Number
827 - 30th April 2016
David
Berglas Nothing is Impossible. For decades ‘International Man of Mystery’ David
Berglas amazed the world with a series of seemingly impossible stunts. Now in
his 90s, David lived through some of the most dramatic and traumatic events of
the twentieth century. Psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman (University of
Hertfordshire) recently recorded David describing some of his early experiences,
including living in Germany during Hitler’s rise to power, attending the 1936
Berlin Olympics, and working as a postwar Nazi hunter. Listen to David’s
remarkable memories in the following 20 minute podcast:
davidberglas.wordpress.com. 30.4.16
SAMS
Convention 2016. Kenny Kerr writes: There is now less than a week until the
start of our 2016 Convention which is being held in The Adamton House Hotel,
Monkton (near Prestwick) on 6th - 8th May. Saturday Night Dinner and Cabaret:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Steven Blair is unable to appear in the show,
therefore Alan Duncan is stepping in to replace him. The four acts are: Alan
Duncan - unique magic; Stephanie King - Hula Hoop act; Mel Mellers - Compere &
Comedy Magician; Guy Barrett - illusionist. Lecturers: Mel Mellers will be
giving a lecture, Harry Robson will give his close-up lecture and Ian Davis (who
has taken part in the UK Children's Entertainer of the Year, on two occasions)
will lecture on Kids Magic. Dealers: Harry Robson, Ian Davis, Alan Duncan, Heidi
Costumes and Jimmy Craig. Hotel Rooms should be booked through our secretary
Elizabeth McNamara
elizabethmcnamara@btinternet.com or 01563 821241. Registrations:
Registration forms can be downloaded from the SAMS website
www.scottishassociationofmagicalsocieties.co.uk. Our Registration Secretary
this year is Graeme Taylor, email
emearg112@hotmail.com or telephone 07399 458393. The Committee look forward
to seeing friends "old and new" at the 2016 convention and we all hope you have
a magical and very enjoyable weekend. 30.4.16
Bristol
Day of Magic - Sunday 8th May 2016. Just 8 days to go until the 56th annual
Bristol Day of Magic featuring international performers presenting lectures,
workshops, close-up shows, dealers' displays, and a star-studded Gala Show.
Dealers attending include PropDog with the Ellusionist range of magic, Discount
Magic, The Master of Magic, Bargain Magic Books, Keith Bennett's extensive range
of coin magic, Richard Griffin's Creative Magic, and the ever popular Bristol
Magic Stand with those hard to find magic bargains. There is space for a couple
more magic dealers. If interested, email Paul MacLeavy:
paulmacleavy@hotmail.com. See
www.bristoldayofmagic.com for full details. 30.4.16
Ben Hanlin makes a guest appearance on Tonight at the London Palladium on Wednesday 4th May on ITV. Bradley Walsh welcomes soul star Billy Ocean, pop star Rachel Platten, magician Ben Hanlin, and Japanese speciality act Gamarjobat. There is also music from Downton Abbey's Julian Ovenden and comedy from The Chase's Paul Sinha. See TV Magic. 30.4.16
London
Festival of Close-Up Magic.
Director and Magician Tony Middleton writes: "'I am looking for professional magicians who have an hour-long parlour show or
30 minute stand up act to play in my venue for a week pre-Edinburgh.
The Victorian lounge of Grand Royale Hyde Park seats 50 people each week for The
Magic Hour. There are 3 rows of audience in front of the fireplace, and it is an
intimate and atmospheric venue. We are looking for magicians who can perform
stand up magic in this context without the need of projection."
See:
www.grandroyalelondon.co.uk
and www.magichourshow.com.
To register your interest, please send details of your act, including links to
video footage in front of a live audience to:
magichourlondon@gmail.com. 30.4.16
British
Ring Convention, Buxton 8th-11th September. Quentin Reynolds will be giving
The Jeffrey Atkins Memorial Lecture on the morning of Friday 9th September.
Quentin will cover some of the elements that turn a good trick into a strong
performance piece. In addition he will feature Children's Magic in a separate
lecture, on the Thursday afternoon and also perform a spot on the After Banquet
Gala on the Friday evening. For more information about the convention see
www.magicconvention.co.uk. 30.4.16
Top
US lecturer Chris Randall will be touring the UK next year. Steve Gore
writes: In April 2017 Chris Randall is showing us why he is the current IBM
Stage Magician of the Year (won at Jacksonville, Florida last year). Again, this
is another top name that will book up fast. Email
tours@stevegore.co.uk. "Born and
raised in Las Vegas, Chris Randall has appeared on The Masters of Illusion TV
show in the States and is a regular at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood.
