Number 550 - 8th January 2011
Derren
Brown Live Collection 3 DVD set. "A terrific magician. This is
breathtakingly ingenious entertainment" The Times. A
special DVD box set containing three of Derren Brown’s must-see live
theatre shows will be released on January 17th. Included: An Evening
of Wonders: "The psychological illusionist takes us on a journey
through mind control and subliminal suggestion and recreates the
jaw-dropping 'Oracle Act' from the turn of the 20th century. The show
features audience participation, shocking stunts and mind games, as
Derren shows why you have to see him live." Something Wicked This Way
Comes: "This DVD features the Olivier Award-winning stage show.
Derren stops his pulse, walks on glass, and armed only with a few
newspapers drives the show to a tour-de-force finale of prediction,
influence and showmanship that will leave you breathless." Enigma:
"A special tone leaves the audience hypnotised and a woman finds herself
sleep-walking through the rows. Is a supernatural force summoned within
the Spirit Cabinet or is the medium somehow doing Brown's bidding?
Derren is again at his finest in this stunning theatrical event that
brought him more rave reviews up and down the country and 'sees him
climb to artistic heights rarely, if ever, achieved by any other legends
of the magical arts'" (Time Out). Three brilliantly crafted live shows
from the world's finest mind manipulator. Go ahead, treat yourself,
Click Here. And don't miss Derren Brown Night on
Channel 4 tonight, from 9pm onwards, see
TV Magic for details.
8.1.11
The
Session is just a few days away. Prepare to see David Berglas,
Darwin Ortiz, Pit Hartling, Denis Behr, Luke Jermay, Benjamin Earl (the
man who fooled Penn & Teller last night!), Danny Buckler, Peter Wardell
and Justin Higham. Joshua Jay, Mark Elsdon, Andi Gladwin and Tyler
Wilson will also be hosting hands-on workshops, offering personal
tuition covering tricks and technique. This year promises to be the best
yet, but with just a couple of tickets left, now is last call to attend
The Session 2011 (15th and 16th January, Gloucester)
www.sessionconvention.com.
8.1.11
Penn
& Teller: Fool Us, snapped in the green room on the day of the
recording,
Click Here.
(I was out Friday evening so haven't seen the show yet, but heard good
things overall. Very well done to John and Ben. DT). "Penn & Teller:
Fool Us on ITV1"
Click Here. "American duo Penn and Teller are two of America’s most
exciting magicians. They tell David Stephenson why they are appearing on
British television"
Click Here. See what magicians on the Bunny thought,
Click Here.
8.1.11
The Mysterious McComb.
"Originally broadcast by 4fm Ireland and produced by Digital Audio
Productions, Dublin The Mysterious McComb is the magical story of Billy
McComb, a boy from Belfast who became one of the world’s most
influential performers and magicians. Born into an upper-class family in
Belfast in the 1920’s, Billy turned his back on a career in medicine to
follow his dream of becoming a world-class magician. His path to success
took him from war-torn Belfast to Dublin (where he spent a night in
prison) and on to The London Palladium. During his time in London he
married and performed with his new bride, a former Miss Ireland. From
there, Billy set his sights on global domination, traversing the globe
performing on cruise ships. He eventually put down roots in Hollywood,
setting the stage alight across Los Angeles and Las Vegas. A
charismatic, timeless and indeed iconic figure, Billy McComb changed the
face of magic and inspired a generation of aspiring magicians. The
producers wish to thank Martin Breese for the original audio of Billy
you hear in this production." Thanks to Brendan Byrne (Irish Magic News)
for letting us know about this fascinating broadcast, which can now be
heard via Brendan's site
Click Here.
8.1.11
Conjuring at the Court – Thursday 27th January.
"Starring: Mike and Julie Evans, a husband and wife duo, who perform
an amazing and mesmerising show of Mind Magic and Illusion; Matthew
Garrett, the Magic Circle’s Close-Up Magician of the Year; Harrison
Richards (photo), the Perceptionist, an engaging fellow with extraordinary
abilities; Terry Herbert, someone who’s been making audiences roar, year
after year. Hosted by Russell Levinson with his own brand of genial
amazement.
