Number 347 - 17th February 2007
The
Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year 2007 is...
Spencer Wood. Spencer's act, described as "pure entertainment" by one
of the judges, featured table magic in the truest sense of the word as
Spencer recreated a "dinner for two" setting, performing magic with
table napkins, coins, cards, glasses and even a bottle of wine. In second
place Martyn
Rowland presented a skilful and equally entertaining routine,
culminating with the introduction of a 'Lie Detector' that helped him
identify the name of a chosen card (really!), with many laughs along the
way. Martyn was also awarded the Originality Prize. In third
Mark Shortland
was as funny as ever, impressing judges with his card work.
www.themagiccircle.co.uk. (Photo
L to R Martyn Rowland, Spencer Wood, Mark Shortland).
17.2.07
South
Tyneside's Fourth International Magic Festival - March 2007 features a
number of "firsts" this year: The first UK appearance of one of the most
talked about creators of strong visual magic -
Daniel Garcia.
The first UK appearance of
Robert Baxt
(photo) - creator of the Better Newspaper Tear. And the first UK
appearance of Trixie
Bond - Trixie was the cover story on MAGIC's June 2002 issue (Click
Here to read full article). Here's the full line up. Friday 16th
March: Daniel Garcia, John Lenahan, Ray Alan, Alex Lodge and Quentin
Reynolds replacing Patrick Monahan as compere.
Saturday 17th March: Pete Firman, Romany, Marc Oberon, Max
Maven. Sunday 18th March: Master Classes (additional charge) from Max Maven,
Shoot Ogawa. Plus Lectures and Close-up. Registration is just £50.00 for all
3 days! Contact Karri Prinn:
karri.prinn@southtyneside.gov.uk telephone 0191 424 7986 to book, or
visit www.magicbox.uk.com the
main sponsors or go direct:
www.southtyneside.info.
17.2.07
Blackpool
Convention - Latest News! Silver Card Registration is still available
which covers Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th February but has
no Sunday Gala Show seat, price £45.00 or £20.00 for Juniors. Sunday Day
tickets are still available with no Gala Show seat, price £35.00. All 106
International Magic Dealers have confirmed that they will be exhibiting
from 1pm until 9pm on Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Many
new releases will be demonstrated for the first time at the Convention.
All advertised artistes have confirmed that they will be attending. The
world's biggest magic convention, 3 days, 3,500 magicians! To join them telephone Arthur Casson on 01253 393688, email
arthurcasson@aol.com or visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com. (Photo:
Manipulator Nestor Hato)
17.2.07
Bloomsbury's
first Magic Sale to be held in London on 1st March 2007 features
Books, Memorabilia and Apparatus from the Conjuring Collection of John
Fisher.
This spell-binding sale encompasses a huge variety of vintage apparatus,
costumes, props, antiquarian and modern books, publicity material,
articles, catalogues and autographed items as well as scarce memorabilia
from John Fisher's private collection. Many of the items for sale are in
fact, from magicians who delighted their audiences almost a century ago. To order a lavishly illustrated full colour Catalogue
telephone Richard Caton at Bloomsbury Auctions on 020 7495 9494 and, as a
Special Offer to MagicWeek readers, mention "MagicWeek" to receive a third
off the standard catalogue price (normally £15.00), and to see the
online catalogue visit
www.bloomsburyauctions.com.
17.2.07
The
Illusionist opens in the UK on March 2nd. The film,
set in 1900 Vienna, deals with the story of Eisenheim the Illusionist.
