Number 455 - 14th March 2009
Ali
Bongo, 1929 - 2009. The saddest news, that Ali Bongo died on the
morning of Sunday, 8th March, swept across the world last week. "Ali
Bongo: The magicians' elder statesman" by
Brian Sibley (first published in The
Independent) is reproduced with permission this week,
Click Here. A special remembrance website has been set up by Richard
Pinner featuring some of the many obituaries that have appeared in the
press, together with a 'Visitor's Book' a 'Photo Gallery' and details of
the memorial service which will take place on Friday, March 27th in
Surrey. Visit:
www.pongolia.co.uk. Ali Bongo on The Paul Daniels Magic Show
(YouTube),
Click Here. (Photo by Ann
Pownall). 14.3.09
Derren Brown
Enigma. Michael Vine , Andrew O'Connor and Corrie McGuire for
Objective Talent Management Ltd present Derren Brown Enigma
directed by Andy Nyman. An all-new theatre show. An evening of
groundbreaking, extraordinary mind-feats and staggering audience
manipulation. Dark, funny, chilling and utterly baffling. Not suitable
for children under 12 years. Nationwide tour: April, May, June (see
What's On). West End
Run June 15th - July 18th at the Adelphi Theatre, The Strand, London
WC2R 0NS (Map).
Box Office: 0844 579 0090.
www.seetickets.com.
All performances at 8pm, no performances Sunday. Tickets: £25.00,
£35.00, £45.00, plus limited number of £65.00 premium seats at each
performance. (Derren
Brown Evening of Wonders is being repeated at
10.30pm on Monday 23rd March on E4 - see
TV Magic). 14.3.09
Britain's
Guy Hollingworth named Magician of the Year. Hollywood's Academy of
Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) held its 41st annual awards show on
Sunday, March 8th, at the Avalon Hollywood Theater. The award recipients
were: Guy Hollingworth: Magician of the Year; Dominique: Masters
Fellowship; Bob Fitch: Lifetime Achievement; Celeste Evans: Performing
Fellowship; Howie Schwarzman: Performing Fellowship; Louis Falanga:
Literary Fellowhips; Eric Eswin: Special Fellowship; Jeff McBride:
Lecturer of the Year; Doc Eason: Close-up Magician of the Year; Kevin
James: Stage Magician of the Year; Shoot Ogawa: Parlour Magician of the
Year; Farrah Siegal: Junior Achievement.
(Photo by Duncan Trillo). 14.3.09
The
Magic Circle Annual Supper - Wednesday 25th March at the Imperial
Hotel, Russell Square, London WC1B 5BB (Map)
7pm for 7.30pm. Dinner and cabaret starring Dennis Patten, Duncan
Trillo, Peter Wardell and Crisco. This always popular informal gathering
has been held in a variety of venues throughout the long history of The
Magic Circle, from Wine Bars in the West End, to river boats on the
Thames, London Zoo, Brick Lane Music Hall, and now, once again, it is
back at the Elizabethan Restaurant in the Imperial Hotel on Russell
Square. Guests (non-members) are very welcome to share the atmosphere,
be serenaded during drinks by Franco on the accordion, witness fine
close-up magic during the dinner and enjoy a first class cabaret, which
will include a rare visit by Crisco from the Isle of Wight. Dress:
Informal. Tickets are £40.00 each from David Ball, telephone 01923
822589. 14.3.09
The
Northern Magic Circle Spring Parade 2009. Saturday 4th April:
Children's and Junior Shows, Close-up and Stage Competitions, History of
Mystery, Dealer Dems and lectures from Russell Brown (recently recipient
of the Ken Dodd Comedy Award at the Blackpool Convention) and Gregory
Wilson (USA). Sunday 5th April: Lectures from James Brown, Dynamo, John
Archer (Current Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year) and Steve
Naylor, a non-magic event, all day Dealers, the installation of the new
President and finally the all star Gala Show. It now features Tony Parx,
who has travelled around the world with his manipulation act and is also
a past winner of the "North of England Tournament of Magic". Other
performers are Alana (Germany), John Archer, Gregory Wilson, Amethyst
and Michael Jordan. Dynamo will be performing close-up in the bar /
auditorium before the Gala Show and during the interval. Online
registration will close on Friday 3rd April. Register now to guarantee
your place! Visit
