Number 398 - 9th February 2008
The
brilliant Derren Brown: Something Wicked This Way Comes comes
to DVD on April 21st. As a live performer Derren's shows have played to
sold-out theatres across the UK and in 2006, Something Wicked This Way
Comes won the Olivier Award in the Best Entertainment category. At the
end of its second and final year of touring around the UK, this one-man
stage show was re-staged at The Old Vic in London. This DVD features that
special performance and captures Derren at his hilarious, dramatic and
spellbinding best. Derren takes the live theatre audience on a journey of
psychological persuasion, lie-detection, skepticism, subliminal imagery
and Victorian-style pain control. The finale of the show is a
tour-de-force of prediction, influence and showmanship that leaves the
audience begging for more. The DVD 'Extras' feature deleted scenes and
behind the scenes footage. Pre-order via Amazon.co.uk and save 25%
Click Here.
9.2.08
Feed
The Children Variety Performance 2008. Ali Bongo comperes the 'Feed
The Children Variety Performance 2008' at the Bearwood College Theatre,
Sindlesham, Wokingham RG41 5BG (Map)
at 7pm on Saturday 8th March. Starring: Hans Davis (Shadow master from
Belgium), Duncan Trillo, Mark Shortland, Michael Vincent, Jonathan
Shotton, Brian Miller and Audrey, Performers Dance Company (Principal
Brian Rogers), and Katie Shepherd, with close-up magic from Michael
Alderman, David Ball, Michael Carr, Rob Page and Kerry Scorah. Tickets:
Adults £15, Under 16s £10, Family ticket of 4 £45, Group (10 adults) £140,
Group (10 children) £90. To purchase tickets telephone: 0118 932 0095 or
email
info@feedthechildren.org.uk or visit the website:
www.feedthechildren.org.uk. All proceeds to 'Feed The Children'
projects.
9.2.08
Daniel
Hunt & Annette Claire - Amethyst, are back in Blackpool this week,
performing yet another stunt as part of the 'Showzam' festival of magic.
It's another escape challenge, entitled 'Get the Point'. Danny will be
bound by his hands, waist and ankles to a solid wooden bed, he will then
have just two minutes to escape before the timer releases a large rack of
spikes which will plunge into Danny if he's not wriggled out of his
restraints in time! Watch it live on Tuesday 12th February at Madame
Tussauds, Promenade, Blackpool at 11am. Will it be third time lucky? See
What's On for complete
Showzam listings and links.
9.2.08
MagiciansBookshelf.com.
"MagiciansBookshelf.com presents a select range of in-depth-tuition
e-Books. These beautifully designed 3-dimensional page turning books
packed with large photos and video will give you expert instruction.
Concentrating on techniques and quality routines this range will grow,
expanding your knowledge, skills and digital bookshelf; check out
www.magiciansbookshelf.com for details of the current collection and
opening offers."
9.2.08
King's
Reel. My-MagicShop.com present the King's Reel "A special gimmick that
will allow you to perform effects which are closer than anything else to
real magic! Let a silk fly into your hands! Let the pages of a book turn
by themselves! Let a selected card from a deck of cards shoot into the
air! Cause a pen to fall from the edge of a glass by the force of your
thoughts alone! And much more! Visit
www.my-magicshop.com for details and to order.
9.2.08
International
News: Bill Malone headlines at the Magiske Timer magic convention in
Oslo, Norway (April 25th - 27th) - he'll be performing and lecturing.
Other artists include: Malin Nilsson, Christoph Borer, Helge Thun, Jay
Niemi, Martin Brock, Nestor Hato, Timo Wopp and MagicWeek favourite the
brilliant Finn Jon. There are direct flights to Oslo from London,
Birmingham, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Bristol, Dublin and Manchester.
Convention Organiser Helge Fredheim assures you of a warm welcome. Visit:
www.magiskecirkel.no for details.
9.2.08
Mark
Lee's Clone Coin. Merlin's announce the release of a brand new DVD,
Mark Lee's Clone Coin. Merlin's launched the Clone Coin at last
year's Blackpool Convention, where it was a complete sell-out. Since then
it has been very popular and demand has been high for Mark to produce an
instructional DVD to accompany it. The Clone Coin is available in
many different coins - visit Merlin's website
www.merlinswakefield.co.uk for details. "Merlin's would like to
express their appreciation for all the nice comments regarding the
Clone Coin. Thanks for supporting the original - beware of expensive
imitations!".
