Number 287 - 24th December 2005
Derren
Brown: The Heist. 9pm on Wednesday 4th January on Channel 4.
Controversial, award-winning psychological illusionist Derren Brown
returns to Channel 4 in a brand new one-off special. Under the guise of a
motivational seminar and a follow-up documentary, can Derren persuade any
of his group of responsible, middle-management businessmen and women to
steal £100,000 in an armed robbery? It's a look at
what little it takes to cross into deviant behaviour and a masterclass in
persuasion. Objective Productions for Channel 4. Derren talks about the making of The
Heist, Click
Here. Also see TV Magic. 24.12.05
White
Magic - Paul Zenon. Paul Zenon takes his own brand of magic to the
streets of Sweden in this seasonal magic special on New Year's Eve at
11.45pm on ITV1. Also see TV Magic. 24.12.05
Geoffrey Durham - No Hat no Rabbit at Greenwich Theatre, London,
19th, 20th and 21st January 2006. Acclaimed magician Geoffrey Durham's
brand new show! With his unique combination of laughs, charm and
staggering sleight of hand, Geoffrey Durham literally performs under your
very nose and dares you to catch him out! Following countless TV
appearances, this is your chance to witness his amazing magic live...
"Astounding" The Independent. Evenings at 8pm – tickets £18, £16, £14
(£16, £14, £12 concessions) Box Office 020 8858 7755. Greenwich Theatre
has good links into central London. Either by bus, mainline rail
connections (15 minutes into Charing Cross, Waterloo East and London
Bridge), or by the DLR tube line which connects to the Jubilee line at
Canary Wharf, or other tube stations at Tower Gateway and Bank. Also, for
magicians, Geoffrey will be lecturing (and performing) at the Bonington Theatre,
Nottingham, on Sunday, September 17th 2006. Tickets will be £12.00 for the
Gala show (with more acts to be announced) and £7.50 for the afternoon
lecture (2.30pm - 4.30pm). More details nearer the time. (Note: tickets
are not yet on sale)
www.nottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk. 24.12.05
Paul
Daniels and Debbie McGee star in Stars in Their Eyes Celebrity Duets
at
9.10pm on Saturday 24th December on ITV1.
"Cat Deeley presents ten fearless celebrities aiming to transform
themselves into five chart-topping duets. Featuring Paul Daniels and
Debbie McGee, Emmerdale stars Emily Symons and Matt Healy, How Not to
Decorate hosts Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, TV presenter Claire
Sweeney and Emmerdale's Richard Shelton, and TV personalities Matthew
Wright and Vanessa Feltz." See TV
Magic 24.12.05
Saucy
Jack and the Space Vixens has just opened for a limited run at The
Venue, Leicester Square, London. The musical, starring Faye Tozer of
Steps fame, is set in a futuristic cabaret bar. The audience can buy
drinks at the bar, interact with the characters, find a table and enjoy
the show. There's no stage – everything takes place around the audience
and between the tables. It is a story about what happens in Saucy Jack's
cabaret bar, on a particular night, in an unspecified future.
Scott Penrose
was called in to create the magic and illusion sequence; most notably he
designed and created the 'Mystic Mangle of Doom' illusion! The production
is directed by Mike Fidler and is choreographed by Bruno Tonioli who is
well known for judging BBC TV's Strictly Come Dancing. The Metro describes
it as "the hottest show in town!" For further information and ticket sales
visit
www.saucy-jack.co.uk. 24.12.05
Davenport's Christmas Wonder Show
is currently on, and runs through to Tuesday 3rd January. Starring Roy
Davenport, Ali Bongo, Richard Griffin & Hayley Jane, David & Pauline
Conway, Nigel Syer, Deanna Galipo and the Demon Dancers. Auden Theatre,
Gresham's School, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6EA (Map)
Tickets £8.00 - £13.00. To book contact the Auden Theatre Box Office:
01263 713444 or
Click Here for more information. 24.12.05
The
Magic of Jesus, 9pm on Friday 30th December. From Channel 4: "The Bible says that Jesus made water in to wine, fed
5,000 people, and said that faith could move mountains. Can magicians
Barry and Stuart do the same? In this 60-minute Christmas special the
stars of Dirty Tricks undertake their most challenging project to
date as biblical stories become a springboard for the duo to produce some
amazing tricks like raising the dead and walking on water in a 'Holy Land'
location." See TV Magic. 24.12.05
Kidshowmagic.co.uk
have Bill Abbott's 'The Thing' in stock and can also supply a number of
items from the Derek Rutt range. Pictured, 'Winston' the 19'' Baby Gorilla
puppet, and distant relation of King Kong. To see what's new visit:
www.kidshowmagic.co.uk. 24.12.05
RadioMagic's
Boxing Day show at 8pm features Jonathan Goodwin, Andy Nyman, Luke Jermay
and Guy Hollingworth plus the two most requested interviews from previous
shows. Then the following week on Monday January 2nd Jay Fortune and
Layman Steve will be introducing their favourite show since their launch
last Summer. Tune in for a Happy New Year!
www.radiomagic.co.uk. 24.12.05
Graham Lee has two more
Balloon Workshop days coming up. Wednesday
25th January in Sutton, Surrey and Wednesday 22nd February in Rotherham.
10am - 6pm, free admittance. Sempertex Balloons are sponsoring the days in
future, guaranteeing 12 workshops per year for the next three years. For
more information email
grahamleesmagic@blueyonder.co.uk. 24.12.05
Memories of magic days at Christmas... just like that. "How did you instil the magic of Christmas into a Victorian child in the days long before Game Boy, PlayStation 2 and iPod came to the rescue as must-haves under the tree? The trick was to give them conjuring sets, and watch their eyes light up with simple glee." Writes Alan Hamilton in the Times. To read the full story Click Here. 24.12.05
Register for FISM 2006 before January 1st to benefit from
nearly a 10% saving: Now SEK 4,500 from January 1st: SEK 4,975
www.fism.com • The Order of the Magi are once
again organising a Christmas Competition. Visit:
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk
for details • Danny Buckler in Peter Pan,
Click Here •
www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk are having a genuine New Year's Sale
with 10% off all stock for one day only on Monday January 2nd • Romany
regularly reports on her travels in The Magic Circular and you can also
read her articles on her website:
Click Here •
"Magician Uri Geller to address MDA convention"
Click Here • "Illusionist seeks miracles of Jesus"
Click Here • "Special investigates Jesus as potential magician"
Click Here. 24.12.05
Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year to all our readers, all over the
world, from the MagicWeek team: Duncan, Keiko, Amelia (strategic planning) and Louis
(Louis currently runs the MagicWeek complaints department and also heads
the chocolate biscuit acquisition department). Thank you to everyone
who contributed during the year, and very best wishes for 2006. 24.12.05