Number 358 - 5th May 2007

 

Kooza tells the story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world. A return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil, Kooza combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor. Between strength and fragility, laughter and smiles, turmoil and harmony, Kooza explores themes of fear, identity, recognition and power. The show is set in an electrifying and exotic visual world full of surprises, thrills, chills, audacity and total involvement. The Kooza North American Tour starts on July 5th and will come to the Albert Hall in a couple of years. British illusion consultant Scott Penrose has been working behind the scenes introducing magic, illusions and quick change effects to the production. This is the first time that a Cirque production has featured magic. www.cirquedusoleil.com www.stagemagician.com. 5.5.07

 

Magic Man John Archer is Tim Vine's special guest "Live in Concert" at 8pm on Sunday May 13th at the Shepherds Bush Empire, London. Visit www.shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk for details and to book. www.john-archer.com. 5.5.07

 

11th Top Secret Magic Day - Sunday 3rd June. The Bedford Corn Exchange, St Pauls Square, Bedford MK40 1SL. Map. Gary Young reports that tickets are selling extremely well this year with over 60% having gone already - book now to be safe! Starring: Aldo Colombini, Nicholas Einhorn, Mandy Muden (photo), Paul Gordon, Terry Seabrooke, Zane, Martyn James & Company and top of the bill Paul Daniels, plus magic dealers, the Top Secret Café, and more. Visit www.topsecretmagicday.co.uk for more information and to book. 5.5.07

 

Derren Brown, Mind Reader - An Evening of Wonders is reviewed by Mark Elsdon this week. "As we have come to expect from Derren (and his cohort Mr Nyman) there are many moments of genius which will have you chuckling in appreciation and wishing that just once, you too could be that clever. The highlight is the absolute best magician-in-trouble type routine that you will ever see. Yes, it’s that good..." Click Here to read the full review. 5.5.07

 

Quirkology looks at all of the strange psychology experiments that Professor Richard Wiseman of the Psychology Department at the University of Hertfordshire has carried out over the years, including the fake séance work with Andy Nyman and studies into the psychology of deception. www.quirkology.com. Richard has produced a couple of You Tube clips to go with it, and they are both well worth watching, Click Here. 5.5.07

 

Big Blind Media is a brand new magic media company producing the very best in instructional magic DVDs. "Formed by Owen Packard and Dave Forrest (after a collaboration on the acclaimed 'Trickery' DVD project), the company ethos is to present the strongest, most innovative and most workable magic around in the 21st century. Big Blind Media is dedicated to combining the very best and most thrilling magic with high-end production values and eye popping style. It's about creating DVD's that the magic community can truly get excited about." Visit www.bigblindmedia.com today! 5.5.07

 

Be on TV and win a year's salary in just one day! TwoFour for Channel Five email: "We're looking for contestants for a brand new BIG money quiz show. Can you tell how much money someone makes just from their appearance? Can someone tell how much money you make just by the way you answer specific questions? If you have a job and want the chance to win thousands of pounds – and even the chance to win as much as a year's salary – we're looking for you now! All you need is to be over 18 and have a full time job (we are keen to get some Children's Entertainers from all over the country.)" For details telephone: 0844 4480 022 or email quiz@twofour.co.uk. www.twofourbroadcast.com. 5.5.07

 

Criss Angel Mindfreak. 304 pages, hardcover, published by William Morrow, July 12th 2007. Pre-order from Amazon.co.uk Click Here. The blurb: "This work presents the behind the scenes of the hit show. The most provocative mystifier in decades reveals secrets of 40 amazing illusions that fans can master. The star of the groundbreaking hit television series 'Criss Angel Mindfreak' is considered to be the most influential name in magic today. With a visionary approach and inventive material, 'Mindfreak' explores the various illusions - 'mindfreaks' - Angel performs each week, as well as his philosophy behind his approach to life and his art. From 'Burned Alive' and 'Bullet Catch' to 'Building Walk' and 'Levitation', Criss explains the mindset that makes each demonstration successful, and reveals the unique, personal illusory twist he adds to each one." 5.5.07

 

The wait is finally over and the hottest DVD of the year is now available! "Party Animal - starring Matthew J. Dowden is a two-disc set, jam-packed with powerful, commercial material that you will use! Shot live on location, there are no fake reactions or setups on this DVD! See Matthew perform all the material live then join him in the studio where he takes you step-by-step through all the work, moves and subtleties that make up each routine!" See the video demo on the Alakazam website and order today! www.alakazam.co.uk. 5.5.07

 

Paul Brook presents 'Open to Influence' an evening of interpersonal influence using mental dexterity, psychological control, deception and suggestion. "During the show audience members will be selected at random and Paul will attempt to control their thoughts and reactions. Paul has been tipped as being the next rising star of in the field of psychological illusion." 18th - 19th of October, Lyttleton Theatre, Birmingham. Tickets £12 each (and bring a second person free!) Tickets are on sale now and are only available from www.paulbrook.co.uk. 5.5.07

 

Tom Lyon and Drummond Money-Coutts entered top diplomatic circles a few weeks ago, being booked to perform at the US Embassy in London for their Easter celebrations; the pair have since been re-booked for Independence Day at the Embassy in July - one of the city's most exclusive and high-security events this summer! Tom and Drummond continue their two-man show, "Formal Fantasies", raising thousands of pounds for African charities, and last month took their show to Edinburgh for a Charity evening, greasing the wheels to the evening's £70 000 total." 5.5.07