9.2.08
Prism...
"You start by displaying three very attractive black dominoes. Each domino
has a different coloured spot on it. You remove one domino and it is
placed face down in front of you. The spectator thinks of any one of the
three colours (no force). You immediately turn over the domino that is in
front of you - it's their chosen colour! 100% Self working. Instant reset.
Very nice props." Visit
www.waynedobson.co.uk for details and to order, and don't forget to
ask for a demonstration at the Blackpool Convention.
9.2.08
All
new at Five of Hearts Magic! Five of Hearts Magic have just launched a
brand new website featuring their vast range of fine quality magic,
including their 'Collections' series. The New Products section presents
the very latest exclusive products as they emerge from the Five of Hearts
Workshop (currently featuring 20+ products since October 2007). Other new
areas on the site offer: Gift Vouchers, Magic Tuition, News, Convention
Diary, and a sign-up section for their new mailing list. "Colin and
Sharron extend a warm welcome to everyone at their new online Magic
Shop..... Enjoy!" Visit
www.fiveofheartsmagic.co.uk today!
9.2.08
Etienne
Pradier launches a new 2 disc DVD set, featuring material taken from
the past 20 years of performing, at the Blackpool Convention later this
month. Watch the teaser on YouTube:
Click
Here.
9.2.08
Magic
Cave of Covent Garden and JL2 Magic recently hosted an after-Christmas
party for the magicians of London to celebrate the success of The Cannabis
Effect and JL2's new range of magic wallets. A great time was had by all
who attended and the star cabaret featured a surprise performance from TV
comedian Paul Foot.
www.thecannabiseffect.com
www.jl2magic.com
more photos,
Click
Here.
(Photo, l to r: Lee Thompson, Neil Henry, Paul Foot and Lee Hathaway)
9.2.08
Paul
Stockman - back from the USA. Paul has just completed another
successful tour of his stage show in America and has over a hundred shows
already booked for the year ahead. Paul can be seen at Warners 5 star
hotels and resorts around the country from May to October and his brand
new theatre show will have its debut on April 12th at The Exeter Corn
Exchange. Look out for his one-off Sky Television special later in the
year.
www.paulstockman.com.
9.2.08
Mark
Townsend's second book The Wizard's Gift has just been published. "In
The Wizard's Gift a young man has all but lost the will to live, for his
life has become meaningless. However, though depressed, one place he
always finds can lift his spirits is the forest, which he frequently
visits. On one of these occasions he meets and chats with an old man who
oozes a genuine wisdom and spiritual depth. The old man becomes his mentor
and, over time a beautiful relationship develops. Gradually the depressive
re-discovers the wonder and magic of life, and he begins to think of his
mentor as The Wizard. The Wizard gives him many gifts - tangible and
symbolic items that bring profound spiritual insights and self-knowledge.
Each of these gifts will be relevant and will speak directly to the
readers of the book, and they too will begin to experience a sense of
inner magic and spiritual transformation." For more information, and to
order from Amazon.co.uk,
Click Here.
9.2.08
Special
Care & Share Day with Ralph Dewey. Graham Lee has booked Ralph Dewey,
one of America’s top balloon twisters, to lecture in the UK on Wednesday
19th March at a Special Care & Share Day in Watford. Ralph has over 30
year’s experience. The day will be a 'hands on' lecture/workshop event and
will run from 10am - 6pm, with Ralph presenting two sessions at 10.30am
and 2pm. For more details email
grahamleesmagic@blueyonder.co.uk
www.sempertexballoons.co.uk.
9.2.08
90
feet Under! Mike and Julie Evans have recently returned to the UK
after successfully performing shows and close-up magic at hotels across
Jamaica. For something a little different, for the scuba divers, Julie was
often seen performing her magic 90 feet under water! Some of it was
captured,
Click Here.
9.2.08
Vizage
(Sam and Vicki Lane) and Alan and Anne Shaxon were made honorary
members of the Nottingham Guild of Magicians from last Sunday, at their
recent magic day which featured three lectures and an evening show. To
read a review by Graham Harper
Click Here.
(Photo, l to r: Sam, Vicki, and Freddie Wilkinson).
