Number 446 - 3rd January 2009
Time
was running out... With just two weeks to go, five new performers
have been added to the bill of The Session 2009! Sleight of hand expert
Will Houstoun, rising star Craig Petty, and the versatile Mark Elsdon
will all be presenting teaching workshops on the Saturday afternoon. And
"The Amazing Guy" (aka the very funny Thom Peterson, photo) from the US
will be performing on the Sunday night show which is compered by the
legendary Rodney James Piper direct from the House of Illusion in Spain.
All this, plus David Acer, Ray Kosby, John Guastaferro and more. With
only a few tickets remaining, it is recommended that you secure your
place at the convention right now!
www.sessionconvention.com. 3.1.09
Derren
Brown: Evening of Wonders. A specially televised version of
Derren Brown's most recent live show An Evening of Wonders
recorded at the Garrick Theatre in London's West End at the end of his
sold-out nationwide tour, will be shown on Channel 4, at 10pm on Tuesday
13th January. Derren goes on tour again later this year, with an all-new show. See
What's On for tour dates. "We're
scared sniff"
Click Here. 3.1.09
Jay
Fortune's Extraordinary Exhibition Magick & Mayhem. Will you laugh
in the face of death?! Presented by Jay Fortune. Comedy magic for
adults. Not for those of a nervous disposition. Tickets £14.00, (£12.00
Concessions) Group rate £10.00 each. Box Office 020 8932 4747 (11am -
7pm) or 08700 600 100 (24 hours with fee). Book Online via
www.falseimpressions.co.uk. Barons Court Theatre, 'The Curtains Up',
28A Comeragh Road, London W14 9HR (Map).
Just a two minute walk from either Barons Court or West Kensington Tube
Stations. Full details:
www.falseimpressions.co.uk Performance Schedule: Thursday 8th
January at 8pm, Friday 9th January at 8pm, and Saturday 10th January at
8pm. 3.1.09
Lee
Alex will be in the UK later this month, presenting his quick change
lecture/seminar Time For a Change? "The seminar offers a basic
introduction into quick change, with revolutionary methods that can be
replicated by magicians/artists who do not wish to make a complete quick
change act. The seminar is interactive, featuring a show of costumes,
followed by explanations of the costume changes using members of the
audience. Finally the volunteers are taught the correct and fastest
removal methods. This approach allows people to experience first-hand
the art of quick change. The seminar includes a complete exposé of the
Colour Change Waistcoat, with presentation tips and concludes with a
question session. Various books and products related to the seminar will
be available for purchase. See
What's On for dates.
www.magicwaistcoat.com. 3.1.09
In
Town Tonight. Following a successful theatre tour of In Town
Tonight in 2008, the production is back for 2009, with a new show
bringing together UK acts Palma Nova Puppets, Magic Circle Illusionist
Martyn James, and vocalists, in this all singing, all dancing,
extravaganza! Thursday 22nd January 2009 at 7pm at The Dovehouse
Theatre, Kineton Green Road, Olton, Solihull. Tickets £8/£6 Box Office:
0121 706 7139
www.soundlighting.co.uk. Thursday 5th February at 7pm at the
Barrington Theatre, Penny's Walk, Ferndown, Dorset Tickets £6/£4 Box
Office: 01202 894858. And Friday 20th March at 7.30pm at the Audley
Theatre, Hall Street, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent, Tickets £6/£4 Box Office:
07867 721671
www.martynjamesproductions.com. 3.1.09
Magician
Keith Fields is an ‘alien with extraordinary ability’ - that's the
official opinion of the American Government, and we're not going to
argue with them. Over the last few years Keith has been offered gigs in
the USA. To do them required a visa and to get that he had to prove to
the American Embassy that he was an ‘alien with extraordinary ability’ –
their words, not his. Being a winner of The Magic Circle Close-up
Competition, International Street Magician of the Year,
author of several books on magic and performance techniques, an
international lecturer and the inventor of a number of acclaimed magic
tricks, went towards that goal. "I know the title of my visa sounds like
a joke but they (the American Embassy) take it very seriously" said
Keith. "We had to produce loads of evidence to back up my claim, but I
have finally got the approval and will be moving to the USA in January.
I already perform for several American cruise lines (Disney Cruises,
Silver Seas, Oceania, and more) and I am in talks about some new and
exciting projects for next year." Keith is already taking bookings to
lecture and perform in the USA during 2009, and his diary is already
beginning to fill. Contact Keith directly at
m@gician.com for availability and more
information, or visit
www.keithfields.co.uk. 3.1.09
John
Archer lectures at the North Wales Magic Circle on Tuesday January
8th at The Little Theatre, Vale Road, Rhyl. Be sure not to miss this
excellent fun-filled lecture, by one of the UK's most talented, funny
and brilliant magic thinkers (it says here!). Tickets available on the
door. Visiting Magicians £7.00, Contact Mark Thorold for more
information:
markthorold@hotmail.com
www.nwalesmagic.co.uk. 3.1.09
Christmas
Stars. It was non-stop last month for The Twins as the duo had been
working on no less than ten Pantomimes and Christmas Shows across the
country, creating astonishing magical effects wherever they went! John
Barrowman, Stefanie Powers, Cannon and Ball, Billy Pearce, Christopher
Biggins and Mr Bean, amongst others, shared in the magic of The Twins.
