Number 553 - 29th January 2011

Showstealers in association with MagiCares™ presents Palladium Magic - A Night of 100 Magicians on Monday 19th September: "This superb Theatre has recently celebrated its Centenary. Every major show business star has appeared at ‘the Home of Variety’ over the past 100 years, including the world’s greatest magicians. Produced and Directed by Paul Stone, Palladium Magic is a celebration of 100 years of Magic at the world famous London Palladium Theatre.

"As well as featuring several of today’s top International Magic Stars, (already confirmed are Mac King, Marko Karvo, The Great Tomsoni & Co, and Paul Zenon), Palladium Magic™ will also pay tribute to many of the Magic ‘Greats’ who have played this wonderful Theatre. Magic legends like Houdini, Cardini, Siegfried & Roy, Channing Pollock, Chung Ling Soo, The Piddingtons, Robert Harbin, Tommy Cooper, Paul Daniels, and Silvan, Jay Marshall, Marvin & Carol Roy, Norm Nielsen, The Morettis, and Wayne Dobson. The Show will also include a special tribute to John Calvert, a remarkable Showman, Movie Star and Magician who will have just celebrated his 100th Birthday!

"MagiCares™ plans to donate 100 tickets for Palladium Magic™ to local Cancer Charities, Hospices, and individuals from the London area, deserving people who will really appreciate a good ‘night out’ and a chance, even for a few hours, to forget their problems. We have put together a spectacular and one-time only offer which will help us to achieve our goal, and give you the opportunity of a lifetime! This is your chance to join a very exclusive and select group of magicians to perform at the London Palladium..." For more information and to read the full article Click Here. 29.1.11

Blackpool Convention Programme 2011. To help plan your trip next month, here are this year's key events. For detailed information visit www.blackpoolmagic.com.

Thursday 17th February
9am to 6pm Registration Desk open
1pm Mammoth Auction opens for viewing of goods in Spanish Hall
2pm Mammoth Auction commences with Derek Lever and Mike Shepherd
Friday 18th February
8.30am to 10pm Registration Desk open
10am to 8pm Dealers Super Showcase
10am to 12.30pm FISM European Close-Up Magical Championships in the Pavilion Theatre
2pm to 5.30pm FISM European Close-Up Magical Championships in the Pavilion Theatre
7pm to 10.30pm FISM European Stage Magical Championships in the Opera House
8pm to 9.15pm Wayne Dobson Lecture in the Pavilion Theatre
10.15pm to 11.15pm Joe Mogar Lecture in the Pavilion Theatre
Saturday 19th February
8.30am to 5.30pm Registration Desk open
9am Dealers Super showcase opens
9am to 1pm FISM European Stage Magical Championships in the Opera House
9.30am to 10.30am Salvano Jnr. Lecture in the Spanish Hall
10am to 11am Jimmy Tamley as Jungle Jim in the Pavilion Theatre
11am to 12pm James Dimmare Lecture in the Spanish Hall
1pm to 2pm Jay Sankey Lecture in the Spanish Hall
2pm to 5.30pm FISM European Stage Magical Championships in the Opera House
2pm to 3pm David Ginn Lecture in the Ice Room
2.30pm to 3.30pm Richard Sanders Lecture in the Spanish hall
4pm to 5pm Craig Dickson Lecture in the Spanish Hall
7.30pm FISM European Magical Championships - Award Ceremony plus Prize Winners Performances in the eight competition categories, plus Guest Artistes including Richard Osterlind & Tom Anders.
11pm Andrew James and Magic Sam present the "Beat The Wand" Competition in the Theatre Bar of the Winter Gardens
Sunday 20th February
8.30am to 5pm Registration Desk open
9am to 5.30pm Dealers Super Showcase
10am Richard Osterlind Lecture in the Spanish Hall
10.45am to 12.45pm Two "Kidz R Uz" Lectures in the Ice Room, 1. Hank Moorehouse 2. David Tomkins
11am International Close Up Show - in the Pavilion Theatre
12.30pm Michel Lecture in the Spanish Hall
2pm Bernard Bilis Lecture in the Spanish Hall
3pm International Close-Up Show - Pavilion Theatre - Second Session
3.30pm Michael Rubinstein Lecture in the Spanish Hall
7pm International Gala Show in the Opera House
10.45pm After Gala Show Party in the Spanish Hall. 29.1.11

