Number 429 - 13th September 2008
Ali
Bongo is the new President of The Magic Circle. Magic Circle members
gave standing ovations to Ali Bongo on his election as President, and
Jack Delvin on his election as Vice-President, at Monday’s Annual
General Meeting of The Magic Circle on September 8th. Out-going
President, Alan Shaxon (photo with Ali Bongo), was warmly thanked for
his excellent five years in office. Ali Bongo has been at the forefront
of the British magic scene for some 40 years and is equally well known
internationally. He was David Nixon’s magic man (both on screen and off)
for nine years and followed this up as magical advisor to Paul Daniels
for over 15 years. Jack Delvin, the new Vice-President, has had a
lifetime in magic, and currently runs The Magic Circle's 'Summer School
of Magic' every year. Ali and Jack have tirelessly given their services
to promote and advance magic via The Magic Circle for many years. The
Centre for the Magic Arts, the headquarters of The Magic Circle, has a
clubroom, museum, library, function room and a beautiful theatre and has
won many awards in the corporate field for providing excellent
facilities for business seminars, meetings and dinners, just recently
added weddings to the list! (Photo
by James Freedman).
13.9.08
Siegfried
& Roy's The Magic Box - exclusive London screening.
Presenting a unique opportunity to join Siegfried & Roy at an exclusive
screening of Siegfried & Roy The Magic Box, the Imax movie, at
the Courthouse Hotel in Great Marlborough Street, London, at 2.30pm on
Monday 29th September. 50 seats only available. Tickets are £100 each
and will benefit
MagiCares the Magic Charity. Contact Paul Stone -
info@show-stealers.com for
details and availability. 13.9.08
Eastbourne
Convention - Important update for all registrants. This week's
Convention Update includes important information relating to the
collection of registration packs, and more,
Click
Here. It's still not too late to register - here's a quick look at
who will be lecturing:
Oscar Munoz ‘It’s all about the Entertainment’ Nick Einhorn
‘Very Practical Stuff You Probably Want To Do’ Bill Herz’ ‘The
Business of Magic’, Bill Herz, Michael Weber and Jeff Hobson
together: ‘Magic in the Corporate World’, Mike Bent ‘Children’s
Magic’, Derek DelGaudio and Jason England together: ‘Hard
Core Card Session’, Levent ‘Stage Magic Manipulation’ Michael
Finney (photo) ‘Secrets of a Professional Comedy Magician’, Jeff
Hobson ‘Egg Bag Workshop.’ Geoffrey Durham ‘Finding the Magic
Ingredient’ Gene Anderson ‘The Part-time Pro’s Personal
Favourites’ plus Kalin & Jinger (wait and see!), Guy
Hollingworth (wait and see!) and Juan Tamariz (wait and
see!). To read Bob Hayden's full update
Click
Here. To book online
Click Here. 13.9.08
David
Kaplan, who was such a hit at the recent combined IBM/SAM Convention
in Louisville, has been added to the bill for this year's International
Magic Convention at the Shaw Theatre and Novotel Complex in London
(November 28th-30th). Illusion, music, juggling and deadpan comedy
collide in his vaudevillesque spectacle. Inspired by the antics of
Buster Keaton, Peter Sellers, Victor Borge and the illustrious Wile E.
Coyote, David has created an act that defies description. Off-beat
magic, great sight gags and impeccable timing all combine to produce an
act that we predict will be one of the high points of the Gala Show.
David will also be lecturing and performing his juggling act on the
Friday Night Stand Up Comedy Show. Book now!
www.internationalmagic.com. 13.9.08
Blackpool
Magicians' Convention - updates: Jerome Murat, The Living Statue
first seen at Blackpool three years ago will be appearing on the Gala
Show in 2009. In the Dealers' Fair La Boutique De L'Illusion from
France and Magicians Cave Productions will both be exhibiting for
the very first time. And lastly, the Registration Office is now fully
operational after Arthur Casson's spell in hospital. Last week an all
time record was set with £10,000 being taken in registrations in just 7
days! Visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com today. 13.9.08
Magic
Poster and Book Collectors... On Wednesday 1st October, Paul Stone
is producing a Gala
Charity Fundraising Dinner and Auction at the 5 Star Landmark Hotel
in London, to honour Siegfried & Roy. The Guest of Honour will be HRH
Princess Michael of Kent. An auction will take place featuring around 12
unique items, with a few specifically related to Siegfried & Roy.
