Number
946 - 11th August 2018
The
Magic Circle Christmas Show 2018. From the organisers: A festive
treat with a chance to see inside the headquarters of The Magic Circle,
see close-up magic performed before your very eyes and witness the
spectacular stage show. Ideal for families with children aged five and
above. Thursday 20th December to Sunday 30th December, shows at 2.30pm
and 7pm (no shows on 24th, 25th and 26th December, no 2.30pm show on
30th December). Doors open at 1.30pm and 6pm. The matinee performance
should finish by 5pm and the evening show by 9.30pm however all timings
are approximate. Tickets range from £38 to £45. Venue: The Magic Circle Headquarters, 12 Stephenson Way, Euston, London
NW1 2HD (Map).
Further details:
www.themagiccircle.co.uk/public-events.
11.8.18
Wayne
Dobson to lecture at the British Ring Convention. From the
organisers: The I.B.M. British Ring No.25 is excited to announce that
Wayne Dobson will be lecturing at Southport, which will include a
conversation with our President Richard Cadell. His lecture will be on
Saturday 8th September at 1.30pm. Wayne will also have a stand in the
dealer’s hall. If you would like to see Wayne lecture you can register
for the full convention, for the weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) or
for just the Saturday. For all the latest convention news, and to
register, visit
www.britishring.org.uk/convention-countdown.
11.8.18
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, Wayne Dobson in one of his weekly guests
spots on The Joe Longthorne Show from 26th July 1989, before breaking through to
be given his own TV series (watch this video and you'll know just why!). See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional
'bonus' video
Click Here. DT.
11.8.18
Fritz:
Magic from Amsterdam - Show & Lecture, Sunday 11th August.
Fantastic Dutch magician Fritz Alkemade is flying into the UK today (Saturday
11th) to perform at The World's Smallest Magic Theatre. The Small
Space in Barry, South Wales, has just 20 seats. Here's a rare chance to see this Dutch magician (incidentally the only one to
have worked on every continent) perform his full 90 minute show in an
intimate setting. Tickets
are £20.00. Doors open at 7pm on Saturday night (11th August). Showtime is
7.30pm. Fritz is also lecturing on the Sunday morning, doors 10am,
lecture starts at 10.30am tickets £10.00 which include tea/coffee and
croissants. For show tickets visit
www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-small-space and for lecture tickets email
info@thesmallspace.co.uk.
11.8.18
Steve
Allen's Christmas Cracker. From the organisers: LBC's Steve Allen
presents his Christmas Cracker. Lots of festive fun, close-up magic,
tours of the museum and Steve's acerbic take on life. Sunday, 23rd
December. Doors open 1.30pm,
show starts 2.30pm. Venue: The Magic Circle Headquarters, 12 Stephenson Way, Euston, London
NW1 2HD (Map).
Further details:
www.themagiccircle.co.uk/public-events.
11.8.18
Every
Trick in the Book. From the makers: An amazing new television pilot
hosted by one of the biggest names in magic - Dynamo. Every Trick in the
Book is a new primetime show for BBC One. Come along and see some
incredible magic and performances you will never forget. Hosted by the
multi award-winning British magician, the show will film at the Old
Fruitmarket in Glasgow on Wednesday 22nd August. For tickets and more
information visit
www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours.
11.8.18
Mentalist, Rebecca Herrera, becomes the first British female to fool
Penn & Teller on their hit TV show 'Fool Us'. She baffled them with a
demonstration of ‘seeing with her ears’.
In the trick, Teller, drew a picture whilst Rebecca listened to the
movement of his pen. Rebecca then correctly described what he had drawn.
Before the feat, Teller was invited to check for earpieces, trick
blindfolds and other ways of cheating. He found nothing untoward. During
deliberations, neither Penn nor Teller could come up with how she had
tricked them. The notepad they normally use to write down their ideas,
was blank!
Rebecca Herrera, 23, from London, took up magic as a teenager, after
playing the role of a ‘stooge’ on a friend’s magic show in America. Her
influence was the husband and wife telepathy act, The Piddingtons
www.thepiddingtons.com.