James Freedman (www.dynamicfx.co.uk) was magic consultant
and during the production became a major
collaborator - brainstorming, designing and refining everything from small
sleight of hand tricks to major narrative set pieces. He worked with
Edward Norton preparing him for his stage performances and acted as a hand
double on many occasions. Pictured,
left to right, Aaron Johnson (Young Eisenheim), consultant James Freedman
and Edward Norton (Eisenheim). Visit
www.nothingiswhatitseems.co.uk for more. 17.2.07
Tabletop
Magician Training Course. Tony Jackson is offering a one or two-day
training course in close-up magic: "This is an opportunity to learn a well
polished close-up magic routine that has been audience tested for over 15
years. The routine has always been very well received wherever it has
been performed. It is designed for ease of use, to be highly entertaining
and features plenty of audience interaction. I wanted a table-hopping
routine that I could perform at a moment's notice with a minimum of props
that would get excellent reactions. I am a working pro and this is the
very routine that I use in the real world. It's the ideal course for
any magician who wants to get into table-hopping. It is designed for the
complete beginner or those with a little experience of this type of work - nothing will be left out. This routine has taken me all over the
world." Visit
www.magiciantraining.co.uk for full details.
17.2.07
The
Order of the Magi Annual Dinner and Cabaret. Friday 23rd March 2007. John
Archer, High Jinx and Michael Pearse star in the cabaret with compere
(and Tom Jones Tribute act) Ian Anthony. Plus Disco and four course meal
with coffee all for just £27.00. Visit
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk for more information.
17.2.07
Rare
Opportunity! Rodney James Piper's House of Illusion in Spain is once
again looking for magicians for the summer and will be holding auditions
on February 26th, at the Ruskin Hotel, Blackpool. This year they are
offering permanent positions for the season together with guest spots. The
House of Illusion is a purpose built magical dinner show, now in its fifth
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 97738040 or 0034 676745576 or email
summer07@houseofillusion.net.
Visit
www.houseofillusion.net for more information.
17.2.07
Ken
Dodd is seen at the wheel, presenting the keys of a Sunshine Coach to headmaster Mark Christian of Lower Lee School for under privileged
children on behalf of the Liverpool Magic Circle of which Ken Dodd is a
patron. The line up consisted of representatives from Barclays Bank who
supported the fund raising, together with LMC members Frank Davenport,
Alan Singleton and Richie Smith, representing the SAS Magic team who
organized all the shows on behalf of the Liverpool Magic Circle to raise
money for the coach.
www.liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk.
17.2.07
Illusioncraft
have created a special 90 gram flash paper that is printable with specialist
inks after many years of experimentation and development. "We will be launching
several new magic tricks at the Blackpool Convention... 'Reveal' - flash
playing cards you have to see to believe and the 'Hot Cheques' the
world's first flash cheque book made to look like a Swiss cheque book for
worldwide compatibility, along with refills that can be custom printed
with your name on them! Come and see us in the Arena at Blackpool, but
don’t delay, as stocks will be very limited due to the number of effects
that we are releasing." For anyone not visiting Blackpool this year email
adam@illusioncraft.co.uk
telephone 01253 314868 (New website coming soon!).
17.2.07
Day
of Magic. The Leamington & Warwick Magic Society are staging a Day of
Magic once again, this year on Sunday 15th April from 10am to 4pm.
Lecturers include Alain the Storyteller (photo), current holder of the BMS
Close-Up Magician of the Year title and leading British performer of
Bizarre Magick. Star lecturer to be announced. There will also be mini
dealer dems by Merlins of Wakefield, Andrew Normansell, Keith Bennett and
Made to Measure Magic. The compere for the day will be Paul Kybert.
Refreshments available throughout the day. Venue: Cubbington Sports &
Social Club, Windmill Hill, Cubbington, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32
7LN (Map).
Pre-booked tickets £10 or £15 on the day. Available from Ivor Williamson,
4 Woodleigh Road, Westwood Heath, Coventry CV4 8GT Telephone 024 7646
2701.
17.2.07
Sav
and Noel Qualter returned unscathed from a recent corporate event
in Saudi Arabia. Witchcraft is banned in Saudi so they had a
private dinner with the two Saudi princes and their aides, who booked them
to showcase their magic. They wanted to check that none of it looked like
witchcraft, mind reading or theft or the pair could have ended up in big
trouble! The event was a huge success and they have already been invited
back for next year.
www.sav-uk.com
www.noelqualter.com.