www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk for more info. 14.3.09
Dynamo
has just returned from a tour in South East Asia where he helped
celebrate Adidas' 60 year Anniversary in Thailand, did a whirlwind club
tour in Singapore and shot a double page feature for next month's FHM
ASIA. The reaction on the street was incredible. You may have seen the
Adidas House Party advert featuring Dynamo alongside Becks, Russell,
Estelle, Kevin Garnett and many more. There are also several spin offs
worth watching:
Click Here and
here and in case you missed it first time around, Dynamo's 4 part
mini series 'Five Nights In Miami' which featured on the front page of
MySpace over Christmas is now available on both MySpace and YouTube:
1,
2,
3,
4. 14.3.09
Photography
for Magicians is a service exclusively for magicians run by Simon
Kemp BA LBIPP of Hyde End Studios, a photographer with fifteen years
professional experience. Simon’s expertise is in people photography and
now he is thrilled to bring these skills to the world of magic and
illusion. Magic is a visual art and it’s important that the imagery on
your website or brochure reflects this. If your site or publicity
material could do with a facelift, professional photography is an
investment worth making. Potential clients make rapid judgements when
viewing a website. The chances are that the websites you admire feature
clean, sharp, innovative professionally shot images. Simon has been an
amateur magician for around five years now, so understands the needs of
performers, and knows how to take striking images with impact. Visit
www.photographyformagicians.co.uk today! 14.3.09
Impossible
Bottles have been around for many years but were popularised by
Harry Eng. Harry Eng (1932-1996) was a magician, inventor, school
teacher and educationalist by trade, but he will be best remembered for
his passion for making people think. This is demonstrated best by his
impossible bottles, some of which have sold to collectors for thousands
of pounds... Visit
www.impossibottle.co.uk or email
merlin@impossibottle.co.uk
to explore the magical possibilities. 14.3.09
Dragons’
Den. Entrepreneurs from across the country once again have a chance
to make their business dreams come true by appearing on Dragons’ Den. If
you’re genuinely seeking investment for your business idea or invention,
they’d like to hear from you. In the most recent series, 14
entrepreneurs received offers of investment in the Den, with many more
going on to find success even without the backing of the dragons. The
BBC is currently searching for Britain’s best entrepreneurs and will be
auditioning throughout the coming months. They want to hear from anyone
who thinks they’ve got what it takes to enter the Dragons’ Den. If you
would like an application form email
dragonsden@bbc.co.uk,
telephone 0871 200 3003, or visit
www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden, where you can also find details of an
exciting new opportunity to pitch to two new Online Dragons. 14.3.09
Misterios.
The first show in Luis de Matos's new series entitled Misterios
aired in Portugal last Sunday. David Britland was Production Consultant
and Paul Kieve was on the team of magic consultants. Video teaser,
Click Here. 14.3.09
The
Top Award for Yorkshire's Greatest Magical Entertainer
goes to Huddersfield’s “Magician Extraordinaire” John Danbury. It was a
full moon last Tuesday when the Yorkshire's magical entertainers
gathered in the heart of Leeds to compete for the converted title of
The Yorkshire Pride Close up Magician of the Year 2009. This is
usually a yearly event organised by the Leeds Society of Magicians where
members of all the magical societies in Yorkshire are invited to
compete. On Tuesday 11 performers competed and the eventual winner was
John Danbury, representing The Huddersfield Circle of Magicians. Runner
up was defending champion, popular young entertainer Darren Mac from
Batley.
www.johndanbury.com. 14.3.09
Bradford
Magic Circle's annual Hey Presto! Magic Show. Saturday 21st March at 7.30pm. "The sell-out
annual family show at the Bingley Arts Centre this year features top
illusionist Andrew Green and is compèred by the very funny Tony Rix.