Rebecca describes her style of magic as being “demonstrations of
‘Telepathy’ and superhuman ability”.
If you missed Rebecca’s winning performance on ‘Penn & Teller Fool Us’,
you can see it at
www.rebeccaherrera.co.uk. You can
also listen to Rebecca in action on BBC Radio Berkshire, where she will
be joining the lovely Debbie McGee
www.bbc.co.uk on her Sunday
morning show, tomorrow at 9am. Rebecca will be performing a new
superhuman demonstration, assisted by magician
Tony Middleton.
Will she fool Debbie too?
11.8.18
Alec Schulz, The Vegan Magician, in the new Showcase of Prestidigitation.
Magic gets close up and personal in Herne Hill, London. Following on from its
sell-out monthly parlour show, Midweek Magic Mix, The Illusioneer
Theatre will feature each of its core group of 5 performers in a special
presentation called "Showcase of Prestidigitation." Seating is very
limited and designed for the close-up magic experience. BYOB (cups are
provided).
The Illusioneer himself, Barrie Westwell, said: "We’re excited to
present the very different styles of our resident illusioneers who are
prize winners, Magic Circle members and performance professionals.
These new evenings will highlight the talents of five magicians, with
the next performance on August 29th 2018. This event will feature ‘The
Vegan Magician’, Alec Schulz, in a night of pure sleight-of-hand, wit,
and wonder. In an added if not slightly cryptic twist, Alec claims that
all his magic is certified organic, free-range, gluten free and vegan!"
This is part of a series of events by The Illusioneer, including the
monthly Midweek Magic Mix show and the upcoming corporate show called
The Bunco Booth (an event for companies held at the location of their
choice).
For full programme details visit:
www.theillusioneer.co.uk/prestidigitation
Showcase of Prestidigitation,
19 Half Moon Lane,
London SE24 9JU (Map)
www.theillusioneer.co.uk.
11.8.18
Thank
you! Thank you to everyone who became a MagicWeek Backer since the
launch just a few weeks ago (see
MagicWeek
Backers). Backers help with projects such as The MagicWeek Video
Archive which not only consumes a lot of time, but also
Terabytes of hard drive space and a dedicated PC. After clips have been captured at a high
resolution and tidied up they are then edited onto external hard drives,
and immediately backed up onto duplicate drives. Because the video decks
that I'm using are of course old I've sourced back-up decks as well, so
that when the inevitable happens I'll be able to continue with the
Archive. So far I've been working my way through VHS tapes and haven't
even started on my Betamax tapes yet.
On some of the videos adverts will appear. The MagicWeek Video Archive isn't being monitised by MagicWeek, but automatically by the relevant music/programme copyright owners. I'm very pleased with the picture and sound quality that I've been able to achieve so far, and hope you are enjoying these clips (The MagicWeek Video Archive). If you'd like to become a MagicWeek backer you can find out all about the scheme here MagicWeek Backers. DT. 11.8.18
Northern
Magic Summit 2019. From the organisers: The Northern Magic Circle's
annual convention, The Northern Magic Summit, is back over the weekend
of 27th-28th April 2019 at an old favourite venue, Harrogate! This year
the entire Summit will be held in one central location: the Crown Hotel.
The weekend will kick off with a welcoming meal on the Friday evening
(26th April) followed by two full days of magic and catching up with
friends old and new. The Crown Hotel, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 2RZ
(Map)
www.northernmagicsummit.co.uk.
11.8.18
A
Very Happy Birthday to Scottish Magician and Children’s Entertainer,
Jimmy Craig who today celebrates his 90th Birthday today! Jim, who lives
in Kircaldy, Fife with his wife Nancy has been a regular supporter of
the Scottish Magic Scene for many years and still enjoys attending
lectures and other events at the various Scottish Magic clubs.
