Number
845 - 3rd September 2016
Blackpool
Magicians' Club have just released the first batch of names set to
headline at their annual convention next year (16th-19th February 2017).
Join Paul Zenon, Yan Yan Ma, Mike Bent and John Guastaferro in what
promises to be an amazing event. More exciting names to be announced
soon. To book, visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
3.9.16
Conjuring
at the Court, Thursday 29th September, London. From the organisers: A
stunning line-up. Presenting Bebel, from France. Revered as one of the greatest
sleight of hand card magicians in the world. On a rare visit to this country; it
could even be his first public show in the UK. Don’t miss the chance to see his
astonishing work at Conjuring at the Court! The rest of the line-up is equally
stunning. Also from France comes Jerome Bourgeon (European Magical Close-up
Champion, Blackpool 2007) with a wildly original take on classic magic ; his
ideas are breathtaking! Michael Vadini’s marvellous act is everything magic
should be: visually stunning, emotionally powerful, full of deft humour. And
John Kimmons brings the house down with his fabulous magic and ventriloquism –
he’s a riot! The show starts at 8pm and runs to 10pm with an interval. It’s in
the lovely function room of the Drayton Court, recently refurbished throughout.
Come early to enjoy a meal before the show! Drayton Court, 2 The Avenue, West
Ealing, London W13 8PH (Map).
Just 12 minutes from Central London: take the West Ealing train from Paddington
and the pub is 2 minutes walk from the station. Parking is free from 6.30pm.
www.conjuringatthecourt.com.
3.9.16
Triple
French. Andy Clockwise writes: On Tuesday 27th September, the Fez Club
welcomes three top French Magicians: Jerome Bourgeon, Yves Carbonnier (photo)
and Bébel - who will each present a very different magic lecture. Jerome will
show some half serious tricks used in bars and restaurants, and some others
which are not so serious, explaining in detail how each effect was created;
sharing his creative process. He'll also share some other half finished ideas
and moves which you could maybe add to your own repertoire. Yves will lecture on
card handling including false shuffles and spread controls and Bébel will
demonstrate and explain street magic which has given him the title "Le Magicien
Extraordinare". The lectures will run from 7.30pm to 10pm at The Rhodes Centre,
1-3 South Road, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 3JG (Map).
Doors open at 7pm and entry is just £15. If you would like to reserve a front
row seat, drop organiser Martin Cox an email:
martin@comedyofmagic.co.uk
Then on Saturday 1st October from 1pm to 5pm, Martin Cox will be hosting three very special workshops by the trio; Jerome Bourgeon, Yves Carbonnier and Bébel. Each will be teaching a very small number of attendees at the Smoke and Mirrors Bar, 8 Denmark Street, Bristol BS1 5DQ (Map). The cost to attend is £65 but if you book before 24th September you'll get in for the reduced rate of just £45 which is a crazy price. Jerome will be teaching coin techniques, Yves will be teaching card control and Bébel will be detailing his own card techniques and concepts. If you are interested in attending, and would like to reserve a place, please contact Martin Cox martin@comedyofmagic.co.uk ASAP. 3.9.16
Kyle
Marlett UK Lecture Tour. "Talented, off-beat and charismatic, Kyle Marlett
performs mind-blowing illusions with singular flair. From close-up
sleights-of-hand to elaborate new twists on classic illusions, Kyle delivers an
endearing charm and infectious comedic deadpan whether on the stage, on the
street or on camera." Kyle writes: "This is my very first lecture tour in the UK
and I have a few surprises in store for everyone! This is a brand new lecture
for me, full of never before seen material. There is something for everyone.
Close-up, impromptu, stage, walk around, etc. I'll be teaching a number of
effects. Most of everything I teach is easy to do so it's perfect for everyone.
Look out for a date near you!"
