Number 436 - 1st November 2008
The
Robert Harbin Centenary, 15th and 16th February 2009 at The Centre
for Magic Arts, London. An exciting series of exceptional events are
being planned for a one-off celebration of the life of Robert Harbin,
one Britain’s greatest magicians. Jim Steinmeyer MIMC will deliver a
Centenary Lecture: Robert Harbin and the Polemics of Modern Illusion
A discussion of Harbin’s influence on illusions, his insights and
inspirations for modern performers. Mike Caveney MIMC will tell the
complete story of The American Zig-Zag Scandal that was the
catalyst that prompted Bob to write his now highly collectible book
The Magic of Robert Harbin. John Gaughan MIMC will discuss the
history of The Blades of Opah, one of Bob’s early inventions.
Megumi & Steve Biddle AIMC will talk about Bob’s pioneering Origami
contribution.
John Fisher MIMC presents ‘The Television Wizard,’ a celebration of
Robert Harbin, the performer and inventor, illustrated by film and video
clips and featuring his special guest Geoffrey Durham MIMC. Included
will be previously unseen footage of Harbin spanning a period of fifty
years. Long-time Harbin friend Rolf Harris CBE will be present at some
stage during the two days. There will be an exhibition of wonderful
Harbin related items, some never seen before! Registration for this
Sunday event only is £60.00 which will include morning coffee, hot
buffet lunch and afternoon tea. Email
cma@themagiccircle.co.uk
with your details to register. There will be a separate registration of
£55.00 for the Monday unveiling of a Blue Plaque followed by a superb
lunch in The Devant Room at The Centre for Magic Arts. Further details
will be announced, but in the meantime make a note in your diary of
these two very important dates. 15th and 16th February, 2009. The Centre
for Magic Arts, 12 Stephenson Way, London NW1 1HD. 1.11.08
Alana
to make UK debut at Northern Magic Circle Convention - April 2009.
Alana will star in the Gala Show at the society's annual convention next
year. She recently qualified to represent Germany at FISM in Beijing
(2009) and is well know on the German night club circuit for her
original magic act. Alana will join Gregory Wilson, Dynamo and recent
Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year winner John Archer, for this
two-day event. More names to follow (readers are advised to book their
accommodation early on as the convention coincides with the Grand
National weekend). Visit
www.northernmagic.co.uk for more information. 1.11.08
South
Tyneside International Magic Festival, 13th - 15th March 2009. Two
more names have just been added to the line-up. First, Patrick Redford,
who will present a lecture on mentalism focusing on the creation of
effects, that will also include a number of actual rouitines including
"Any Card at Any Number", "a sure-fire method to make anyone forget
virtually anything", and "a chair prediction that’s incredibly direct
and clean". The second performer is Paul Romhany (photo), originally
from New Zealand. "Paul Romhany combines his skill and artistry as a
magician with his natural comic ability to bring to the stage a highly
entertaining and hilarious show that is filled with original magic and
illusion. In 2004 Paul was awarded the People’s Choice Award from PCAM
for his innovative performance as Charlie Chaplin. His ability to take a
room full of people and turn them in to an audience, and then to elevate
that audience to an extremely high level of fun and laughter is what
keep this act in such high demand in the corporate market and on cruise
ships throughout the world." (Unfortunately Rick Maue has had to
withdraw from appearing at the convention due to health reasons.) Visit
www.magicbox.uk.com
for more information and a registration form. 1.11.08
Dynamic
FX transform into 'Magicians.co.uk'... as if by magic! A new name
and identity for Europe’s leading magic company has just been announced.
