Number 556 - 19th February 2011
51st
Bristol Day of Magic - Sunday 8th May, at the Winter Gardens and
Playhouse Theatre, Weston Super Mare. Starring David Williamson, Jay
Scott Berry, Mel Mellers, Ed Hilsum, Jason Steele and Joanne, Rafael
Benetar, El Loco, Tom Saeys and Noel Britten. Special one man show with
Mel Mellers; Close-up shows from David Williamson, Jay Scott Berry and
Rafael Benetar; Lectures by David Williamson and Tom Saeys; Dealers
Exhibition with over 25 leading magical suppliers; Spellbound Gala show
at the Playhouse Theatre; Winter Gardens café and bar open all day for
refreshments and evening meals. Registration opens at 9.30am on the day
or better still book in advance:
Click
Here.
www.bristolmagic.co.uk.
19.2.11
Groovy
baby... it's the 40th International Magic Convention! This year's
International Magic Convention promises to be extra special in
celebration of their 40th convention which will take place a week
earlier than usual on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th
November. Tickets go on sale this weekend and will be available on the International
Magic dealer stand at
the Blackpool Convention, or via International Magic online. The
convention will once again take place at
The Mermaid
Conference and Events Centre
and this year it will be preceded by a four-day magic festival which
will take place at the nearby at the Bridewell Theatre to commemorate the 40th anniversary of "Ron's".
The festival will feature four days of workshops and magic evenings
including a bizarre night,
a mentalism night, a burlesque night and a comedy night.
14th - 17th November (ticket release date to be announced). Many great International Stars are being
lined up for the 40th Anniversary Convention, including Eugene Burger,
Max Maven, Jerome Helfenstein, An Ha Lim, Larry Hass, Simmons & Simmons
and David Williamson... plus many, many more… The registration form is
now online:
Click Here.
www.internationalmagic.com.
19.2.11
"Exclusive:
ITV orders Ross 'Penn & Teller' series. By Ryan Love, Entertainment
Reporter, Digital Spy. ITV has commissioned a series of Jonathan Ross's
magic show Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Digital Spy can confirm..." To read
the full story from Digital Spy
Click Here.
19.2.11
Latest news from IMX 2011,
Las Vegas:
"An
evening with a true legend of magic... David Berglas is a performer who needs no introduction. He is a
legendary man of mystery whose exploits are unmatched in the history of
modern magic. David joins us as our special guest via live video
conference at IMX 2011 for an unforgettable evening that will pull back
the curtain on this truly remarkable man. Derren Brown says it all: 'One
of our greatest living magical performers...' David defined magic on
British television as one of the very first magicians with his own
television series ... Winston Churchill, Aristotle Onassis, Paul Getty,
the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Michael Jackson, the Sultan of Brunei
and most of the British Royal Family have all experienced first hand his
incredible miracles of the mind. Known for his numerous publicity stunts
including going down the notorius Cresta Run blindfolded, manipulating
and even smoking cigarettes underwater(!), performing Russian roulette,
and touring the world, lecturing on and demonstrating memory feats –
David’s performance remains unmatched. While his signature pieces
include the levitation of a heavy table and a dangerous pulse stopping
routine – the most beautiful of all comes in the form of a card effect …
the “Holy Grail” of Card Magic known simply as “The Berglas Effect” … to
see it performed – is to believe in true magic. Experience the joy all
over again at IMX as we celebrate the man, the magic & the mystery that
is David Berglas...." IMX 2011 (International Magic Experience 2011),
23rd-25th May, Las Vegas. Limited registrations remain from just $149.
Visit www.imx2011.com for more
information and to book.
19.2.11
LBC
97.3FM's Steve Allen appears at the Mermaid Theatre in the City on
London on Saturday 26th February for two performances of his popular
'Live on Stage' event. This year he's joined by Graham P Jolley: 'The
Man You Can't Keep Out of Your Mind'. "I've been a great fan for
Graham's amazing abilities for many years and can't wait to present him
on stage at the Mermaid and see the audiences jaws drop!" says Steve.
