Number 684 - 3rd August 2013

Edinburgh Festival: Piff the Magic Dragon and the lunatic Fringe. "Unlikely magician Piff the Magic Dragon is set to fire up this year's Edinburgh Festival. Brian Logan meets him and his lovely Chihuahua assistant. Every August in Edinburgh, the phrase 'spirit of the Fringe' is bandied about, but seldom defined. Now help is at hand: that spirit – the peculiar quality that makes this carnival of multifarious art and entertainment so unique – has been distilled into one act. It's a man dressed as a dragon, performing magic tricks in partnership with a poker-faced Chihuahua called Mr Piffles..." To read the full story by Brian Logan in The Independent, Click Here. 3.8.13

The IBM British Ring Convention in Buxton (4th – 8th September) is just a month away; the organisers are now adding the final touches. Geoffrey Newton PRO writes: There are some very interesting events on the ‘people front’ which should prove attractive. The ever popular “History of Mystery” presented by Eddie Dawes has a local interest story on Randolph Osborne Douglas (Randini), Magic of the Orient, and a feature on the late Patrick Page. Steve Short presents an audience with Ian Adair and Michael Bailey presents a tribute to Alan Shaxon. For full details Click Here. To register visit www.magicconvention.co.uk. 3.8.13

Derren Brown Infamous. 2014 tour dates announced, including a visit to Ireland. Announced to date: February: Theatre Royal, Brighton and The Swan, High Wycombe. March: The New Victoria Theatre, Woking and The Grand Opera House, Belfast. April: The Mayflower, Southampton and The Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes and The Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol. June The Lowry, Salford. For more info see What's On or visit www.derrenbrown.co.uk. "Derren Brown Cancels Shows Over Voice Problems" Click Here. 3.8.13

"You want Close Up Magic? We'll give you Close Up Magic" Each day of the London Festival of Magic has a separate theme with experts in that particular field talking about a particular element of the subject. This year's Cards and Coins Day is being held at The Bridewell Theatre (just off Fleet Street) on Thursday November 14th and is a full day and evening of lectures and presentations by an unbelievable line up of talent including John Carney (photo), Dani DaOrtiz, Christian Engblom, Miguel Gea, Charlie Frye, Michael Vincent, Will Houstoun, Peter Woerde and Mahdi Gilbert. It promises to be a sensory overload of technique, presentation tips, sleights, routines and advice to get you thinking, practising and performing at a higher level. Although some of these performers will also be lecturing during the Convention as well, this will be different material to their Convention lectures and performances, and for some, John Carney included, it will be the only lecture they give during either the Convention or Festival. Amazingly good value at just £30 for the day (from www.internationalmagic.com) and if you add other Festival days to the ticket it becomes even cheaper. Book all five days and it works out at just £16 a day to be able to mix with and learn from some of the finest magical talent in the world. You'd be crazy to miss it! 3.8.13

Guinness World Record Attempt at Kidology 2013: "Guinness World Records have agreed for there to be an attempt at a World Record for the most balloon models being made simultaneously at a single venue. This will take place at Kidology 2013 the kids entertainers' convention. Everyone at the convention will take part and will not need to be an expert modeller. Guinness only requires that the official judge regards each entry as an identifiable model. So if you are going to be at Kidology please bring a hand pump with you if you can. If it is successful everybody who takes part will be able to obtain a personalised certificate from Guinness identifying that they are a Guinness World Record Holder. For more information see www.kidologyuk.co.uk." 3.8.13

Peter Wardell's 'Magic State of Mind' goes from strength to strength, presenting fascinating, frank and often outspoken interviews from a broad cross-section of magic and magic related personalities. Recent interviewees include Jonathan Jay, Matt Edmondson, Geoffrey Durham and most recently, Russ Stevens, the man behind RSVPMagic: www.magicstateofmind.com. 3.8.13

Marked 4 Life: Minor Miracles with Marked Cards By Wayne Dobson is reveiwed by Ian Keable this week: "Wayne has an instinct, which few magicians have, for creating effects that really mean something to an audience. For him the method is immaterial so long as it does the business..." Read the full review Click Here. (There's some really strong magic here! DT). 3.8.13

One Day Pickpocket Seminar with James Brown, Sunday 10th November in Bournemouth: "This intensive one-day seminar has been designed especially for close-up magicians who want to add the amazing art of theatrical pickpocketing to their repertoire. There are only a handful of resources on the subject of pickpocketing and they only focus on the technical side and teach nothing about the softer skills of the art like misdirection, attention management and most importantly the mindset required to pickpocket. In this seminar James Brown will disclose all! The skills you create and cultivate throughout the day will help you to add pickpocketing to your close-up magic act. Learn how to steal wallets, watches, phones and ties but, better still, develop the confidence to do it with ease." For more info Click Here. 3.8.13

