Number 699 - 16th November 2013
The International Magic
Convention is on all day today and tomorrow (16th and 17th November). A full weekend of
world-class magic awaits, with gala shows, close-up magic, lectures, seminars, the International Close Up
Competition and the presentation of the David Berglas International Magic Award
to a surprise recipient on the Sunday.
www.internationalmagic.com.
16.11.13
Session
set to sizzle... The Session, the UK's only
convention dedicated to close-up magic has just announced even more great
performers, including the illusive Hector Chadwick whose cult book, The
Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick, has been one of the most sought-after
mentalism titles in recent years. Hector will be making his first ever magic
convention appearance at The Session to discuss the most talked about section of
his book: his innovative work on Equivoque. Joining him will be Iain Sharkey,
Derren Brown's co-writer who will talk about writing for television and how it
applies to your magic. They will appear alongside Guy Hollingworth, Bebel, John
Guastaferro, Joe Barry, John Carey, Morgan & West, Jon Allen and more at
this not
to be missed convention. January 11th & 12th 2014, Cheltenham, UK.
www.sessionconvention.com.
16.11.13
Conjuring at the Court,
London. "Many people think of magicians as something for the children’s birthday party,
or Uncle George and his card tricks. But as magicians, we’re aware of how much
variety there is within magic. How different performers and personalities can
make magic entertaining in completely different ways. Take our next show. Harrison Richards has read the palms of celebrities on TV, demonstrated direct
mind-to-mind communication on the radio and predicted future events in The Sun. In complete contrast, there’s Martin Cox, an entertainer with the accent on
comedy in magic. Edward Hilsum is a talented young performer whose fresh twist on the classic
dove act has won him international awards. Michael Jordan’s “High Jinx” (photo) is a variety act in itself, with magic,
illusion, juggling, circus and escapology! Michael and Tamsyn have performed all
over the world, represented the UK in the world magical championships, and have
just completed a season at Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach. Compere is co-producer, genial magician Russell Levinson." Thursday 28th November
at Drayton Court, 2 The Avenue, West
Ealing W13 8PH (Map).
Doors open 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm.
Book early to make sure of a place via
www.conjuringatthecourt.com.
16.11.13
Magic
Night at Madame
JoJo's, London, December 6th and 20th.
Magic Night at Madame JoJo's on December 6th stars
Ben Hart,
Pete Antoniou,
Delores Deluxe,
Rayguns Look Real Enough and
MC Christian Lee. "Ben Hart is with us bending reality, controlling your actions and producing some
of the cleverest illusions around whilst Pete Antoniou will reach into your head
(in the funniest way possible) and tell you exactly what you think of him.
Meanwhile the delightful Delores Deluxe will show her proclivities with bananas
and shoes and The Rayguns will rock the house with their Morecambe and Wise mash
up songs.
All expertly compered by Christian Lee"
Magic Night at Madame JoJo's on December 20th stars:
Pete Antoniou,
Oliver Meech,
Delores Deluxe,
Card Ninja and
MC Christian Lee: "Oliver Meech will be using some pretty nifty science magic to conduct a mass
trick on you all and Pete Antoniou can look into a room without using his eyes
and will make you wonder if you are as free-thinking as you supposed you were.
Delores Duluxe will show off her tricks with bananas and shoes and the Ninja is
back with his slicing cutting cards! Oh yes, you can run but you can’t hide from
the Ninja!
All proceedings will be expertly compered by Christian Lee. Who will attempt not
to stab his hands in the best hand stab trick this side of sharpened spike."
Magic Night at Madame JoJo's.
Doors open 7.00pm. Show starts at 7.45pm.
Show ticket plus dinner: £44. Seated Show £14.
Madame JoJo’s,
8-10 Brewer Street,
London W1F 0SE (Map).
Tickets and more info:
www.magicnight.co.uk.
16.11.13
Help!
My Supply Teacher Is Still Magic has been nominated for a BAFTA 'British Academy Children's Awards'
2013, see
www.awards.bafta.org. Also see:
www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc.
