Number 465 - 23rd May 2009
René
Lavand. The word 'legend' is bandied around the magic world
sometimes a little too freely, but without doubt Argentinean magician
René Lavand lives up to the billing. He will be performing his widely
acclaimed one man show during the weekend of The International Magic
Convention (November 27th to 29th) later this year at The Bridewell
Theatre, London. Whilst his lecture and short performance will be
included in the price of registration, his full one hour one man show
will be held as an extra event, due to the very limited number of seats
available in the beautifully intimate theatre (which is just round the
corner from the Mermaid Theatre where all other Convention events will
take place). His presentations and performances have a poetic quality
that never fails to earn standing ovations. René Lavand has achieved
legendary status and is without doubt one of the most highly skilled
close-up magicians of the past century. His stature is even more amazing
if you consider that he accomplishes everything using only one hand,
having lost the other in a car crash at the age of 9. To order tickets
for this inspiring show visit
www.internationalmagic.com - hurry, tickets for this once in a
lifetime event are very limited. 23.5.09
Geoffrey
Durham Lecture - Aberdeen. Master magician Geoffrey Durham lectures
at the Aberdeen Magical Society on Monday 15th June, at the Boardwalk,
Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen. For details email
mail@aberdeenmagic.com.
Venue: The Boardwalk, Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen AB24 5NS (Map).
www.aberdeenmagic.com.
www.geoffreydurham.com. 23.5.09
Collectors
Day at The Magic Circle, Saturday 30th May. It is not necessary to
be a member of The Magic Circle, or even a collector, in order to attend
Collectors Day. If you enjoy hearing about magicians and magic tricks of
the past, you will enjoy Collectors Day. Dean Arnold will show some
treasures from his collection, with particular emphasis on early mental
magic. Will Houstoun will explain some 18th century card tricks and show
how advanced the professional performers were at the time. Jasper
Maskelyne is well known for his camouflage work during World War 2.
Richard Stokes will tell us what he really did or did not do. Richard
Evans will chronicle the career of Isaac Fawkes the most famous magician
of the early 18th century. Peter Warlock is the subject of the final
talk and his daughter Elizabeth and Mike Gancia will also demonstrate
some of his tricks. Tickets for the day can be obtained from The Magic
Circle on 020 7387 2222. They cost £35.00 and include an excellent
lunch. As the food has to be ordered in advance tickets are not for sale
on the door.
www.themagiccircle.co.uk. 23.5.09
Terry
Herbert and John Kimmons are profiled by Bob Hayden this week as he looks
ahead to the British Ring Southport Convention in September:
Terry Herbert (photo) is acknowledged worldwide as the Crowned Prince of Children’s
Entertainers. It started in 1956 when he
applied to and was appointed by the Butlins Organisation as a Redcoat Children’s
Entertainer at their Cliftonville Hotels. This gave him the great opportunity of
finely honing his already considerable magical skills and to engage with a young
audience on a daily basis. It was a venture that proved to be invaluable...
John Kimmons is a Magical Ventriloquist. As Kimmo he has been performing
professionally for over 25 years delighting audiences with his unique blend of
magic, comedy and ventriloquism. At the Blackpool Convention in 2008 he was
awarded the title Children’s Entertainer World Champion and became the first
ever children’s entertainer to pick up the highly respected Ken Dodd
award for Comedy... To read the full article
Click Here.
www.britishring.org.uk. 23.5.09
The
Mystic Ring is proud to announce the inauguration of their new
President, George Kovari. To celebrate this occasion they are hosting an
open night on Thursday 28th May at 7.45pm. This is an ideal opportunity
for local magicians in the area to come along and see what they are all
about. If you are a professional magician, a part time amateur or an
enthusiastic hobbyist you will be made most welcome to attend this
special evening of magic and illusion. Admission free to all genuine
magicians. The Mystic Ring meet at The Conservative Club, 49 High
Street, North, Dunstable. For more information email
themysticring@hotmail.com
or call Geoff on 01582 416950 or Steve on 07803409571
www.mysticring.co.uk. 23.5.09
What's
Wrong With This? This Tuesday at The Magic Circle Noel Britten
presents a lecture entitled "What's Wrong With This?". Best known in the
magic world for compering the
International Magic Convention Gala Show every year and also running
Bizarre Bath
,the magic and comedy based guided tour of his home city of Bath for the
last 18 years, Noel is also busy on the comedy club and cruise circuit.
