Number 687 - 24th August 2013

Extra UK Tour Dates Added: The Illusionists: Witness the Impossible. From the producers: "Direct from a completely sold out season at the Sydney Opera house in Australia, William Morris Endeavour present the most important live magic show currently touring the world. Seven of the most incredible illusionists on earth enact mind bending acts of magic and illusion, many of which have never been seen before. Each Illusionist is a master in their own field. With an assembled cast of 20 sidekicks, they will perform a powerful mix of their most outrageous and unbelievable acts. Audiences will witness jaw dropping acts of grand illusion, levitation, mind-reading, disappearance and for the first time ever in history, a full view water torture escape. Performed by the acclaimed escapologist Andrew Basso, he will hold his breath for over 4 minutes whilst attempting to escape from his underwater cell. This group of world-class performers take their cue from the showmanship of the great illusionists of the past - such as Harry Houdini – and pair it with a new and updated contemporary aesthetic, whose set and costume design lend the genre a theatricality and artistry that has rarely been seen before. This critically acclaimed production has played to sold out crowds in Australia, Asia, South America, and is currently in the middle of its World Tour."

24th September Bournemouth BIC

25th September Oxford New Theatre

27th September Blackpool Opera House

28th & 29th September Edinburgh Festival Theatre

30th September Dundee Caird Hall

2nd & 3rd October Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

4th & 5th October Manchester O2 Apollo

6th October Sheffield City Hall

8th October Wolverhampton Civic Hall

9th October Plymouth Pavilions

10th October Portsmouth Guildhall

11th & 12th October London Hammersmith Apollo

For more information and to book visit www.theillusionistslive.com or www.kililive.com/artists/illusionists. 24.8.13

International Magic are very proud to announce that Rob Zabrecky will be appearing for the first time in the UK, both in the Gala Show and Close Up Gala at The International Magic Convention in London (Mermaid Theatre, November 15th - 17th). Rob has won the Stage Magician of the Year Award at The Magic Castle for the last two years with his incredible character based act known as "Odd Man". The undoubted hit and highlight of The Genii Bash last year and amongst some of magic's greatest talent, Rob creates a totally unique atmosphere on stage. Empathetic in his weirdness, his act is like an episode from The Twilight Zone, where magic, art, humour and eccentricity blend together. The Convention has a history of introducing great American magical talent to this country. Rob will be no exception to the long list of performers of whom you may not have heard of before the Convention, but will be the one that you'll be talking about after his debut showing. Alongside his Convention performances, Rob will be presenting his lecture "An Exploration at the Intersection of Magic and Theatre" on Friday November 15th as just one of the elements of The Festival of Magic's "Character and Stagecraft Day". He will explore the 26 integral components for presenting magic as theatre... in alphabetical order! If you want to take your magic to a higher level and create a more theatrical performance you will not want to miss this day. More details at www.internationalmagic.com. 24.8.13

Portsmouth Jumbo Day. Sean Lobban writes: On Sunday 3rd November, Portsmouth & District Magic Circle will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its annual one day convention - Jumbo Day. This year, in addition to the many regular features, we will have a balloon modelling workshop by Graham Lee, a mini–lecture by Jimmy Carlo and The Star Lecturer will be the one and only Fay Presto! The day closes with a Gala Show featuring Fay Presto, Nick Einhorn, Kockov and Jimmy Carlo. You can apply for tickets now with the registration form available on the website, www.jumboday.co.uk. And new for 2013, it is possible to register and pay for your tickets online. Fast Track tickets are £17.50 for adults and £9.00 for under 16’s. As a way of celebrating our 50th Anniversary, we would like to give a ‘gift’ to those who register early. Every person registering for a Fast Track Ticket before Monday 30th September 2013 will receive £5.00 off the price of a 2014 Jumbo Day ticket. This includes those who have already registered. Latest information available at www.facebook.com/PortsmouthJumboDay. 24.8.13

