Number 518 - 29th May 2010

 

The Great Nardini - Eastbourne Convention, September 2010. Bob Hayden writes: There are a number of acts that no matter how many times you see them you spot something that you have previously missed, and if a comedy act, still makes you laugh. Such an act is that of The Great Nardini aka Paul and Mhairi Nardini who will be appearing in the Late Gala of Magic on Friday evening. It is from the expressions of Nardini the hapless magician and those of his frustrated assistant coupled with some brilliant timing that the comedy erupts. The genesis of the act is interesting. Paul used to perform the act as a solo one until it was seen by Ali Bongo who suggested that his wife Mhairi get involved. It was some of the best advice they could ever have received as together they developed it into an award winning act cumulating in them winning 1st prize in the comedy category at the 2003 Netherlands F.I.S.M. To them it was their top magical moment. Read Bob Hayden's latest British Ring Eastbourne Convention news, Click Here. To register for the convention visit www.britishring.org.uk. 29.5.10

 

Essential Magic Conference 15th, 16th, 17th July 2010. Marco Tempest – The Future of Magic, Bill Herz - Know your Audience, Matthew Holtzclaw - Experiencing the Mysterious... watch these video posts online: www.essentialmagicconference.com. In addition, if you have registered for the Essential Magic Conference you will now have exclusive access to their new range of videos, featuring interviews with some of the top people in magic. The first is award winning producer David Yamner, CEO of Concept Artists. David Yamner is a leading agent in the USA, booking some of the very best acts for the world's top venues. Hear what he has to say about building the dream magic show... The Essential Magic Conference 15th, 16th, 17th July 2010. The cost of registering for the conference is EUR €55 (US $75.00) via www.essentialmagicconference.com - don't miss it! 29.5.10

 

International News. Houdini: Art and Magic Exhibition, New York. Harry Houdini (1874-1926), the renowned magician and escape artist, was one of the 20th century’s most famous performers. His gripping theatrical presentations and heart-stopping outdoor spectacles attracted unprecedented crowds, and his talent for self-promotion and provocation captured headlines on both sides of the Atlantic. The Jewish Museum will present the first major art museum exhibition to examine Houdini’s life, legend, and enduring cultural influence from October 29th 2010 - March 27th 2011. Through 163 objects, exhibition visitors will be able to explore the career and legacy of the celebrated entertainer while considering his lasting impact on contemporary art and culture. Visit: www.thejewishmuseum.org/exhibitions/houdini. 29.5.10

 

British magician wins 'New Uri Geller' TV title in Holland. Andrew Melia first entered the competition as himself (Andrew Melia) but early on the TV company (SBS6) asked him if he'd be willing to compete as a new character called The Joker instead. They told him to scare people and read minds. The idea was that Andrew Melia was thrown out the competition early on, and his alter ego would come back to avenge the jury's decision! It was a huge success, and added over a dozen live performances and over 20 TV performances in the last 6 months to his CV. Audition one, as himself Click Here and later, as the Joker Click Here, and Click Here. Visit www.club-magic.com for more on Andrew. 29.5.10

 

Innovator of the Decade Award. Paul Stone writes ... On 15th May Diana Zimmerman and I had the pleasure on behalf of The Innovention of awarding Criss Angel with the 'Innovator of the Decade' Award on stage at the Luxor Hotel & Casino after his sell-out 'Believe' Show. This award was enthusiastically received by the 1500 people in the audience and was also filmed as part of a documentary on Criss for the Biography Channel. The 'Believe' Show has changed dramatically from when I first saw it soon after it opened and Criss does a great job. He is currently in the process of adding 8 new illusions to the Show. Criss certainly works hard and his schedule would wear out most performers. Apart from the 'Believe' Show at the Luxor, he is in the middle of filming another series of MindFreak and is also soon due to tape shows with both Oprah and Larry King!

