Number 306 - 6th May 2006
Billy
McComb 1922 - 2006. Billy McComb died in hospital on April 30th 2006.
One of magic's real characters, I first saw his act at Ron's Day in 1973,
when I was 14. I remember that he performed a ring vanish with a wand and
a borrowed handkerchief... 31 years later we were both on the same bill at
the annual Magic Circle Supper in London and he tore the room apart, but
this time I can't remember what he did at all - other than how brilliantly
funny he was! Very generous with his advice, and equally generous with his
magic related stories (many unrepeatable!) he will be greatly missed by
his many friends in magic. Steve Dacri has posted a fitting piece on his
website
Click Here, and magicians from all over the world have contributed
their memories on the Genii Forum,
Click Here. 6.5.06
The
Magic Circle staged their annual Close-up Magician of the Year
Competition on Monday evening. Bournemouth based magician
James Brown came
first with a fast-moving free-flowing commercial act, jam packed with
magic. James has a DVD coming out shortly. In complete contrast William
Houstoun (2nd) worked silently and deliberately to music, with a carefully
crafted piece that captivated the whole audience. Very magical he was too.
And finally Tim Shoesmith came third with his own easy humour and gentle
performing style. This was one of the best competitions in recent years
standards wise, with eight acts competing in all (I think it was eight).
Many congratulations to all three winners. William Houstoun was also
deservedly awarded the special originality award.
www.themagiccircle.co.uk. 6.5.06
Derren
Brown Something Wicked This Way Comes to the Hammersmith
Carling Apollo on Friday 26th May and Saturday 27th May. Booking line:
0870 606 3400. This is your last chance to see the Olivier Award Winning
Show in a mammoth venue that is normally reserved for rock bands. You've
got to see him live...
www.derrenbrown.co.uk. 6.5.06
York Magic Festival
(17th - 21st May) have just released their programme details. A varied
lineup of close-up magicians, street performers, children's entertainers,
mind readers, art exhibitions and films has been announced. The five-day
event will celebrate one of the world's oldest performance arts.
Organisers believe the festival is one of the first of its kind in the UK
and venues will range from city centre bars to art galleries. York
Racecourse, whose May Race Festival coincides with the Magic Festival, are
hosting a magician on all three days of their event. The event also
features Laura London (photo), the youngest female magician to join The
Magic Circle. Festival director Tom Sharp said "from medieval street
performers to Victorian stage conjurers, magic has always been a popular
performance art. The York Magic Festival aims to be a showcase for some of
the UK's most exciting magicians." For more information visit
www.yorkmagicfestival.com. 6.5.06
The
House of Magic (UK) is now advertising with MagicWeek. Officially
opened on September 22nd 2001 by Wayne Dobson the business has grown and
now offers online ordering and even a magic school. It is owned by John
Milner and Tracie Hughes, who both began their interest in magic as
children. Today as well as running the shop they are also busy as working
professional performers, mainly in the corporate market. The aim of the
shop is to encourage new blood and help fellow magicians whenever
possible. John was fortunate to have a friend and mentor in Ken Brooke,
who taught him for many years, and Tracie learnt his magic from John. The
team also set up The School of Wizardry in January 2003. Classes
are held fortnightly, on Wednesday evenings, following academic term times
- except that at this school all pupils are sworn to secrecy! The shop is
on the outskirts of Stourbridge and is open most days from 10am to 5pm,
but if you are travelling any distance it is always best to phone first.
They also have a website, offering magic to order online and information
about the shop and The School of Wizardry. Visit
www.houseofmagicuk.com today! 6.5.06
David Wood - Childs Play
It Ain't. Children's playwright, actor and magician David Wood OBE presents the
lecture seen at last year's Magic Circle Centenary at 8pm on Tuesday 9th
May at the Pentacle Club. Accompanied by his pianist Peter Pontzen,
David explains his approach to entertaining children with magic. Venue: St
Laurences School, Arbury Road, Cambridge, CB4 2JX (Map)
Tickets £5 for non-members. Contact Alan Maskell, Secretary, on 01223
462647
alanmaskell@themagiccircle.co.uk For more on David visit
www.davidwood.org.uk. 6.5.06
Congratulations
to Gary Jones on winning the 2006 Devon Magic Circle Close-up
Competition. Gary has a very busy schedule; he's flying out to Lisbon May
7th to perform at a one day logistics trade show, then on to Madrid to
perform at the Madrid International Fashion Week (May 9th-12th). Gary is
now taking bookings for his lecture, No Frills Just Pure Magic,
contact: gary@garyjonesmagic.com. 6.5.06
Radio
Magic launch two new features. First a new Book and DVD review
feature, where Jay Fortune (photo) and Jon Randall will be reviewing magic
books and DVDs, both old and new. And second, a new section where
listeners will receive on-air magic advice from Radio Magic's Agony
Uncle... Paul Gordon! Plus, you could "win the pot" in "Layman's Tease" -
the money in the pot increases every week with each wrong answer, but the
eventual winner will be able to spend it all with Alakazam Magic. Visit
www.radiomagic.co.uk
for more details. 6.5.06
Amethyst
cruising for P&O. Amethyst have just finished cruising in the Canaries
onboard the Oceana with their Escapology and Illusion show and have more
dates lined up for P&O throughout the summer, together with dates on the
mainland. Visit
www.amethyst-illusions.com or
www.pocruises.com
for more information. Tomorrow (Sunday May 7th) they can be seen at the
Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top, Huddersfield HD3 3RH (Map)
appearing alongside The American Drifters and comedian Kev Duncan at the
National Federation of Fish Friers Presidents Banquet & Ball. Tickets are
£29.50 from Nigel Male
nigelmale@aol.com (cabaret, four course dinner, and not a plate of
fish and chips in sight!).
