Number 790 - 15th August 2015
Win
a pair of tickets to see The Illusionists – Witness The Impossible™ live in
London! The Illusionists – Witness The Impossible™ - the world's
best-selling touring magic show which has sold out in 71 cities across 17
countries - comes to London's West End for the first time. Guest starring the
UK's hottest magician Jamie Raven, fresh from Britain's Got Talent, where
he captivated the British public with his magic. The Illusionists is a
fast-paced and wildly entertaining show, featuring seven of the world's greatest
magicians. Full of hilarious magic tricks and death-defying stunts, The
Illusionists is set to mesmerise audiences of all ages. "A high-tech
magic extravaganza" The New York Times.
The Illusionists - Witness The Impossible runs at the Shaftesbury
Theatre, London from 14th November 2015 to 3rd January 2016. For more
information and to book tickets visit
www.theillusionistslive.com/london or call 020 7379 5399. For your chance to
win a pair of tickets (and see all terms and conditions) visit
www.hotticketoffers.com/competition/illusionists and enter competition code
MagicWeek followed by your details, by 5th October.
Terms & Conditions: Tickets valid Sun-Thurs performances from 14-30 Nov. No
performances on Tuesdays. Subject to availability. No cash alternative.
Non-transferable. Additional expenses are the responsibility of the prize
winner. Not for resale. If winners do not claim their prize within 10 working
days of being notified then the prize will be forfeited and another winner will
be selected.
15.8.15
Tabula
Mentis XVII. Psycrets are proud to sponsor Tabula Mentis XVII. A day of
professional performance and lectures featuring Chris Rawlins, Luca Volpe, Ian
Harvey Stone and Luke Jermay. 10am - 6pm on Saturday 14th November at Hitchin
Priory, Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herfordshire SG5 2DL (Map).
Further details and tickets:
www.psycrets.org.uk.
15.8.15
Kidology
UK, the convention for children’s entertainers and those aspiring to be,
will be held on 7th and 8th September 2015 at the Civic Halls Wolverhampton.
Featuring: A host of lecturers, a forum with top kids entertainers and a vocal
workshop. The Monday night late show will feature Chris Somerville and his
amazing cabaret marionettes, The Foghorn Improve Theatre Company with their
hilarious Murder Mystery Show, ventriloquist Shane West with his latest
incarnation magician Percy Pembleton and Michael Diamond’s spectacular illusion
act. The Kidology UK Children’s Entertainer of the Year Competition will take
place on Tuesday with Tony Baloney, Mr Bean, Ali Cardabra, Gordon Drayson, Craig
Newton and Tiffany taking part. There is still time to register via
www.albionmagiccompany.co.uk or call Alec Powell on 07831 115448. The full
programme can be seen by visiting
www.kidologyuk.co.uk
or join their Facebook group kidologyuk.
15.8.15
Hit
West End magic show Impossible seeks magicians. From the production company:
Following the success of its premiere production at the Noël Coward Theatre, the
Producers of Impossible, the hit new magic show currently dazzling audiences in
London’s West End, are searching for professional illusionists, daredevils,
mentalists and tricksters to join their spectacular line-up of world-leading
magicians for a 2016 UK and International Tour. Applicants are invited to submit
video footage that showcases the very best of their magical talents, with the
most promising candidates being invited to audition in London for multi-award
winning magical producer and director Anthony Owen. Successful applicants will
have the chance to join the production’s principal cast, performing their
incredible feats for enrapt audiences in theatres all over the world.
The chosen artists will be experienced in live performance and recognised for
brilliance within their sector. Applicants should send a video to
casting@jamiehendryproductions.com showcasing their best tricks or stunts
and magical prowess, along with their name, contact information and a photograph
by 12pm on Monday, 17th August 2015. A shortlist will then be selected, who will
be invited to meet the producers and Creative Director in central London during
the week of 17th August.
