Number 596 - 26th November 2011
The
40th International Magic Convention and London Festival of Magic
(14th - 20th November) was a huge success, with the themed festival days
leading perfectly into the main magic convention itself. There was a
real buzz about the whole event this year - with some dazzling magic on
display. Many thanks to Matt Field for his full review
Click Here and to Ian Keable for his review of the Harry Anderson performance and
lecture
Click Here. The MacMillan family, Event Director Noel Britten, and
everyone else who helped out 'behind the scenes' should be really proud
of being a part of, and staging, one of magic's finest events. (Photo by
Arto Airaksinen:
Presentation of the David Berglas International Magic Award, most
deservedly, to the ever brilliant Derren Brown... now who could have
predicted that?!)
www.internationalmagic.com.
26.11.11
Magic
UnCorked, The Irish IBM Magic Convention 2012, will take place in
Cork City, Ireland, on the 27th, 28th, and 29th April 2012. Sponsored by
Soho Bar and Restaurant, this is the first time that the Irish
Convention will be held in Cork and it is already shaping up to be a
great event with a line up including Helder Guimarães, Luke Jermay, John
Lenehan, Quentin Reynolds and Diamond Jim Tyler. The Convention
headquarters will be the 4 star
Ambassador
Hotel, with Gala shows taking place in the nearby,
Triskel Arts Centre.
For full convention details, including registration and hotel details,
visit
www.magicuncorked.com.
26.11.11
2012
British Ring Convention. The 2012 British Ring Convention will take
place from 26th to 30th September in Great Yarmouth. Convention
organisers David Ball and Peter Scarlett are now busy planning this 76th
event for the society. Information of members’ early bird registration
costs are on
www.magicconvention.co.uk - book now and save some money. Acts,
lecturers and dealers attending will be announced as details become
available. Geoffrey Newton PRO.
26.11.11
Martin
Scorsese's 'Hugo' is magical.... Paul Kieve, assisted by Will
Houston, was magic consultant on Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo'. Set in 1930s
Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up
in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton. The film is
Martin Scorcese's first family film and has already been hailed by
Avatar director James Cameron as the greatest 3D film ever made.
www.hugomovie.com.
The film's Royal Film Performance Premiere will take place in London on
Monday 28th November at the Odeon, Leicester Square.
26.11.11
Conjuring
at the Court – Thursday 29th December. "Enjoy the magic of Christmas
with Conjuring at the Court! Featuring the amazing Gazzo, who inspired a
generation of street magicians; much imitated, come and see the
original! Martin Cox, a hilarious and highly skilful deceiver; top
international ventriloquist Jimmy Tamley (Blackpool Gala, multiple TV,
etc); and as a special Christmas present, the classical magic of Scott
Penrose. Compèred by Russell Levinson. Venue: Drayton Court, 2 The
Avenue, West Ealing, London W13 8PH (Map).
You will have a good view and can have a drink or two from the bar at
the back of the room while enjoying the magic. Doors open at 7.30pm, the
show starts at 8 and runs to about 10pm with an interval. Tickets just
£10 from the website
www.conjuringatthecourt.com.
26.11.11
Children’s
Magic at the Court – Thursday 29th December. "Let your children
enjoy the magic of Christmas at the Court! It’s the annual Christmas
Show for children from the team who produce Conjuring at the Court.
Featuring the hilarious magic and ventriloquism of top children’s
entertainer, David Tomkins; and as a special Christmas treat, the
wonderful old-style conjuring of Scott Penrose. Your children will be
entranced and even the parents will be amazed and amused. It’s in the
charming, recently refurbished function room of the Drayton Court, 2 The
Avenue, West Ealing, London W13 8PH (Map).
Doors open 2pm, show runs from 2.30pm to about 4pm. Tickets £6 for
children (under 16), £8 for adults from
www.conjuringatthecourt.com. All children must be accompanied by an
adult.
26.11.11
Introducing
IzzyWizzyMagic.co.uk: "We at Izzy Wizzy have been in the magic
business for over 20 years manufacturing and supplying magic companies
worldwide. We have decided to go retail and offer our products to the
magic fraternity direct. We have one of the UK's largest range of pro
coin tricks in stock and will be adding more great kids and close-up
items every week in our 'Hot New Lines category." Visit
www.izzywizzymagic.co.uk today!
26.11.11
The
Royal Variety Performance 2011. Award-winning comedian Peter Kay is
to host The Royal Variety Performance 2011 which will come from the
birthplace of many of Britain’s greatest entertainers, Manchester. The
Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays will play host to this gala evening in
the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. Tony Bennett and
Barry Manilow will jet in especially, US X Factor judge and former
Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and US singer songwriter Cee Lo Green
will take centre stage and the very best of British talent and an
international galaxy of stars from around the world of entertainment
line-up to appear on the show including: Pop sensation Pixie Lott,
Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall, direct from Vegas the masters
of magic Penn & Teller, record-breaking classical phenomenon IL DIVO,
Adam Cooper and the cast of Singing In The Rain in an exclusive
performance ahead of it’s opening in the West End next year, critically
acclaimed comedians Jason Manford, Greg Davies and Tim Minchin. The star
studded spectacular will take place on 5th December and be screened on
ITV1 later that month.