This year's event will also be a final farewell for Hey Presto stalwart
and Bradford Magic Circle treasurer, past president and former editor of
the societies Billet magazine, Keith Pickles. He will be finally hanging
up his wand after 40 years as a children's entertainer. Other acts on
the bill include Steve Gore, Mark Waddington, Mandy Fletcher and the
spotlight dancers. Tickets for the show start at only £6 for adults and
£5 for children and concessions." To book telephone 01274 432000 or
visit
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk. This show sells out every year so get
your tickets now! 14.3.09
Lybrary.com
have just released Roberto Giobbi's
Card College Lighter. This is volume 2 in Roberto's "Light" series -
featuring strong card tricks without sleight of hand. Roberto Giobbi's
newest survey of sleightless card magic, "Card College Lighter", applies
the famous Giobbi treatment to 21 baffling card tricks, from some of the
craft's greatest masters, including Vernon, Annemann, Leech, Maven,
Fulves, Hummer, Vollmer and Krenzel. These tricks do not require
sleights, but they all show the cunning perspective of a professional
performer, guaranteeing astonishing and entertaining results; providing
insights into the presentation, psychology and routining that turn these
simple tricks into seeming miracles. He gives the reader all the tools
necessary for a professional-quality performance and also explains how
these tricks can be arranged into highly effective and entertaining
routines. There is also a special bundle deal with volume 1 "Card
College Light". Visit
www.lybrary.com for more info and to order. 14.3.09
Cellini.
Gazzo emails: A few weeks ago Cellini had a serious stroke. He's
recovering very slowly. I understand he needs cheering up. There is a
paypal account at
cellinifund@beatthecheat.com for those of you who wish to contribute
funds to help him get back on his feet. For more info please email
gazzoshow@gmail.com.
(Photo by Duncan Trillo.
Jim Cellini performing in London's Covent Garden in April 1984). 14.3.09
Care
& Share Balloon Fun Day - Leeds. Wednesday 25th March. "The day will
feature all the usual fun of a typical Care & Share Day with the added
benefit of focusing on performance and performing with balloons. Danny
Schlesinger, will present his workshop 'The Idiot Inside and
letting them out'. He has presented this workshop for corporate clients,
teachers, performers and balloon artists. It is an interactive, physical
experience that will be of benefit for both newcomers and more
experienced performers. For more information and to book visit:
www.sempertexballoons.co.uk. 14.3.09
Travis
Perkins Assembly - 17th Ferrybridge Day of Magic. Travis Perkins is
pleased to announce the 17th Ferrybridge Day of Magic on Sunday 5th July
2009 at the Community Centre, The Square, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire
WF11 8PQ (Map).
Doors open 10am. Further details will be announced shortly. Contact
Michael Shepherd (Tel: 01904 709500) or email
michaelshepherd@castlemagicalservices.co.uk. 14.3.09
Magicians
wanted for performance on 21st March 2009 at Hoxton Hall. Auditions
will be held on Wednesday 18th March 2009 at 6pm in the Street Performer
Community Organisation’s offices: 21-23 Sedgwick Street, Hackney, London
E9 6AA, telephone 0208 985 6169. "Auditions are free and open to all
members of the community. Don’t miss the opportunity of a life time to
join a cohesive movement. The production will be a music-hall variety
show with performers expected to do their act and help take part in
telling the story of what
Street
Performer is all about (there may be some acting involved). Acts may
need to perform to camera. email:
info@streetperformersuk.org,
website:
www.streetperformer.org.uk. 14.3.09
Germany's
Henning Khoehlert lectures for the Exonian Magical Society at 8pm on
Thursday 26th March at Wat Tyler House, King William Street, Exeter,
Devon EX4 6PD (Map).
Visiting magicians welcome (£8.00). Enquiries, Ozzy Symons: 01392
461881. 14.3.09
Marc
Oberon Lecture - Sheffield. Sheffield Circle of Magicians are
hosting a lecture by Marc Oberon at 7.30pm on Thursday 19th March at
Magick Enterprises, 82 Broad Street, Sheffield S2 5TG (Map).
There will be a small door charge of £7.00 for non members. All welcome
for this not to be missed lecture! For more information contact Craig
Frith (Entertainment Secretary) 01142 014770 07816 989946 or Dave
Chambers (President) 01302 537720 07740 404948.
www.sheffieldcircleofmagicians.org. 14.3.09
Tony
Griffith has just completed his latest book Final Reflections, the
third volume in his Reflection series. Like the previous two books it
has just over 100 pages and is hardbound with laminated dust covers. It
follows the pattern of Reflections and Further Reflections and contains
award winning routines from Tony's commercial repertoire covering
close-up, stand-up and children's magic. The price is £25.00 but there
is a special introductory price of £20.00 until the end of April. (All
three books can purchased together for just £60.00). P&P £3.00 per book.
