Number 453 - 28th February 2009
Wow!
This year's Blackpool Convention was really special. There were just so
many talented magicians, in all departments, that many convention goers
were rating it as the best Blackpool Convention ever. Highlights for me
included the Saturday night $10,000 Intercontinental Stage Magic
Championships, which featured outstanding performances from Kyoko (chic
and charismatic), Dirk Losander (superb technique), Marc Oberon
(stunning UV concepts), and eventual winner Han Seol-Hee (photo) whose
speed, skill, dexterity and magical showmanship took CD manips to new
heights. He possessed fantastic control, captivated the entire audience
and was rewarded with a standing ovation and the first prize of $10,000.
In Sunday's International Gala Show Jerome Murat's magical Living Statue act, Tony Chapek's playful interactive television routine and Jeff McBride's superb Miser's Dream, Water Bowls and Card work, totally did it for me... and that was just in the first half! Korea's An Ha-Lim (cards) and France's Tony Frebourg (diabolos) respectively took the art of card manipulation, and the skills of the diaboloist on to a whole new level. It was a brilliant gala show. Convention Organiser Derek Lever, Assistant Organisers David Plant and Andrew Green, Registration Officer Arthur Casson, President Harry Robson, the super-efficient back stage and technical team, and the entire membership of the Blackpool Magicians' Club work tirelessly every year to stage what has become the world's largest magic convention. It is quite an achievement, and they deserve all the success that the convention enjoys. 125 magic dealers from all over the world exhibited! An added pleasure this year was seeing David Blaine, taking some time out from a busy schedule to enjoy the convention too. Despite being virtually mobbed on occasion by groups of camera-wielding magicians he took it all with humour and in his stride. David Blaine gave magic a much needed kick-start into the 21st Century some ten years ago, and 'street magic' (as we now know it) was born. Magic book author Peter Eldin reports on the whole convention this week, Click Here (many thanks Peter!). www.blackpoolmagic.com. 28.2.09
René
Lavand - live in London! The first name has been released for this
year's MacMillan International Magic Convention (27th-29th November). As
part of the Convention, living magic legend, René Lavand will performing
in the Close Up Gala, lecturing and talking about his life in a special
Q&A session. Also, as an extra event, he will be performing his whole
one man show which many knowledgeable performers rate as one of the
finest close-up theatrical pieces in the world today. Space will be very
limited for this performance. To be placed on the list email
noelbritten@talk21.com to
confirm your interest in what will become much sought-after tickets. The
one man show will be the only event held outside
The Mermaid Conference and Events Centre (Map),
which is the new venue for the Convention. Having sold out the Gala Show
for both nights in recent years, the Mermaid Theatre will be able to
accommodate more convention goers, and has great facilities for the
magic dealers too. The extra rooms will allow the dealers to trade on
both Saturday and Sunday, and the break out room and bar area has
stunning views over the River Thames. The bar area has a late licence
and Conventioneers will be able to use these facilities into the early
morning, after both Gala Shows on Saturday and Sunday nights. More names
will be released over the coming months, but for true close-up
aficionados, the booking of Rene Lavand alone will make this an
unmissable Convention!
www.internationalmagic.com. 28.2.09
Robert
Harbin Blue Plaque. The Magic Circle, with the full co-operation and
support of One Housing Group of Camden, unveiled a Blue Plaque at 1
Camden Square, London NW1, the former home of Honorary Vice President of
The Magic Circle, Robert Harbin on Monday 16th February. This unique
celebration coincided with what would have been Robert Harbin’s 100th
birthday. Robert Harbin was a renowned magician and illusionist, a
prolific inventor, including the famous Zig Zag Lady, and a pioneer of
Origami. The unveiling was performed by Michael Bailey and Alan Shaxon,
past Presidents of the society. Following the unveiling a celebratory
lunch took place at The Centre for the Magic Arts in Euston enjoyed by
many famous magicians from around the world. Reported by Jack Delvin
MIMC, Vice President of The Magic Circle.
www.themagiccircle.co.uk. 28.2.09
The
Inferno Night of Magic will take place at Middleton Hall stately
home near Tamworth (Map)
on Saturday April 11th. The idea is to recreate a magical event in the
style of Victorian and Edwardian dinner parties - very stylish and
atmospheric with people encouraged to get dressed up for the event.
