Number 490 - 14th November 2009
International
Magic Convention, November 27th, 28th & 29th, London. With just two
weeks to go, now would be a good time to book if you haven't done so
already! The full itinerary can be seen on
www.internationalmagic.com. One of the highlights will be the
presentation of The David Berglas International Award at 5pm on the
Sunday afternoon. The recipient always remains a closely guarded secret,
and as always the presentation by David Berglas and The Foundation For
Promoting The Art of Magic is followed by a special event revolving
around the recipient themselves. Last year's recipient was Uri Geller.
Armando Lucero's eagerly anticipated lecture will not be recorded
and released at a later date. So to benefit from this modern masters
advice and wisdom you'll have to be there! This year's new venue, the
fabulous Mermaid Theatre and Conference Facility (nearest Tubes are
Temple, Mansion House or St Pauls) on the north bank of the Thames will
host all Convention events except for Rene Lavand's One Man Show at The
Bridewell Theatre. The Mermaid will be serving food throughout the day,
and has a late bar open until 2am. Always a great weekend and a sign of
the Christmas season approaching!
14.11.09
Blackpool
Convention 2010... it just gets bigger! Two very special events
planned for next year's convention are 'An Audience with Wayne Dobson'
presented by Michael J Fitch and 'An Audience with the Illusionists'
featuring Rafael (photo), Russ Stevens and Franz Harary. Where in the
world could you see 19 magic lectures in just three days? Blackpool! The
impressive line-up includes Henry Evans - Argentina, Levent - USA, David
Williamson - USA, Andy Nyman - UK, Mr. Tango - Argentina, Juan Mayoral -
Spain, Ed Ellis - USA, Mario Morriss UK, Yigal Mesika - USA, Mark Mason
- UK, Shoot Ogawa - Japan, David Kaplan - USA, Banachek - USA, David &
Dania - USA, John Bannon - USA, Oscar Munoz - USA, Jimmy Carlo - UK, Pat
Fallon - Ireland, Ouentin Reynolds - UK. The close-up sessions feature
some of the world's very best: Henry Evans - Argentina , Banachek - USA,
Yigal Mesika - USA, David Williamson - USA, David Penn - UK, Mark Mason
- UK, John Bannon - USA, Ed Ellis - USA, Oscar Munoz - USA, Shoot Ogawa
- Japan, Harry Robson - UK and Andy Nyman - UK. And Sunday's Gala show
stars Han Seol Hui - Korea, The Great Kaplan - USA, David And Dania -
USA, Clive Webb & Danny Adams - UK, Huan Zheng - China, Levent - USA,
Russ Stevens - UK, Yo Kato - Japan, Franz Harary - USA, and the
irrepressible Ken Dodd (from Knotty Ash!). Plus over 125 dealers from
all over the world demonstrating all the latest miracles that you know
you can't live without. Visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com to download a registration form. 19th - 21st
February, 2010, Blackpool. Don't miss it!
14.11.09
La
Clique. The wait is over! After their hugely successful nine month
run at the London Hippodrome the bulldozers moved in and they had to
pick up their Olivier Award and move out, but ... La Clique is back! La
Clique returns to London for a limited 8 week Christmas season at the
Roundhouse in Camden. With some fantastic new acts, as well as some old
favourites, La Clique is guaranteed to have the crème de la crème of
twisted cabaret entertainers from around the world. La Clique, 20th
November 2009 – 17th January 2010 “Week in, Week out, still the best
show in town” Time Out “This is probably the greatest
mouth-dropping show I've ever seen.” Ruby Wax. Box Office: 0844
482 8008
www.lacliquelondon.com.
14.11.09
Mental!
Mentalist, Peter Campbell-Wells, presents the first in a monthly
showcase of comedy talent in Brighton. "Mental! brings together some
of the best new comics on the circuit on the last Wednesday of every
month, and features brain tricks and other pseudo-psychic cobblers from
your mindreading compère." Wednesday 25th November at 9pm. £5.00 on the
door. Venue: The Quadrant, 12 North Street Quadrant, Brighton BN1 3FA (Map).
www.petesmental.co.uk .
14.11.09
Stratford
Circus Magic Festival. Featuring Christopher Howell’s Enchanted
Island, A Wizard Workshop, Paul Kieve’s Hocus Pocus Show, A Magical
Masterclass, and in the evening a magical double bill: Love and Other
Magic Tricks and Magic to Cry For. Stratford Circus in
partnership with Paul Kieve and standnotamazed presents a spellbinding
day full of magical entertainment for the whole family, and two evening
shows for the price of one. Saturday 28th November.
www.stratford-circus.com.
