Number 505 - 27th February 2010
Blackpool
Magicians' Club 58th Annual Convention, awards and competition results.
Friday, Junior British Magical Close-Up Championships, four acts competed. 1st place: Alex Hansford, 2nd place: Joe Harper, 3rd place: to Billy Debu from France.
Friday, The Lifetime Achievement Award
was presented by President Alan Coventry to Wayne Dobson.
Friday, British Magical Close-Up Championships, nine acts
competed. 1st place: Min Hyung Kim from Korea, 2nd place: Johan Stahi
from Sweden, 3rd place: John van der Put.
Saturday, The Children's Entertainer International Championships,
six acts competed. 1st place: Oscar Munoz from the USA, 2nd place: David
Tomkins, 3rd place: Jimmy Carlo.
Saturday, International Stage Magic Championships, five acts competed. 1st place: Hyung Joom Kim from Korea, 2nd place: Jung Min Lee from Korea, 3rd Place: Sandro Rivoli from Austria.
Sunday, The Murray Award, presented by Blackpool Magicians Club President to IBM British Ring Secretary John Pye MIMC and to The Magic Circle President Jack Delvin MIMC.
Sunday, The Ken Dodd Comedy Trophy was presented by Ken Dodd OBE to Clive Webb and Company.
Sunday, Special Presentation to Tom Owen in recognition of his services to the Blackpool Magicians' Club.
Every year we all think it can't get any bigger - but every year it does! I understand 3,600+ magicians attended. Once again we enjoyed three days of world class magic. A tremendous amount of work goes on behind the scenes every year to make it all happen. President Alan Coventry, Convention Organiser Derek Lever, Assistant Convention Organisers David Plant and Andrew Green, and Registration Officer Arthur Casson, together with the entire membership should now all take a very well-earned rest. 27.2.10
South
Tyneside International Magic Festival - Monday 8th to Sunday 14th
March. South Tyneside is set to be enveloped in all things magic for the
seventh year running as magicians and magic enthusiasts from around the
globe descend on the borough for the return of the hugely popular
International Magic Festival in March. South Tyneside Council, The
Customs House and past President of the Newcastle Magic Circle, Martin
Duffy with support from
MagicBox have
conjured up another fantastic line-up of first rate magicians from
around the globe for the 2010 week-long festival. The Customs House will
also be hosting a Family Magic Extravaganza, two evening International
Gala Shows and a three-day magic convention for budding and established
magicians. Tickets for the convention are
priced at £65 per person, with an additional charge for anyone wishing
to attend a master class session. For more information, including a full
list of events and how to book, visit
www.southtyneside.info/magicfestival. 27.2.10
Michael
Vincent will be lecturing at The Order of The Magi (Manchester) on
Tuesday 9th March at 8pm at the Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens
Road, Manchester M8 8UF (Map).
This internationally renowned magician has won The Magic Circle Close-up
Magician of the Year competition no less than three times and appeared
at events all over the world. He has been called the magician’s
magician, presenting his magic with style and panache. All welcome, door
charge for non members. For further information contact Secretary Mike
Sharples on 0161 287 7865 or email
secretary@orderofthemagi.org.uk For more info and directions visit
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk. 27.2.10
Cameron
Francis Lecture - Reading and London. "Cameron Francis is an actor
and magician currently living in Gainesville, Florida. As an actor he
has appeared professionally on stage in New York, Baltimore,
Philadelphia, Washington DC, and the Hippodrome State Theatre in
Gainesville. He has also starred in many commercials and appeared in the
feature film "Never Back Down" starring Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou. As
a close-up magician, Cameron has performed at dozens of parties, events
and restaurants. He has also created many original effects and has
collaborated with some of the top names in close-up magic, including
Dave Forrest, Aldo Colombini, Peter Duffie and Richard Sanders. He has
had tricks published in Genii, Magic, Magician Magazine and the Stone
Cold Magic e-magazine. In January, 2010, a new monthly column written by
Cameron entitled The Continental will make its debut in the British IBM
magazine The Budget." This will be Cameron's first ever UK lecture tour.
