Number 820 - 12th March 2016
[Thursday morning, 17th March.]
Paul
Daniels dies aged 77 (6th April 1938 -17th March 2016). Magician
Paul Daniels has died aged 77. He had been diagnosed with an inoperable
brain tumour in February. Daniels was born Newton Edward Daniels in
Middlesbrough and started out performing in working men's clubs where he
honed his quick-witted ad-libs and brilliant magic routines to
perfection. He made his TV debut on ITV's talent show Opportunity
Knocks, but it was really his appearances on The Wheeltappers and
Shunters Social Club
YouTube [1975] that shot him to fame. This led on to him ultimately
having his own BBC series The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran
for 15 years; dominating the British magic scene throughout the 80s and
early 90s.
Paul had a huge passion for magic, and a huge passion for life. He will be greatly missed. He leaves behind wife Debbie McGee and his three sons from a previous marriage. A fuller appreciation will appear on Saturday. DT. 17.3.16
Exonian
Magic Society One Day Convention. From the organisers: The Exonian
Magic Society will be celebrating their 80th anniversary with a
fantastic 1 day convention on Sunday October 2nd 2016. Featuring five
lectures, close-up sessions, a gala show and a three course meal in the
price of £45 for the whole convention, or just £30 for a daytime only
registration. Tickets will be available via the website shortly, or from
Ozzy Dee
ozzydee@themagiccircle.co.uk directly. The venue is the excellent
Deer
Park Country House Hotel, Honiton, which also offers accommodation
for the Sunday Evening.
www.exonianmagicalsociety.co.uk.
12.3.16
The
Magicians' Podcast this week features Geoffrey Durham. In this interview he
discusses why he quit performing, his thoughts on the magic world today and why
you absolutely should have a trick with liquid in your show! Listen
to this podcast and catch up with previous editions at
magicianspodcast.podbean.com. Also see
www.facebook.com/MagiciansPodcast.
12.3.16
Diego
Minevitz - UK lecture tour. From the organisers: Diego Minevitz has
developed a lecture focusing on the secrets of Harry Houdini's escapes,
Russian Roulette and Fakirism, titled 'Extreme Magic For Everybody'
(See, Extreme Magic Lecture:
YouTube; Sky Escape:
YouTube; The Sword:
YouTube). In his lecture we'll also see psychology in magic, staging
and mentalism. It is designed in order to work for magicians of all
styles. This lecture has been delivered in 22 countries, 50 cities and
60 magic associations. The themes of the lecture are very different from
normal, but not less interesting. It's a fun evening, where magicians
learn, are amazed, laugh a lot and constantly take part in everything!
15/03/2016 British Magical Society
16/03/2016 Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians
17/03/2016 Nottingham Guild of Magicians
18/03/2016 Bradford Magic Circle
21/03/2016 Manchester Circle of Magicians
22/03/2016 Blackpool Magicians Club
23/03/2016 Scottish Conjurors Association
24/03/2016 Aberdeen Magical Society
25/03/2016 The Trickery (public show)
29/03/2016 Northamptonshire Magicians Club
30/03/2016 Leamington & Warwick Magic Society
31/03/2016 Surrey Society of Magicians.
12.3.16
How
to join The Magic Circle. If you’ve always wanted to be a part of
The Magic Circle, the world’s premier magical society, then this link
www.themagiccircle.co.uk/join-us
will give you all the information you need. If you’re ready to join
straight away you can find out how the process works, what you need to
do and what you can expect. If you’re interested in the Apprentice
Scheme or The Young Magicians Club you’ll also be able to find out
how membership works.
12.3.16
Katie
Trickett added to NMC Convention. From the organisers: The Northern
Magic Circle are pleased to add Katie Trickett to the line up for the
convention at the Harrogate Theatre on the 9th and 10th of April. Katie
will present her magic bar act, mixing up magical cocktails with a 1920s
speakeasy/Charleston theme. The convention will also feature the
manipulative magic of Oliver Tabor, time travelling illusionists Morgan
& West, shadow theatre from Two Minds Combined and The Magic Circle's
Young Magicians of the Year Destiny. As well as star-studded lectures
from Andi Gladwin, Paul Stone, Morgan & West and Luke Jermay. The
convention line up also includes a fantastic Children's Show and Gala
Show with some of magic's biggest stars! More acts to be announced
shortly. Ticket prices are £55 for members and £65 for non-members. To
book visit
www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk.
