Number 425 - 16th August 2008
Pure
Magic! The Edinburgh Fringe Festival has fallen under the spell of a
number of magicians this year - with rave reviews appearing like never
before... this week Barry & Stuart are featured on the front cover of The List
, and deservedly picked up a Five Star review for their show
which boldly goes where no mere magic show has dared venture before...
Click Here. Also see "Barry & Stuart: Part-time Warlocks" in
Three Weeks
Click Here. In The Ed Stage they collected a "Stage Must See!"
stamp of approval
Click
Here, and last Sunday the two were featured in The Times,
Click Here. Keep up-to-date with all Barry and Stuart goings on via
their blog:
www.barryandstuart.com/category/blog/. "Forget rabbits and hats. The
new generation of magicians on the Edinburgh Fringe want to mess with
your mind..."
Click Here. "Pete Firman's FlimFlam not for the squeamish"
Click Here. 16.8.08
Kidology
UK 2008 is now just three weeks away. This is the only UK convention
specifically geared towards the children's entertainer, taking place in
Wolverhampton on Tuesday, September 9th. Ireland's Pat Fallon is putting
together a brand new lecture for the day entitled Magical Entertainment for the Older Child.
"This
can be a difficult area and some magicians shy away from it, but there
are plenty of bookings for this kind of work, and Pat is a seasoned
professional who is always worth listening to.
Pat has lectured extensively on magic - including some clever and
original twists on children's magic - but this is the first time he has
tackled this challenging subject." In conjunction with the lecture, Pat
will be releasing a new DVD called 'Magic for Older Children' on the day
- see
Magic DVDs to watch a clip. 4 lectures, 12 dealers, lunch included!
Visit
www.practical-magic.com for full details and to book. 16.8.08
Presto
Poster! A limited edition Presto poster is available from The
Animation Art Gallery in London. "Dignity. Poise. Mystery. We expect
nothing less from the great turn-of-the-century magician, Presto. But
when Presto neglects to feed his rabbit, Alec, one too many times, the
magician finds he isn't the only one with a few tricks up his sleeve!"
Presto, is the animated Pixar short, currently in cinemas preceding
WALL-E. Many thanks to Darryl Rose for alerting us to the
availability of this poster, and also for arranging a discount for
magicians (use the code '321Magic' online or when ordering by phone to
receive a small discount).
Expect delivery in 2-3 weeks. Visit:
www.theanimationartgallery.com for more information and to order. 16.8.08
Wayne
Dobson Lecture. ACES Magic Society are delighted to announce that
Wayne Dobson will be lecturing for them shortly.
"His personality and professionalism shines through and the evening is
likely to include many of Wayne's best routines, perhaps some new ones
and no doubt some comedy." Visiting magicians are welcome at £5.00
(park in the Dorset Arms car park, due to the pedestrianisation of
Lewes town centre). Contact President Martin Lewis or Secretary Nicky
Moon for more information on 01903 532413 or 07759 807953. 10th
September 8pm to 10pm, Thomas A Beckett Church Hall, Cliffe High Street,
Lewes.
www.acesmagic.co.uk. 16.8.08
Don't
Miss a Trick. In this one-off family special, (hosted by Kate
Thornton), Jessica Clement, Paul Wilson and Alex Conran from BBC3's
The Real Hustle perform for the public. "Can you guess how it's done
before the tricksters reveal their secrets?" Meanwhile,
Pete Firman shares some shocking, stomach churning tricks! Don't Miss
a Trick - 5.05pm on Monday 25th August on BBC 1. 16.8.08
Ali
Bongo's
Micro Magic Marathon.
Ali Bongo called to ask us to remind readers attending the Eastbourne
Convention that there will be a special event on the Thursday evening
between 7pm and 9pm, the
Micro Magic Marathon, for magicians who
wish to perform real close-up magic to groups of conventioneers in a
convivial atmosphere. Each performer will be given a number. They will perform for as many
tables and groups a possible in the time allocated. All conventioneers
will have cards to register their thoughts and at the end will put down
just the number of their favourite performer. The cards will be collected
and the winner announced. So as not to compete with the official close-up competition there
will be no official prize but some token presentation will be made,
together with the
glory and satisfaction of being the ‘Peoples Choice!’. It will be left up
to individual performers how they approach the challenge. Originality,
diversity, brevity, stamina, charm and charisma will be paramount. This
will be real close-up. Ali's intention is for this event to fill two
desirable objectives: more "under the nose" magic and more socialising.
This will make everyone participators, instead of being purely
spectators. You
can call Ali on 07974 016922 for more details or just to let him know
that you'll be participating. 16.8.08
James
Prince: Menu of Miracles, the new two-DVD set from RSVPMagic.com is
reviewed by Jack Stephens this week,
Click Here. 16.8.08
The
Twins and Mark Parker have just been added to The Southern
England Magic Convention line-up in January. Together they will
"offer a rare chance to have a frank, no holds barred question and
answer session... strong language may be used in this one off
discussion." Visit
www.semagicconvention.com
for more information. 16.8.08
Denny
Haney and Mark Mitton (photo) are two more names you'll be seeing at
the IBM British Ring Convention in Eastbourne in September. Bob
Hayden profiles them both, together with Close-up Competition organiser
Steve Evans, who takes over from Bryan Atherton this year.
