Number 294 - 11th February 2006
How
to Handle Hecklers: The complete guide to dealing with every
performers worst nightmare has just been published - today! Since turning professional 20 years ago Keith
Fields has worked more comedy clubs than just about any other magician in
the country, with hundreds and hundreds of performances at the Comedy
Store in London's West End, Jongleurs night clubs across the
UK, and perhaps the toughest of them all, the infamous Tunnel Palladium.
How to Handle Hecklers takes all that hard-won audience experience
and packs it into 120 brilliant pages of solid advice, notes, and killer
put-downs. How to Handle Hecklers is reviewed this week, and
there's a special offer on all orders placed in February,
Click Here. 11.2.06
Pilot
points to a magic Saturday night. "Children’s presenter Dominic Wood
(photo) and Dancing on Ice host Holly Willoughby are to star in a
new Saturday night magic show for BBC1. Magic Maniacs, which will
also feature Dirty Tricks magicians Alistair Cook and Pete Firman,
is to be made by Objective Productions and is still at the pilot stage but
if it proves a success it could herald the return of the genre to
mainstream television." To read the full story by Liz Thomas in The
Stage
Click Here. 11.2.06
Kernow
Magic are now advertising with MagicWeek. As well as their newly
launched website they also have a bricks and mortar magic shop in Cornwall
and in March will be staging two special events starring Jeff McBride (see
What's On). Kernow Magic have also just
completed an agreement with
Magicseen
magazine to sponsor them for the next few years. Visit:
www.kernowmagic.co.uk today! 11.2.06
Rentaghost the Musical
goes on tour this month. Written by Joe Pasquale and directed by Terry
Morrison, with Stuart and Jayne Loughland (aka Safire) presenting the
magic. See What's On for dates.
www.rentaghostthemusical.com. 11.2.06
The
Shropshire Magic Society's Stage Magic Competition was held on
February 7th at the Lord Hill Hotel, Shrewsbury. Congratulations to Senior
Stage Magic Competition winners Kane and Able (far left and far right) and
Junior Stage Magic Competition winner Joe Ray. The presentations were made
by President Geoff Ray.
www.shropshiremagic.com. 11.2.06
Rare
Opportunity. House of Illusion, Spain, are once again looking for
magicians for the Summer and will be holding auditions on Monday February
27th, at the Ruskin Hotel, Blackpool. This year they are offering a
permanent position for the season and also guest spots (minimum 1 week).
The House of Illusion is a purpose built magical dinner theatre, now in
its third year. The evening includes close-up magic, comedy magic,
mentalism, singers, and the theatre show. The House of Illusion is
situated in Salou on the Costa Daurada, which is about one hour from
Barcelona. Audition hotline: 0034 977 380940 or 0034639512841 or email:
summer2006@houseofillusion.net. Visit
www.houseofillusion.net for more information. 11.2.06
Balloon
Modelling in Cornwall. Mike Stokes of
Playtime
Balloons is hosting a free teaching day sponsored by Qualatex at The
Carlyon Bay Hotel, St. Austell on Wednesday March 29th from 10am to 5pm.
Admission by ticket, limited to 25. Complimentary tea and coffee. For more
information email
info@playtimeballoons.com. 11.2.06
Stuart
Watkins is seen here with Lenny Henry following performances at the
Sickle Cell charity ball in Swansea, which resulted in Lenny booking
Stuart for a private family function later in the year.
www.livemagic.co.uk. 11.2.06
James
Brown lectures for members of the DownTown Magic Club on 13th March.