Afternoon tickets have now sold out, and just a handful remain for the 7pm
evening performance; available from
www.seetickets.com. (Photo ©
photochris.co.uk)
19.2.11
Magic
Soc Gala Show 2011, Nottingham. The University of Nottingham Magic Society
are staging a show on March 18th: "An evening with world class magicians performing especially for you,
featuring Romany - Diva of Magic (former Magic Circle Stage Magician of the
Year), Jonathan Shotton (IBM British Ring Most Entertaining Magic Act
2008) and Roy Davenport (International Brotherhood of Magicians British
Ring Shield Winner). The event takes
place at the Studio 7, King's Meadow Campus, about 10 minutes walk south
of the main campus. The show will start at 8pm (doors open at 7pm) and
will finish at 10pm.
Ticket Price: £10 (advance) or £12 (at the door) by calling the Magic Society on 07927 662074.
Tickets may also be requested by emailing
sumagicsoc@nottingham.ac.uk.
19.2.11
Real-life Hogwarts graduates reunite in 2011 West End Show. The
Davenports Demon Magic Club present 'West End Magic' at the New Players
Theatre, in London, on Saturday 26th February 2011 at 7.30pm. A unique
showcase featuring some of the country's finest magical artistes
presenting illusions, mind reading, death-defying extreme juggling,
dancing and comedy. The show stars award winning magicians Oliver Tabor
and Lee Hathaway, Britain’s Got Talent semi finalist Phil Blackmore and
top entertainers and illusionists Paul Henri, Wayne Trice, Steve Majes,
James Pritchard and Kane Sinclair-Sojka and vocalist Georgia Lee and her
dance troupe. Many of them members of the prestigious Magic Circle, were
former students of the Demon Club, an academy for junior magicians, much
like the school for wizardry and witchcraft found in the Harry Potter
novels. Amateur magicians aged 8-18 would attend lectures and read books
to learn the mystical art. Past members include TV star Steven Mulhern
and Royal Variety performer Paul Zerdin together with many award-winning
magicians. Tickets: £15 for adults and £12.50 for children. Ticketweb
08444 771 000.
www.westendmagic.com.
New Players
Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NG (Map).
19.2.11
Ollie
Mealing's Skip Switch Project DVD. New, from BigBlindMedia: "We have
this new DVD out at Blackpool. Anyone who orders through
www.bigblindmedia.com and emails mentioning 'MagicWeek' will get a
free DVD thrown into the package! 'The Skip Switch is one of the
nicest moves I have seen in a long time. Unnatural actions are
conspicuous by their absence. If you perform sandwich effects (and I
don't know any card magician who doesn't?), this is a must-have addition
to your arsenal of sleights.' Peter Duffie. Once you have learnt the
diabolical secret you can perform the Skip Switch anytime,
anywhere and with any deck. No gaffs, no insane finger flicking
difficulty. But this DVD is not just the in-depth teaching of a new
move. Nope - it's cram packed with Ollie's crowd pleasing routines..."
Visit
www.bigblindmedia.com to find out!
19.2.11
The
Last Greatest Magician in the World. "Expanding on his chapters on
Howard Thurston in his history of magic, Hiding the Elephant, Steinmeyer
produces an engaging full-length biography of the man Orson Welles
called the master. While Houdini's daring stunts were legendary,
Steinmeyer says Thurston was the public's favorite, captivating
audiences with his self-assured grandeur. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio,
Thurston gained fame in the early part of the 20th century with his
Rising Card Trick, in which he levitated cards named by audience
members. He successfully changed with the times, going from street
performances to wagon tours through the West. He then became a top
vaudeville star, but wisely left the vaudeville circuit to produce more
ambitious spectacles involving 40 tons of magic apparatus and colorful
costumes, a variety of animals, and more than two dozen assistants..."
Available from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here.
"The Most Famous Magician You've Never Heard Of"
Click Here.
19.2.11
Pete
Firman and Ali Cook's Secret World of Magic is being repeated in a
couple of weeks time. Especially look out for their visit to France
which features a real masterclass on misdirection from Gaetan Bloom
(learn, but don't copy!). See
TV Magic.
19.2.11
The
Dreaded Mentalist - One Night Only! "Come join Jez Starr - The
Dreaded Mentalist - for a night of wonder in the heart of Wells at The
Kings Head! Enjoy an evening of mind-blowing magic, mental illusions and
mind power as Jez entertains with demonstration and experiments of
intuition, reading thoughts and actions, personality tests like no
other, plus a look into the power of the mind, and a couple of escape
attempts! Tickets only £8.50. Live music during the break and straight
after until gone midnight!" Thursday 24th March at 9pm. Over 16's.