Catch up with Dynamo tonight. All four shows from the new Dynamo Magician Impossible series are being screened back to back this evening from 7pm on Watch (see TV Magic). In show 1 Dynamo goes to New York but becomes swept up in the backlash from Hurricane Sandy. In show 2 Dynamo visits Ibiza and makes friends with the locals. Show 3 sees Dynamo in Johannesburg and Cape Town and in show 4 he returns home and meets up with Samuel L Jackson, Keith Lemon and Jessica Ennis. 3.8.13

The Word - Redefined. From Mark Leveridge Magic: This must be one of the best, most direct book tests ever devised for use with a totally unprepared borrowed book. Mark Leveridge's book test The Word has been around for many years, but now the gimmick has been redesigned so that the handling is both easier and even more practical. Simple in concept and in execution, the DVD supplied with this new version shows how you can borrow any book and, without any prior knowledge or preparation, you can riffle through the pages to allow a spectator to genuinely freely select any page. The moment the spectator has noted the last word on the top line of his selected page, the book is closed and placed down. Moments later, with no fishing for clues, no memory work or any mental calculations, you will be able to reveal the selected word. Since its release last month, The Word - Redefined has shot to the top of the list of best selling MLM products, with mentalists keen to get access to this hugely practical, impromptu effect. The next time you are invited to perform at the drop of a hat, you could present The Word - Redefined. More details and an online dem can be found at www.markleveridge.co.uk/twr.php. 3.8.13

Victorian Theatre - An Extraordinary Display of Curious Conjuring and Psychic Phenomena! After 4 years, following the birth of their son, Chris and Belinda North are once again working together with a brand new show called Victorian Theatre - An Extraordinary Display of Curious Conjuring and Psychic Phenomena! Immerse yourself in the atmosphere and character that was Victorian Theatre with this unique and unusual presentation. Many mysteries will be shown including the shattering effect of mind power, the strange case of the psychic murderer, an unbelievable demonstration of telekinesis and amazing feats of legerdemain! The presentation culminates with their own version of the Spirit Cabinet which will leave you doubting the evidence of your own eyes... For more information visit www.victoriantheatre.co.uk. 3.8.13

Exonian Magic Convention - Devon. Ozzy Dee writes: There is only one week left to book your stay at the HQ hotel for Devon's only magic convention on Sunday 22nd September. Featuring lectures from Russell Leeds, Wayne Fox, Angelo Carbone and from the USA Geoff Williams, close-up sessions, dealers, a gala show and a three-course meal. Venue: Langstone Cliff Hotel, Mount Pleasant Road, Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Devon EX7 0NA (Map). More details, Click Here. www.exonianmagicsociety.com. Telephone the hotel on 01626 868000 and quote 'Exonian Magic Convention' for a discount on your room. 3.8.13

Magicians Cave Summer Sale. 20% Discount on all orders over £25.00 Plus Free Postage in the UK. Sale now on until Monday 5th August 2013. Simply enter the discount code MCP05 into the voucher code box in your cart, click recalculate and your 20% discount will then be applied! www.magicianscave.co.uk. 3.8.13

The Incredible Mr Goodwin. The Incredible Mr Goodwin (made by Objective Productions and Crook Productions) will take his elaborate stunts around the world after BBC Worldwide closed a raft of international sales. The distributor has sold the UKTV series into 11 territories including the United States, Germany and Australia. Paul Dempsey, president, global markets, BBC Worldwide, said: “Jonathan Goodwin’s presence at BBC Worldwide Showcase, to launch the sale of The Incredible Mr Goodwin earlier this year, had a huge impact on buyers who were swept away by Jonathan’s daredevil stunts. It’s been great to see how quickly this show has been embraced by a wide range of clients.” German commercial broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 has also bought the series, but will also produce its own Goodwin-fronted content around the show. ProSiebenSat.1 is working with BBC Worldwide and UKTV to turn the series into 2 x 180-minute specials and has filmed a raft of new material in Munich in association with German indie Tango Film. “It’s the first time that we’ve ever let a foreign broadcaster do this with one of our shows,” said Jonathan Newman, head of programme distribution and strategy for UKTV. “Germany is a massive territory and a huge opportunity.” 3.8.13