05/09/2016 Manchester Circle of Magicians
06/09/2016 Blackpool Magicians' Club
07/09/2016 Liverpool Magic Circle (£10 visitors, pay on the door)
08/09/2016 IBM Convention - Lecture
10/09/2016 IBM Convention - Close up show
12/09/2016 The Magic Circle (members only)
13/09/2016 Wessex Magical Association
14/09/2016 Zodiac Magical Society, London
15/09/2016 Home Counties Magical Society, Reading
19/09/2016 Newcastle Magic Circle
21/09/2016 Scottish Conjurors Association
22/09/2016 Sheffield Circle of Magicians
24/09/2016 Smoke & Mirrors, Bristol (show only, no lecture)
"I could watch you for hours!" Penn Jillette. "Kyle is a creative
wonder!" Andrew Mayne.
Showreel: YouTube. Also see www.kylemarlett.tv. 3.9.16
The
80th IBM British Ring Convention starts this Thursday, 8th September.
Geoffrey Newton PRO writes: The 80th Convention of the IBM British Ring starts
on Thursday 8th September in Buxton, Derbyshire. A settlement founded by the
Romans, originally called Aquae Arnemetiae (the spa of the goddess of the grove)
and the highest market town in England. This is the 5th time The British Ring
has held a convention there and it has all the makings of four days of great
magic. There are good road links, it is only about an hour by train from
Manchester (train from London to Manchester Piccadilly approx. 2 hours 20
minutes - every 20 minutes) and about 50 minutes by car/taxi from Manchester
Airport. There is a line-up of excellent lectures, and top class acts appearing
on both the convention shows and public performances. You can register on
arrival for the whole convention, weekend or day. The opening times for the
Registration Desk are in the
full
programme. Postal registrations are now closed. The British Ring convention
organisers (Brian Miller and Keith Cooper) have brought you the best of magic
available to them so come along and enjoy!
www.magicconvention.co.uk.
3.9.16
Who's
Doing The Dishes? Magicians and good friends John Bulleid, Andy Clockwise,
Martin Cox and Jacob Banfield can be seen on ITV every afternoon from Monday to
Friday at 3pm this week, having their dinner's cooked by celebrities, in the
return of a new series of "Who's Doing The Dishes?". In the first episode, it's
sit-com legend Su Pollard offering up a treat! If you've never seen the show
before, imaging "Come Dine With Me" mixed with "Through The Keyhole". Each day,
team "Magic!" will have to guess the name of the celebrity cooking their meals
with clues hidden around the celebrities homes and disguised in the names of the
dishes served up. If they guess correctly they'll win a share of a cash prize,
if they guess incorrectly they'll be doing the dishes. "We all had a great time
filming the shows" said Andy, "we all got to perform lots of magic too.
Hopefully it won't all end up on the cutting room floor!" So, will team "Magic!"
be the first team in the history of the show to guess 5 out of 5? Tune in to
find out...
3.9.16
54th
Portsmouth
& District Magic Circle Jumbo Day, 6th November. Portsmouth & District Magic
Circle Presents 54th PDMC Jumbo Day. Featuring: Magic Lectures and full Gala
Show with Mark Elsdon, Matthew Garrett, Sean Heydon, Sean Lobban and Dave
Bonney. Buy and sell new and second hand magic at our magic fair. Our Magic
auction, and a Magic Competition sponsored by Alakazam. Full details:
www.portsmouthmagic.co.uk. Venue: Buckland Community Centre, Malins
Road, Portsmouth PO2 7BT (Map).
3.9.16
"I
Can't Believe It's Not Magic!" Piers Morgan described The Great Al-Prendo as
"the new Tommy Cooper" when Al appeared on the very first series of "Britain's
Got Talent" 10 years ago. Since then, Al has continued to entertain and delight
audiences all over the UK with his very unique blend of comedy and magic. Now
you can see him live at the Victoria Hall Theatre, Old Harlow, Essex CM17
0ED (Map)
on Friday 4th November 2016. Andy Clockwise has gathered together an amazing
cast to deliver a night of Magic and Comedy that you'll never forget. Joining
The Great Al-Prendo will be Jacob Banfield, Oliver Graham and comedy duo Carl &
Dave. Tickets are on sale now:
www.ticketsource.co.uk, priced at £15 each. Doors open at 7pm and the show
kicks off at 8pm (finishing at 10pm). Don't miss this one! Andy Clockwise.
