Number 260 - 18th June 2005

 

John Carney lectures in Birmingham on Monday July 25th at the Nautical Club, 3-4 Bishopsgate Street, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 at 7.30pm. This two hour lecture will include stage and close-up magic using cards, coins, cigars and other everyday objects focusing on presentation, routining, misdirection and creativity. John's work is always excellent making this lecture very much a "must see" event - for more information and to book Click Here. For information on John Carney visit www.carneymagic.com. John will also be lecturing in Manchester on Thursday July 28th. Email Martin Allcock for details martin@magical-entertainment.co.uk. More dates to be announced. 18.6.05

 

Practical Magic have just announced that they will be producing a new DVD for children's entertainers, starring top professional Terry Herbert, provisionally entitled 'Magic for the under 5s'. "First of all, you will see a live show with some of the tricks which Terry regularly uses, and those all-important 'bits of business' which children love. Next, Terry explains the tricks and what effect he is trying to achieve, and finally, as an added bonus, Terry will be interviewed by none other than David Kaye – a.k.a. Silly Billy from New York!" The plan is to release the disc at Kidology UK, on Monday September 5th www.practical-magic.com. 18.6.05

 

American Illusionist Brett Daniels in the UK. Amway China held a Gala dinner for 1,800 special guests at Excel in London on June 14th. The event was one of the largest to be held in London this year and showcased 120 performers who entertained throughout the night against a multi-million pound set, employing state of the art video screens, sound, and lighting technology. The shows finale was in the hands of star American illusionist Brett Daniels, who flew into the UK specially for the event. He dazzled the assembled crowd performing signature effects including, his car production, the Brett Daniels Levitation, the Table of Death and the Turbine Illusion. Cliff Bradley's Crowdstop.com company handled the deal and acted as Brett's support agency in the UK. In the photo: Mark Parker (Crowdstop.com), Brett Daniels, Cliff Bradley (MD Crowdstop.com) and Chris Gingrasso (Personal manager for Brett Daniels). www.crowdstop.com www.brettdaniels.com. 18.6.05

 

Kidology UK - update. Last year's day sold out and this year's looks set to do the same. Registrations must be made in advance, due to the catering arrangements; a printable registration form is now available online at www.practical-magic.com. Registration is £30.00 which includes all events plus a buffet lunch. Here are the details. Monday 5th September 2005 9am - 6pm at the Civic & Wulfrun Halls, North Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1RQ (Map). Featuring Dave Allen (photo) the Children's Entertainer of the Year 2004, Ricky McLeod a.k.a. Tricky Ricky, and Patrick Page, plus a magic forum and Dealers' Demonstration. For more information visit: www.practical-magic.com. 18.6.05

 

SoundPlus PA systems. Freddie Wilkinson emails: "Not really news this, more a recommendation of a product I came across and now use that I thought might be of interest to MagicWeek readers. Basically it's an all-in-one portable PA System that runs off mains or battery, and includes tape, CD, and a UHF radio mic, all built in to one tiny little box. I have had mine for a few weeks now and it easily filled a cabaret room of 150 very drunk people, but its main use so far has been at kids parties and outdoor events. As far as I know they are new on the market and must represent an invaluable investment for any serious magician or street entertainer." Visit: www.soundplus.co.uk for details. 18.6.05

 

Richard Wiseman and Simon Singh are staging a new version of Theatre of Science at the Soho Theatre from July 4th - 18th. The show involves a mixture of magic, illusion, contortion and science. The genuinely dangerous finale involves the duo generating over 1 million volts of electricity via two huge Tesla coils, and creating 6ft bolts of lightning just inches from the audience! More in www.timesonline.co.uk. 18.6.05

 

Carnesky's Ghost Train, a collaboration between Paul Kieve and artist Marisa Carnesky, will be playing at the Glastonbury Festival from June 23rd to 26th. The show was named "Theatrical event of the year" by The Guardian, and chosen as "Critic's Choice" in London's Time Out magazine. "Paul Kieve's illusions were stunning and worthy of a visit. In fact the illusions are the real stars of the show... the finale is a real jaw-dropper on the scale of any great theatrical twist." BBC. To read more Click Here. 18.6.05