14.11.09
Young
Magicians Wanted for French Television. Aurélia Couturier of Coyote
Conseil (France) emails: "We are currently working on a TV broadcast
called Qui sera le meilleur ce soir? Spécial enfants which is
dedicated to children's talents that will be aired prime time live on
TF1, the first French channel in January 2010. We would love to have
magic performed on our set so we are looking for young talented and
passionate magicians between 6 to 15 years old to come and give a
performance for us here in Paris. All the travel expenses (train
tickets, meals, hotel room) would be covered by our company. Feel free
to visit our website
www.coyote.fr and the channel's
www.tf1.fr. Feel free to
contact me if you have any questions, I can be reached over the phone
0033 1 40 53 46 08 or via email
couturier@coyote.fr.
14.11.09
Ed
Ellis lecture tour now booking. Magic Books by Post is pleased to
announce that they are organising a lecture tour for top American
close-up performer Ed Ellis. Ed was a hit at this year's IBM convention.
Ed will be in the UK and available to lecture from 24th February until
March 31st 2010. For availability contact Paul Cooke: 07713 574799 or
email
paul@magicbooksbypost.co.uk
www.edellismagic.com.
14.11.09
Derren Brown Presents The 3D Magic Spectacular 10pm on Monday 16th November, on Channel 4.
"Derren Brown Presents the 3-D Magic Spectacular features some of
the world's greatest, funniest and most shocking magicians performing
magic in stunning 3D. With Derren as host, some of Britain's leading
performers dazzle the audience with incredible trickery, and amazing
archive footage features performances of some of the world's greatest
magic tricks." The special glasses are available from
Sainsbury's.
14.11.09
Spoonaround
by Axel Hecklau! Spoonaround is a new comedy prop from Axel Hecklau
in which the performer attempts to rotate a spoon in their mouth using
sleight of tongue... eventually turning the spoon into a fork instead!
For more info and to watch a video
Click Here.
14.11.09
The
Associated Wizards of the South Centenary Convention. The AWS are
celebrating their 100th year by staging a Centenary Convention on Sunday
11th April 2010 in Romsey, near Southampton. Artistes booked to date
include Kostya Kimlat, Paul Gordon, Mike Stokes, James Brown, Mel
Mellers, Mark Worgan and Tensai. Advance registrations are £20.00. For
more information visit
www.awsmagic.co.uk.
14.11.09
The
Society of Irish Magicians celebrate their 70th Birthday with a very
special event on 1st December featuring current Magic Circle Stage
Magician of the Year, John Archer. The evening is in three parts: John
Archer Lecture, Birthday Party and John Archer Cabaret. The Party and
John's show are open to family and friends, and the lecture to magicians
only. The SIM look forward to welcoming you and promise a superb night's
entertainment. It all takes place at Cassidy's Hotel, Dublin 1 on
Tuesday 1st December from 7pm. And because it's a party it's all free!
Visit
www.irishmagicnews.com/SIM-Birthday.html for full details.
14.11.09
The
Ross Presto Magic Show, and friends. Ross Presto is joined for a
night of magic and illusion by a cast of friends including singer Craig
Powell, Alina Eskina, the Bugrova Sisters and Duo Moskova. Ross will
perform a mix of classic illusions all with his own twist, together with
some new magic, mind reading and card tricks. 3rd November 2009 - 6th
December 2009. For full tour details and booking info visit
www.rosspresto.com.
14.11.09
Some
of the UK's finest mystery performers entertained over 6500 guests
at the launch of Windows 7 in Berlin, Germany last week (left to right:
Alex Crow, Urban Magik, Marc Spelmann, Noel Qualter, Sav, Benjamin Earl
and Alan Hudson). They all agreed it was a brilliant three days and
aside from performing had their own mini convention into the early hours
each and every night! Photo: Alex Crow, larger
Click Here.
14.11.09
Squeaky
Saltshaker from Practical Magic: "Just in - a beautifully made salt
or pepper shaker which emits a ridiculous squeaking noise when it's
shaken. The shaker is about 3" high and made from brushed aluminum. (The
egg is purely for comparative sizing.) So what does it do? Well, it
squeaks... but that's not the real point. Keep it in a pocket and ditch
some object as you go to fetch the shaker from your pocket. Great comic
potential as you say you need some Woofle Dust, then the shaker starts
squeaking. £12.50" For more information and a video demonstration, visit
www.practical-magic.com.
14.11.09
The
Order of the Magi North West Dealers Day is on Saturday 21st
November 2009 from 10am to 4pm at The Irish World Heritage Centre in
Manchester M8 8UF. Many of the usual dealers will be there plus this
year we also welcome Magic Books By Post to this event now in its 7th
year in the hands of The Magi. Earlier this year we lost one of our most
respected members Kevin Fox (photo) and his good friend Brian Glover
will present a memorial lecture. Also there will be a dealer’s
demonstration competition with a trophy prize. A magical Hamper raffle
prize is on offer. There is plenty of parking, refreshments, bar and a
big shopping centre next door. No advance tickets have been sold so the
first 30 people paying on the door will each receive a complimentary
pack of Bicycle Playing Cards. Strictly no admission before 10am. This
should be a very social occasion with the opportunity to top up your
props for the festive season shows. Geoffrey Newton PRO.