Amongst them are two highly collectible and totally unique items. First,
a magnificent poster for the 'Tribute
to Siegfried & Roy at the London Palladium' Show which has been
specially commissioned (see photo). Designed by Robert Gould, it will be
a one-off poster - there will be no others produced - and it will be
signed by Siegfried & Roy at the Dinner. It will come complete with a
photograph of Siegfried & Roy signing it. For poster collectors, it is a
very unique and desirable item. And second, Summer 2009 will see the
production of undoubtedly one of the most collectible books released to
the magic fraternity for many years (see below), Siegfried and Roy:
Masters of the Impossible - Limited Edition Collectors’ Vault Book.
Number 1 will be auctioned at the Gala Charity Dinner. Bids for either
of these two unique items should be sent to Paul Stone:
info@show-stealers.com no
later than 29th September. 13.9.08
Siegfried
and Roy: Masters of the Impossible - Limited Edition Collectors’
Vault Book. Siegfried and Roy are unlike any performers in the
history of magic or show business. Only a book of the highest standards
is appropriate to bring their unparalleled story to life. Each visually
stunning turn of the page provides thought-provoking glimpses into the
artistry and vision that has branded their success. Like the artists
themselves, this magnificent limited edition boxed collectors’ vault
book, Siegfried & Roy: Masters of the Impossible, is unlike any book
ever published in magic—and it is strictly limited to five-hundred
sealed and numbered copies. Editor Diana S. Zimmerman, a former
magician, best-selling novelist and award-winning journalist, is
gathering the greatest minds in magic and show business to provide
personal insights into their lives and careers. You will explore—using
Siegfried and Roy’s own words, and those who know them best—their
journey, as well as the extraordinary impact these two individuals have
had on entertainment, culture, the white tigers, and the world. Designed
by internationally renowned and award winning art director, Robert
Gould, Siegfried & Roy: Masters of the Impossible, is presented in the
tradition of the best-selling vault books The Disney Treasures
and The Star Wars Vault: Thirty Years of Treasures from the
Lucasfilm Archives. Drawn from private collectors, as well as Siegfried
& Roy’s own archives, the book contains exact reproductions of rare
historical show posters and tickets, personal Christmas cards, tour
marketing materials and merchandise, photographs, handwritten letters
and notes, actual fabric from the S & R theatre show curtains, and so
much more. Many of the items are removable for the reader’s examination
and pleasure. Publication: Summer 2009. Publication Price: $695.00.
Pre-publication price $595.00. 13.9.08
An
Evening of Magic and Illusion - Nottingham, Sunday 14th September.
The Nottingham Guild of Magicians stage An Evening of Magic and Illusion
at The
Bonington
Theatre, Arnold Leisure Centre, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 7EE (Map)
on Sunday. Starring Graham P. Jolley (photo), High Jinx, Patrick Page,
Andrew Van Buren & Company and Roy Davenport. Sunday, 14th September,
show time 7.30pm - 10pm, (Doors open at 7pm), Tickets are £12.50 and are
on sale now. Andrew Van Buren, Patrick Page and Roy Davenport will also
be lecturing during the afternoon in the Theatre Bar 2pm - 5.45pm (Doors
open 1.45pm) and only £5.00 for all three lectures. Tickets for both
events can be booked via Freddie Wilkinson on 0115 9614551
www.nottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk. 13.9.08
Electric
Empire presents ‘Magic Night’ at Soho Revue Bar, on Friday 3rd
October: With Max Somerset, Miss Direction, Oliver Tabors, Anil Desai ,
Steve Della, Christian Lee and Neil Henry. Doors open 7pm, Show starts
at 8pm, Tickets £10.00, Concessions £7.00
www.ticketweb.co.uk.