We are delighted that he will be presenting his first ever Special Session at The Innovention at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas which runs from 4th - 7th October 2010. And we've also now confirmed that Teller will present his very rarely seen lecture 'The Red Ball' at The Innovention too. So in addition to an already stellar line-up of talent you will get to see two of the greatest magicians in the world! Please note that the Special Offer of a superb Ken Brooke Collectors Series Five Star Wallet, valued at $150, runs out on 31st May, so if you don't want to miss out you should register in the next couple of days. The other Special $50 Introductory Discount, making The Innovention a fantastic deal at $295, will also be finishing on 15th June, so if you are one of the people who has subscribed for this offer but have not yet registered then now is the time to book before the Special Offer runs out. Visit www.innovention2010.com to register.
 29.5.10

 

TV mindreader let off jury duty - because court officials feared he may wreck trial. "Drew McAdam's act includes reading thoughts, duplicating drawings done in secret and bending cutlery Uri Geller-style. He turned up at court after being called to sit on a case. But the 54-yearold was sent home after officials recognised him as the human lie detector on Five's Trisha chat show..." To read the full story by Alan Carson in the Daily Record Click Here. 29.5.10

 

Chris Cross is Escaping from Reality. Chris Cross is a stand-up comedian presenting his trademark 5 star show which incorporates his skills as a crazy contortionist and escapologist. After having had a great run of gigs in New Zealand, France, Bahrain, Greece and the States, he is now returning for a 15 night run of 'Escaping from Reality' (a 'Must See Show' The Stage). This is Chris's 6th Year at the Ed Fringe. 12th - 27th August 2010 at 9.35pm at The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA (Behind Burger King on Princes Street). Free admission, no booking. www.chris-cross.co.uk. 29.5.10

 

Jumbo Magic Auction - Manchester Circle of Magicians, Monday 14th June. At Salford Masonic Hall, Hemsley House, 41 The Crescent, Salford, Nr. Manchester commencing at 6.30pm with viewing from 6pm. Auctioneers Mike Shepherd and Derek Lever. Door charge £3.00. Members free of charge. Featuring hundreds of items including apparatus, books and DVDs. Further details from Derek Lever on 01253 810113 d.lever1@sky.com. 29.5.10

 

Close-up magic mystro Etienne Pradier is seen here with PM David Cameron just weeks before he made it to number 10. Not only did Etienne predict the election result, he even managed to make Cameron's old house keys disappear first too! www.frenchmagician.co.uk. 29.5.10

 

The Thirteenth Box - A Cave Tour and Ghost Hunt like no other! "Jez Starr, The Dreaded Mentalist, is inviting you to take part in this truly unique experience. Every Friday night from June 25th to August 27th at 7.30pm Jez will be letting small groups into Cheddar Caves to witness the curses of The Thirteenth Box! This is a Cave Tour and Ghost Hunt like no other! Find out what has cursed the box and how it's now haunted!" Tickets £13. Booking advised. Over 16's only. Suitable footwear required as cave floor can be slippery. For tickets call 07749 538016 or email jezstarr@dreadedmentalist.com www.facebook.com/jezstarr www.dreadedmentalist.com. Venue: Gough's Cave, Cheddar Caves & Gorge, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3QF (Map). 29.5.10

 

Jasper Blakeley and Rob Brydon in Audi Car launch. Jasper Blakeley recently joined Welsh rugby stars, a string quartet, a celebrity chef and comedian Rob Brydon in Swansea for the glitzy launch of Audi's new A8. Jasper had planned to gamble with one of the 70K cars as the evening's finale, but after weeks of insurance problems with management and, despite offering to actually buy the car beforehand, Jasper gambled a thousand pounds in cash of his own money instead. Following the success of the night, Audi’s now talking with Jasper about a blindfold drive for the launch of their next supercar [try getting insurance for that one Jasper! DT]. Catch Jasper, aka Kockov, on the cover of the next issue of Magicseen magazine with an in depth interview including news of his new venture ‘The Cabaret Academy'. www.jasperblakeley.co.uk. 29.5.10

 

Bank Holiday Madness at Alakazam! Save 15% on any order placed over the Bank Holiday weekend until 9am Tuesday. Use this code: 58008618. Details: www.alakazam.co.uk/blog. 29.5.10

 

