Number 399 - 16th February 2008

 

A nine foot high bronze statue of Tommy Cooper is to be unveiled by Sir Anthony Hopkins at 12 noon on Saturday 23rd February in Caerphilly. Sir Anthony has always been a fan and loves doing impressions of Tommy Cooper, who was born in this Welsh town. The Tommy Cooper Society has raised thousands of pounds to finance the statue, which is being erected in the centre of the town overlooking Caerphilly Castle. Once the statue has been unveiled The Tommy Cooper Society will be turning their attention to converting the local Workmen’s Hall into a theatre to be used by everyone from professional performers to amateur dramatic societies and schools. It will be renamed the ‘Tommy Cooper Theatre’. At present it is in a fairly run-down state. The Magic Circle will be presenting a fund-raising show at the venue in Caerphilly on Friday 28th March. David Ball is to compere and the show will star Alan Shaxon, Brian Miller and Audrey, Keith Cooper and Carol, Mike O’Brien, Peter Scarlett and Rob Page. David Beckley and Geoffrey Newton will be performing close-up magic during the interval. Tickets can be obtained from the box office on 02920 880011. Further information can be obtained from David Ball on 01923 822589 or email secretary@themagiccircle.co.uk. 16.2.08

 

Magic to Cry For. standnotamazed present ‘Magic to Cry For’ at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club at 8pm on Thursday 28th February. Following the sell-out success of their last evening standnotamazed are happy to hop back on to the cabaret stage and present another serving of ‘Magic to Cry For’ "a delectable evening of sophisticated cabaret from London’s most refined creators of contemporary magic". Special Guest Artists Include: Richard Pinner, Alexis Terry, The Spikes, Toomuchdance, Arthur’s Tea Party, Piff the Magic Dragon and DJ Kombine. Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, 42 Pollard Row, London E2 6NB. Tickets £5.00, Doors 7.30pm, Show 8.30pm Tickets on the door or call 07891 894 092 / 07802 770966 www.standnotamazed.com. 16.2.08

 

Zorro the Musical. Magic consultant Scott Penrose will be designing magic, illusions, quick change items and special effects for the upcoming stage production of Zorro and will also be building magic props and illusions alongside David Shakarian. Zorro will preview at the Eastbourne Congress Theatre for four nights before its premiere at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking. It may then move to the West End. The production features a cast of 30 and flamenco dancers with music by the Gypsy Kings. www.zorro.com. 16.2.08

 

Mel Mellers is back! "Hot on the heels of his best-selling twin DVD set Tickling the Mind, comes Mel Mellers' brand new DVD, Undiscovered Wonder, featuring eight jam-packed routines - complete with all the gags and presentational plots you'll need. The clown is dead... welcome to Mel Mellers' Undiscovered Wonder the very latest DVD from the ever inventive mind of one of Britain's most successful comedy magicians." Pre-order now and receive a 15% discount: www.rsvpmagic.com. The disc is featured in MagicWeek this week, see Magic DVDs. 16.2.08

 

Drew McAdam will be lecturing at the Aberdeen Magical Society www.aberdeenmagic.com on Tuesday, 26th February. The lecture is expected to focus on the business aspects of selling a show and building a career. Drew McAdam uses his mindplay skills to entertain, educate and motivate blue chip corporations. www.drewmcadam.co.uk. If you are not a member of Aberdeen Magical Society and wish to attend you are asked to contact the Society in advance via www.aberdeenmagic.com. 16.2.08

 

Marvin’s Magic and Arby’s Cadabra. Fast food chain Arby’s who have over 3,500 restaurants in the USA and Canada have teamed up with UK magic company Marvin’s Magic for a unique kids promotion. Due to hit stores in mid February the Arby’s Cadabra promotion will include a free magic toy in all kids meals. These include a unique magic handbook featuring tricks, hints and tips from Marvin Berglas. This is set to be a huge promotion with 2,500,000 branded Marvin’s Magic toys being issued including around 700,000 of the Marvin’s Magic books. Marvin Berglas, creator of Marvin’s Magic said "We are delighted to have been chosen to partner Arby’s in the USA and Canada. This highlights the high recognition for our brand worldwide being synonymous with solid family values as well as the ever popular interest in magic." www.marvinsmagic.com. 16.2.08

 

Peter Duffie's Alternative Magic. "Peter Duffie's Alternative Magic website has been offering original magic, electronic books and CD ROM videos at low prices for over a decade. However, you don't need to spend money when you visit the site because there are over 60 quality tricks that you can read and learn free of charge, with new tricks added frequently, and there is no registration required. Peter is currently offering a three-for-two deal - Buy any two items from the site and choose another item absolutely free! No conditions - no catches. Check it out as you've nothing to lose, but much to gain!" Visit www.peterduffie.com today! 16.2.08

