Number 612 - 17th March 2012
Magic's
moment. "At Stella McCartney’s London Fashion Week evening wear
presentation, the model, presenter and fashion plate Alexa Chung was hypnotised
and levitated until she was hovering three feet above ground on the tip of a
scimitar. She had volunteered to play magician’s assistant to the Dutch
illusionist Hans Klok, an Eighties throwback with Boris Johnson hair and the
swaggering air of a young David Hasselhoff. Hans stared deep into Alexa’s eyes,
clicked his fingers and raised her up, as guests, including Anna Wintour and
Rihanna, looked on, agog..." To read the full story in the London Evening
Standard
Click Here (Photo © London Evening Standard). Hans Klock London tickets,
final week, call 0844 412 4322 (Monday to Thursday half-price deal - quote
'Magic Offer').
17.3.12
Kidology
UK, the midweek convention for children's entertainers, will take place once
again at The Civic Hall, Wolverhampton on Tuesday 11th September 2012. The
lecturers are Gay Ljunberg, Gary James and Ozzy Dee. There will be mini lectures
as before (to be announced shortly), and a Children's Entertainer competition
and cabaret the night before the convention. Early bookers will get a discount
on their registration. For full details visit
www.albionmagiccompany.co.uk/kiduk.html or call Alec Powell on 07831 115448.
17.3.12
Winter
Wizardry Grand Finale - 24th March: "Join us for the Winter Wizardry Grand Finale
at The Magic Circle on 24th March 2012! You’ll have a chance to see some of the
finest magic from the stars of The Magic Circle including the award winning
talents of Tim Shoesmith, Matthew Garrett, Richard Pinner, Katherine Rhodes,
Alan Shaxon and the one and only Fay Presto! You’ll also have the opportunity to
explore the Headquarters of The Magic Circle including the Museum and Devant
Room packed with treasures from centuries of magical history. To book, visit
www.themagiccircle.co.uk/public-events. Book online by Friday 16th March and
use Circle as the offer code and save £5 per ticket! We look forward to
welcoming you at The Magic Circle soon!"
17.3.12
The
Tommy Cooper and Frankie Howerd Interviews. Michael Parkinson
introduces a recut of two interviews he did with Frankie Howerd during
the Parkinson show series and a Christmas interview with Tommy Cooper.
Frankie Howerd wanted everything scripted, resulting in an unprompted
and unrehearsed interview whilst Tommy Cooper managed to run rings
around a delighted Parkinson. Includes clips from Up Pompeii, The Main
Attraction and The Bob Monkhouse Show. 10pm on Tuesday 27th March on BBC
4. See TV Magic.
17.3.12
An
Evening of Magic, Comedy and Illusion - Young and Strange, Romsey,
Hampshire. "A spectacular, fast paced and engaging magic comedy and illusion
show, performed by double act 'Young and Strange'. This show features state of
the art stage illusions and intimate sleight of hand magic effects never seen
before at The Plaza. The show is entwined with a comedy thread with the emphasis
being pure entertainment. Young & Strange were recently featured performers on
ITV1′s Penn and Teller: Fool Us." Saturday 24th March at 7.45pm. Not
suitable for children under 8 years. Tickets: 01794 512987 or book via
www.ticketsource.co.uk/plazatheatre.
17.3.12
Chris
Cox takes his award winning, multi-5-star show Fatal Distraction to New Zealand
in April and May, as part of the
New Zealand
International Comedy Festival. "Determined to deliver the most satisfying
hour possible Chris will be handing control over to his audience by giving them
the power to control his actions with their minds. Cox manages to mix a love
based narrative with some of the most unique and incredible mind-reading effects
ever seen on the stage." For more info, venue details, and to book, visit
www.magiccox.com/news.
17.3.12
British
Ring Great Yarmouth Convention. There are just two weeks left for IBM
British Ring members to register at the lower rate for this year’s convention
being held in Great Yarmouth from 26th – 30th September, as from 1st April the
fee goes up to £115. Added to the list of stars is Jonathon Shotton (photo) one
of P & O’s regular theatre performers. He was also the sleight of hand artiste
in the film Mamma Mia. He brings with him this year some of his larger
illusions. Also added to the list are lectures from Steve Gore and Chris
Woodward. Registration details are on
www.magicconvention.co.uk. Geoffrey Newton PRO.
