Number
825 - 16th April 2016
This
is where it all began... "The Magic Circle was founded on this site at
Pinoli's Restaurant by twenty-three magicians on July 1st 1905"
On Wednesday, 13th April, magicians and members of the public gathered outside 17 Wardour Street in the heart of London for the unveiling of a commemorative Blue Plaque. An official Blue Plaque promotes the history of a building and some of its notable inhabitants, in this case twenty-three magicians and their founding of The Magic Circle on 1st July 1905. It is a recognised symbol of national English heritage, run by the Royal Society of Arts, the London County Council, the Greater London Council and, since 1986, English Heritage.
Dynamo MIMC, having just completed 111 tour dates nationwide, unveiled the plaque to the delight of the gathered crowd. Like many magicians I must have walked past this building numerous times without ever realising that it was the birth place of The Magic Circle. The unveiling felt very special and I think for everyone who's connected with, or is a member of, The Magic Circle, it really was. The building itself is architecturally impressive, with its own fascinating history. Pinoli's was founded by Carlo Pinoli in the 1890s and ran until 1949. Today it is 'Morden & Lea', and it still retains some of the venue's original spirit. MagicWeek was there, Nikon in hand, Photo Feature (DT). 16.4.16
Magician
James More has highest-viewed BGT audition of 2013 writes Markos Papadatos
for Digital Journal: "Britain's Got Talent is celebrating its tenth season, and
looking back, magician James More has the most-viewed audition video of 2013. To
this day, More's audition video, where he is impaled by the sword, has been
viewed over 69 million times on YouTube." To read the full story
Click Here. 16.4.16
Paul Zerdin - Spongefinger Tour 2016 - final dates. Join Paul, cheeky pre-adolescent Sam, belligerent OAP Albert and the precocious Baby for an evening of hilarious ventriloquism and high jinks. Paul has been invited to perform at The Royal Variety performance a record three times, as well as racking up millions of views on YouTube. “Paul Zerdin is in a league of his own. Pure audience gratifying magic” Time Out. “A ventriloquist for the South Park generation” The Stage. “A real master at work” Howard Stern. For tickets visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk. April 16th Udderbelly, London. April 18th Oran Mor, Glasgow. 16.4.16
The
All-Star Stand-Up Tour 2016. "Presenting four heavyweight comics in the
biggest comedy tour of the year. Featuring double Sony Award winner and star of
Mock The Week Gary Delaney, top comedy trickster and star of BBC 1’s
The Magicians Pete Firman, Kiwi compere Jarred Christmas and unbeaten
legend, Never Mind The Buzzcocks team captain Sean Hughes." See
www.chortle.co.uk for dates and venues. 16.4.16
Lost
Envoy - The Tarot Deck of Austin Osman Spare. Readers of The Magic Circular
(January 2016) will already be aware of the exciting news of the discovery
within The Magic Circle Museum of a unique deck of fortune-telling cards hand
painted c.1906 by the English artist and mystic
Austin Spare. For the past three years, curator
Jonathan
Allen has been tracing the journey of this extraordinary artwork from the
hands of its maker to its current home at Stephenson Way. "Lost Envoy” is the
culmination of Allen’s research and reproduces Spare’s deck in its entirety for
the first time, alongside new written and visual contributions from Jonathan
Allen, Phil Baker, Helen Farley, Alan Moore, Kevin O’Neill, Sally O’Reilly and
Gavin W. Semple. The book is published by
Strange Attractor Press and will be launched at Camden Arts Centre on the
evening of 11th May, including a public showcasing of the cards for the first
time in their history. Magicians, artists, tarotists all welcome:
Click Here. 16.4.16
Will
Houstoun Cotswold Magical Society lecture. Darren Campbell writes:
The Magic Circle’s Close-up Magician of the Year 2015, Dr Will Houstoun, has
just completed his PhD in Victorian Conjuring and is back with a new lecture
based around his DVD set, Modern Magic. During the lecture Will will teach a
selection of card and coin magic that is suitable for close-up and parlour and
on which he has been booked to lecture around the world, including multiple
appearances at The Magic Castle and The Magic Circle. The material ranges from easy to intermediate, and
all will be taught
thoroughly, with a view to explaining the details that really make the effects
work. To see a sample of the material visit
Vimeo.
Wednesday, April 20th at 7.30pm at the Hucclecote Community Centre, Hucclecote Road, Gloucester GL3 3RT
(Map).
£10 charge for visiting magicians.
www.cotswoldmagic.org. 16.4.16
Andy
Clockwise 'Clockwatching' lecture - Merlin Magical Society, Hertfordshire.
