Number 469 - 20th June 2009
Derren
Brown storms London Town. Derren Brown wasn't the only one reading
minds on Wednesday night at the opening of Enigma at the Adelphi
Theatre in London's West End. The whole audience knew exactly what each
and everyone else was thinking, which was "how the hell did he just do
that?!" The genius of Derren's work is simple - he's put the magic
back into magic - and audiences love it. He's happy to blow their minds,
and they are happy to have them blown!
As the lights went down the audience buckled-up in anticipation - ready for a ride that had more twists in it than any corkscrewing roller coaster I've ever been on. And whereas magicians in recent years have become almost afraid of 'fooling' their audiences, Derren revels in it. He knows that some love trying to fathom out what on earth is going on, how it's all done and if it's "for real". Audiences like to think and to be stretched, by a performer who really knows how to engage with them. They want to be part of the show, and they want to have fun. Derren delivers in spades. He's mastered his art, without becoming a clever-clogs in the process (the downfall of many).
At the after-show party an industry insider whispered in my ear that he thought Derren was the greatest magician performing in the world today. He probably is! If you've never seen Derren Brown live then do make the effort to see this show. It's pure theatre. The Adelphi seats 1,560 and Enigma runs for 30 nights. Collaborator, co-writer and director Andy Nyman's brilliant theatricality is evident throughout. Derren Brown Enigma is presented by Michael Vine, Andrew O'Connor and Corrie McGurie for Objective Talent Management Ltd. For theatre information, and to book tickets, visit www.adelphi-theatre.com (DT). 20.6.09
Sweden's
Got Talent - magician wins! Charlie Caper, magician and street
performer won Sweden's Got Talent (Talang 2009) a week last Friday. Charlie
spent many hours putting together three hard-hitting two minute acts,
taken from the magic show he has performed for years on the street.
Charlie tells us that he was both extremely happy and a little surprised
to think that a magic act could be placed first in a competition like
Sweden's Got Talent, in the end winning thanks to phone votes from
viewers. The final was seen by a sixth of the county's population!
Charlie Caper performed in London's Covent Garden for a few years in
2002-2004 and then started touring the festival/street show circuit.
He's toured the world three times, and performed in 29 different countries.
Charlie now plans to spend time in Sweden and try to create a mainstream
career for himself there. This summer he has shows booked in Europe and
Canada and will also be competing for Sweden at FISM in China.
To watch Charlie's three appearances visit www.catchmagic.com. Not only does he do an excellent job, but the show's producers are clearly experts at their jobs too, knowing how to capture the essence of a live magic performance. The production is far superior to our version which, despite its success, is so badly directed and shot (you can't beat Ant and Dec though). So, brilliant stuff Charlie - very well done! (DT) 20.6.09
Secret World of Magic
makes a welcome return to our screens on Sunday 28th June at 11am on Sky
3 (freeview) when Pete Firman and Ali Cook head out to Spain. "Pete and Ali meet a Spanish pop star turned champion card magician
and perform at a magic school where a child threatens to outdo them. Then
there are the senoritas." See
TV Magic for listings.
20.6.09
Leamington
Day of Magic - this Wednesday! We have just received the schedule of
events for the Leamington Day of Magic which takes place this Wednesday,
24th June. The day gets underway with an inclusive breakfast from 8am -
9am. Lectures start at 10am with Kimo on Children's Entertainment, at
11am Arthur MacTier on Card Magic, 11.30am Graham Lee's Balloon
Workshop, 1pm inclusive Buffet Lunch, 2.15pm a Special Lecture from John
Archer, 3.45pm Shane West on Family Entertaining, 5pm a Special Lecture
from Jon Allen, 6.30pm Inclusive BBQ, and finally at 7.30pm, Champion of
Champions Midlands Close-Up Competition. Loads of dealers: 8am -
6pm. Admission is just £20 (includes meals and parking). For ticket
reservation call Mick on 07747 052878. Venue: Cubbington Sports and
Social Club, Windmill Hill, Cubbington, Leamington Spa CV32 7LN (Map).
Website: www.dayofmagic.co.uk.
20.6.09
Victorian
Séance. Experience the mystery and secrets of the Victorian Séance
with Paul Bell. "As you get to be part of a real Victorian Séance,
prepare to encounter a night of terror as you are taken on a journey of
suspense and intrigue. You will be involved in the fear factor of a
traditional Victorian Séance using all the old techniques. This is a
night of genuine séance phenomena mixed with psychological illusion. Not
for the faint hearted!" Saturday, 29th August at 10pm. £19.00. Bookings:
01789 298070. Venue: The Falstaff Experience, 40 Sheep Street,
Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6EE (Map).
www.falstaffexperience.co.uk.
