Number 662 - 2nd March 2013
Blackpool
Magicians’ Club’s 61st Annual Convention. Wow! Blackpool Magicians' Club
pulled a huge rabbit out of the hat last week, producing three days of truly
world-class magic that ignited the fires of the 3,400 registrants attending -
breaking all previous records in the process. "Audible gasps" from an audience
full of magicians will perhaps be my lasting memory, heard many times over,
induced by such performers as Marko Karvo, Yu Ho Jin, Antje Pode, Prince of
Illusions, Lee Hun, Les Chapeaux Blancs, Yann Frisch and Tony Frebourg; together
with spontaneous howls of laughter generated by comedy masters Mel Mellers and David
Williamson. It was a great three days. Walt Lees reviews the entire event (many
thanks Walt), and Daniel Eden of
Eden Photography
provides the quite excellent live photographs (many thanks Dan)
Click Here. Next year’s dates are 21st, 22nd and 23rd February 2014 and
registrations are now being taken. Well done Blackpool Magicians' Club for
staging such a mammoth event! DT.
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
2.3.13
Hot.
The Incredible Mr Goodwin... starts 9pm on Thursday 7th March on
Watch. 'Impossible' is merely a challenge for Jonathan Goodwin, a man
who combines the skills of Houdini and Superman with the everyday trials
of fatherhood and family life. “He is the new breed of escapologist and
professional danger-man, putting himself in the most extreme situations
and dodging death every time.” Now this amazing series will leave
viewers breathless as Goodwin emulates his childhood heroes, the great
American sideshow acts and comic-book characters, taking his unique
brand of entertainment onto the streets of Britain and the US. In the
first show, in the Californian desert, Jonathan tackles a stunt which
defeated Houdini. See TV
Magic.
2.3.13
Spicy. Boys with Big Tricks... A night of award winning magic at the St James Theatre.
"Multi award winning mind-reader (who can’t read minds) Chris Cox brings you some
of the best magic acts the UK has to offer, in 'Boys With Big Tricks'...
Rob James has appeared everywhere from the House of Commons to the Jumeriah
Beach Hotel in Dubai. Alan Hudson made it to the final of the Hackney Empire New
Act of The Year and thanks to an appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us is
making magic cool. And Colin McLeod is the Sherlock Holmes of the mind who left
Simon Cowell wondering how he does what he does when he performed on Britain’s
Got Talent.
Expect your jaw to drop in amazement as you see the greatest magicians (who are
free and in London on the 16th March) make the impossible possible right in
front of your eyes. It’ll be funny, it’ll be incredible, it’ll be magic." St James Theatre, Studio, 12 Palace Street, London SW1E 5JA
(Map). Saturday 16th March
at 8pm. Tickets £15, Box Office 0844 264 2140. See
www.stjamestheatre.co.uk
and www.magiccox.com.
2.3.13
South
Tyneside International Magic Festival Sold Out! Masterclass spaces still
available. Martin Duffy writes: While the South Tyneside International Magic
Festival itself has now sold out, there are still places available for the 4
Master Classes. Each of the performers below is lecturing during the convention.
Their lectures run up to 90 minutes. Sometimes the lecturers would like to spend
more time on a particular effect which may not be to everyone’s taste. We have
been running Master Classes for the last four years. Each Master Class is
limited to 20 people. Featuring: Pete Turner on Thursday 7th March; and Dani
Daortiz, Sylvester the Jester and Scott Land on Sunday 10th March. See
www.southtynesidemagic.com/masterclass.html for more info. "'You’ll like
this - a lot!' says Paul Daniels"
Click Here.
2.3.13
The Magic Circle Close-up Competition
2013. The
eight finalists competing in this year's Magic Circle Close-up Competition have been
announced: "Battling for the coveted title and The Devano Trophy are:
Will Gray,
Mathew Le Mottee,
Russell Levinson,
Laura London,
Billy Reid,
Tim Shoesmith,
Chris Stevenson
and
Spencer Wood.
The competition, takes place at The Magic Circle on Monday 4th March at 7pm. The
competition was founded in 1967 and previous winners include Fay Presto, John
van der Put, Michael Vincent, Nick Einhorn, Matthew Garrett,
Ali Bongo and Chris Power. For more information visit
www.themagiccircle.co.uk."