17.2.07
The
Order of the Magi held its annual Magic Cabaret Competition at the
Irish Heritage Centre last Tuesday. Philip Partridge not only won the
first prize for magic but was awarded the comedy prize as well! The
runner-up was David Yorke. "Philip performed as the Camp Comedy Conjuror –
a hilarious comedy character performing magic in a very distinctive style.
Philip's Pot Pourri of prestidigitation included swallowing a gigantic
balloon, miraculously restoring a broken mirror and restoring torn pages
of the Manchester Evening News." Philip was recently featured on Graham
Norton's When Will I be Famous? on BBC 1 and was invited to perform
at The Comedy Store.
www.philippartridge.co.uk.
17.2.07
Magic
Dave (Dave Allen), lectures at the Blackpool Magic convention next
weekend where he'll be launching his brand new DVD Partytime with Magic
Dave... "This DVD will give you a rare chance to see Magic Dave work
a two hour party from start to finish and you'll be able to see what goes
on during one of his performances." The DVD also features additional
material that
will not be seen live until 2008!
www.daveallenmagic.com.
17.2.07
Paul
Stockman Psychological Illusionist has just returned from performing
in the USA and is now ready to start a run of theatre, cabaret and corporate
dates, back home. Paul can be heard later in the year on The
Jonathan Ross Radio Show - so listen out for that. It has even been
mentioned that Jonanthan would like to set up a head to head "mind off"
with Derren Brown, a good friend of Jonathan's. Paul says "bring it on
Brownie!" Paul has recently had some of his work published by Kenton
Knepper and is also working on new material to be released later in the
year.
www.paulstockman.com.
17.2.07
Oliver
Smith, Chris Rowlands, Ted Farrington, Elizabeth Maskell, Wayne Goodman
and Peter De'Horsey competed in the Cambridge Pentacle Magic Club's
annual Close-Up Magic Competition last Tuesday, each presenting an act of
between 6 and 10 minutes. Wayne Goodman was awarded first prize. Wayne is
a professional magician and has spent the last 15 years working all over
the world but is now based in Newmarket where he specialises in private
parties and corporate events. For anybody interested in joining or
attending the Pentacle Magic Club contact Wayne for information on 07726
190078 or visit
www.waynegoodman.co.uk.
17.2.07
Chris
Priest was invited by BAFTA's chairman to entertain VIP's and
celebrities at the recent BAFTA awards in London last Sunday evening. It
was a great night celebrating BAFTA's 60th anniversary, with one film
producer, after seeing Chris's act, exclaiming "That was incredible, give
him a BAFTA!"
www.chrispriest.com.
17.2.07
Daniel
Chard's first magic publication 'Technical Difficulties' is now
available as an ebook from
www.magicshop.co.uk.
Is this book suitable for beginners? "It is aimed at the card man who
has a working knowledge of card magic such as 'breaks', 'riffles', 'cuts'
and the 'pass'. If you have moved through the 'basics' and are ready for
the 'real work' to begin, Technical Difficulties is the next step on the
path!" Is set-up required? "Most of the effects require some very minor
set-up, which can be done very easily; off the beat or using some form of
misdirection." Will I have to use gaffed cards or other gimmicks? "No!
Technical Difficulties just uses regular cards and plenty of finger
flicking fun!"
Click Here for a direct link.
17.2.07
Out
of Sight... Out of Your Mind... Gary Jones. New from Top Secret Magic:
"At last, here it is one of the most eagerly awaited effects of the year!
Gary is fast becoming one of then UK's biggest 'underground' legends. With
this effect Gary has fooled some of the most knowledgeable magicians here
in the UK. Effect: The Magician takes a deck of cards and fans them in
front of a spectator. They are asked to merely look at, and think of any
card whilst the magician turns away. Once they have a card in mind, the
magician closes the deck and turns back around. With no questions asked,
the Magician deals down to the thought of card. No guesswork, Forces,
Peeks, Breaks, the perfect effect for the working professional! Made in
Bicycle stock." Price: £13 from
www.topsecretmagic.co.uk.
