Number 353 - 31st March 2007
You'll
like this... Paul Daniels tops the bill at Gary Young's 11th Top
Secret Magic Day in Bedford on June 3rd. As well as lecturing Paul Daniels
will star in the whole of the second half of the Gala Show. Also lined up
for the day: to lecture Aldo Colombini and Nicholas Einhorn, a star
comedy hour with Mandy Muden, workshops with Paul Gordon and Aldo
Colombini, a full evening show starring Terry Seabrooke, Zane, Mandy
Muden, Aldo Colombini, Martyn James & Company and Paul Daniels, loads of
magic dealers, the Top Secret Café, and more! Visit
www.topsecretmagicday.co.uk for more information and to book. Always a
great day. (Celebrity Wife Swap, tomorrow - don't miss it!
TV Magic.)
31.3.07
Illusions
Magic Bar & Restaurant to open in Cheltenham. Manchester's Pure Magic
Bar closed its doors at the end of January (re-opening as a disco). The
owners didn't lose any money, but the location just wasn't right so this
time they are heading South to the spa town of Cheltenham, on the edge of
the Cotswolds. Mark Bennett emails "The Bar was a great base for magicians
to meet and have some fun working behind the bar. David Stone had a great
time as did Dynamo and Doc Eason. I would love to thank the lads Magic
Sam, Magic Matt, Andy Dextrous, Simply Magic Lee, Magic Chris, Dr Magic
Jon and Magic Al for all their hard work. I would also like to thank my
regulars, John Doe, Sparks (Magic Ste) Magic Simon, and Matt Coleman and
of course the guys from the Liverpool Magic Circle, and all that popped in
- thanks!" The new venue is set to open in a few months, we'll keep you
posted.
www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk
(Picture: Artist's impression).
31.3.07
Northern Magic Circle Easter Parade.
7th -9th April at the Swallows Three Tuns Hotel, New Elvet, Durham, County
Durham, DH1 3AQ (Map). Featuring: Gala shows, Dealers,
Competitions, Workshops, Children's Showtime, Junior Show and a Ladies
Event. For the full programme on PDF
Click Here Registration officer: Bill Peckitt, 18
Pentland Drive, Huntington, York YO32 9PQ Telephone 01904 762910.
www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk.
31.3.07
Introducing MagicCave.co.uk
Londoners or regular visitors to London will no doubt be familiar with the
magic and jokes stall in Covent Garden known as The Magic Cave. Established for
over 20 years, it's recently taken on new ownership and now boasts an
extended range of professional magic items as well as a new
e-commerce website containing over 6000 products! In accordance with the
beliefs of the new owners, there is a strong emphasis on privacy and
consequently you'll need to answer a series of magic related questions to
gain access to the restricted magicians only area with complete product and
price listings. Visit the main site
www.magiccave.co.uk
or for access to the restricted area visit
www.magiccave.co.uk/inside.
31.3.07
Blackpool
Magicians' Club have now opened their Registration Desk for the 2008
Convention which takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 22nd, 23rd and
24th February, 2008. Already over 200 VIP Gold Cards have been sold,
leaving just 300! Opening the full Dealers Fair from 1pm on the Friday
proved to be a huge success so this will be continued for the 2008
Convention. Details and a downloadable Registration Form are on
www.blackpoolmagic.com or contact Arthur Casson, 44 Bryan Road, Blackpool,
Lancs. FY3 9BE Telephone 01253 393688 Email
arthurcasson@aol.com.
31.3.07
Houdini
Relatives Against Exhumation. "The family of Harry Houdini's widow
wants to block a plan to exhume the escape artist's remains, saying a
disinterment to determine whether he was murdered smacks of
sensationalism. 'It is our firm belief that Bess Houdini would never
approve of this,'' said a statement from her grandnephews, John and
Jeffrey Blood. 'The family believes this is likely being done to promote
sales of a recent book on Harry Houdini, suggesting he may have been
murdered.'" To read the full story in the Guardian
Click Here.
31.3.07
The
Order of the Magi Annual Dinner and Cabaret. Elizabeth Warlock is
seen here receiving a retirement gift from Magi President Barrie Horridge
on behalf of Magi Honorary Member Donald Bevan, the former editor of
Abracadabra at the societies dinner on Friday 23rd March. "The cabaret
gave laughter all the way and opened with High Jinx the very visual
sibling duo. Following on came Michael Pearse with non stop one liners and
topping was John Archer another comedy great. You hadn’t finished laughing
at the last line before the next one hit you." Geoffrey Newton PRO.
31.3.07
Magic
Dave, the United Kingdom's Children's Entertainer of the Year 2004,
has just had a new website produced that allows users to order his
recently released DVD for children's entertainers PartyTime,
together with a number of other items, simply, online:
www.magicroundabout.net.
