephen
Tucker, Andrew Murray, Mark Worgan and Mark Shortland. The entire close up
session was on time and all the performers had excellent material and
professional skills. I dont really want to single out any performer as
all were good but new to me was Andrew Murray and his skill with cards and
coins was something to be seen."
Click
Here to read the full review. 225 magicians attended, and a date has
already been set for next year: Saturday 13th May 2006. Website:
www.cumcis.co.uk. 21.5.05
14
year old magician Joshua Patient is putting together a magic
variety show which will take place on August 26th and 27th. The show will
feature comedy from Thomas Denton, magic from Joshua assisted by Jasmin
Bailey, and dancers from The Action Factory. Venue: Framingham Earl High
School, Norwich, Norfolk NR14 7QP (Map).
Adults £5 Concessions £4. To book telephone 01508 494982. Joshua normally
performs at children's parties and weddings, and also presents street
magic at fetes. 21.5.05
Chris
Dugdale and Phil Jay are seen here either side of Brian Adams at "Rock
on the River" in London. The two created such a stir that they were
invited backstage to entertain Bryan and his VIP guests. Bryan was so
impressed he has now invited Phil and Chris to join him in Las Vegas later
this year. 21.5.05
David
Penn entertained last Wednesday night at a private party to celebrate
Shaun Murphy winning the World Snooker Championships, and a quarter of a
million pounds in prize money, in Sheffield earlier this month. Shaun has been
invited to make a guest appearance on 'Freaky' series 2 which will be
filmed this summer.
www.davidpenn.co.uk. 21.5.05
Michael
Ammar lectures at the Watford Association of Magicians on Sunday May
29th at 6pm. Non-member magicians are welcome to attend at the Bricket
Wood Social Club, Oak Avenue, St. Albans AL2 3LQ (Map).
Admission £8.00. Telephone Frank Leonhardt 01923 888166 or visit
www.wamclub.co.uk
for further information. 21.5.05
Philip
Partridge was invited to perform at the House of Commons last Thursday
to present his unique brand of comedy close-up magic. The Rt. Hon. The
Lord Owen CH sponsored a reception on behalf of the Liverpool Culture
Company in preparation for 'Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008'.
Celebrity guests included Sir Paul McCartney.
www.philippartridge.co.uk. 21.5.05
Gigantic Magic Auction at the Leeds Magical Association. On Tuesday
24th May. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Props and books in good
condition will be accepted on the night. Free admission, all welcome. For
details contact Franklin Arbisman, telephone 0113 2677190. Venue: Friends
Meeting House, opposite Leeds University, Electronic Engineering
Department.
www.leedsmagic.co.uk. 21.5.05
Henery
Evans from Argentina will lecture in the UK next year following the
Blackpool Convention (from February 27th to March 10th). Any interested
societies should email Colin Peters who is organising the tour.
colinpeters@themagiccircle.co.uk telephone 01306 883938. 21.5.05
Michael
Ammar lectures at the Ipswich Magical Society on Friday May 27th. They
still have a few spaces available, contact the secretary for details.
www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk. 21.5.05
Sheffield
Circle of Magicians are organising two evening lectures featuring
world famous magicians. Michael Ammar on Wednesday May 25th at the Hilton
Hotel, Victoria Quays, Sheffield, and Jay Scott Berry on Thursday 2nd June
at the Three Cranes Hotel, 74 Queens Street, Sheffield. Tickets will be
available on the door at 7pm for both evenings, priced £7.00 (refreshment
will be available). For further information contact Dave Chambers
(President of Sheffield Circle of Magicians) on 01302 537720 or
07740404948. 21.5.05
Escape
artists across the globe will join together on October 29th for
Worldwide Escape Artist's Relay. Each escapologist will perform before two
or more witnesses within a timed period and then login the completion of
their event, and the names of their witnesses, live on the internet. The
escapes will be timed to follow the dateline as it moves westward from
Australia to the USA. Over fifty escape artists will take part and the
whole event has been submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for
consideration. British performers include David Straightjacket, Weasel
Dandaw, Robin Fox, Roslyn Walker, Helen Held, Stuart Burrell and Kondini.
For more information visit
www.wearevent.info. 21.5.05
Craig
R Dickson AIMC, Past National President of The Society of American
Magicians, and Joanne M Smigel, member Society of American Magicians will
get married at Edinburgh Castle, on July 18th. Both having a Scottish
heritage, the idea of going to Scotland and getting married at the castle
was a dream come true. The wedding will be a traditional Scottish wedding,
complete with Piper and Scottish attire, and will take place in St
Margaret's Chapel, Edinburgh Castle. After the wedding they will return to
London for the 100th Anniversary of the Magic Circle. The latest Harry
Potter book will also be officially released, with a midnight reading by
JK Rowling, at Edinburgh
Castle that same weekend! 21.5.05
"Tom
Hanks Teaming Up With Son Colin To Make Movie Magic"
Click Here Vizage are currently appearing in Hooked on Laughter
in Bournemouth, Mike Danata reviews the show this week,
Click
Here "Daniels back to his roots"
Click Here "Music Hall theatre could see good old days again"
Click Here The Magic Cavern is now booking acts from August to
December 2005, email
richard@falseimpressions.com for information Mike Danata's Magic Studio in
Bournemouth will be open on Bank Holiday Monday May 30th, and have some
extra special offers...
Click
Here and visit their news page for details Romany 'Diva of Magic'
emcees in the Cabaret tent at the
WOMAD music festival
in Reading from July 29th-31st "Melwood Pictures and Exodus Film Group
announced that they have optioned the rights to world-famous magician and
illusionist Nicholas Night's CG-animated/live action feature film
'Pavlov's Dog.'"
Click Here That's it for this week. Your UK magic news is always
welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 21.5.05