Number 431 - 27th September 2008
Jonathan
Shotton clocks-up competition win! Many congratulations to Jonathan
Shotton - awarded 'The British Ring Shield' (first place) in Wednesday's
British Ring stage competition, for his original visual act, themed
around clocks and watches. Jonathan was also the deserved winner of the
originality trophy. Congratulations also to second place winner
Rev-Illusion and third place winner Joe Ray, who was also awarded 'The
Dittia Shield' for manipulation. Young Edward Hilsum from Kent deserves
a mention here too - a great smile that reached to the back of the
circle, and some fine magic as well. We'll see more from this young man
in the future. Twelve acts competed, which would have been just about
right, but the time between acts was simply too long so the show lacked
any sort of pace. Steve Evans compered by reading out jokes that had
been submitted to him during the preceding weeks. The close-up winners
were also announced on the Friday evening... 27.9.08
John
van der Put pots prize! John van der Put was awarded first prize in
Thursday's Close-up Competition winning the 'Zina Bennett Trophy'. Rob
James was placed second and was also awarded the Rovi Trophy for card
skill, and Will Gray was awarded third place. Mr Avista won the newly
introduced Micro Marathon (in which registrants had a vote) and
Practical Magic were awarded the Dealers Trophy for the best display.
Congratulations to all. DT.
27.9.08
The
Witches of Eastwick touchdown in Epsom. Last year James Fortune MIMC
directed HMS Pinafore to critical acclaim - selling out on all nights.
This year, he is directing "The Witches of Eastwick" a delightful
production, which will play the Epsom Playhouse in Surrey from Tuesday
14th October to Saturday 18th October nightly at 7.30pm, with a matinee
on the Saturday 2.30pm. James said "I would love my magical friends to
come to the show and I know they will enjoy it. It is a funny,
fast-action musical with great singing and dancing, flashy costumes,
wonderful magic, super flying and other special effects to make this my
most exciting show ever! Scott Penrose, the Chairman of The Magic
Circle, has been involved in helping make this a truly magical
production. I promise you, it will be the best £16 you have spent in a
long time! I'll be in the auditorium every night so I'm looking forward
to seeing you there." Tickets are £16.00 each. Theatre Box Office: 01372
742555 or 01372 742227, or contact James directly:
james@magicfun.co.uk telephone
020 8763 1995. 27.9.08
Pete
Firman appeared on ITV's new variety show 'For One Night Only' a
couple of weeks ago, and did a great job. Pete is currently on
nationwide tour with his one man show, 'Flim-Flam'. Shows have been
selling out, but tickets are still available for some upcoming
performances, see
www.myspace.com/petefirman for tour dates. "The leading light in the
new magic scene." Time Out. "We love you Pete!" MagicWeek.
28th Sep 8pm - The Cavern, Bath. 19th Oct 6.30pm - Brighton Dome,
Brighton. 22nd Oct 8.15pm - Frog & Bucket, Manchester. 24th Oct 8pm -
Comedy Festival, Hull. 26th Oct 7pm - Hilarity Bites, Darlington. 30th
Oct 8.30pm - The Comedy Box, Bristol. 31st Oct 7pm - The Glee,
Birmingham. 2nd Nov 8pm - Bottle Rocket, Leicester. 3rd Nov 9.15pm -
Free Beer Show, Oxford. 6th Nov 7.30pm - Arts Centre, Helmsley. 7th Nov
8pm - The Arc, Stockton. "Firman in a tricky situation"
Click Here. 27.9.08
Blaine defends upside down stunt. US illusionist David Blaine has
responded to critics who claimed he had misled people over his latest
stunt. The 35-year-old spent 60 hours hanging upside down in New York,
but has been criticised by some for taking breaks to use the toilet and
drink water." To read the full story and watch a video clip from the BBC
Click Here. 27.9.08
Congratulations
to Peter Pinner (right) winner of the Rex Taylor Mental Magic
Competition last week at The Zodiac Magical Society. This is the fourth
time that Peter has won the competition! Peter's seen here receiving the
cup from President Richard Pinner. Stephen Barry was a close runner-up.
