Number 317 - 22nd July 2006
International
Magic Convention update: Two more names have been added to the line up
of performers appearing at this year's London Convention (November 24th -
26th). James Brown, winner of The Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the
Year 2006, and the man that Luke Jermay describes as "a master of
misdirection and timing" will be performing and lecturing. His
performances are recognised as being full of bold direct effects; the full
thinking behind these effects will be revealed in James's first Convention
lecture. International performer Tina Lenert will present, for the first
time in the UK, her brand new act Simply Magic "One Scarf, Two
Rings, The Music of Stevie Wonder and Astor Piazzola" - an act that
combines mime with classic magic effects, not to be missed! Their names
have been added to previously announced David Regal and Ray Crowe in what
promises to be a convention full of UK premieres and first time
appearances. Whilst the Convention is being held at The Novotel, local
budget based accommodation is available directly across the road at the
Premier Travel Inn. For other hotels in the vicinity
Click Here. For more convention news, and to register visit
www.internationalmagic.com. 22.7.06
An
Evening of Magic and Illusion, Nottingham. On Sunday 17th September
the Nottingham Guild of Magicians once again present "An Evening of Magic
and Illusion" at the Bonington Theatre, Arnold Leisure Centre, Arnold,
Nottingham. "We are delighted to have with us one of the Country's finest
performers and magical thinkers Geoffrey Durham. Geoffrey will be topping
the bill of a star studded evening which also includes International
Illusionists Safire who will be performing their stunning illusion act
along with their latest venture The Living Light Puppet Company, Comedy
Juggler Michael Pearse who makes a return visit after numerous requests
from our lay audience. James Smith with his 'Reflections' manipulation act
and to compere Charlie Petersen - a great comedy act." Show time 7.30pm -
10.00pm, Tickets £12 each. Theatre box office 0115 9670114. As an added
bonus Geoffrey Durham will give a lecture during the afternoon from 2.30pm
- 4.30pm (lecture tickets £7.50 call 0115 9614551) and Michael Pearse will
be present a mini lecture on his signature effect 'Ring on Rope' (only
available to those booking for the Geoffrey Durham lecture).
www.nottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk
www.bonington-theatre.co.uk. 22.7.06
Scoop.
The theme of magic in the movies continues with Scoop, the new
comedy from Woody Allen starring Woody Allen, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett
Johansson, and Ian McShane. An American college journalist (Scarlett
Johansson) on holiday in London attends a performance of the Great
Splendini (Woody Allen) and agrees to participate on stage. Whilst inside
"the Dematerializer" she encounters the spirit of a dead journalist who
tells her of a handsome British aristocrat and notorious murderer. With
the magician, she decides to infiltrate his privileged world and find out
if he truly is a dreaded criminal, in search of her "scoop." In a recent
interview Woody Allen said "Magic is just something that always was a
little junk-tooth interest of mine. I liked it when I was a kid, and I've
grown up as a sucker for it. It always strikes me as amusing and
interesting, and I'm always taken with the kind of cheesy-looking Japanese
red lacquered boxes and silk handkerchiefs and swords and cards and silver
rings and all the apparatus that give it an exotic look." Scott Penrose
was the magic consultant, spending a couple of weeks on the production,
and coaching Woody Allen. The movie premieres in the US and is slated for
a UK release later this year. 22.7.06
Paul
Daniels, Roy Davenport and Oz Pearlman will all be appearing at the
Ipswich Magical Society One Day Convention on Sunday October 22nd at
Needham Market (near Ipswich). All three will present lectures, perform
close-up magic and appear in the International Gala Show. Registration
will be £25 which includes a free ticket to the Gala Show if purchased
before October 1st. After October 1st Gala Show tickets will be sold to
the general public and they expect to sell out, so book early to avoid
disappointment. For more information
Click Here or contact Simon Shaw on 01394 270838. 22.7.06
One
Night in Vegas - Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th July. Martyn Lucas
Proudly Presents One Night in Vegas. "With beautiful dancing girls,
spectacular costumes, big band swing and powerful musical numbers, this
show has been wowing audiences across the whole country! Featuring a full
West End cast. If you like it big, glitzy and glamorous then this show is
for you with its dazzling lights and special effects. Starring the
outstanding showmanship of singer/songwriter Martyn Lucas and his grand
piano. With the voices of Robbie Williams, Elton John, Paul McCartney,
Pavarotti, Cliff Richard, Neil Diamond and Michael Crawford, he brings you
favourites from the musicals. Add to this the illusionary skills of a
British Magical Champion Daniel Dean, assisted by the fabulous showgirls,
as he performs breathtaking illusions which won him the title. Princess
Pavilion, Falmouth 23rd and 24th July. Tickets £12.00 Box Office: 01326
211222
www.onenightinvegas.co.uk. 22.7.06
Uri
Geller can be seen across Japan in a new series of Nissan commercials.