Awards include the coveted Silver Medal of Excellence from the International
Brotherhood of Magicians. Chris has performed worldwide and also travels the
country performing at comedy clubs such as The Sapphire Comedy Hour in Las Vegas
and The Laugh Factory." In this lecture you will learn: Fly by Night - Chris'
handling of the hummer card. This has been his opener for over 15 years; Swoosh
- A simple and natural deck switch; Scandal Switch - The ultimate solution for
your linking ring routine (only two rings are used and both are examined);
Heavens Aces - 4 jokers are produced at the finger tips and then instantly
change to 4 aces in a very visual way, and many more routines. "Chris isn't
just teaching some tricks, he's sharing a honed act, and a damn good one at
that." Justin Willman. "This has elements that I could see adopting
into my routine and I have done it the same way for 30 years. This is pure gold.
My hat is off to you pal. This is the last word on Bill In Lemon" Doc Eason.
"It's the best I have ever seen" Sean David Bogunia. 30.4.16
Harry
Robson is now taking lecture bookings for 2017, and still has a few dates
open for the remainder of 2016. "On behalf of the Society of Irish Magicians
I would like to thank Harry Robson for his lecture in Dublin earlier this month.
Great stories, lots of laughter and brilliant commercial magic from a real pro.
The evening finished with a well deserved standing ovation for Harry. If you are
in a magic club and you have never had Harry lecture then you are missing out...
I couldn't recommend him enough!" Mark Cullen, President of The Society of
Irish Magicians. Contact Harry via
www.harryrobsonmagic.co.uk/lectures or phone 07745 905500. 30.4.16
Wayne
Dobson - The Definitive Collection is reviewed by Jay Fortune this
week. "Over the last few years there’s been a collection of
books featuring Wayne’s routines, thinking and story. This is the final word in
collecting that huge output of strong, commercial routines, thoughts,
autobiography, clippings and guest articles, plus many unpublished routines...
Despite Wayne’s disability his creative skill leaves me in awe. His solutions to
magical problems stem from sleights to completely hands-off." To read Jay's full review,
Click Here. 30.4.16
Repro
Magic Resurrected! News from magician, hypnotist and mentalist Jonathan
Royle: "After negotiating with Mike Danata, the copyright owner of all the
former Repro Magic material, and after many months of work, I have extracted all
of the Mentalism and Mind Reading material from Repro Magic's "Club 71"
and "The Magician" magazines and formulated them into three encyclopedic
volumes of killer mentalism. Only 150 signed and numbered sets of this unique
trilogy will ever be released. The contributors read like a 'Who's Who' of Magic
& Mentalism and with almost 1,200 pages between three large volumes these are
set to become the mentalism books of the decade!" For full details visit
www.mentalismsecrets.co.uk. 30.4.16
Merlins
of Wakefield are having a Happy Bank Holiday Special 21% off everything sale to
celebrate their 21 years in business! To get this special deal, you must phone
them and place your order on 01924 339933, or call in at the shop. Any orders
placed on the website will not receive the 21% discount. The offer runs from
9.30am today, 30th April, to 4pm on Tuesday 3rd May (they are closed on Monday 2nd
May). This special offer only applies to items in stock. All sales are on a first come basis and once stock has gone, it
can not be re-ordered at the special price.
Don’t forget their amazing
21st Birthday Magic Day on 15th May which is to be held at the Unity House
in Wakefield. www.merlinswakefield.com. 30.4.16
Second
Deals - new classified advertising, specifically for magicians. Alex Kirk
writes: Second Deals (www.second-deals.com)
is a new classified advertising site designed specifically for magicians. It is
an easy place for magicians to sell their unwanted magic items or buy second
hand magic at a fraction of the normal price. It began just a few weeks ago when
I was looking to sell some of my old stuff. I just felt there needed to be a
great alternative to the hassle of posting on forums or the expense of auction
sites. What makes Second-Deals.com special? It is free, no listing fees and no
catches. It is great for buyers because items are categorised and the whole site
is searchable, making life that little bit easier. It is great for selling, as
the listings format gives you space to add a product description, even a photo
and your personal details are hidden. I really hope
www.second-deals.com
will catch on and grow. It is incredibly easy to join and I’m looking forward to
fellow magicians enjoying the benefits. So please get started with
www.second-deals.com
today. 30.4.16
May
Bank Holiday Sale at the Card Collection! Up to 20% off all stock items.
Sale now on - runs until 10.30am on Tuesday 3rd May.
Don't miss out on the bargains!
www.cards4magic.co.uk. 30.4.16
Paul
Stone York Society of Magicians lecture. Austin Siviter writes: York Society
of Magicians next meeting is a lecture by Paul Stone on Wednesday 11th May at
the Dringhouses Sports & Social Club, Saint Helens Road, York YO24 1HR (Map).
7pm for a 7.30pm start. Currently based in Las Vegas, Paul has been around the
magic scene for many years. A successful Cabaret and Trade Show performer he
moved into Show and Event Production over thirty years ago and has produced his
'World Stars of Magic' and 'Variety Live' Shows in several top Hotel Casinos in
Las Vegas and at the world famous London Palladium, where Paul has produced more
than 20 shows including 'A Tribute to Siegfried & Roy at the London Palladium'
and 'Palladium Magic' celebrating 100 years of magic at the Palladium and
honouring Master Magician John Calvert.