17.2.07
Children's Entertainers in London, Hertfordshire and Essex Wanted!
Jay Fortune emails: "I'm looking for professional, quality, children's
entertainers for our business Corporate Kids Parties for possible work in
and around London, Hertfordshire and Essex." Email
bookings@corporatekidsparties.co.uk with your CV, biog, and prices.
17.2.07
Ireland's
Keith Barry is set to appear on prime time UK television having signed
a deal with ITV1 to appear in his own one hour special on Saturday 19th
May at 9pm. The show will see him perform some routines that Irish and
American TV viewers have already seen - including his version of the
classic "Cheating the Gallows."
17.2.07
Alex
Lodge has just returned from his first cruise contract for Fred Olsen
lines, in which he managed to fit in a brief visit to South Africa's
College of Magic:
"I was amazed to find myself the other side of the world looking around a
somewhat similar building to The Magic Circle in London. The College of
Magic is the only specialist training organisation for young and old alike
which offers a diploma program in the magical arts. I was shown the
theatre on the ground floor, the magic shop upstairs and the science of
magic room, and was amazed to see kids in class, like at school, learning
magic!"
www.alexlodge.com.
17.2.07
Ricky
Jay Plays Poker, available from Amazon.co.uk (if you hurry!)
Click Here. Ricky Jay combines his talents as a sleight of hand
expert, historian of cons and cheats, and lover of poker and poker music
in this remarkable CD/DVD deluxe set that celebrates the history, the
language and literature, the art and the music of poker. 21 songs of
hustlers, reprobates, blacklegs, scallywags and the passions and pleasures
of the game. The deluxe gift box also includes a bonus DVD starring Ricky
Jay performing some unbelievable deception at the card table, a 72 page
color book with an in-depth essay written by Jay and beautiful
reproductions from his incredible collection of art and memorabilia and -
if all that weren't enough - a custom poker pack from the US Playing Card
Company.
17.2.07
The
Last Pitched Battle! News from black Artefacts: "Culloden - the last
pitched battle on British soil, was fought at Drumossie Moor near to
Inverness on the 16th of April 1746. Black Artefacts latest exclusive
release, 'Culloden', remembers the bravery of the Highland clansmen who
fought, and died during the battle. This storytelling effect is
historically accurate and is good for a séance type presentation, close-up
or small groups. You receive 15 laminated 'clan cards' each with the name
of a clan who fought at the Battle of Culloden and decorated with the
actual tartan for that clan, envelope and certificate made from hand-made
paper, a sprig of heather laminated on card, instructions and script by
The Black Hart and a short essay on the battle for background information.
'Culloden' is easy to perform with no sleights required, everything can be
examined afterwards and it has great looking props and an interesting
story." Price £20.00 For more information visit:
www.blackhart.co.uk.
17.2.07
A
Touch of Magic Show - tonight! "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.
17.2.07
"Carmen
Electra Brings Magical Sex Appeal to New Vegas Show; Meet Her New
Mystery Magic Man"
Click Here • "The Tribune's interview with David Copperfield"
Click Here • "Mr Blair’s final magic trick will begin shortly"
Click Here
• David Blaine vs. David Copperfield video:
Click Here
• See Dynamo's brand new showreel with exclusive footage!
Click
Here
• Magician and Mindreader George Key has added a second string to his bow
and is now a qualified Life Coach. George emails: "Coaching can help you
achieve the results you want in your life much faster than you could ever
manage on your own." Email
george@thekey2.co.uk for details
• Have a great time if you're going to the Blackpool convention - it's
going to be a biggie! Your UK magic news is always welcomed. See you next
week, Duncan. 17.2.07