Number 266 - 30th July 2005
The Magic Circle
Centenary Celebrations ended on a real high on Saturday evening at the
end of four days (July 20th - 23rd) of superb magic. 900 delegates
gathered from all over the world to bask in the magic, which
featured world-class lectures, one-man shows, special events, interviews with some of the
world's finest magicians, a session with 'behind the scenes' magic consultants, a
'meet the magic legends' event, late night cabaret, a young magicians
show, excellent
close-up performances (presented as close-up magic deserves to be
presented, in a specially designed room with no distractions, excellent
tiered seating, and a neutral backdrop), four mammoth gala shows, and a
final farewell party late on Saturday night! The programme read like a
who's who of magic, the venue was perfect, and there was a great mood
running throughout the entire event. MagicWeek isn't going to attempt to
review the convention, which will be covered comprehensively in the magic
press both in the UK and abroad, but would like to mention the Centenary
Committee: Michael Bailey, Michael Alderman, John Fisher, Brian Miller,
Chris Pratt, Alan Shaxon and Richard Stupple who masterminded the whole
project and made it such a success, and, of course, everyone who
helped in the planning and running of the entire event. I managed to take a few photos
Click Here
but to be frank didn't really have my "reporters" hat on. The souvenir programme,
designed by Wittus Witt, the near 200 page full colour Circle Without
End book complied by Edwin A Dawes and Michael Bailey, the engraved
1905-2005 wine glass and the David Devant Centenary Medallion all made
wonderful gifts for each registrant. Plans are underway to release a
Centenary Celebrations Highlights DVD... here's to the next 100 years!
www.themagiccircle.co.uk. (Finally, may I add my personal thanks to
John Fisher, Paul Daniels, Brian Rogers, Roger Frith, Rob Page and Barry
Nowland for their help on Thursday's The Paul Daniels Show: Encore!,
it made the whole experience a real pleasure.) 30.7.05
Joe
Pasquale, winner of last year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of
Here, and one of the country's top live comedians, goes on a 41 date
tour later on this year, with guest mind reader Marc Paul. Joe Pasquale
- Does He Really Talk Like That? from September 29th to November 19th.
See What's On for dates. An Audience
With Joe Pasquale is now available on DVD from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here. 30.7.05
Richard
Wiseman finds some vintage footage which shows magic is all in the
mind. "The curator led me into a darkened room lined with magic lanterns
and projectors, and then carefully revealed a picture frame containing the
23 amazing images. Each showed Raynaly sitting on a chair in formal
evening wear, and each captured a different moment as he placed a ball in
his hand and made it disappear..."
Click Here to read the full story. 30.7.05
Street
Magic - Paul Zenon Great tricks and close-up magic secrets revealed
will be published on August 1st by Carlton Books. Drew McAdam reviews it
this week,
Click
Here. 30.7.05
Leading
brands link with Marvin's Magic. Sales of Marvin's Magic products are
set to increase through an unprecedented programme of innovative public
relations and promotional activity in the second half of 2005. Over the
next six months a series of high-profile and innovative marketing
initiatives, including on-pack promotions, media features and
competitions, together with personal appearances by the creator of
Marvin's Magic, Marvin Berglas, will raise the company's profile to its
highest ever levels. The company have just launched a new look interactive
website to serve the tens of thousands of Marvin's Magic Club members and
fans of Marvin's Magic.
www.marvinsmagic.com.
From July to September Yazoo will feature Marvin's Magic on over 10
million packs, along with the chance to win 10,000 Marvin's Magic Mind
Blowing Sets. 30.7.05
Stephen
Tucker lectures at
Davenports
Magic Studio, 5-7 Charing Cross Underground Arcade, The Strand, London
WC2N 4HZ (Map)
on Friday 5th August. Tickets £8.00. Contact Bob Pamplin 020 8504 0979 for
more information (this will be a great evening). 30.7.05
Headfry,
Leicester's underground magic night, returns on Tuesday 2nd August for
the second show at Jongleurs, and this time around it's personal...
"Tonight the team will be performing incredible close-up magic together
with a unique Headfry magic face-off a battle of wit and will through the
medium of magic one-upmanship." Tickets are selling fast and are available
via www.headfry.co.uk
(along with a buy five, get one free special offer). 30.7.05
MentalismUK.co.uk
is a new, soon to be launched, site for mentalists. The sites creator,
Greg Williams, has asked us to ask MagicWeek readers to contribute to the
site, before it officially launches, and invites readers to email any
contributions/enquiries to
mentalismuk@hotmail.co.uk
www.mentalismuk.co.uk. 30.7.05
Playing
Tricks, originally shown on Trouble is now being repeated on
FTN (a freeview digital channel) at 8pm and 12 midnight daily. Described as "David Blaine meets Trigger
Happy TV" seven undercover magicians take to the streets... starring Laura London, Jez Rose, Tariq Knight, Keelan Leyser,
Richard Reed, Loki, and Chris Nicholson. 30.7.05
El Loco makes his Edinburgh Festival
Fringe debut on Saturday 6th August. His original show, entitled "The
Dentist Chair", features 50 minutes of mayhem centered around a dentist's
chair, incorporating magic, comedy and escapology! From August 6th - 27th
(excluding 14th) daily at 6pm. Tickets on the 6th, 7th and 8th are two for
the price of one. Box office 0131 662 1222. The Zoo, 140 The Pleasance.
www.elloco.co.uk. 30.7.05
Chris
and Belinda North have just launched a brand new illusion show Rock
Magic described as "a sensational mix of extreme illusion, sound and
light. Chris has blended all three elements to create a powerful and
energetic show which is totally self-contained with state of the art
lighting and special effects." Visit:
www.rockmagic.co.uk.