12.3.16
Adam
Trent is a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday 23rd March.
"Light-hearted US talk show hosted by
comedian Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen's guests today include actor Kirsten
Dunst, Big Bang Theory star Melissa Rauch and illusionist Adam Trent."
See TV Magic.
12.3.16
An
Evening with Steve Kovarez at The Anglian Magic Society. Steve Majes
writes: Steve Kovarez is a very successful international magician and
illusionist. During this special evening Steve is going to share some of
the secrets behind his success. Many will have seen one of Steve’s
created characters “Stevie Pink” when this colourful character reached
the live finals of “Britain’s Got Talent” last year. Steve will give us
some valuable insights along with hints and tips regarding appearances
on television talent shows. Steve is such a fun
guy to chat with and listen to, so don’t forget to mark this date in
your diary as it may be years before we get another opportunity to have
“An Evening with Steve Kovarez”. Tuesday 15th March at 7.30pm. Members
£3.00 / Visitors £10.00. The White Horse Inn, The Street, Trowse,
Norwich NR14 8ST (Map).
All magicians and magic enthusiasts are welcome.
12.3.16
Family
Easter Magic Show, Nunhead. Simon Rosselli writes: "Easter Rabbit,
puppets, one lucky person to be cut in half, audience participation,
comedy, laughter and Great Family Entertainment! A chance to meet Fluffy
the Rabbit. A Free Bunny Copter to all those attending. Doors Open 15
minutes early. Interval between two magical acts. Starring: Klassy &
Amigo's Magic. David Klass is one of the busiest family entertainers in
the South East. He has won numerous awards for his magic and has been
entertaining children of all ages with his unique, modern and fresh
style for over 10 years. He says creating childhood memories, filled
with laughter, magic and astonishment makes every second a delight.
Amigo's Magic is a Member of The Magic Circle has been on The Big
Breakfast and has also performed worldwide. Monday 28th March at 1pm and
4pm. Tickets: Adults £7.50, Children £6.00, Family tickets of four £20,
or five £25. Venue: The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead SE15 3BE (Map).
www.magicmindreadingandmayhem.co.uk.
12.3.16
Gordon’s
Magic Wins Top UK Award. Since winning the Kidology UK Children’s
Entertainer of the Year competition in September magician Gordon Drayson
'Gordon’s Magic', has been working overtime to perfect and improve his
act which has now just won the National Children’s Entertainer
Championships held in Blackpool. Winning a trophy and £500 prize money,
Gordon performed his act, specially created for the event, to around
1300 children and adults in the Blackpool Opera House. Votes were cast
by the audience, so to be voted the winner by the children, families and
his fellow entertainers is a great accolade. Gordon said “I am so
pleased to have won this competition – the other five acts were of a
really high standard, as you would expect, so I had no idea how the
votes would be cast.” His act for the Competition took his audience back
to their childhood, asking the question “Do you believe in magic?” and
featured a talking drawing board, virtually instant costume changes and
the creation of a snowstorm that filled the stage. Highlights of his
award winning act can be seen here
www.vimeo.com.
Also see www.disbelieving.com.
12.3.16
Gary
Jones lecture night, Coventry. The Coventry Magic Circle are
delighted to welcome back Gary Jones. The lecture is full of effects and
tips for both professionals and hobbyists. If you're a working magician
you cannot afford to miss this lecture. And if you are a hobbyist you
will absolutely love it too. It promises to be a great night. Tuesday
22nd March at 8pm at Bentley Road Social Club, Bentley Road, Nuneaton CV11 5LR
(Map).
www.garyjonesmagic.co.uk
www.coventrymagiccircle.co.uk.
12.3.16
Adam
Cooper's competition win! Sue Oakley writes: On Wednesday 9th March,
The Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians held their annual Close-up
competition for the Tom Laws Plate. The competition was the highest
standard it has been for many years and the worthy winner was Adam
Cooper. The trophy was presented to Adam by president Dave Pitt.
www.wcm-magic.co.uk.