 

Party Animal Matthew J. Dowden lectures at the Downtown Magic Club, Ashford, Kent at 8pm on Monday 18th February. Star of the best-selling Party Animal DVD, Matthew's lecture features an interactive section for the whole audience, so be sure to bring a deck of cards (if you forget then pop in to Alakazam Magic on the way!). Visit www.downtownmagicclub.co.uk for details. 16.2.08

 

Lomond Magic, run by full time entertainer David Lees, is based in Scotland, close to Loch Lomond. Founder David Lees performs for children and at family shows, working with ventriloquism, magic and balloon modelling, and also performs close-up magic and 'Bizarre magick' for adults. He is also involved in mentalism and many of the products in the range will eventually reflect his own interests in magic. Visit www.lomondmagic.com today! 16.2.08

 

Electric Empire presents ‘Magic Night: Mind Magic’ at Soho Revue Bar on Friday 7th March. Doors open 7pm, Show starts at 8pm. Tickets £10.00 Concessions £7.00 via www.ticketweb.co.uk 08700 600 100. "Magic Night celebrates its first birthday on 7th March 2008 - forget top hats, flouncy capes and white rabbits! In this show we present the most cutting edge magic, awesome illusionists, an amazing physical act and the most contemporary and original musical act currently strumming a ukulele. Performers on the night include: Barry and Stuart, Michael Vadini, Lady Carol, Tiffany Stevenson and Toby Caldwell, with close-up magic from Neil Henry and Lee Hathaway, who will again be presenting their unique and innovative tabletop magic prior to the main show. Soho Revue Bar, 11 Walkers Court, London W1 www.sohorevuebar.com. 16.2.08

 

Peter McLanachan will be presenting his “A Force Much Greater Than Luck” lecture at Forth Valley Magic Circle, The Station Hotel, Foundry Loan, Larbert on Monday 18th February at 7.30pm. Visiting magicians are welcome and should email Forth Valley Magic Circle's Secretary secretary@forthvalleymagic.co.uk for full details. www.thecardman.co.uk. 16.2.08

 

Spellbound - A Family Magic and Puppet Show for half-term "Following the success of their Sparkly Magic Family Fun Show 2 years ago, the Northamptonshire Magicians Club are returning to the Spinney Hill Theatre in the February Half-term with a brand new production for all the Family suitable for children of all ages. The show has a varied and talented line-up of children's entertainers including Royston the Magician, Steve Dimmer, Silly Soapy, Chris Cullen and special guest ventriloquist Chris Bylett & Company (featuring Desmond the Duck and Charlie!). The whole package will provide 2 hours of fun-filled professional magic and puppet entertainment with music, comedy and participation." Venue: The Spinney Hill Theatre (Northampton School for Girls), Spinney Hill Road, Northampton NN3 6DG on Thursday 21st February at 2.30pm All seats £5.50. Ample free car parking. For further details telephone the Box Office: 01604 409010. 16.2.08

 

Bill Thompson's Winks Diary. Brand new for the Blackpool Convention from rsvpmagic.com this really is as clean, simple and easy to do as it gets. No stacked decks, no multiple outs, no marked cards. In fact you don't even have to use a deck at all! "I didn't see that coming - and you can quote me... it's great!" Jeff McBride "Awesome - I want to feature that in my show" Greg Frewin. These were the reactions from two world-class performers when they were shown the diary just a few days ago. See the trailer and pre-order now before it's release at Blackpool and receive a 15% discount by visiting www.rsvpmagic.com. 16.2.08

 

Magic Dave (Dave Allen) is pleased to announce that he'll be lecturing at the Blackpool Magic Convention this year with a new lecture entitled Bish Bash Bosh. Dave will also be launching a brand new DVD to accompany the talk, featuring lots of new routines an ideas for the children's entertainer. www.magicroundabout.net. 16.2.08

 

Gary Jones will be presenting his lecture "No Frills Just Magic" at the Scarborough Circle of Magicians on Tuesday 1st April. The lecture is jam packed with commercial material and advice on working in the "real world". For recent reviews Click Here and Click Here. www.garyjonesmagic.com. 16.2.08

 

Mike Danata's Magic Studio. Mike Danata emails: "My website has been revamped, and has a new search facility. We also now have a Freephone number for orders and enquiries from the UK, the number is 0800 118 26 55. I am also very happy to phone potential customers in the following countries to discuss items they may require: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, Italy Germany and the Netherlands. All orders go out the same day, post free Worldwide unless stated. We currently have about 15000 items in stock, but not everything is on the website, due to lack of time to get everything on! Everything on the website, is in stock (unless I slip up!)." Visit www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk today! 16.2.08