John Clayton writes: On Thursday 21st April the Merlin Magical Society is having
a lecture by Andy Clockwise entitled 'Clockwatching'. This is Andy’s new
lecture, which has had a good response from clubs he has visited. Entry is £10
for non members, with doors opening at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Below is the
link to our web page where full details are given:
www.merlinmagicalsociety.co.uk. 16.4.16
Manchester
Circle of Magicians. Mike Hinde writes: Manchester Circle of Magicians
welcome Shane Cobalt on Monday 18th April. 7.30pm mini-lecture arranged by
Darren McDonald. 8pm main lecture: Shane Cobalt. In this lecture, Shane Cobalt
will be exploring the rarely talked about subject of "perspectives in magic".
Using personal anecdotes, magical demonstrations, and some really crazy stories,
you will learn how you can break through the web of secrecy to get closer to
your personal magic goals. You can expect to hear about: What you bring to the
table! What is good enough? To Gaff or Not to Gaff... and the miracles that go
with it! Is it mine? And other questions on crediting. The lecture will be
interactive in nature. Attendees will have the opportunity to dictate much of
the material performed during the lecture. Aside from performing effects from
his personal repertoire, Shane will also have a very limited number of
handcrafted items for sale.
www.manchestercircleofmagicians.co.uk. (Also see
What's On for all tour dates). 16.4.16
Chris
Woods - Home Counties Magical Society lecture. Chris is an accomplished
performer who runs The Magic Circle Close-Up shows and you will invariably find
him on a Monday night in the club room, sharing and refining presentations for
effects. His lectures cover the why as well as the how behind some of the
routines from his working repertoire. "... the wording on his website is
“Magic with Charm” and that is exactly what this evening’s event proved to be.
...This evening had no hype, no dealer dem, and no needless fillers. It was
simply a master-class in presentation and misdirection." Bexleyheath Magic
Society. “If you haven't seen Chris perform, you will see that his style and
delivery is gracious, friendly and sincere and his magic is stunning. I hope you
get the chance to experience his work at some point in the future.” Michael
Vincent. Thursday 21st April at 8pm. Visiting magicians welcome for a door
charge of £10. Home Counties Magical Society, Maiden Place Community Centre,
Maiden Place, Kilnsea Drive, Lower Earley RG6 3HE (Map).
For more info see
www.hcms.org.uk and
www.chriswoodmagic.co.uk. 16.4.16
Craig
Longhurst scores a hat-trick! Craig won the Surrey Society of Magicians'
close-up competition for the third year running on Thursday 14th April at the
society's new theatre venue in Surrey. A great evening of magic, with a good
variety of acts from the competitors. Special thanks to magical judge Chris
Wardle for stepping in at the last minute. For membership details visit
www.surreymagic.org.uk.
16.4.16
Michael
Leach 'A Night of Wonder' lecture, The Magic Triangle, Colchester.
Keith Norman writes: Sunday 8th May, The Magic Triangle welcomes Michael Leach to present his
lecture 'A Night of Wonder' about the legendary Tommy Wonder. For Michael the fascination with Tommy's work
started over 10 years ago when he borrowed The Books of Wonder and was
captivated by the theories, psychology and routines contained within their
pages. About 2 years ago Michael set about putting a lecture together, with
permission from Tommy Wonder's family, so he could share his work, and link
theory to performance.
Starting his talk in a similar way to Tommy, talking about the books that
influenced him including Magic by Misdirection by Dariel Fitzkee, Magic and
Showmanship by Henning Nelms, Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz, The Magic Way by
Juan Tamariz and Absolute Magic by Derren Brown.
Michael themes the lecture around different subjects, starting with emotion and
stresses that if you believe in the magic yourself and show this in your manner,
then it makes the experience for the audience even stronger. He then continues
to perform Tommy Wonder's Ambitious Card, followed by his infamous Card in Ring
Box.
He then goes on to talk about attention control (misdirection), discussing
different methods covered in The Books of Wonder. Michael then presents Tommy's Magic Ranch and his 2 cup and ball routine, as a demonstration of these
principles. Michael concludes by discussing conflict and drama and uses Tommy's
Tamed Card and Coins across as examples of this. I have heard rave reviews of this
lecture; 'A Night of Wonder' is a must see!
Visitors welcome. Admission £5.00 (includes tea and coffee). The Magic Triangle,
Straws, 21 Osborne Street, Colchester CO2 7DA (Map).
More info www.themagictriangle.co.uk. 16.4.16
Steve
Dela's 20th career trophy! On
Wednesday 13th April, the Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians, held their stage
competition, for the Tony Shelley Cup. It was a closely fought competition and
the worthy winner was Steve Dela. Steve is seen here, being presented with the
cup, his 20th career trophy, by Past President, Sue Oakley. 16.4.16
Penn & Teller: Fool Us in Vegas, 8pm on Sunday 17th April on Channel 5. "Entertaining magic competition hosted by Jonathan Ross." See TV Magic. 16.4.16
Magicians
at the Half Moon, 29th April, Bishop's Stortford.