Ben Hart’s solo debut show “The Outsider”, produced by Corrie McGuire for Objective and Stephen Baker, has been wowing both critics and packed audiences at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival - garnering a string of four and five star reviews in the process. The show, directed by Objective’s Head of Magic Anthony Owen, has also just been nominated for the prestigious Time Out and Soho Theatre "TO&ST" Best Cabaret Award – the only magic show to feature in the nominations this year. The Outsider closes its Edinburgh run on Sunday 25th August at the Underbelly on Cowgate (5.05pm) with some limited seats available and on sale via the Fringe website www.edfringe.com. “A spellbinding hour” – London Metro “A genuine sense of wonder” – Time Out “Revolutionary….altogether a new species of conjurer” – West End Wilma “Easily one of the best performances I’ve seen at the 2013 Fringe” – Black Diamond FM. Follow Ben Hart on Twitter @itsbenhart or www.benhartmagic.co.uk. 24.8.13

Sheffield Street Magic Festival - Saturday 31st August: "Sheffield city centre will be playing host to the first Sheffield Street Magic Festival between 1pm and 7pm on Saturday 31st August. There will be performers across Fargate and Barkers Pool. The festival includes close-up magic, bizarre magic, children’s entertainers and will end with a stage show at Barkers Pool, featuring top acts hosted by the excellent Steve Faulkner. The event is free to attend and more information can be found at www.facebook.com/events/165168950330040/?fref=ts." 24.8.13

The Card Collection www.cards4magic.co.uk are holding an August Bank Holiday Sale, running until 10am on Tuesday 27th August! All orders with a goods value of £25.00 and over will receive a 10% discount. All orders with a goods value of £40.00 and over will receive a 15% discount. And, especially for the August Bank Holiday Sale, any orders with a goods value of £70.00 and over will receive a 20% discount. Don't miss out, visit www.cards4magic.co.uk today! 24.8.13

Dine with Debbie. Celebrity Come Dine with Me is being repeated at 6.50pm on Wednesday 4th September on More4: "Four celebrities compete to prove their worth as the best dinner party host: the country's most famous magician's assistant 'the lovely' Debbie McGee; former MP, and aspiring stand-up comic, Lembit Opik; radio presenter and former 11 O'Clock Show and RI:SE host Iain Lee; and Essex glamour model and party girl Jodie Marsh. Debbie kicks off the week in style in the luxurious Thames-side home she shares with husband Paul Daniels. She's decided to cut a few corners, using some shop bought items - which fails to impress one eagle-eyed guest. On night two, Lembit claims to have an innate culinary ability - but his unusual cooking methods leave a lot to be desired." See TV Magic. 24.8.13

Magic Moments Day 2013. Saturday 21st September is shaping up nicely. Jay Fortune is looking for magicians of all descriptions who wish to participate in an event in Hertfordshire on Magic Moments Day. If you are in the area and have any time to spare, please contact Jay as he is seeking quite a few performers for a large event. All raising money for good causes. And, of course, you can contact the team with any ideas or events you have planned. All enquiries to magicmoments@live.co.uk. Thanks for your support! 24.8.13

Monks Musings... New from MagicTao, interviews with magicians: The first with Chris Congreave Click Here, and the second with Michael Sullivan, on working with Wayne Dobson, Click Here. 24.8.13

Lex Schoppi's latest project has allowed him to bring one of his cartoon characters to life! "My cartoons become alive in a web TV show with German magic stars and comedy stars. The cartoon hero is an international business tycoon. In his own private jet he meets with magicians for a small talk. We have a first funny teaser and will shortly produce part one and two - look here www.quickchange.de/er-show." 24.8.13

"Magicians at the Half Moon", the monthly Comedy Magic Show. This month's show features comedy magicians Duncan Swan and Carl Pettman. The show will be compered by show producer Martin Cox. Friday 30th August. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show kicks off at 8pm prompt. Tickets are £10 and you can pay on the door, but are advised to book and reserve your seat by calling 01279 659562. The venue is the Half Moon, 31 North Street, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2LD (Map). 24.8.13

Derren Brown Svengali is being shown again on Thursday 29th August Channel 4. Master Showman Derren Brown presents his 2012 Olivier award-winning theatre show, filmed live in front of a sell-out audience at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham. Showcasing Derren's skills as master persuader and entertainer, he attempts to extract secret confessions from the audience, plays psychological mind games, and shares the dramatic history of Svengali. See TV Magic. 24.8.13

