Number 276 - 8th October 2005
Ali
Cook and Pete Firman are on T4 all day long today promoting Channel
4's new series Dirty Tricks (Friday nights -
TV Magic).
Clips from future episodes will be shown together with Ali and Pete
performing some of their favourite routines. Presenter June Sarpong turns
the tables and performs some magic too. Ali will be answering questions
live online for two women's fashion magazines, More and New Woman.
More at
12.30pm and New Woman at 2.30pm. (Ali advises to get your questions
answered you may have to pretend to be a girl, and avoid chat like "Do you
prefer the Herrmann or Classic Pass?")
www.alicook.com.
"Conjuring up shock and awe. Despite its celebrity humiliation and
gross-out gore, the magic show Dirty Tricks casts a spell over Paul
Hoggart," in Times Online,
Click Here. 8.10.05
The
Session - A magic convention for serious close-up magicians is
an exciting new one day convention taking place in Gloucester on 15th
January 2006, focusing on close-up magic. "Come and learn from a line-up
of international close-up performers including Lee Asher (USA), Kostya
Kimlat (USA), Tyler Wilson (Canada) and Andi Gladwin (UK), with more to be
announced in the coming weeks." Register before 15th November for a
discount, or nearer the time for just £40. Registration includes a full
day of intimate lectures and shows, plus food at midday and early evening.
www.sessionconvention.com. 8.10.05
Congratulations
to all the competition winners at last week's British Ring Convention in
Southport. In the stage competition Roy Davenport was placed first,
winning the British Ring Shield, and The Ditta Shield for Manipulation and
£1,000. Jason Steele & Joanne were placed 2nd winning The Theo Speaker Cup
and £500. Julie Carpenter was placed 3rd winning The Alistair Wand, The
Originality Trophy, The Craig Trophy and £250. Dave Allen won The Tom
Harris Cup for Comedy. 8.10.05
Tim
Shoesmith was placed first in the close-up competition, winning the
Zina Bennett Trophy and £1,000. Steve Dela was placed 2nd winning the Rovi
Shield and £500. Frank Allen was placed 3rd winning £250. Practical Magic
were awarded the dealers' Trophy. 8.10.05
The
Vaudeville Golfing Society present their 76th Annual Dinner and
Cabaret on Sunday 13th November at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London W2.
Starring Bob 'The cat' Bevan MBE and 'Royal Command Performer' Wayne
Dobson. Black Tie, Gentlemen only. Tickets £57.00 each from Ray Donn,
telephone 01634 672064. 8.10.05
Throw
away your playing card ties... QVC present the Uri Geller Jewellery
Collection at 12 noon on Tuesday October 18th. "Presenting a beautiful
and mystical jewellery range that incorporates natural crystals. Uri's
designs are inspired by important aspects of his life such as spheres,
movement and Egyptian themes." (Pictured: Item number 666193 - Uri Geller
9ct Rose Gold Round Crystal & Hieroglyphic Pendant on Chain). 8.10.05
Safire
can be seen in Dick Whittington this Christmas at Searles
Leisure Resort, Hunstanton. Stuart will be playing King Rat and Jayne
Fairy Bow Bells, and together they'll be performing their Magic Light Puppet Company
and Illusion act. The Show is produced by Rollason Entertainments and runs
from December 17th - 30th. Tickets: Adults £11.50, Children/Senior
Citizens £10.50 Family Tickets (2 adults, 2 children) £40.00. Box Office:
01485 570083. 8.10.05
Many
readers will recognise Magic Circle member Russell Levinson, seen here
taking a turn performing behind the bar in Hooties, Mallorca
www.andyandjeansbigadventure.com. Russell is working out there and is
a regular visitor to the bar. Caught here 'mid-throw' in what
Bar owner Andy describes as "the best 3 Card Monte I've ever seen" (hope
you're not taking money off the punters Russell!). 8.10.05
Seven
Magicians lent their support to a fund raising evening on September
17th entertaining 350 guests at Hawarden Castle for a special Charity Ball
in aid of The Clwyd Special Riding Centre. The event was hosted by Sir
William and Lady Gladstone and made over £18,000. Left to right: Paul
Dabek, Simon Rosselli, Steve Cooil, Rob Coleclough, Ged Morris and Howie
Fay. (Nev Williams was also there but disappeared from the photo
somehow!). Clwyd Special Riding Centre
www.clwydspecialridingcentre.org.uk is run by volunteers and welcomes
over 200 people of all ages with special needs every week. 8.10.05
Winchester
Magical Society's Evening of Magic. This is your last chance to
purchase tickets for the Winchester Magical Society’s "Evening of Magic"
on Friday, October 14th, at the Winchester Rugby Club featuring twelve
close-up performers from the Winchester Magical Society and stage
performer Mark Shortland, the current British Magical Grand Prix champion.
