Number 779 - 30th May 2015
Wow!
Jamie's in the final! For the first time in BGT's nine-year history, a
British magician has made it through to the finals - which go out live on Sunday
night on ITV. Jamie Raven captured the hearts of TV viewers, and in doing so
also captured their votes, coming first out of nine competing acts in last
Wednesday's show. Jamie has a natural, endearing manner, combined with great
magic skill. Expect more exceptional magic from Jamie Raven this Sunday. DT.
"BGT: Jamie Raven on making the final" Click Here.
"BGT: Amazing Jamie Raven magic trick and hitting back at critics" Click Here.
"Britain’s Got Talent finalists 2015: who’s performing on Sunday, including Jamie Raven, Matisse, and The Neales" Click Here
"Jamie Raven's incredible magic moment. Semi-Final 3. Britain's Got Talent 2015" YouTube.
"Britain's Got Talent 2015: who's in the final?" Click Here.
twitter.com/jamieravenmagic. 30.5.15
Meanwhile,
over in the States, Piff, Britain's favourite dragon, slayed both audience and
judges in the opening show of the new series of America's Got Talent last
week, with a brilliant performance that will take him through to the next round
and the finals too I am sure. DT.
"Watch a Guy in a Dragon Suit Charm the ‘America’s Got Talent’ Judges" Click Here.
"Entertainment Weekly: America's a better place after meeting Piff the Magic Dragon" Click Here.
"Piff the Magic Dragon: Heidi Klum Helps Comedic Magician in Dragon Suit - America's Got Talent 2015" YouTube.
Even Dragon's tweet: twitter.com/thepiff. 30.5.15
Innovention
Convention and 'World Stars of Magic' shows - July, Liverpool. From the
organisers: The Innovention takes place from 14th-16th July, and the 'World
Stars of Magic' Shows take place on 15th and 16th July. The Convention is mainly
being held at the Beatles themed 'Hard Day's Night' Hotel and the Shows in the
beautiful and intimate Victorian Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. We've just added a
couple of stellar names to the line-up. Mike Chao from Taiwan, who will be
appearing in the 'World Stars of Magic' shows, and the brilliant close-up and
stage performer Armando Lucero from Las Vegas. We're also delighted to welcome a
couple of very special guests: the current President of the world famous Magic
Castle in Hollywood, Erika Larsen, and the Princess herself Irene Larsen. The
Innovention is limited to 100 attendees, and there are very few spaces
remaining. Register via:
www.innoventionliverpool.com.
30.5.15
Armando
Lucero will be appearing at the Innovention Convention in July (above).
Few performers can capture an audience like Armando Lucero. Without saying a
word, Armando grabs hold of the viewer’s attention, and then takes their heart
and mind on a journey of wonder. There is a bit of Marcel Marceau in this
interesting man, and a bit of David Copperfield. It is the little bit of
Charlie Chaplin though, that will bring a smile to your face and will make your
heart ache. Watching a performance by Armando Lucero is a wonderful journey, for
you experience extremes of the mind, the heart, and the spirit. Armando Lucero
has performed for magicians worldwide, and was invited to perform at FISM, after
which the trade magazines raved about his performance. Since then he has
entertained audiences both live and on television, and was recently featured in
'The Illusionists 1903' touring show. Armando was featured on the cover of the
August issue of Magic magazine last year.
30.5.15
One
month to go till MagicFest 2015! "This summer magic comes to Edinburgh. See
top magical performers live on stage at our Magic Village. We're running 6
theatre spaces, on one site, over 8 days with 30 performers including Paul
Wilson, Will Houstoun, Ali Cook, Richard Wiseman, Colin Cloud, Mark Elsdon, Rob
Jagerhorn and many more. There's still time to enter our
competitions for under 18s. There's nothing quite like seeing magic live,
close-up, with no screens, Hollywood effects or fancy TV editing getting in the
way of something beautifully impossible. So Awake in Wonder at the Edinburgh
International Magic Festival from 26th June till 4th July." Tickets can be
booked online via
www.magicfest.co.uk.
30.5.15
240
tickets sold in 2 hours! From the organisers: Trix in the Stix, a convention
for children's entertainers, is now sold out for 2016. Tickets went on sale at
11am on Thursday 28th May 2015 and were sold out two hours later. We are
operating a Waiting List for those still hoping to attend. The dates are Monday
23rd and Tuesday 24th May 2016 and the venue is the popular Lion Quays Waterside
Resort in Shropshire. To read more about the event, or to ask to go on the
Waiting List, please go to
www.practical-magic.com.