Chris Rawlins lecture -Bolton Magician's Club. James Hodgkiss writes: Bolton Magician's Club is delighted to host Chris Rawlins, the North West's Lancastrian mentalist and memory man. Chris will be presenting his lecture on Wednesday 7th August 2013 at 8.30pm. Chris's lecture will include effects for close-up, parlour and stage with items from his published works and also some that are more exclusive. Chris will give an insight into his take on mentalism and performance, illustrated with effects from his 'Roulette' and his clipboard peek. The venue is the Doffcocker Inn, Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 5QD (Map). There will be an nominal entrance fee of £5.00 for visiting magicians from other societies, who are most welcome. For directions to the Doffcocker Inn please visit www.boltonmagic.co.uk or telephone James Hodgkiss on 01204 522651. 3.8.13

Quick Change Artist Keelan Leyser has just flown back from Hollywood after filming a performance for the next series of the USA TV show Masters of Illusion. This came at the same time as his YouTube clip Click Here has reached a landmark 10 million views! 3.8.13

Free video training for children's entertainers: In June, Mike Clarke ran a 90-minute webinar for people interested in becoming a children's entertainer. People across the globe joined in, including one person in Australia who was listening in at 5am! The webinar was not recorded, but a shortened version of the presentation given can now be viewed online by visiting thekidsmagician.com/become-a-childrens-entertainer. 3.8.13

Merlins of Wakefield have just released their latest Aug/Sep Preview catalogue and it's free! They still offer a printed version or if you prefer, can email you a PDF version. Simply email merlins@btconnect.com for your copy, or call 01924 339933. On Sunday 8th September they are also hosting Merlins Magic Workshop from 10am - 4.30pm. The day is designed for those with some magic knowledge who are looking to improve on their magic ability. For more details, Click Here. 3.8.13

Marc Whincup and Paul Roberts have teamed up for the season to perform their comedy magic and illusion show throughout the summer at www.lightwatervalley.co.uk. 3.8.13

Paul Gordon Lecture - Leicester Magic Circle. Will Gray writes: Paul Gordon presents a new lecture for the Leicester Magic Circle this Monday, 5th August. Paul will be performing effects from his new book Gold Dust. If you've never seen Paul lecture you're in for a treat. Visitors welcome, £10 for non LMC members. Directions to the LMC HQ can be found here: www.leicestermagiccircle.co.uk. 3.8.13

Andrew Normansell is currently taking bookings for his new lecture. Author of "The Man Who Would Be King", "Twilight Lounge" and many other titles, Andrew offers commercial and practical material from years of professional performances, both here in the UK and abroad. For more information and to book visit: www.andrewnormansell.com. 3.8.13

Magicseen Announces New Advertising Manager. Magicseen Editor Mark Leveridge says: "I am pleased to announce that with immediate effect I will be taking over the role of Advertising Manager for Magicseen. Combining this role with the duties of Editor will make it easier to co-ordinate the contents of each issue and to ensure that we are more readily able to integrate our editorial content with the announcements from our advertisers. Magicseen's quality production values and lively writing style make it a natural choice for dealers wishing to be seen by a wide cross section of readers across the UK and around the world. As well as continuing to offer a range of convenient advert sizes at very reasonable prices, we will also be introducing one or two new ideas to help anyone who wishes to make an announcement that will be heard the best opportunity to do so. With a new magic season just around the corner, the next issue (issue 52 Sept.13) is the perfect time for magic suppliers to let the world know about their new releases and to remind readers that they exist! All enquiries about any aspect of advertising in Magicseen should therefore now be sent directly to me at markleveridge@magicseen.co.uk." 3.8.13

The Collected Card Magic of Mark Leveridge Volume 3 is reviewed by Jay Fortune this week, Click Here • "Meet the mentalist magician Philip Escoffey" Click Here • "9 to 5: Ali Cook’s success as a magician is no illusion" Click Here • "Street Magician Dynamo draws crowds to Wrexham" Click Here • "Chaos as crowds queue to see magician Dynamo" Click Here • "SoCal Magician Creates Bubble Wrap Bike" Click Here • "Magician Movies Like The Prestige" Click Here • "From magic circle to the boxing ring" Click Here • Jack Stephens reviews Perfect 10 - 10 Easy to Learn Card Magic 'Miracles' by Martin Peirce this week, Click Here • "Fire, blindfolds and sports cars... how the Dynamo Magician turned Coulthard into a nervous wreck" Click Here • "Watford entertainer Auntie Julie reaches final of Netmums.com's top children’s party entertainer" Click Here • "It’s Dynamo’s kind of magic" Click Here • "PSY Hangs Out With David Blaine And Rides On A Fake Horse For New Advert" Click Here • "David Copperfield's magical relationship with God and Judaism" Click Here • "How It's Made, Playing Cards" Click Here • "Hugh Jackman Stirs Speculation for Broadway ‘Houdini’" Click Here • "Magician packs up his box of tricks for UK tour" Click Here • That's all for another week, many thanks for all your news submissions, see you next week, Duncan. 3.8.1