Tickets are just £15 each, and include dinner. For more information, and
to book, contact Bob Yelland
webmaster@winchestermagic.com. 8.10.05
Wild
Card. This year's Cheltenham Festival of Literature is hosting
a special event of interest to magicians. Titled "Wild Card"
little is revealed in the official brochure: "For those of you who like
something a bit different, here's an event where you literally take a
chance. No details will be released beforehand – just turn up and find out
what's happening when you're there. What you see is what you get..."
Following the success of books such as "The Glorious Deception" and
"Carter Beats The Devil" the festival wanted to include a little magic
this year. Magician John Lenahan will be both performing and discussing
magic, and will round off his presentation with a question and answer
session. It will all take place at Jim Thompsons Restaurant, Cheltenham,
on Sunday 16th October from 12noon - 1pm. Entry is free, but arrive early
to be safe.
www.cheltenhamfestivals.com. 8.10.05
Paul
Gordon presents a brand-new lecture on professional close-up card
magic, together with hints, tips, and more at the Farnborough Association
of Magicians, St. Marks Church Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire on Monday
October 10th. To attend, contact Peter Bentley on 01252 623550. "A really
enjoyable lecture. So good." Mark Raffles. Gary Young and Bob Hamilton are
producing a DVD of Paul's performance/lecture the day before on Sunday 9th
in Milton Keynes. If you'd like to be in the audience contact Gary Young
on 01908 376242
magiczoneenterprises@yahoo.co.uk. 8.10.05
Scotland's
Largest Magic Auction will once again be hosted by Perth Magic Circle
on Sunday, 20th November. Last year's event was such a success that three
auctioneers were kept busy, selling everything from close-up magic to
illusions. As usual, the sale will take place in the Perth & District
Ex-Servicemen's Club, Brown Street, Perth PH1 5QE (Map)
commencing 1pm sharp. Doors open from noon for the receipt of items for
sale. Light snacks will be available from the all day bar, which happens
to sell some of the cheapest drinks to be found in Perth! Magicians and
partners are welcomed. Admission: £3.00 payable at the door. There is no
commission charged to magicians selling items. For any further information
please contact
adrian.harris@blueyonder.co.uk. 8.10.05
Kevin
Gallagher performs and lectures later on this month at the
Italian Magic Convention where he joins Vanni Bossi (Italy), Jean-Paul
Vallarino (France), Mickey Silver (USA), Eric Leblon (France) and
Rubinstein (USA) in the Close-up Gala. Following that he's off
on a short lecture tour around Italy before heading to Zurich for a repeat
performance at the Swiss National Magic Convention. Finally, to complete
the trip, he'll perform in Milan and Venice before returning home.
www.mystifier.co.uk. 8.10.05
Steve
Faulkner, British Street Performing Champion 2005, has just returned
from the Jornadas Internacionales de Magia in Zamora, Spain where he
performed to a completely non-English speaking audience for seven days. He
will be performing today, Saturday 8th, on Fargate in Sheffield from
around 12 noon to promote the Grin Up North comedy festival.
www.stevefaulkner.com. 8.10.05
Kids
Fun Show with Andy Clockwise. At the Empire Theatre, Butler Road,
Halstead, Essex CO9 1LL (Map)
on Thursday October 27th at 2.30pm (doors open at 2pm) "Magical show for
children aged 4 and upwards. All tickets £4.50. Box Office 07778 025490.
Andy is also staging "Andy Clockwise - Back with a Veggie" - Andy
Clockwise plus support, on November 12th at Halstead. Box Office: 07778
025490.
www.clockwisemagic.co.uk. 8.10.05
Steve
Cohen was profiled in Forbes Richest People in America
alongside Bill Gates and the Google guys last month... "Cohen made $1
million last year turning tricks at the homes and corporate events of
America's richest people. He's been flown in private jets all around the
country, from Aspen to Cape Cod, playing at the homes of Forbes 400
members Martha Stewart (where he made three spools of thread pop out of a
loaf of bread), New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Reebok founder
Paul Fireman (where he miraculously pulled some freshly torn-up $20
bills--intact--from the toe of a sneaker). His fee: $10,000 to $25,000."
To read the full article
Click Here. Steve was recently seen in London during The Magic Circle
Centenary Celebrations. 8.10.05
Variety
Exhibition. Tommy Angel features in Variety, the inaugural programme
at the newly refurbished De
La Warr Pavilion, Marina, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex TN40 1DP.
