Number 648 - 24th November 2012
Ben
Earl: Deception is the title of a new four-part magic series, to
be screened by Channel 4 in 2013. Ben recently enjoyed television
success
with two appearances on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, but this time
around will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the deck in each
one-hour show. All will have a different theme, closing with a large challenge or
stunt every week.
24.11.12
The 41st International Magic Convention.
"There’s something special about the MacMillan family’s International
Magic convention which takes place each November in London. There’s a
warmth and a buzz that was very much in evidence at this year’s Ron’s
Day, as it is called, after the convention founder, the late Ron
Macmillan. This was the 41st year of the event which was held on 16, 17
and 18 November at the wonderful Mermaid Theatre complex, conveniently
located across the street from the Blackfriars rail and underground
stations. More than 600 magicians attended the events, with about an
equal number of lay audience members joining them for the two
performances of the gala show..." Read Matthew Field's full report, with
photos by Arto Airaksinen this week,
Click Here. Roberto Forzoni reviews all five days of The London
Festival of Magic
Click Here. Photo: Close-up Competition winner, from
Switzerland, Pierrric, with The Kevin Reay Trophy and £1,000 cash (think
of all the Toblerone!).
(Photo by Arto Airaksinen, used with thanks).
24.11.12
David
Meade drives himself up the wall... "15,000 shoppers turned out to
see David perform a most astonishing feat in the middle of Belfast’s
busy Victoria Square mall. Levitating 60 feet from the solid concrete
floor below, his record breaking and world beating stunt caused mayhem,
and as the story spread through the city every media outlet scrambled to
cover the event. Within three hours David’s website had nearly 10,000
hits, over 2000 images had been posted to twitter, and in 24 hours one
single image reached 1.1 million views on Reddit and other social media
sites. He’s received media requests from almost 20 countries, and is
considering taking the stunt internationally..." To read the full story
Click Here.
24.11.12
Paul Zenon's
back for another week's run on Countdown starting on Monday 3rd
December. Nick Hewer and Rachel Riley host, as contestants race against
the clock to pit their wits against vowels, consonants and numbers.
Daily at 2.40pm on Channel 4. See
TV Magic.
24.11.12
Illusions
Magic Bar New Year's Eve Fancy Dress 'Magician & Magician's Assistant'
Party: "Let's make 2013 a magic year! To get you started Illusions
is giving you the chance to be the magician or magician's assistant for
the night! Doors open at 8pm and Live Magic will be on throughout the
evening together with Live Music with Steve Williams singing us into the
New Year, with the Disco Party continuing until 4am." Illusions Magic
Bar, 2 Byron Place, Bristol BS8 1JT (Map).
For more info and to book
Click Here.
24.11.12
4
from Alakazam for Christmas... Michael Vincent: The Quest For
Mastery (photo); Array By Baz Taylor; Myth By Mark Gray
and The Birthday Detector By Chris Hare, four brand new products
from
www.alakazam.co.uk in time for Christmas!
24.11.12
In
Search of the Miraculous! An Evening of Philosophical Illusion: "In
Search of the Miraculous is a great and mysterious evening of
philosophical illusion at the Leicester Square Theatre, exploring time,
space and beyond. James Parker's attraction is highlighted by some of
the industry's most prestigious awards, including: British Junior
Magical Champion, Guild of Magician's Close Up Champion, Winner of the
International Brotherhood of Magicians Theo Speaker Cup for the Most
Entertaining Act, Double winner of the International Brotherhood
Magicians Dittia Shield for Highly Skilled Stage Magic. James has toured
performing at many prominent events and shows, including The Magic
Circle's most highly esteemed event of the year, their annual Christmas
show. His vision of magic is to combine the perfect balance of classical
and contemporary performance in order to invoke that timeless sense of
mystery and wonder." 7.30pm on Monday December 3rd, at The Lounge,
Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX (Map).