Magic Circle magician David Taylor will perform classic parlour magic
and Anthony Jacquin will present a hypnosis routine. Young up and coming
female bizarre magician Evanna will be performing a spooky magic routine
to bring the evening to a close and Paul Bell will be hosting the night
and doing a spot of mind-reading along the way. The evening runs from
7pm until midnight, and, as well as the magic performers, the night also
features a two course silver service meal. Tickets are priced at a very
reasonable £59.00 each. Visit
www.frightnights.co.uk for more information and to book. 28.2.09
Whitermorn
Are Proud To Present A Total Business Day For Magicians on Thursday
28th May at the
Suites Hotel,
Prescot. John Lenahan will be giving a talk covering the business side
of magic, as will Guinness World Record holder Richie Smith. Richie
emails "In Addition to John's talk other points to be covered include:
How you can charge two or three times your normal fee; How you can take
a booking for free and at the end of the booking you make £180 to £240
and then go on to make a further £250 up to £1500 from the same booking
over the next 7 to 10 days; How you can promote yourself through a
professionally made DVD for a small amount of money without recording it
yourself and go on to make a lot of cash on the sale of it; How you can
have everyone at the event be in possession of your business card that
hasn’t cost you a penny to have printed, and from the same business card
also get paid anything from £150 to £300 or more on top of the fee
you're getting... the list goes on..." For more information visit
www.whitermornmagic.com. 28.2.09
Magic
Night is back on Friday 13th March, in a new home at
Madame JoJo's, 8-10 Brewer Street, London W1F O5P (Map).
"Magic Nights original and off the wall Trickster Cabaret is back for
2009 at Madame JoJo's with some sorcerous heists and uber cool magic. In
this show watch your bags, your jewellery and watches - they may
disappear and re-appear elsewhere. We'll predict the news, turn birds
into violins and steal your belongings! We will give them back, but only
because we're nice like that. Lady Elvis will prove the King is still
alive and bring some Vegas to Magic Night, whilst Matt Hennem will
breakdance, moonwalk and contort around a seemingly levitating glass
ball. The hilarious Piff will be conjuring some incredible Magic, but be
warned, he's dressed as a dragon and he's angry, well just a bit
irritated really. And Anil Desai will impersonate any character the
audience care to throw at him over the night. So be prepared for a brain
electrifying evening." Oliver Tabor, Piff the Magic Dragon, Matt Hennem,
Lady Elvis, Anil Desai and MC Neil Henry, plus Sergio Barros (pre show
close-up magic). Tickets £10/£7 concessions. Tickets can also be
purchased via
www.ticketweb.co.uk 08700 600 100. Friday 13th March, doors 7pm /
showtime 7.45pm - 10pm.
www.magicnight.co.uk. 28.2.09
The
Cambridge Pentacle Club. Ian Thomson emails: The Cambridge Pentacle
Club is celebrating its 90th anniversary on Saturday May 9th 2009. To
help commemorate this, we put out a call to the magic community to let
us know if anyone had any past experiences and memories of the club
they'd like to share. The response has been amazing (including a member
from the 1950's sending us old programmes and constitutions, and also
getting back in touch with a prestigious member from the 1930's). So,
we'd like to thank everyone who has responded so far, and say again that
if anyone out there has any memories or memorabilia from The Pentacle
Club, we'd like to hear from you. Plus we'd love to see you at the event
on May 9th. Visit
www.pentaclemagic.co.uk for details. 28.2.09
The
Magic of Fred Robinson. "Peter Duffie’s The Magic of Fred
Robinson is a wonderful book containing a gold-mine of ideas,
subtleties and secrets from one of magic’s finest exponents and
thinkers... More than that, it’s a great read and takes me back to the
feeling I had when I first read Vernon’s Inner Secrets books." R Paul
Wilson, writing in
Genii. Fred
Robinson was a private man but his skill at sleight-of-hand with cards
and coins was legendary. He could be found at the Magic Circle on Monday
evenings and many well-known names from around the world paid homage to
Fred and travelled countless miles to witness his legendary skills for
themselves. He was the editor of Pabular magazine and inspired
contributions from the finest magicians of his time. The Magic of
Fred Robinson documents and describes every effect that Fred
performed. It has been written by Peter Duffie who has skilfully
described all of Fred's sleights and effects in the greatest of detail.