This lecture, which has been especially prepared for The Magic Circle
should be full of good advice from one of our busiest performers.
Members only.
www.noelbritten.co.uk. 23.5.09
Professional
close-up magic - back on the menu. You've had your starter - now get
stuck into the main course... James Prince's brand new DVD Menu of
Miracles 3 - The Main Course, follows hot on the heels of his first
two DVDs released last year. "This project features 11 close-up routines
performed live in a restaurant, so that the viewer can see just how
strong they really are", says Russ Stevens of rsvpmagic.com. "All of the
effects are from James' working act and there are some real stunners
here, including J P Jennings, a way to adapt your card in wallet to load
faster than ever before. Even better is that this method allows you to
load large finger rings and even mobile phones into a sealed envelope in
your wallet as quickly as it takes you to remove the wallet from your
jacket! Just look at the promo to see for yourself. Also please visit
our newsletter page and sign up to receive some very special offers"
Visit
www.rsvpmagic.com to see the new trailer now! 16.5.09
Kernow
Magic are back! With a new look and some great re-launch deals.
Prices have been slashed on over 500 lines with savings of up to 75%,
simply click on the “super sale” tab and start filling up your shopping
cart but hurry as sale stock is limited. New deals will be added to the
'Super Sale' daily, so be sure to keep checking back.
www.kernowmagic.co.uk. 23.5.09
BigBlindMedia
present Liam Montier's Superstition: "A great new effect from the
creative and slightly strange mind of Liam Montier! This is easier than
a jigsaw puzzle with all the bits glued together! Imagine offering your
spectator the chance to select themselves a 'lucky card', which they do
- say it is the Five of Diamonds. You comment that while that is not a
bad card, you have a really good one that you keep on you at all
times, attached to your keyring. It is trapped between two blank cards
to ensure that nothing can happen to it. There are clearly only three
cards on the keyring. You then cleanly display your lucky card - say the
Jack of Spades. In a sudden display of goodwill, you offer to exchange
lucky cards with the spectator, as you know your one is so good.
Suddenly the Jack on your keyring changes into the spectator's Five of
Diamonds. Again, there are clearly only three cards on the keyring - the
double blanks and the spectator's selection. It looks cleaner than a
soap-sudded gleaming thing with no grubby bits! Calling attention to
what the spectator believed to be their selection, they now see a small
hole has appeared through the corner. That is because, when they turn it
over, they find it is the Jack of Spades, fresh off your keyring - visit www.bigblindmedia.com
today! 23.5.09
Magic
Night - Friday 5th June at
Madame JoJo's, 8-10 Brewer Street, London W1F O5P (Map).
"Magic Night in June does Sharp Edges with juggling knives, skateboards,
guillotines and some razor blades chucked in just for good measure. AJ
the escapologist will be endangering life, limb and the front row by
juggling knives on a moving skateboard whilst the dark mistress of
magic, Careena Fenton, is a Happy Chopper with her guillotine. Nick
Mohammed will be playing some funny tricks with his invisible and
hilarious orchestra and those well mannered anarchists, Barry and
Stuart, swallow razor blades, insert needles and play with the
audience’s minds. If you’re squeamish, look away now! Franco will be on
his squeeze box and all this will be expertly compered by Neil Henry who
will be playing a big trick on the audience called: ‘You read it here
first’. Come along to one of London's most
dynamic and exciting entertainment haunts,
Madame JoJo's, and see why this night continues to be one of the
best contemporary cabaret nights on the circuit - with incredible and
cutting edge magic acts and some of the best cabaret in town." Tickets £10/£7 concessions. Tickets can also be
purchased via
www.ticketweb.co.uk 08700 600 100. Friday 5th June, doors 7pm /
showtime 7.45pm - 10pm.
www.magicnight.co.uk. 23.5.09
Bug-O-Me!