17.3.12
Illusions, the UK's only Magic Bar, is once again opening its doors
to guest magicians, and email: "So far this year we have had Christophe Rossi, who flew all
the way from Japan to tread the boards at Illusions. We also are pleased to
announce we have Germany's multi award-winning Alexander de Cova guesting with
us in April, a magician who released over 30 DVDs including the awesome
Treasures. And we welcome back our good friend Fritz Alkemade from Holland, the
crazy Dutchman, from the 17th April.
Dates we have available are 1st-5th May, 8th-12th May, 15th-19th May, 22nd- 26th
May, 12th- 16th June, 19th-23rd June and 26th-30th June.
If you would like an opportunity to perform in the UK's only Magic Bar then
please
Click Here. You will need a website or at least a showreel."
17.3.12
Neil
Kelso's Smoke and Mirrors: a New Magic Show. Featuring brand new illusions
plus recreations of sensational moments from magic's past: John Scarne, Dr
Hooker, Harry Houdini and even Erwin Schrodinger make appearances. Magic,
comedy, live music and even drinks and nibbles. This Friday 23rd March at 7pm,
The Tower at Kings Theatre, Winchester SO22 5PW (Map).
Tickets can be booked here:
www.etickets.to/buy/?e=8131.
www.neilkelso.com.
17.3.12
The
Hey Presto Family Magic Show - tonight!
Bradford
Magic Circle presents The Hey Presto Family Magic Show on Saturday 17th March
at Bingley Arts Centre from 7.30pm. Acts include: Matthew McGurk and Katia, Thom
Peterson, The Wizards of Odd, Paul Sunderland, Toby Davis and The Spotlight Dancers. Tickets: £8 for adults and £6 for children/concessions. For
tickets call 01274 432000 or on the door.
17.3.12
Merlins
of Wakefield have their latest Mar/Apr 2012 Preview catalogue out now. It
contains over 70 great magic effects, and special offers, and is now in full
colour. If you would like a free printed copy, just send your address to
merlins@btconnect.com. If you would
prefer a PDF version, just email them putting 'Preview' in the subject box.
Merlins will also be at the Northern Magic Circle Convention at the end of March
in Scarborough, so if you are going, drop by and say hello.
www.merlinswakefield.com.
17.3.12
Believe
it or not. "Prophecies, levitation, fortune-telling – nothing is too
extraordinary for the Society for Investigating the Credibility of Extraordinary
Claims. Sandra Aquilina meets its chairman and secretary-general. 'I know the
rules of deception,' says Vanni Pulé. Malta’s most famous magician gives me a
knowing smile. Sitting on the sofa in his living room, stroking his beautiful
cat, he rather looks the part too. 'Life is prosaic – but we want the magic.'
That is why he is particularly well-suited to heading the Society for
Investigating the Credibility of Extraordinary Claims (SICEC)..." To read the
full story in Sunday Circle
Click Here.
17.3.12
ACES
Magic Society held their annual close-up competition in Lewes last week.
Nicky Lewis writes: With five performers the competition was rated a huge
success with first time entrant, Eamonn Corbett winning with an excellent
mentalist routine. A thoroughly enjoyable night, with five potential new members
coming through the door too - the club is definitely on the up and up!
www.acesmagic.co.uk.
17.3.12
Sean
Haydon in New Zealand... When I heard there would be a Brit magician/comic
performing at our main comedy club in Auckland, I couldn’t resist the temptation
to go along and see what this big-haired chap had to offer Kiwis. Well, let me
tell you – I was very very pleasantly surprised... He may resemble the better
known British comedian Russell Brand, but thankfully Heydon used a slightly
toned down language – which I noticed amongst the rest of the audience was a
breath of fresh air. His observations were witty and original, whilst his
combination of clever magic acts was a refreshing change to the usual comedy
performances. Heydon is obviously a professional magician by trade, yet his
ability to throw out some excellent jokes and interact with the audience so much
that he had us roaring with laughter was simply excellent. This is without doubt
someone to watch on the international stand up circuit. Amber Harris, Freelance
Journalist. Sean writes: "Whilst on a recent trip to NZ, I was asked to perform
at one of the top spots in the country's largest and longest running Comedy Club
(The Classic Comedy Club in Auckland). I was there on holiday so had no props
with me but after a trip round the local hardware stores (and a fancy dress
shop!) this is what I came up with:
Click Here.
(Look out for Sean on Sky TV's "The Showcase" on Sky 284).
17.3.12
Richard
Pinner lectures at The Surrey Society of Magicians on Thursday 22nd March.
Richard Pinner is very pleased to return to the Surrey Society of Magicians to
present his new lecture Half Life 2.0. This is a tricks lecture focusing
mainly on highly performable material for most environments and a couple of
things you'll never do outside a magic club! Also, Richard will discuss his
brand new "P.E.T" which is set to revolutionise the Card to Wallet genre.