Tim Shoesmith lectures at Blackpool Magicians Theatre Club on Thursday 29th August. Tim has performed internationally including Canada, USA, and much of Europe. He won The Magic Circle Close Up Competition in 2013 and is a past winner of the IBM Magicians Championships. He is an accomplished actor and a Member of the Inner Magic Circle. It should be a great night. www.blackpoolmagic.com. Derek Lever. 24.8.13

'A 'Supreme' Lifetime in Magic' (from the pages of Adair's Diaries) is Ian Adair's latest and final book, which will be launched at the British Ring Convention, Buxton, on September 4th. This is the perfect sequel to his best-selling book 'Dealing with Magic' - the Rise & Fall of the Supreme Magic Company, the content matter being completely different. The author conjures up reminiscences, memories, stories, tales and yarns about the 'never forgotten' Supreme Magic Company, plus anecdotes and flashbacks, featuring hundreds of iconic magicians and inventors - filled with nostalgia. The 34 chapters discuss true and unbelievable disasters revealed for the first time, plus tales of odd-ball customers who asked 'the funniest of things'. A first time tribute to Supreme's Master Maker of Magic, Johnny Hocking. Why and how the famous firm became too big, and how Edwin Hooper's best-selling effect 'Farmyard Frolics' was conceived. The book contains 200 pages, 34 chapters with scores of coloured photographs throughout. Ian says "Although the book is available now, I am looking forward to signing copies after my presentation show 'An Audience with Ian Adair' which takes place on Thursday 5th September at the British Ring Convention in Buxton. Enquiries welcomed at magicianadair@hotmail.co.uk. 24.8.13

Playing Card Business Cards: "Alan Astra's 'Playing Card Business Cards' will be on Special Offer at the IBM Convention in Buxton. But you can take advantage of the special pricing now by visiting www.alanastra.co.uk and clicking the 'IBM Special' button." 24.8.13

One Blank Card by thesmallappcompany: "Have a spectator think of a playing card. Then have them hold a blank piece of card. Take a photo of them using your iphone. Then reveal the impossible by having their thought of card appear on the card in the photo. They can then keep the photo as a souvenir if you wish!" Click Here for details. 24.8.13

Live training workshop for anyone interested in becoming a children's entertainer: On Saturday 16th November 2013, Mike Clarke is running a 1-day training workshop for potential children's entertainers. When Mike ran this workshop originally, it was featured in The Sunday Times, where they said very nice things about it. Since then, it has been extensively revised, updated and made even better! Details of the day (and the optional bonus day) and booking information can be found at www.thekidsmagician.com/live-training. (Be sure to book early - the price increases on 22nd September and places are limited.) 24.8.13

Grosvenor's Got Talent - Manchester: "Are you looking for your big break? Are you a musician, singer, dancer or someone with a special talent? We need you! Following our successful event last year Grosvenor G's Got Talent is back at our brand new G Casino in Manchester. Free to enter. Choose one from the two heats and simply sing or produce two acts. Heat 1 Friday 30th August. Heat 2 Friday 13th September. One winner from each heat will progress to the Grand Final on the 20th September for a chance to win £1000 cash! To enter contact Michelle McLeod on 0161 831 6370." 24.8.13

"'Daily Show' correspondents drink for free at Las Vegas Magic Convention" Click Here • "Ghost Stories returns to West End, opens at Arts Theatre on 27 Feb" Click Here • "Trending: Magician Katherine Mills" Click Here • 'A Tall Tale - Lecture Notes Without The Lecture' by Sean Lobban is reviewed by Colin Dymond this week, Click Here • "Adrien Brody to play Harry Houdini" Click Here • "Dynamo makes viewers appear" Click Here • "Sean Hayden on the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour" Click Here • "Night Court's Harry Anderson Will Perform at a Dallas Magician's Conference" Click Here • "NMI’s Cedrick the Magician wins national award" Click Here • "Mario The Magician Gets His Moment" Click Here • "Illusionist escapes convention" Click Here • "Pete Firman, Scoundrel – Pleasance Beyond" Click Here • "The amazing showman Lynx and his magical burlesque show" Click Here • "Cedrick the Magician wins 1st place, People’s Choice Award" Click Here • "There's no slowing down for magician Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee with Gravesend and Croydon dates ahead" Click Here • "The Word: David Blaine asked Olivia Wilde to drown him" Click Here • Have a great Bank Holiday weekend, see you next week, Duncan. 24.8.13

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