30.5.15
The Magic Show Story
is on ITV this evening at 6.30pm: "In this one-off special, presenter and
magician Stephen Mulhern goes on a journey through sixty years of
trickery, as he celebrates the mind-blowing, jaw-dropping story of magic
on television. Stephen recalls the moments of magic that grabbed the
headlines - from Dynamo levitating above the Shard, David Blaine being
encased in a block of ice, Paul Daniels’ faking his own death on air to
David Copperfield’s Flying illusion. Along the way Stephen meets some of
his magic heroes - from Paul Daniels to Penn and Teller - and recreates
some of the popular tricks that made TV history - including sawing Anita
Harris, David Nixon’s glamorous assistant, in half. Stephen hears how
the likes of Nixon and Tommy Cooper first brought magic to the masses in
the early days of television. He looks at the influence of
ground-breaking American stars like David Copperfield and finds out how
magic went from men in tuxedos pulling rabbits out of a hat, to a new
generation of hip, young street magicians, like Dynamo and David Blaine.
The documentary features interviews with stars of TV magic past and
present including Darcy Oake, Dynamo, Paul Daniels, Anita Harris, Penn
and Teller, Geoffrey Durham and Ben Hanlin, as
Stephen reveals how magic has continually reached new heights on our TV
screens." See TV Magic.
30.5.15
The
Magicians' Podcast is back! Series 2 begins with a double-bill of magical
talent: Ben Hart and Luke Jermay. See
magicianspodcast.podbean.com and
www.facebook.com/MagiciansPodcast.
30.5.15
The
Chamber of Secrets, Torremolinos, Spain, opened its doors for the first time
this month and has been amazing holidaymakers and locals every night since.
FISM award-winner Marvelous Matthew Wright, his fiancé Alarna Love, and multi
talented close-up magician Tom Crosbie have put together an incredible show that
mixes magic, comedy, music, mental feats, illusion and puppetry to create an
evening that is taking the Costa Del Sol by storm! One of only a very few
specifically designed magic theatres in the world, the Chamber of Secrets has
been built from the ground up. Matthew said, "I have been planning this theatre
for many years. I studied for a degree in theatre practice to learn about lights
and sound, I studied for a degree in special effects to learn how to build
everything I needed and I spent many years performing in various magic venues
across the world learning how I could put together a show that people would
enjoy. I think we have something very special here and the response so far has
been incredible."
www.chamberofsecrets.eu.
30.5.15
Close-up Magic at The Magic Circle, London.
This evening,
Saturday, 30th May. This event showcases some of the best close-up
magicians available and audiences get to meet the performers and
experience the magic in the intimate setting of the headquarters of the
world-famous The Magic Circle in London, often taking part themselves.
An amazing collection of close-up magicians presenting superlative magic
right before your very eyes. Seeing is believing.
Doors open 7pm, event starts at 7.30pm and finishes at 9.30pm.
Tickets £19.50 plus fee via
www.seetickets.com.
Venue: The Magic Circle headquarters, 12 Stephenson Way, Euston, London
NW1 2HD (Map).
Further details:
www.themagiccircle.co.uk/public-events. Although all shows are of a
universal nature and young enthusiasts are welcomed, 80 minutes of
close-up magic is not usually recommended for those under 12.
30.5.15
Tim
Vine 2015 Tour with Special Guest John Archer - Bloomsbury Theatre, London,
tonight! Tim Vine the punslinger returns with lots of new jokes,
silly songs and twitchy dancing in his first stand-up tour for 4 years with
special guest John Archer. It’s time to put the satire on hold and watch
a grown man act the goat. Come along and enjoy the nonsense. For more info see
www.timvine.com/tour.html
or What's On.
30.5.15
John
Carey will be lecturing for The Cornish Magical Society on Sunday 14th June
2015 at 3pm at Carnon Downs Village Hall Carnon Downs (between Truro and
Falmouth) TR3 6GH (Map).
Visiting magicians £5. Contact Paul Scott on 07747 122 659.
30.5.15
An
Evening of Mystery presents: Magic & Mayhem: A heady mix of stand-up comedy,
sideshow, magic and hypnosis. Thrill to the delights of the UK's best magic
acts. Bizarre rock 'n' roll magic from the irrepressible Phil Knoxville
(Britain's Got Talent), Sherlockian mind over matter feats from the
mind-mangling modern maven of deduction Ben Cardall. Top International hypnotist
Anthony Jacquin fondling your noodle at the inception controls and psychic
comedian Ian Harvey Stone channelling the tuneful dead with his haunted guitar!