As of 31st October, Dynamic FX will be known as
Magicians.co.uk,
to better reflect the company’s core businesses. The Dynamic FX brand is
well known across a wide range of industries including live
entertainment, film and television. "Our new name is an important
landmark in the company’s evolution.” said James Freedman, Director of
Magicians.co.uk, “While our name, branding and website have changed, the
essential aspects of technical expertise, customer service and teamwork
that have made the company a trusted provider, partner and employer are
unwavering.” As well as magical entertainment,
Magicians.co.uk
also delivers magic presentations, branded magic, marketing, corporate
training, illusion design, magic consultancy and special effects for its
client partners. 1.11.08
Derren Brown - Something
Wicked This Way Comes is being repeated this week, late night Sunday
(1.05am Monday) on E4. This is the specially televised version of Derren
Brown's award-winning live show, that was filmed in front of a packed
audience at the Old Vic in London. See TV
Magic. 1.11.08
Geoffrey
Durham will present his new lecture for the Bradford Magic Circle at
7.30pm on Friday, 7th November at St James Church, Thornton Road,
Thornton, Bradford BD13 3AB (Map). £10.00 door charge for non-members.
www.bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk. 1.11.08
Workers-Corner.co.uk.
"Workers Corner is a magic company with a difference! Professional
magicians Gary Jones and Christopher Congreave have joined forces to
deliver new material with the working magician in mind. All of the
routines that will be released through
Workers
Corner have been tried and tested in the 'real world', under fire,
by professionals. Not only will they be releasing their own material,
but also material from other working professionals. Everything will be
designed to get maximum spectator reactions, but will be easily or
instantly reset." Illustrated: The Pseudo Pickpocket DVD. "The
Pseudo Pickpocket DVD contains several routines that allow you to get a
signed spectator’s card into their own wallet/purse. Also included is a
way of getting your contact details into their wallet/purse, all
accomplished with a logical reason. Good, strong, to the point magic.
Also, as a bonus you will learn Gary’s no-palm 'card to card box' and
his take on the Dunbury Delusion." Visit
www.workers-corner.co.uk today! 1.11.08
The Magic Circle Dealers' Day
- today in London. This popular annual event always attracts a
large crowd of
magicians from all over the country. This year The Magic Circle expect
to have about 50 dealer stands, selling a wide variety of magic effects
and props, as well as specialist books and DVDs. Venue: The Edward and
Alexander Rooms, The Royal National Hotel, Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG
(Map).
Entrance is free to members of The Magic Circle on production of a
current membership card. Other guests - £5 per adult and £3 per person
aged 16 or under. Tickets available at the door. 10am - 5pm, Saturday
1st November. 1.11.08
Christmas
Magic Show - Coventry. The Coventry Magic Circle are staging a
Christmas Magic Show at 7.30pm on November 25th at The Abbey Theatre,
Pool Bank Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5DB (Map)
in aid of a local charity. This annual event is always a huge success
and usually a sells out. The performers this year include Dave Allen,
Tony Rix, Steve Evans, Alex Lodge, and Carlo & Brent in a magical
tribute to Laurel & Hardy. "Great family entertainment with comedy,
magic and illusions. Early booking recommended." Tickets: Adults £7.50,
Children £5.00, Family Ticket (4 persons) £20.00. Tickets available
through Alan Lissaman on 024 7645 8681. For more information contact
Alan Cooper:
alan@themagiccircle.co.uk. 1.11.08
Eran
Blizovsky - Math Magic and Beyond lecture. Eran Blizovsky is
offering his "Math Magic and Beyond" lecture to magic clubs and
organisations worldwide and is now listed on our
Lecturers page. Eran Blizovsky has
been a professional magician for over 20 years, performing for adults
and children at both corporate and private parties. A certified CPA with
a BA in Business Management and Accounting, Eran has served for the last
12 years as the CFO and CMO in an international trade company. Eran's
lecture includes: A quick opener, add a number, juggling with numbers,
mathmagic – magic squares, numbered cards, mental calculator...