2.3.13
Marvelous
Matthew Wright - UK lecture tour. Following on from his success at the Blackpool Magicians' Convention
'Marvelous Matthew Wright' will be
embarking on a UK lecture tour this weekend with a double at The
Modern Mystic League in Blackburn followed by a lecture at the
High Peaks Magic Society. A full time working professional, Matthew is also
Director of Magic at The House of Illusion in Spain and was the Head Magician at
Illusions Magic Bar in the UK before that. Matthew brings all this experience
together in an action-packed lecture which includes every aspect of performance
including character building, movement, scripting and routining. The lecture
will include many effects which feature directly in Matthew's working repertoire
and will have something for everyone of all skill levels. Dates on the list include:
4th March Middlesborough,
5th March Stoke-on Trent,
6th March Warwick,
7th March Bristol,
11th March The Magic Circle London,
12th March Leeds,
13th March Devon,
15-17th March Italy,
20th March Barrow-in-Furness,
21st March Newcastle and
22nd March Bradford.
2.3.13
3rd
West Coast Day of Magic. The Southport Magic Circle announces its 3rd West Coast Day
of Magic to be
held at The Royal Clifton Hotel on the 9th June 2013. This event will be in
support of the charity Rainbow House which helps children with brain disorders.
There will be magic dealers, walk about magicians and balloon modelling
throughout the day, later in the afternoon there will be a family magic show and
a raffle in aid of the charity. The magic dealers den will run from 10am to
4pm, and the show 4.30pm to 6.30pm. For ticket prices and dealer tables
see
www.southport-magic-circle.co.uk. Peter Spafford. 2.3.13
Joseph
Barry's new DVD set Inscrutable is reviewed by Quentin Reynolds this week,
"Joseph’s routines remind me of the direct presentations of Dani daOrtiz,
frequently mixing devilishly simple methods to create miracles. Yet their styles
are completely opposite. Dani is extrovert and in your face. Joe is quiet and
unassuming. Yet both use their personalities and characteristics to maximum
effect..." To read the full review
Click Here.
2.3.13
Steve
Price Pentacle Club lecture. Alan Maskell writes: The next meeting of The Pentacle Club is on Tuesday 12th March when Magic
Circle Secretary and unique comedy magician Steve Price
www.stevepriceillusions.co.uk will be lecturing. Visiting magicians are welcome
to attend, with a charge for non-members of £5, and the lecture starts at 8pm.
The Pentacle Club meets at St Laurence's School, Arbury Road, Cambridge CB4 2JX (Map).
2.3.13
NextJunction.
Matt Windsor writes: Magician Mark Pierce has soft launched an app he's written called
nextjunction. I thought I'd mention it as it's not a trick but it is great if
you travel on Motorways to/from events and 69p will pay for
itself the first time you need petrol.
www.nextjunctionapp.com.
2.3.13
Chris
Hare Watford Association of Magicians lecture. Andy Clockwise writes:
On Tuesday 5th March, Mindboggler Chris Hare will be presenting his mentalism
lecture at the Watford Association of Magicians (WAM). Chris is the creator of
"Birthday Detector" and the author of "Sensational Memory" and has recently
released two new effects, "Where in the World?" and "Where Next?".
Chris promises an
entertaining and informative lecture and will "teach people how to increase
their memory more than perhaps they could ever possibly imagine" as well as
teaching powerful mental effects which can be performed using everyday items.
Although there are one or two items for sale, the lecture is not a dealer-dem.
Doors open 7.30pm, lecture starts at 8pm prompt. Non WAM members welcome, £10
temporary membership payable. For further information please contact the WAM
club secretary juliecarpenter@themagiccircle.co.uk.
www.mindboggler.co.uk
www.wamclub.co.uk.
2.3.13
Matthew
Wright lecture, Leamington and Warwick Magic Society. Mark Traversoni
writes: On Wednesday 6th March Matthew Wright is lecturing at the Leamington and
Warwick Magic Society. Visitors are welcome for a £10 guest fee which includes a
buffet.
The meeting starts 7.30pm for 8.00pm start at Cubbington Sports & Social Club,
Windmill Hill, Cubbington, Leamington Spa CV32 7LN (Map). See the club website for other
club lecture details www.magicsociety.co.uk.
Please contact Mark Traversoni mark@themagiczone.co.uk if you wish to attend.
2.3.13
Order
of the Magi Jumbo Auction. Geoffrey Newton PRO writes: The
Order of the Magi (Manchester) are holding a Jumbo Auction on Tuesday 12th March
at The New Irish World Heritage Centre, 1 Irish Town Way, Manchester M8 0AE (Map) commencing at 7.30pm prompt but with viewing from 6.30pm. Lot numbers are now
available so if you need one please contact Max Townsend Entertainments Officer
on 07800 618218 or email max.townsend@stockport.gov.uk. Details are on
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk. Door charge £3 for non members. Do come along as there
might be there the very thing you are looking for.