Chris Dugdale: An Evening of Magic and Mindreading. "Chris Dugdale, world class magician, returns by popular demand to Riverside Studios with a show that will leave you spellbound. From over 100 performances at the Monte Carlo Casino in Las Vegas, to a private audience for Her Majesty The Queen in Windsor, he has mesmerised audiences at the top level. He is the face and expert behind the new Britain’s Got Talent Stage Magic kit, and is currently developing two television projects. Experiencing magic before your eyes is a sensation like no other. Join Chris for a very different night that you will never forget." Tuesday 31st August to Sunday 19th September, Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9RL (Map). Box office: 020 8237 1111. More info: www.riversidestudios.co.uk. 29.5.10

 

Ian Keable lecture, Coventry Magic Circle. Ian Keable presents his Stand-Up, a Professional Guide to Comedy Magic lecture at The Coventry Magic Circle on Tuesday 8th June. Doors open 7.30pm. Visitors welcome (small nominal charge). Venue: The Bentley Road Social Club, Bentley Road, Nuneaton. www.iankeable.co.uk. 29.5.10

 

Paul Ormonde and Sara will be the special guest performers for singer 'Silhouette' at the Safehouse Art Gallery, Belfast, on Saturday 29th May at 8.30pm. Silhouette has just released her new track "Volume Destroyed" and tickets for this 'Cupcake & Champagne' party are £5.00. Paul and Sara will open the event with a 30 minute performance. 29.5.10

 

The Twins are currently wowing audiences in China. Back in April a 40ft shipping container stacked full of illusions was sent to China ready for their arrival. The sold-out show Aladdin’s Magical 3D Adventure has a cast and crew of over 30 and tours key cities in China for the next 3 months. The production visits venues with a capacity of 2,000 to 40,000 people. The show features some of The Twins 'World Magic Awards International Stage Magicians of the year' illusions plus some new bespoke illusions. "The Twins are amazing, It's Magic!" China’s CCTV, "The new Harry Potters, 5 stars" Beijing Today. www.theillusionists.com. 29.5.10

 

A séance lecture, workshop and demonstration for magicians and mystery entertainers will be taking place at the Galleries of Justice visitor attraction in Nottingham on Friday June 4th from 7pm to 10.30pm. The "What Lies Beneath" evening will include a lecture and workshop on séance magic and paranormal entertainment from Paul Voodini followed by a ghost tour of the venue (claimed to be the most haunted in England) and séance demonstration. All attendees will also receive a copy of Paul's book "The Paranormal Entertainer". Details and tickets from www.seancenights.co.uk. 29.5.10

 

Last chance to get your £20 voucher! Mark Leveridge Magic's latest Dealer Night, which takes place on Monday 7th June at the Holiday Inn, Junction 25 off the M1, Nottingham, is not only a great opportunity to browse the MLM and Magicseen product ranges at leisure, but also to make some big savings. Pre-register now and you will receive a £20 voucher to put towards purchases on the evening, as well get a further 10% off all MLM products and Magicseen books. There are also three prizes worth up to £10, £20 and £30 respectively, plus all attendees can enjoy the half hour dealer dem and Mark's mini lecture featuring three brand new routines. So, register now and receive your £20 voucher by return email ready to spend on the evening. More details from www.markleveridge.co.uk. 29.5.10

 

Comedy magic entertainers and cruise ship performers Des and Cherry King are making their first appearance on the magic club lecture circuit. South Downs Magicians are pleased to be hosting a lecture by the star performers - and it is free entry for all visiting magicians. Des King's lecture is entitled "45 years in showbusiness and I've never lost a thumb tip" and will be on Wednesday, June 2nd at 8pm at Handcross Parish Hall, High Street, Handcross, West Sussex RH17 6BJ (Map). Find out the secrets of their successful career which includes an appearance in the Royal Variety Show. Further details: www.southdownsmagicians.co.uk and www.descherryking.co.uk. 29.5.10

 