Uri talks about his work, his first appearance in Japan 35 years ago, the
campaign and more in a collection of online video clips:
Click
Here. 22.7.06
New!
Colour Change Waistcoat. Lee Alex, British illusionist, translator and
co-author of the book "Quick Change - rapid costume changes for men!"
releases his first independent Quick Change item to the magic fraternity.
The "Colour Change Waistcoat" changes from red to white to blue and has an
optional patriotic finale. The final design comes in a choice of designs;
either red, white and blue stripes, the "Union Jack" (pictured) or the
American "Stars and Stripes." During the performance nothing is ever added
or taken away, there is no reset so the colour change may be performed ad
infinitum throughout your performance. The "Colour Change Waistcoat" is
ideal for illusionists, manipulators, stand-ups, children's entertainers,
dove workers, close-up magicians, clowns, emcees and so on. Well-known
German Quick Change artiste Lex Schoppi (Sven Schoppenhauer) describes Lee
Alex's waistcoat as "genius!" The waistcoat is available for delivery in
August and currently pre-orders are being taken with a 10% discount. All
waistcoats are delivered by special courier. Full details and a video of
the effect cam be seen at Lee's new website:
www.magicwaistcoat.com. 22.7.06
David
Penn launched the new Hyundai Santa Fe (7 seater) exclusively to the
world's media at the British International Motor Show at London ExCel last
week. After the appearance of the Santa Fe, David made two groups of seven
girls appear in the previously empty car while members of the press
surrounded it and held onto all the doors! This production highlighted the
fact that the Santa Fe now has a 7 seat model, as well as the original,
best selling, 5 seater. This unique illusion was conceived and designed by
David Penn and built by Paul Cooke.
www.davidpenn.co.uk. 22.7.06
Doubting
locals miss the magic. "A village hall in Norfolk which has booked
legendary magician Paul Daniels to appear on the bill is struggling to
sell tickets - because locals believe its a magic act. So far organisers
have only managed to sell 40 tickets out of about 180 because local people
think an impersonator will be taking to the stage on September 1." To read
the full story from ITV
Click Here. 22.7.06
Tony
Binarelli UK lecture tour. Colin Peters is organising the first ever
UK lecture tour for Tony Binarelli (8th - 28th May, 2007). "Presenting
'Class Act' The Tony Binarelli Lecture. In Italy the word 'magic' is
synonymous among the general public with the name Tony Binarelli. From
1991 to 1996 he performed in 'Buona Domenica' a television show that won
high ratings and his appearances did much to relaunch an interest in magic
shows in Italy. His success won him the Telegatto Award, the Italian TV
Oscar, the only time it has been given to an Italian magician. Tony
Binarelli has been performing magic since 1952 and turned professional in
1972. He is often called upon to consult and create special effects for
theatre and film, and works constantly in theatres, convention centres and
festivals throughout Europe. The quality of Tony's work is confirmed by
the many international awards that have been presented to him. The two
hour lecture features top quality mental and card effects using subtlety
rather than sleight of hand, together with a presentation of Tony's
close-up act, as featured in The Magic Circle Centenary celebrations, with
explanations. Plus lecture notes, props and DVDs. For more information,
and to book, contact Colin Peters 01306 883938
colinpeters@themagiccircle.co.uk. 22.7.06
ChildrensPartyShows.co.uk The UK Directory of Children's
Party Entertainers is visited by thoudsands of bookers per week. Advertisers tell us that
it is producing a constant stream of work. To advertise on Children's Party Shows see
the link on the contact page:
www.childrenspartyshows.co.uk. Some recent unsolicited emails: "I have
been very impressed with the response." Matthew J (The Magic Matt Show),
"I am very impressed by the amount of bookings I get from your website -
probably about 75%, thank you very much." Elisa Eve (Jelly Tots). "Since I
subscribed to your website the interest and success has been quite
remarkable. The site really works." Wacky the Wizard. "24 hours on the
directory and I had my first booking!! Superb!! Many thanks." Andy Green.