9.2.08
Magic
Moments 08. Magicians and variety acts across the UK took part in
Magic Moments, the National Day of Magic, sponsored by Marvin’s Magic last
Saturday. The inaugural event raised money for worthwhile causes and
brought a moment of magic into many lives. Jay Fortune emails "We’ve yet
to count up every last penny raised, but so far have raised over £11,000
for various charities. It took a lot of people, including all the
performers, design and production teams, promoters, producers,
distributors, sponsors, advertisers and tons of other good-spirited folk
to make Magic Moments Day happen. We’ve got ambitious plans for next
year’s event and urge magicians everywhere to take part.” Visit
www.magicmoments08.com to keep up to date with next year's events.
9.2.08
Wolverhampton
Circle of Magicians - new home. The Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians
are moving their Headquarters and meeting place from the Novotel
Wolverhampton to the Wolverhampton West End Working Mens Club, Merridale
Street West, Wolverhampton WV3 0RW Tel: 01902 772465. The first meeting at
the new location will be on Wednesday, 27th February at 7.30pm when
they'll welcome Swedish card expert Lennart Green. Bona fide visiting
magicians welcome (fee £10.00). Further details are available from Bryan
Atherton on 01902 896593 or 07711 714974
www.wcm-magic.co.uk.
9.2.08
Adam
Bloom performs a card trick for his chums, and very good it is too!
Coming soon from Street Magic Limited - watch the YouTube video,
Click
Here.
9.2.08
Paul
Gordon's Card Capers takes place on Sunday May 11th (10am - 5pm).
Registration £25.00 in advance only. Visit
www.paulgordon.net/cardcapers.htm for details.
9.2.08
El
Loco has a brand new website
www.elloco.co.uk and
has also just finished writing a new show “Loco’s Bar” which will be
targeted at the cruise market. Two happy years with Blockbookers
come to an end shortly. El Loco emailed that he'd really missed the day to
day activity that goes with looking after his own show, The Dentist's
Chair.
9.2.08
Iain
Moran has just returned from Munich where he gave a lecture and
workshop to an enthusiastic group of German magicians. In years past they
have had visits from Bob Read, Lennart Green, Gaeton Bloom, Doc Eason, Pit
Hartling, Alexander de Cova, and many more. Iain emails "Fortunately they
enjoyed what I had to offer too and I hope to return later this year."
www.iainmoran.com.
9.2.08
Walt Lees lecture. Award winning magician and editor of Abra and The Magician, Walt Lees, will be lecturing at The Pentacle Club in Cambridge on Tuesday 12th February at 8pm. Visiting magicians welcome - there will be a small fee for non-members. 9.2.08
Sale. There will be a sale of the late John Williams' (Jon Brett) magic and illusions on Sunday 24th February from 10am - 3pm at 13 Salisbury Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth BH1 4EN (Map). All welcome. 9.2.08
Tony Griffith has a new address which he has asked us to pass on, as he has also been offline for the past three weeks: Tony and Judy Griffith, 13 Church Road, Norton Malreward, Bristol BS39 4EX, telephone 01275 835463. Tony's latest book Reflections is about to go into its second printing www.tonygriffith.co.uk. 9.2.08
Jack Stephens emails "Last weekend I was entertaining for Stuart Pearce at his own private party. As I was leaving I was chatting about the forthcoming game and as a bit of a joke, I took out a magic wand and tapped it twice on the table, saying that these 'magic taps' would ensure that England win the football on Wednesday night (England v Switzerland, Wembley, 6th February). It was all done very tongue-in-cheek and all the guests had a little giggle at my antics. But then what happens? Yes, England beat Switzerland by scoring two goals. Two goals. One for each of my taps. Of course I have not told the guests at the party it was just a fluke. I have said, 'I am a magician after all!'" Who needs David Beckham? 9.2.08
Look
out for Alex Lodge on ‘Dancing on Ice Make Me a Star’ at 8.20pm on ITV
1 tonight • "Prince charming"
Click Here • "Teller, Casting a Dark Spell"
Click Here • Thursday's edition of The Stage features its
annual Magic Supplement, which this year will include a feature on Alex
Crow and an article from Ali Bongo • Dynamo on YouTube:
Here,
Here
and
Here • "Saudi Showman Wants to Make One of Giza Pyramids Vanish"
Click Here • Mark Waddington, from Skipton, performs in a pilot show
entitled "Magical Yorkshire"
Click
Here • "TV did the trick for magic firm Marvin's Magic"
Click Here • Your news, reviews and articles are always welcomed - see
you next week, Duncan.
9.2.08