20.6.09
Alakazam
Magic are pleased to announce the release of a brand new DVD
featuring the award-winning magic of Matthew Wright: "The Unusual
Suspect showcases some of Matthew’s top professional routines – each
one carefully designed for maximum entertainment and explosive reactions
(includes Matthew’s fantastic 3fly routine in which the final coin
actually floats across!). If you are a fan of commercial, high-impact
magic then this DVD is for you." Visit
www.alakazam.co.uk
for full routine listing and online trailer. The new Alakazam site
features a free to join online magic community. Be sure also to sign up
to follow the latest goings-on with Alakazam’s new Twitter account -
also see the VIP club and new blog for more exciting features!
20.6.09
Mark
Elsdon lectures in Scotland. Creative-guru and celebrity
Kronenbourg-drinker Mark Elsdon is presenting his lecture, “Tricks You
Might Actually Do”, in Scotland next week. Twice, in fact! The first
lecture will be in Glasgow on Wednesday 24th June at the SCA's
headquarters - the Scottish Mask and Puppet Theatre, 8-10 Balcarres
Avenue, Glasgow G12 0QF (Map)
starting
at 7.30pm. The entry fee for this lecture will be £10. The second
lecture will be at West Lothian Magic Circle the following evening,
Thursday 25th June, at their headquarters at East Calder & District
Homing Society Social Club, Oakbank Road, East Calder, Livingston EH53
0BT (Map),
also starting at 7.30pm. Visiting magicians are welcome with the
entrance fee also being £10. These will be the first lectures Mark has
given in Scotland in over a decade, and as well as giving away exclusive
freebies at both lectures, space at each venue is limited, so be sure to
arrive early to guarantee a seat.
20.6.09
MagicWorld.co.uk
are once again advertising on MagicWeek. Their website launched 10 years
ago and since that time they've established themselves as one of the UK's
leading online magic shops: "With a huge array of products, rare and
unusual items, all served with a customer service that is
second-to-none. We do not aim to be the cheapest, but rather, offer the
best service possible, however we will price-match other dealers
wherever possible - just give us a call! Video Download Service coming
shortly!" Visit
www.magicworld.co.uk today!
20.6.09
Magic
Night - Friday 3rd July at
Madame JoJo's, 8-10 Brewer Street, London W1F O5P (Map).
Starring Piff the Magic Dragon, Alexis Terry, Matt Hennem, Anil Desai
and Christian Lee. "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 3rd July, doors 7pm /
showtime 7.45pm - 10pm.
www.magicnight.co.uk. 20.6.09
James
James The Tartan Trickster. "After years of entertaining literally
thousands of people around the world, James James is bringing a new and
exciting one man show to the Edinburgh Free Fringe. Many know him from
his street schtick, but not so many know that he has good chops when it
comes to sleight of hand. From the 8th - 29th August (Dark Wednesdays)
at the Voodoo Bar in Haymarket at 10.45pm James James will have you
laughing, smiling and feeling dumbfounded with magic that even his
mother hasn't seen. Entry is free, and seats are limited to 30. Coming
from the street, he will be holding out his hat, but there won't be a
melon in sight." Keep an eye out for James on the Royal Mile too,
stopping unsuspecting strollers when he hollers "Stop what you're doing
and come and watch me!"
20.6.09
Night of Magic, Mayhem
and Mystery - Kent. An evening to celebrate all that's magical and
mystical, on July 19th at 7.30pm with a two course meal woven
around performances from four very different entertainers each with a
unique style and presentation of magic and mentalism. Join Paul Bell
(the paranormal entertainer), David Taylor (Magic Circle magician),
Anthony Jacquin (Hypnotist) and Evanna (Bizarrist). Tickets £49.00 each, book via
www.magicnights.co.uk Venue: Quex Park, Birchington, Kent CT7 0BN (Map).
Sponsored by
www.alakazam.co.uk.
20.6.09
Paul
Megram - new WAM Close-up Champ. This year's winner of the Watford
Association of Magicians, Close-up Competition was Paul Megram, closely
followed by Carl Charlesworth and Andy Clockwise. An award for Technical
Ability went to Wayne Fox. Angelo Carbone was the magic judge. Paul
enjoys a busy work schedule which includes close-up magic, children's
shows, and magic lectures throughout the UK.
www.paulmegram.com.
20.6.09
James
Prince's Menu of Miracles The Main Course is reviewed by Jack
Stephens this week,
Click Here.
20.6.09
The
Chester Guild of Magicians is moving 300 yards, from The Home Guard
Club to The Bull & Stirrup, Northgate Street, Chester from July. Parking
is available at Gorse Stacks Car Park (free after 3pm) which is just one
hundred yards away. Visiting magicians always welcome for a fee of £5.