"Expect fabulous flying... Stefanie Powers flies above the stalls… a
stunning spectacle!" Southern Echo. "...stunning visual effects
that see Cinderella magically transported to the ball!" The Telegraph
and Argus. "Dramatic special effects" The Stage.
www.thetwins.co.uk. 3.1.09
Bonsall's
Ace. Back in August, Dave Bonsall’s card skills were employed by Sky
Sports during Sky’s coverage of the Ryder Cup. His hands were filmed
performing various card effects to introduce all the televised
hole-in-ones over the Ryder Cup’s history. A hole-in-one is also known
as an ace, hence the playing card connection. Dave has now received the
footage from Sky and it can be viewed on his website:
www.fingertipmiracles.co.uk. Dave can also be seen on A Question
of Sport on Friday 9th January at 7.30pm on BBC1, having a magic
‘showdown’ with the show’s Mystery Guest! 3.1.09
As
advisor, John Styles contributed to several Christmas TV offerings
over the holiday period. His magic, ventriloquism and puppetry skills
were employed in A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, The Polar Express, The
Old Curiosity Shop, Merlin, The 39 Steps, and the Theatre Royal, Drury
Lane's stage production of Lionel Bart's musical Oliver! 3.1.09
Magician
Almost Mugged. Close-up magician Mike Fairall was delighted to
perform at the O2 Arena for the Stereophonics end of tour party at
Christmas. Mike, who is friends with the band, was offered a driver to
take him home, but decided to drive himself. Shortly after 2am as he was
leaving the venue he was approached by two unwanted guests who asked for
his case. "It was a very scary situation to be in," said Mike (who is
taking his Black Belt in Karate later this year), but help was on hand
as security stepped in and diffused the situation. Photo: Mike and band
member Kelly Jones. 3.1.09
Congratulations
to Colonel Custard, this year's winner of the Watford Association of
Magicians' Kids Competition. In front of a packed audience the Colonel
performed his own unique blend of magical madness. Colonel Custard can
be seen throughout 2009 lecturing on children's entertainment. For more
info visit
www.colonelcustard.com. 3.1.09
Thelma
Levett, one of the best kept secrets in the balloon modelling world,
has come on board to help Graham Lee promote Sempertex balloons in the
UK at his 'Care & Share Balloon Fun Days and Magic Conventions. Thelma
will be on the stand at the Blackpool Magic Convention displaying her
latest designs. Visit the news page on the Balloon Chat forum:
www.balloonchat.co.uk. The first Care & Share Day this year takes
place in Banstead, Surrey on Wednesday 21st January with a mystery guest
lecturer from Holland. Visit:
www.sempertexballoons.co.uk for details. 3.1.09
The
Order of The Magi Centenary. Geoffrey Newton emails: "In March this
year The Magi celebrates their Centenary with a number of events in the
Manchester area. The Centenary Dinner with Guest of Honour Rt Hon Lord
MacGregor of Pulham Market PC OBC MIMC sold out in only 5 weeks of going
on sale. There is a waiting list for any returns. On the 11th March -
the actual date when a number of magicians met in the Cities Hotel
Deansgate Manchester one hundred years ago and formed a magic society –
there will be a birthday party show at the Irish World Heritage Centre
in Manchester. A gala show, a children’s show and a close up night are
also planned." Visit
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk for updates. 3.1.09
High
Jinx are this year's special guest stars as Doreen France MBE and
her troupe of dancers return to the Lawrence Batley Theatre,
Huddersfield, in 'Doreen France & Friends' "The ever-popular annual
extravaganza of dance, magic, comedy and music. With compère Peter
Armitage, this show is guaranteed to provide enough glitz and glamour to
lighten up the dullest of evenings." Friday 16th and Saturday 17th
January, Main Stage: 7.15pm, Saturday Matinee 2.15pm, Tickets: £8.50,
Click Here. 3.1.09
Manchurian Techniques - Hypnotism for Magicians and Mentalists. Two days of intensive hypnosis training open only to magicians and mentalists. Hosted by Anthony Jacquin author of Reality is Plastic - The Art of Impromptu Hypnosis. 17th and 18th January at the Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby, East Midlands. Click Here for full details. 3.1.09
Magic Hands! The November/December issue of Magic Hands! the International Newsletter for Deaf Magicians, is available now, via email, from Johnny Gapp: johngapp@fantastica.freeserve.co.uk. 3.1.09
"Duck! It's David Copperfield." Click Here • "A very special evening in memory of Katie Walker" Click Here • "Derren Brown: Backstage" Video 1 Video 2 • Derren Brown: The Specials, 4 DVD box set Click Here • "The Magic of Maths" Click Here • "Northallerton man puts magic back into Christmas" Click Here • "Do I want to be Criss Angel?" Click Here • Criss Angel and Holly Madison on Larry King Video 1, Video 2, Video 3 • There's a lot of magic on TV over the coming weeks, unfortunately including a new series of 'Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed' - see TV Magic. Your UK magic news is always welcome, see you next week, Duncan. 3.1.09