26.11.11
Warped
Magic Christmas Deal! Warped Magic email: "We would like to offer
all MagicWeek readers a special discount of 20% off all full-priced
magic items in stock from now until Christmas 2011. To take advantage of
this special offer visit
www.warpedmagic.co.uk and upon checkout simply enter the discount
code xmasdeal."
26.11.11
Peter
Wardell (Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year 2010 & Magic Circle
Close-up Magician of the Year 2009) lectures for Sheffield Circle of
Magicians and guests at 7.30pm on Sunday 27th November. The lecture is
free for members and £10 for non-members. Venue: Magic Lounge, Magick
Enterprises, 82 Broad Street, Sheffield S2 5TG (Map).
More info:
www.sheffieldcircleofmagicians.wordpress.com.
26.11.11
The
Engima Bicycle Deck - in stock at MagicNevin.com! "Limited to less
than 3000 decks worldwide, Martin Adams is back to amaze us with this
new mysterious and enigmatic deck. First deck of a limited edition five
deck series. The stylish black case has a fascinating colour contrast
with the grey playing cards. On the backs there is the special signature
'Enigma' - it is produced in a font that makes it readable upside down
or 2-way. The same can be said for the text on the Jokers (one of which
hides a prediction). Priced at £8.99 this strictly limited deck will not
be around for long! Also, new in, is the Houdini Deck Special Limited
Edition Bicycle Cards by The USPCC & The Magic Apple, priced at £6.99.
Remember you will find an enormous range of Bicycle and other playing
cards together with a huge range of magic tricks to suit all abilities
and budgets. All items are held in stock in the UK for dispatch within
24 hours and UK shipping is free on all orders over £10." Visit
www.magicnevin.com
to order (under 'New Arrivals').
26.11.11
Presidential
Citation awarded to Elizabeth Warlock by International President of the
I.B.M. Vanni Pulé. Vanni Pulé writes: While in London, as
International President of the I.B.M., I presented a Presidential
Citation to Elizabeth Warlock for her twenty six years of writing in the
Linking Ring, keeping the international magic fraternity informed of
what was happening on the British magic scene. Her monthly article 'Our
Side of the Pond' replaced her father, Peter Warlock's, contributions in
the same magazine since 1967. This column has now been taken over by
Peter Scarlett who is writing, 'The London Eye'. Citations were also
presented by me, during the Southport Convention, to Geoffrey Newton,
Tom Owen, Mark Raffles and John Palfreyman.
www.magician.org.
26.11.11
Ali
Cook presented his water tank illusion on The Slammer a week last
Friday. Ali writes: "For some mad reason they asked me to do a water
tank escape and it really scared the kids! I was recently not
allowed to do this on a prime time ITV show in case of 'copy cat acts'
by kids, yet a kids TV channel CBBC for BBC1 requested it. That's health
and safety for you!" Watch the routine on YouTube:
Click Here.
26.11.11
The
Cotswold Magical Society 2011-2012 stand up/cabaret competition.
Congratulations to Darren Campbell for winning the Edgar Westlake Trophy
for his stand up magic act. Darren is pictured here with the judges and
other competitors. Colin Dymond was placed second and Tom Arnold third.
www.cotswoldmagic.co.uk.
26.11.11
Luke
Jermay lectures at The Watford Associations of Magicians on Tuesday
6th December at 8pm. Luke has performed in more than 20 countries and
has written a total of 33 books and manuscripts on magic and magic
theory, and is also a magic consultant for TV. This lecture is £10 for
non WAM member magicians. Contact Julie Carpenter
juliecarpenter@themagiccircle.co.uk for venue details.
26.11.11
Jayne
and Stuart Loughland (illusion act Safire) have been made joint
Presidents of The North Wales Magic Circle. It's the first time in the
history of the society, formed in 1942, that a double act has been made
'President'... The presidents write "One of our aims as President is to
Produce a 'Stars of the North Wales Magic Circle Show' at Theatr Colwyn
next year. This is to raise the profile of the club and some of our
members are really good performers and people need to see them. The show
is also to encourage new and younger members as with Derren Brown, Penn
& Teller and Dynamo etc etc being so high profile on TV at the moment
magic has become really popular again. We have 75 members at present."
www.nwalesmagic.co.uk
www.magic-of-safire.co.uk.