12th June. 8pm start. Tickets: £8 advance, £10 on the door. COG Art Space, 113 Southgate
Road, Dalston, London N1 3JS (Map).
Tickets:
www.cogartspace.com.
30.5.15
Urban
Voodoo Club - Leeds: "Here comes the summer, and with it a tidal
wave of trickery, as Urban Voodoo Club brings sunny sorcery to the good people
of Leeds. Pack your trunks and dive into our inviting pool of magic, accompanied
by the finest cocktails served up by LAB's high priests of booze. June's line-up
features fresh, fast sleight of hand from Ollie Smith, a taste of the unusual
from Simon South, magic with a smile from Steve Gore, and cool and crafty
conjuring from Chris Clarke. Plus Delta blues from Sleepy Jake Segrave."
Thursday June 11th 2015, doors at 7.30pm, show starts at 8pm. LAB Bar, Merrion
Way, Leeds LS2 8BT (Map).
www.urbanvoodooclub.co.uk
twitter.com/urbanvoodooclub
facebook.com/uvcmagic.
30.5.15
'Steve
the Magician' lecture, Coventry Magic Circle: "The Coventry Magic Circle are
delighted to welcome children's entertainer Steve the Magician who will be
lecturing at 8pm on Tuesday 2nd June. Steve is a past winner of the NMC
Close-up Magician of the Year. This promises to be a great evening. £10 entrance
fee for visiting magicians." Venue: Bentley Road Social Club, Bentley Road,
Nuneaton CV11 5LT (Map).
30.5.15
Now You See It
returns on Saturday 6th June: "Fast-paced
entertainment series voiced by Mel Giedroyc, featuring the best and
worst of magic and other incredible performers from around the world."
See TV Magic.
30.5.15
Chris
Wood to lecture at the Winchester Magical Society. Bob Yelland writes: On
Thursday 4th June at 8pm Chris Wood will deliver his new lecture, “Subtleties,
Subterfuge and Simplicity” which covers the why as well as the how behind some
of the routines from his working repertoire. Throughout the emphasis will be on
performance, in theory and practice, covering many principles to help you
improve your own magic. Visitors admitted for just £10. Please note our new
venue at Weeke Community Centre, Taplings Road, Winchester SO22 6HG (Map).
www.winchestermagic.com.
30.5.15
Travis
Perkins Assembly 23rd Ferrybridge Day of Magic, Sunday 5th July 2015. More
details from Travis Perkins and Esme: First lecturette – The Construction,
Destruction and Reconstruction of an Award Winning Magic Act presented by Leah
Mae Devine and Sara Jade Devine of Destiny, Su Jayne Devine and Danny Hunt.
Second lecturette – Over My Dead Body It’s Not A Dealer Dem! - presented by
Brian ‘Mr Cups & Balls’ Watson. Plus 10 dealers and traders with a vast array of
magic and books. Following a day that is set for wonderment, laughs, magic and
thrills, the Showette will bring our 23rd to a close, featuring Epsie Havercott,
Alec Powell, Danny Hunt & Steph’s Amethyst, and Destiny. The Community Centre,
The Square, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire WF11 8PQ (Map).
Entrance fee £5.00. Doors open at 9.45am. Further details can be obtained by
contacting Michael Shepherd on 01904 709500 or email
admin@castlemagicalservices.co.uk.
30.5.15
Wilton's
Magic Show, Wednesday 17th June, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. From the organisers:
Wilton's Music Hall's very own Prestidigitateuse Extraordinaire, Katherine
Rhodes, has been entertaining and baffling audiences at the Hall since 2010.
During that time, she has graduated to the hallowed heights of The Inner Magic
Circle and devised ever more ingenious and unfathomable tricks to keep us all
amused and infuriated. This is the final show in Katherine's current series and
will be her last public performance for a little while. It's also her birthday
so she's cooked up some brand new celebratory routines exclusively for the
occasion - perfect for die-hard fans and curious newcomers alike; all delivered
with her trademark dry humour. Not to be missed. Venue: Wilton's Music Hall, 1
Graces Alley, London E1 8JB (Map)
www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/6-wilton-s-magic-show.
30.5.15
Cavort
Theatre presents Ian Harvey Stone in 'The Devil Without' Ian brings his
critically acclaimed one-man magical interpretation of Faust inspired by the
works of Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore to London's COG Art Space for three nights!
