Number 685 - 10th August 2013
Juggling
with your mind... International Magic is delighted to announce the line up
of performers already confirmed for the Mentalism Day, a part of their London
Festival of Magic, to be held on November 13th at The Bridewell Theatre in
London. Overseas performers include, from Germany, Florian Severin (photo),
author of the highly acclaimed book "What Lies Inside" (sample chapter
Click Here), Patrik Kuffs, one of Canada's foremost thinkers in the area of
mind reading and Charlie Frye. What is juggler doing at a mind reading day? Well
those of you who have witnessed Charlie's stunning personal version of Any Card
at Any Number will need no convincing that he has a mind as fertile and
dedicated to mentalism as it is to juggling. The UK will be represented by
Morgan & West, fresh from their Edinburgh Festival run, and Pete Turner, one of
the breakthrough names in new and devious thinking when it comes to mind
reading. It promises to be a brilliant day with something for everyone who has
an interest in the fastest growing branch of magic. Tickets are available from
www.internationalmagic.com and are £30 each, but remember to check out the
other day topics running all that week as the more days you sign up for the
cheaper they become! A ticket for all 5 days costs just £80.
10.8.13
World-renowned
illusionist Derren Brown and collaborator Andy Nyman tell WhatsOnStage about
their latest show, Infamous, which runs at the West End's Palace Theatre until
17th August,
Click
Here. "Derren Brown 'terrified' as man falls from balcony at show"
Click Here. "Doctor reveals further details of Derren Brown horror fall,
theatre owner responds"
Click Here. "Derren Brown Questions What Couple 'Were Up To' Following
'Terrifying' Fall"
Click Here.
10.8.13
Dan
Hauss - UK lecture tour. Tour organiser Steve Gore writes: Dan Hauss, the
creator of Flow, Rattled, Sleeping Queens, Lit and newest release Rubber Band
Thru Hand, has a wealth of unpublished underground magic to share with you! His
creative talents have been a secret source for many top magicians including
David Blaine, Dynamo and Paul Harris. With many more exciting creations soon to
be launched, Dan Hauss will let you into his world of magic. He will show you
how to use magic in your everyday life to give you a social edge, meet people,
and be the life of the party. Magic is a way of life, not just a job. This
lecture will stress the real secret of magic and that is how to connect with
people, not alienate them with your well practiced tricks. On top of learning
some brilliant never before seen effects, you will come away from this lecture
with a better outlook on how to use magic to enhance your personality and
connect with your audience. Dan doesn't have a set window to tour in, but we are
looking at around April 2014. Please contact
magic@stevegore.co.uk for fee details.
10.8.13
Kidology
Convention updates. From the organisers: "Kidology, the UK Convention for
Kids Entertainers (9th and 10th September) have now booked the Slade Rooms,
where the night before event is held, from 12.30 mid-day on Monday 9th
September. So early arrivals will be able to meet up and have a drink. Also,
Craig Petty and Russell Leeds will be giving a lecture on 'getting into the
Restaurant Entertainment market for kid's entertainers'. Craig and his business
partner Russell bring a wealth of experience to this subject, which will be well
worth going to. For full details go to
www.kidologyuk.co.uk."
10.8.13
Magic Night at Madame JoJo's - London:
"Magic Night returns with some human puppetry, juggling knives, and every
celebrity you have ever known with a psychic comedium who will tell you exactly
what you think of him! Rob James presents some tricky illusions and uses one of
you as his magic puppet, AJ will be endangering life, limb and the front row and
also inviting you to hurl sharp objects at him. Anil Desai the comedy chameleon
will be with us incarnating every celeb you have ever known and Pete Antoniou
(photo) uses his formidable psychic power to know exactly what you are thinking
about him. Psychic phenomena? Con-man? Who knows? Christian Lee will compere the
proceedings."
Magic Night at Madame JoJo's. Friday September 6th. Doors open 7.00pm. Show starts at 7.45pm. Tickets £12 including entry to
Good Foot. £14 on the door. Show ticket plus dinner: £25. Tickets:
www.wegottickets.co.uk Madame
JoJo's, 8-10 Brewer Street, London W1F 0SE 020 734 3040
www.magicnight.co.uk.