There are pages of detailed drawings and photographs; the book pays
tribute to one of the greatest sleight-of-hand magicians the world has
ever known. I know that Peter Duffie and publisher Martin Breese have
put a tremendous amount of work in to this project, first suggested to
them by David Britland. Available from your favourite magic dealer or
directly from
www.martinbreese.com . 28.2.09
Lee
Alex Masterclass - In preparation for his Quick Change masterclass
with Jeff McBride in the USA, Lee Alex will be flying into the UK to
host a very special Quick Change masterclass at a special location in
London. The event will take place on the evening of Thursday 21st May
and will last for 3-4 hours. Lee Alex is arguably one of the world's
leading exponents on this highly secretive art-form and this will be a
rare opportunity to gain a thorough insight into the foundations and
techniques of Quick Change. You will be taken through all aspects of the
art, which will include the opportunity to wear and study many of the
costumes Lee uses in his own act, as well as one-to-one discussion with
Lee himself. His recent lectures in the UK were met with great success.
Numbers are strictly limited for this one-off event. For more
information, or to register your interest, email
lee@magiccave.co.uk. 28.2.09
How
To Create Kids' Magic and Triple Your Income! "This is not just
another book on magic for children. It is a course about presentation
which would cost hundreds of pounds if it were a correspondence course.
No matter what stage you are at in presenting magic for children the
advice in this book will apply to you. The first three chapters are
worth the cost of the book and apply to all entertainers..." Peter Rann
reviews How To Create Kids' Magic and Triple Your Income! by John
Breeds this week,
Click Here. 28.2.09
Thom
Peterson “The Amazing Guy” (USA) lectures at 7.45pm on Thursday 19th
March at The Petwood
Hotel, Stixwould Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire LN10 6QG (Map).
The lecture is being sponsored by
Magic Books
by Post and after the lecture Thom, Paul Cooke and Steve Short and
friends will be in the bar for a more informal chat. Price: £10.00
(which includes a free book valued £20.00 from Magic Books by Post). Or
£8.50 for MBBP Book Club Members (also includes free gift). Places are
limited. Email Paul Cooke
paul@magicbooksbypost.co.uk to reserve your place.
www.thompeterson.com. 28.2.09
Iain
Moran Lecture - Liverpool Magic Circle. Iain Moran lectures for The
Liverpool Magic Circle at 7.30pm on Thursday March 5th at the Alder
Sports Club, Alder Road, Liverpool L12 2BA (Map).
There will be a small £6.00 door charge for non members. Not to be
missed! For more info visit
www.liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk. 28.2.09
Alan
Rorrison's Sigillum Diaboli "A one-handed, insanely visual, cover
free version of Roy Walton's Card Warp! Sigillum Diaboli is not only a
trick title that'll win you a game of Scrabble, it is also the most
visual twist on the classic Roy Walton Card Warp routine in existence!
Imagine taking a selected card and having it signed. You then draw a
mysterious sign onto the selection - the 'Sigillum Diaboli' or the Mark
of the Devil - explaining how it will cause the playing card to reveal
its 'true colours'. And indeed it does! Visually, and with the card held
at the finger tips of a single hand, the card turns inside out, half
face up, half face down! Almost instantly, the card completely turns
face up, while again just held in one hand! But then comes the killer.