3.9.16
Wayne
Goodman Lecture: Houdini's Magic Bar, Broadstairs. Sam Watson writes:
Houdini's Magic Bar, located in Broadstairs, Kent, is pleased to announce a
third lecturer for our Black Card Club on Monday 26th September. Wayne
creates commercial magic, is author of a number of magic publications and has
performed across Europe, Scandinavia, the USA and Mexico. Wayne's fun lecture
will feature commercial close-up magic. We welcome magicians, and those learning magic
and with genuine interest. £10 on door, £5 to Black Card Members. Houdini's
Magic Bar, 158 High Street, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1JB (Map).
See
www.facebook.com/houdinismagicbar.
3.9.16
Sean
Goodman's 'Secrets' lecture - Merlin Magical Society, Hertfordshire. Secrets
is aimed at the close-up magician, and is packed with solid, commercial and
practical routines from my own professional repertoire - hard hitting magic
which isn't hard to perform. Secrets also shares some of my marketing tips for
those looking to get more Wedding Bookings - in 2014, I performed at 50 weddings
across East Anglia - and East Anglia isn't exactly the hotbed of weddings in the
UK! Gold-dust. Recently I have released into the magical fraternity the
following effects, all of which have received great feedback from all levels of
magicians; Genetics, Tick Tock, Starstruck and
CelebriDate. My latest creation, Secret Servante, has been a massive
success with fantastic feedback from leading magicians such as Nicholas Einhorn,
Jon Allen, Richard Pinner, Michael Vincent and Dynamo. I will be sharing exactly
how I use it in the lecture. Finally, I'm just about to release a new iPhone app
called MagiDate which brings the classic card at a birthday plot up to
date, utilising the native iPhone calendar. Cool! Secrets has something for
everyone. Thursday the 8th September, 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Merlin Magical
Society, Little Heath Parish Hall, Thornton Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6
1JJ (Map).
www.merlinmagicalsociety.co.uk.
3.9.16
Magic
at the Courtyard, Wickersley, Rotherham. From the organisers: Magic at the
Courtyard is an intimate evening of magic for a small seated audience in a high
class bistro/bar. Each evening features two magicians doing a 40 minute set each
- the next one has Wiz Spencer and top mind reader Looch. Wiz Spencer is an all
round daring and unique entertainer. His show is an exciting and dangerous
journey into the unknown. His acts are unforgettable and modern, and will leave
you in awe. Looch 'The Mind Reader' is an award-winning mind reader and
magician. His unique skills combined with his humour and professionalism have
resulted in him quickly becoming one of the most sought after acts of this type
in the country. The show is produced and hosted by Tim Smithies and our first
event was a great success. There are still some tickets left if anyone is
interested in coming along - be great to see you! Thursday, 15th September at
8pm. The Courtyard, 155 Bawtry Road, Wickersley, Rotherham S66 2BW (Map).
Tickets:
www.eventbrite.co.uk.
3.9.16
The
Magicians' Podcast this week is a Barry & Stuart double bill. Host Richard
Young writes: Barry & Stuart are without question two of the most creative and
innovative magicians in the world today and over the last 15 years they have
produced an incredible body of original work.
Barry Jones interview: In this interview Barry discusses their journey from rural Scotland to the bright lights of London where they made their own TV series for Channel 4 in their early twenties called Magick. He also talks about their time as featured performers on the BBC1 show 'The Magicians', including the night The Slicer illusion they were performing went wrong on live TV. I also ask Barry about their live shows, their upcoming appearance on ITV1's 'The Next Great Magician' featuring the incredible 'Barry's Belly' trick, and how he and Stuart have kept their double act going strong despite Stuart moving to America.
Stuart MacLeod interview: In this interview Stuart discusses their influences, why commercial success was never their plan, why they decided to expose all of the secrets to the tricks in one of their Edinburgh shows, and his solo projects including the soon to open Band of Magicians show on the Las Vegas strip. Stuart also explains how they are able to continue as a double act today despite the fact that they live on different continents. Listen to these two Podcasts and catch up with previous ones at magicianspodcast.podbean.com. Also see www.facebook.com/MagiciansPodcast.