16.11.13
Derren
Brown's recent appearance on Alan Carr: Chatty Man
is being repeated at 10.35pm on Sunday 17th November
Channel 4. "In tonight's show Alan is joined by comedian Russell Brand
to talk about his new DVD The Messiah Complex, while host of Channel 4's
The Last Leg, Adam Hills, discusses his Happyism DVD. And Derren Brown
discusses his one-off Channel 4 special, Derren Brown: The Great Art
Robbery. Plus a live performance from The Wanted. See
TV Magic.
16.11.13
The
Berglas Effects - A limited number of signed copies of The
Berglas Effects will be available this weekend at International Magic's stand at the International
Magic Convention.
"This is a wonderful, wonderful book, as well as one that resonates with me very
much personally. I feel a slight voyeuristic guilt being allowed in as much as
this, into his hidden world, but also the joy of seeing so lucidly before me
what seems now to be the ONLY way to present card material. Where the performer
is all and there's no card 'plot' to follow along with. This is a unique delight
to be reading." Derren Brown. Written by magic’s most experienced author
Richard Kaufman. Foreword by Juan Tamariz, Afterword by Max Maven. Includes 3
feature-packed DVDs. Price £90.00. Following the convention copies can be
purchased from International's shop in London.
16.11.13
Tricked:
Favourite Tricks.
11.30pm on Sunday 24th November on ITV2. "Ben Hanlin looks back at the highlights from the series,
including magical wind-ups on the public and the most popular celebrity
tricks on Helen Flanagan, Joe Calzaghe and the band Blue, among others."
See TV Magic.
16.11.13
Champions of Magic,
starring Ali Cook, Ed Hilsum, Michael Vincent and Young & Strange. "Join our award winning team of liars,
swindlers and cheats for a spectacular night of trickery you'll be
trying to work out for a long time to come. Audiences will witness
mastery of card manipulation, death defying stunts, mind boggling
sleight of hand and spectacular illusions from some of the foremost
performers in magic. Champions Of Magic is a brand new show which
includes 4 of the country's top magicians as seen on ‘Penn & Teller: Fool
Us', Sky 1's ‘Secret World Of Magic' and Channel 4's ‘Dirty Tricks'."
20th November Epsom Playhouse,
www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk. Discounted group rates are available to
magic societies and clubs. Contact
Alex@RIP-Productions.co.uk
for further information.
16.11.13
Manchester
Circle of Magicians are holding a Jumbo Magic Auction on Monday 18th November at
Salford Masonic Hall, Hemsley House, 41 The Crescent, Salford M5 4PE (Map).
Doors open 5.30pm. Viewing from 6.00pm. Auction commences at 6.30pm. "Star Auctioneers: Derek Lever and Mike Shepherd. Hundreds of bargains available
including Books, DVDs, Kids tricks, Close Up tricks and Stage material. It is
the biggest and best Auction around. Admission Free for members. £3.00 for non
members."
Further details from Derek Lever on 01253 810113. Email:
d.lever1@sky.com.
16.11.13
The Skull and Tophat Gentleman's
Club run by magician, escape artist and
stand up comic Luke Lamont, will see Luke go head to head in an escape challenge
with former London Gangster Dave Courtney. Luke will attempt to escape from a man once
dubbed by the media as "Britain's most feared man." The two have met before when
Dave accepted Luke's challenge of securing him into a regulation straitjacket
which Luke successfully escaped from... this time they both intend to up the
ante. Along with the escape Dave will be talking about his life and career in
crime and his reformation to best-selling author and star of film and TV. There
will also be Burlesque, music and a sideshow. 'The Skull and Tophat Gentleman's Club
present an Audience with Dave Courtney' will be held at Coburgs Ryde on the Isle
of Wight on November 29th and tickets are priced at a mere £5 in advance and £8
on the door, but be quick as the shows always sell out! Find Luke Lamont
and the Skull and Tophat Gentleman's Club on Facebook for further details.
16.11.13
Mark Raffles writes: R.I.P. I’ve just done
something that Houdini said he would and never did, come back from the dead.
Mind you I have died on a number of occasions but never permanently! This time
it looks like the real thing because I have obituary cards to prove it. I have
been declared, dead, poof, gone, in the pages of the Budget. Let me know if you
want a little table rapping at your next function, house haunting I charge by
the number of rooms. On reflection was it me or my spirit who appeared in a show
with Ken Dodd at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool last Sunday? Spookily yours, Mark
Raffles.
