Number 334 - 18th November 2006
International
Magic announce Close-up Competition line-up. Sean Heydon (UK), Szabo
Gabor (Hungary), Alex Cahill (UK), John Vanderput (UK), Ralf Gagel
(Germany), Dynamo (UK), Eric Le Blon (France), Jon Armstrong (USA), James
Brown (UK), Marc Oberon (UK), Seth Engstrom (Sweden), Bruno Copin (France)
and James James (UK) will all compete on Saturday 25th November for the
coveted Kevin Reay Trophy, together with a £1,000 cash prize. The
convention takes place from Friday 24th - Sunday 26th November at the
excellent Novotel/Shaw Theatre complex in London. Visit
www.internationalmagic.com for full convention details and
registration information. (Actual running order of competitors to be
drawn).
18.11.06
The
Second Session Convention (second deal?) takes place on January 21st
2007. Andi Gladwin and Rob James have been busy adding to an already
impressive line-up. In demand working pro Jon Allen (photo) will appear on
the evening show and prolific magic creator Jamie Badman is this year's
'flash talker' (an event where someone who has never lectured or performed
at a magic convention before is invited to do just that). Joining them,
Allan Ackerman, Paul Cummins and plenty of other UK and international
magic names. For more information and to register visit
www.sessionconvention.com -
this year looks like being another sell-out, so make sure you register
sooner rather than later! Visit Andi Gladwin's blog, featuring essays on
magic by Andi, Tyler Wilson and Luke Dancy:
www.andigladwin.co.uk/blog.
18.11.06
International
News: Stuntman Blaine to hang from hook in Times Square. "In his
latest stunt, U.S. magician David Blaine will be shackled to a spinning
gyroscope hanging some three stories above Times Square as he tries to
escape before a three day deadline. The 33-year-old, whose previous stunts
include 61 hours encased in a block of ice and one week buried in a
coffin, will be hoisted 40 feet above the ground just off New York's Times
Square on Tuesday..." To read the full story from Reuters
Click Here.
18.11.06
John
Archer lectures at the Preston Magic Circle on Tuesday 28th November
at 8pm. Venue: Our Lady and St Gerrards Parochial Centre, Brownedge Road,
Lostock Hall, Preston, Lancashire PR5 5AA (Map).
For more details contact Andrew Green on 07702 153290 or
andrew@modernmysteries.co.uk.
18.11.06
Martin
Sanderson supplied the magic talent for last week's Casino Royale
preview and Royal Premiere in London's West End. Martin said "It was a
huge task logistically, with a magician at each venue, but it worked out
perfectly." Apparently Martin was shaken but not stirred! Involved with
the premiere: Martin Sanderson, Joe Knight, Eitienne Pradier, Tim Saiet,
Sav, Tim Barnes, Nick Read, Marc Spelmann, Alan Oliver, Zap, Simon
Alexander, Noel Qualter, Jazz, David Hawkins, Mike Davis and Andrew
Murray.
18.11.06
Paul
Daniels shares some magic with Bill Ward. "Magician and entertainer
extraordinaire, Paul Daniels visited The Lowry last week to share his
secrets of illusion with Bill Ward, better known as Charlie Stubbs from
Coronation Street. Paul Daniels shared his magic tricks with the man that
soap fans love to hate, in preparation for his role as Abanazar in
Aladdin, The Lowry's pantomime in association with Pele Productions. When
Pele's producer Viv Wells decided that she wanted Bill's character to
perform some magic in the show she thought 'Who better to learn from than
the master himself?' A household name in the UK, Paul Daniels is without
doubt one of the most accomplished magicians in the world. Viv commented:
'Paul was delighted to be involved and Bill's excited about working with
him on making magic to weave throughout the show. They had a great morning
trying out lots of ideas. Bill now has to think about the best way of
incorporating them into the show.'"
www.thelowry.com.
18.11.06
Little
People - Big Business. Magic Dave (Dave Allen), will be performing his
award winning magic in his upcoming lecture "Little People - Big Business"
at the
Anglian Magic Society on Tuesday, 21st November at 8pm at the
Banqueting Suite, Cumberland Hotel, 212-216 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1TJ (Map).
For more information contact Ned Potts on 01508 499741.
18.11.06
A
Touch of Magic Show "Featuring the mind blowing magic and illusions of
Lee Kiddie plus special guests." A show for all the family on Saturday,
17th February 2007. Afternoon performance at 2.30pm (all profits to the Princes
Theatre Youth Company), evening performance at 7.30pm (all profits to the
Multiple Sclerosis Society). Princes Theatre, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea
CO15 1SE (Map)
Tickets: £6.50 adults, £4.50 senior citizens/children. Box Office 01255
686633.
18.11.06
The Magic Circle Dealers' Day
- Today!
10am - 5pm, Saturday 18th November, at the
Royal National Hotel, Bedford Square, London WC1H 0DG (Map)
Entrance £5.00 (£3.00 under 16s) members free. Over 40 dealers!
18.11.06
Richard
Stone won first prize in Cardiff Magical Society's Close-Up
Competition last Monday. Richard performed his close-up act to a
captivated audience, and took the title despite strong competition from
second place and previous title holder, the always excellent Stuart
Watkins. Cardiff Magical Society's Table Top Sale and Wayne Dobson Star
Lecture, Sunday 19th November - see
What's On.
18.11.06
Owen
Lean recently graduated from Trinity College Dublin with 2-1 honours
in drama and theatre studies, having specialised mainly in magic and
street performance. His graduation received plenty of media coverage, with
stories in the Irish Independence, Irish Examiner, Irish Star and the
front page of the Irish Times. Visit
www.roadmage.com to
read the reports.