Soho Revue Bar, 11 Walkers Court, Soho, London W1
www.sohorevuebar.com. 2.8.08
John
Lenahan has written a novel! John Lenahan - Comedian/Magician, star
of BBC's Stuff the White Rabbit and The Secret's of Magic has had his
first novel, Shadowmagic, published by Harper Collins in a
beautiful, limited (1000 copies) signed, numbered, hardback edition. As
one reviewer put it, "Shadowmagic is the Lord of the Rings for the 21st
century. Only a lot shorter. And funnier. And completely different." To
order your copy postage free worldwide visit
www.bookdepository.co.uk. 13.9.08
And
after maths, we have magic tricks! "Harry Potter-style lessons
'boost children's confidence'. Children should be taught magic tricks in
schools to boost their confidence and self-discipline, researchers say.
A study found that an hour lesson at a 'magic school' did more good for
a group of 10 to 12-year-olds than their normal 'life skills' classes.
Prof Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at Hertfordshire University who
carried out the study, called for magic to be included on the national
curriculum. 'Learning magic requires self-discipline, an understanding
of how other people think and an ability to entertain,' he said..." To
read the full story in the Daily Mail by David Derbyshire
Click Here. "Magic 'boosts pupils' confidence'"
Click Here. (I have to say the back row of double Chemistry is
certainly where I learnt some of my finest moves! DT) 13.9.08
"Use
Magicians, Not Teachers!" Say The Young Magicians Club, part of The
Magic Circle’s Youth Initiative: The Young Magicians Club is concerned
that teachers in schools could spoil the benefits that learning magic
could bring to pupils. Following a news report that putting magic on the
curriculum would lead to better abilities for pupils, the club for ten
to eighteen year olds warns this will only be true when taught by
magicians. ‘Teachers would merely have time to learn the bare bones and
then pass on their knowledge without considering its full value in terms
of confidence building and presentational skills,’ says Mandy Davis,
Chairman of YMC and organiser of its monthly workshops for members.
‘Magicians, with the ability to teach, will be able to give pupils the
full benefits in terms of self-confidence and self-discipline as well as
securing interest in subjects such as history and maths. Teachers just
won’t have time to acquire the knowledge needed for this. ‘The members
of the Young Magicians Club come to us to learn tricks but leave with
great inter-personal skills. They are all delightful young men and women
when they reach the age of eighteen and the GCSE and A-Level results,
this year alone, have been amazing!’ Anyone interested in joining YMC
should visit
www.youngmagiciansclub.com and if interested in arranging magicians
for groups or schools contact The Magic Circle’s Press Officer Jack
Delvin, magic@jackdelvin.co.uk. 13.9.08
Derren
Brown: Messiah is being repeated at
11.05pm on Friday 19th September on Channel 4. "The controversial,
award-winning psychological illusionist Derren Brown challenges certain
belief systems and our tendency not to question them in this
provocative, insightful and entertaining one-off special. How easy is it
to persuade people to believe unquestionably in an idea just because it
comes from someone in a position of authority?" See
TV Magic. 13.9.08
Look
out for Paul Zenon on the One Show, at 7pm on BBC1 on Tuesday,
talking about the history of magic (loosely linked to the new BBC Merlin
series). Paul's just back from the Edinburgh Fringe where he built a
venue called the Marquee de Sideshow and MC'd over 120 shows in
four weeks. 13.9.08
Wayne
Dobson Lecture. The Medway Magic Society is delighted to announce
that Wayne Dobson will be lecturing on Tuesday 21st October. Members of
other magic societies are welcome to attend. Tickets are £10. Contact
Secretary Tony Hanscombe, 01634 366192 for more information. 8pm to
10pm, The Gordon House Hotel, 91 High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1LX (Map).
Ample parking nearby.
www.medwaymagicalsociety.org.uk. 13.9.08
Illusions
Magic Bar celebrated their first birthday in style with a private
bash for friends last week. Magic Singh and James Brown and a host of
local magicians attended the function. The evening started a around 8pm
with a fire juggler outside entertaining the passing guests, and at 9pm
their resident musician Ant Noel played some classics, ranging from ELO
to a song he wrote especially about the bar itself! Mark Bennett
performed the Zig Zag Lady to a thunderous applause and then let the
guests enjoy an evening of magic and frolics. Guests that couldn’t get
to the bar could watch the magic live on the newly installed wide screen
TV on the other side of the bar, and Jeffrey Tam, who is currently
visiting, performed his award wining jumbo coin magic! Mark and Sylvie
would like to thank everyone for coming and supporting the UK’s only
magic bar. Be sure to pop in when visiting Bristol.