Although the Kircaldy Magic Circle closed several years ago, Jim and
other former KMC members still attend the regular meetings of Perth
Magic Circle (an hours drive each way!) and is always happy to perform a
trick or routine from an old magazine, book or DVD as well as some of
the new releases which he quite often adds his own little touches too,
to make them suit his style of performing. He has an encyclopedic
knowledge of the history of magic and often recalls having seen many of
the ‘Greats’ who toured the country after WW2.
Jim has been the President of the Scottish Association of Magical
Societies on two separate occasions, and is an Honorary Life Vice
President of the Association and a long standing member of the I.B.M. He has the distinction of being the only
surviving magician who has attended every Scottish Association of
Magical Societies Conventions since the first in 1952! He has also
attended every South Tyneside Convention held in Gateshead since its
inception and is also a regular attendee at the IBM British Ring
Conventions. We wish Jim a very Happy Birthday and that today is a
really magical one, in every way!
11.8.18
Paul
Zenon, Russ Stevens and Paul Andrews have recorded interviews
with Stephen Williams Jr for his new podcast, The Magician Experience.
Hear stories from Paul Zenon about being thrown in prison in Europe and
finding the material to perform for over 150+ episodes of Countdown; from
Russ Stevens about the secrets of BGT, and how to cook
your Christmas turkey; and from Paul Andrews about selling a magic
trick to David Copperfield and his unfortunate run-ins with members of
the Spice Girls. These informal recordings generally run around two
hours each. Stephen will be recording these sporadically, so the best
bet is to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, or you favourite podcast
player - and like the page on Facebook to keep up to date.
iTunes:
themagicianexperience.com Facebook:
facebook.com/themagicianexperience.
11.8.18
Paul
Zenon's 100 Ways to Win a Tenner has just been republished by
Carlton Books in paperback. 100 Ways to Win a Tenner is a comprehensive
guide to scams and swindles that will make you a winner every time.
Unlike magic tricks, these bets and stunts use everyday objects and
require no skill - just a lot of front! This is a complete insider's
guide to the tricks of the trade, enabling you to win at cards, pool,
pub quizzes and anywhere else where there is an opportunity to prosper!
To order via Amazon.co.uk
Click Here.
11.8.18
John
Carey's 'Practical Impossibilities' lecture, The Anglian Magic Society.
Steve Majes writes: The Anglian Magic Society are delighted to welcome back John Carey
with his new lecture 'Practical Impossibilities'. John’s lectures are
always very popular and many members raved about his last visit after a
particular card trick really hit home and had many members putting it
straight into their working sets. Join us for the lecture on Tuesday
14th August at 7.30pm at The White Horse Inn, The Street, Trowse,
Norwich NR14 8ST (Map).
Members £3.00 - Visitors £10.00. Please check out our website for more
details
www.theanglianmagicsociety.uk.
11.8.18
Merlins
of Wakefield. Merlins write: Our latest ‘Preview’ for
August/September is now available,
Click Here to see the PDF, or email your postal address for a free
printed copy to
merlins@btconnect.com. Our Auction on September 2nd is now filling
up, so don’t leave it too late if you want a place
Book Here - no admitance on the day without pre-booking due to
space! We have some great new items which can be
Viewed Here. We have also listed some of our Used Magic items, which
we are adding to every day:
Click Here. Merlins Magic Club meeting this month was to 'Fool Phil
& Mark', unfortunately, no one managed to Fool them, so better luck next
time!
www.merlinswakefield.co.uk.
11.8.18
Submersion.
Saturday & Sunday, September 1st, 2nd, 15th, 16th, 22nd & 23rd
at
2.30pm & 4.30pm at Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10
9NN (Map).
From the producers:
We head back in time to 1709, when a Londoner's common pastime was to
watch a good execution, especially pirate executions. In Submersion, the
admiralty battles it out with pirates. Captured, the pirates are held in
Marshalsea Prison to face up to their crimes and pending execution. We
travel to Execution Dock to see our pirate firstly hung, then chained
and securely fastened in the river, to allow the traditional three tides
of the Thames to wash over him.
The world of theatre and circus come together and on the 250 anniversary
of circus, the navy celebrate in circus style, as they witness the start
of the pirates demise.