"40% more bookings than from yell.com at one tenth of the price. I'm
dropping yell.com!" Ian Marriot.
www.childrenspartyshows.co.uk (from the makers of MagicWeek). 22.7.06
Water
To Cola (Improved) by Diego Voltini. "This incredible 3-phase routine
is the most practical and natural method to change one liquid into
another. You begin by displaying and drinking from a bottle of drinking
water. Unscrewing its white cap, you then visibly change its color to red,
and then immediately show both hands empty! Taking the red cap, you then
screw it back onto the water bottle and give the bottle a shake. Visually,
the water bottle label transforms into a cola label! Now for the kicker:
you give the bottle a few shakes, and the water visually and instantly
changes into cola, which can then be poured from the bottle!" For more
information and to order visit
www.my-magicshop.com. 22.7.06
Steve
Dela (current Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year) has added
lecturing to an already impressive CV and is now taking bookings from
magic clubs. The lecture includes presentational tips, advice on
routining, original magic, mentalism effects and a "hands on" workshop
session so that everyone actually tries out the magic. Contact Steve via
his website for more information:
www.stevedela.co.uk.
Steve has recently launched a new product called Texture Spray:
"The most sophisticated hand lotion ever created for magicians. This
formula has been honed to perfection over 3 years. Starting from scratch
Steve Dela was on a mission to produce a hand spray for the working
magician that would sort out dry or wet hands! The result is 'Texture
Spray' one of the few sprays in the world that you could spray directly
onto your playing cards without fear of ruining them!" For more
information and to order visit
www.magic-mirror.co.uk. 22.7.06
David
Stone
lectures at the Liverpool Magic Circle on November 9th. Visitors £6.00,
members £4.00 (includes free raffle ticket). 8pm start, no entry to late
comers until the interval. A dress code applies, see
www.liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk for more information 22.7.06
Congratulations
to Bill Burch. The Ipswich Magical Society would like to congratulate
Bill Burch who recently won their 2006 Children's Entertainer of the Year
Award. This is the third time in four years that Bill has won, even though
the competition seems to get stronger each year.
www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk. 22.7.06
Adventures
of Romany... Keep up to date as the adventure continues, visit:
www.romanymagic.com • Mike Danata's Magic Studio are expecting stocks
of The Black Widow shortly. Visit
www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk to find out what it's all about and
to watch a video demo (see "Just In") • Marc Salem - On Second Thoughts
is reviewed by Mandy Davis
Click Here and by Dominic Maxwell in The Times
Click Here by Charles Spencer in the Telegraph
Click Here by Michael Billington in the Guardian
Click Here and by Bruce Dessau in the Evening Standard
Click Here • Marc Spelmann's recent lecture at the Ipswich Magical
Society is reviewed by Simon Shaw this week
Click Here • "Vietnam
magician conjures up dim prospect for prestidigitation"
Click Here • "Magic joins the marvels of the Costa del Sol"
Click Here • "Juggling world in a spin over future of the 'sport'"
Click Here • That's it! See you next week,
Duncan. 22.7.06