18.11.06
LabcoMagic
present the Mental Table. Professional made, this incredible prop
allows the performer to present real magic. Visit
www.labcomagic.com
for details.
18.11.06
Sim
Sala Bim... Derek W. Hilton's Sim Sala Bim Magic and Illusion show
will be at the Little Theatre, 77a High Street South, Dunstable,
Bedfordshire on Saturday, December 9th, at 7.15pm. Tickets are available
on the night or from the theatre in advance on 01582 667387 or via Sim
Sala Bim on 01582 617854. For more information email
magic.simsalabim@ntlworld.com.
18.11.06
Doncaster
Magic Club Auction. 7pm sharp on Monday 4th December (to finish no
later than 11pm). Anyone wishing to register items for auction should
contact Secretary Magix Paul on 07710 933185 or visit
www.doncastermagicclub.co.uk for more information.
18.11.06
Julie
Carpenter aka Auntie Julie visited the BBC studios on Monday to take
part in Celebrity Scissorhand, part of the BBC's Children in Need appeal.
Julie sat in the hairdressers chair in the Scissorhand Academy for two
hours whilst trainee hairdresser Steve Strange gave her a new style. For a
"before and after"
Click Here.
18.11.06
Jasper
Blakeley was invited to entertain the stars for a second year running
at The Prince's Trust Cymru Awards Dinner on Wednesday night. Nearly 400
guests and celebrities filled Cardiff's stunning City Hall for the glitzy
event... Big Brother contestant and GLC member, Magot (pictured here with
Jasper) turned out to be a big fan of magic, stating "I loves this stuff -
show me some more!" Visit
www.jasperblakeley.co.uk for more on Jasper Blakeley.
18.11.06
Maxello
Magic - Masters in Oil. Maxello Magic are offering famous magicians
advertising posters as originals in oil. These are real oil paintings on
canvas, measuring 45cm x 60cm (17" x 23"). Maxello Magic can make
paintings from any (copyright free) picture, poster or painting. If you
provide a scanned copy of the picture you want, then they can paint it for
you! All artists are skilled professionals. Visit
www.maxello.com.
18.11.06
North
West Dealers Day, reported by Geoffrey Newton: The Order of the Magi
held the North West Dealers Day again last Saturday with 12 dealers
providing a varied selection of wares. The lunchtime close-up competition
attracted entrants from Huddersfield, Crewe, Liverpool, Bradford, Bolton
and Preston. The winner was Michael Diamond (pictured with President
Barrie Horridge) taking the £100 prize. Runner up was Chris Stickland
receiving £50. The Dealers Trophy for the best display went to David
Baxter of Made to Measure Magic. In the afternoon a big screen
presentation 'The World of Optical Illusion' was given by Keith Kay;
author of top selling book 'Take A A Closer Look.' The day had a steady
flow of visitors in a social atmosphere which is now very much part of The
Magi calendar. The society dinner in March 2007 stars High Jinx, Michael
Pearse and John Archer in cabaret, and the cost of £27 makes good value
for money. Tickets go on sale next month..
18.11.06
Houdini's
Tour of Australia by Leann Richards is now available from Gininderra
Press in Australia. "When escapologist Harry Houdini toured Australia in
1910 he brought magic, mystique, his wife and an aeroplane. Houdini
conquered crowds and nearly caused riots, he escaped straitjackets and
shackles and flew through the air. Some said he was supernatural, to
others he was a fraud, but Houdini confounded them all. 60 pages, $17.50
from
www.ginninderrapress.com.au (scroll down).
18.11.06
Magicians wanted for music video. Jessica Cole emails: "I am directing a micro budget music video on the 25th and 26th of this month and I am looking for talented magicians to perform magic tricks. The tricks would need to be close-up magic. The video is for a competition, and should the video be selected it could have wide coverage and exposure. Anyone who participates in making the video will have their travel expenses reimbursed, catering provided, and a DVD of the completed video for their showreel/website." Contact Jessica Cole directly for more information: navisoft@aol.com. 18.11.06
Magicians wanted for photo shoot. Martyn Moore emails: "I have been into magic both as an amateur and professional during my life. I have chosen at 48 to pursue another life long passion and am currently finishing a qualification as a professional photographer at Stamford College in Lincolnshire. I have a final project that I will be working on and the working title is 'Moment's of Magic'. I am looking to the creative minds of magicians/clowns/performers to have a photograph taken of them performing something that can be captured in a photograph. Naturally all secrets will be protected and anyone who has a photo shoot with me will be give a disk of their photographs for their own use. The photographs will be collated for my final project piece at college. The shots will be very creative and any input from performers is welcomed. Naturally I am unable to travel the country doing this so a little effort would be required by people wanting to take part." Email Martyn Moore at martyn.moore@gmail.com for more details. 18.11.06
Roy Baker. Very sad to report that Roy Baker, well known magician, inventor, dealer and writer died last Friday 10th November 2006. His funeral will take place at the Medway Crematorium on Friday 24th November at 1.20pm. 18.11.06
"It's magic - your chance to meet Paul Daniels" Click Here • The Magic Circle Christmas Show is now sold out • "Theatre Interview – Keith Barry: It's A Kind of Magic" Click Here • "Losing their heads over magic" Click Here • "Intimate evening of grand illusion" Click Here • "Magic men in trouble for defacing coins" Click Here • "Success on cards for magic Miles" Click Here • "Jab alert as Magic casts his spell" Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 18.11.06