Reading: 7.30pm for 8pm. 3rd March at the Home Counties Magical Society,
Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9EH. Guests
are welcome at a cost of £8. Visit
www.hcms.org.uk for details or email Dan Hudson, Programme Secretary
programme@hcms.org.uk
telephone 0118 93 10 981. London: Davenports Magic Studio on Saturday,
6th March 2010, starting at 2pm. Tickets £10 from
www.davenportsmagic.co.uk or phone on 020 7836 0408. 27.2.10
Frank
Allen 'Alain the Teller of Tales' has been added to the line up for
the Irish Ring 85 Diamond Jubilee convention from April 30th-May 2nd in
Belfast. Frank will be presenting a lecture on bizarre magic and
performing on the close-up show courtesy of Kaymar Magic who have just
released his new DVD. He joins other lecturers Steve Dela, John Kimmons
and Paul Gordon and performers Neil Henry, Lee Hathaway and local
prize-winners Caolan McBride and Nicola. If you register for the
convention before Monday March 1st you could win back the cost of your
registration; visit
www.onliine-usm.com for details. 27.2.10
Jus’
Like That! Geoffrey Newton emails "Jus’ Like That, the play about
Tommy Cooper’s life is back on tour with Clive Mantle (left of photo)
now playing the role. I caught up with him backstage at the Lowry,
Salford Quays during this week for a chat. Clive is known to many as Dr.
Mike Barratt in TV’s Casualty and Holby City but he has now changed his
forceps for a fez. He has the stature, shoe size and dyed black hair
which makes him look so close to the real thing. His portrayal shows the
highs and lows of Tommy Cooper and the belly laughs come thick and fast
as the famous TC jokes are delivered together with the magical mayhem.
The set has changed considerably from the Garrick days and is now very
simplistic, but it does not detract from the action. The introduction of
Mary in the dressing room scene adds to the rhythm of this part. If you
are a Tommy Cooper fan it really is a must and is on tour until the end
of June. For dates and venues visit
www.markgoucher.com. Geoffrey Newton. 27.2.10
Paul
Gordon's 'Powerful' Card Magic Lecture. "For the very first time in
Glasgow, visit The Paul Gordon 'no-holds-barred' full and intensive, but
fun, card magic lecture. All doable impromptu card magic from Paul's
best-selling books and DVDs. See website for bookings." Wednesday May
12th at 7.30pm. Venue to be confirmed.
www.scottishconjurersassociation.org.uk. 27.2.10
Drummond
Money-Coutts launches his first solo film this week. "Hindi'licious
- A Magical Mecca Unto the Taj" was filmed in January and February
throughout India, and produced in conjunction with local Rajasthan
charity - Seva Mandir. Whilst there the journey made primetime news on
regional channels - with interviews going out to over 30 million people.
Visit www.dmcmagic.com
to watch the movie. 27.2.10
Jason
Bradbury and Suzi Perry of Gadget Show fame turn their hands
to magic on Monday in an attempt to conjurer up some magic, with the aid
of some fancy gadgets. The Gadget Show, 8pm on Monday 1st March on Five,
see TV Magic. 27.2.10
David
Copperfield - A Magic Life. Magicseen is proud to announce the
release of Benoit Grenier's biography of magic legend David Copperfield.
Called 'A Magic Life' this interesting book traces David's rise from
precocious young magic talent to international star and takes the reader
behind the scenes to experience at first hand the dedication and
commitment required to produce some of the most memorable magic ever
seen on television and to perform 500 live shows a year. Benoit is
clearly a great fan of David's and his story is a personal and fond
account of both David the man and David the illusionist. Although no
actual secrets are revealed, the reader is nonetheless given access to
the workings of the David Copperfield world, a world where fantasy
becomes reality and where nothing seems impossible. The book runs to 144
A5 size perfect bound pages and is a must-read for all magic fans.
Available now from
www.magicseen.co.uk and reviewed this week by Mike Clarke
Click Here. 27.2.10
Drew
McAdam Mindplay. He'll read your thoughts. He'll Influence your
thoughts. And he will predict your thoughts... Exploring the untapped
mysteries and potential of the human mind, Drew McAdam will use all his
incredible abilities in this show. Body language interpretation,
subliminal suggestion and, yes, mind-reading will combine with gentle
humour to produce an entertaining, challenging, yet relaxing experience
for spectators – and participants - alike. The result is Mindplay, a
fascinating, fun-filled evening’s entertainment with Scotland's foremost
mind reader. Drew will stop his pulse, reveal a word an audience member
has selected at random, describe to a participant an event from their
childhood, bend metal cutlery, demonstrate fast calculation, perform
impressive memory feats... and read your mind! 7.30pm, 2nd April,
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port-Na-Craig, Pitlochry PH16 5DR (Map)
www.pitlochry.org.uk. 27.2.10
Flink
Key by Karl Bravosky. The Flink Key is now available exclusively
from
www.my-magicshop.com. Find out what it is and what you can do with
it at
www.my-magicshop.com! (see the demo video). 27.2.10
Edward
Hilsum is in Las Vegas at the World Magic Seminar this weekend.
