Number 686 - 17th August 2013
Bill's
Magical Mystery Tour. All aboard for a star-studded variety show paying tribute
to Blackpool's behind-the-scenes wizard. On Saturday 31st August, the
Pavilion Theatre in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens will host a one-off charity night
of variety with an all-star cast including Phoenix Nights star Dave Spikey,
Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist magician James More and local panto and BBC
Radio Lancashire favourite Steve Royle, together with a host of surprise guests.
The show, Bill’s Magical Mystery Tour, is dedicated to the memory of Bill
Thompson, of Blackpool’s House of Secrets magic shop. Although not well-known by
the general public, as one of the most well-respected behind-the-scenes figures
in the world of magic, Bill was responsible for setting numerous would-be
wizards on the road to stardom.
Hosting the show will be TV magician and Countdown favourite, Paul Zenon who’s
returning to his old stomping ground of Blackpool for the variety night. As well
as being one of Bill’s many protégés, Zenon is also one of the show’s producers,
having known Bill since he was just eleven years old and worked alongside him
for many years in the Promenade Magic and Joke shop. Paul describes Bill as his
lifelong friend and mentor and is proud to be associated with the memorial show.
He says: “Bill was responsible for my career and that of many others in show
business. We all miss him greatly and hope that this night of variety will
capture some of his spirit and be a fitting tribute to this hugely talented,
warm and generous man.”
Proceeds from the show will go to The Wonderbus, a charity set up by Paul which
provides isolated and house-bound older people with a bit of fun and
companionship by taking them on day-trips to see a range of events and shows –
such as this one! To find out more about The Wonderbus, visit
www.thewonderbus.org.
Tickets are priced at £15 each with a special offer of half price for OAPs.
Suitable for 14+, tickets are available from
www.blackpoollive.co.uk (booking fees may apply) or by calling 0844 856
1111. "Under no illusion why magician is back in town"
Click Here.
17.8.13
International
News. This story and accompanying video from The Huffington Post really
caught my eye. It encapsulates just what makes magic 'magic' in just a few short
minutes. DT. "...For small business owners, turning your passion into profit
always comes with risk. But when that passion is something as unique as magic,
you better hope you have one heck of a trick up your sleeve..."
Click Here. Also see
www.mariothemagician.com.
17.8.13
West
End Magic, Leicester Square Theatre, 22nd September: West End Magic returns
to the Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday September 22nd with a family friendly
show presenting some of the most exciting names in magic and variety in the UK.
This show will feature illusion, mind magic, knife juggling, comedy magic and
more. Starring Oliver Tabor,
Mat Riccardo,
Morgan & West and
Christian Lee. The
Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX (Map).
Doors 3pm, Show 4pm, Tickets: £15 full price, £10 children, £40 family ticket
for four. West End Magic launched in 2007 at the Albany Theatre in Deptford.
Born from the Demon young magicians' club whose members met weekly at
Davenports for 15
years. The club disbanded in 1997. Ten years later some of the original members
reformed for 'A Night of Magic' in 2007. Changing its name to 'West End Magic' it
now has a permanent home at the Leicester Square Theatre, a stone's throw from
the theatres which used to house Houdini and Chung Ling Soo in the early 1900’s
during magic’s golden heyday.
17.8.13
Saturday
21st September 2013. What will you be doing? Jay Fortune writes: Why not
give a moment to do a little magic and raise smiles and money for charity. It's
Magic Moments Day once again and we're looking for magicians to stage their own
event, club together with their local society and give the gift of magic. Please
visit our
Magic Moments page to read all about it and help make this year's day the
best yet. No contribution is too little. Times are difficult for many, and the
strain on charities has never been greater. Let's do what we can as magicians
and make someone's day on Magic Moments Day - Saturday 21st September. To get
involved please visit our page here on MagicWeek.
17.8.13
Ali Cook is performing with Eddie Izzard and Josh Widdicombe this Sunday,
18th August, at
the V Festival (Weston Stage). For more info and last minute
tickets see
www.vfestival.com. Ali talks about the
alternative magic scene to the original alternative comedian Alexei "Ullo John
Got A New Motor" Sayle, on The Radio 2 Arts Show:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b037psw0 (1 hour 7 mins in). "'Sometimes it’s hard to add humour to magic'
Perfect Playlist: Ali Cook chooses his comedy favourites"
Click Here. "Ali Cook talks Principles and Deceptions, Get
Lucky, Epic and The Anomaly"
www.indielondon.co.uk. See
What's On for Ali's tour dates.
