Number 620 - 12th May 2012
The
countdown to FISM 2012 has begun with the release of the final list of
competitors vying for top honours in England in July 2012. Download the complete
list via
www.fism.org/web/contestants2012.pdf. Register for FISM 2012 via the banner
above. (Anyone who's attended the regular Blackpool convention during the past
couple of years, together with Paul Stone's recent London Palladium show, will
spot three acts in that very impressive list of talent that many would rank as
simply the very best already! This competition looks set to be the finest FISM
championship for 30+ years... you'd really have to go back to the days of
Richard Ross and Lance Burton to get close to some of the talent competing this
year. DT)
12.5.12
More
EMC2012 Speakers! "Three more incredible performers who will be joining us
in the world’s only digital conference for magic and magicians: Yaan Frisch.
FISM award winner and French magic champion Yann Frisch is one of magic’s
freshest talents. Yann has been creating a sensation wherever he goes with his
unique take on classic magic, an absurdist take on the cups and balls. Cool,
clever, stylish and oh so artful. We are proud to have one of France’s top
performers at EMC. Guy Hollingworth. Guy Hollingworth is one of the world’s
leading sleight of hand artists. His most famous effect is probably The
Reformation, an impossible torn and restored card. His book Drawing Room
Deceptions is a one of magic’s contemporary classics. His theatre show, The
Expert at the Card Table, has played to packed houses and rave reviews. For us
he is the personification of elegant conjuring and we look forward to his return
to EMC. Jansenson. From Argentina we are excited to introduce the wonderful
Norberto Janenson, a magician who brings theatre and storytelling to his magic.
He is a favourite of Rene Lavand, combining culture, literature and mystery to
create a unique theatrical, spiritual and emotional experience for his audience.
He is famous for his theatre and television appearances in Argentina. Welcome
Jansenson!" Free Screening Weekends:
www.essentialmagicconference.com/preview. Register today:
www.essentialmagicconference.com.
12.5.12
The
2012 Magic Trek sets off from Portsmouth & District Magic Circle on Wednesday
16th May. Nine magicians, led by Harvey the seven foot tall rabbit, will walk
115 miles over six days to finish at The Magic Circle HQ in London on Monday 21st May.
They are raising money for Anthony Nolan, the charity that helps save the lives
of people with blood cancer.
The Magic Trek’s schedule is as follows...
Wednesday 16th - Portsmouth to The Regis Centre, Bognor Regis (eta 18.00)
Thursday 17th – Bognor Regis to Shoreham High Street (eta 17.30)
Friday 18th – Shoreham to The Dorset, 22 Malling Street, Lewes (eta 17.00)
Saturday 19th – Lewes to East Grinstead High Street (eta 18.30)
Sunday 20th – East Grinstead to South London Magic Society, Cobden Road, South
Norwood (eta 18.00)
Monday 21st – South Norwood to The Magic Circle HQ, London (eta 16.00)
To follow the walkers’ progress online visit
www.facebook.com/The2012MagicTrek
To sponsor, please visit
www.justgiving.com/MagicTrek.
12.5.12
Magic Nights
at Madame JoJo’s, London: May 18th and June 1st.
Friday, May 18th: "Brilliant illusionist Michael Vadini plays with water and money, disappearing
and re-appearing coins in ways that would make the financial sector jealous,
Matt G will bring out the psychic in you and control you enough to make you read
other peoples minds and in-between Count Adriano Fettucini plays with cigar boxes
in unusual and dangerous ways… and he won’t smoke a single one.
Meanwhile Loretta Maine will be singing hilariously drunken, angry songs and
Myra Dubois will treat you to her magical big kids party (don’t really bring
kids, frankly she’s not very good with them and this is an 18 and over show.)
Proceedings will be expertly compered by mighty sorcerer Neil Henry."
Friday 1st June: "Chris Cox will be using mind reading, psychology and lying whilst trying to influence you and be your friend in order to stroll through your head and reveal what’s on your mind, Whilst the polite Victorian gentlemen, Morgan and West will second guess your moves and biscuit preferences. AJ James will be endangering his life, his limbs and the front row with sharp objects whilst balancing on a skateboard and Katinka, the Russian ballerina shows us moves in the type of ballet shoes that would stop traffic… literally! All expertly compered by Christian Lee who will be spiking cups and risking his hands." Doors open 7pm show starts at 7.45pm for both evenings. 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. 12.5.12
Morgan & West: Time Travelling Magicians
21st - 24th May 9pm (8.30pm on 22nd). Great Scott! Victorian magicians Morgan & West bring a magical
extravaganza to a millennium near you.