The show has returned to the Drayton Court, 2 The Avenue, West Ealing
W13 8PH (Map). The room is much larger and has been completely redecorated,
while retaining its period charm. Most seating is theatre style but
there are now a few tables as well. Please arrive as early as you can to
get the seat you want; our last show had record numbers and there was
standing room only for late arrivals! Doors
open at 7.30pm, the show starts at 8pm and runs to about 10pm." Tickets £10
from
www.conjuringatthecourt.com or email
tickets@conjuringatthecourt.com.
8.1.11
Dugdale
and Jay present The Magic Purse. Show a purse on your iPhone, ask a
volunteer to name a coin, open the purse, reveal the chosen coin (it's
the only one in there) and then pluck it from the screen! Visit
www.themagicpurse.com to watch a demo and download.
8.1.11
Magicseen
Issue 36 for January 2011 has been unleashed on a bleary eyed world, and it
might just be the tonic that is needed to kick start the New Year. From
editor Mark Leveridge: "Andi
Gladwin is a busy young man as he tries to juggle performing, with
inventing, with convention organising, with running a magic dealership,
but we managed to grab some time with him and the fruits of our
conversation is in the new issue. We also feature two other very
different personalities - Ian Adair, who invents magic like it's going
out of fashion, and James L. Clark, who takes time out from being a
mentalist/magic dealer to do amazing humanitarian deeds. Magicseen is
well known for its advice articles too, and we are pleased to offer the
second and concluding part of our piece on performing magic in
restaurants with top advice from 6 experts. Paul Stockman dispenses more
sage words on performing cabaret/stage magic from his new book, and
nearly 4 years on from when we first looked at magic on the internet, we
provide you with comments on 12 UK online dealers. All this plus a large
number of product reviews, the Masterclass offering two effects to
learn, we spend a day with busy children's entertainer Paul Megram, plus
much more - issue 36 is simply a great way to be informed and
entertained. Get your copy as part of a 1 or 2 year sub, or as a single
printed copy or even as an instant download from
www.magicseen.co.uk".
8.1.11
Steve
Faulkner Topits now available. Steve Faulkner emails: "Professionally tailored into your jacket,
with a money back guarantee if you are not 100% satisfied. Each topit is
finished to perfection in a matching or as near to matching lining as
possible. Please email if you would like to see photos, or call
with no commitment if you would like any more information. Skype demo is
also available.
+44 (0)7786 323 127 stevefaulkner@uk2.net
Skype: stevenfaulkner."
8.1.11
The David Meade Project
- 10.45pm on Wednesday 12th January on BBC1
in Northern Ireland only.
"Each week, David explores a different topic that sees him take his
participants on an often moving, sometimes controversial, and always
astonishing journey investigating themes of luck, fear, intelligence,
and creativity." See
TV
Magic for details.
8.1.11
BBC
Radio Four's Afternoon Play 'Haunted' on Wednesday 19th is a dark
psychological thriller by Sally Griffiths in which a TV illusionist and
a medium both have their belief systems tested when a voice from the
past refuses to keep silent. With Steffan Rhodri, Zoe Tapper and Vineeta
Rishi. 2.15pm on Wednesday 19th January on BBC Radio Four.
8.1.11
Etienne Pradier
lectures at the Wolverhampton
Circle of Magicians, on Wednesday 12th January, at the West End Working Mens
Club, Wolverhampton. Visiting magicians from other societies are welcome
for a door charge of £5. Contact Mark Harrington 07779 608387
mark@illusistration.com to arrange your visit
if you'd like to attend.
www.frenchmagician.co.uk.
8.1.11
The South London Magic Society
will host a lecture from Spyros Melaris entitled "Magic In Mind" on
Friday January 14th... "featuring a selection of mental marvels for close-up, and stage. Spyros will give
you an insight into his work on stage and television, and will discuss the creation of the world
famous 'Alien Autopsy' the illusion that fooled over 1.2 billion TV
viewers all over the world. This lecture will be at the SLMS
headquarters at The United Reform Church Hall, Cobden Road, South
Norwood, London SE25 5NY (Map). Non-Members £10.00."