 

Merlin's Secret. "Merlin the Magician cannot fight the evil sorceress Morgan le Fay on his own. He needs the help of a young hero who is destined to become King of England - Arthur. Merlin educates the young hero in secret so that Morgan le Fay will not learn of the threat to her power. Arthur learns magic and sword-craft, but the magician keeps back one vital secret... This exciting new production is a collaboration between writer/director Tim Heath and international illusionist Doctor Bondini, who plays the role of Merlin. It is a fully-staged play full of magic, grand illusion, song and dance. There is drama, comedy, audience participation and, of course, Bondini's famous doves will feature, along with his own pet dragon. Merlin's Secret sets the familiar legend and characters in a new context, and is for audiences of all ages." See What's On for dates www.pmbproductions.co.uk. Also, from the same stable, the original Bondini show visits Ireland in October, here are the dates: Naas, Co. Kildare, Moat Theatre, Friday 21st October, 3pm & 7.30pm, Box office: 045 883 030. Roscommon Arts Centre, Saturday 22nd October, Box office: 090 662 5824. The Simon Ryan Theatre, Tipperary Excel, Sunday 23rd October, 4pm Box office: 062 80520. Listowel, Co. Kerry, St. John’s Theatre, Tuesday 25th October, 8pm, Box office: 068 22566. Backstage Theatre, Part of Aisling Children's Arts Festival, Thursday 27th October, 7pm, Box office: 043 47888. Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, Friday 28th October, 8pm, Box office: 01 2312929. 18.6.05

 

Noel Qualter has just returned from Venice after performing close-up magic at the launch party for the Scottish Arts Councils exhibit at the Venice Arts Biennale 2005. Noel had to persuade a gondolier to take the photo by doing card in Cornetto for him. www.noelqualter.com. 18.6.05

 

The Liverpool Magic Circle Dinner Cabaret Night takes place on November 12th featuring cabaret from John Lenahan and Georgie Starr, Liverpool's own Rat Pack singer, plus magic at the tables and music into the night. Tickets £30.00. Venue: Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. Contact: Richard Smith (secretary) 0151 548 6899 secretary@liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk. 18.6.05

 

Philip Partridge will be appearing at GC 2005expo www.gcexpo.com on Tuesday and Wednesday at Earls Court 1, London, on stand 350 enticing visitors onto the PC World Business stand with his own brand of Comedy Close-up Magic. GC 2005expo is the UK’s leading technology event for the public sector, attended by thousands of the leading procurement professionals. www.philippartridge.co.uk. 18.6.05

 

To celebrate the forthcoming launch of the new Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the Magic Wand Shop is pleased to announce that Blackwell's Bookstores around the UK will be stocking their wonderful wizards' magic wands. Stores so far lined up to stock their wands include Blackwell's Oxford, Blackwell's Edinburgh, Blackwell's Sheffield and Blackwell's Preston. www.themagicwandshop.co.uk. 18.6.05

 

Julian James lectures at The Liverpool Magic Circle on July 21st. £3 members, £5 visitors (pay on the night). Contact: Richard Smith (secretary) 0151 548 6899 secretary@liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk for more information • Seriously Silly 'How to Entertain Children with Magic & Comedy' by David Kaye is reviewed by Terry Herbert, Click Here • "It's not what you've done that's important; it's what they think you've done," writes Robert Fox in his article this week, Click Here • Jonathan Royle's seminar "There's No Such Thing As Hypnosis" is reviewed by Paul Maverick this week, Click Here • Sven Schoppenhauer kindly sent through a copy of his newly translated Quick Change book last week - I've just had a quick look, and it looks excellent, with plenty of illustrations to accompany the text • "Tricks of the Trade" Click Here • "Man Claims David Blaine Stole His 'Godly Powers'" Click Here • "Television star and illusionist Derren Brown is up to his old tricks" writes Tony Padman, Click Here • When submitting news for What's On please use the new form (via the red button below). That's it for this week, your news and reviews are always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 18.6.05

 

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