Folding the card into quarters with the face being hidden, a mere shake
visually turns the whole card face out!" Find out more and watch the
trailer at
www.bigblindmedia.com. 28.2.09
Paul
Gordon has just released his first non-trick book entitled "The
Real Secrets of Card Magic." Paul discusses character, patter,
routining, dress, presentation, business skills and more. Paul also
tells some funny true stories about performing and offers advice,
thoughts, ideas and performing tips. Priced £20.00 from
www.paulgordon.net/acatalog. The "in person" version of the book
(plus numerous tricks, sleights and moves) is Paul's one-day card magic
convention/workshop. The May 10th day in Worthing is nearly sold out,
but a second date (Sun 13th September) in Leamington Spa is now booking.
Visit
www.paulgordon.net/cardcapers.htm for details. 28.2.09
Vision.
Alex
Lodge is staging 'Vision' at the
Basingstoke Haymarket Theatre on
Thursday March 5th. "A magic and illusion
spectacular with the Basingstoke Academy of Dancing. Plus special guests
from the CBBC’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice. This is a real one-off for
Basingstoke and a treat for the whole family. Come along and witness all
the wonder and all the amazement as Alex transports you to the edge of
his dreams in a vision." Tickets: Adults £15.00, children
£10.00. Box Office: 01256 844244. The Haymarket, Wote Street,
Basingstoke RG21 7NW (Map). 28.2.09
Jack
Delvin presents his "Easy Magic to Entertain" lecture at the
South Lincs Magical Society at 8pm on Monday March 23rd at the
Haywain Motel, Ulceby Cross, Nr Alford. There will be a door charge for
non members of £5.00. Magical visitors welcome. For further details
contact Burger Bill (Vice-President) on 01400 261323 or email
burgerbillmagic@aol.com. 28.2.09
BB
meets DB at BC! Burger Bill meets David Blaine at the Blackpool
Convention. Burger Bill kindly sent in this shot taken with David Blaine
last weekend. Many magicians enjoyed a similar 'photo opportunity'
during the three day event, at which David Blaine proved to be an
unscheduled main-attraction. 28.2.09
Jamie
D Grant's 'Anything Is Possible Bottle' - back in stock. "These art pieces, that
were featured by ‘Ripley's Believe It or Not’, are hand made by
Vancouver magician Jamie D Grant and are guaranteed to use unaltered
milk bottles and Bicycle Brand playing cards, sealed, and still wrapped
in their original cellophane wrap. Whenever times get tough, look over
your magical bottle and remind yourself that anything is possible!"
Available from Wayne Dobson - see the 'Close up and Stand up' section:
www.waynedobson.co.uk. 28.2.09
Essex's
favourite Magician Michael J Fitch has just scooped the biggest
prize of his life, being placed first in the coveted Children's
Entertainer International Championships at the Blackpool Convention last
weekend. Michael, who lives in Marks Tey, beat many top acts in
Saturday’s competition, in front of an audience of professional
magicians. "I never dreamed that I would win a title that would allow me
to travel the world as International Children’s Entertainer of the Year!
But I promise to remain in Essex, as bookings for my shows continue to
thrive." It’s been quite a start to the year for Michael, his one man
show at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester was a sell out in January.
Michael has entertained the Queen at Buckingham Palace and starred in
channel 4’s Freaky, can next be seen on BBC's Sorcerer's Apprentice,
later this year.