Members are free and visiting magicians are welcome for a £10 entrance fee. The
lecture takes place in Bookham, Surrey at 8pm for full details contact Adam
Mosley addmoses@blueyonder.co.uk.
17.3.12
Magicians
Wanted for magic opportunity at the Olympic Stadium. Ashna Patel, (www.goldchallenge.org)
writes: I work for the Gold Challenge, the UK’s first Olympic and Paralympic
sport based charity challenge. We will be hosting a key test event in the
Olympic Stadium for 20,000 on Sunday 1st April, 2012, offering members of the
public a once in a lifetime opportunity to run 100m in the Olympic Stadium
watched by friends, family and a cheering crowd. A key part of the event will
also be a parade of 4,000 people around the Olympic track. The parade will
mirror the opening ceremony and will incorporate members of the public,
celebrity ambassadors and Team GB legends, but the majority will be children
from schools nationwide. While these 2,000 or so children are waiting to join
the parade we will need to keep them entertained and we were hoping that some
magicians could use their skills to entertain them. In return we will be able to
provide a complementary ticket per performer to the event. After the parade, you
will be able to attend the event and watch the celebrity races and a number of
different acts performing in the afternoon including Britain’s Got Talent
winners Spellbound and other musical acts yet to be announced to the
media. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me via phone
or email. This is a fantastic opportunity to be one of the first in the Olympic
Stadium. I look forward to hearing from you. Ashna Patel. 020 7099 8895
ashna.patel@goldchallenge.org
www.goldchallenge.org.
17.3.12
Magic
Night, Madame JoJo's - Friday April 6th, London: "Magic Night’s Good Friday
with dark duos, balloon heads, mass predictions, very posh tricks and
hotfooting tap work... Darkly hilarious Barry and Stuart return to Magic
Night with reality subverting tricks whilst Oliver Meech influences the
news to predict what you do. Sir Reginald Buckfast shows us some very
posh tricks whilst Josephine Shaker burns the stage with the hottest tap
routine and prop Meister, Wes Zaharuk, sticks his head in a balloon and
uses you to eat bananas, leaving images in your mind that will stay with
you forever! Mighty sorceror Neil Henry will preside over proceedings
with his mental tricks." Friday 6th April. Doors open 7pm show starts at 7.45pm. Tickets £12 including entry to
'Good Foot'. Show ticket plus dinner: £24.00. Tickets:
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.lastminute.com
or Ticket Web on 08444 77 1000. Madame JoJo’s, 8-10 Brewer Street,
London W1F 0SE (Map)
020 734 3040
www.magicnight.co.uk.
17.3.12
Will
Gray is once again taking bookings for his lecture 'Magic with a Capital E'
- it's had great reviews in The Magic Circular and The Linking Ring.
If you would like to book Will for your club email
magic@willgray.co.uk
www.willgray.co.uk.
17.3.12
Welcome
to Wonderland, a one-man magic show starring Gary Scott. Friday 6th April at
7pm and Saturday 7th April 2012 at 2pm + 7pm at The Playhouse theatre in
Chesterfield, Derbyshire. All seats £7.50 from the Box Office on 01246 272271 at
these times: Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7.30pm to 9pm and Saturday mornings
10am to 12 noon. Gary writes: "I am so honoured to be able to do this show, as
the first magician to perform here. The Hasland Theatre Company are so busy and
only let out the theatre for three weeks in any one year. I'm pleased to present
'Welcome to Wonderland' ...sharing the magic... a one-man show. I'll present my
favourite pieces of classical magic, original routines and a few mind mysteries
along the way. See you there..." The Playhouse, 50 Storforth Lane, Hasland,
Chesterfield S41 0PW (Map)
www.haslandtheatrecompany.co.uk.
17.3.12
Scottish
Association of Magical Societies Convention 2012. Ian Adair is coming
“home”. SAMS are delighted that Ian Adair is coming back to his home-town to
perform at this year’s convention. The venue for the convention is the Park
Hotel, Kilmarnock and takes place from Friday 4th May to Sunday 6th May. All
events will be under the one roof as the hotel’s function room is capable of
staging the gala show. The Gala Show will feature – Pat Fallon, John Kimmons,
June Leith, Peter Kinney, Michael Neto and Toby Davies. The Gala Show compere is
Ian Adair. Lecturers are Pat Fallon, John Kimmons and Ian Adair. Close up acts
are Michael Neto, John Bowden, Toby Davies and Pat Fallon. For further details
see
www.scottishassociationofmagicalsocieties.co.uk or contact Janet Colvan
(Registration Secretary)
janet.colvan@gmail.com telephone 0141 585 5222. Kenny Kerr.