www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk. 13.9.08
Master
of the Macabre. "Joe Daly knew he wanted to be a magician at the
tender age of six when he saw Paul Daniels in Blackpool. Now the Irish
illusionist's new show Magick Macabre is set to make magic sexy - and
has attracted the attention of master of horror Wes Craven..." To read
the full story by Susan Daly in Independent.ie
Click Here. Joe Daly on YouTube
Click Here. 13.9.08
John
Derris launches KISS lecture online. John Derris's lecture "KISS"
(Keep it Simple Stupid) presented at magic clubs in Britain and overseas
for the past four years, is now available online as a PDF: "This new,
expanded 50 page presentation is filled with proven business strategy
that he successfully used with his advertising agency for thirty years.
Twelve years ago he used the KISS principle to develop bookings which
won him engagements in Paris, Athens, Estoril, Marbella, Morocco,
Florida, Copenhagen, Istanbul, St. Petersburg and Osaka. The new edition
online KISS is packed with practical marketing ideas for developing
yourself, your business and your magic programme to lift you to a new
level of professionalism and income. If you're an established performer
this is not for you. But if you are a competent magician who would like
to reach a new level of performing and financial success - this is the
best investment you'll make this year." Visit
www.magicderris.com
for details.. 13.9.08
Marcus
Brigstocke invites Paul Daniels to be his guest and try new
experiences on Radio Four's new series 'I've Never Seen Star Wars'
on Thursday, 25th September
at 6.30pm. "Paul Daniels, The Krankies, Cannon & Ball... So just why do
these geriatric jokers still play to sell-out crowds?"
Click Here. 13.9.08
Safire
in Aladdin this Christmas. "Aladdin is a pantomime for all the
family, with superb sets, dazzling costumes and a script with plenty of
local references to give it that home grown feeling. Aladdin promises to
be one of the highlights of the festive season. Featuring Britain’s
number one illusionists Safire from the Chuckle Brothers Show, and the
hilarious Panto Dame Steve Barclay... Join us for a magical carpet
ride." Wednesday 10th to Saturday 27th December. Box Office: 024 7637
6707
www.civichallinbedworth.co.uk. 13.9.08
ACES
Magic Society Annual Dinner. Nicky Moon emails: ACES Magic Society
are delighted to invite magical friends along to their Annual Dinner
with a first for us, World Champion, Blackpool Ken Dodd Comedy Award
winner and Kidology lecturer John Kimmons. 18th October 2008 from
7.30pm. Tickets for dinner, close-up magic and star cabaret £30 a head.
Tables of 8 get a one free! Venue: Halland Forge, Halland, East Sussex.
£30 cheques (made payable to 'ACES Magic Society' should be sent to 8
Downlands Avenue, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 9HD before 8th October
2008. For more info email
thisismagic@msn.com. Accommodation available at discounted rates.
Free car parking on site.
www.acesmagic.co.uk. 13.9.08
The
Wessex Magical Association Annual Dinner & Cabaret will be held on
Friday 3rd October (7pm for 7.30pm) at Heathlands Hotel, Grove Road,
East Cliff, Bournemouth BH1 3AY (Map).
The cabaret stars Amethyst and Mark Worgan. Four-course dinner with
vegetarian option and coffee, Table Magic and Tombola, Music and
Dancing, Bar to 1am. Black Tie/Lounge Suits. Tickets (£28.00 each) from
Andy Nineham 01305 833439 or Derek Roberts 01202 247370. 13.9.08
An
Evening of Fine Wine, Dining and Conjuring. 7pm, Friday 19th
September, at Browns 82-84 St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2N
4AA (Map).
"Standnotamazed and Browns present a rare opportunity to see
award-winning contemporary magician John van der Put present his
close-up magic live in the heart of the West End. From creating the
magic for Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck, to launching new televisions
with Lily Allen and performing to countless celebrities at the most
exclusive parties, John is one of the finest magicians working today.