The current line-up includes: modern-day Houdini, daredevil and TV escapologist
Jonathan Goodwin; mind-blowing mind-reader Chris Cox; boundary breaking magician
Ben Hart; spell-binding digital marvel Jamie Allan; sleight of hand master Ali
Cook and world-renowned grand illusionist Luis de Matos. Impossible is produced
by Jamie Hendry Productions, with creative direction by Anthony Owen, stage
direction by Lloyd Wood, scenic design by Andrew D. Edwards, lighting design by
Tim Lutkin, sound design by Gareth Owen, video design by Duncan McLean and music
by Michael Bradley.
15.8.15
Magicseen's
Summer Sign Up Weekend. From the publishers: We've just put the final
touches to the September issue of Magicseen and it's now at the printers so that
it'll be ready to launch on an unsuspecting world in about 10 days. To welcome
in the new magic season we've put together a terrific issue full of magic
celebrities, helpful information and er...dragons! Yes, really. Now we would not
want all our good work to go to waste, so this weekend we are offering potential
new subscribers, and current ones, a flash deal. Sign up for a new 1 year sub
(or extend a current one by 1 year) and we will give you 7 issues for the price
of 6. Or.....sign up for 2 years (or extend by 2 years) and we will give you a
rip roaring 14 issues for the price of 12. The above offer applies to both
printed copy and download subs, and the deal expires at midnight on Sunday 16th
August. So, start your post summer holidays magic life off with a bang and get
over right now to
Magicseen Subscriptions and get yourself some free issues. Remember, you
only have until midnight on Sunday 16th August, so don't delay and then you can
look forward to our next fire breathing issue and plenty more beyond.
15.8.15
Sprezzatura:
A Modern Magic Experience - live in London! The clock strikes 8pm. Within
the sumptuous screening room at Charlotte Street Hotel, an audience will
have their minds read, senses manipulated and experience some of the most
astonishing feats of modern magic. Enter the world of Sprezzatura, and witness
previously unseen miracles. Marvel at the strange setting in which nothing is
quite as it seems. Like a great mystery novel, the plot will unfold over the
course of the evening to end with a final revelation so startling, it will have
to be seen to be believed. You've seen magic on television and can't believe it,
now is your chance to witness the miracles, up close and live, before your very
eyes! Saturday 17th October. Tickets: £20 - £30.
www.sprezzaturashow.com
YouTube.
Venue: Charlotte Street Hotel, 15-17 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RJ (Map).
15.8.15
The
Magicians' Podcast this week features another great chat, this time with
magician and mind reader Marc Paul. Listen to these Podcasts
and catch up with previous ones at
magicianspodcast.podbean.com also see
www.facebook.com/MagiciansPodcast.
15.8.15
Craig
Christian & Elizabeth have just been contracted for the illusionist spot in Jeff
Hobson's Illusionarium 2.0, the exclusive dinner show which resides on the
cruise ship
Norwegian Getaway. The show runs twice a night, 6 days a week and guests pay
$29 to watch the magic show in a first of its kind on cruise ships. Craig and
Elizabeth are delighted to have been selected from the many illusionists that
applied for the position. The show was devised by the talented Jeff Hobson and
Bill Smith has made the beautiful illusions that they'll be performing.
www.craigchristian.com.
15.8.15
Enterteasement:
Comedy Magic Burlesque show - Glasgow, Saturday, September 12th, 8pm - 10.30pm.
Enterteasement is a monthly Comedy Magic Burlesque Show based in Glasgow. The
show has a 4.7 star average customer rating and a reputation for selling out.
This month's magic will be provided by Scott Cuthbertson 'Scotland's Magician'.
Also on the bill: Ro Campbell - Winner of Scottish Comedian of the Year in 2010;
Lee Kyle - Instantly likeable and insanely quick witted "Top up-and-coming
comedy performer" BBC; Ray Bradshaw - "Funnier than a falcon..." Frankie Boyle
(we don't know what that means either); Princess Pandora - Stunning model /
burlesque performer from Newcastle; Violet Sparkles - The Fun & Flirty Burlesque
Instructor. Tickets £14 via
www.enterteasement.com.
