Number 488 - 31st October 2009
International
Magic Saturday Gala Show - sold out! Only Sunday night Gala Show
tickets remain for the International Magic Convention (Mermaid Theatre
London, November 27th-29th). The move to the larger Mermaid Theatre,
from the Convention’s past home of The Shaw Theatre, has proved to be a
wise decision with this news, backed up by the fact that the Sunday is
now getting close to capacity too. The function rooms at the theatre
offer stunning views over the River Thames and will house the dealer’s
exhibition, and a large bar area (with a late night license) for
socialising and sessioning - only available to Convention registrants.
Further names Tina Lenert, with her Mop Lady act, and Geoff Williams
have been just been released. Although you may not have heard of Geoff
you can see his creative take on magic by watching his “pick-me-up” at
the bottom of
www.magician.org/member/geoffwilliams/freedvd. To book tickets visit
www.internationalmagic.com.
31.10.09
FISM
winners booked for Blackpool 2010. The Blackpool Magicians’
Convention always attracts the world's top magic acts and February 2010
will be no exception. Among the artistes appearing are two recent FISM
winners. Han Seol Hui, from Korea (photo), joint first prize winner in
the manipulation category, will present his superb, energetic and highly
skilful act featuring CDs, together with joint first prize manipulation
winner Yo Kato, from Japan, who will be wowing the audience with his
unique wand and thimble work! Both will be appearing on the
International Gala Show on Sunday evening. They are just two of the top
performers all set to dazzle, together with many other international
stars of magic at the world’s largest magic convention! Visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com for more information and to register. 19th -
21st February, 2010, Blackpool. 31.10.09
The
Northern Magic Circle are pleased to announce the confirmed booking
of Kostya Kimlat for their convention next March: "Kostya will present
his lecture which has been presented throughout the US, Europe, Japan
and South America - you don't want to miss this! Kostya will also be
appearing in the close-up gala and everyone who registers before the
31st January 2010 will be entered into a draw for an exclusive and free
masterclass (12 lucky winners) with Kostya, which will take place over
the convention weekend. Kostya joins the growing list of magical stars,
including Nathan Kranzo, Chris Priest and John Hotowka, who will be
performing and lecturing at the Northern Magic Circle Convention which
takes place on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th March 2010 at the Marine
Hall, Fleetwood, Lancashire." The registration desk is now open and a
registration form is available via
www.northernmagic.co.uk - more acts and events to be announced
shortly.
31.10.09
Arturo
Brachetti Change, Garrick Theatre, London. Monday 26th October,
opening night. Arturo's work is, in places, quite stunning. His timing
breathtaking, and his ability to slide effortlessly from one character
to another brilliant. Like a master magician his secrets are well
guarded, and the art of quick-change is, in itself, very entertaining.
But 30 minutes into the first half I was ready for another act to come
on. It was as if I was watching a variety show, but there was only one
performer on the bill. For all the visual changes, amazing outfits, and
ingenious ever-changing stage set, I found it only tapped in to one or
two emotions. Despite a storyline of sorts I felt the show never really
jelled into a whole. It just felt like a collection of routines that had
just been slotted together. And that's a real shame as Arturo is an
exceptional performer in many ways. The show has some great moments, and
I enjoyed parts of it very much; but perhaps it is overly ambitious to
attempt to turn what would be an amazing 20 minutes into a full-blown
West End show. Duncan Trillo. More reviews:
The Times,
Guardian,
London Evening Standard,
Daily Mail,
The Stage,
What's On Stage.
31.10.09
News
from The Academy of Magic: "The Academy is very excited to announce
that its next live streamed lecture will take place on 8th November
starring the brilliant James Brown - the professional opportunist! If
you're in London come down and join us from 7pm at The Phoenix Artist
Club (Charing Cross Road) or you can watch it LIVE from anywhere in the
world on
www.academyofmagic.com from 7.30pm. Sign up now to make sure you
don't miss it and check out all the other features that The Academy has
to offer, including the brand new video on demand service. You can sign
up now for free on
www.academyofmagic.com."