Paul Kybert Wins The Leamington and Warwick Magic Society 2010 Close-up Competition. Reported by Mark Traversoni. On 20th May Paul Kybert put in a brilliant performance with a great twist on some traditional plots in magic. The routine that has us all talking was when he produced a goldfish and constantly referring to it which had us wonder why; he went to produce a card which had its corner previously removed from his wallet inside which were 2 sealed envelopes only to find it filled with fish food not the card. It was then found that the card was inside the fish food container that had been on the table the whole time. Brilliant thinking and a worthy winner who now gains entry to the Midlands Champion of Champions Competition to be held at the clubs Day of Magic on 23rd June. Well done to all the other competitors (Mark Traversoni, Jonathan, David Taylor and Matthew Redmond) who made this one of the best fought competitions in a long time. Special thanks also go to the Junior section who put on as show in the first half of the evening. The quality of their magic and showmanship is coming on leaps and bounds and we are very proud to have such talented new blood in our society. 29.5.10

 

The Exonian Magical Society will celebrate their 75th anniversary in October 2011, and are now looking for dealers and acts to take part in the celebration. If you can add something to the convention either as a performer or dealer contact secretary Ozzy Dee ozzydee@themagiccircle.co.uk. 29.5.10

 

Merlins of Wakefield are having trouble at the moment with their website, but hope to resolve this shortly and apologise for any inconvenience. Their new June/July Preview is out now. With over 70 magic effects there's bound to be something of interest. Best of all, the Preview is free! Just contact them with your address and they'll post you a copy, or can send a PDF version if you'd prefer. Call them on 01924 339933 or email merlins@btconnect.com. 29.5.10

 

Billboard By Marc Bangert. Exclusive pre-order offer via MagicTao for free world wide delivery week commencing June 14th. "An impossible effect? The mentalist asks a spectator to name any freely chosen piece of information (a playing card, a number, a word, the name of a person etc). This exact piece of information is then shown to be on the internet, not only far away and with no possibilities of multiple outs, but on top of that it turns out that this exact prediction had been sitting there, in advance, for days already." For more info and to pre-order visit www.magictao.co.uk. 29.5.10

 

This year's Pentacle Club Lecture take place on Tuesday 1st June when you are invited to 'Experience the Unexpected!' as Andrew Normansell – author of 'The Man Who Would Be King' - takes to the floor with an evening that covers aspects of commercial stand up, mentalism and close up magic. All magicians are welcome, the lecture starts at 8pm and they meet at St Laurence's School, Arbury Road, Cambridge CB4 2JX (Map). There is a charge of £5 for non-members. 29.5.10

 

Tony Russell. It is with deep regret that I write to inform you of the death of Tony Russell. Tony was a long time member of the IBM and past member of the Magic Circle. Founder member and treasurer of the Magicians of Basingstoke. Magic dealer under the name of Pennywise Magic. Tony and I shared a passion for magic and snooker. We played snooker every week for the past 25 years - neither of us getting any better. Tony will be sorely missed. Alan McGurk. 29.5.10

 

Martin Gardner. Martin Gardner, who died on May 22 aged 95, infused his writings on mathematics and science with the concept of fun, but achieved wider renown with his deconstructions of the Victorian fantasies of Lewis Carroll (the Rev Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), the Oxford maths don and author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking Glass (1871). To read the full article from the Telegraph Click Here. 29.5.10

 

Ray Alan. Ventriloquist Ray Alan dies at 79. Ventriloquist Ray Alan has died suddenly at the age of 79, his agent has announced. The showman was known for his upper class puppet Lord Charles, who usually appeared to be drunk. Alan, from Reigate, Surrey, was a TV regular from the 1950s to the 1980s, appearing on shows including variety serial The Good Old Days. To read the full article from the BBC Click Here. 29.5.10

 

The Illusionist makes its terrestrial television debut on June 9th - see TV Magic • "World's first womens' magic festival to be held in Kerala" Click Here • "Woman magicians to ride blindfolded in bikes tomorrow" Click Here • Paul Gordon: Derby Magic Circle Lecture - reviewed by Al Smith Click Here • "Lessons in storytelling from Derren Brown" Click Here • "Kylie Minogue Turns Her Hand to Magic!" Click Here • Many thanks for your news items - have a good Bank Holiday weekend, Duncan. 29.5.10

 

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