Victorian magic duo Morgan & West present an hour of baffling magic,
unparalleled precognitive powers and a totally genuine ability to travel through
time.
No future is left unforeseen, no timeline left unaltered as this pair of
temporal tricksters burst into the twenty-first century with their trademark
mixture of magic, wit and whimsy.
Tickets £9 (£8 concessions) Call 01273 572101 to book tickets or visit
www.iambicarts.com.
Venue: Iambic Arts, 38 Regent Street, Brighton BN1 1UN (Map)
www.morganandwest.co.uk.
12.5.12
52nd
Bristol Day of Magic - tomorrow.
Sunday 13th May, at the Winter Gardens and Playhouse
Theatre, Weston Super Mare. "This year we celebrate our 52nd Day of Magic with a
selection of great magical performers from the UK and abroad. Close-up shows:
Paul Gertner, Oscar Munoz and Will Gray. Lectures by Oscar Munoz, Pat Fallon and Paul
Gertner. A balloon session with graham lee. Dealers Exhibition with over 25 leading magical suppliers from the UK.
Spellbound Gala show, starring Romany, Richard McDougall Oscar Munoz, Kockov,
Steve Hewlett and Martyn James with Music by the Ambassadors of Jazz." For more
information and to download a registration form visit
www.bristolmagic.co.uk.
12.5.12
Man
U Magic! Matt Windsor emails:
"Just a note from our group of magicians to say: Man Utd finished the season off with 28 magicians at
the last home match with a total of 350 bookings for magicians during the season. If there are any
experienced working professionals that are interested in working next season
they can contact me on matt@magicmatt.co.uk. Click Here
to enlarge the photo.
12.5.12
Street magician Owen Lean stars in the newly rebooted web series
'I Am Tim',
alongside Jamie McKeller and Jennifer Jordan. Owen plays Richard Timmons, a
documentary filmmaker creating a documentary about Tim Helsing, the last remaining
descendant of Van Helsing: "By day he's an ordinary office worker, by night he
fights the stinking horde of the filthy undead - except on Thursdays when he has
band practice.
The hilarious mockumentary is very much in the great British tradition of horror
comedy such as Sean of the Dead, and features extraordinary special effects, and
a tiny bit of magic now and then too."
12.5.12
Children's
Magic Fun Show 'In A Box'! "Interested in working as a children's
entertainer but not really sure were to start? Mike Clarke ('Magic Mike' - The
Kids Magician) is releasing his 'Magic Show in a Box' at the end of the month.
For full information - including the special pre-release discount and new
2-month payment plan option - visit
www.thekidsmagician.com/become-a-childrens-entertainer."
12.5.12
The second Equivoque Workshop will be taking place in central London on
Saturday, June 16th. Run by renowned linguistic deceptionist Mark Elsdon, it
is sure to receive similar raves to the first one. For more information and
booking visit:
elsdon.blogspot.co.uk.
12.5.12
The
Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians held their annual Stage Competition, "The
Tony Shelley Cup", last Wednesday, May 2nd. There were 5 competitors and the
deserved winner was Steve Evans. Steve was diagnosed with life limiting cancer
last September but with good health at the moment he continues to make the most
of life. As well as his win last week he has also won the WCM close-up and
British Magical Society’s Parlour Magic competitions. He has also been booked
for numerous magic events including lecturing at the British Magical Society and
the Travis Perkins Assembly, hosting Kidology and compering the stage
competition at the IBM convention in Great Yarmouth. Steve discussed living with
his condition recently in an interview on national radio; to download
Click Here.
12.5.12
weRmagic.co.uk.
Owner,
Garry Sprackling writes: "Hello,
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you all to my new on-line
Magic Supply website: www.wermagic.co.uk.
I have been a passionate follower of Magic all my life and I have performed
sleight of hand and card tricks for the past ten years.
This passion has caused me to open a business selling magic props. Please feel
free to visit the site and I will be more than happy to answer any queries that
you may have.
Thanks for looking,
Garry Sprackling."
12.5.12
Mark
Leveridge goes “Walkabout” at the BMS, Birmingham on Tuesday 15th May. "A great chance to see someone who needs no introduction: Mark Leveridge dealer,
inventor, author, publisher and Professional Magician for more years than many
of us can remember, presents his acclaimed lecture 'Going Walkabout' on this lucrative style of
magic. Whether you are a seasoned professional or neophyte wanting to break into
this rewarding market, you will be hard-pressed to find a better teacher. Mark
presents his 'Going Walkabout' lecture at 7.30pm at Selly Oak Ex Serviceman’s Club,
Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 7DL (Map).
Visit www.britishmagicalsociety.co.uk for details."
Paul Cadley,
President,
British Magical Society.