He'll be competing in the Teen Stage Contest, and is the only competitor
from the UK. Go get 'em Ed! 27.2.10
Steve
Dela at The Academy. Following on from the release of his new DVD,
Work and Play, which is gaining rave reviews, Steve Dela is lecturing at
The Academy of Magic at 8pm on Sunday 7th March. The lecture will be
streamed live and can be watched from anywhere in the world. For more
details visit
www.academyofmagic.com, where you'll also be able to watch the
previous lecture from Hayashi. 27.2.10
American
Summer Arts Camp needs a Magician. "We are looking for a magician to
stay at camp from June to August teaching private and small groups of
campers all forms and styles of magic, culminating in shows. Free full
room and board provided, plus salary and assistance getting your work
visa. Please contact Geoff at
geoff@longlakecamp.com or call me directly in America on 914 693
7111. We are 5 hours behind UK time. Thank you, Geoff Burnett."
www.longlakecamp.com.
27.2.10
Magic/Illusion
assistant. Isabel Woywode emails: "My name is Isabel Woywode and I
am an aerial circus performer/ dancer looking into becoming a magicians
assistant. I have originally trained and worked as a dancer before
breaking into the world of aerial circus after being cast for the
Millennium Dome show in London. My experience includes cruise ships, 4
years in a travelling circus, theatres, touring shows and corporate
gigs. I mainly work on vertical rope (cordelisse), aerial tissue/ silks
and cloudswing but am also a confident stilt walker and used to working
with fire (eating and swinging- I don’t swallow or try not to…). I’m
currently on P&Os ‘Pacific Jewel’ as one of their aerial cast members
and am due to finish my contract in June 2010. Please contact me via
email on
izzy_woywode@hotmail.com (web link
www.isabelwoywode.com) if this interests you." Isabel Woywode. 27.2.10
Sean
Heydon is embarking on a 36 date tour, later in the year (23rd July
-3rd September). In preparation he's doing a mini tour featuring some of
his smaller routines (basically his cabaret act, sorry no tigers or
airplanes!). The dates are 4th March: Leek, 7th March: Sheffield and 8th
March: Derby. For venue locations and more info email
sheydon@aol.com
www.seanheydon.com. 27.2.10
Mel
Harvey tells us he was made an honorary "Sheik" during his recent
visit to Dubai, seen here 'table floating' outside the world's tallest
building, the Khalifa Burj (tower), on the beach at the Al Arab Hotel.
Mel was pleased to be part of the Blackpool Convention seeing Clive Webb
and Danny in two shows and winning the Ken Dodd comedy award,
particularly as the feature trick 'Pigeon Feathers to Cat' was supplied
by Mel's Magic Co. Anyone wishing to see Clive and Co can see them at
The Bedworth Civic Theatre today (Saturday) in 'Circus Hilarious' at
7.30pm. (Note: Front row seats are not necessarily the best!). Box
office 02476 376707. 27.2.10
The
Van Buren Story on DVD. "The Van Buren story marks the rise of
illusionists Fred & Greta and their son Andrew who over the years have
performed for audiences ranging from The British Royal Family to Sultans
in the Middle East, always with an original twist and emphasis on
performing surrounded by the audience and with showmanship. The DVD
features early cine footage of Fred Van Buren & Greta, other performers
of the time, anecdotes, the workshops and store rooms, vehicles, effects
and inventions, Van Buren illusions, and footage of their recent
illusion spectaculars around the world. Also bonus poster galleries,
hundreds of photographs and appearances by Roy Hudd and Robbie Williams. A mammoth project and an epic story."