Venue: Admiral Bar, 72 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 7DA (Map).
15.8.15
The
Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians. The new President of The Wolverhampton
Circle of Magicians is Dave Pitt, who takes over from Sue Oakley. The first
meeting of his Presidential year will be on 9th September, when they'll have a
lecture from the brilliant Mel Mellers.
www.wcm-magic.co.uk.
15.8.15
Jumbo Magic Auction - Manchester Circle of Magicians. A
Jumbo Magic Auction by Manchester Circle of Magicians is being held on
Monday 17th August at Salford Masonic Hall, Hemsley House, 41 The Crescent,
Salford, Near Manchester M5 4PE (Map).
Doors open 5.30 pm, viewing from 6pm. Auction commences at 6.30pm. Star
Auctioneers Mike Shepherd and Derek Lever. Members can attend free of charge.
Non-members pay £3.00. Hundreds of bargains available including books, DVDs,
Close Up, Kids Magic, Stage Magic and collectors items. For further information
contact Derek Lever d.lever1@sky.com or
ring 01253 810113.
15.8.15
MindFX
is pleased to have received limited stock of Stephen Young's incredible
Visionary V2 effect: "As a seasoned mentalist I know a great effect when I see
one and this certainly ticks all the right boxes. Ideal for both close-up and
stage this multiphased mentalist routine is the must have item in 2015." Visit
www.mindfx.co.uk.
15.8.15
Complimentary
Copy of Card Culture. In order to further promote the hobby of collecting
modern, antique and vintage playing cards, 52 Plus Joker, the largest
playing card collectors' society in North America, is releasing a special
complimentary issue of Card Culture magazine. This issue is a compilation of
popular articles from previous issues and is meant to be representative of the
type of content the magazine carries on a regular basis. 52 Plus Joker
President Tom Dawson said, "In my many years of experience, I can't recall any
monthly magazine that has covered card collecting with this level of
professionalism and enthusiasm. It's become the industry standard, a valuable
resource to the society, and to 'card culture' as a whole. Along with our
long-standing quarterly publication, Clear the Decks, it makes the low
cost of membership in the club an exceptional bargain for the price." This
special issue is twenty pages long and contains six articles in total.
If the history, origins, manufacturing and collecting of playing cards interests you, then you're going to love Card Culture and all the other amenities offered to members of 52 Plus Joker. For only $25 per year ($35 outside North America), the privileges of membership to this unique club include: Card Culture: monthly digital magazine including all current and past issues; Clear the Decks: all new issues of our printed quarterly; Access to the Ask Alexander database of all our magazine archives; Personal account on PlayingCardForum.com; Free expert appraisals of selected decks from your collection; Inclusion within the 52 Plus Joker club roster; Invitation to the Annual 52 Plus Joker Convention; Access to advice and information on all things playing cards. If you have any questions, comments, thoughts, etc. about the club or Card Culture, just email the Director of Publicity & Membership - Lee Asher. His email is Lee@LeeAsher.com. To download a complimentary PDF copy of Card Culture Click Here. 15.8.15
WAM
Fish & Chip Supper. Samantha Uren writes: On Tuesday 4th August WAM hosted
its annual Fish and Chip Supper, compered by Chairman Paul Megram. The evening
featured a star cabaret performance from Oliver Graham and Martin Cox, and was
headlined by Michael J Fitch. An award ceremony also took place with several
trophies being presented for all in house competitions. Two prestigious awards
were also presented, the Terry Seabrooke Award for Comedy to Carl Charlesworth
and The Billy McComb trophy for 'above and beyond services to the club' to
Christopher Garside. Christopher said "this came as a total shock as the award
doesn't traditionally go to a committee member. I just do what needs to be done,
all the committee are excellent but if you ask me this trophy should have been
awarded to our chairman Paul Megram, now there's a man who really goes that
extra mile to enable to club to thrive!" WAM's next event takes place on Tuesday
18th August, with a lecture by multi-award winning entertainer Sean Haydon.
