Number
851 - 15th October 2016
Blackpool
Magicians Club are pleased to announce more great artists for their 2017
convention and write: Magic legend Finn Jon is finally available for a very
long overdue return to Blackpool. The world’s greatest living bar magician Doc
Eason will be tipping the secrets to a lifetime of incredible magic.
Award-winning magician Vlad will be 'on hand' in the gala shows presenting
incredible sleight of foot! We are also featuring extra events for all the
children’s entertainers and are pleased to announce a first lecture from
award-winning children's entertainer Steve Doe, who will be sharing tips and
tricks on how to include bubble magic in your shows. The Blackpool Magic
Convention 16th-19th February 2017.
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
15.10.16
Do
You Want To Change Your Mind? Written and performed by Asi Wind. Some people
believe in the idea of free will, while others choose not to. Asi Wind, renowned
magician and mentalist, invents his own destiny, while allowing the fate of his
show to rest upon the decisions of his audience. Yet, their choices always
result in an evening of uncanny coincidence and impossible predictions. Which
raises the question, are we really in control or is it all just an illusion? In
his new highly interactive show, Asi Wind eliminates the distinctions between
the audience and the performer. By removing the contrived elements of a typical
theatrical setting and intentionally limiting the number of seats, Asi creates
the perfect environment to experience the impossible. “Do You Want to Change
Your Mind?” is the show that will make you think twice. Washington House, 41
Conduit Street, London W1S 2YQ (Map).
8th-19th November.
Click Here for booking details. There's 40% off for magicians with the
promotion code VIPMAGIC.
15.10.16
MagicFest
announce first ever Christmas Special! Wrap yourself in magic this Christmas
and enjoy the spectacular ‘Collection of Wonders’ – the inaugural MagicFest
Christmas Show. It will run for 4 days only from the 27th – 30th December at
George Square Theatre, Edinburgh. A heart-warming mix of thrilling magic with a
sprinkling of comedy, featuring top magicians from around the UK, and a special
guest from France. From cutting-edge illusions and mind reading, to mesmerising
sleight of hand magic and edge-of-your-seat levitation, this show is not to be
missed! Starring:
Kevin Quantum – Magician-scientist hybrid
trained by Penn and Teller in Las Vegas fuses visual magic with modern
technology and unique inventions. His comedy magic shows have twice been
nominated at the Scottish Comedy Awards and have received 5 star reviews at the
Fringe.
Florian Sainvet – An incredible talent from France and Finalist in the
World Magic Championships 2015 and in ‘France has got Talent’, will present his
award-winning futuristic act and a brand new “money from thin air” illusion. He
is recognised as one of the best sleight of hand magicians in the world.
Drew McAdam (27th and 28th Dec only) – “Scotland’s foremost mind reader”
(BBC, STV, Channel 5) has baffled audiences in US, Russia and across Europe to
Africa with his mind-boggling demonstrations of spoon-bending and mind-reading.
If you think your thoughts are yours, and yours alone… think again!
Matthew J Dowden – Known as the Dean Martin of magic, he has charmed and
enchanted audiences in 20 different countries with his unique show “Magic of the
Movies” inspired by Hollywood and his infectious love for classic art of magic.
Lewis Barlow (29th and 30th Dec only) – Edinburgh’s sleight of hand
master. The magic Lewis performs has been developed and closely guarded by the
world’s greatest magicians over the last two hundred years. BBC consultant and
past president of the Edinburgh Magic Circle, Lewis is one of Scotland’s finest
prestidigitators.