12.3.16
The
Mark Leveridge March Podcast. Mark writes: My March melange of
magical musings covers a number of hopefully interesting topics this
month, including how I coped with performing unexpectedly for some blind
spectators, the irritation that can be caused by spectators constantly
fiddling with their phones while you're trying to entertain them, the
pros and cons of receiving and dealing with show enquiries via email and
whether it is important or not what you wear when you perform
commercially. The Podcast is published on the first of every month,
lasts 30 minutes and always has varied and interesting content to engage
you. Oh, and it's free. So if you've got a spare half an hour while you
kick back with a cuppa, why not go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php or
www.markleveridge.podbean.com and listen in to some magic chat? And
if you like it, you can catch some of the previous editions at the same
time too.
12.3.16
Wayne
Fox's new "Chatter Fox" lecture. Brian Lobo writes: Wayne is an
Associate of The Inner Magic Circle and with his award winning technical
abilities there is a chance here to learn original sleights and cleverly
thought out misdirection, for visual card tricks, coin magic and
mindreading. All taught in a relaxed and entertaining manner. Non
members welcome. Entry fee: £6.00. Tuesday 15th March at 7.30pm. The
Millfield Community Centre, New England Complex, Lincoln Road,
Peterborough PE1 2PE (Map).
www.psmagicians.org.uk.
12.3.16
Mel
Mellers: The Travelling Trickster! If you've ever seen Mel perform
(and you almost certainly have!), you'll know that he manages to combine
some pretty strong mentalism effects with side splitting comedy. It's a
heady combination which has garnered him huge success all around the
world for decades. When someone of this calibre decides to spill the
beans about what he does and how he does it, it pays the rest of us to
sit up and take notice, and that's why Mel's new book, The Travelling
Trickster, has flown off the shelves since its launch at the Blackpool
Convention. If you love practical stand up effects, if you enjoy using
comedy in your own act, if you want to learn the real tricks of the
trade from one of magic's best, then you should read this book. You'll
laugh out loud at his hilarious asides and gags, you'll select your
favourites from the 50+ routines included to use in your own shows, and
you'll really benefit from the wisdom and experience that Mel shares on
a whole range of magic topics. Beautifully designed in full colour
throughout, this 148 page soft backed book deserves your attention and
is available right now from the publishers, Magicseen. Go to
www.magic.forgecom.info/magbooks.htm to order your copy today.
12.3.16
Zig-Zag
on the streets of Dublin. Towards the end of last year Irish
magicians Pat Fallon, Brendan Byrne, Brian Daly and mentalist Robert
Williams gave a special performance on Grafton Street in Dublin to
celebrate fifty years since the invention of Robert Harbin's Zig Zag
Girl illusion. RTE television sent a team from the popular magazine
programme Nationwide to cover the event, which was broadcast last
Wednesday. Initially it was hoped that the broadcast would coincide with
the 50th anniversary of the first time Harbin presented his illusion on
television during ITV’s Sunday Night at the London Palladium in 1965.
However, a backlog of features for the programme prevented it from been
shown, until now. For anyone who would like to catch up with the event
the RTE iPlayer is available worldwide and the show is accessible
through this link:
www.rte.ie.
12.3.16
Aberdeen
Sleight of Hand Expert Excels in Competition. An Aberdeen card sharp
is following in his grandfather’s footsteps after celebrating a big win
in a competition judged by his peers. Marcus Gordon was awarded the Ron
Gordon Trophy for Card Magic by members of the Aberdeen Magical Society.
The trophy was presented by Ron Gordon himself – Marcus’ grandfather –
after a close competition judged by a panel of experts on Tuesday, March
8th. Marcus fought off tough competition from four other magicians with
a slick display of card sleights and showmanship. Despite being one of
the youngest members of Aberdeen Magical Society, this is the fourth
time Marcus has won the annual competition for card magic.
He said “I feel proud to win the trophy again for a couple of reasons.
Obviously, with it being my grandfather’s trophy it’s important to me.
But also because card magic is how I got started and it is humbling for
the hard work I have put in to be recognised by my peers. My earliest
memory of magic was seeing my grandfather performing at a family
gathering – he was making coins pass through a table and I just couldn’t
figure it out. When I was a bit older, he started showing me some basic
tricks and flourishes with cards, and I was quickly moving on to more
difficult things.”
www.aberdeenmagic.com .