2.3.13
Gary Dunn
writes: I'd like to sincerely thank everyone who attended my lecture at the
Blackpool Magic Convention last weekend. The attendance was superb and it was
great to see so many friendly faces. Two of my items were a complete sell
out, however 'Cakes & Adders' and 'ShowRemotes' are now back in stock and
ready to ship. For more information on ShowRemotes, or to order online go here:
www.showremotes.com. For all other products, please
email
garydunn@mac.com .
2.3.13
Paul Gordon Card Magic Lecture, Liverpool Magic Circle. Paul Gordon presents
'Gold Dust - The Lecture'. "Paul will be
performing and teaching magic from his new best-selling best-of book, Gold Dust.
All worker material!" Thursday 4th July, 7.30pm at the Crown Inn,
Leyfield Road,
Liverpool
L12 9HA (Map).
More info:
www.liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk and
www.paulgordon.net.
2.3.13
Birthday
Magic For Kids' Shows is Ian Adair's tenth book in this series: "It's a 112 page paperback featuring twenty seven original tricks and routines, all
with a birthday party theme. Most kids' entertainers receive more bookings for
these types of shows than all the others put together, so introducing one or two
of these routines at those special events, is not only sensible but expected.
The book contains 64 illustrations and coloured photographs and includes tricks
and routines using Birthday cakes, cards, candles, balloons, party hats,
hooters, presents, toys and loads of other items associated with kids' birthday
parties.
Publication date 16th March 2013. Available from Practical Magic
www.practical-magic.com."
2.3.13
New and Improv'd, now in PDFformat: "Mowgli has rereleased his smash hit book 'New and Improv'd' in a PDF form and it is now available from www.improvisedmagic.psychomagic.co.uk. 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. This truly is a book like no other. Featuring: How To Deal With Hecklers; How To Create A Unique Act; How To Write Jokes; Fimprovisation Revealed ... and so much more." 2.3.13
Comedy speciality act for sale. Wayne Slater (El Loco) writes: After 18 years as a professional cabaret artiste performing over 3,500 shows I have decided to sell my unique visual comedy speciality act "El loco presents the dentist chair". Due to my recent health problems. I would offer the training required to bring you up to performance level. And if required manage you to ensure the smooth transition for your first 12 months. You would have guaranteed contracts worth over 20,000 ahead of you. A complete contact list of agents/bookers I work with, established website. All the show props, stage costume and backing tracks, plus the goodwill of a business that has been in profit for the past 16 consecutive years. This is a life changing opportunity to buy outright an established and well respected comedy act. Please no time wasters. For further details please email me, Wayne Slater elloco@hotmail.co.uk. 2.3.13
Relocation Reduction For Children's Entertainers! Due to a house move (and keen to cut down on the amount of "stuff" that needs moving) for a limited time, Mike Clarke is offering a reduced rate on his two latest training programmes for children's entertainers - a Maths & Magic Workshop and Wizard School holiday club programme. Full details of the training programmes, along with their revised prices, can be found at www.thekidsmagician.com/resources-for-entertainers. 2.3.13
The Wizards of Kent will perform at Broadstairs on March 24th. Mike Davis, Phil Tilston, Andy Paul and Douglas Tilston, collectively The Wizards of Kent, perform in an evening of close-up magic and cabaret at the Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs, Kent. Mike, Phil and Andy are all members of The Magic Circle while Douglas is the winner of the 2009 Junior British Magical Close-up Championships and recently won competitions in Manchester and Bristol. Come along for a magical evening. For details: www.sarahthorne-theatreclub.co.uk. Phil Tilston. 2.3.13
News
Deadline reminder. Please submit news by Thursday if possible - absolute
deadline 12 noon Friday, no exceptions. DT.
2.3.13
"Blackpool Magicians’ Club - 61st
Annual Convention"
Click Here • Magic returns to an iconic resort venue"
Click Here • "Showzam! review: High Jinx - Horseshoe Bar, Pleasure
Beach"
Click Here • "Showzam! - Russ plays his cards right!"
Click Here • "Ben Stiller's magician Tony Wonder to return in new
series of Arrested Development"
Click Here • "Teller Learns Why It's Not So Easy to Sue a Magician
for Stealing a Trick"
Click Here • "Bahamas Airs Super Bowl Ad Featuring Rick Fox and
David Copperfield"
Click Here •
"Eric and Ernie were role models"
Click Here • "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Drops a Batch of New
Stills"
Click Here [should open 15th March in the UK tbc. David Kwong and
Jonathan Levit consult] • "Magic show for the members of East Kilbride
Probus"
Click Here • "He’s A Magic Man in ‘Oz,’ But James Franco Had Help"
Click Here • It's not magic, but: "Pet bird solves illusionist Derren Brown’s
Lego puzzle"
Click Here • That's it, have a magic week, Duncan.
2.3.13