Immersive and interactive, experience a night in the company of renowned
sorcerer John Faust as he tries to outwit the demons on his trail. 8pm start.
Tickets £12 / £10 Concessions. COG Art Space, 113 Southgate Road, Dalston,
London N1 3JS (Map).
June 17th, 18th, 19th at 8pm. Tickets:
www.cogartspace.com. "A chilling late night treat" Edinburgh
Spotlight. "Highly original… keeps the tension up throughout" The Stage.
30.5.15
Andy
James: 50 different cruise ships in 7 years! Andy is one of the cruise
world's top magicians and has just performed on his 50th ship, the phenomenal
Anthem of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest cruise liner. Upon arriving
home in Dublin he was awarded "Entertainer of the Year 2015" for his
performances at weddings and corporate events in Ireland by Mrs2be.
www.ajmagic.com.
30.5.15
The
Fylde Mystics host their annual Close-up Competition at 8pm on Tuesday, 2nd June.
Eight magicians will compete for the title 'Fylde Mystics Close-up Champion
2015' and visitors (magicians and non-magicians) are welcome. There's no
admission charge. The venue is The South Shore Lawn Tennis Club, Midgeland Road,
Blackpool FY4 5HZ (Map).
For more details visit
www.fyldemystics.co.uk or email
info@fyldemystics.co.uk.
30.5.15
Peterborough
Society of Magicians Annual Sale, Exchange and Lecture Day. From the
organisers: Peterborough Society of Magicians invite you all to come and meet
old friends and make new ones at their 27th Annual Day of Magic 2015 on Sunday
14th June. And this year promises to be a great day for all. Doors open at
9.45am with the official opening by I.B.M. British Ring President Alan Astra at
10am. Lectures by: Alan Astra, Paul Gordon and Mark Lee. Dealers so far
registered are: Adrian Sullivan, Albion Magic, Astra Magic, Andrew Normansell,
Hocus Pocus, Magic Nevin, Merlins of Wakefield and Paul Gordon. Also several
tables for second hand magic have been booked. There is free on-site parking.
Refreshments available all day. Free Draw with several excellent prizes.
Admission: £12 and £6 concessions (partners and under 16s). If not selling, you
may pay on entry. All tables for selling are £5 extra each and must be booked in
advance (set up from 8.45am). For further details see
www.psmagicians.org.uk
or contact Keith Downs on 01778 343167 or
the220@btinternet.com. Venue: The Millfield Community Centre, Lincoln Road,
Peterborough PE1 2PE (Map).
30.5.15
Uplifting
Magic. Adrian Harris writes: Last Saturday I was asked to entertain severely
handicapped and terminally ill children who were invited to go for flights in
light aircraft courtesy of the Douglas Bader Foundation. Over 25 families
attended the day long event at Scone Aerodrome near Perth, and the volunteer
pilots excelled themselves because not only did they take the children up for
flights lasting up to 1 hour, they also took all the siblings, carers, parents
and grandparents for flights. My task was to interact with the children with my
puppets while they waited their turn for the trip. After the last child had
returned from his flight, a 20 minute aerobatic display was given by a 75 year
old pilot, which got great gasps and applause from the assembled crowd. The
highlight of the afternoon for me was to be given a flight in a Gyro Copter. It
was amazing to fly over the City of Perth at 1000ft, with only a safety harness
for protection. Scary, but great fun!
30.5.15
Magicians Wanted in Luton. Ashley Turner writes: "I am looking for Magicians in and around the Luton area for occasional restaurant work. The venue is in Luton centre, near to the university, on Fridays and Saturday nights. If you are a confident performer with experience please get in touch info@thetrixta.com and include any promotional material. www.thetrixta.com." 30.5.15
News
Deadline reminder. Please submit news by Thursday if possible - absolute
deadline 12 noon Friday, no exceptions. DT.
30.5.15
Jamie
Raven popped into the MagicWeek office last week, just before
Wednesday's BGT semi-final (l to r: Duncan Trillo, Jamie Raven, Russ
Stevens) - best of luck in the final tomorrow Jamie! • "Review: Derren
Brown: Miracle, Sunderland Empire"
Click Here • "Paul Daniels announces intimate new magic dinner show"
Click Here • "Chloe Crawford misses out on spot in Britain’s
Got Talent final"
Click Here • "Blackburn magician's slick trick viewed by millions
online"
Click Here • "Meet Richard Turner: magician, expert card shark, and
blind"
Click Here • That's it for this week, your UK magic news is always
welcomed, see you next week, Duncan.
30.5.15