Tickets from £14. See www.magicfest.co.uk/event-item/magicfest-christmas. 15.10.16
David
Stone World Lecture Tour 2016. Mark Traversoni writes: After the amazing
success of The Xperience Lecture tour in 2012 with over 183 lectures in 19
countries, the crazy David Stone is back! This new lecture features exclusively
strong magic tricks with cards, coins and varied objects for close-up conditions
such as a pen, bottles, a pair of glasses... For those who already know David,
there's no need to say the lecture will be a real show, with dozens of gags and
ideas you will use for your own performances. Among the brand new tricks are:
Gum - An extremely visual and above all easy routine using chewing gum, and
Zenith - The 'Card on Ceiling' effect completely revisited (easier than
the classic version). Also a new gimmick as powerful as 'The Tool' that will
allow you to perform dozens of tricks (it's a new weapon for the close-up
magician who wants to refresh his repertoire). And, The Floating Deck - A
box of cards literally floating before you eyes, which is then given out for
examination. And much more! Over 14 new audience tested effects and routines.
David will also talk and explain how he performs in a close-up situation on
stage for audiences as large as 2,000 spectators. For November tour dates see
What's On.
15.10.16
The Magic Circle Dealers Day, 22nd October, London. From the organisers: 10am to 5pm at the Galleon Suite, Royal National Hotel, 38-51 Bedford Way, Russell Square, London WC1H 0DG (Map). £5 entry on the door (free for Magic Circle Members/ Apprentices/ YMC Members). Dealers from all over the country, covering all aspects of magic. Café/Restaurant/ Bar on site, Hotel car park / Euston station / Russell Square underground just around the corner. Meet up with all your magic friends for a great day. 15.10.16
Oliver
Tabor lecture: Houdini's Magic Bar, Kent. From the organisers: Houdini's
Black Card Club welcomes Oliver Tabor on Monday, November 28th, for what
promises to be an amazing lecture. Oliver Tabor is a multi-award winning member
of The Magic Circle; an outstanding magician and contemporary illusionist. His
performances are noted for combining classical conjuring with a contemporary
style. We welcome magicians, those with a genuine interest in magic and
practising magicians to come along. Doors open at 6pm. £10.00 on the door, £5.00
discounted rate for Black Card Club Members. For booking please contact
bar@houdinis.co.uk or pop into Houdini’s
Magic Bar for further information regarding our Black Card Club Membership.
Houdini's Magic Bar, 158 High Street, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1JB (Map).
15.10.16
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, a "quick, whack a tape in" moment (hence
the missing start), featuring The Amazing Johnathan in an all too short
appearance on Jack Dee's Christmas Show from December 23rd 1995 (this was from a
repeat showing in December 1996). See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional
'bonus' video
Click Here.
15.10.16
Merlins
of Wakefield will be at The Magic Circle Dealers Day on Saturday 22nd October
and write: If you are going and need anything taking, contact us on 01924 339933
before 1pm on Friday 21st October. We also have our latest 16 page Oct/Nov
Preview out now - and it's free. For a printed copy, just email your postal
address to us and we will send you a copy:
merlins@btconnect.com. If you would
prefer a PDF copy just
Click Here. The latest collectable Magic Wagon effect,
Knight Vision Box, is also now in stock in limited numbers, once sold out
there will be no more!
www.merlinswakefield.com.
15.10.16
Magicseen
Publications release two more titles as downloads. Magicseen has published an
interesting collection of varied titles, some such as Comedy For The Well
Groomed Performer and Roulette were released only as PDF downloads, while others
such as the two Masterclass Volumes or Wayne Dobson's WD40, have been made
available in both printed and PDF format. Now Magicseen is pleased to announce
that it is making two more of its range available as downloads as well as
printed books, the titles being Wayne Dobson's Definitive Collection and
Mel
Mellers Travelling Trickster. Both these titles contain a fantastic amount of
commercial material, advice and anecdotes, and so if you are someone who prefers
to save bookshelf space by buying downloads rather than printed books, now is
the time to snap up these great titles. For information on the contents of both
books and to order visit www.magicseen.co.uk and click on the 'Other
Products' tab in the top navigation bar.
15.10.16
Manchester
Circle of Magicians annual Close Up Competition. Mike Hinde writes:
Manchester Circle of Magicians have had to cancel their Close Up Competition
which was due on Monday 17th October. Manchester City Centre is hosting the
Olympic Parade in the early evening and the traffic is expected to be a
nightmare along with 200,000 people milling around. The Competition will be
rearranged. If you know anyone who was likely to go, please let them know. Our
apologies.