10.8.13
Illusions
Magic Bar & Smoke & Mirrors are looking for two Assistant Managers:
"Illusions Magic Bar & Smoke & Mirrors are looking for two Assistant
Managers to
work together as a team (so couples may apply, but it is not a necessity). Since
Illusions opened in 2007 the bar has received many awards - we are now looking
for 2 individuals to join our magical team. The Magic Themed Bars are unique to
Bristol and the UK, and together with the live music, magic and a young friendly
staff, offer a great, welcoming atmosphere, where nobody feels out of place. We
are currently seeking two outwardly friendly and enthusiastic individuals to
help lead our teams. Along with a strong background in the industry, you must be
flexible and able to demonstrate attention to detail. The successful applicant
must meet the following criteria: Hold a Personal License, Cask Ale Cellar
Management, and at least 2 years in bar management. If you are up for the
challenge and would like to join us then please send a cover letter detailing
why, along with your CV. Must be available to work unsociable hours as this
role involves many late night/weekend shifts and bank holidays. Closing date
will be 23rd August 2013 all applicants will be contacted after this date." Mark
Bennett, Director, Illusions Magic Bar Bristol Ltd 07974 005 280
www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk.
10.8.13
Case
21 - Cards through Case by Ben Howard: "This is not a card trick, it's a
trick with cards. The spectator freely selects, signs and returns a card to a
shuffled deck. The illusionist picks up the card case, still holding the deck,
and shows the card case on all sides and then places the deck square on the face
of the card case... the deck of cards slowly melts through the face of the case
in full view. This can be viewed from all sides and angles in confidence. As
soon as the deck is fully inside the case, there is one card resting on top of
the case - it's the selected card..." For more info and to watch a video visit
www.dudethatscoolmagic.co.uk.
10.8.13
Illusions
Magic Bar will be 6 years old on September 8th: "Once again we are pulling
out all the stops with live magic from the man who fooled Penn & Teller and former
Magic Circle Stage Magic Magician of the Year, John Archer, plus the very funny
comedy duo The Wizards of Odd and Matt Edwards (photo), who, having just
travelled the world will be performing his great comedy act live at Illusions!
Tickets are available from our website
www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk for only £8, doors open at 6pm."
10.8.13
The
V Deck By Peter Nardi: "Imagine vanishing an entire deck of cards while they
are in your spectator's hands. Peter Nardi's V-Deck is a bang-up-to-date awesome
take on a classic illusion!" Find out more and watch a video at
www.alakazam.co.uk. Also, Alakazam Vlog 16 is out - meet the team!
Click Here.
10.8.13
10.8.13
Chris
Wardle’s ‘New Tricks’ Lecture – Harrogate Society of Magicians. James Ward
writes: Chris Wardle, A.I.M.C., makes a welcome return to The Harrogate Society
of Magicians to present his lecture ‘New Tricks’ on Monday, 19th August at 8pm.
This is a collection of brand new material covering close-up, stand-up,
children’s magic and mentalism, with the emphasis on cunning, streamlined
methods which produce baffling effects. Anyone who saw Chris last time he
lectured at Harrogate will know they are in for an evening of practical material
they will use. His ideas have appeared in books, magazines and have been used on
TV and the stage. He has a regular column in The Magic Circle’s monthly
magazine. Geoffrey Durham once remarked, ‘Every time I come across a brainchild
of Chris Wardle’s, I learn something.’ So come along and learn something on
Monday, 19th August. Even better, we’re offering free admission to other magic
society members, so you really can’t afford not to be there. For further details
on Chris, visit:
www.chriswardle.co.uk. We meet at Harrogate Conservative Club, 61B East
Parade, Town Centre, Harrogate HG1 5LQ (Map).
Any questions, please contact our President, Bob McBratney on 01423 340568 or
email wow@mcbratneymagic.co.uk.