12.5.12
Luke Jermay Lecture. Tuesday, 15th May
at 8pm at The Northamptonshire Magicians
Club, Yeoman of England, 31 High Street, Wootton, Northampton NN4 6LP (Map). Non-members
£8. Further details from club President David Charles Miller
david.miller37@ntlworld.com 07870
140958.
12.5.12
Travis
Perkins Assembly - Ferrybridge Day of Magic. Mike Shepherd writes:
Travis Perkins is pleased to announce the date for the 20th Ferrybridge Day of
Magic. Sunday 1st July 2012.
With two Lecturettes, Dealers and traders, the Showette, and contracts
permitting, another informative Question Time session, the day looks promising,
and all for £4.00.
Returning with a sequel to his last Lecturette will be the ever effervescent
Steve Evans – ‘Things you Can and Will Use 2’.
A departure from magic will be a Lecturette presented by Mr Alec Powell –
‘Getting to Grips with Graphology’.
Along with Steve in the Showette will be the new ‘Illusory Illusions’ of
Amethyst, and something special from ‘someone special’.
More news as we approach the day!
Venue is The Community Centre, The Square, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire WF11
8PQ (Map). Doors open 9.45am.
Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Information can be obtained from Travis Perkins
travisperkinsuk@aol.com or
telephone Michael Shepherd on 01904 709500."
12.5.12
Service
to Scottish Magic.
Since 1991, the Jim Craig Quaich has been awarded to magicians who have given
outstanding service to Scottish Magic. In the past, the award has been presented
annually at S.A.M.S. conventions to Eddie Dawes, Pat Page, Roy Walton, Peter
Duffie, Johnny Geddes and Tom Owen, to name but a few.
This year's award has been presented to Ian Adair, who first performed at early
S.A.M.S. conventions in the 1950's, graduating throughout the years to become a
well known magical author, dealer and lecturer.
"It was a great honour to receive this special award and also to feature in this
year's convention programme" Ian said. "The convention took place in my home
town of Kilmarnock, and it has been fifty years since I last visited the place
where my magical interest was first aroused."
12.5.12
Edinburgh Magic Circle are
holding their annual Open Night on Friday
18th May at the Pleasance Cabaret Bar, doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Over
18's only. Tickets are only £5 and are selling fast so contact The Secretary Ian
Buchan if you are interested in coming along to see some top class
entertainment. Ian Buchan.
www.edinburghmagiccircle.com.
12.5.12
The
Twins FX are part of the creative team behind Vampirette, a musical comedy – a
vampire love story. "Premiering at the Manchester Opera House, as part of
Manchester Get it First, Vampirette is a fangtastic brand new musical that
gives you a lite nite bite of blood curdling fun. Life sucks when you’re young –
but try being a vampire too, it’s a real pain in the neck! Vampi isn’t your
typical vampire, she dreams of a normal life; boys, fashion – having a
reflection! But she soon shows us that just because you’re ‘undead’ doesn’t mean
you can’t have a life! This brand new musical which promises excitement, rock
anthems, classic romantic ballads plus a host of incredible effects, including a
flying vampires, making this show a spooktakular!
You’ll go batty at this wickedly funny new musical in May at The Opera House,
Manchester." www.vampirettethemusical.com
www.thetwinsfx.com.
12.5.12
Peter
McLanachan lectures at the Cardiff
Magical Society on May 28th: "We are having a lecture by Peter McLanachan.
He will be traveling down to Wales, then early the next day flying of to
Germany. 'A good guy and a great cardman. Be prepared for a few surprises…' R. Paul
Wilson www.thecardman.co.uk.
Visiting Magicians are welcome at £10 each but please inform a member first.
Full Details can be found at
www.cardiffmagic.org.uk"
Russell Wells.
12.5.12
'Oliver
Meech: When Magic and science Collide' comes to Brighton and Oxford Fringes.
Following sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and Manchester Comedy Festival,
magic boffin Oliver Meech returns to meddle with forces we barely understand.
Expect amazing tricks inspired by astounding science, in a comedy magic show for
the QI generation. It's the Natural Selection!**** 'funny, endearing, impressive
showmanship' ThreeWeeks, 'real gasps of awe' Broadway Baby.
www.magicmeech.com.
Brighton: 21st-24th May, 8.15pm (1 hour), Laughing Horse @ The Hobgoblin, £5 (£3
concs), tickets:
www.boxoffice.brightonfringe.org.
Oxford: 31st May & 2nd June, 7.30pm (1 hour), Turl Street Kitchen, £8 (£7),
tickets: www.wegottickets.com/magicmeech.
12.5.12
The
Karnival of Kitsch.