Hold your breath with the pirate as he struggles to free himself in this
swashbuckling escapologist event in a re-enactment of Houdini’s water
torture cell escape. The pirate is lowered upside down in a tank of
water, shackled and padlocked, and has just a nail file to pick the
locks and to free himself. See for yourself if he can escape or is
doomed to become a warning to other pirates.
11.8.18
The
August Mark Leveridge E-Video Newsletter. We may be having a record
breaking summer in the UK, but that doesn't mean to say that magic has
to stop! So, if you need a conjuring fix this August, connect to Mark
Leveridge's latest 30 minute online video programme where you will find
the following: The Teach In - a novelty card trick is explained
that has a surprise comic finish. Top Tips - how to increase the
visibility of your card magic at large tables and in cabaret. The
Strolling Magician Unplugged - part 7 concerning how to deal with
interruptions when performing. Web Offers - background on a
helpful E-Book and a mental/magic tricKlip, both of which are on offer
this month. 60 Seconds To Success - highlighting something you
should have on your website. The Review Corner - opinion on the
cabaret/stage effect Switch-a-lope. Access to this latest video
presentation can be purchased on its own or you can sign up for a year
and receive each new edition when it is released on the 1st of each
month. Mark Leveridge's E-Video Newsletter is a great way to learn new
magic, to get important advice and help, and to be entertained, and you
can watch a trailer of the August release and get more information from
www.markleveridge.co.uk/evn.php.
11.8.18
The David Berglas Digital Scrapbooks. This week’s episode
(No. 15) is a slight change from David's show
business career as he covers some personal biographical events; two
real-life lucky escapes and the most unexpected meeting with Sigmund
Freud. On Friday, 17th August (Episode 16) he'll describe the opening publicity stunt
he created for the 1955 IBM British Ring Convention in Southport.
It involved a “telepathy” experiment with the 75 year old Mayor, who
agreed to fly (for the first time in his life) in a small light aircraft over the beach and
to think of a simple geometrical design. David
was riding a scooter, towing some barbed wire and scratched out a giant
version of that image in the sands below! This stunt received more
national television and press coverage than the British Ring has ever
had. See
YouTube.
11.8.18
Chung
Ling Soo lecture - now booking. A Deadly Way To Make A Living: The
lamentable fate of Chung Ling Soo, Marvellous Chinese Conjuror.
Brian Lead MIMC, who next month takes over from Richard Cadell as
President of the IBM British Ring, has been researching Chung Ling Soo for
most of his magical life, and now presents his findings in a lecture to
celebrate his Presidency and to commemorate the centenary of Soo’s
death.
"Suicide, murder or an unfortunate accident? The debate over the death
of Chung Ling Soo has continued for a hundred years. Brian Lead has
conducted hours of interviews with, among others, eye witnesses, and the
result is a story stranger than fiction. The mystery is finally solved,
thanks to his herculean efforts." Mike Caveney.
"An absorbing presentation." Eddie Dawes.
"Brian brings his combined scholarship and showmanship to this
much-awaited Chung Ling Soo lecture tour." John Fisher
"A fascinating account." Lawrence Hass.
"Brian has left no stone unturned in his pursuit of the truth." Jeff
McBride.
This is to be an expenses only, non-profit venture. For booking details
contact b.lead@btinternet.com or 01254 52070.
11.8.18
Dave Rawson is appearing in Panto as Muddles
the Jester in Sleeping Beauty from December
20th to 31st in Castleford, West Yorkshire.
Don't get caught snoozing this Christmas as pantomime comes to the
Castleford Civic Centre in a spectacular production of Sleeping Beauty
starring 'Allo 'Allo and Emmerdale's Vicki Michelle!
This professional production follows the story of Princess Rose, who
after pricking her finger on a magic spinning wheel, is placed under a
curse, forcing her to sleep for 100 years. Join Rose and her friends
Muddles the Jester, Nanny Nora and King René in their attempts to rescue
the Kingdom from the wicked Carabosse. Will the Princess be saved? Will
Nanny Nora find true love? Who will outwit Carabosse and foil her vile
plans? Find out in the ultimate magical pantomime adventure!
www.castlefordpanto.com.