31.3.07
Two
new DVDs from Alakazam. "On the 20th January 2007 Close up Magicians
from around the world came together for a gathering like no other... Allan
Ackermann, Jon Armstrong, Jamie Badman, James Brown, Luke Dancy, Mike
Davis, Dynamo, Andi Gladwin, Wayne Houchin, Rob James, Oli Mealing, Robert
Moreland, Tyler Wilson, It's time to take your front row seat at the
convention and learn from some of the leading close-up magicians from
around the world. So sit back, relax and enjoy The Session!" and...
Bright
Ideas by Christopher Williams "Bright Ideas is a collection of killer
commercial card effects. On this DVD you will see Christopher Williams
performing the effects in a live situation drawing some spectacular
reactions with his stunning visual card magic." Visit
www.alakazam.co.uk
for more information and video clips.
31.3.07
The
Complete Magic Party. After two years of preparation, Mark Leveridge
is pleased to announce the publication of his completely revised and
updated book The Complete Magic Party. The original two Magic Party
books, which were released in 1988 and 1996 respectively, have been
combined and many of the sections completely re-written. The new book is
hardback, with 189 A4 pages and over 70 colour photos. It features a
wealth of information on running a commercial games and magic show for
children's parties; plus it gives full details of 10 warm-ups, over 40
games and 20 magic routines. Mark has been entertaining children
professionally for over 30 years and this book brings all of his
experience together into one quality volume. Available now from
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
31.3.07
Connoisseur
Conjuring had a major setback recently when, during what should have
been a routine software update, the site was almost totally whiped out!
Richard James emails: "Thankfully, backups were available for most of the
information, so it is back - bigger and better than ever before! We now
have a fully operational Forum, a Video Lounge, an online Store and much
more. There is also a competition running where members can win a DVD with
required Props! If you have never visited us before, may I extend this
invitation to you now? Also, as a special offer to MagicWeek visitors, I
am offering a free upgrade. After you join, simply send Richard a PM,
mentioning that you found us via MagicWeek, and you will be given full
access to all areas of the Website and Forums." Visit the all new
www.cc-magic.co.uk
today!
31.3.07
French
magician David Stone has just appeared on the most famous talk show in
Norway (YouTube:
Part
1
Part 2) David will be back in the UK for the Bristol Day of Magic on
May 13th
www.bristolmagic.co.uk.
31.3.07
Bertini
Coin Magic DVD. "The performances demonstrate a never-before seen and
original coin manipulation system. You won't believe your eyes! Although
not for beginners, a study of these moves will enhance your present
arsenal of sleights in ways you never dreamed. You will find a collection
of equipments, steals, fake transfers, switches, productions, and loads,
designed to whiz by the closest observer."
Click Here to watch a clip (it's great stuff!) and visit
www.martinbreese.com
for more clips and to order.
31.3.07
Matthew
Duggan is a new addition to The Magic Waiters team. Matthew
will be joining Alfonso Rios and Noora Karma as they fly out to Dubai on
April 1st to entertain guests at The Mall of the Emirates Kempinski Hotel.
On his return in May he'll be working on designing magic effects for the
Cambridge Shakespeare Festival’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
before taking on the role of Puck. Now in its 20th year the festival runs
from 9th July until the end of August.
www.workingmagic.co.uk.
31.3.07
Pasteboard
Devices: And the beguiling finesses within compositions of legerdemain.
April 8th and 14th 11am to 3pm, London. "The card workshop pertains to an
entire system for doing card magic by using two card sleights. The lesson
and notes reveal and instruct two card sleights. Participants have the
opportunity to witness Armando executing these sleights within original
compositions of legerdemain. Emphasis is on theory, application, and
performance. A few routines are shared to get you started in applying the
sleights. The routines are structured with artistic and theatrical
considerations. In this way, you may use these routines as templates for
structuring other routines in the same manner. Included in the workshop
are two sets of notes with full explanations on the two sleights (routines
not included). All workshop people will be given access to view some of
the routines from the workshop shown as QuickTime movies on a secured
website (performance only). All those who attend the workshop are required
to sign a legally binding non-disclosure agreement." Tickets $500.00
attendance limited to 5 people. Reservations via
cardworkshop@armandolucero.com Telephone 020 8816 7734. Visit
www.armandolucero.com for more information.
31.3.07
Tony
Binarelli lectures at the Leicester Magic Circle Headquarters, Ramada
Jarvis Hotel, Granby Street, Leicester LE1 6ES (Map)
at 7.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7th. Visitors welcome, contact the
Secretary Barry J Martin for more details 01509 843066
lmcircle@hotmail.com.
31.3.07
The
Magic Awards. Edd C. Withers, the man behind
www.themagicwoods.co.uk magic forum has just launched a new website:
themagicawards.com. "TMW Awards are awards given to magicians,
tricks and institutions in the magic industry, by fellow magicians.
