Number 319 - 5th August 2006
Houdini
The Musical... coming June 2007 to the West End. "This ground breaking
new musical will be dealing with the last month of Harry Houdini's life. With
stories of betrayed friendships, love, romance,
sacrifice and sinister plots - from the golden age of variety, when the magician topped the
bill... and will again." For more information visit
www.smileproductions.co.uk. 5.8.06
"Aren't
you Martin Sanderson?"... "Aren't you Harry Potter?" Top corporate
magician Martin Sanderson, entertaining Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe
a couple of weeks ago at an event in London. "One minute I was
entertaining the crowd, the next I was swapping tricks with Harry Potter
star Daniel Radcliffe, on screen the greatest wizard ever, off screen a
keen magician and one of the nicest guys in the world." said Martin.
Martin
Sanderson was recently made a Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold
Star.
www.sanderson-magic.com. 5.8.06
Illusionist
Keelan Leyser and his partner and assistant Charlotte Marie are about
to embark on a UK tour performing their fusion of illusion and dance in
theatres around the UK accompanying Basil Brush in a show called The
Fox Factor - 110 shows between July 25th and November 19th. Details of
dates and venues can be found on Keelan's website
www.keelanleyser.co.uk. Keelan has launched a new DVD to coincide with the tour called The
TriX Factor which can be
purchased from
www.magictricks.co.uk. The show is produced by Sooty presenter and
former illusionist Richard Cadell. 5.8.06
The
Rough Guide to FISM 2006... "Just before I grapple with the Stockholm
public transport system once again, I thought I would put this picture of
my breakfast online for the benefit of Noel Britten who told us last night
of a stand up comedian who was showing the other acts via a picture taken
on his phone how good his breakfast was at his bed and breakfast." It can
only be the boys from Opus with their Tales from the Wagon... for
the lowdown on FISM 2006 visit
www.opusmagazine.co.uk. For the latest FISM news visit
www.fism.com - many
congratulations to Eddie Dawes on his History & Research Award. 5.8.06
The
Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Competition has been run by
The Magic Circle every other year since 1961. Entry forms will shortly be available to
apply enter the competition in 2007, which is open to all young
magicians who can present an 8 to 12 minute stage act and who will be over 14
and under 18 on 1st January 2007. Heats will take place on Sunday
15th April 2007 and the final is on Sunday 15th July 2007 at The Magic
Circle Headquarters in London. Entry forms will be available from Dr
Michael Colley, MIMC on 01367 252482
michaelcolley@themagiccircle.co.uk from 1st September this year. The winner
is awarded the title 'The Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year' and
receives the Derrick Speight Trophy and, on reaching 18, plus four years
of fully paid up membership to The Magic Circle. Previous winners include Johnny Hart,
Colin Rose, Russ Stevens, Richard Griffin, Andrew O'Connor, Dominic Wood, Paul Dabek
and, the current holder, Steve Dela, to name but a few. (On a personal note I rate this
competition as the most significant competition in British magic by far.
One that has encouraged and promoted a wealth of talent and helped launch
many a successful career in the process. Duncan) 5.8.06
James
Prince is featured in Magic Profile this week.
"Top Trick? Rather an obvious answer but its got to be Cups and Balls.
Ive used it for well over 20 years, in all circumstances for all
audiences, at table and walk-round. It inspires instant interest and
recognition and yet is hardly used these days, which suits me just fine.
It can be presented using solid silver cups (thanks Brett) or impromptu
using coffee cups and sugar lumps." To read the full profile
Click Here. 5.8.06
At
That Funny Stage, A Book of Original Comedy Material for the
Working Performer by Graham Hey (comedy mentalist and Deputy Editor of
Magicseen) is a new ebook of original comedy material for the working
performer, published by
www.trickshop.com. "Whether you specialise in magical comedy or are
just looking for some 'adlibs' you can use at various points in your act,
this book is for you. Choose from over 250 original one-liners, ideas and
visual gags from MC introductions and opening lines to gags that fit a
wide array of performance situations; including a number of brilliant
heckler put-downs. Please don't confuse this book with the tired old
collections of lame magic gags that have been recycled to death and lines
that are so bad, they often elicit moans instead of laughter. This is
razor-sharp, adult comedy material for close-up, cabaret, comedy clubs,
and more." For more information and to order online visit
www.trickshop.com. 5.8.06
Pyrofreak
is a revolutionary electronic device for lighting flash paper and flash
string from
www.my-magicshop.com. "Show your hands empty and produce flashes of
fire! Produce fire from different objects! Use your mental powers and
light a piece of paper! Transform a piece of paper into a chosen card!