16.11.13
The
Order of the Magi Christmas Party.
Geoffrey Newton PRO writes: "The
Order of the Magi (Manchester) are holding a Christmas Party on Tuesday 10th
December from 8.00pm. This will be their first one at the New Irish World
Heritage Centre (photo). There will be games, competitions and prizes before a
hot pot supper and afterwards entertainment with the vocals of Karl Seth, comedy
from Dominic Woodward and a mystery magical guest. There may even be a small
gift for everyone from Santa! Guests are welcome for only £7.50 and full details
are on www.orderofthemagi.org.uk. Cut-off date for ticket supply is 3rd December.
The President, Council and Members of the society take this early opportunity of
sending magicians and their families everywhere best wishes and happy holidays."
16.11.13
The
Mark Leveridge Magic monthly Podcast. Mark Leveridge writes: The
Mark Leveridge Magic monthly Podcast is still going strong and in the November
issue I discuss the pros and cons of working with other magicians, ask you to
think about which 6 tricks you would select to take with you to a gig if you
could only have half a dozen on you, touch on the subject of social media for
magicians, reflect on whether we all practice magic as much as we should, take a
look at show fees and explain why having a minimum fee is a good idea, plus
more. The Podcast last for 30 minutes and is free to download to any mp3 player
or to listen to online from
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php.
16.11.13
Phil Tilston, North West Close Up Champion
2013. On Monday November 11th the
Manchester Circle of Magicians hosted the North West Close Up Championships.
First place was awarded to Philip Tilston, second place to Mark Fell and third
to Derek Gustard. In addition to placing second, Mark Fell also won the award for
Best Card Trick presented with his unique rhyming patter.
16.11.13
Perth
Magic Circle, Lecture and Dealers Demonstration. Adrian Harris writes: "Perth
Magic Circle would like to extend a warm invitation to all magicians
to a Lecture and Dealers Demonstration to be presented by Alan Duncan from
Glasgow. This will be held in the Perth Ex-Servicemen's club on Wednesday 20th
November starting at 7.30pm. Alan is the immediate Past President of the
Scottish Association of Magical Societies and is a well known and respected performer
who will show and explain some of the many original ideas and routines he has
come up with.
As this is intended to be both a fun and informative evening as well as an
opportunity to buy some props before the Christmas season begins, there is no
charge for non-members and a warm welcome is assured." Email Adrian Harris
adrian.harris@blueyonder.co.uk or telephone 01738 628985 for venue
details.
16.11.13
KISS
on the Kindle. Three years ago John Derris wrote and published KISS - 31 ways to
better magic, better bookings and bigger fees. John writes: "It described a
marketing system that I'd used for over 25 years in running my advertising
agency. On turning professional magician I successfully applied it to the
performance and presentation of magic, which I did all over the world. KISS was
successfully sold in the UK, Europe and the USA, went into a second edition but
is now out of print. And yet we still get emails from magicians worldwide asking
for a copy or if it is available in Kindle or other electronic version. Well now
it is! It has been negotiated and prepared for you to read on your Kindle,
laptop or other computer or tablet for just £6.46. 127 pages,
including the programme of effects that John Derris performed successfully for
many years. Just go to Amazon, or the Kindle Store and enter John Derris in
the search box to find full details. You can download this acclaimed book any
time."
16.11.13
Creepy Carmarthen - the Spooky Town Tour has been named as the local
"Visitor Attraction of the Year" at the 2013 Carmarthenshire Tourism Awards.
Nick Brunger's walking tour of the town, which combines mentalism with true
local stories of crime and punishment, horrible hauntings and bizarre executions
was launched in the summer and quickly became a popular with both locals and
tourists. Listed as the area's Number 1 attraction on the Trip Advisor website
for the area, Creepy Carmarthen has attracted rave reviews. More details:
www.thespookymagiccompany.co.uk.