The DVD costs £15.00. Cheques should be made payable to 'Andrew Van
Buren' and sent to: Van Buren DVD, PO Box 777, Stoke on Trent,
Staffordshire ST4 8QA. 27.2.10
Jon
Marshall's Sideshow Lecture – Darlington Magic Circle. Jon Marshall
lectures at the Darlington Magic Circle on Thursday, March 4th. You may
have seen Jon’s shows at Showzam in Blackpool; now is your chance to
find out much more about them. 'Sideshow Illusions and the adventures of
Jon Gresham, fire-eater, magician and sideshow showman' is a talk
illustrated with photographs and video about the sideshow illusions that
were often seen at fairgrounds and seaside amusement parks in the 1950s
and 60sfeaturing funny stories about Jon Gresham's life and the perils
of sideshow promoting. Stories about the punters, the girls, the
importance of the "Flash" and the "Outside Talker" are featured. Jon
Marshall shows how he and others have restored and presented several of
these wonderful attractions. Whether local or from further afield The
Darlington Magic Circle extend a warm and friendly welcome to all
magicians who would like to attend. There is a token £5 admission for
non-members. Very easy access as just off the A1 and on the East Coast
mainline. Further details:
secretary@thedarlingtonmagiccircle.co.uk or
iainjae@ntlworld.com
Extreme
Clowning would like to thank everybody for their help and
encouragement at this year's Blackpool Convention. The trip was a huge
success and a created great awareness for Deafblind people and also got
a few magicians thinking! Jimmy would like to thank David and Dania for
letting him feel the glitter transformation and also to all of the magic
dealers who let him feel and explore magic tricks, and also Creative
Magic and Kreis Magic for their time and donations of magic for Jimmy. A
big thank you to the Berglas Foundation, Beard Juggling and the
Blackpool Magicians Club - without them this trip would not have been
possible. If you have any ideas for magic which can be appreciated
purely by touch contact JJ (Extreme Clowning) at
instantmash@hotmail.com.
(Photo: Jimmy, Joe Pasquale and JJ). 27.2.10
Quentin
Reynolds' Psychic Game Show - extended Manchester run. The success
of the February shows prompted the management of The Lass O'Gowrie to
ask Quentin to continue every Monday in March. Good pub food is
available for those arriving early. They also brew their own beer on the
premises. "A bewitching blend of mindreading and humour." Shows start at
8pm. Tickets £5.00 at The Lass O' Gowrie, 36 Charles Street, Manchester
M1 7DB (Map).
Phone 0161 2364452 or visit
www.psychicgameshow.com. 27.2.10
David
Tomkins Lecture - West Sussex. Fresh from his well deserved 2nd
place win in the International Children's Entertainer competition at the
Blackpool Magic Convention, David Tomkins will be lecturing on the
secrets of his success. The talk, on children's entertainment and
ventriloquism and the use of puppets, will take place on Wednesday,
March 3rd at 8pm at South Downs Magicians, Handcross Parish Hall, High
Street, Handcross, West Sussex RH17 6BJ (Map).
Visiting magicians welcome, £5.00 on the door. More details and
directions:
www.southdownsmagicians.co.uk. 27.2.10
The
"Levett & Lee" Road Show - Birmingham. Graham Lee has another
Balloon Fun Day coming up, The "Levett & Lee" road show will be in
Birmingham on Wednesday 24th March, see:
www.balloonchat.co.uk. This is a full day 'hands on'
lecture/workshop from two of the UK’s leading balloon artistes, Thelma
Levett and Graham Lee: "This year we will be carrying on from the days
last year, as long as you can twist the basics this day will help you
onto the next level of balloon modelling. The day will run from 10am -
5pm with tuition running from 10.30am - 4.30pm with four, one-hour
hands-on tutorial sessions throughout the day. Topics covered: 'one
balloon wonders', 'weaving', 'something for everyone' and a 'requests'
section. To book visit
www.sempertexballoons.co.uk. 27.2.10
A Celebration of The Life of Patrick Page.
The Family of Patrick Page asked to post the following information.
Service Details: Date: Monday 1st March 2010. Time: 2.00pm. Place:
Golders Green Crematorium, Hoop Lane, London NW11 7NL.
*Anyone wishing to attend on Monday to pay respect please contact
Sharron Rose via
ColinRoseMIMC@aol.com as this will assist the family with
arrangements. Thank you. Those of you wishing to send flowers or
donations: Flowers to be sent directly to Golders Green Crematorium,
Hoop Lane, London NW11 7NL to arrive by 2.00pm Donations should be made
to 'St Christopher's Hospice' c/o F. A. Albin & Sons, Funeral Directors,
Arthur Stanley House, 52 Culling Road, London SE16 2TN. 27.2.10
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