Andy Clockwise has just released a brand new close-up routine: "A
spectator selects a card from a pack of cards, each card featuring a
different insect. The card is returned and shuffled. With the pack
placed between the hands of the spectator, the magician reaches in and
removes the selected card... but there's more. When the spectator now
looks in their hands, the pack is seen to have changed into a solid
piece of clear plastic containing their selected insect!" Bug-O-Me comes
with an instructional DVD, post-it note type pad, playing cards and the
"Bug Block" containing a real insect. Bug-O-Me is currently only
available directly from Andy priced £30.00 + £3.50 p&p. For more info
email
andyclockwise@btinternet.com. (For anybody wanting to perform
Bug-O-Me again to the same group of people, additional "Bug Blocks" are
available). 23.5.09
This
year's Pentacle Club Lecture takes place on Tuesday 2nd June and is
being given by Ian
Keable (entitled 'The Professional Guide to Comedy Magic'). The
lecture starts at 8pm and the club meets at St Laurence's School, Arbury
Road, Cambridge CB4 2JX (Map).
Visiting magicians welcome - there is a small door charge of £5.00.
Website:
Click Here. 23.5.09
"Wow",
"amazing", " "unbelievable" - just a few of the comments overheard
at Birmingham Hippodrome's 3rd Gala Dinner last week referring to
"Europe’s hottest illusionists" The Twins. Involving a cast and
crew of over 30 people, a state of the art sound and lights system, and
twenty of The Twins’ illusions, the audience were left totally
spellbound! The Twins had two special stages built; one in the
auditorium and one in the dining area, which was on the Hippodrome's
main stage. "It has become bookmarked for further European 'magical
events'" said Gary, and "We're planning another two events on the same
scale for the summer" added Paul.
www.thetwins.co.uk. 23.5.09
Philip
Tilston won the award for Best Card Trick in the Order of the Magi
Close-up Competition for 2009. Philip performed Irish Poker, from The
Dave Campbell Legacy, and a multiple card selection routine along
with other coin and rope effects which meant that he also placed second
overall in the competition. (Philip recommends The Dave Campbell
Legacy which is available from
www.internationalmagic.com).
23.5.09
Congratulations
to Steven Buxton on winning the Leamington and Warwick Magical
Society’s annual Close-up Competition which took place on Wednesday 20th
May at the Cubbington Sports and Social Club, Leamington Spa. Steven and
five others competed for the Frank Allan Trophy in a closely fought
competition that was judged by two magic judges and one lay judge.
Steven now goes forward to represent the Society at the Midlands
Champion of Champions competition that is part of this year's Leamington
Day of Magic on Wednesday 24 June. Steven is pictured on the left with
Club President, Keith Pearson.
http://lawms.wordpress.com. 23.5.09
Ricky
McLeod presents The Sorcerer’s School (a magic workshop) this
weekend at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland. "Amaze your muggle friends
with the magic that you will learn from professional magician Ricky
McLeod £35.00 per person. Age 9+."
www.trickyricky.com. 23.5.09
Fine
Dining and Conjuring at The Grand Union, Leamington Spa. Due to
popular demand, the recent evening of Fine Dining and Conjuring at The
Grand Union Restaurant in Leamington Spa (reviewed on MagicWeek) is
announcing an encore, for Thursday 30th July. A superb three course meal
will be accompanied by close-up sleight of hand magic throughout the
evening from Magic Circle member David Taylor. To round off the evening
David will present an intimate 40 minute parlour performance of
‘classic’ magic. The entire evening costs just £28.00 per head and
includes dinner and entertainment. To book call 01962 421323 or email
enquiries@thegrandunion.co.uk
www.thegrandunion.co.uk
www.davidtaylormagic.co.uk. Places are limited. 23.5.09
An
Evening of Metaphysical Magic with Dr Todd Landman, Headgate
Theatre, Colchester, Essex, 27th June at 8pm. Following on from his
latest performances at The Shop in Birmingham, Dr Todd brings you
an evening of mystery entertainment that defies rational explanation.