17.8.13
PropDog
are now advertising with MagicWeek: PropDog Ltd, is a company dedicated to the
design, manufacture and retail of magic props and gimmicks. Launched in April
2012 and based in Twickenham, West London, PropDog is owned and run by
professional magician Dave Bonsall. With over 10 years of prop manufacturing
experience, the products created and sold are aimed at working professionals and
serious magicians. PropDog are the creators of the Ring Flight Revolution, the
Bonsalope, Coloured Card on Ceiling Wax and many other products used by hundreds
of professional performers around the globe. They are currently making props for
The Illusionist's worldwide tour and specialise in custom 'one off' commissions.
To browse PropDog's online product range visit
www.propdog.co.uk. All
items on the website are in stock and are always dispatched the same day where
possible. To follow the manufacturing side of the company, you can find us on
Facebook at
www.facebook.com/PropDog, please do visit and like our page.
17.8.13
Hot
Flush by Wayne Dobson: "The magician shows five cards replicating a poor
poker hand. If you have the worst hand in poker and you're a magician, what do
you do? Click your fingers and turn them into a royal flush! Hot Flush is
easy to do and ideal for the beginner; but don't be fooled by its simplicity.
Professional magicians have been using 'Hot Flush' gaining fantastic reactions
in the real world. A gambling effect which won't take hours of practice to
perfect, and will give you great reactions. Custom made gimmick on Bicycle
stock." Shipping August 26th. Pre-order today via
www.magictao.co.uk (and watch the video demo too).
17.8.13
Marc
Oberon Lecture. Ian Brennan writes: South Staffordshire Society of Magicians
are pleased to announce Marc Oberon for their opening lecture for the 2013/14
season. Marc will be lecturing on Monday September 2nd, in the Longford House,
Staffordshire, WS11 1SJ (Map)
see www.3sm.org.uk for more details.
Entrance £5 for non members. Marc is a world-renowned performer and has won
multiple awards around the globe for his close-up, parlour and stage magic. He
is known for his work on the Master Deck, for the 'Create Your Own Magic System'
and more recently for Clean Cash. Marc has performed worldwide, including at the
Magic Castle and is bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to our club
for you to share. The South Staffordshire Society of Magicians is a friendly
club and we welcome magicians from a wide variety of disciplines. Come along and
enjoy an evening of magic. For more details visit
www.3sm.org.uk or email
brennan@3sm.org.uk.
17.8.13
Mark
Shortland's 'On and Off Stage' lecture - now booking for April and May 2014.
British Magical Champion, British Magical Comedy Champion, IBM Stage Magician of
the Year, IBM Close-up Magician of the Year, Four times winner of IBM Comedy
Trophy, Member of the Inner Magic Circle, regular performer at The Magic Castle,
Hollywood and twice nominated for 'Parlour Magician of the Year' at The Magic
Castle; that's Mark! Not many magicians have had the success that Mark has
achieved in the relatively short time he has been performing. This full evening
lecture will show what got him to where he is today. This is one of the few
lectures focusing on cabaret and stand up performances. Mark's show has won him
many awards and the backbone of the act will be explained, along with theory,
choosing volunteers and audience management. The lecture will also include
close-up routines, children's effects and mentalism. Literally something for
everyone; all delivered in Mark's wonderful performing style. Mark currently
performs around the world for the top cruise lines, as well as corporate and
private functions throughout the UK and indeed worldwide. Dates are available in
April and May 2014. Email
mark.shortland@mac.com also see
www.markshortland.com.
17.8.13
Praise
for Bristol's Smoke & Mirrors! Mark Shortland writes: As Magicians we will
always look out for live magic shows wherever we are. Well, now there is a new venue
to visit. Smoke and Mirrors in Bristol. It is not Illusions Bar which I thought,
they are two completely different venues, both run brilliantly by Mark Bennett.
I was invited down to perform last weekend and had an absolute blast. The venue
is like a mini Magic Castle. Mark has done great work getting this project up
and running and has thought of everything a performer would need for performing
to a great audience. People have specifically bought tickets to come out and
watch a magic show. They even pay extra to sit in the front row! I cannot speak
highly enough of the venue and what Mark has achieved. Just like if you go to
Bath you would take in Noel Britten's Bizarre Bath, well, if you are in
Bristol then go to Smoke and Mirrors. To check out what is on go to
www.smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk. Mark is also open to putting shows on, so if
you are in the area and want to fill an extra night contact Mark and he will
organise all the advertising for your show. Great job Mark, thanks for the
invite, every success for the future and I look forward to coming back to
perform again next year.
17.8.13
Loose Ends,
with Paul Daniels.
Danny Wallace is joined by Will Young, Paul Daniels, Miranda Sawyer and
Laura Wilson for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With
music from Nadine Shah. 6.15pm on Saturday 24th August on BBC Radio 4.
Also see TV Magic.