Visitors from other magic clubs are welcome and on production of a
membership card will benefit from a reduced entrance charge. The doors
open at 7.30pm, lecture starts at 8pm. The DownTown Magic Club, Park
Street, Ashford, Kent, Contact: Miki Travis 01233 620120
mikitravis@ntlworld.com
www.downtownmagicclub.co.uk. 11.2.06
Trevor
Duffy lectures at the Ipswich Magical Society on Monday, February 20th
www.trevorduffy.co.za. Guests are welcome, but please contact the
secretary first:
www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk. 11.2.06
Congratulations
to Dave Stevenson, winner of the Tom Laws Close-up Competition staged
by the Wolverhampton
Circle of Magicians on Wednesday, February 1st. The competition was
close-run and enjoyed by over eighty members, friends and families. Seven
magicians competed and overall the magical standard was reported as good,
with only a few points separating the top four entrants. 11.2.06
Jon
Allen has just returned form Marrakech, Morocco, where he and his
colleagues in Cards, Cut-outs and Caricatures where invited to entertain
at a conference. Quite a challenge as the delegates, from 21 different
countries, spoke a total of 16 different languages!
www.close-upmagician.com. 11.2.06
Brian
Caswell creator of Phil Plus and the 2005 best seller
Trilogy will be lecturing at Magical Mayhem, The Sun Hotel, Hitchin on
March 9th at 7.30pm (Map).
Presenting new twists on tricks with rope, ribbon, paddles, envelopes and
of course cards, Brian will perform and explain his own effects old and
new, and will also feature new original effects that have yet to be
released. For more information contact Martin Daubney on 079904 114 778 or
email
magical.mayhem@ntlworld.com. 11.2.06
Adam
Steinfeld has introduced a new illusion into his show in Aruba,
designed by England's Mark Parker. A girl steps into a tiny box which is
elevated into the air and spun through 360 degrees - whereupon she
vanishes without a trace! Designed by Mark Parker
www.4-effect.com
fabricated by
www.ozillusions.com, Visit
www.magiclive.com
for more information. 11.2.06
Brand
new from Black Artefacts: "Wee Ja is a great effect using a miniature
(10cm x 15cm) Ouija board and planchette. Just the size to carry around in
your pocket. It can be used as a ‘stand alone’ effect or as part of a
psychic reading. Under your complete control, you can use it to spell out
words and messages. Wee Ja can be used for many effects and
presentations." For more information visit:
www.blackhart.co.uk. 11.2.06
Nice
work if you can get it... Sav was 'summoned' to Abu Dhabi in January
for four days performing at an exclusive venue for "top VIPs" at a New
Year's Party and was subsequently asked to appear for an interview on
Dubai's International Infinity TV Channel, which was broadcast around the
Gulf. Earlier this month he found himself performing for Elle Macpherson
and Sarah Jessica Parker at a Children's Charity event followed by the
hottest event of the year - the Loaded magazine 'Showgirl of the Year
Party' where he performed for page 3 stunners Lucy Pinder and Michelle
Marsh. Meanwhile he's just returned from a five day event in Helsinki...
"thank god for the double lift and top change" said Sav!
www.sav-uk.com. 11.2.06
Last
chance to see Jonathan Allen's series of life-sized photographic
portraits of malevolent gospel magician Tommy Angel at David Risley
Gallery, 45 Vyner Street, London E2 9DQ Telephone 0208 980 2202. Open
Thursday - Sunday 12noon - 6pm or by appointment. Ends February 19th.
(Guardian Online review
Click Here). Described as "a meeting of Billy Graham and David
Copperfield via Donald Rumsfeld," Allen/Angel performed live to a
three-thousand strong audience at Tate Britain at the beginning of the
month. "Tommy Angel's suggestive white-tipped wand in the shape of a cross
is a skeleton key which opens a forbidden door between Christendom's long
history and the history of stage-crafted illusion." A series of Allen's
photographs are published in February's
Magic Magazine, with a feature exploring the crossovers between the
visual, photographic, and magical arts.