16.11.13
South London Variety Night in Aid of the Typhoon
Haiyan Appeal. Simon Rosselli of Amigo’s Magic is staging a variety night to
raise funds for the
Typhoon Haiyan Appeal and writes: "Typhoon Haiyan slammed into the Philippines, causing
catastrophic damage. It is the strongest storm ever to make landfall, hitting an
area where thousands of people are already homeless after an earthquake in
mid-October. The 300-mile wide typhoon has left a trail of destruction with
thousands feared dead and many more without homes or access to food and water. Saturday 30th November 6pm – 8pm (doors
open at 5.30pm). Variety Night to include Music, Dance, Comedy & Magic. TV Ventriloquist
Foxy the Funky Genie and Mentalism with Forzoni Magic. Haslemere Hall, 2A Haslemere Road,
Thornton Heath CR7 7BE (Map).
Minimum Donation Tickets £7 per Adult, £5 Per Child (Family of Four £20).
Delicious food available to buy during the interval, cooked by some wonderful
Filipino ladies.
All Proceeds to go to the Typhoon Haiyan Appeal.
Tickets on a First Come First Served Basis - Ideal for Families.
Please Call 0208 480 8176."
16.11.13
Magicians Wanted. Ashley Turner writes: "Due to an increase in the number of restaurant residencies I am keen to hear from magicians in Luton, Market Harborough and Huntingdon interested in some regular work. All my restaurants are vetted for suitability and a real pleasure to work in. The staff and management are all very appreciative of the magic so you will be very well looked after. This is a great opportunity to try new material or develop your performance skills. All gigs pay cash on the night. Please drop me an email info@thetixta.com www.thetrixta.com." 16.11.13
Bob
Rose. Tony Griffith writes: Bob Rose (92) died peacefully on Tuesday 12th November in hospital following a
fall at his Bradford On Avon home.
An Honorary Life Member of the of The Bath Circle of Magicians he had also been
the club’s Secretary for a number of years.
Bob had been a regular face in the dealer’s room at conventions over a number of
years where he had shared a stand with Mel Moore’s Playtime Balloons. Here he
demonstrated some of his ingenious inventions.
Whilst in recent years he had not been active in making magic props he
maintained an active interest in his other hobby, radio controlled modelling
i.e. flying aircraft, sailing boats etc. Bob had been a Glider Pilot’s Regiment
pilot in his earlier years.
Before his retirement Bob was a Chief Inspector with Wiltshire Constabulary’s
traffic department.
Bob’s funeral will be held on Monday 25th November at 1.45 p.m. at The West
Wiltshire Crematorium at Semington, Nr Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
www.westwiltshirecrem.co.uk.
16.11.13
Geoffrey Moss Longden. Derek Lever writes: Blackpool Magicians Club regret to announce the death of long standing member Geoffrey Moss Longden at the age of 85 years whilst in hospital. Geoffrey was an Honorary Life Member, a Past President and former Committee Member of Blackpool Magicians Club and rarely missed a meeting. The funeral is being held on Wednesday 20th November, 2013 at the Crematorium and Cemetery, Regent Avenue, Lytham St Anne's, Lancs. at 12.30 pm. 16.11.13
David
Blaine on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Part 1
Click Here Part 2
Click Here •
"Minds Blown: David Blaine stuns Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul with magic"
Click Here •
"New York: Troy Von Scheibner met up with TV Real to talk about his new
magic series and perform a trick for our cameras."
Click Here •
"'Magician Impossible' Dynamo: Bullies inspired magic
tricks"
Click Here •
"The Art of Escapology"
Click Here •
"Magician abused me at my eighth birthday party,
Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson reveals"
Click Here •
"Magicians Make Tickets Disappear"
Click Here •
The Leamington & Warwick Magic Society Annual Dinner is reported by
Elizabeth Warlock this week,
Click Here •
The London Festival of Magic (Day 1 & 2) is reviewed by Roberto Forzoni
this week, Click Here •
"The Enduring Magic of Chicago"
Click Here •
"Criss Angel ruins the illusion on Believe"
Click Here •
"Magician, 15, is 'mentalist' of Trinity School"
Click Here •
"Movie magic: What happens when a film focuses on regular, working
magicians?"
Click Here •
"A Magician's magician!"
Click Here •
And finally, "Derren Brown on Bristol Star Wars auditions: 'Looking
forward to tractor beams featuring in film'"
Click Here •
700th edition next week! Many thanks for your news and reviews, more from
the London Festival of Magic next week, Duncan.
16.11.13