‘Unbelievable’ - Jeremy Clarkson ‘Awesome’ - Steven Seagal. A three
course meal and wine tasting will be accompanied by jaw dropping
close-up magic throughout the evening, followed by an intimate
after-dinner cabaret from standnotamazed (it is very possible this may
include a certain magical dragon). Each course will be accompanied by
specially selected wines to complement each dish. The entire evening
costs just £35, and includes dinner, cabaret, wine tasting and half a
bottle of wine. Please note, tickets are only available in advance for
this event, and seats are very limited!" To book call 020 7395 6091 or
email
brownscourtrooms@mbplc.com.
www.standnotamazed.com. 13.9.08
International
Festival of Modern Magic, Prague. 10th, 11th October 2008, Prague.
"Dear magic friends, I would like to sincerely invite you to the 5th
International Festival and competition in Modern Magic - Grand Prix of
the Magic Hall in Czech Republic which will be held in Líbeznice just
outside Prague from October 10th to 11th 2008. We are looking forward to
meeting you in Prague." Pavel Kožíšek, President. Email
festival@umeleckaagentura.cz for a PDF brochure and registration
form. 13.9.08
A
Tapestry of Deception by Michael Vincent. The Riviera Circle of
Magicians will be hosting a lecture by Michael Vincent entitled A
Tapestry of Deception at 8pm on Wednesday 26th November. An evening not
to be missed! Venue: Wilsons Inn, 63 Babacombe Downs Road, Torquay TQ1
2LP (Map).
Admission is £5.00 payable on the door. The venue opens at 6pm, serves
great food, and has on street parking. There is also a public car park
less than 3 minutes away. For more info contact Nigel Hocking, Secretary
of the R.C.M.
nigelhocking@yahoo.co.uk. 13.9.08
The
Blackpool & Fylde Mystics have launched a new website:
www.fyldemystics.co.uk. Their next meeting is at 8pm on Tuesday 7th
October at the Frank Townend Centre, Cleveleys, Lancashire. For more
information or an application form email
blackpool_fylde_mystics@yahoo.co.uk. 13.9.08
Children's
entertainer Stu-Di-Doo (Stuart Hodgson) found himself in the pages
of That's Life! magazine last week.
Click Here
to read the story. 13.9.08
Party Tricks. "Magicians are earning rave reviews from businesses planning the perfect corporate event. John Hill meets a few who've wowed the crowds in the Wharf. I met two people in hotel bars recently. The first one stole my ring, and the second bent a fork and made my five pound note disappear. Most of the time, that's a sign that you're drinking with the wrong crowd. But these guys are in demand with multi-billon pound companies from Canary Wharf to Dubai..." To read the full story featuring David Bonsall, Jamie Raven and Don Moses in Wharf.co.uk Click Here. 13.9.08
Deafblind UK assistance request. Jonathan Lucia-Wright emails: "Last Year Jimmy O'Hare was lucky enough to attend the Blackpool Magic Convention. This was such an amazing experience for him as he learnt so much, it is important for Jimmy that he is able to access and feel different props, tricks etc as Jimmy is both blind and deaf. Attending the convention enabled him to gain hands on explanations of tricks that he couldn't imagine. He wishes to thank his sponsors - Derren Brown, Uri Geller, Kaymar Magic, and Beard Juggling. Since Blackpool Jimmy has been invited to the Southern England Magic Convention next year so once again we are looking for anyone who could help with sponsorship or funding as he has to cover the full cost of transport and accommodation for himself and three carers, we are looking for roughly £500. If anyone can help however big or small please contact JJ at instantmash@hotmail.com www.extremeclowning.piczo.com." 13.9.08
"Scientist explodes myth about Big Bum Theory and the wrong type of stripes. It’s one of the cardinal rules of dressing: horizontal stripes make you look fat; vertical ones slim you down." Thanks to Nick Einhorn for spotting this article, whose theme can also be applied to illusion design (or simply how to look good!). Click Here • New Lecture Reviews this week: Michael Vincent, Peter Baffles and Wayne Dobson • "Chris's act is not what you're thinking" Click Here • Busy week. Your UK magic news is always welcome - thanks to all contributors. See you next week, Duncan. 13.9.08