15.10.16
Jonathan
Allen, Twenty-First-Century Silks Exhibition, New York. Ryan Lee is pleased
to present Twenty-First-Century Silks, a single-channel video installation by
British artist Jonathan Allen that explores the cultural history of secular
magic and its under acknowledged presence in the political realm. In
Twenty-First-Century Silks, two hands emerge from darkness to perform with
conjurors' silks. The silks unfurl in tantalizing slow motion to reveal visual
devices, cryptic messages, popular icons like Mickey Mouse, and abstract nouns
like Faith and Ego. By sequencing and looping these inscrutable communications,
Allen encourages the viewer's tendency to construe meaning from unrelated
fragments.
As American voters turn their attention to the climax of one of their nation's
most belligerent election cycles, the ethical status and effectiveness of the
campaign spectacle again take center stage. Politicians have, throughout
history, often co-opted the language and technology of stage magicians. During
the 2004 presidential election, George W. Bush used techniques honed by
professional illusionists to miraculously appear at Madison Square Gardens. In
1959, Fidel Castro trained white doves to land on his body during a political
rally to anoint his rise to power following the Cuban revolution. That
propagandists have deployed theatrical magic's benign capabilities to promote
their ideologies complicates the ethics of reception, and the responsibilities
of spectatorship cannot be overlooked. October 18th to November 15th, 2016. Ryan
Lee, 515 West 26th Street, New York
www.ryanleegallery.com.
15.10.16
Morgan & West's 'Parlour Tricks' tour is now in full swing. 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. 15.10.16
British
Magical Society Lectures. Keith Bennett writes: Steve Beam is lecturing in
Birmingham at the BMS the oldest magic club in Great Britain on Tuesday 18th
October. Visitors are welcome subject to the usual fee of £10. How to find us:
www.britishmagicalsociety.co.uk. Other upcoming lectures include:
1st November Thom Peterson The Amazing Guy, 15th November David Stone The Real
Secrets of Magic, 29th November Phil Smith Innovative Mentalism.
15.10.16
The
October 2016 Podcast from Mark Leveridge. It's time to give yourself a mid-month
break and join Mark for his latest Podcast in which he covers the recent
meeting of the Cumbrian Conjurers Collective, discusses the online show finding agency called Bark, and reflects on the
fact that although putting new material into your act may be stressful, it is
also highly beneficial. Mark also comments on the unfortunate turn around in
plans required by Magic Magazine, and asks the question as to whether live
over-the-counter product dems have any place these days in the magic
marketplace. All this is topped off with some sage advice about how to decide
which table to approach first when doing a table hopping gig and also observations about how exhibitors interacted with potential customers at a
wedding fair he attended recently. So, plenty of content to get stuck into and
the 30 minute Podcast is available completely free from either
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php or from
www.markleveridge.podbean.com from
where you can also sign up to be a follower to ensure that you get to listen to
every new edition when it is released on the 1st of each month.
15.10.16
Jay
Adkins: Mind Magician Live, Oswestry. Saturday October 29th at 7.30pm. From
the organisers: Jay Adkins presents a evening of unique magic. Combining
psychological mind manipulation together with magic and comedy, Jay offers a
fresh lively evening of magic and entertainment, with lots of fun, laughter and
excitement. Using memory feats that will shock, amaze and bring smiles! Jay’s
style of comedy magic and mind-reading enables him to have fun whilst blowing
people away. Audience members will be involved in the show from the very start.
Please note the performance contains material that will not be suitable for
under 12’s. Parental discretion is advised. Tickets are £5.00 each and are
available from
www.ticketsource.co.uk. Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Chapel Street, Oswestry
SY11 1LF (Map).