6.5.06
Professional
Performance Case to Table. Designed and built by Jonathon Walker for
Alakazam Magic: "No more bending down to reach props! Includes an easy
access drawer for smaller props (or can be used as an impromptu servante).
The case is mounted on high quality casters for easy transportation and
the lid is held in place with key lockable metal clasps for added
security. Plus... because of the unique design whereby the lower half
forms the table's top, you will always have a clean performance surface as
during transportation, as it is protected by the outer casing." For more
information and to order visit
www.alakazam.co.uk. 6.5.06
The
Ipswich Magical Society are pleased to be hosting a Dealer Dem by
Peter Nardi and the team from Alakazam
www.alakazam.co.uk
on Monday 15th May. Guests are welcome, but please contact the secretary
first,
Click Here. This event will take place at the Holiday Inn, Ipswich. 6.5.06
Marc
Oberon presents his one man show at the
Nottingham Arts Theatre on July 1st. The show will include the act
that he will be performing at FISM, his Back Art act, manipulation,
illusions and mind magic. Plus a short spot from Marc's 8 year old son
Xavier. Tickets are available from the box office 0115 947 6096 Show times
2pm and 7.30pm. Prices: £10 (concessions £8). Last year was a complete
sell out, so book early! 6.5.06
Merlin's
Secret special performance. Following a very successful tour, there
will be a special performance of Merlin's Secret (featuring Doctor Bondini
as Merlin) at the Carmarthen Merlin Festival on Saturday 10th June 2006.
The venue is the Lyric Theatre, the time 4pm. Box Office 0845 226 3509.
"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
swordcraft, but the magician keeps back one vital secret! Doctor Bondini
plays the role of Merlin in this fully staged play full of magic, grand
illusion, song and dance. There is drama, comedy, audience participation,
Bondini’s doves... and his own pet dragon! This performance is a prelude
to a major magic event at the 2007 festival which will include a unique
stage competition to award the title ‘Merlin of the Year’, together with a
significant cash prize. The event will be staged by Carmarthen Festivals
in association with PMB Productions, the production company responsible
for Merlin’s Secret and The Fabulous Magic of Doctor Bondini." More
details will be released within the next few weeks. 6.5.06
Magicseen
issue 8 is out now, featuring top illusionist and escape artiste
Shahid Malik. "We take you on a trip to Shahid's unique house and get an
insight into his highly successful career as a professional performer. As
well as this we talk to Richard Leigh, owner of False Impressions, and
find out what it is really like running a theatre, we spend a slightly
disturbing time routing around inside the brain of comedy magician John
Archer, plus we send Deputy Editor Graham Hey off into the Phone Box with
30p to have a quick chat with controversial TV magicians Barry and
Stuart." And loads more! Visit
www.magicseen.co.uk
to subscribe. 6.5.06
The
North West Commercial Close Up Forum: 12th November 2006. Following
the sell out success of the inaugural Commercial Close Up Forum which was
held in Newbury, Berkshire last January, Mark Leveridge is pleased to
announce that he, Martin Sanderson and Nicholas Einhorn will be repeating
the day on Sunday 12th November 2006 at the Floatel, Northwich, Cheshire.