www.zodiacmagicalsociety.co.uk. 27.9.08
Ravi
Mayar - 'official magician' for Asiana magazine. After impressing
magazine owner Sarwar Ahmed and managing director Ashok Thawan together
with hundreds of Asiana guests at recent Asiana celebrity events, Ravi
has been named their 'official magician. He is seen here on the red
carpet at Asiana's recent Fashion and Industry party. Ravi is featured
in Asiana's spring 2008 issue and will also be featured in future
articles. "My goal is to take the art of magic into an already magical
culture, in the hope that future young Asians will be inspired to push
art even further."
www.ravimayar.com 27.9.08
Mel
Harvey will be appearing at the Kirby Muxloe Golf Club, Leicester on
Saturday 4th October for the Leicester Magic Circle's Annual Dinner.
Mel will be presenting his award-winning comedy cruise act and
introducing manipulator Brian Sefton and illusionist Andrew Green.
www.leicestermagiccircle.co.uk. 27.9.08
David
Ginn presents a lecture on Christmas Magic, the last of his current
tour, on Friday 24th October at 7.30pm at Davenports Magic Studio, 5-7
Charing Cross Underground Arcade, The Strand, London WC2 4HZ. Tickets:
£10.00 Contact: Bob Pamplin
bob@lsmmagic.co.uk. See
What's On for other
dates. 27.9.08
South
Downs Magicians present a lecture by Lynn Thomas, street
entertainer, restaurant magician and cabaret performer, on Wednesday,
October 1st at 8pm at Handcross Parish hall, High Street, Handcross,
West Sussex RH17 6BJ (Map).
"Lynn appeared on the BBC2 programme Clowns earlier this year.
Come along to see some magic and hear some anecdotes about the perils
and pitfalls of being a modern performer." Visitors £5. Further
information from club secretary Paul Bromley on 01444 871161 or visit
www.southdownsmagicians.co.uk. 27.9.08
Stephen
Barry was invited to entertain guests at this year's TV Quick / TV
Choice awards after show party, and is seen here with Ant, who, as you
can see from his expression, was suitably impressed!
www.stephenbarry.co.uk. 27.9.08
The
Blackpool and Fylde Mystics are currently researching their history
and would appreciate any information from anyone who has had dealings
with them in the past, or were past members of the society - contact
Alan Mylecraine at
info@fyldemystics.co.uk if you can help with any information. 27.9.08
Matt Parro, Stuart Harley and Geoff Hunt
have been adding the finishing touches to their Eastbourne Convention
blog:
www.ibmconvention.blogspot.com. 27.9.08
Merlins of Wakefield are currently experiencing problems with their website. Users can view some items at www.merlinswakefield.co.uk but can not place an order. If you need any items please contact them by phone on 01924 339933 or email them your phone number merlins@btconnect.com and they will ring you back. The problem will be sorted as soon as possible and they would like to apologise for any inconvenience. 27.9.08
House of Magic (UK) 10 week Magic Course. House of Magic (UK) are launching a weekly beginners magic course, spread over ten weeks, from Wednesday October 8th. The course costs £43.40 to sign up for, and then £11.00 per lesson for the following nine weeks. If paying for the entire course on their first night you will benefit from a 15% discount and pay just £121.00 in total. Cards, Ropes, Sponge balls, gimmicks and more will be covered over the length of the course. For more information contact www.houseofmagicuk.co.uk. 27.9.08
Miracles
of Modern Magic by Claude Klingsor has just been translated into
English by Pierre-Ulric Achour, and is now exclusively available from
Lybrary.com as an ebook. "This is an ebook on enabling miracles with
electronics. Magicians have always used the latest technology to create
their wonders. Claude Klingsor from Belgium has specialized in using
electronics to create miracles." For more information visit
www.lybrary.com • "The best place... to see proper magic"
Click Here • D May reviews the Nottingham Guild of Magicians'
Evening of Magic and Illusion,
Click Here • Simon Shaw reviews John B. Born's recent lecture
for the Ipswich Magical Society,
Click Here • That's it for this week. News of upcoming UK magic
events always welcomed - see you next week, Duncan.
27.9.08