17.3.12
Dean
Maudsley lecture - Leicester Magic Circle. Barry Martin writes: "On Monday
19th March 2012 you will have the rare chance to see Dean Maudsley lecture, if
you’re at the Leicester Magic Circle that is. Dean is an accomplished Close up
worker and has his own sell out stage show 'A Devious Mind'. All visitors
welcome, £10 for non LMC members, how to get to the LMC HQ can be found here:
www.leicestermagiccircle.co.uk. The Leicester Magic Circle are now taking
lecture bookings for their 2012-2013 programme. If you have a lecture and would
like to be considered contact Barry Martin on
secretary@leicestermagiccircle.co.uk.
17.3.12
Stuart
and Jayne (Safire Illusionists) are now appearing in their 12th tour with
the BBC's children's favorites The Chuckle Brothers. This year's show is
based on a famous children's film series and is entitled The Return of the
Pirates of the River Rother - In Stranger Tights. They will be performing
their illusion act, their Magic Light Puppets and will also be playing
parts in the production. Not only have they created the magical Jungle UV
sequence but they have also designed and built many special effects and
illusions for the production. For dates and to book
Click Here.
17.3.12
Cornish
Magical Society Dinner. President Paul Scott invites you to the 51st Annual
Dinner of the
Cornish Magical Society which takes place on Saturday 24th March at the
Membly Hall Hotel, Sea Front, Falmouth 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets are £25 from Joan
Burford, 15 Bay Court, Falmouth TR11 4NP telephone 01326 315476. Star cabaret
with Thom Peterson.
Membly Hall Hotel are also offering special rates for anyone wishing to
stay.
17.3.12
The
Show of Assortments - Westcliff-on-Sea: "A charity fund raising evening in
aid of The Epilepsy Society. Mystery-entertainments (AKA Mick Geraghty & Mark
Keeble) have produced and are hosting this great night of entertainment in
association with the fund raiser, Kristian Cornell. Enjoy close-up magicians as
you arrive. Then on to a show featuring psychological entertainers (Mick
Geraghty and Mark Keeble), singer musician (Dougie Hunter), an escapologist
(Stuart Burrell), dancers (Expressions Dance Academy), comedian (Del Strain) and
jugglers (Glowball Export). The show is followed by a raffle featuring fantastic
prizes and then on to music and dancing. Have a great night at a bargain price
and support a charity too!" Friday 30th March, 7pm - 1am. Venue:
The Westcliff Hotel,
18-20 Westcliff Parade, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7QW (Map)
www.showofassortments.moonfruit.com.
17.3.12
Aladdin
- a magical family pantomime. Following a great pantomime run at Theatre
Colwyn, Magic Light Productions (Stuart and Jayne, from the Illusion act
Safire), are pleased to announce that they have been asked to produce this
year's show, which will be the exciting adventure pantomime Aladdin.
"This story will give us a great opportunity to put lots more special effects
and illusions in which will include a full size flying carpet!" said Stuart.
"The last pantomime, Jack & The Beanstalk was a huge success, and broke
all attendance records. We had a great time, with all the cast and crew working
hard and this reflected in the whole Pantomime experience." The Panto Runs from
22nd December 2012 to 6th January 2013 and tickets are on sale:
www.theatrcolwyn.co.uk.
17.3.12
"New
photo of Houdini and his Water Torture Cell unearthed in Scotland"
Click Here • 2012 Olivier Awards nominations include Derren Brown
Svengali ('Best Entertainment and Family') and the magical Ghost
the Musical (with 4 different nominations)
Click Here • "Derren's act is theatrical magic"
Click Here • "IT devices, multimedia fuel already growing popularity
of magic"
Click Here • "Magicians conjure up charity cash"
Click Here • "Magicians go from talent show to Strip"
Click Here • "Tricky Business"
Click Here • "A magical trek for charity"
Click Here • "Top magic convention to return"
Click Here • Jay Fortune reviews three new releases this
week: Click Here (see
'Tricks') • "Magician Paul Daniels on his month from hell and why the
memory of the public toilets in one Valleys town has never left him"
Click Here • "Paul Daniels: I wish I could turn back time and start
this year again"
Click Here • "Magician back in hospital"
Click Here • That's it for another week (get well soon Paul, again!)
see you next week, Duncan.
17.3.12