Click Here for update number 10, or visit
www.britishring.org.uk
for more on the convention in general. 16.8.08
Chris
Congreave lectures at the Ipswich Magical Society on Monday, August
18th. Visiting magicians are welcome, but are asked to contact the
secretary first:
www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk . 16.8.08
Paul
Gordon lecture. On Thursday 28th August, Paul Gordon presents his
brand-new professional card magic lecture for the
Blackpool
Magicians' Club. Featuring magic from his books Cardistry,
Card Collective and his new book - Cool Card Stuff! Paul will
also be performing new dealer items that he will be releasing next year. 16.8.08
Lybrary.com’s
new audio offerings include the Martin Breese Collection, Classic
Blackstone Magic Detective Radio Drama. Expanding their line of audio
downloads, Lybrary.com is proud to announce the addition of the complete
Martin Breese audio magic series as well as digitally restored copies of
all existing Blackstone Magic Detective episodes. Although best known
for their magic ebook products, Lybrary.com also offer both audio and
video downloads. Now, they are proud to announce a major expansion of
their audio download catalogue. Lybrary.com is the exclusive source for
audio downloads of the famed Martin Breese MagiCassette and MagiCD
series. They have also commissioned digital restoration of all known
episodes of the Blackstone, Magic Detective radio program. Both
collections are available as convenient, high quality MP3 downloads or
on disc. Visit www.lybrary.com for
more information. 16.8.08
The
Nottingham Guild of Magicians once again staged their Children's
Entertainer Competition at the Bonington Theatre, Arnold. Four
performers took part with the audience voting for their favourite at the
end of the afternoon. The winner was Magician Cliff (Cliff Arram). L to
R: Dizzy Dez, Jolly Jingles, Magician Cliff, Carlo the Clown and compere
Uncle Barrie.
www.nottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk. 16.8.08
Mark
Elsdon Lecture. Wellingborough Magicians Society will be hosting a
lecture by Mark Elsdon on Wednesday 20th August at 7.30pm. Visiting
Magicians welcome. Members £3.00. Visitors £8.00. Venue: The Railway
Club, Broad Green, Wellingborough, Northants NN8 4LH (Map)
www.wellingboroughmagicians.com. 16.8.08
Peter
McLanachan is presenting his “A Force Much Greater Than Luck” card
magic lecture for International Magic on Thursday 28th August at their
usual venue - 'Casa Italiana', 136 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL (Map).
If you are interested in going along email or telephone Martin MacMillan
martin@internationalmagic.com or 0207 405 7324. Times are 7.15pm for
a prompt 7.30pm start, finishing at around 9.45pm. £10 per person
www.thecardman.co.uk. 16.8.08
Magicians Wanted! Matt Windsor emails: "Man Utd have booked me and our magic team Think Magic for the 9th year now. They are also looking at extending the rooms that magicians perform in, so I might well need a number of new magicians for them. It could be very helpful if any magicians are interested to get in touch. We entertain in the corporate areas and boxes both pre and post-match, performing close-up table hopping magic." Email: matt@magicmatt.co.uk. 16.8.08
Christopher
Pratt, 1947 - 2008. It is very sad to have to report that Chris
Pratt died on Monday 11th August. Chris had been ill for a number of
years following the diagnosis of a brain tumour in the Summer of 2005.
Chris was one of the first welcoming faces I met when I joined The Magic
Circle years ago and someone that I had the greatest of respect for. A
former Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year winner Chris
loved magic and The Magic Circle, and made a huge contribution to the
success that the society enjoys today. One of the main forces behind its
Meet The Magic Circle evenings and annual Magic Circle
Christmas Show, Chris had served the society as its ever-efficient
secretary for over 20 years and was also its current Vice-President.
I'll never forget a trip we shared to a Society of American Magicians
convention in New Orleans a few years ago when Chris, together with his
wife Jill, led a group of magicians through the sweltering back streets
of New Orleans in search of a tucked-away jam-packed jazz club that
somehow had escaped the perils of time. It was a wonderful evening. I'll
really miss Chris. Duncan Trillo.
Chris is remembered by Magic Circle President Alan Shaxon, Click Here, Brian Miller, Click Here and by Peter & Ilona Scarlett Click Here. A private family Cremation will take place on Friday 22nd August. This will be followed by a Celebration of Chris's life at St Marys Church, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TN (Map) on Friday 22nd August 2008 at 3.45pm to which everyone is invited. (Family flowers only requested, but if people would like to make a donation, they can do so to either The Isabel Hospice, or Marie Curie Cancer Care, who both helped to look after Chris. Donations can be sent to the funeral director at the following address: Chas. A. Nethercott & Son Ltd., 150 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 1AF. Please write Christopher Pratt on the back of any cheques.) Chris requested that black ties should not be worn! We are celebrating his love of life. After the service, tea and cakes will be served in the Parish room next to the church. 16.8.08
A
Very Happy Birthday to Nottingham Magician Fred Wilkinson - 75 today
(have a great day Fred!) • A Magical Wedding - Jack Delvin reports
Click Here • Burning Card Magic - Super Massive Sale Now On! Visit
www.burningcardmagic.co.uk
to pick up a bargain • Magic to Cry For - Friday 22nd August with special guests Paul Foot and
Richard Pinner, see What's
On • "Best of British Variety Tour"
Click Here • "Death Defying Acts"
Click Here • Mike Danata's Magic Studio is having a 10% off the lot
sale with extended opening hours over the bank holiday weekend (10am -
3pm Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday) - the sale applies to mail order
orders as well:
www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk • Gary Jones reviews John Carey's
recent lecture at the Riviera Circle of Magicians,
Click Here • Rex Stott reviews Jack Delvin's recent lecture at The
York Society of Magicians,
Click Here • That's all for this week, your UK magic news
(especially up-coming events) is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan.
16.8.08