"Band Of Magicians - Las Vegas (Opening October 2016)" YouTube. 3.9.16
Magic
& Mixology, September 10th, London. From the organisers: Following its
sell-out success, Magic & Mixology returns to the Vaults on September 10th. In a
world of camera tricks, clever lighting and deceptive editing, the best way to
experience top-class magic is up close - right in front of your eyes. Step into
an underground world of liquor and legerdemain and experience the impossible in
your own hands. Witness an hour of top class magic at 7pm, 8pm or 9pm and enjoy
the rest of the evening in the atmospheric Vaults bar with exclusive magic
cocktails. The shows will feature Katherine Mills – Star of TV’s ‘Katherine
Mills: Mind Games’; Brendan Rodrigues - Magic Circle Close-Up Magician of the
Year 2016 and Tony Middleton - Headliner of 'The Magic Hour'. See
www.thevaults.london. Prices: £15.00 - £21.00.
3.9.16
Magicseen
September 2016. From the publishers: We reach the landmark of 70 bi-monthly
issues with the release of the September edition, and as usual we have pulled
out all the stops to bring you an interesting and entertaining read. Our cover
star is mentalist Colin McLeod who has not dropped off to sleep while posing for
our cover photo, but who is apparently in a mental trance, something which can
often help when being interviewed by the Magicseen team. Colin is joined by an
array of other talented performers including Caroline Ravn, Neil Henry, Peter
Pellikaan, Ken Dyne and Khor Kiat. And if any of those names are new to you,
then get this issue and get up to speed! We also pay homage to Duncan Trillo's
MagicWeek, Eoin Smith provides a great article called New Dogs, Old Tricks in
which he looks at how top people use magic's heritage to provide modern day
material for their acts, and we explain ways in which you can prevent being
refused at a table when working close up commercially. There's also a fresh rant
from the Grumpy Old Magician, who apparently went to a convention, and he wasn't
happy (nothing new there then!). Combine all that with an International
Masterclass featuring card effects from two up and coming English performers, a
report on Jamie Raven's current live lay people show, and of course our
extensive Review Section in which our team of trusted, experienced magicians
give you their honest views on a selection of the latest marketed magic. All
this plus more we have shoehorned between the covers of the latest issue and you
can get your copy right now in printed or download format, as an individual copy
or as part of a 1 or 2 year subscription, directly from the publishers at
www.magicseen.co.uk.
3.9.16
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, John Lenahan, in conversation with
Gloria Hunniford on her chat show 'Sunday Sunday', from October 29th, 1989:
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks (and the occasional
'bonus' video!)
Click Here.
3.9.16
Mark
Elsdon's 'Miracles Take A Little Longer' lecture, The Medway Magical Society,
Chatham. From the organisers: The Medway Magical Society are delighted to
welcome Mark Elsdon with his newest lecture with Mark teaching original magic
and mentalism; plus the techniques and methods he uses behind the scenes to
achieve maximum impact and really affect people with his performances. Please
note: Whilst there is some very minimal crossover with Mark's Penguin or
Murphy's lectures this lecture features a ton of new material, plus full
explanations of several of Mark's marketed effects. Tuesday 6th September at
8pm. This is an event for members and non-member magicians. Price on the door is
£5 for members and £10 for non-members. The Medway Magical Society, St George
Hotel, 7-8 New Road Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6BB (Map).
www.medwaymagicalsociety.org.uk.
3.9.16
The
Mark Leveridge September E-Video Newsletter. Mark Leveridge writes: Another
month which means another edition of the Mark Leveridge video magazine featuring
fun and helpful content. For September the Teach In offers you a neat yet simple
to do close up prediction routine. In It Could Only Happen Live I recount the
tale of the time I had to perform close up at a business event where virtually
nobody could understand a word I said! 60 Seconds To Success sees me offering a
quick bit of advice on how not to be taken in by less than honest product video
dems, while in the Web Offer Bundle section I provide info and (honest!) dems of
the two packet tricks that are on offer as a package this month. The Review
Corner features my comments and opinion on The Traveler, Jeff Copeland's unusual
coin purse. And finally, in a brand new section called Top Tips, I show you
something very useful about Sharpie pens that you may not know already! Access
to the full 38 minute online video presentation is available either on its own,
or as part of a 1 year subscription, and provides a really interesting and
informative way to start your magic month. For more info and to order go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk/evn.php.