10.8.13
Mind
Games: "A show featuring spectacular illusions from Chris De Rosa,
Hysterical Hypnosis from Jim Smart and impossible mentalism from Kris Blak. A
unique show that will bewilder and bemuse the senses. Join us and take a seat,
where we will be challenging your beliefs! Appearing and disappearing, Friday
13th September at Denny Civic Theatre, St Marys Way, Dumbarton G82 1NL (Map).
Tickets available from
www.bestacts.co.uk or call 0845 388 9648. £12 Adults £10 Concessions. Doors
open 7pm, show begins 7.30pm."
10.8.13
Conjuring
at the Court – Thursday 29th August. From the organisers: Conjuring at the
Court features the welcome return of magician, hypnotist, pickpocket and
‘professional opportunist’ James Brown 9photo) who stunned the audience at his
last visit, three years ago. Alan Hudson is one of our favourite performers:
very funny and very magical. Matthew Le Mottee, a new face at the Court,
recently gave a most impressive performance at a Magic Circle competition. Also
on his maiden Court outing is that entertaining exponent of magical fun, the
wonderful James Fortune. Compere is co-producer Russell Levinson. The show is in
the lovely function room of the Drayton Court, 2 The Avenue, West Ealing, London
W13 8PH (Map).
Doors open 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm. It’s just 12 minutes from Central
London by overground rail from Paddington to West Ealing, and the pub is 2
minutes’ walk from the station. Or take the Central or District line to Ealing
Broadway, and change to overground or a take a short bus ride. Parking is free
after 6.30pm. Come early to enjoy dinner in one of the bars or the lovely dining
room, or, if it’s sunny, what may be the largest beer garden in London! Do book
early to make sure of a place; tickets still just £10 from
www.conjuringatthecourt.com."
10.8.13
"Be
Brilliant, Be Brief, Be Gone." Dominick Zwolinski shares his insights,
specifically into close-up magic in a corporate setting, in his lecture "Be
Brilliant, Be Brief, Be Gone". His vast experience of performing for hundreds of
top companies such as Aston Martin, HSBC, Hewlett Packard and Procter and
Gamble, coupled with his experiences as an event manager for one of the world's
top corporations, give him a unique insight and knowledge base from which to
share. The lecture is now taking bookings from magic societies, and can be seen
this Monday at The Magic Circle (members only). To enquire about him bringing
his lecture to your club from October onwards contact Dominick via
www.magicdominick.org.
10.8.13
Illusions
'Bar Magician of the Year 2013'. Illusions Magic Bar are holding a
competition to find the Bar Magician of the Year 2013. An 'Illusions Magic Bar
Magician of the Year 2013' trophy, £200 cash and vouchers from
Alakazam Magic UK will
be awarded to the winner. The aim of the competition is to provide an
entertaining, routined Magic Bar Act which furthers the art of magic. The
performance must be no less than 10 minutes and no longer than 15 minutes. The
performance must be given behind the Magic Bar at Illusions Magic Bar. There
will be two magical and three lay judges and the results and Trophy will be
announced and presented on the night. The competition will take place in
September. For full entry details contact
www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk.
10.8.13
Magic
with Punch. Punch and Judy has been around in England since 1662 (it's
mentioned in the Diary of Samuel Pepys) and in Wellesbourne, near Warwick, lives
a man who not only carries on that tradition but also teaches the next
generation of performers or Punch Professors as they are known. Mel Harvey
started performing Punch and Judy back in the Seventies and was himself taught
by the late Guy Higgins of Worcester who had a permanent site on Weymouth beach.
Mel now has a very colourful collection of Punch and Judy figures mostly carved
in wood but there are also some speciality puppets made from papier-mâché. To
make sure that the tradition does not die out Mel teaches the rudiments of Punch
and Judy. One student came all the way from Damascus to learn the show and is
now performing in a shopping centre in Dubai! Mel performs his shows all over
the country at fetes, private parties and weddings and for special “Seaside”
days at schools and retirement homes. Mel often includes his comedy magic as a
warm-up to the Punch and Judy Shows and he is the only Punch and Judy man in
Warwickshire to be awarded full membership of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold
Star. Read more about Mel in the Stratford Observer
Click Here.