24.11.12
Vanish
Magic Magazine was launched via the internet in April 2012 by
magician and editor Paul Romhany. Published every two months, issue 5
for December/January is just around the corner. Vanish is a free
downloadable magazine, crammed full of articles, magic business tips,
tricks, reviews, and news. Contributing magicians from around the world
include Eugene Burger, Kennedy, Bizzarro, Wayne Rogers, Richard Webster,
TC Tahoe, Luca Volpe, Steve Spill, Nick Lewin, Lee Alex, JC Sum & Magic
'Babe' Ning and Danny Archer to name a few. In just the short space of
time since Vanish appeared (pun intended) it has really taken
off, being enjoyed by thousands of magicians worldwide. Exciting news
for next year is that there will be a subscription version, which will
offer video, chat forums, and more, for just US $2.50 per issue. To
download your free copy simply visit
www.vanishmagazine.com - the next issue will be out in early
December.
24.11.12
Award
winning magician Danny Jewell tops the bill at The Order of the Magi
Christmas Party on Tuesday 11th December at The Irish World
Heritage Centre, 10 Queens Road, Manchester M8 8UF (Map). Compere for the
evening is comedy magician (and Secretary of the society) Mike Sharples,
who will also introduce top vocalist Karl Seth.
Before all this though is an hour or so of games and prizes together
with a hotpot supper. Visitors are welcome at a charge of only £6. Tickets available from
pro@orderofthemagi.org.uk or 0161 969 8222. A
vegetarian option is available and the cut-off date for tickets is 4th
December. Oh by the way there might even also a visit from Santa with a
little something for everyone!
Geoffrey Newton PRO.
24.11.12
PaulHarrisPresents.co.uk
are pleased to announce the exclusive UK release of Haunted 2.0 by Mark
Traversoni & Peter Eggink: "Order your copy now to ensure you can freak
them out for your Christmas parties! Available now from
www.paulharrispresents.co.uk."
24.11.12
A
Professional's Repertoire. On Tuesday 4th December, full time
magician Ian Keable will be presenting his "A Professional's Repertoire"
lecture at The Watford Association of Magicians at 8pm.. In his lecture
Ian performs and explains several tricks from his professional
repertoire and also talks about other aspects of cabaret magic including
how to be funny, how to choose material and how to deal with hecklers.
Ian guarantees a thoroughly enjoyable evening. If you'd like to come
along, please contact WAM's club secretary
juliecarpenter@themagiccircle.co.uk for more information. Andy
Clockwise.
24.11.12
The
Illusioneer. "At The Illusioneer Theatre & Studio, through the
'Tardis' that is the Showroom and Booking Office, we present Magic and
Illusion in our own Little Theatre and Studio space. Shows, courses, fun
events and private hire, see what's on at
www.theillusioneer.co.uk."
24.11.12
The
Surrey Society of Magicians Stage Magic Competition. The Surrey
Society of Magicians held their annual Stage Magic Competition on
Thursday 22nd November. The overall winner was James Fortune MIMC who
“did the double” as he also won the Surrey Society of Magicians Close Up
Magic Competition earlier this year. The runners-up were Theo Theodoris
and Kelly Cummins whose professional stage name is Jelly Kelly. Kelly
(pictured with the winner James Fortune) also won the Bernard Weller
Comedy Award which is voted for by the Members. The judging panel
consisted of lay persons Mr Allen and Mrs Mosley and magical judge
Michael Pearce. The competition is judged for both entertainment and
magical content.
www.surreymagic.org.uk.
24.11.12
Pimp
your Dummy. "Can your slot-jaw or latex doll look left and right or
even blink? Many ventriloquists use soft puppets that cannot move their
eyes. Dolls with the ability to move their eyes, have a rod or pole.
These dolls cannot bow their head or crumple their nose as opposed to
soft puppets. This feature allows for more gestures. Several
ventriloquists swear by soft puppets and sadly lack eye and lash
movement. Others favour eye and lash movement... it was my objective to
create a mechanism, that lies in the head above the jaw, above the
ventriloquists hand." Lex Schoppi. Visit
www.quickchange.de/lex-schoppi-magic to find out all about 'Pimp
your Dummy'.
24.11.12
Magic
in Fife. Liam Black is the resident magic consultant for the "On at
Fife" Christmas shows, Hansel and Gretel and Sleeping Beauty
the Pantomime. Guaranteed to be fun for all the family
Sleeping Beauty
features a witch that transforms a single pink flower into a blizzard of
pink petals which cascade over the heads of the audience and
Hansel and
Gretel
includes a scene in which it snows from the witches hands and the roof of the
Carnegie Hall.