www.tommyangel.net. 11.2.06
Totally
Canned was released by
www.mreenterprises.co.uk two years ago, and created by Eddie Burke ten
years ago: "You borrow a banknote, a finger ring and a watch from the
audience. Unfortunately in a series of mishaps the three borrowed items
are 'accidentally' damaged and go missing... swiftly passing onto your
next effect you introduce several cans of fruit and vegetables. A selected
can is opened with a tin opener and low and behold all the actual missing
items are found inside!" Price £10.00, email
info@mreenterprises.co.uk for ordering details. 11.2.06
International
News. Headlining Las Vegas magician and funny man Mac King, whose show
is a favourite for parents and children alike, has teamed up with toy
maker Fundex to create a series of magic tricks based on his comic strip,
Mac King's Magic in a Minute. The colourful line of 11 fun and easy
magic tricks will debut at the International Toy Fair, on February 12th,
in New York City, where King will appear in person to speak about his
latest venture with Fundex and demonstrate the tricks.
www.magicinaminute.com. 11.2.06
Hon. Vice President of The Magic Circle Mac Wilson MIMC passed away on Monday 6th February, he was 90. Alan Maskell writes: Mac did an enormous amount of work for The Magic Circle; in Chenies Mews days he was the Clubroom supervisor as well as deputy Secretary and did so much for the regular "At Homes" too. He was always on hand with the latter, often hosting the event and presenting his 'History of Mystery' slide lecture during the evening. He would also take this lecture out to groups, library talks etc., raising awareness of The Magic Circle and bringing in more audiences for the "At Homes" so successfully that they were booked up a year or more in advance. It was Mac who got me involved in these evenings and I will always be grateful for his many kindnesses. If I was asked to select a particular memory it would be of the time I went along to see one of his library talks in North Finchley on a cold winters evening. The room was packed and, after the slide lecture, he performed a number of effects including the Chinese linking rings. During the routine he walked into the audience and handed every ring out for examination at the same time, which certainly raised a few eyebrows. Although he didn't know I was going and nothing had been planned before hand, as he passed me, he gave me the key to 'examine' - I liked that! Following his retirement, Mac had returned to Scotland with his wife Madge, who passed away some years ago. I understand Mac's funeral will take place on Monday, 13th February, 1.30pm at Falkirk Crematorium. Flowers to William Scott, Woodville House, 30 Ladiesmill, Falkirk FK2 9AU. I, for one, will not forget him. Alan Maskell, 9th February 2006. 11.2.06
Magicians wanted, for a restaurant in Kent every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. "The pay is reasonably high for table hopping. You need to have at least a couple of years worth of experience in this field and you will probably be required to audition." Contact Peter Stephens for details: magicianamazing@yahoo.com. 11.2.06
Henry Evans lectures at Watford Association of Magicians at 7pm on Sunday 5th March. Non members are welcome, charge: £10. WAM HQ: Bricket Wood near St Albans, Hertfordshire (Map). For more information contact John Wright: 01923 689152 bigj@redmail.com. 11.2.06
"Tricks of the Trade - Hustler Scot has taught stars like Sly and Charlize." Click Here • Freddie Wilkinson reviews Neil Haywood's recent Comedy in Magic lecture at The Nottingham Guild of Magicians, Click Here • Hypnotist Jonathan Royle has updated www.box12.net with new products and, for the next seven days, drastically reduced prices! • Giles Cartwright reviews Paul Gordon's recent lecture Click Here • "How to stay off the suckers' list. As scammers employ ever-more sophisticated ways to con people out of their hard-earned cash, how can you avoid being duped?" Click Here • Mike Danata's Magic Studio have added online ordering to their website. All online orders will receive a free trick to the value of £7.99 for the entire month of February! Visit www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk • Magic forum 'The Magic Woods' have added some new sections to their forum: www.themagicwoods.co.uk • Paul Kieve is currently is Toronto where he has been working on the most ambitious theatrical project in history, The Lord Of The Rings, which is scheduled to open in London in 2007. "The Lord of the Rings: they really like it" Click Here • That's it, your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 11.2.06