www.michaeljfitch.co.uk. "Magician's new £6,000 robot monkey"
Click Here. 28.2.09
A
true story for from Mandy Davis... Whilst walking through the dealer
hall at Blackpool Mandy Farrell met up with an old friend from the US,
Doug McKenzie. "Come and meet someone" he exclaimed and dragged her over
to a guy in a hat. "Meet Mandy", Doug announced, "An awesome magician
from the UK." Mandy shook the guy's hand... "Hi", she said. "Who are
you?" There was a silence as Doug replied softly: "It's David..." "Oh
yes" agreed Mandy, before adding "David who?" :) 28.2.09
Jonathan
Lucia-Wright (JJ) emails: "Jimmy was born deaf and went blind at the
age of 17 after an operation that went wrong, in the last 5 years he has
discovered magic as he had no recollection of it from when he could see,
thanks to his support worker who adapts tricks so that they can be
appreciated by Jimmy who has no sight or hearing. In 2008 he attended
the Blackpool Magic Convention with sponsorship from Uri Geller and
Derren Brown where he was introduced to a whole new world of tactile
entertainment. Jimmy has expressed that he wishes to attend the 2010
convention in Blackpool so we are looking for sponsors, we aim to raise
£1000 - this pays for Jimmy plus 2 carers for admission and transport
and accommodation etc." For more information please email contact JJ at
instantmash@hotmail.com or
visit
extremeclowning.piczo.com. 28.2.09
Supalok50.
Mick Hanzlick has just released a new smaller sized version of his
Supalok, measuring 50mm instead of the normal 60mm and retailing at
£20.00 less than the larger version as well.
Visit
www.loxandkeys.com
for details. 28.2.09
Professional
magician John Mosedale followed in the footsteps of many acclaimed
names in the world of magic by winning the Tom Laws Plate for close-up
magic last week. The long established award is made annually by the
Wolverhampton
Circle of Magicians to the winner of their close-up competition.
John wowed an audience of his peers and the public with the material
that he regularly performs in the real world and walked away with first
prize.
www.johnmosedale.com. 28.2.09
That's
The Way To Do It! There was a screening of Producer/Director Stanley
Long's horror trilogy "Screamtime" at the British Film Institute last
Friday, 20th February. The first film "That's The Way To Do It", in
which John Styles was the performer and advisor, was made in 1982 and
tells the story of a rebellious teenager (played by Jonathan Morris),
who hates his Punch & Judy Man stepfather (played by Robin Bailey). A
series of brutal murders unfolds, as the film follows the traditional
Punch & Judy show storyline. It was followed by a question and answer
session onstage. Many celebrities were in attendance including David
Nixon's popular assistant, Anita Harris and presenter Paul Martin, from
BBC's "Flog it", pictured here with John and Stanley Long. Picture
courtesy Doug McKenzie. 28.2.09
James
Piper lecturers at the Cardiff Magical Society on Monday, March 9th.
The lecture will be jam packed with original sleight of hand magic,
suitable for both professionals and hobbyists. The fee for non members
is £10.00, visit
www.cardiffmagic.org.uk for more info. James would like to hear from
other clubs interested in booking his lecture. To watch a showreel
Click Here. Contact James via
www.pipermagic.co.uk. 28.2.09
Noel
Britten and me, snapped by Kerry Scorah during the early hours of
Monday morning at the Ruskin (still pretty much in a compos mentis state
too!). May I thank the Blackpool Magicians' Club here for awarding me
'The Murray Award' - I was delighted to receive it (as I know was fellow
recipient Eric Eswin). The award itself is a 12" pewter statue of a
magician, designed especially for The Blackpool Magicians' Club by
artist Ray Bradbury • 'Cover the Spot' By Ian Kendall is reviewed by
David Diamond this week,
Click here • "It’s a kind of magic for prizewinner"
Click Here • "117 days later, Criss Angel and Holly Madison
call it quits"
Click Here • "Now You See Them"
Click
Here • "The Great Buck Howard"
Click
Here • "It’s never pants to make money"
Click Here • "Magician Paul Daniels angers Madonna fans"
Click Here • Norm Nielsen and with Michael Ammar are the latest
international magic stars to donate items to the Blackpool & Fylde
Mystics auction which is to be held this Tuesday - see
What's On for details • "David
Blaine works magic on Roman Abramovich and Chelsea stars"
Click Here • That's it for another week - your UK magic news is
always welcomed, please remember the strict Friday 12 noon deadline for
the following Saturday. See you next week, Duncan.
28.2.09