8.1.11
MagicNews
TeleVision relaunch. James James emails: "MagicNews TeleVision is about to be
relaunched on Saturday 15th
January. With News, Reviews and Interviews, it will bridge the gap from
what is available to what you will want. Hosted by James James and
produced by The Magic Hub it will be quite a ride. Visit
www.magicnewstelevision.com
and register for free updates and
notifications before each episode goes live. Chris Cross is interviewed
in the first episode."
8.1.11
Paul Gordon's
all new professional card magic lecture is
now available to book for your club or convention in 2011/12. (See the
Lecturers page for info.)
Paul promises "a jam-packed lecturing
featuring powerful card magic from the Card Startlers and Blockbusters
With Cards DVDs, showcasing new material during Card
Capers in Glasgow and Manchester next week."
www.paulgordon.net.
8.1.11
Adam
Keisner emails: "I had the pleasure of entertaining Europe’s richest man and
the world's 5th richest, Lakshmi Mittal at a private event atop The
Gherkin, London.
Also I was booked to perform for the contestants of the Italian
equivalent of Americas top model. It’s a tough job I know....."
www.keisner.com.
8.1.11
Magicians wanted for television. "Objective Productions (the television production company responsible for Derren Brown, The Real Hustle and Peep Show) are looking for magicians to audition for a new magic series. If you’re a magician with acting experience who is creative about how you present your magic then we want to hear from you at magictalent@objectiveproductions.com (Please send a photo of yourself and a link to a video of you performing)." 8.1.11
Spring-loaded knife board wanted! Unique Television, London, email: "I urgently need a magician’s type knife-board for filming in central London on Sunday. Ideally the knife board would be spring-loaded so when a knife is thrown we can push through a knife from behind or a knife springs up from below as if it’s just been thrown. We are making a comedy programme for Channel 4, filming this Sunday January 9th." If you can help contact Jessica Hartley on 020 8987 6478. 8.1.11
Sean Heydon is performing his full evening show in support of the charity "Immanuel Kindergarten" in Sudan on March 20th. The charity helps provide education in Southern Sudan. The show will take place at the Roayl Clifton Hotel in Southport and tickets are £26.50 each with all profits go to Immanuel Kindergarten. For tickets contact Carolyn Murray on 07790 161152. www.immanuelkindergarten.org, also see www.facebook.com. 8.1.11
Unusual request. Simon Tyson emails: "My wife Jane is just about to turn 30 and she has always wanted to be a magician's assistant for the day. Is there any magician out there that would be able to make her dream come true. Many thanks, Simon Tyson" Email: simonmtyson@yahoo.com. 8.1.11
Magic Lecturers Wanted. Don Simpson emails "The Mid Essex Magical Society are looking for lectures for the first Tuesday of April, May, June and July, we have 30 - 40 members mainly close-up with a couple of kid entertainers, the Tuesday is flexible as we met every Tuesday. We are based in a pub near Chelmsford and Danbury. Contact Don Simpson: closeupdon.simpson@virgin.net" (Also see the Lecturers page on MagicWeek). 8.1.11
"The
Magicians on BBC One"
Click Here. Following the transmission of the first in this
five-part series discussion ensued on magic forum
www.magicbunny.co.uk and TV forum
www.digitalspy.co.uk. Show number 1 can be seen on BBC iPlayer
Click Here • The Magic Woods has had a complete overhaul for 2011,
visit
www.themagicwoods.co.uk to see what's new • "Straitjackets,
unicycles and handcuffs" Patrick Dennehy looks at the world of Roslyn
Walker this week,
Click Here • "Kent magician picked to perform for Penn and Teller "
Click Here • Pantomagic, Geoffrey Newton reviews Andrew Van Buren's
magic,
Click Here • Magic Moments Day 2010, update,
Click Here •
That's it! Many thanks for your news submissions, see you next week, Duncan.
8.1.11