Chris and Belinda are currently enjoying a busy summer season presenting
their comedy illusion show TrickStars at venues up and down the country,
www.trickstars.co.uk. 30.7.05
This
year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival is just around the corner. The
programme for 2005 includes 1,799 shows in 333
venues! See
www.edfringe.com to plan your visit and keep up to date with what's
on. The Mystery of Chung Ling Soo
Click Here. The Dentist Chair
Click Here. Ian Kendall's Magic Show
Click Here. And finally San Francisco Street Performers!
Click Here. 30.7.05
False
Impressions present Postcard from The Magic Cavern featuring
Dominick Zwolinski and Sam X - A family Summer Magic and Illusion
show featuring Dominick Zwolinski and Sam X. From Monday 22nd August to
Sunday 28th August at 2pm (Extra show on Sunday 28th at 4pm). Tickets:
£10.00, (£9.00 concessions), £30 Family Ticket (4). Box Office 08700 600
100 (24 hours, with fee). Or book online for only £8.50
Click Here. Lastminute.com are offering a special "2 for 1" deal on
this show
Click Here. The Magic Cavern, Barons Court Theatre, 28A Comeragh Road,
London W14 9AU (Map)
2 minutes walk from either Barons Court or West Kensington Tube Stations. 30.7.05
Scrooge
– The Musical. Tommy Steele returns to the London Palladium as
Ebenezer Scrooge in this heart warming musical extravaganza. Directed by
Bob Tomson the show is packed with stunning sets and costumes and includes
specially created illusions by magician Paul Kieve. Meet Ebenezer Scrooge,
Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and
Future on this magical journey through the spirit of Christmas. For
tickets
Click Here. 30.7.05
Paul
Stockman - Mindillusion, 15th October 2005. "With his mixture of mind
reading, prediction and mind control Paul's new show for 2005 will have
you on the edge of your seat, taking you through every possible emotion."
The Guardian said: "This show is not to be missed. Paul is amazing"
Tickets are £6 from the box Office at The Keay Theatre: 01726 226777
www.thekeay.co.uk. 30.7.05
Pete
Firman, aka Tufty from Channel Five's Monkey Magic, is to feature in
the next TV Magic Limited interactive interview - and they'd like your
questions for Pete. You can email questions via
www.tvmagic.co.uk
and for a limited time you can download TV Magic's previous interviews
with Derren Brown and Marc Paul, completely free of charge. 30.7.05
Mark
Mason of JB Magic showed me Tag by Chastain Criswell at The Circle's
Centenary last week and completely fooled me with it! The effect is so
simple, so direct, and so impossible that it really can't fail. Not only
that but it involves your audience (no passive magic here!) as they sign
both a small tag and a playing card. See the online video demonstration at
www.jbtv.co.uk. Very
easy to do and highly recommended! (It comes with an instructional DVD). 30.7.05
MagicBox
are taking pre-orders for brand new Plastic Bicycle Cards -
Click Here for more information. They are actually really good for
performing magic with and handle well for a plastic deck. If you have a
magic website and place a link to MagicBox you'll be rewarded with a 5%
discount -
Click Here for details. 30.7.05
Julian
James lectured at the Liverpool Magic Circle on Thursday 21st July.
"He gave quality instead of quantity, it wasn't just about learning new
tricks it was about presentation and conditioning your audience into
appreciating what they have just seen so that the applause comes
naturally. Our members agreed it was money well spent, or should I say
invested." Richard Smith, Secretary. 30.7.05
Alan
Maskell and Chris Wardle present their lecture at The Mystic Ring on
Thursday 11th of August. This unique two-handed lecture includes close-up,
children's magic, stand up, in fact something for everyone. Visiting
magicians are welcome, admission £5, starts at 7.45pm. For more details
visit
www.mysticring.co.uk. 30.7.05
Top Secret Magic 10th anniversary. Malcolm and Sarah Norton took over Jack Cohen's magic and joke shop in Plymouth 10 years ago when the shop was already 30 years old. Now, 10 years on, it has become one of the best magic shops in the UK. Malcolm started performing magic at the age of six and turned professional at 21. For nearly two decades he worked across the UK and abroad before settling in Plymouth, Devon. Jack Cohen wanted to retire so Malcolm took over the business. A member of The Magic Circle, London, Malcolm has also just won the close-up competition at the Plymouth Magic Circle. Mention that you saw this piece on MagicWeek between August 1st and 5th and receive 5% off any order over £30 (use the message box when ordering) www.topsecretmagic.co.uk. 30.7.05
Walt Lees lectures on close-up and card magic for International Magic today, Saturday July 30th, at 4.30pm, at the Cittie of Yorke Pub, 22 High Holborn, London WC1 (Map). Call International Magic on 020 7405 7324 or email: enquiries@internationalmagic.com - tickets are £10.00 each. 30.7.05
Alakazam's
Peter Nardi demonstrated Trilogy to me last week, at The
Circle's Centenary... wow! This one lives up to all the hype, and more.
Truly excellent!
Click Here • "Bursting the magic bubble."
Click Here • "Secrecy surrounds The Magic Circle like... well, a
circle."
Click Here • "Anthony steals the spotlight from Harry Potter."
Click Here • "Magic's the key to a lot of panto fun."
Click Here • "Watch my hands deceive you."
Click Here • Sav can offer more possible residencies for a nationwide
bar chain. Email 'Residencies' to
sav@sav-uk.com for
more information/requirements • Next week we'll bring you a video clip
from the newly released DVD Mark Raffles - The Lagacy. Your
news is always welcomed! See you next week, Duncan. 30.7.05