Wednesday 30th May sees the Karnival of Kitsch return to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern with a night of intensely cheesy cabaret thrills with your
hosts, Freddie Valentine and Holly Blue. Together
Freddie and Holly perform the kitschiest of duets. "The wildest of variety shows also has a top-class line-up of unusual and
talented performers, hand picked by Freddie and Holly. Expect a hugely diverse
mixture taking in mind reading, burlesque, comedy, magic and some of those
unusual acts you are unlikely to see very often…" More info:
www.valentineentertainments.com.
12.5.12
Yvette
the Headless Lady can be seen this weekend at Carters Steam Fair, Pinkney’s
Green, near Maidenhead, SL6 5DN (Map), Saturday 12th May (12 noon-11pm) and Sunday 13th May
(12 noon-9pm). Jon Marshall, proprietor of Sideshow Illusions, said, “I’m
delighted that these wonderful old shows, with the original show fronts, first
created in the 1950s by Jon Gresham are now thrilling new audiences.” The
Headless Lady comes direct from her appearance with five other sideshow
illusions at the Roundhouse last week in a sell out run of shows. This will be
the first time for over fifty years that this show has been seen on a Fairground
and Carters, a traditional, vintage fair is the ideal venue for Yvette to make
her re-appearance. Yvette, The Headless Lady, is kept alive by the miracles of
modern medicine. She moves, she breathes, she lives! In this brilliant Sideshow
Illusion Dr Van Bergh explains, “Many people believe such a thing is impossible.
You have all heard of artificial hearts and artificial lungs so you may believe
the evidence of your own eyes, from her neck come tubes…So step right in…Just as
you see her depicted on the outside so you will see her inside, she is Alive!”
www.sideshowillusions.com
www.carterssteamfair.co.uk.
12.5.12
Thursday
will be a busy day for magician Steve Gore. At 1pm he'll be performing two spots in the
Little Diamonds award ceremony show at St. Georges Hall, Bradford with his
daughter Deanna www.makebelievemagic.co.uk for an audience of over a 1,000 in
a Diamond Jubilee themed show. Then in the evening he'll present his lecture
'Ramblings from a suspender of Disbelief' for Hull Magic Circle. The lecture
features lots of original ideas for close-up, stage and children's magic. It
also includes his effect Trick Photography, the borrowed iPhone trick. All
attendees at the lecture will receive a free PDF copy of Steve's lecture notes.
Door opens at 7pm, lecture starts at 7.45pm.
www.stevegore.co.uk.
12.5.12
The
'Tricks at the Tryst' show on Saturday 19th of May at 6.30pm at the Falkirk Town
Hall, Falkirk FK1 5RS (Map)
promises to be a night of wonder and amazement courtesy of the
local Forth Valley Magic Circle: "Comprising dedicated amateurs and seasoned
professionals, the club has been promoting the art of magic for the last three
decades. The format of the show will be a mix of cabaret, stage and close-up
magic."
Tickets are just £5 each and can be booked by either emailing Mark Dunn
info@magicmark.co.uk, or calling Mark on 07968 792134 or in person from the Steeple
box office in Falkirk town centre. This event has sold out for the last 4 years,
so do contact Mark in advance if you would like tickets to avoid
disappointment.
12.5.12
Camelot Theme Park’s jester,
Scoop, will be taking his juggling talents to new heights
in Scotland, England and Wales as he attempts the daunting National Three Peaks
Challenge to raise funds for Donna's Dream House, a Blackpool charity. Paul
Dawson, otherwise known as Scoop the Jester, will tackle the daunting challenge
on May 14th, when he will attempt to climb the three highest peaks in England,
Wales and Scotland - Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis - in less than 24
hours. Scoop will wear his colourful jester’s costume for the duration of the
challenge, and will even do some juggling at the top of each peak. For more info. You can find out more at
www.donnasdreamhouse.co.uk or donate at
www.justgiving.com/scoopjester or
visit Scoop's website www.scoopmagic.co.uk".
12.5.12
Magician James Piper will be featured on Panorama this Monday at 8.30pm on BBC1. James is playing the part of a crooked account who can make your tax bills disappear, by magic! • "Magician David Copperfield sues over work at private island retreat" Click Here • "Summer festival kicks off with entertainment" Click Here • "Magician Richard Bellars midway through 100-hour challenge" Click Here • "Pick a card, any card ... study finds magicians can influence the choice" Click Here • "The Prestige: 6 Magician Movies That Dare to Amaze" Click Here • "Magicians Book Up Fast" Click Here • Ghost the Musical: Feeling Is Believing Commercial Click Here • Criss Angel talks to Lance Burton Click Here • That's it, the sun is shining, have a great weekend, Duncan. 12.5.12