Nominations are made by magicians on The Magic Woods forum, and then
anyone is welcome to vote on The Magic Woods Awards website. The awards
cover everything from best new trick, to best magic website, and the
awards are run annually in April." To find out more visit
www.themagicawards.com.
31.3.07
Congratulations
to Ozzy Symons winner of this year's Devon Magic Circle Close-up
Competition. This is the second time Ozzy has won the cup. Ozzy won the
competition a few weeks ago but it has taken him this long to prise the
cup from the clutches of eleven-times winner Gary Jones; he just didn't
want to let go!
www.corporatemagic.info.
31.3.07
Alex
Moffat devised the close-up act that resulted in him winning The
Leicester Magic Circle Close Up Competition on Monday March 19th just over
eight months ago, and worked on it ever since. The act included sleight of
hand card magic and the breaking and restoration of the arm of a
spectators pair of glasses on the spur of the moment! Alex has been a
member of the society since the age of 16 (he is now 29) and mainly
performs in and around York and Leeds. He was awarded Roy Johnson Shield.
www.alexmoffat.co.uk.
31.3.07
Congratulations
to Will Gray on winning The Leicester Magic Circle's Sir Julien Cahn
Cup for Stage Magic for the second year running. The competition, now in
its 71st year, has been won by magic names Roy Johnson, Wayne Dobson and
Chris Dugdale in the past, this year's competition was held at Water Leys
School at Wigston on Friday 23rd March and the magical judges were James
Parker and Jimmy Carlo.
www.willgray.co.uk.
31.3.07
Clive Hyams
wins close-up title for a fifth time! Better known as Mr Mysto to all his younger fans,
Clive Hyams was crowned
winner of the Surrey Close-up Magician of the Year title two weeks ago for a fifth
time. Clive impressed the two lay judges and top magical judge,
President of The Magic Circle, Alan Shaxon, with an act that included card
magic, bottle tops and even some metal bending. Clive had been working on
the act over recent months in an attempt to recapture his crown, having
won it four times in the past, but not in recent years. Clive has the
distinction of being the only competitor to have taken part every year
since the competition's inception in 1992. Steve Lobley was placed second
and Gordon Drayson third. Congratulations to all three
(photo, left to right: Steve Lobley, Clive Hyams, Gordon Drayson).
www.mrmysto.co.uk.
31.3.07
Frank
E Haschka wins CMS Cabaret Competition. Monday 26th March saw relative
newcomer Frank E Haschka scoop this year's title at Cardiff Magical
Society's annual Cabaret Competition. A late entry, and up against other
great acts including those of previous winners, Frank presented 9 minutes
and 56 seconds of musically backed pure magical entertainment. Rumour has
it the judges are still trying to figure out some of his moves, which in
itself is one heck of an accolade.
www.rightbeforeyoureyes.co.uk.
31.3.07
Marc Oberon lectures at the Winchester Magical Society on Thursday 5th April - visitors from other clubs are welcome (£5 charge) Not to be missed. Contact John Harris johnernharris@hotmail.com for details. 31.3.07
Virgin Comics to Produce Masked Magician Graphic Novel. "Nash Entertainment is resurrecting the Masked Magician, the star of Nash's five Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed specials, which scored big ratings for Fox in the late 1990s. The specials caused a fuss with professional magicians, who were upset that some of the industries best tricks and illusions were being dissected on primetime TV. In the fourth special, the magician removed his mask; turns out it was Val Valentino, a figure well-known on the illusion circuit..." To read the full story from Superhero Flix Click Here. 31.3.07
The Magician's Daughter is the title of BBC Radio Four's Afternoon Play at 2.15pm on Friday April 6th "Comedy drama by Adam Beeson, set in 19th-century Europe. A celebrated magician is shot on stage. With his dying breaths, he passes on the secrets of his spectacular act to his daughter. Fearing pursuit by jealous rivals, she disappears. With James Bryce, Paul Young, Lucy Paterson, Richard Conlon. Director: Bruce A. Young." See TV Magic for Radio and TV listings. 31.3.07
Feed
The Children Variety Performance 2007 is reviewed by David Hawkins
this week, Click Here •
Gordon Collin is selling his magic book collection via a dedicated
website:
www.mybooklist.co.uk • Thanks to David Prior for this link "Now,
that's MAG 1C"
Click Here • Wayne Dobson WD40 - Hardback edition now ready for
immediate shipping via the publishers:
www.magicseen.co.uk • "Larry Scott:
Brooklyn’s joke man preps us for April Fools Day."
Click Here • "Making magic"
Click Here • "Mandan man wants to be a magician"
Click Here • "Student magician's success no illusion"
Click Here • "Hey presto! It's Loony Lenny"
Click Here • "Magician has tricks up his sleeves to entertain"
Click Here • "Magician returns to roots in Richmond"
Click Here • Your magic news is always welcome - see you next week, Duncan. 31.3.07