12.3.16
Magicians
at the Half Moon. From the organisers: What an Easter treat there is
in store for you as the 'Magicians at the Half Moon' crack on with their
Easter show on Friday, 25th March - yes, that's Good Friday. How good
can it be? Well, your show producer and compere for the night, Martin
Cox, has the Great Al-Prendo returning for his 4th appearance by popular
demand. We never know what Al is going to do, Al doesn't seem to know
what he's going to do , but whatever he does do you're guaranteed a
laugh or two. Joining Martin and Al is first timer at the Half Moon,
Russell Levinson. Russell produces his very own successful monthly show
- Conjuring at the Court - in West London (also recommended a visit) so
it's a real treat to have him with us on what again promises to be
another eggciting night of Magic and Entertainment. Tickets are £15 on
the door but you can save yourself £5 by calling Martin on 01279 659562
and reserving a seat. Doors open at 7.30pm and the fun kicks off at 8pm
at the Half Moon, 31 North Street, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23
2LD (Map). More information at
www.halfmoonmagic.co.uk.
12.3.16
Magic
Moments. Raising over £2,200 for conservation charity 'Friends of
Paradise Wildlife Park', the production of 'Masters of Magic' was itself
a magical transformation of an event marquee in a wildlife park into a
full theatrical performance of the world’s best magicians. The sell-out
crowd ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ in all the right places as the magicians
presented a 2 hour show featuring magic that was amazing, theatrical and
comical. Highlights included an unexpected audience being greeted by the
stars of the show upon arrival, witnessing incredible magic close-up and
personal, through to Jeff McBride performing his full Las Vegas show to
close the evening. Thanks to all the supporters, staff, volunteers and
friends who made the evening such a success. And of course to the stars
of the show themselves; Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and Lawrence Hass –
true Masters of Magic! 'Masters of Magic' was a Magic Moments show
raising money and smiles through magic for charity. Produced by Jay
Fortune with Kenny Roberts and Lynn Whitnall. If you have a Magic
Moments idea then why not contact ‘The Magic Moments Team’ at
magicmoments@live.co.uk.
12.3.16
The
Fylde Mystics have a new Life President. Alan Mylecraine writes: Ken
Ashburn, the last original founder member of the Fylde Mystics,
gratefully accepted the position of Honorary Life President last month,
which was coincidentally 58 years from his last term of office back in
1958, the year of its founding. Ken regaled the members with a few
stories of the early years in the Fylde Mystics before accepting a
certificate marking the occasion. The Fylde Mystics was reformed in 2008
and is dedicated to the performance of magic. For further information
visit
www.fyldemystics.co.uk.
12.3.16
"Fans thanked for their support after Paul Daniels' diagnosis"
Click Here.
"Paul Daniels: Terminally ill Wargrave magician 'happy at home' after leaving hospital" Click Here.
"Son of magician Paul Daniels to continue with Suffolk show after father’s brain tumour diagnosis" Click Here. 12.3.16
"Society tip their fezzes to Caerphilly comic in posthumous 95th
birthday"
Click Here •
"Dynamo hits Belfast and seeing really is believing!"
Click Here •
"Dynamo Belfast review: Left in awe as illusionist wows SSE Arena"
Click Here •
"Review - A magical night with Dynamo in Belfast"
Click Here •
"Magician Dynamo claims 'I could be the next BMX superstar' - but it's
all an illusion..."
Click Here •
"Thorpe Park is offering tickets for just 12p to celebrate the opening
of Derren Brown’s Ghost Train"
Click Here [Oops... 1 Bob or 1 shilling = 5p or 12d, not 12p] •
"Firefighter turned magician Matt plays his cards right"
Click Here •
"World-class magician"
Click Here •
"Dynamo Uses Galaxy S7 Camera to Create Everyday Illusions"
Click Here •
"For Harry Houdini's wife, love was not a magic trick"
Click Here •
"Magicians from around the world descend for South Tyneside
International Magic Festival"
Click Here •
"Reveen’s legacy lives on"
Click Here •
"Illusionist Leon Etienne Headed To China"
Click Here • Your news, event listings and reviews always welcomed.
See you next week, Duncan.
12.3.16