Visit the Lecturers page for more
information and to make booking enquiries. 1.11.08
Cheque
Mate by Andy Clockwise. From the maker: "Cheque Mate is an effect
that I came up with 10 years ago. I wanted something more than a bill
switch but liked the idea of turning a blank piece of paper into a £20
note. It then struck me that it would make sense to tear out a cheque
from a cheque book and change that into a £20 note." Since then Andy has
developed the trick even further, and a number of ideas are included with this
very well produced effect. Based on the Svengali deck principle
Cheque Mate allows the performer to change cheques into Pounds,
Euros and Dollars. You'll have a lot of fun with this one. "Great idea,
it makes Dollars and Sense!" Marvin Berglas. Email
info@andyclockwise.com
requesting more details to be emailed to you, or order directly, cheques
payable to "Andy Clockwise" for £20.00 to: Andy Clockwise, 164 Spring
Hills, Harlow, Essex CM20 1TD. 1.11.08
Many
congratulations to Edward Hilsum, winner of the Young Magicians'
Club Stage Competition on Sunday 19th October at their annual Junior Day
convention. Ed presented his excellent dove act; seen recently at the
British Ring Convention in Eastbourne. We'll be hearing a lot more from
Edward in the future I am sure. 1.11.08
Christmas
is... Magical. "Music, Magic and Mirth in all its guises is what
Christmas is... Magical is all about. This year's Christmas
production from Babbacombe Theatre has just opened to superb reviews and
promises to be an enormous cracker, with side splitting humour from Tank
Sherman, magic and comedy from Peter Baffles, comedy antics from Wayne
Champagne and singing soprano Donna Marie... The production is backed by
a troupe of sassy dancers, Dance Fantazy, and a guest appearance
from the winner of 'Torbay's Got Talent' Emily Kindon rounds off this
spectacular variety show... once more provided by producer Colin Mathews
a leading figure in the quest to keep the future of live entertainment
well and truly alive with his company Matpro Productions. The show runs
from 28th October to 1st January. Visit
www.babbacombe-theatre.com for times and prices." 1.11.08
Keith Barry Interview. "Magician, illusionist and hypnotist-extraordinaire Keith Barry chats to us about his love of magic, finally making it in Las Vegas and freaking out Hollywood star Keanu Reeves..." To read the full story from RTE Entertainment Click Here. 1.11.08
Magicians Wanted! Objective Productions, the makers of Derren Brown, The Real Hustle and Peep Show are looking for young, talented magicians between the ages of 16 and 30 for potential inclusion in some exciting new projects. You can be male or female just as long as you have what it takes! If you are interested and are available to attend an audition day in London then please send a photograph, brief CV and a link to online footage of you performing (max 3 mins) to magictalent@objectiveproductions.com. 1.11.08
Magicians Wanted for O2 commercial. One male 30-35, a teenage boy 17-19 (or very young looking 20-22 year old), one woman 30-35 and one teenage girl 17-19 (or a very young looking 20-22 years old). You'll need sleight of hand skills and be able to perform card and coin sleights (palming cards, coin vanishes, fake transfers, changes etc.) Shooting: November 27th and 28th (plus rehearsals), auditioning this week. For more information email Casting Director Lesley Beastall: lesley@beastallnorth.co.uk 07956 516 603. 1.11.08
Merlins of Wakefield have just released their latest 16 page 'Preview'. With over 60 effects, there is something for everyone. Simply email your name and address to merlins@btconnect.com and they will send you a copy. Just published: 'Leave Your Ego at the Door' by Bill Herz - only available in the UK from Merlins of Wakefield, email for details. 1.11.08
Oliver
Meech's first book, The Plot Thickens, is reviewed by Rob James this
week,
Click Here • "You’ll never believe your eyes"
Click Here • Boris Wild at the House of Magic UK, reviewed by Dr
Phil Cox,
Click Here • "Drew plays spellbinding mind games"
Click Here • "An Evening of Fine Wine, Dining and Conjuring" is
reviewed by Jez Rose this week,
Click Here • "Interview: Chris Cox"
Click Here • "Super-scary me! Andy stars in zombie-com"
Click Here • If you are attending The Magic Circle Dealers Day in
London (today) or The Portsmouth Day of Magic (tomorrow) visit Paul
Gordon's stand and ask about his "credit-crunch super-discount" to
benefit from some special offers!
www.paulgordon.net •
"Show's on-stage hanging scene sparks protests"
Click Here • "Laugh, then be amazed"
Click Here • "Criss Angel's 'Believe' hard to believe"
Click Here • "Vegas magicians backing Angel’s ‘Believe’"
Click Here • The For Sale and
Wanted ad sections are busier than ever at
the moment. That's it for another week, your UK magic news is always
welcome - see you next week, Duncan.
1.11.08