Photo: Michael J Fitch and Paul Megram.
www.wamclub.co.uk.
15.8.15
Magic
& Comedy - Nic & Leon. Nic Picot and Leon Thomson present an entertaining
evening of illusion, mind reading and a chance to win millions of pounds! 7.30pm
on Saturday 31st October. Box Office: 020 8340 3488. Tickets £15 (£12
concessions). Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, London N6 4BD (Map).
Leon is a young and up and coming member of The Magic Circle. Leon created and
performed his own illusion at a table tennis club in Barnet, where to the
absolute astonishment of the onlookers he walked through a locked glass door.
The live footage subsequently went viral on YouTube bringing Leon praise from
high profile magicians, his school and viewers of the illusion across the world.
Leon's talents range from exciting street magic to variety performances to
audiences of up to 3,000 people. Nic Picot has been performing magic since he
was eleven years old and joined The Magic Circle on graduating from Exeter
University. From the 1980's Nic performed professionally working all over the UK
and overseas including Bahrain, Dubai, Oman, Thailand, Miami and The Magic
Castle with Billy McComb. Nic has entertained at The Magic Circle in London
where he has also lectured several times.
15.8.15
Magic
Live Theatre Show, Kidderminster. "A
full magic performance is taking place at this year's Kidderminster Arts
Festival. For what is set to be one of the most riveting shows of the arts
festival, which runs from August 8th to 23rd, on Friday, August 21st,
Kidderminster Town Hall will be alive with awe as Magic Live lights up the
venue. The family-friendly show, which will be filled with fun, laughter, and
excitement, as well as magic, was developed by Eugene Matthias President of The
Magic Club of Great Britain as a touring variety programme bringing live
entertainment to villages and local communities. Eugene plays host to the show
with special guest entertainers. Appearing in this year's show will be local
Kidderminster magician, mentalist and psychic entertainer, Jay Adkins, winner of
the British Magical Society Parlour Magician of the Year award together with
international escape artist Rodan." Friday August 21st. Doors 7pm.
Show 7.30pm - 10pm. Suitable for all ages. Tickets are available from
www.kidderminsterartsfestival.org.uk, priced £5.00. Kidderminster Town
Hall, Vicar Street, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 1DB (Map).
15.8.15
New
Psycrets publication available. Psycrecy 1 is a hardback, 320 page mysterium
of essays, effects and routines taken from the first volume issues of Psycrets
(British Society of Mystery Entertainers) quarterly printed membership digest.
It also features some previously unpublished and revised bonus material from
members and friends of the Society. Featuring 38 contributions from the field of
mentalism, bizarre magick and psychic entertainment, the contributors include
Barrie Richardson, Marc Salem, Banachek, Roni Shachnaey, Lior Manor, Peter
Turner, Pablo Amira, Michael Murray, Atlas Brookings, Anthony Blake (USA),
Mauricio Jaramillo, Chris Rawlins, Steve Drury, Ben Cardall, Christian Chelman,
Prof. BC, Todd Landman, Sheila Lyon, Enrique Enriquez, Perry Carpenter, Dee
Christopher, Christopher Taylor, Cameron Murray, Rainer Mees & Thomas Heine,
Stuart Palm, Bob Percy, Luca Volpe, Stephen Young, Walt Anthony, Jim Magus, Vito
Gatullo, Rudolf Kunzli, Mitos Odnalor, Ray Doetjes, Christopher Faria, Lars Ruth
and Alan Jones. Visit
www.psycrets.org.uk for more information and to order.