Tickets available from The Kings Head and
www.dreadedmentalist.com. Venue: Kings Head, 36 High Street, Wells,
Somerset BA5 2SG (Map).
For more info call 07749 538016 or visit
www.dreadedmentalist.com.
19.2.11
Live
updates from Blackpool with The Magic Bloggers: Remember if you’re
not at the
Blackpool Magic Convention this weekend you can keep up to date with
the latest happenings via
www.magicbloggers.co.uk. They will keep you in the magical know with
the latest news, reviews, videos, photos and much more... You can also
catch their updates live on
www.facebook.com.
19.2.11
The
Prestige - 10pm on Sunday 20th February on BBC 2. "Period thriller
set in Edwardian London where two rival magicians, partners until the
tragic death of an assistant during a show, feud bitterly after one of
them performs the ultimate magic trick - teleportation. His rival tries
desperately to uncover the secret of his routine, experimenting with
dangerous new science as his quest takes him to the brink of insanity
and jeopardises the lives of everyone around the pair." See
TV Magic.
19.2.11
John
Bishop’s Britain is back! The production office contacted MagicWeek
last week, as they'd love to hear from a magician for the new series:
"We are looking for you to take part. Saturday nights, BBC1 – Comedian
John Bishop is back. We are looking for people all over Britain to
interview about their funny, true stories from their lives. So wherever
you are from in Britain, whatever you do for work, whatever your
thoughts/opinions are... we want to hear from you. If you’d like to take
part get in touch now! Email your contact details to:
takepart@objectiveproductions.com or call 020 7202 2343 (send us
your name, email address, contact numbers, occupation, location and a
photo of yourself please). We want to hear your stories/opinions on
everything from music and fashion to DIY and friends."
19.2.11
The
Ilford Magical Society. Paul Clancy emails: The Ilford Magical
Society is opening its books and providing a rare opportunity for
prospective new members to visit us with a view to joining our long
established and thriving society. We meet on alternate Wednesdays at The
Parkside Community Centre, 176 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford, IG3 9PP (Map).
We invite applications from any person over 16 years of age with a
practical knowledge of magic. For more information, please visit our
website: www.ilfordmagic.co.uk
or to visit us in person please contact the Secretary, Brian Philips, on
020 8595 0216 or by email at
b.phillips@sky.com.
19.2.11
Douglas
Maddy can be seen escaping from a straight jacket, under water, to
promote his rebranded website:
www.douglasmaddy.com.
19.2.11
Michael
Finney lecture at the Nottingham Guild. Reported by John Dornan.
There was a big audience at the Michael Finney lecture at the Nottingham
Guild where Michael was on form having everyone laughing for the whole
night. Michael went through in great detail some of his classic tricks,
from card on forehead to lady and rope routine, including his thoughts
and experience, gained from his 30 + years in magic. Everyone who
attended went away smiling and all agreed it was a great night. John
Dornan. (Photo: with Chairman Graham Harper after the lecture). Michael
Finney can be seen at the Blackpool Convention this weekend.
19.2.11
Steve Dacri. Steve Dacri is remembered by Richard Duckett in Telegram.com Click Here and by Norm Clarke in Las Vegas Review-Journal Click Here. 19.2.11
Nicky Ward Funeral Service. Robert Freeman writes: The funeral for Nicky Ward is as follows: Tuesday 22nd Feb. 13.30 at The Park Crematorium, Guildford Road, Aldershot GU12 4BP. After: The Liberal Club, South Street, Farnham GU9 7RD. 19.2.11
Roy
Marsh reports on the Bexley Magic Society Competition,
Click Here • "The Magician Escapes the Show"
Click Here • Chris Cox can be
seen on Dick & Dom's Funny Business on BBC Two at 9am on Saturday
February 26th
www.magiccox.com • "The Magic Circle - ancient Egyptian witchcraft
to the world of Harry Potter"
Click Here • "Chinese synchronised fish trick sparks complaints"
Click Here and "Friends of the Fish"
Click Here
•
"Derren Brown shows off his funny side with YouTube spider trick"
Click Here •
"Middlewich magician wins accolade"
Click Here • "Bringing magic to the town"
Click Here •
Original Magic Posters - price reductions!
Click Here •
That's it! See you in Blackpool, Duncan.
19.2.11