31.10.09
Victor
Voitko is pleased to announce a number of new products: Appearing
Snow Storming Fan, Slider (see under 'Close-up Magic') and
their new DVD Jumbo Coins and Routines. The Appearing Snow
Storming Fan is a classic of magic that has been brought up to date
with incredible new features. Slider is new system for the
appearance, disappearance and visible flight of various objects and the
DVD Jumbo Coins and Routines features Victor sharing hard earned
lessons using specially made coins (included with each DVD). The coins
are very light and have milled edge making them easy to palm. The coins
are available in multiples of ten in gold or silver. Slider and
the DVD Jumbo Coins and Routines sold out at FISM 2009 in
Beijing. Visit
www.magic-voitko.com/shop.
31.10.09
The
Portsmouth and District Magic Circle have just launched a new
website
www.portsmouthmagic.co.uk featuring extensive content for both the
public and members. Founded in 1938 the club continues to thrive. Lewis
Ganson, Will Ayling and Bart Harding were all members. The next main
event is the
Portsmouth
Jumbo Day on Sunday, 1st November. Doors open at 9am and the day
features up to 100 new and
used magic sellers, close-up magic sessions, an auction, a star lecture
from Mel Mellers, workshops and an evening gala show with Alex Lodge,
Zane, Jon Allen and Mel Mellers. £17 entrance fee on the door. Venue: Portsmouth &
District Magic Circle, Buckland Community Centre, Malins Road, Buckland,
Portsmouth PO2 7BL (Map).
For more information visit
www.jumboday.co.uk.
31.10.09
The
Palace of Grand Illusion. Family favourite, Zippos Circus, will be
appearing at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland with a special
all-human festive circus show. But by night, Zippos Circus Big Top will
be transformed into The Palace of Grand Illusion: "Illusionist
Guy Barrett will present a spectacular, fast-paced, non-stop show of
mystery and illusion supported by a cast of sensational circus acts and
featuring glamorous assistants, this will be a unique Christmas treat."
Guy will be performing nightly at 7pm in Zippos Circus Big Top, Hyde
Park, London from the 21st November until January 3rd (excluding
Christmas day). Tickets can be purchased from the Winter Wonderland
website:
www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com.
31.10.09
Magic
Circle Dealers' Day - London. The Magic Circle
Dealers' Day will take place on Saturday 7th November between 10am and
5pm at the Royal National Hotel, Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG (Map).
Free to members of The Magic Circle with current membership card; £5 for
all other adults; £3 for under 16s. (Paul Gordon just contacted us to
let readers know that he will have his new 3-disc 'Card Startlers' DVD
set with him, together with some special offers).
31.10.09
Andy
Nyman is set to star in a new one-off comedy for Channel 4. "Campus
is set in a fictitious red-brick university and explores the lives and
souls of a handful of people that work there – some as academics, some
simply involved in the general running of the place. With a
semi-improvised feel, it will feature an ensemble cast, and is made by
the team behind Green Wing and Smack the Pony." 10pm on Friday November
6th on Channel 4.
www.andynyman.com.
31.10.09
Paul
Dabek returned from the world famous Queen Mary 2 on its very
special 5th Anniversary cruise around the UK last week, where he
entertained a 2,500 strong guest list including Leslie Garrett, Carol
Thatcher and Sir Jimmy Savile. The cruise was extra special as it was
the first time that the Queen Mary 2 had docked in Liverpool (the
original home of the Cunard line). Paul told us, "The Queen Mary 2
really is one of the most advanced passenger liners in the world! It's
beautifully decorated and luckily for me it boasts one of the most
technically advanced theatres at sea. It's a pleasure on." Paul has
performed on many cruise liners on all 7 continents, but said that this
really was a special experience for him.
www.pauldabek.com.
31.10.09
Garry
Gizmo was awarded first prize for comedy magic (the Eric Seddon
award) at the Southport Magic Circle's competition on Monday 19th.
www.garygizmo.co.uk.