Tommy Angel is the
creation of visual artist Jonathan Allen, who has performed as the dark
and unredeeming gospel magician since 2001. Variety is a three month
international contemporary art exhibition and performance program
examining the notion of "variety" and what it means in the 21st century
both to artists and audiences. Other artist's include Turner Prize winner
Jeremy Deller, Daria Martin, Cindy Sherman, Aura Satz, Boyd Webb, William
Wegman and others. Opens 15th October
www.dlwp.com. 8.10.05
The
Fabulous Magic of Doctor Bondini 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.
For more information visit
www.bondini.co.uk. 18.6.05
Balloon
Lecture/Workshop. Graham Lee will be holding a balloon
lecture/workshop at the Watford Association of Magicians on the evening on
Tuesday 18th October. This will be followed by a demonstration of Paul
Curtis wallets by Mike Ingham. Non-members can attend this event by paying
a visitors fee of £5.00. Contact the secretary, Frank Leonhardt, on 01923
888166 secretary@wamclub.co.uk
for more details of how to attend.
Website. 8.10.05
Brides.
In the current November/December edition of Brides magazine Kathryn
Blundell presents her favourite wedding performers, recommending just one
source for magicians:
www.corporatemagicians.com (good choice!) "From cabaret to table
tricks, a magician will spice up a between-course lull." 8.10.05
The
Amazing World of Professor Nutty. A brand new Magic and Illusion show
for all the Family goes on a short tour later this month. "Professor Nutty
invites you on an exciting and mysterious journey of magic and illusion.
Most of the time his experiments go wrong, and he needs your help to get
him out of a muddle! Mostly you won't believe your eyes! Can you guess his
secrets?" Suitable for 5 years upwards. In Association with Marvin's Magic
and Davenports. Professor Nutty's magic shop will be open on the day. See
What's On for venues and
dates. 8.10.05
Star pupil at the School of Magic. "David Pitt scans the room for a willing volunteer. He finds one, although 'willing' might be debatable, and before she can change her mind he promptly puts a small wooden box over her head. And then he begins inserting daggers through the box, their tips visible as they protrude out of the opposite side." To read the full story by Sarah Lefebve in Express and Star Midlands Life, Click Here. 8.10.05
Abraca-dad-ra "Ten-year-old illusionist Katie Gammon is the newly-crowned queen of Manchester’s young magicians. The precocious youngster from Didsbury, whose stage name is Mini Gambini, beat contestants from all over Manchester to claim the junior title of this year's Manchester Circle of Magicians competition." To read the full story in the South Manchester Reporter, Click Here. 8.10.05
Bradford Magic Circle are holding their annual Dinner Dance and Cabaret at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford on Friday 18th November. The cabaret, compered by Colin Fox, stars illusionists Vizage, and manipulator Brian Sefton. For ticket details contact Mel Shalks on 01274 672788. 8.10.05
An Evening of Magic and Variety will be staged by the Merlin Magical Society on October 22nd. The first half of the evening features the Harry Kaye Cup Competition and the second half a variety show. Tickets: £3.00 for adults £1.00 for children. To book contact Gerald Martin on 01707 664877. Venue: Tilbury Hall, Potters Par United Reform Church, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, London. www.merlinmagicalsociety.wanadoo.co.uk. 8.10.05
This week Deep Astonishment II - The Gypsy and Jeff Pierce's Telepa-Three are reviewed by Tom Lauten, The Nottingham Guild of Magicians' Evening of Magic and Illusion is reviewed by Graham Harper, Last week's Klub Magic is reviewed by Nick Ralls and No Hat, No Rabbit, Geoffrey Durham's new one-man show, is reviewed by Chris Wardle. See Reviews. 8.10.05
"Roy Horn making strides. In an exclusive interview with the Sun, the illusionist talks about his slow, painful road to recovery and the people he's met on that journey." By John Katsilometes in the Las Vegas Sun Click Here • Congratulations to Darryl Rose who won an EMMY Award for his editing at the Athens Olympics 2005, while working for NBC. His magic fingers did the trick! www.darrylrose.com • Next Year's Annual Magic Cruise will again be held on board Queen Mary 2. The dates are June 15th - 27th 2006. More information from Repro Magic, Click Here • Canada's Matthew Johnson lectures in Chester and Doncaster on the 10th and 11th - see What's On • Better think twice before performing 'Bill in Lemon'... Click Here • "A touch of magic comes to North County" Click Here • "Bale & Jackman In 'The Prestige' Talks" Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 8.10.05