15.8.15
Assistance in tracing deaf magicians in the UK required. Dr. Simon J. Carmel writes: As an international deaf magician, historian and writer, I wrote two books [Silent Magic & Invisible Magic] on the biographies of 170 deaf magicians from 28 countries (2005 & 2013). I am now writing a third book on 30 or more deaf magicians from different countries. I would like to know if members of The Magic Circle and other magic clubs and societies have known any past or current deaf magicians in the United Kingdom. I have, in my 400-page book of "Invisible Magic: Biographies of 112 Deaf Magicians from 28 Countries" [2013], the biographies of the following deaf magicians: England: Douglas Bates, Colin Bunting, John "Fantastica" Gapp, Alexander Jobson, Thomas William Guy Shine (1888-1973), Victor Shine (1928-2010) and John J. Stockton (? - ? / but there was a wonderful article about him published in 1946); and Scotland: John Carson (1939-2008) and Thomas Sutherland (1893-1942). I was told there are some more deaf magicians in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. If so, I shall greatly appreciate receiving their full names, home addresses and email addresses so that I can contact and interview them for my third book project. My email address is simoncarmel13@aol.com. Deaf magicians must not be forgotten in the important history of magic because they have been almost neglected for two centuries until my books demonstrated their existence. Magically yours, Dr. Simon J. Carmel. International Deaf Magician, Historian, Writer & Lecturer. Past Secretary-General, Society of World Deaf Magicians (1990-2014). 15.8.15
Magic,
Illusion & Martial Arts - Netherton. "Jason Steele and Joanne combine a
variety of magic, grand Illusion, sophisticated oriental magic, skilful sleight
of hand and martial arts - creating a performance of wonder, mystery and
excitement." Saturday 15th August at 7.30pm in aid of
Twinkle Trust Animal Aid.
Tickets: £11.00 adults, £5.50 concessions from
www.midlandboxoffice.co.uk telephone: 0870 320 7000. Venue: Netherton Arts
Centre, Northfield Road, Netherton, Dudley DY2 9ER (Map).
15.8.15
Announcement of Sale of Magic of the late Jack Stephens. Paul MacLeavy paulmacleavy@hotmail.com writes: Jack Stephens was a popular and busy all-round magic entertainer. He sadly died earlier this year at the age of 62 years. He had a very comprehensive collection of tricks, props, books, DVDs, equipment and artefacts for both adults and children, much of it no longer obtainable from current magic dealers. His family feel that it is important that his collection should be enjoyed and used by others in the future. There will be an Open Day at Jack's home on Thursday 27th August for anyone who is interested to come along to view and purchase things they would like. Everything will be moderately priced. The Open House will be from 8am until 8pm and light refreshments will be provided throughout the day. The address is Cotswold House, 42 Netherstreet, Bromham, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2DW. All potential buyers welcome. Do come along, buy, and you will benefit the family as well as yourselves. 15.8.15
"'America's
Got Talent' predictions: Piff the Magic Dragon, Paul Zerdin early
favorites to win"
Click Here •
"Viz co-creator and magician Chris Cross present cheque at St Oswald’s
Hospice in Gosforth"
Click Here •
"Edinburgh Fringe Festival: Benedict Cumberbatch's magician pal Neil
Henry 'fibbed' on risk assessment form so he could perform trick"
Click Here •
"Theatre review: Linking Rings"
Click Here •
"Review: Linking Rings"
Click Here •
"Review: Mat Franco magnificent on 'America's Got Talent' return"
Click Here •
"How the glamorous assistants are taking over: Women make better
magicians than men, claims president of the Magic Circle"
Click Here •
"This magazine trick by Britain's Got Talent magician Jamie Raven will
leave you stumped"
Click Here •
"Watch: Magician returns to confuse dogs by making treats disappear in
front of their eyes"
Click Here •
"Blind magician riding subway fame to bigger stages"
Click Here •
"Watch This Magician Make A Quarter Float Above A Subway Platform"
Click Here •
"Orlando magician surprises Penn & Teller"
Click Here •
"An encounter with forensic mind reader Colin Cloud"
Click Here • That's it for this week, as ever your UK magic news is
welcomed. See you next week, Duncan.
15.8.15