3.9.16
Etienne
Pradier lectures at The Surrey Society of Magicians this Thursday, September 8th.
"Born in France, Etienne became fascinated by magic at an early age and rapidly
made a name for himself as a truly gifted close-up magician - assured to be
'going somewhere', and he did... twice! He moved to England and achieved
international recognition as one of the world’s finest close-up table magicians.
After only 3 years as a member of the Magic Circle, he was invited to membership
of The Inner Magic Circle, with Gold Star, in recognition of his excellence as a
professional magician. Uniquely skilled, creative, charismatic and immensely
entertaining, Etienne Pradier is now one of the UK’s most successful magicians.
During this lecture Etienne will reveal his complete working professional
repertoire and share with us the lessons he has learned from more than twenty
years of professional experience, plus much more!" Members are free and visiting
magicians are welcome for a £10 entrance fee. The lecture takes place in East
Horsley, Surrey, at 8pm. For full details contact Adam Mosley
info@surreymagic.org.uk.
3.9.16
West
End Magic - London. "West End Magic presents a series of one man shows featuring some of the
country's best magicians direct
from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at the Lounge, Leicester Square Theatre. A
great opportunity to see some of the most popular and in demand
Edinburgh shows without the journey!"
Wednesday 7th September at 7pm:
Mystic Mick, comedy psychic.
A cross between Derren Brown and Dale Winton!
Thursday 8th September at 7pm: Griffin and Jones, Slapdash Magic "An extremely funny and entertaining duo" British Comedy Guide.
Friday 9th September at 7pm: Neil Henry (photo), Mindwangler "Defies all logic...truly breathtaking" What'sOnStage.
Saturday 10th September at 4pm: Oliver Meech, When Magic & Science Collide "Could rival Derren Brown" TheatreWales.
West End Magic presents... 7th-10th September, The Lounge, Leicester Square Theatre, London. Box Office 0844 873 3433.
Tickets Click Here. Also see What's On. 3.9.16
"The
Greatest Escape on the Tyne". Chris Cross performs his daredevil escapology
stunt, suspended upside down by his ankles, in a straitjacket, on the roof of
Newcastle's iconic Castle Keep on 28th August 2016,
YouTube.
"Magician Chris Cross echoes his hero Houdini with a dizzying escape attempt
atop the Castle Keep"
Click Here.
3.9.16
Morgan & West: Parlour Tricks, Autumn Tour. Time travelling magic duo Morgan & West present a brand new show chock full of jaw dropping, brain bursting, gasp eliciting feats of magic. The dashing chaps offer up a plateful of illusion and impossibility, all served with wit, charm and no small amount of panache. Be sure to wear a hat – Morgan & West might just blow your mind. ★★★★ The Stage. ★★★★ Daily Mirror. More info: www.morganandwest.co.uk/live-dates or see What's On. 3.9.16
Chris
Dugdale: Full Circle wins EdFest Bouquet. Chris writes: Thrilled to announce
that 'Full Circle' won an EdFest ‘Ones to Watch Out For’ Bouquet for 2016. Thank
you to @BBrickbats for this award. I would like to dedicate my win to my family
and to all the staff @assemblyfest for all your hard work and kindness x. Every
show I dedicate to my late father Ivor Dugdale who I miss every day of my life
and who taught me to be strong but fair, to be kind and to be a gentleman. I
miss you dad so very very much xxx. Award:
Click Here Review:
Click Here.
3.9.16
Mythbusters. "Killer Deck, Exploding Jawbreaker and Static Cannon. Can a playing card be used as a lethal weapon? The idea was first pitched in a book by master card illusionist, Ricky Jay, and he joins the Mythbusters to explain some of the finer points of his exclusive art." 6pm on Tuesday 13th September on Travel Channel. See TV Magic. 3.9.16
Baffling Blandford - Magic about Town. Discover all of the "magical hot spots" in Blandford Forum, a
fascinating Georgian town where impossible things happen in unexpected places.