 

The Tony Binarelli Lecture. 14th May 2007 "Do not miss this chance to see Italy's top magician, you will not be disappointed." Venue: The Downtown Magic Club, Park Street, Ashford, Kent. £5.00 for members £10 for guests (members of other magic clubs always given a warm welcome and discounted entry on production of membership card). Contact: Miki Travis for details: mikitravis@ntlworld.com telephone 01233620120 www.downtownmagicclub.co.uk 5.5.07

 

Marc Spelmann and Collin Claus have just returned from Chicago where they performed for Virgin Airlines. Over 800 VIP guests were their to celebrate the first direct flight from Heathrow to Chicago since 9/11. The two are due to fly out to Hong Kong next month for Microsoft and are planning on wiping the hard drive on a computer located three miles away! www.marcspelmann.co.uk www.streetmagic.org.uk. Meanwhile, back home, Marc and Peter Nardi at Inner Mind Productions will shortly be releasing two new DVDs: Christopher Taylor's Outside The Conventional: Mind Reading with Meaning and High Impact Volume One which is a self contained act on a DVD (props and gimmicks included). More information soon. 5.5.07

 

Scott Creasey presents his "Escape The Restraints of Reality" lecture at the Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians on Monday 14th May. Members of other Magic Clubs welcome (small cover charge). Contact the Secretary for details: edward.loughran@ntlworld.com. 5.5.07

 

Peter McLanachan presents his “A Force Much Greater Than Luck” lecture on card magic for the Glasgow Magic Circle President’s Night this Tuesday evening (8th May) at 7.30pm at Rutherglen United Reform Church, 69 Johnstone Drive, Rutherglen, Glasgow. Peter presented a shortened lecture at last weekend's Scottish Association of Magical Societies Convention in Montrose, however on Tuesday, he will be he will be presenting it in full. Visiting magicians are welcome and, as it is the President's Night, visitors will not be charged an entry fee! www.the-cardman.blogspot.com. 5.5.07

 

The 'Tricks at the Tryst' show at 7.30pm on May 12th at the Falkirk Lesser Town Hall, Falkirk FK1 5RS (Map). "A night of wonder and amazement" supplied by the local Forth Valley Magic Circle. Comprising dedicated amateurs and seasoned professionals, the club has been promoting the art of magic for the last three decades. Tickets from the Falkirk Steeple Box Office or via www.forthvalleymagic.co.uk. 5.5.07

 

The Signed Card Strikes Back by Michael Vincent is reviewed by Graham Nichols this week: "'The Signed Card Strikes Back' is a CD ROM which combines both video technology, with which to view the performance of the effect, together with electronic document PDF technology for viewing / printing the manuscript. Full colour photos are also included, as you would expect, and no stone is left unturned in the explanation department. Indeed, the effect can be learned from either the video or the PDF file alone. Having both available is a real treat..." To read the full review Click Here. 5.5.07

 

Two award-winning magicians are about to face their toughest challenge yet - pulling the wool over the eyes of inmates at Craiginches Prison, Aberdeen. "We'll maybe skip the escapology act - just this once," said Allan Innes, "But if it's good enough for Johnny Cash it's good enough for us." The date came after the Two Allans scored their biggest success to date at the Scottish Association of Magical Societies annual convention. During the event in Montrose last weekend they picked up the award for best stage act, beating finalists from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, together with their assistant, Susan Hilditch. It was the second time that the Two Allans brought a trophy home to Aberdeen from the contest. Last year they were awarded the prize for best children's entertainer. 5.5.07

 

Free magic book! Paul Gordon is offering readers of MagicWeek a free hardback card magic book (135 pages, 32 tricks) if they place an order for "Corner of Piccadilly" which can be seen demonstrated at www.paulgordon.net/magicvideodemos.htm - new video clips are being added to this section all the time. 5.5.07

 

It's been a busy week for standnotamazed, the theatre, cabaret and consultancy company run by magician John van der Put and movement director Lucy Cullingford. On Monday they launched the official cocktail of the 60th Cannes Film Festival 2007, the 'Cointreaupolitan Star' Martini, a drink that contains 24 carat culinary gold flakes. Thursday saw them at the launch of LG's first range of full HD televisions. John was on hand to show close-up magic in the VIP area, and presented a specially commissioned performance utilising LG's flagship 47" widescreen HD TV on the main stage, before Lily Allen closed the evening. 5.5.07

 

Smokin' Aces is released on Monday - pre-order from Amazon.co.uk with 30% off, Click Here • Keith Bennett is presenting a new lecture on coin magic (sleights and fekes) and visiting magicians are welcome, (small charge for non-members) at The Pentacle Club on Tuesday May 8th • "Sleight of hand, total hatred" Click Here • "Houdini stunt on the cards" Click Here • "TV: Teller speaks!" Click Here • "Magicians sue TV stations for revealing magic coin tricks" Click Here • "Magicians sue Japan TV networks" Click Here • "Cage thriller tops UK box office" Click Here • "Pam Anderson lands Electra's Vegas gig" Click Here • Krishin Uttamchandani has launched the Krazy Ace Forum and would welcome new members: www.krazyace.co.uk • Please remember the Friday 12 noon deadline for all submissions - have a magic week, Duncan. 5.5.07

 

Back

 

© www.magicweek.co.uk