10.8.13
Angelo
Carbone Lecture - The London Society of Magicians. Mark Saltissi, LSM
Secretary, writes: The London Society of Magicians is delighted to host a
lecture by Angelo Carbone on 10th September 2013 at 7.00pm. Angelo Carbone is a
prolific magic inventor and magic consultant. He has created magic for Tenyo,
consulted with top name magicians, contributed over 50 effects to various magic
periodicals and consulted on several TV shows. Angelo is also a member of The
Inner Magic Circle. During the lecture Angelo will talk about creativity and let
us into the mind of a magic inventor. We should also expect to see various
baffling effects performed and explained. Venue: Davenports Magic Shop, 7
Charing Cross Underground Arcade, The Strand, London WC2N 4HZ. Start time 7pm.
Visitors welcome, pay on door £10 (Lectures are FREE for members). Please
reserve a place by emailing the LSM Secretary Mark using
lsmmagic@hotmail.co.uk.
Our website is
http://lsmmagic.magicandweb.com.
10.8.13
BAFTA
nominated Film and Television Director, Alex Winckler is looking to speak to
magicians as research for his forthcoming Feature Film. Since being named Screen
International Star of Tomorrow, Alex has gone on to direct an adaptation of
Richard Bean’s Harvest for C4’S Coming Up strand and a new sit-com he developed
for E4, Living the Dream. He has a feature in development with BBC Films, which
he is writing with Nick Payne, and he recently finished a pilot of Tom Basden’s
new BBC sit-com Very Few Fish. He is currently directing the new series of My
Mad Fat Diary (E4). Alex is looking to speak to magicians about the day-to-day
details of their working life, i.e. how and when they first got started and how
frequently they perform etc. Alex is also looking into the possibility of a
magician to play the protagonist in his feature. Anyone who would like to chat
to Alex or discuss this further, please contact Sarah Bason:
sarahbason@yahoo.co.uk.
10.8.13
Dynamo
- Nothing Is Impossible: My Story: "'I immersed myself in magic. I read
every book I could get my hands on and practised and practised, day after day
and night after night. Magic became my world...some might say an obsession.'
When you're a kid life can seem tough; tougher for some than others. But the
darkest of times can also be the most enlightening. When his late granddad
showed him magic for the first time, Steven Frayne knew there was more to life
than hiding from bullies. He had a destiny. A calling. In that moment Dynamo was
born: the most exciting magician of the 21st century. Since then, Dynamo has
shocked, thrilled and amazed men, women and children, from all walks of life,
all over the world. With his mind-blowing illusions, he has catalysed a whole
new era of magic. Now, in his very first book, Dynamo invites you to join him on
a breathtaking journey across the globe. Be prepared to levitate Lindsay Lohan
in Singapore, transform snow into diamonds in the Austrian mountains, and walk
on water across the River Thames. Along the way, he reveals how to make the
impossible possible, what it takes to pull off the greatest stunts man has seen,
and why everyone needs magic in their lives. This is no illusion. This is the
real story of the awe-inspiring Dynamo." This new paperback edition has just
been published and is available from Amazon.co.uk,
Click Here (MagicWeek receives a small commission on all sales generated via
this link).
10.8.13
Stephen
Shaw's MagicBlog.Org is well worth a visit:
http://magicblog.org.
10.8.13
"Just call him the Houdini of the skies. Parachutist risks horrible death with escape from plummeting locked box!" Click Here • "Under no illusion why magician is back in town" Click Here • "Interview: Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch on becoming Houdini’s wife" Click Here • "Dynamo reveals beating bullies spurred him to become world famous magician" Click Here • "Dynamo vs. Coulthard" Click Here • "What a daredevil: David Blaine swaps magic for motorcycles as he gives his model fiancée a lift through New York's streets" Click Here • "Watch: This Magician Can Do Crazy Things to Your Brain" Click Here • "Summit Entertainment Plans 'Now You See Me' Magician Heist Sequel" Click Here • "Forget the rabbit, magician Justin Willman can make a spider crawl out of your phone" Click Here • "Meet the Catholic Priest Who's Bringing Card Tricks to the Magic Castle This Week" Click Here • Well, that's all for this week, your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 10.8.13