His lecture includes a number of ideas based on classic and commercial magic
effects with his own twists, and he demonstrates a couple of them in detail. He
also tells several stories involving many names in magic with whom he has worked
or who have appeared in his shows, including Fred Kaps, the Morettis, Siegfried
& Roy, Ken Brooke, Finn Jon, John Calvert, Silvan, Lance Burton and Slydini to
name a few. He also talks about magic in Las Vegas, and producing over 20 shows
at the world famous London Palladium Theatre. He'll also have a few exclusive
items available for sale. Non-members most welcome, pay on the night £5.00.
(Also see What's On for other club dates in
May). 30.4.16
Scott
Creasey will be presenting his brand new Mentalism lecture for The Medway
Magical Society on Tuesday 3rd May at 8pm. This lecture draws together some
of Scott's favourite mentalism card routines and presents them as a lecture.
Effects that he has been using as part of his professional repertoire for many
years, routines using borrowed decks, stacked decks and gaffed decks. There is
no knuckle busting finger flinging in this lecture, instead it is approached
with the following questions in mind: "The psychology behind cards - should we
use them in mentalism and if so how should we handle them?" "When the public see
a pack of cards, do they think 'Card Games' or do they think (with a groan)
'Magician'?" "How can we transform the pick-a-card trick into a piece of
emotional theatre?" This promises to be an interesting take on the classic
question, should you use cards in mentalism? Entry is £10 on the door for
non-members. Venue: The Medway Magical Society, St George Hotel, 7-8 New Road
Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6BB (Map).
www.medwaymagicalsociety.org.uk. 30.4.16
The Chamber of Secrets Torremolinos celebrated its first year anniversary
last week.
Chamber founder Matthew Wright said he was amazed and delighted at the positive
response the show had received in its first year, after being awarded the
TripAdvisor Top Ten Family Attraction in Spain.
A celebration show was held on Thursday night. Any magicians visiting the Costa
Del Sol this year and wanting to see the show can contact Matthew for a special
discounted price via www.chamberofsecrets.eu. 30.4.16
Tommy
Cooper stars in 'And The Same to You'
Monday 9th May on Talking Pictures. "The boxing-mad nephew of a pious clergyman embarks on an
elaborate plan to keep his boxing career a secret." See
TV Magic for details. 30.4.16
Ken
Perks 1929 -2016. Mel Harvey writes: Ken Perks passed away on Saturday
23rd April following a battle with stomach cancer. For
many years Ken was responsible for all the artwork for 3M and Revlon, from his
own printing company in Bridgend. He was my personal mentor for magic and created
the artwork for all the posters for my touring shows during the 80s and the
90s.
Ken was of course an award winning magician in his own right, touring
clubs and theatres in his younger years with a manipulation act. Ken came up from Wales to teach me how to use a computer and also taught
Stephen Tucker who went on to edit the British Ring's "Budget"
magazine.
A very kind man who never had a bad word to say about anyone. A keen fisherman
who in addition to computers also taught me how to fish with a fly. Ken's
artwork can still be found on some of Ken Brooke's lines, "Ken's Perky Mirrors"
and "Tweezers" being just two from the range. During Ken's lifetime he was a
keen supporter of The Cardiff Magical Society, at one time being appointed the
President.
At this time our thoughts go out to Ken's widow Dot (an established artist in her own right) and to Dana his god-daughter and his many friends in Bridgend and around the world. The funeral will take place on Friday 6th May at 3.15pm at The Coychurch Crematorium, Coychurch Road, Bridgend CF35 6AB (junction 36 off the M4). The wake will be held at The Red Dragon, Litchard Hill, Litchard, Bridgend CF31 1QJ. The family request no flowers but a donation would be appreciated to Cancer Research Wales, sent to Dana Jones, Thorverton, Litchard Terrace, Litchard, Bridgend CF31 1PN. 30.4.16
Maurice
Stanworth Howarth 1922-2016. Known to everyone as ‘Mo’, Maurice Howarth is
remembered by Roger Woods, Click
Here. 30.4.16
"Conjurer Roy Johnson dies after a long and magical career"
www.leicestermercury.co.uk. 30.4.16
"Johnny
Thompson earns prestigious Nevada 'Hall of Fame' award"
Click Here • "Miracle man Derren Brown back in Bristol"
Click Here • "Doctor Faustus, theatre review: Kit Harington, sex, blood and
rock'n'roll"
Click Here • "Alyson Hannigan Conjured As New Host Of ‘Penn & Teller: Fool
Us’"
Click Here • "Brighton Bites: Hambledon Productions – Just Like That! The
Tommy Cooper Show"
Click Here • "'Houdini & Doyle': History's odd couple put to work solving
mysteries"
Click Here • Will Houstoun's Cotswold Magical Society lecture is reviewed by
Dougie Gibbard this week,
Click Here • "Bus company provides a bit of magic for passengers on revamped
bus route"
Click Here • Hope you have a really good bank holiday weekend... right now
it's sunny. Thanks as always for your UK magic news; it's always welcome. See
you next week, Duncan.
30.4.16