Guests claim that "Dr Todd has the hardest sceptics in the palm of his
hand", the "entertainment comes wrapped in a mysterious, friendly, and
warm package," and "Dr Todd is a bit like Fraser Crane meets Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle!" Seats are limited and the event will be filmed. For more
details email
drtodd@metaphysical-magician.com and for tickets (£10 and £8
concessions), visit
www.headgatetheatre.co.uk.
www.metaphysical-magician.com. 23.5.09
Craig
Petty lecturers at Merlin Magical Society in Hertfordshire at 8pm on
Thursday 28th May. Craig will present a similar lecture to the one he
recently gave at the Magic Circle, which received great reviews.
Venue: The Merlin Magical Society, Little Heath Parish Hall, Thornton
Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1JJ (Map).
Doors open at 7.30pm - entry for non members is £5.00. 23.5.09
Matt's
magic! A week last Thursday at Wembley Stadium,
The Fire Fighters Charity hosted its annual award ceremony. This
star studded event celebrated the acts of bravery that have taken place
within the UK’s fire and rescue service. After his success at last
year's ceremony,
Matt
Wainwright was invited back to entertain guests at their tables, and
later celebrities in the exclusive VIP room. Guests included former
footballer, Rodney Marsh, Bruce Forsyth, Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley,
Glamour girl and TV personality Nicola McLean, Athlete, Darren Campbell,
comedian Barry Cryer and many more. 23.5.09
Pavel
is presenting his new lecture for the Scottish Conjurers' Association at
2pm on Sunday 31st May. Tickets are £10.00 for non-members, available on
the door. Venue: Walton Suite, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow.
www.scottishconjurersassociation.org.uk. 23.5.09
Magic Auction - Northampton. The props and effects of the late David Parriss (including over 70 lots of close-up, stage and children's magic) plus two items of highly collectable Alan Warner micro magic) will be auctioned on Tuesday 30th June. Viewing 7pm, Starts 7.30pm. "No reserve, all welcome, no admission charge. You may bring your unwanted magic and we will auction it for you, if time allows, 10% commission." Venue: Northampton Magicians Club, The Terrace Room, Westone Manor Hotel, Ashley Way, Weston Favell, Northampton NN3 3EA (Map). Contact David Miller david.miller37@ntlworld.com 01604 517406 or 07870 140958 or Roy Gilbert Tel.01604 411413 for more information. 23.5.09
Young magician wanted! Andrew Mann, Casting UK, emails: "I'm casting a commercial for Robinsons fruit drinks that requires children with great talents, they could be a magician, a mind reader or somebody with any unusual talent. The age of the child should be 8/9/10 either sex any ethnicity and should be able to come to casting on Wednesday May 27th in central London. The money is good and the exposure will be great too." For more information telephone Andrew Mann: 020 7400 1251 www.castinguk.com. 23.5.09
Magic
in the Air! There was magic in the air last week when Dynamo met
comedian Matt Lucas at Emirates Stadium - and proceeded to levitate him!
Click Here • Tom Lauten is out of hospital following his triple
bypass operation - all went well, the doctors rating it as an "A-1"
outcome. Tom emailed to thank readers for their good wishes • Claudette
Evans reviews 'An Evening of Sorcery and Song!' this week,
Click Here • Chris and Belinda North are pleased to announce the
birth of their son Tomos Christopher born on 19th May at 1am. Where was
Chris? Returning home from a gig, but heard baby Tomos's first cries via
a mobile phone! • John Palfreyman emails: "A long standing member
of The British Ring, Yvonne Watson from Cornwall, will be made Mayor of
St Ives this Monday 18th May. I think that it is the first time that we
have had a Lady member of The British Ring made a Mayor." • Best
wishes to Rob James and Hayley Teasdale - they are getting married
today! • "Magician & Street Performer Magic Brian Talks Tricks"
Click Here • "The Makibishi Effect" by Joan Monse,
Click Here • "Lennon
was nearly beaten up by magician Tommy Cooper"
Click Here • "Magic Pete wows the judges to lift top
entertainment title"
Click Here • "Clever marketing levitates magician to fame"
Click Here • "Madame Tussauds unveils Criss Angel, in wax"
Click Here • "Sooty tours Britain"
Click Here • "Teen makes up to $5,000 a month from magic"
Click Here • Konga tackles House of Commons expenses scandal,
Click Here • That's it for another week, many thanks to
everyone for your contributions - have a good week, Duncan.
23.5.09