Andy Clockwise writes: Friday 29th April at 8pm - pop it in your diary now and
get yourself along to this month's 'Magicians at the Half Moon'. Our usual
compere, Martin Cox, will be in America for this months outing - ahhh!!! - but
fear not, as the incomparable Wayne Fox is back to hold court and run the
evening. Wayne will be joined by two first timers at the Half Moon: Joseph
Badman and Wayne Goodman. Joseph is an award winning magician based in London
who performs what we describe as classical sleight of hand. Many of the
routines you’ll see him perform would have been showcased on stage and in
private parties at the turn of the 20th century. (This is what you can achieve
with nothing more than your bare hands, common, everyday objects, and a lot of
spare time). Wayne Goodman is a versatile performer with incredible wit who has
also won his fair share of awards. Known for his fearless approach, he is often
found to be surrounded by people in awe of his craft. Once again this promises
to be an amazing night of Magic. Doors open at 7.30pm at the Half Moon, 31 North
Street, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2LD (Map).
Entry is £15 on the door, but you can save yourself £5 just by calling 01279
659562 and reserving your seats beforehand.
16.4.16
It's
been a busy week for Mel Harvey. Flying back from Australia on Tuesday he
was presented with an engraved tankard at The British Magic Society for his 50
years of continuous membership and this evening (Saturday) Mel takes on the
panel of judges of Britain's Got Talent with his "retro magic Gangster Act"!
Will it be "Bugsy Malone" or "Bugsy go home" for Mel? Watch BGT tonight to find
out! TV Magic. 16.4.16
The
Anglian Magic Society are holding a 'Show and Tell Workshop' on Tuesday 19th
April at 7.30pm. Steve Majes writes: Do you have a trick or an effect that needs
a helping hand? You have an idea but just can't think of a method? Then a show
and tell workshop is the place for you! Two heads can be better than one, so
imagine what a few more could bring to your project. This evening is a relaxed
way to share and build on creative ideas, methods and techniques, or just a fun
chance to show a favourite effect for some honest feedback. If you're a beginner
in magic and would like some valuable words of wisdom, or a professional that
needs some new viewpoints on a routine, then pop along to this creative event!
Members £3.00 - Visitors £10.00 - All magicians and magic enthusiasts are
welcome. The White Horse Inn, The Street, Trowse, Norwich NR14 8ST (Map).
facebook.com/TheAnglianMagicSociety. 16.4.16
Book
a magic lecturer for your club or convention! Visit the MagicWeek
Lecturers page.
16.4.16
Michael
Pearse. A service to celebrate the life of
Michael
Pearse (Pearse Halpenny) will take place at the Surrey and Sussex
Crematorium on Wednesday 4th May at 2.15 pm. The family welcome everyone to join
them after the service for light refreshments at a nearby venue. In lieu of
flowers it is asked a donation is made to either The Royal Marsden Cancer
charity or St Christopher’s Hospice. These can be made at the service or via
Ebbutt's Funeral Services. Directions to the Crematorium can be found here:
www.crawleysussex.co.uk/directory. 16.4.16
"Champions
of Magic - five of the best"
Click Here • "Grieving Debbie McGee is a picture of elegance as
she puts on a brave face in first red carpet appearance since husband Paul
Daniels' tragic death"
Click Here • "Widow of Paul Daniels pays tribute to 'amazing' medical staff"
Click Here • "Penn Jillette: 'Paul Daniels Was Ready to Be Enemies'"
Click Here • "'He was in and out of jail throughout my life': Magic guru
Dynamo says his father only wanted to know him after he found fame"
Click Here • "Magi-Cal is truly living the dream"
Click Here • "Watch BGT magician Jamie Raven conjure up show on Norwich
Market"
Click Here • "Faversham: Thief swipes cash from magic man's hat"
Click Here • The 60th Northern Magic Circle Convention is reviewed by
Donald Bevan this week,
Click Here • "The unbelievable story of Matthias Buchinger, 18th century
polymath, magician and artist"
Click Here • "Keith Barry conjures up new US TV series"
Click Here • "How JC Sum became The Ace Of Asia"
Click Here • "Dynamo and Basil Brush among acts announced for the Kidzfield
at Glastonbury"
Click Here • And finally... "The great escape: Inky the octopus legs it to
freedom from aquarium"
Click Here • News Deadline reminder. Please submit news by Thursday if
possible - absolute deadline 12 noon Friday, no exceptions, many thanks, see you
next week, Duncan.
16.4.16