31.10.09
PowerBall
60 by Richard Sanders and Bill Abbott (UK Version) is now available
from
www.waynedobson.co.uk "The easiest, most practical mindreading
effect ever! Have a spectator think of any number between 1 and 60 and
to imagine that number as their secret winning lottery number. For fun,
hand them your used scratch tickets and ask them to see how many winners
they would have had... by this simple action alone you now know the
exact number they are thinking of!"
31.10.09
Malcolm
Norton won the professional close-up competition at the Rivera
Circle of Magicians in Torquay on Wednesday 21st October. Malcolm
emails: "They split the comp into amateurs and professionals. I believe
this is unusual in magic comps? Although I have won other comps before I
am proud to have won this one as I actually had some very tough
competition! Regarding dress.. oops. I went without meaning to enter the
comp and due to circumstances beyond my control (those that know me will
understand) I couldn't get my suit! so yes I did perform like this!!!! I
should point out however I was marked down by the judges for my dress
and quite rightly so... but I still won! Anyone wishing to know more
about the society can visit the web page below! I have been a member of
many societies over the years this is certainly one of the best!"
www.rivieracircleofmagicians.co.uk "Magical show rings up another
win for Malcolm"
Click Here.
31.10.09
Patricia
Bunnell, (the balloon hat lady) from America will be in Birmingham
on Wednesday 4th November for her only UK hands-on lecture/workshop. The
day will run from 10am - 6pm with Patricia presenting two sessions from
10.30am - 1pm and 2pm - 4.30pm covering her very commercial balloon
models and sculptures with twisting tips and skills on what is bound to
be a very entertaining and educational day. The last part of the day
being taken up with a question and answer session, the day also includes
a buffet lunch. For more details and to book visit
www.sempertexballoons.co.uk.
31.10.09
New
England Patriots v Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last Sunday the NFL held a
league game at Wembley for the second year running.
Daniel Reed
and Mark Williams
were on hand to entertain some of the many American football fans who
had travelled from far and wide to see the New England Patriots take on
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The annual fixture is such a hit with the fans
that next year there is talk of 2 games being played at Wembley Stadium.
One of the highlights of the day for the lads was entertaining the
famous New England Cheerleaders before the match.
31.10.09
Taffy
the Clown (Ian James). It is with great sorrow we report that Taffy
the Clown has passed away on Monday 26th October 2009. After a week in
hospital in Cardiff, he died peacefully with his family around him. He
was 79. Following a private family funeral, there will be a Service of
Celebration on Thursday 5th November 2009 at 4.15pm at Cyncoed Methodist
Church, Cyncoed Road, Cardiff CF23 6SE. From David C Holmes, Cardiff
Magical Society.
31.10.09
Rosmary English emails: "There was a comment on tonight's (Thursday 30 October) edition of The Weakest Link on BBC 1. It was made by magician contestant , Jack Stephens. He said, 'As I am a magician, if Anne Robinson was my assistant, it would be expected of me to saw her in half. But I would go one better than that- I would make her disappear completely!' A sentiment endorsed by most of the British public I am sure!" 31.10.09
Dynamo
levitates Ian Brown,
Click Here • "Sleuthing magician casts spell on NBC"
Click Here • "Why doesn't NBC just remake The Magician?"
Click Here • International Illusionists Jason Steele and Joanne
appear as guest cabaret at the
North Western
Society of Magicians annual dinner on Friday 7th November • "Magician
Paul Daniels at Coventry store to relaunch Wizbit"
Click Here • LBC Radio Review of Chris Dugdale Live
Click Here • Tony Griffith's recent lecture for the Society of
Irish Magicians is reviewed by Joe O'Donnell this week,
Click Here • "Cyril’s Magical Mystery Tour"
Click Here • "Siegfried & Roy come 'home' to theatre where it
all started"
Click Here • "The Cyber Magician"
Click Here • "Butcher's magical moment"
Click Here • You UK magic news is always welcomed - please note
the Friday 12 noon deadline for all submissions. Have a magic week,
Duncan.
31.10.09