For further information contact Steve Cooil, telephone 01244 881462 or
email stevecooil@mac.com
www.chesterguildofmagicians.org.uk.
20.6.09
Playtime
Balloons have a brand new website! Marjorie & Mike are thrilled with
the new look and hope all their customers will be too. Visit
www.playtimeballoons.com
to see what's new. Mike lectures at the British Ring Convention in
September -
Click Here for Bob Hayden's latest convention update.
20.6.09
Partytime
2 with Magic Dave. Magic Dave (Dave Allen) is very pleased to
announce the release of his latest DVD - Partytime 2 with Magic Dave.
"Enjoy this eagerly awaited sequel where you are invited to join Magic
Dave at another of his two-hour parties, featuring all new Games, Magic
and Puppet Routines. Prepare to be inspired once again."
www.magicroundabout.net/shop.
20.6.09
Sean
Heydon's 'Magic on the Radio' dates for July:
9th July - Bernie Keith, BBC Radio
Northampton, 10am
13th July - Moley Show, Harborough FM, 1.20pm
17th July - Chris Baxter, BBC Radio Leicester, 3.15pm.
20.6.09
CupsandBallsMagic.com
have just added an auction section to their site - and it's free to use.
Visit
www.cupsandballsmagic.com/cupsauction for info.
20.6.09
Highlands
based magician Clive Grewcock from the Inverness area has been
selected as one of the fifteen businesses backed by the
Prince's Scottish
Youth Business Trust to exhibit, in his case perform, for the crowds
at the 2009 Martin Currie
Rob Roy
Challenge at Taymouth Castle in the Southern Highlands. A fund
raising hiking and cycling event over 55 miles. Clive said, "This is a
wonderful opportunity to bring close-up strolling magic to an outdoor
event with a wide cross section of people who are looking to be
entertained. It will be an interesting booking because of this criteria
however the cause is good, the entertainment will be wonderful and what
a location!" The first 3 years of the Rob Roy Challenge have raised over
£1.2 million for charities. The Martin Currie Charitable Foundation was
founded in 2005 by staff from Martin Currie, the Edinburgh based
specialist investment management business.
www.magician.org/member/clivegrewcock.
20.6.09
Jan
Culshaw of Loch Ness Magic will have his hands full this summer.
Together with presenting his one-man mentalism show, A Cabaret of
Mysteries during July and August, he has just accepted a new
twice-weekly residency at the MacDonald Hotel Group's Aviemore Resort.
Contact Jan on 01320 366375 or email
jan@lochnessmagic.com for
details.
20.6.09
Doctor
Diablo and his Carnival Macabre! News from Michael Diamond: "Doctor
Diablo is a show featuring sideshow classics such as fire manipulation,
the human blockhead, bed of nails, pincushion, ladder of swords,
escapes, electrocution, freaks and many other dark delights!" To watch a
trailer visit
www.vimeo.com/5168189.
20.6.09
Tommy Cooper Magic Shop, Blackpool. Temporary hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 11am - 2pm. Saturdays 11am - 4pm. Sundays 10am - 1pm. Appointments can be made outside these hours by phoning 07922 124483. 20.6.09
Tom DeVoe - world tour. Tom DeVoe emails: "I am a ‘mentalist’ or ‘mind illusionist’, after years of performing across the UK I will be beginning a 12 month trip this August, on my 21st birthday, performing around the world and posting videos of my performances online for people to enjoy. Travelling through in India, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, and the USA, I will work out the PIN number of an American cop and predict the headline of an Australian newspaper a week in advance." Visit www.tomdevoeworldtrip.blogspot.com to keep up with Tom's adventure. 20.6.09
Paul Matthews. Nicky Moon writes: Very sad news this week that founding President of the ACES Magic Society Paul Matthews has recently died of lung cancer in Brighton. Paul who ran a hugely successful event planning business worked with the likes of Noel Edmonds and in other television spectaculars. Paul will be sadly missed by best friend Sue Richards, his family and all who knew him at ACES. 20.6.09
Terry Burgess. Very sad to report that Terry Burgess died on the morning of Friday June 5th. His funeral will take place on Tuesday 23rd June at Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip, Middlesex at 12.30pm. 20.6.09
We've
another British Ring Convention update from Bob Hayden this week,
Click Here
• "Nottingham comedian was a true gentleman"
Click Here
• "Popular Magician Ponders Next Act"
Click Here
• "Oxford students on a magic mission"
Click Here
• Many thanks for your news - please remember the 12 noon
Friday deadline. See you next week, Duncan.
20.6.09