The North West Commercial Close Up Forum will repeat the formula used in
Newbury so that the limited number of registrants will be divided into
three groups and receive performances and lectures from all three of the
presenters, plus will be able to take part in the Forum Discussion when
everyone comes together at the end of the day. The content of the day
deals with all aspects of working close-up commercially and covers
everything from successful ways to work tables, to mix and mingle
techniques, to how to deal with corporate bookings. Online registrations
are being taken now,
Click Here. 6.5.06
A
Jumbo Magic Auction is being held on Tuesday 16th May, 2006 run by
Manchester Circle of Magicians. Please note the early start time of 6.30pm
due to the large quantity of goods on offer. The venue is Salford Masonic
Hall, Hemsley House, 41 The Crescent, Salford, Manchester. Star
Auctioneers are Mike Shepherd and Derek Lever. For further details email
deriko@webaplomb.com or call
Derek Lever on 01253 810113. 6.5.06
Congratulations
to brother and sister act Hi-Jinx from Huddersfield, winners of the
West Lancs. Stage Magician of the Year competition held on April 23rd.
Manipulator Stuart Brown was placed second. For a full report of the
competition and convention
Click
Here. Ace Magic Circle President Roy Critchley would like to thank
everyone for making the day a great success. 6.5.06
Ravi
Mayar performed at the recent Flora London Marathon 2006. He was the
first magician to be hired for the event and will now be hired every year
to entertain. For more on Ravi and what he's up to visit:
www.ravimayar.com. 6.5.06
The
Balloon Man, Mike Stokes of Playtime Balloons, will be walking the 50
mile Test Way in aid of Tickled Pink Breast Cancer Charity starting
on June 5th. All sponsorship gratefully received. Mike has just been
booked to lecture at the Millennium Jam 2007
www.playtimeballoons.com. 6.5.06
Mid
Essex Magical Society held their annual Close-up Competition last
Thursday at their headquarters in the Cricketers Pub, Danbury, Essex. An
unprecedented 11 magicians competed this year in a an enjoyable and
closely-fought competition. The eventual winner was Richard Graham
(photo), adding this crown to the Sorcerers Sorcerers title he won two
months ago. Richard's act included Three Fly, a Ring 'n' String routine,
Hopping Halves, Pinnacle and a card transposition. The runner-up was John
O'Riordan and Colin Davies and Gavin Davey tied for third place. 6.5.06
The
Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show,
Wonderworks, International Drive, Orlando, USA. Neil Bonner emails: If you
happen to find yourself in Orlando, Florida, this summer, a night out at
Wonderworks is a must for magicians and non-magicians alike. For a family
show in what is very much a holiday town, you might expect the fair on
offer to be a little tame. But there's nothing bland or safe about The
Liars – Danny Devaney and Tony Brent. These guys can happily keep children
entertained – a major feat in itself - yet at the same time, their antics
are so off-the-wall, it's a wonder they haven’t been snapped up for their
own TV series on Channel 4. Although their routines are perfectly
executed, their style is delightfully bizarre. So much so that you feel
you are witnessing a one-off event rather than just another performance in
a long residency. Top tricks, a quick-change routine and even some comedy
juggling make it a great night out!
www.wonderworksonline.com. 6.5.06
Durham Society of Magicians (an affiliated society of Northern Magic Circle) would like to congratulate member Robert Temple on winning the N.M.C. 50th Easter Parade Stage Competition on their behalf. In 2004 Robert also represented Durham Society of Magicians in Blackpool Magicians' Club's Seaside Sorcery Convention where he won the British Inter-Society Magical Stage Championship and was runner-up in the close-up. 6.5.06
Matt shows it's a kind of magic. "A stage hypnotist and street magician from Bolton is set on becoming the next celebrity magic act. Matt Grindley trained as a baker when he left school but his love of magic soon saw him taking to the stage in Blackpool, entertaining crowds with his clever sleight of hand and mind tricks." To read the full story by Paul Keaveny in This is Lancashire Click Here. 6.5.06
Edinburgh Fringe. Richard Leigh is presenting a week of pre Edinburgh magic shows at The Magic Cavern in London between August 1st - 5th. Shows currently booked for the week are 'Malcolm Marvelle - Master of Mystery and the lovely Rita' (Currently playing at The Jermyn Street Theatre in the West End) and Chris Cox (from Radio One). If you're heading up to Edinburgh in the Summer and would like to preview your act in London first contact richard@falseimpressions.com for details. 6.5.06
Martin
Sanderson: The Business. Martin's new DVD is reviewed by Gary Young
this week, Click Here •
The South Shields International Magic Convention is reviewed by Roni
Shachnaey, Click Here •
David Blaine updates: From CNet: "Performance artist and magician David
Blaine interacts with spectators of all ages on day three of his challenge
to live underwater for a week in an eight-foot acrylic sphere in New York
City's Lincoln Center."
Click Here •
"Magician Spending Week In Water-Filled Sphere" (includes video clip)
Click Here •
David Blaine: Drowned Alive? From DeeperBlue.net
Part I,
Part II,
Part III •
That's it! See you next week, Duncan. 6.5.06