24.11.12
Jon
Allen lecture - Leamington and Warwick Magic Society. Jon Allen is
lectures at the Leamington and Warwick Magic Society on Wednesday 28th
November. Visitors are welcome for a £10 fee which includes a buffet.
The meeting starts 7.30pm, lecture at 8pm, at Cubbington Sports & Social
Club, Windmill Hill, Cubbington, Leamington Spa CV32 7LN (Map).
Contact Mark Traversoni
mark@themagiczone.co.uk to attend and see the club website for
details of other upcoming lectures
www.magicsociety.co.uk.
24.11.12
Presidential
Citation, 'For their contribution to the furtherance and promotion of
Magic in the world of entertainment. At their annual dinner joint
Presidents of The North Wales Magic Circle, Stuart and Jayne Loughland,
where honored by the presence of the International President of the
International Brotherhood of Magicians, John Pye. The International
Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM), is the world's largest organisation for
magicians and boasts nearly 15,000 members worldwide. With over 300
local groups, called Rings, in more than 73 countries, the IBM is
enjoyed by amateur and professional magicians, magical enthusiasts, and
collectors of magical apparatus throughout the world. During the evening
Stuart and Jayne (aka 'Safire Illusionists') were presented by John Pye
with a Presidential Citation 'For their contribution to the furtherance
and promotion of Magic in the world of entertainment.' This was
gratefully received by Stuart and Jayne, who will be appearing this
Christmas in Aladdin at Theatr Colwyn, North Wales, from 22nd December
until the 5th January.
www.magic-of-safire.co.uk
www.britishring.org.uk.
24.11.12
North
Wales Magic Circle News. On Saturday the 17th November 2012 The
North Wales Magic Circle held their Annual Dinner. Russ Roberts of
Invisible Inc Magic was made President of The North Wales Magic Circle
after taking over the role from Stuart and Jayne Loughland (Safire). The
NWMC, formed in 1942, is in its 70th year. Russ said "I am honoured to
receive the Presidency from Stuart and Jayne, I have known them for many
years now and it was a privilege to have them pass on the post to
myself, the dinner was a great success with a fantastic cabaret show. I
would like to congratulate Stuart and Jayne who were awarded, on the
night, The IBM Presidential Citation for their contributions to the
furtherance and promotion of magic in the world of entertainment by Mr
John Pye, IBM International President. Congratulations also to Nick
Marshall of Marshall Magic on winning this year's Close-up competition,
Dave Baker on winning the Mentalism competition and Janet Newman-Carty
on winning the Derek Lawrence wand for her contributions to the Griffin
magazine. Let's hope this year is just as successful."
www.nwalesmagic.co.uk.
24.11.12
World
Prematurity Day. Last Saturday was World Prematurity Day, a special
day that helps raise awareness of the 15 Million babies born prematurely
around the world every year (60,000 in the UK). To celebrate, the
Neonatal Unit at St Helier Hospital, in Carshalton, Surrey, held a
special reception and Surrey based magician Theo was presented an award
by Matthew Hopkins the Chief Executive of Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust
for raising over £20,000 after his daughter Elena was born 10 weeks
early weighing 2 lbs. For the full write-up visit:
www.magictheo.com.
24.11.12
The
MagicWeek Bookshop page features some of the very best magic books
and DVDs that have been available via Amazon over the years. MagicWeek
receives a small commission on all sales (not just books and DVDs) that
start via a click from this page:
MagicWeek Book Shop.
24.11.12
Planning
next year's programme of events for your club? Visit the MagicWeek
Lecturers page!
24.11.12
"007
stuntman blows magicians’ cover"
Click Here (for more info visit
www.thecardsharkshow.com) • "'Now
You See Me': New Trailer For Magician Movie"
Click Here • "Street magician seeks lost wages from employer"
Click Here • "Meeting one of world’s leading magicians, Aladin"
Click Here • "'Recycling lunacy' as jobsworths ban magician
from Manston Road tip"
Click Here • "Stars have a magic time thanks to Askam magician"
Click Here • Had a great time at Ron's Day on Sunday; next
year's convention takes place on the 15th, 16th and 17th November,
Click Here. Your UK magic news is always welcome - see you next
week, Duncan.
24.11.12