11.8.18
Entertaining
the Troops. "During World War Two an army of performers from
ballerinas to magicians, contortionists to impressionists, set out to
help win the war by entertaining the troops far and wide. Risking their
lives they ventured into war zones, dodging explosions and performing
close to enemy lines. Featuring the memories of this intrepid band of
entertainers and with contributions from Dame Vera Lynn, Eric Sykes and
Tony Benn, this documentary tells the remarkable story of the World War
II performers and hears the memories of some of those troops who were
entertained during the dark days of war." First shown in 2011, featuring
Magic Circle Museum curator Henry Lewis. See
iPlayer.
11.8.18
The
Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians, have installed Mark Harrington as
their new President for 2018/19. This will be Mark's second term as
president and the first meeting of his year, will be Wednesday 12th
September, when we have a lecture from Michael Vincent. Sue Oakley.
www.wcm-magic.com.
11.8.18
Brandon
Barrett, Scottish Young Magician of the Year, makes his Edinburgh
Fringe debut. After performing in various shows around Scotland Brandon
will be the youngest comedy magician at the Fringe this year. Venue:
CC-Blooms Basement lounge Dates: 12-26th August Time: 5.30pm (50
minutes).
11.8.18
Sideshow
Skills Day with 'Reverend' Tristan. From the organisers:
Learn Sideshow skills from one of the best in the business, Rev. Tristan
Stothard.
This is a practical and thorough insiders guide to the art of sideshow.
You will learn to appear to be impervious to pain.
As well as learning a new skill for life, fun and profit, the training
will have a positive impact on your own feelings of self-control.
Rev. Tristan has been performing for well over 20 years and is widely
regarded as one of the UK's leading exponents and teachers of this
fringe skill.
Join us for a day that will be burnt into your memory forever. Sunday,
October 14th, 2018. 10am to 5pm in Derbyshire. £275.00. See
www.anthonyjacquin.com.
11.8.18
Vagabond
Skills Training with Liam O'Neill. From the organisers:
This is a unique one-off day of training with 'The Prove It Guy', Liam
O'Neill.
If you are a mystery performer and would like to push your skills into
the realm of the real, then this course is for you.
You will learn skills with chopsticks, spears, bricks and glass and the
body
that will enable you to appear superhuman, impervious to pain.
These are commercial skills that have found a place in my work. As they
appear to illustrate control of mind and body, they are a perfect fit
for hypnosis.
The training takes place in Derbyshire from 10am until 5pm.
Liam will prove that 'Limitation Is A Mirage'! Using the skills of the
vagabonds and the secrets of mystical arts, he will defy the laws of
nature and transport you to a world of impossible feats and superhero
stunts.
What's more, he will show that you too can achieve more than you ever
dreamed possible! Sunday
September 16th, 2018 in Derby. 10am to 5pm.
£275.00. See
www.anthonyjacquin.com.
11.8.18
Magic Moments, Sunday 12th August on True Movies. A successful magician is approached to do a TV special and falls in love with the show's producer. But her possessive guardian sets out to sabotage the romance. (Made For TV, 1989, 12, 3 Star). See TV Magic. 11.8.18
"Howard
Thurston, the Magician Who Disappeared"
Click Here • "Impossible to know if Laval students killed magician's
dog: judge"
Click Here • "Magician the Amazing Randi has dedicated his life to
promoting critical thinking"
Click Here • "Coast performer meets Penn and Teller"
Click Here • The Real Deal A Magician Prepares by Dennis Loomis is
reviewed by Quentin Reynolds this week,
Click
Here • "David Copperfield helps unveil new 'Art of Magic' stamps in
Las Vegas"
Click Here • "Watch This Magician Blow YG's Mind With a Few Card
Tricks"
Click Here • "Brian R. Gillis, 71, Niagara Falls native was
world-renowned magician"
Click Here • Thanks as always for your UK magic news, see you next week, Duncan.
11.8.18