Cheques (payable to Tony Griffith) to 13 Church Road, Norton Malreward,
Bristol BS39 4EX. Overseas email
tony@tonygriffith.co.uk for
ordering details. 14.3.09
3D
Realization. Following on from the successful launch of the Surefire
DVD at the Blackpool Magic Convention, Mark Southworth announces the
release of 3D Realization available exclusively from
www.marksouthworth.co.uk/products.html. Mark tells us that there are
more new products in the pipeline too. 14.3.09
An
Evening with John Derris. John Derris MIMC has kindly agreed to put
on an evening of magic and discussion for Pennies from Heaven, a charity
committee raising funds for Diabetes UK, and the National Association
for Colitis & Crohn's Disease at 7.15pm on Sunday 31st May. All proceeds
will be donated to these two causes. The ticket price (£17.50 per
person) includes Supper, and tea and coffee. Contact Peter Altman
peter.altman@ntlworld.com
01923 404918 or 07808 765301 for tickets and info. Venue: Blackwell
Hall, 90 Uxbridge Road, Harrow Weald HA3 6DQ (Map)
www.magicderris.com. 14.3.09
International
News: "Join our Magical Journey through old San Francisco’s
colourful and notorious past! 'Eccentrics of San Francisco’s Barbary
Coast …a magical escapade!' The Chancellor on Hotel Union Square is home
to the San Francisco Magic Parlour. Celebrate San Francisco’s wild,
wacky, and romantic past, with world-class entertainers Spinning Tales
and Weaving Enchantment. Share libations and delicacies one-half-hour
before the show in our elegant and intimate theatre every Friday and
Saturday Evening at 8:00pm sharp. Join us in our home at the charming
and historic Chancellor Hotel on Union Square. 'Eccentrics of San
Francisco’s Barbary Coast'…a magical escapade! is now housed within the
San Francisco Magic Parlour at the Chancellor Hotel, 433 Powell Street.
Performance-artists Walt Anthony, David Miller, Brian Scott, and Ruth
Fraser deliver wonder and wizardry to savour, bringing to life memorable
portraits of wild-and-woolly characters from San Francisco’s colourful
and notorious past! Reservations are highly recommended due to the
intimacy of our theatre, and tickets are available from:
www.brownpapertickets.com or 1–800–838–3006." For more information
visit:
www.sanfranciscomagicparlor.com. 14.3.09
Grand Magic Sale - Shropshire. John Palfreyman will be holding a Grand Magic Sale at 2 The Laurels, Station Road, Minsterley, Shropshire SY5 0BL (Map) from 11am - 4pm, on Saturday 25th April. Featuring new, antique, and exclusive magic props and accessories, covering all genres of magic. Free admission and coffee and biscuits. For a pre-sale list ,which will be ready by April 11th, send a large SAE to John at the above address. Email j.palfreyman@btopenworld.com for more information. 14.3.09
New magic club in Newmarket! Wayne Goodman, Eric Armstrong and Oliver Smith have just founded the 'Newmarket Magic Club', and the first meeting is set to take place on Wednesday, April 22nd at The Palomino Pub Function Room, 122 Valley Way, Newmarket CB8 0QQ (Map). They'd love to hear from magicians in the surrounding area who would like to come along to the inaugural meeting. Contact Wayne Goodman for details wayne@waynegoodman.co.uk. www.newmarketmagicclub.co.uk. 14.3.09
Congratulations to Tom Arnold, winner of the 2009 Cotswold Magical Society Close-up Competition in Gloucester. www.cotswoldmagic.co.uk. 14.3.09
Britain's
Britten on the front cover of this month's
MAGIC
magazine • "Spellbound for a century"
Click Here • "All the tricks in the book"
Click Here • "The Masked Magician: Secrets of illusionists,
unmasked"
Click Here • "Jersey's Amazing Kreskin can foresee it"
Click Here • "Magic's A Drag"
Click
Here • "Paul Daniels sex symbol: Now that's some trick!"
Click Here • "Siegfried & Roy: The Magic Returns" (5 video links)
www.abcnews.go.com/2020 • Spotlight on Carey is reviewed
by Andrew Murray this week,
Click Here • "Magician helps kick off book drive"
Click Here • Many thanks for your news items this week, see you
next week, Duncan.
14.3.09