26.11.11
Just
Giving. Sean Carpenter reports: Sue Oakley has had a rather extreme
haircut! Sue says: 'My very good friend Steve Evans has been diagnosed
with stomach cancer and sadly it's untreatable. I wanted to do something
to help and as I'm too old to start running marathons and couldn't think
of anything else to do, I took the easy option and had my head shaved.
All of the money I raise will go to Compton Hospice, Wolverhampton,
which is a cause close to Steve's heart.' Steve Evans is a hugely
popular figure in British magic and a well-known face at conventions
across the country. Many MagicWeek readers will know him as the very
funny compère of the British Ring Shield Competition. If you’ve met
Steve, or are one of his many friends in magic, and would like to help,
here is the link to Sue’s Just Giving page
www.justgiving.com/Sue-Oakley.
26.11.11
Christmas
Magic Show. The Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians are staging a
Christmas Magic Show’ this Wednesday, 30th November. This festive show,
for all the family, will feature cabaret from Sean Carpenter, David
Oakley, John Mosedale, Mark Harrington, Damon Conlon, Dave Pitt, and
Keith Bennett’s legendary rubber chicken act … Plus close-up magic from
WCM members. 8pm start at The West End Working Men’s Club, 71 Merridale
St, Wolverhampton WV3 0RW (Map)
Entry is free, but we will be collecting donations for Sue Oakley’s
Compton Hospice Appeal (see above). Sean Carpenter.
26.11.11
Magicseen
'Taster' Out Now! Mark Leveridge writes: Magicseen Taster Issue 11
for November is now out and arguably has the most varied line up of
contents offered so far. Leading the way is the full article from the
current issue of Magicseen on Swedish stars of stage and TV, Brynolf and
Ljung. Find out more about this hugely successful double act in this
Taster Issue. Also from the current November issue we have Shawn
Farquhar's highly entertaining behind-the-scenes tale of his successful
appearance on Penn and Teller: Fool Us, an article on the new
Copperfield Exhibition in Paris, and if you have ever worried about how
to deal with your invisible thread, Break A Thread will tell you all you
need to know to help you get started. From our Back Issues we also offer
the Living Magic Prop, which explores the right way to get the best out
of spectator assistants, Visual Gags, in which a host of comedy experts
provide info and examples of gags you can use, and finally everything is
rounded off with one of Jay Fortune's humorous Think Tank columns. The
Magicseen Taster Issue 11 is free to download right now from
www.magicseen.co.uk.
26.11.11
The
Magic of Christmas. A magic show for all the family. "Max Francis
brings his fabulous magic show to the Co-operative Theatre to get
Christmas off to a great start. Be amazed as things appear and disappear
before your very eyes, gasp as he wows you with his sleight of hand, and
watch as you see your children’s eyes light up with wonder. A true magic
show to delight all the family and get you into the Christmas spirit.
The Co-operative Theatre, Watersmeet Road, Wyken, Coventry CV2 3HX (Map)
on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December, two shows per day at 2pm and
5pm. Tickets cost £8.50 for adults and £5.00 for children via
www.wheatsheafplayers.com or 02476 456179. Tickets are non
refundable. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance starts.
26.11.11
Magician/Illusionist wanted! O-T Fagbenle emails: "I am currently looking for a magician/illusionist who is interested in breaking into work as a magic consultant. I am directing and producing a music video for a new artist called Mr Moses. The song is from the writing team that created the internet hit 'Storm' feat Tyga which received 8 million hits on worldstarhiphop.com This is a totally self funded venture, so we are looking for someone enthusiastic about the opportunity to diversify their craft, get a credit and experience as a magic consultant as well as make some useful connections within the entertainment industry..." Email O-T Fagbenle ot_f@hotmail.com for details. 26.11.11
New and Improv'd. "Mowgli is a critically acclaimed improvised comedian and magician. For the first time ever he is revealing the cogs that make his comedy mind turn. Whether you want to create unique material, learn how to improvise more effectively on stage, deal with the unexpected or just add humour to your show Mowgli draws back the curtain on his improvised comedy world, and guides you hand in hand (not in a creepy way) round the techniques he has used and taught others to great effect..." Visit www.improvisedmagic.com for more info and to order. 26.11.11
The
Complete Magician: Everything You Need to Put on a Show [With Magic
Props Including Linking Rings, Deck of Cards and DVD] by Joshua Jay,
available from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here • "7 Tragic Magician Deaths"
Click Here • "Magician to Hold Fundraiser for Magic Castle Repairs"
Click Here • "Pickpocket offers theft prevention advice to lunchtime
crowds"
Click Here • "The nominees for the 2012 Broadcast Awards have been
announced"
Click Here • "Weymouth donkeys snubbed by TV show"
Click Here • Penn & Teller to appear on this year's Royal Variety
Show,
Click Here • "Hereford magician joins Movember fund-raiser"
Click Here • "North Korea: Land of totalitarian magic"
Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcome. See you next
week, Duncan.
26.11.11