17.8.13
Northumberland
Village Varieties Show. Chris Cross is reviving the variety show with 'The
Northumberland Village Varieties Show'. After selling out in April, the show
returns to The Northumberland Hall in Alnwick on 6th September. "An evening of
razzle dazzle excitement! Expect performances of magnificent magic and
illusion, stand-up comedy at its best, live local musicians, daring stunts of
escapology and contortion, a world-renowned unicyclist juggler, a hat
manipulation expert and many more acts." Tickets are expected to sell out for
this show so get them while you can! Tickets are just £7.00 each in person at
The Alnwick Tourist Information Centre or via
www.chris-cross.co.uk.
17.8.13
Silly
Scott was the winner of the first ever Portsmouth and District Magic Circle
& Mystic Matt "Children's Entertainer of the Year Award"
which took place in July. The award is in memory of children's
entertainer and popular member of the Portsmouth and District Magic Circle
Matthew Tasker and the competition was held at his former junior school. The
standard of the competition was very high and Silly Scott was voted overall
winner by the audience of 140 children who attend the school. The club will
formally present the award to Scott at their Jumbo Day on Sunday, 3rd November. www.jumboday.co.uk
www.sillyscott.co.uk.
17.8.13
Morgan
& West's Magical Menagerie, Tuesday 3rd September at 7.30pm, Oxford. Roll
up roll up! Time travelling magicians Morgan & West bring you another season of
the UK's finest magical talent psychics, conjurers and prestidigitators live and
in captivity! The first show of the new season features Young & Strange and Paul
Dabek (photo). Venue: Arts at The Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AQ (Map).
www.oldfirestation.org.uk.
17.8.13
Sean
Heydon will be the goal keeper in the 'Balls to Cancer' charity football
match on Sunday 18th August. Sean’s team will be playing the Hollyoaks’ and
Eastenders’ cast. For more information about the charity, to make a donation, or
for ticket information visit the Balls To Cancer website at
www.ballstocancer.com.
Sean puts the fizz into his magic in a routine he'd created to help raise
awareness for the charity,
Click Here
. You can follow Sean on facebook at
www.facebook.com/alternativemagician and on twitter @seanheydon too.
17.8.13
Two
new releases from Kovari Magic for the I.B.M. convention in Buxton. Kovari
writes: "The Three Shell Game Revisited. I managed to add six improvements and
invented two new moves for this well known routine. You will receive: 3
different working surfaces, 3 walnut shells, 3 egg shells and 3 half golf balls.
These items are moulded and glazed to improve the working. Also supplied, an
instructional DVD. Also just released: New and impossible see-through billet
knife! See
www.kovarimagic.com for more details." Also see
www.magicconvention.co.uk.
17.8.13
I'm Spazticus.
10.50pm on Wednesday 21st August on Channel 4:
"The new series of the hidden camera show continues, with individuals
with varying disabilities pranking members of the public in cheeky and
irreverent ways. In this edition, the general public are amazed by blind
street magician 'Blindymo', and unsuspecting guests on new TV Food show
'Dine At Mine' are shocked when their amputee host stirs up trouble with
her custom made arm whisk. Then things get really saucy when they nose
around her bedroom. Max acts like a right little baby, but luckily a
member of public is on hand to burp him. And people are still talking
back to the talking guide dog." See
TV Magic.
17.8.13
Deceptive Behaviors. Dean Odell writes: "I am conducting a research study for my Forensic Psychology MSc about beliefs regarding deceptive behaviors. As magicians I would be grateful for your participation https://qtrial.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3ISxNGEezSqvcKF." 17.8.13
"‘Now
You See Me’ Sequel Materializes At Lionsgate"
Click Here • "Vanishing act as magic series over in a flash"
Click Here • "Tom Binns
is Ian D Montfort: Psychic Fayre, Pleasance Courtyard, review"
Click Here • "Magician plans to 'walk on water'"
Click Here •
"Can you pull a player out of that hat, Dynamo? Magician wows Welbeck and Evra
behind the scenes at Old Trafford"
Click Here • Adam Steinfeld has posted the second installment of his new
Houdini-horror web series at
www.yohoudini.com • "Magician Louie Foxx and his little helper"
Click Here • "Magician David Copperfield to Continue 2013 Shows at MGM
Grand"
Click Here • "Zatanna’s hocus pocus history trailer for Injustice: Gods
Among Us appears"
Click Here • "Magic Capital of the World is right here in Colon, Michigan"
Click Here • "Magician Justin Willman uses tech for tricks"
Click Here • "Carnival of Wonders Inspires Audience's Imagination"
Click Here • "The Illusionists UK Tour Comes To Portsmouth Guildhall"
Click Here • "World premiere for tale of a master 'illusionist'"
Click Here • "Derren Brown is right, theatres can be terrifying, so play
safe"
Click Here • Many thanks for your news submission as ever. See you next
week, Duncan.
17.8.13