Only limited by your imagination!" Also from My-MagicShop, Shuriken
Card "a new flying card that will blow your spectators away!" and
The 7th Key "A wonderful effect for close-up" Visit
www.my-magicshop.com
for more information. 5.8.06
Scott
Sullivan from Kentucky, USA, will be performing in the first week of
Magic@Cafe Royal in Edinburgh. Scott is a talented magician, actor and
writer, and this is his first time performing in Edinburgh. Ian Kendall
performs in week two (congratulations on your wedding last week Ian!) and
Paul Nardini in week three, see
www.virtualmagicshow.com/fringe. Ian continues to produce
instructional CD's and more, visit
www.virtualmagicshow.com/stuff for details. 5.8.06
Peter
Lamont's The First Psychic: the peculiar mystery of a notorious Victorian
wizard is out in paperback this week. 'Enchanting' (Sunday Times), 'A
wonderful tale' (Financial Times), 'A superb, ingenious biography'
(Scotland on Sunday), 'Shrewd and often very funny. This is a serious and
thought-provoking book about how we witness and interpret the world (New
Statesman). Available from Amazon.co.uk with 20% off
Click Here. 5.8.06
Finding
Your Funny Bone with Scott Wyler, The ultimate guide on how to be
funny. "This new broadcast quality DVD goes behind the scenes and
shows you what the pros do to make people laugh. It will teach you how to
write, perform and remember a full original comedy act. Even if you
already perform comedy in your show and no matter how much you think you
know about the subject, Finding Your Funny Bone will teach you more than
any other product on the market today!" For more information and to order
visit www.smileproductions.co.uk. 5.8.06
The
SAS Magic Dinner Cabaret Charity Night. Featuring top comedy from The
Grumbleweeds, the wonderful singing voice of Rebecca Judd, Radio
Merseyside's Willie Miller and magic from Smith and Singleton (SAS).
Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool city centre, 21st October 7.30pm. Tickets £40
telephone 0151 548 6899 to book. Raising money for the Variety Club of
Great Britain sunshine coach program. 5.8.06
The
South London Magic Society has re-launched its website
www.slmagic.co.uk.
"This makeover is geared towards attracting new members to the club, and
to keep existing members informed of latest developments and future
events, even if they should miss one of the monthly meetings. Inspiration
for the new site design is based on fractal art - a mysterious and
beautiful phenomenon - which segues perfectly with the nature of magic."
One of the site's new features is a news page that members can update
themselves without the need for any technical skills. Visit
www.slmagic.co.uk
for more information and to enquire about joining the club. 5.8.06
Welcome
to Wonderland: at the Magic Cavern. Gary Scott, Wayne Clancy and David
Fung will be starring in five special performances of the Welcome to
Wonderland series of shows
www.welcome-to-wonderland.com. Late Night on Friday 11th August at 9pm
and Saturday 12th August at 9pm. Summer matinee: Wednesday 16th August at
3pm, Thursday 17th August at 3pm, and Friday 18th and 2pm. Tickets £10,
concessions £8.50. See
www.falseimpressions.com for more details. 5.8.06
Stephen
Barry was invited to perform for Tom Fletcher's 21st birthday last
week, seen here with other members of band McFly
www.stephenbarry.co.uk The Jamie Adams Charity Showcase that was
held at the Branksome St Aldhelms Centre in Poole last Sunday was a great
success, raising £730 for Cherri, the little girl suffering from leukemia
Canadian close-up magician Ravi Mayar performs weekly at
The R Bar in Esher,
Surrey. At a recent VIP night included John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and song
writer Paul Barry
www.ravimayar.com
Visit www.fismphoto.com
to see photos from the convention Sulis Productions are looking for
talented 1421 year olds for their Money School workshops, visit
www.sulisproductions.com for details Look out for Paul Daniels in an
upcoming series of commercials for supermarket giant Tesco "A hard act
to swallow"
Click Here "Top magicians compete in secret in Swedish capital"
Click Here "Magician contest a tricky business"
Click Here "Emily Blunt in 'The Great Buck Howard' Talks"
Click Here "From magician to psychologist"
Click Here Your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 5.8.06