15.10.16
Paul
Scott's "Thoughts" lecture, Cornish Magical Society, Truro. Paul has
appeared several times on television including New Faces, Record Breakers, Just
Like That, Club 2245 and Midlands Today. His radio appearances include BBC
Worldwide, which won an award, BRMB, Radio West Midlands, Pirate FM, Radio
Cornwall and Radio St Austell Bay. He has worked cabaret in most of the major
hotels and theatres around the country. Paul has also entertained throughout
Europe and completed a 6 month season in the Chandris Hotel in Corfu. Sunday
20th November at 3pm. Visiting magicians welcome. Cornish Magical Society,
Carnon Downs Village Hall, Tregye Road, Carnon Downs, Truro TR3 6GH (Map).
www.cornishmagicalsociety.co.uk.
15.10.16
The
Peterborough Society of Magicians 29th Annual Sale, Exchange and Lecture Day.
John Learoyd writes: The Society is pleased to announce the booking of Andi
Gladwin for the afternoon Lecture at our Annual One Day Magic Convention on
Sunday 11th June 2017. Traders will have access at approx 8.45am to set up.
Doors open for all at 9.45am. The official opening is at 10am. There is free
on-site parking. Refreshments available all day at very reasonable prices. For
further details please go to:
www.psmagicians.org.uk
or contact Keith Downs on 01778 343167 or
the220@btinternet.com. The venue is The Millfield Community Centre, Lincoln
Road, Peterborough PE1 2PE (Map).
For maps of the venue email:
johnlearoyd@homail.com.
15.10.16
Neptune Magic Dinner - County Durham, 21st October. From the organisers: The Neptune Magic Society are proud to announce their first annual dinner. Only a handful of tickets remain! It will be held at the Manor House Hotel in West Auckland, County Durham DL14 9HW (Map) on Friday October 21st. Tickets are £25 for adults and £15 for children. The evening will feature the sensational High Jinx direct from their show at Viva in Blackpool. Along with a host of other magical entertainment throughout the evening. For more information or to purchase tickets please contact Steph info@neptunemagicsociety.com or call 07824 707207.
Stuart
Burrell 'Now get out of that!' lecture, 1st November, The Gathering, Great
Yarmouth. From the organisers: Escapology remains a magical art like no
other and yet the history of this art form is not often discussed... And no, it
did not start with Harry Houdini. Comprising historical case studies and escapes
this two-hour plus lecture will cover the genesis of the art, through the golden
age of Houdini and onto more modern examples with some simple escapes for use on
stage or at a table (yes there is ‘close up’ escapology). Stuart Burrell has
been performing for over 12 years and has developed a number of unique escapes
whilst researching the history of the art. His recent recreation of a Houdini
Escape from 1911 was even featured on the BBC News website. His work has been
featured in the Handcuff Annuals of 2006 and 2007 and his escape products have
been sold since 2004. He is also a former multiple Guinness World Record Holder
in Escapology. For a lecture that is, quite literally, liberating, look no
further than 'Now get out of that!' The Gathering, St George Hotel, 7-10 Albert
Square, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 3JH (Map).
Ticket Price £10.00. Tuesday 1st November. Doors open at 7.30pm. There will be a
bar available as well as tea and coffee, and a buffet. Email
thegathering@mail.com for more info.
15.10.16
Order
of the Magi winners. Geoffrey Newton PRO writes: It was trophy time at The
Order of The Magi last Tuesday when the society held their annual Cabaret and
Comedy competition. A number of members battled it out for the awards presenting
many different types of magic and therefore giving the judges a difficult task
in their adjudication as to who the winners were to be. The night attracted a
fair number of lay visitors and as is often said this makes life more attractive
for the performers to work to and receive reactions. Taking the cabaret prize
was a relatively new member of The Magi, Jonathon Royle (left) with Mike
Sharples receiving the comedy trophy for the fourth time! President Alan
Johnston praised all the competitors for their contribution and thanked everyone
for their enthusiastic attendance. He looks forward to meeting many members and
guests at the forthcoming Christmas Party (13th December) and further details of
this will be announced soon on
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk. Membership enquiries to
secretary@orderofthemagi.org.uk.