 

Magic by Numbers. "magic by numbers is a brand new training course designed to show you how to grow your magic business quickly and effectively. Designed and presented by professional magician Andrew Murray, this course is a masterclass on the business aspects of magic." The first courses run on March 2nd in London and March 9th in Birmingham. Visit www.magicbynumbers.com for full course details. 16.2.08

 

Marc Oberon will be releasing several new products next week at the Blackpool Convention: "The Floating Wand is a great new close-up illusion similar to the dancing cane but allowing a much wider choice of performing situations. Marc's new Master Deck book contains many new ideas for use with his gimmicked deck. It includes routines such as Any Card Named Rising, Any Card at Any Number with the Master Deck and Deck Vanish Leaving Just the Named Card. Matthew Field, Editor of the Magic Circular, says about The Master Deck: 'Marc Oberon has created a very clever aid for the serious card magician.' Also look out for Cap-It - any named or signed card can magically appear inside of a previously shown empty baseball cap on your own or a spectator's head at any point during your routine." 16.2.08

 

He made it! Following three successful escapes as part of Blackpool's Showzam festival Danny Hunt and Annette Claire, (Amethyst) return to Blackpool next weekend to take part in the "UK v the Rest of the World" show at the Opera House on Saturday 23rd February. They will appear with their escapology act featuring "The Death Tank" - their new version of Houdini's classic Water Torture Cell. To see Danny and Annette's latest stunt at Louis Tussaud's, visit www.blackpooltoday.co.uk. To read recent reviews Click Here. (Picture courtesy Redvers Photographic). 16.2.08

 

Blogging Blackpool. Sussex Magic Circle Members Matt Parro (photo), Stuart Harley and Geoff Hunt will be reviewing the Blackpool Convention via a live Blog which will contain thoughts and photos on this year's programme, as it happens! So, if you can’t make the convention this year, but want the very latest, visit www.mattparro.com. 16.2.08

 

Presidents Wanted! A historic photograph is being arranged at the Blackpool Convention. Presidents of all Magical Societies are invited to bring their Chain of Office to pose in a group photograph of all the Presidents who attended the Blackpool Convention. The photograph will be taken in 'The Ice Room' at the Winter Gardens at 10.30am on Saturday 23rd February by ace photographer Peter Jenkins. If you have any questions contact Anne Lever at: d.lever1@sky.com. 16.2.08

 

Chris Priest will be presenting his new lecture, containing many of his professional routines, at the Blackpool Convention at 7.30pm on the Friday evening in the Pavilion Theatre. All the routines will be available on a 3 DVD set “Master Coin Routine”, “Master Card Routines” and “Protons” together with a giant chromed coin (featured in the routines) from the World Magic Shop stand on the Balcony. See the YouTube link Click Here. 16.2.08

 

Neil Collet (aka Barnaby) has just completed a two month cruise for Colorline, on the Norway/Germany route. The ship, called 'The Fantasy', is the second largest ferry/cruise ship in the world. The largest being Colorlines new ship 'The Magic'. Next, Neil flies to Kristiansand, in southern Norway, to work on their high speed boat service to Denmark. "It's hard work", Neil says, "but also very rewarding". 16.2.08

 

Wayne Goodman will be lecturing at Bolton Magicians Club on Wednesday 20th February at 8.30pm. All welcome at the Doffcocker Inn, Chorley Old Road, Bolton. www.waynegoodman.co.uk. 16.2.08

 

There's 10% off everything at www.worldmagicshop.co.uk until midnight Sunday. Visit their new-look website today. Gary Jones reviews two new World Magic Shop DVDs this week, Click Here, and Rob James reviews Coinvexed, Click Here. 16.2.08

 

"Catherine Zeta-Jones shows off more than her range" Click Here • "Probably The World’s Greatest Magic Show" Click Here • "Now you see it. Now you don’t - students taught magic as part of degree" Click Here • "Magician Lifts Ft 1.5 million from Hungarian Bank" Click Here • "Bluegrass start to 2008 arts season" Click Here • "Copperfield: I'll Try and Make Your Suit Disappear!" Click Here • "Could it be magic?...er, no, actually" Click Here • "Siegfried & Roy Roar Back for Charity" Click Here • "Conjuror is out to light up Blackpool by magic" Click Here • Next week we'll be taking a look at the new tripple DVD set from Big Blind Media The Omega Mutation which launches at the Blackpool Convention, together with Adam Bloom's Twisting Fate, but that's it for this week - see you in Blackpool next weekend, Duncan. 16.2.08

 

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