Our 90-minute walk starts at 7pm, leaving from the Crown Hotel every Wednesday
until 28th September! See
www.artoftheimpossible.com and
www.facebook.com. Tickets £8 (families £20, concs £7) from the Crown
Hotel reception or just show up. Leaves from the Crown Hotel, West Street, Blandford Forum DT11 7AJ
(Map)
at 7pm every Wednesday in September.
3.9.16
Tommy
Cooper TV interview. ITV Cymru Wales have just unearthed a short interview
that they recorded with Tommy Cooper in 1981, including a short Chop Cup
routine. See
YouTube.
3.9.16
Dave
Allen - Cotswold Magical Society lecture. "Back to the Future Bookings, with
Magic Dave - the Lecture. Do you want more bookings? Of course you do! Lets get
people talking about your show, and make you the entertainer of choice in your
area. In this lecture see Magic Dave (Dave Allen) performing all new magic,
puppet routines and illusions from his Children’s and Family Shows. Magic Dave
will also give you a complete walkthrough of all the equipment used in his show
and why!" 8.15pm on Wednesday 7th September at The Hucclecote Community Centre,
Hucclecote Road, Gloucester GL3 3RT (Map).
£5 on the door to non-members.
www.cotswoldmagic.co.uk.
3.9.16
30th
anniversary Deaf Magic Festival. As Life President of the World Deaf
Magicians, Johnny Fantastica will be attending the 30th anniversary Deaf Magic
Festival in Lithuania from 3rd September to 13th September. 18 countries will be
represented, from as far as Japan, India and the USA. Johnny will also be on
tour, performing his award-winning act.
3.9.16
'The
Illusionists' on AGT. Three performers from the hit stage show 'The Illusionists'
made guest appearances on America's Got Talent last week: "Yu Ho-Jin 'The Manipulator' pulls off an amazing close-up card trick using
Howie, Heidi, Mel B and Simon's pictures that you have to see to believe!"
YouTube.
"Darcy Oake uses dizzying sleight of hand to open America's
Got Talent with fire and birds, and making host Nick Cannon appear in a box over the
stage!"
YouTube. "Jonathan Goodwin escapes from handcuffs while hanging from a burning rope over a
set of spikes! Check out this daring stunt!"
YouTube.
3.9.16
Houdini's
Final Incredible Secret: How Houdini Mystified Sherlock Holmes' Creator by Bob
Loomis. After twenty years of painstaking research, Houdini’s last great
riddle has finally been solved. This unique book investigates the baffling
intimate performance Houdini created for his friend Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The
exploit made the creator of Sherlock Holmes insist that Harry had employed
occult or supernatural powers to accomplish it. As bestselling author Richard
Wiseman points out in this innovative book’s introduction, it also describes the
very fabric of magic itself, including the complex relationships between each
generation of performers, the way in which tricks evolve over time, and
ultimately, the surprising truth about the fundamental nature of mystery.
Available from
www.amazon.co.uk.
3.9.16
Vincent
Finucane. "A magic light is quenched"
Click Here.
3.9.16
"Piff the Magic Dragon on
his
journey from performing at kids' parties to hitting on Heidi Klum"
Click Here • "Coca-Cola Debuts Its Magical New Packaging With Some Actual
Magic"
Click Here • "Magic secrets"
Click Here • "Morgan and West’s Parlour Tricks at Arts Centre"
Click Here • "Derren Brown comes to Reading this October"
Click Here • "‘AGT’: Magician Blake Vogt Reveals The Secret To His Amazing
Tricks"
Click Here • "Son of Mandrake the Magician saddened after 'magical house'
destroyed by fire"
Click Here • "Burton magician presented with two awards in just one week"
Click Here • "Watch A '60s Magician Play The Mellotron"
Click Here • "Las Vegas illusionist Franz Harary’s House of Magic celebrates
first anniversary in Macau"
Click Here •
And finally, one for all you budding mind controllers, "Now You Can Control Your
BB-8 Like a Jedi"
Click Here • That's it for another week. Your UK magic news is always
welcome, see you next week, Duncan.
3.9.16