15.10.16
Simon
Hannah - Bradford Magic Circle Close-up Champion. Calderdale's most sought
after children's magical entertainer Simon Hannah took a massive step into the
spotlight on Friday evening at Bradford Magic Circle's Close-up Magic
Competition. Leaving his well know puppets and fun time magic in his van, Simon
is so proud to have made a lasting impression by winning the competition. He
achieved this by displaying his unique comedy sleight of hand, impressing a room
packed with magicians from ages 16 to 90 with his digital dexterity with coins,
cards and a magical appearance of a bottle of Jack Daniels. Simon came second
last year in the same competition so it goes to prove that practice does make
perfect.
With over 25 years under his belt whilst continuing with his everyday school,
private parties and cruise ship bookings, he will start in the New Year touring
around magical clubs and societies throughout the UK with his brand new magical
lecture. Advising and helping other magical entertainers with aspects of
performance and of course children's magic. Bradford Magic Circle is close to
celebrating its 70th anniversary and with a membership ranging from ages 14 to
90. For more information about joining this amazing club, please visit our
website at
www.bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk.
15.10.16
Zippos
Circus. Mel Harvey writes: On Thursday evening Nicky and I and my video
editor Steve and partner Karen were guests of Norman Barrett at Martin Burton's
Zippos Circus. The venue was Cheltenham Racecouse where the Circus will be till
next Tuesday. The circus then moves to Brent Cross before preparing for the
Christmas Season at The Leisure Dome in Hyde Park. It is a great show with no
time wasted and every act a winner. My favourite (apart from the budgies,
obviously!) was Mr N and his Jack Russell "Speedy". This year Zippos Circus is
celebrating 30 years of touring of which Norman has been Ringmaster for 16 of
them! Also in the Leisure Dome at Christmas will be Richard Cadell's Sooty Show
where Richard will also be presenting some new illusions he recently acquired
from Las Vegas. www.zippos.co.uk
www.melharvey.com.
15.10.16
MagicWeek
For Sale ads. If placing a free For Sale or
Wanted ad. inviting offers please respond to all
the offers that you receive, as a courtesy to anyone who has taken the trouble
to contact you, regardless of your acceptence or not. DT.
15.10.16
"Women
in Magic: Romany"
YouTube • "Derren Brown Miracle, Channel 4: the illusionist
turns into a faith healer in mind-boggling stage show"
Click Here • "'Crunch on the big bits': Magician Derren Brown makes
woman eat glass live on stage as audience members watch in horror"
Click Here • "Derren Brown 'cures' woman's blindness during Channel
4 show Miracle, Twitter reacts accordingly"
Click Here • "On this day: David Blaine tops off YouTube’s greatest
year"
Click Here • "Illusionist 'Heals' People Like Faith Healers"
Click Here • "Criss Angel: New look, ‘Trick’d Up’ debuts on A&E,
Hollywood Walk of Fame star"
Click Here • "Paris Jackson Sees 'Death' During Criss Angel Trick'd
Up's Terrifying Stunt Gone Wrong"
Click Here • "Hypnotist jailed after 'Fake Sheikh' sting is now
appealing against his conviction for forgery"
Click Here • "Kent magician loses rabbit: Children's entertainer
Phil Hoyles appeals for public's help"
Click Here • "Magician Criss Angel on Becoming a Human Shish Kabob
for His New TV Special"
Click Here • "Monkey magic: Captivated orangutan tries to copy
magician's trick when he 'transports' a card through the enclosure
glass"
Click Here • "7 ways you are vulnerable to pickpockets - and how to
prevent them"
Click Here •
And finally, "Is it ever OK to leave the theatre during the interval?"
Click Here • Please let us have all news submissions by Thursday
whenever possible. Absolute deadline: 12 noon Friday, no exceptions.
Many thanks, see you next week, Duncan.
15.10.16