Paul Daniels adds a touch of magic to Oddsock's Hamlet the Comedy at Jacksons Lane Theatre, Archway Road, Highgate from Monday 28th February to Saturday 5th March. Paul Daniels, has a reputation for taking on challenges, not least in his recent appearance in Strictly Come Dancing. Now he is to add another change of direction to his illustrious career, by taking on a dramatic Shakespearean role. Paul will be appearing, via hologram, as the ghost of Hamlet’s father when nationally acclaimed theatre company, Oddsocks’, brings their national tour of Hamlet the comedy to the Jackson's Lane Theatre in Highgate. He commented: "One of the best bits about my job is designing and working on special effects for theatre. When Oddsocks came up with this idea I jumped at the chance of not only being in Shakespeare (a first for me), but also being a special effect myself. I am really looking forward to being spooky!" Ticket prices are £15 adult, £10 concession. For tickets and further information visit www.jacksonslane.org.uk  or call 020 8341 4421. 29.1.11

Magic Night at Madame JoJo’s, Friday, 4th February. "The physically hilarious and eccentric Dr Brown will be taking you to the edge of his crazy world, whilst Luke Jermay, the mind reader who is not a mind reader, turns your head inside out and reads you like a book. A J The Escapologist is a performer who likes to take danger to the extreme, escaping from various forms of bondage, to risk all in awesomely dangerous routines. And Neil Henry, a Magic Night favourite, will be wowing the audience as always..." Magic Night at Madame JoJo’s, Friday, 4th February. Magic Night, now in its fifth year, continues to be one of the best contemporary cabaret nights on the circuit - with incredible and cutting edge magic acts and some of the best variety in town. Doors open 7pm, show starts at 7.45pm, Tickets: £12, show ticket plus dinner: £22 Tickets can be bought via www.ticketweb.co.uk. Madame JoJo’s, 8-10 Brewer Street, London W1F 0SP (Map). 29.1.11

Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford with guest Pete Firman is being repeated at 11.50pm on Sunday 30th January on ITV1. "Jason Manford presents more top music and comedy. In this edition Jason is joined once again by Russell Kane as well as Tim Vine, comic magician Pete Firman, Lee Nelson and Susan Calman. James Blunt undertakes house band duties while the one and only Enrique Iglesias is today's special guest pop act." See TV Magic. 29.1.11

Cereal Tricks! A great new twist on a classic sucker effect from Mak Magic. "The cabinet holds a full sized box of your favorite cereal. This effect has a special gimmick that allows the performer to pour cereal into a bowl at the beginning. The fun really takes off when the empty box is placed inside the magic cabinet. The performer makes the cereal box vanish. The magician works the audience into a frenzy opening one door then the next to show no cereal box. The finale, he opens both doors and there is no cereal box! The kicker, the box appears... anywhere the magician desires, a grocery sack, attached to his back, anywhere his imagination dictates. Solid Oak, Special Gimmick, Works with any standard sized cereal box." For more info visit www.makmagic.com order from your favourite magic dealer. 29.1.11

Russ Brown presents his 'Kids 'R' Russ lecture at Coventry Magic Circle on Tuesday 1st February, at 8pm. A great night is promised, packed with fun from this professional children's entertainer. Visiting magicians are welcome for a small fee. Venue: 23 Bentley Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5LR (Map). www.coventrymagiccircle.co.uk www.russbrownmagic.com. 29.1.11

Jimmy Carr's Comedy Cuts. In the third episode, Jimmy Carr takes a further look at the theory behind jokes. The featured clips include Tommy Cooper, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, and Morecambe and Wise. Tonight at 10pm on BBC Radio Two. 29.1.11

Magicians Wanted. "Camp Simcha – a charity for children with cancer and life threatening illnesses are looking for an entertainer for their annual 3 day retreat. Magicians are wanted for the morning of Tuesday the 22nd of June 2011 and Tuesday the 29th of June 2011 to give an hours show to the children and their families. The first retreat is held in Five Lakes Hotel, Maldon, Essex and the Second in Downhall Country Hotel in Bishops Stortford. If anyone is free and willing to help, please contact Shira at shira@campsimcha.org.uk. Feel free to check out our website www.campsimcha.org.uk. Thank you in advance." 29.1.11

The Secret Caribbean with Trevor McDonald. Trevor McDonald visits three starkly different islands - Musha Cay, Jamaica and Barbados. Musha Cay is owned by David Copperfield, and is possibly the most expensive private island in the Caribbean. In contrast, Trevor is then given permission to visit some of the British women serving time in a Jamaican prison for drug smuggling. Finally he travels on to meet the man who owns most of luxurious Barbados. 10.35pm on Wednesday 2nd February (1 hour) on ITV1. See TV Magic. 29.1.11