14.11.09
Steve
Dela’s Fantasmagoria. Following a triumphant launch last month Steve
Dela’s “Fantasmagoria” returns to the King’s Head Theatre in Islington
on Monday 23rd November. Acts performing include James Fortune, Dave
Loosley, Joe Derrington and Richard Pinner. And, after seeking
permission from the Metropolitan Police, Steve will be attempting his
own version of the legendary bullet catch effect. All in all an
unmissable night of cabaret magic. Tickets available now from the King’s
Head Box Office on 0844 209 0326 or via
www.kingsheadtheatre.org. From next month Fantasmagoria will be
playing in both London and Brighton – more details soon!
14.11.09
Darryl
Rose MIMC has just returned from Nigeria, where he scored his own
hat-trick entertaining players, officials and dignitaries at the FIFA
U17 World Cup. Even the locals, some of whom had never seen magic before
were tantalised by his entertaining style. Darryl’s favourite moment was
when in 45 degree heat, he made a football appear, disappear and then
end up in block of ice!
www.darrylrose.com.
14.11.09
The
Fylde Mystics. Alan Mylecraine reports. On Saturday 7th November The
Fylde Mystics opened its doors to the John Gillmore programme on BBC
Radio Lancashire. Maria Felix Vas and a BBC radio crew interviewed Fylde
Mystic members Alan Mylecraine, Allan Clarke and Jack Clarke as part of
the series 'My Favourite Year' which in this case was 1958, the year
that The Fylde Mystics was formed. We talked about the founders of the
Society, the history of magic, what its current members do, and future
events. To listen to the programme and for further details visit
www.fyldemystics.co.uk. (Photo L to R: Allan Clarke, Radio Presenter
Maria Felix Vas and Alan
Mylecraine).
14.11.09
Etienne
Pradier lectures at The Downtown Magic Club, Park Street, Ashford,
Kent TN24 8LS (Map)
doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start, on Monday 23rd November. Members
£5.00, non-members £10.00.
www.downtownmagicclub.co.uk.
14.11.09
Congratulations
to Colin Watkins, 1st prize winner at the Watford Association of
Magicians Stage Magician of the Year competition last Tuesday. Julie
Carpenter was placed 2nd and Magic Dave and Carl Charlesworth joint
third.
www.colliewobblesmagic.co.uk.
14.11.09
The
Collections of Dai Vernon and Bruce Cervon at Auction. Lovers of
sleight-of-hand and collectors of magicana are already abuzz about
Potter & Potter’s January 30th, 2010 sale, featuring the collections of
master magicians Dai Vernon and his student, Bruce Cervon. Among the
highlights are: Dai Vernon’s prop wooden prop case, including apparatus
(cards, coins, Malini Egg Bag, Holdout, gaffs, silhouette shears and
more) and tricks used by Vernon. And, Vernon’s first and most personal
scrapbook, begun upon his emigration to New York City from Ottawa in
1915. Jammed with photographs of Vernon and his contemporaries, it
serves as a unique archive of mostly unpublished images from magic’s
golden age and beyond. The sale takes place on January 30th, 2010. For
questions on any lot in the sale email
info@potterauctions.com.
View the illustrated catalog (available the second week of December),
and sign up to bid at
www.potterauctions.com. Live bidding will be handled through Potter
& Potter's partner site,
www.liveauctioneers.com.
14.11.09
Speciality/Illusion Acts Required for summer tours across the UK in 2010. "Are you a speciality performer with at least 30 minutes of stage material? Double acts/illusionists and dancers/solo acts all considered. Please email your CV, biog and headshot to mail@jfortune.co.uk. We regret that we are unable to enter into personal correspondence." 14.11.09
Chris
Dugdale is seen here with his wife Alexis and a-ha front man Morten
Harket at the band's after show party following their first ever gig at
the 02 last week. Chris was wowing party guests with his magic • "Magician's
lucky escape from stray rocket"
Click Here • "The circus is coming to town"
Click Here • Stephen Barry cuts up his sister-in-law as a
wedding day surprise
Click Here • "Halloween, capturing the imagination"
Click Here • Yaniv Deautsch releases 'Telepathy Report' in
eBook format. Enter your email address into the form at
telepathyreport.blogspot.com for more info • Al Smith reviews a
book and an eBook this week:
The Magic Gourmet by Lewis Jones and
Pasteboard Adventures by David Gemmell • Many thanks for
all your news submissions this week - always welcomed. See you next
week, Duncan.
14.11.09