Deanna Gore has been performing magic since the age of 2½, escapology since 3½, and started performing illusions at 4½! Now at 5¾ Denna is getting ready to appear in her first big theatre stage magic show in March performing with her father Steve Gore in the act Make Believe Magic in the Hey Presto Show on Saturday 19th March at Bingley Arts Centre. The act includes several specially created new illusions. YouTube. Also on the show Steve Hewlett & Friends, Mandy Fletcher, Darren McDonald, Ray Roberts and Martyn James presenting a UV puppet show and closing the evening with his illusion act. Tickets are available via Bradford Theatres box office on 01274 432000 www.bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk. 29.1.11

Paul Gordon Card Magic Lecture, London, Tuesday 8th February at 7.30pm. "Paul Gordon presents his all-new card magic lecture. Full of worker card magic and lots of fun. High paced and energetic! Paul will be offering his products with some special offers." Venue: Davenports Magic Studio, Charring Cross Underground, London. www.lsmmagic.magicandweb.com. 29.1.11

Luke Jermay lectures at the Bexley Magic Society at 8pm on Wednesday, February 2nd. "Magicians only event - All magicians from other clubs welcome." £10 charge for non-members of the Bexley Magic Society. The Bexley Magic Society meet at the Bexley Club for the Disabled, Barton Close, Bexleyheath, Kent DA6 8JP (Map). 29.1.11

Peter McLanachan is presenting his "A Force Much Greater Than Luck" lecture for the Kilmarnock Magic Circle at their headquarters at Galston Community Centre, Orchard Street, Galston, Kilmarnock (Map) on Thursday 24th February, starting at 7.30pm. Non-members are welcome and the cost is £5. Peter is now taking bookings for his lecture from any clubs and societies who may be interested in hearing a lecture by this Scottish cardman. For full details visit "The Lecture" page at www.thecardman.co.uk, or email peter@thecardman.co.uk for more information. 29.1.11

South Downs Magicians Christmas Party. Paul Bromley reports: Magicians, their families and guests packed into Handcross Parish Hall on Wednesday, January 26th for the South Downs Magicians Christmas Party with The Creative Conjurer Oliver Meech as the main cabaret performer. The party was due to have taken place in early December but had to be postponed because of heavy snowfall. The event was another sell-out occasion and provided the perfect New Year pick-up for all those who attended. Members performed close-up magic around the tables and the warm-up cabaret acts were South Downs Magicians Arthur Parry and Heather followed by Dave Burnage. Paul Bromley, Secretary, South Downs Magicians. For a full review of Oliver Meech’s cabaret performance, Click Here. 29.1.11

Young Magician of the Year Competition 50th Anniversary. Dr. Michael Colley MIMC writes "Many years ago I started to write a history of the Young Magician of the Year Competition. For a number of reasons it never got finished. This year is the 50th anniversary so I'm trying to complete it. Just names and details of acts can a bit dry so I'm chasing reminiscences etc. Part of my plan is also to include a 'where are they now' section. Could anyone who competed in the competition at any time get in touch with me on michaelcolley@themagiccircle.co.uk with any thoughts, memories, memorabilia and musings on what magic and the Competition have done for them. Their contributions will be incorporated into the book and will be acknowledged." 29.1.11

Barry Black. Marjorie Stokes emails: "Playtime Balloons will be closed for the day on Wednesday February 5th. Mike and Marjorie will be in Polegate West Sussex attending the funeral of their good friend and entertainer Barry Black who has sadly lost his long and courageous fight with Cancer. Barry will be greatly missed by many in the family of magic. Condolances to Caroline and family who nursed him so selflessly." 29.1.11

"Scottish film The Illusionist nominated for an Oscar" Click Here • Roger Woods reviews Paul Gordon’s Manchester Card Capers Day this week, Click Here • "Tricks of the trade" Click Here • "Kingdom Of Dreams Launches Mega Magic" Click Here • "Mind show for theatre" Click Here • "A professional magician from Clutton offers magic lessons" Click Here • "iPad App of the Week: 10 Greatest Card Tricks just for fun" Click Here • "Accidentally On Purpose. The Amazing Johnathan returns to the Stress Factory with his strange magical act" Click Here • "Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller Talks Magic, David Blaine, and the Arizona Shooting" Click Here • "Eclectic New Yorkers turned magical men cast spells in Midtown joint" Click Here • Your UK magic news, reviews and views always welcomed - see you next week, Duncan. 29.1.11

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