Number
964 - 15th December 2018
Johnny
Hart. 29th August 1943 - 10th December 2018. Johnny Hart's silent
act will be treasured forever by a generation of magicians who grew up
watching him on television, or 'caught up' with his act via a shared
video tape. His influence on magicians growing up in the 60s, 70s and
80s can't be underestimated. Here was a silent magician who broke
the mould - he had charisma! (And his card manipulations and budgie
productions were superb as well!) DT.
Johnny Hart is remembered by Steve Short: Click Here.
The funeral of Johnny Hart will take place on Friday 21st December at 10.15am at St Michaels & All Angels Church, 2 Edgerton Road, Preston PR2 1AJ followed by Preston Crematorium, Longridge Road, Preston PR2 5BY at 11.30am and then proceeding to the White Bull, Alston. All flowers to Martin's Funeral Directors, 188 Tulketh Brow, Preston PR2 2JJ. Donations to The Magic Circle. 15.12.18
A new series of The
Magicians’ Podcast has just started. Richard Young's first guest is
Paul Zerdin (winner of Season 10 of America’s Got Talent). As in previous years there will be a new episode every Friday and there will
be a bit of an international feel to guests this time around.
For Android users the good news is that the podcast is now available on
Google Play Music and also Spotify in addition to the usual places of
iTunes, Podbean and Stitcher.
Also see
www.facebook.com/MagiciansPodcast.
15.12.18
Magic
Moments Update 2018 by Jay Fortune. This update continues the
momentum of Magic Moments and also, I hope, inspires others to consider
using their magic for altruistic means. 2018 has been a busy year for
Magic Moments. Whilst raising money for charitable causes is an
important and worthy goal for Magic Moments and for many magicians, this
year the team and I have focused on bringing magic directly to those who
our fund-raising efforts seek to support.
I designed a specialised magic set and workshop which catered for
children with severe learning difficulties and disabilities. Many of
these children have limited mobility, living with autism, epilepsy and
other complex issues. I devised a magic set which the kids could create
themselves, of which some were able, and then learn to perform the
magic. One particular piece I was proud of was inspired by Robert E.
Neale, with a simple origami model which is easy to construct and allows
for many magical surprises. Bob not only granted us permission to
reproduce his model for this specialist set, but also gave me his
blessing to publish my changes and ideas which added an appearance of a
magician within the model. As a long-time friend and fan of Bob’s work,
this was a personal highlight for me.
The workshops were hosted by myself and magician Tim Osler and in 2018
we visited over 25 special needs schools, working with over 1000
students. Of the many inspiring moments, a personal highlight was the
feedback from a teacher who had introduced us to one of their students
who would not communicate. The same evening of our workshop, this
student not only spoke - which we were told was a rarity - but came out
of their shell and performed a magic show for the family.
We also visited a school for children who have been expelled and/or
suffer from behavioural problems. This was very challenging. Gradually,
we began to work with them by giving them something they could work on
and develop to help them communicate, namely magic. (To read the full
2018 update, and to find out more about Magic Moments,
Click Here).
15.12.18
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, the second show of John Fisher's
The Magic Comedy Strip from 1992 starring The Pendragons, David
Williamson, Jeff Hobson, Rudy Coby and Joe Pasquale. This show went out on
March 30th. Number 3 next week. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional
'bonus' video
Click Here.
15.12.18
Young
Magician of the Year Competition 2019. From the organiser:
I know that Christmas will be taking up much of your time at present,
but this is a brief reminder that The Magic Circle Young Magician of the
Year Competition 2019 is coming soon. The Competition is open to young
people between the ages of 14 and 18 with the Winner receiving not only
the Title but also the Irving Schneider Award to attend a magic course
in the U.S.A. and free Membership of The Magic Circle on reaching the
age of 18.
The closing date is 8th January 2019 and full details and entry form can
be found at
www.themagiccircle.co.uk.
Overseas entrants will be permitted to submit a DVD of their act for the
Heats (we already have one overseas entrant), but should they be selected for the Final they will need to
appear in person on the day.
I look forward to receiving your entry, or if you are more senior than
entry age, that of your friend / pupil / fellow club member.
Dr. Michael Colley M.I.M.C.,
Chairman, Young Magician of the Year Competition.
15.12.18
Tommy Cooper: In His Own Words, Tuesday 18th December, Channel 5. An affectionate look back at Tommy Cooper's life and career. Sir Michael Parkinson, Jimmy Tarbuck and Chris Tarrant and others reflect on what made Tommy Cooper one of the greatest ever entertainers. Colleagues talk about working with him, and his daughter Vicky reveals her feelings about her father. See TV Magic for details. 15.12.18
Prof Richard Wiseman has just published an academic paper reviewing
the evidence that suggests there are lots of benefits to being a
magician. The paper looks at the early work in the area (dating back to
the First World War!) and then summarises all of the studies that have
examined the psychological and physical benefits of teaching people
magic (including patients, children). See:
https://peerj.com/articles/6081/.
15.12.18
Children’s
Afternoon Magic Show, Thursday 27th December, London. From the
organisers: Let your children enjoy the magic of Christmas! With top
children’s entertainer Colonel Custard, and the last time to see the
gorgeous visual magic of Scott Penrose. Tickets: £7 children, £9 adults,
from
www.conjuringatthecourt.com. The show starts at 2.30pm and runs to
4pm with an interval. It’s in the lovely function room of the Drayton
Court, 2 The Avenue, West Ealing, London W13 8PH (Map).
Just 12 minutes from Central London by Tube.
15.12.18
Conjuring
at the Court, Thursday 27th December, London. From the organisers:
Enjoy Christmas with magic – and don’t miss it, as it’s the last time
ever to see Scott Penrose’s wonderful manipulation act; he’s retiring it
after this show. With lots of fun with the magic of Paul Megram, Stephen
Barry, and gentleman juggler Mat Ricardo. Compère Russell Levinson. The
show starts at 8pm and runs to 10pm with an interval. It’s in the lovely
function room of the Drayton Court, 2 The Avenue, West Ealing, London
W13 8PH (Map).
Come early to enjoy a meal before the show!
Tickets still just £11 in advance from
www.conjuringatthecourt.com. Just 12 minutes from Central London by Tube.
Parking is free from 6.30pm.
15.12.18
Now You See Me 2, Saturday 15th December, Film4. Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson and Morgan Freeman are among the returning cast of Jon Chu's sequel to the crime thriller about magicians who stage seemingly impossible heists. The previous movie saw the Four Horsemen - Danny Atlas, Merritt McKinney, Henley Reeves and Jack Wilder - emerge from nowhere, use perfectly crafted illusions to rob a Parisian bank, fleece an insurance magnate of hundreds of millions of dollars, shower their fans in cash... and then vanish again. But before disappearing they framed Thaddeus Bradley for their crimes. Now, the jailed former magician who publicly reveals how tricks are done, aims to exact revenge on the Horsemen. And Bradley may get his opportunity when the Horsemen - minus Reeves, who has been replaced by Lula May - eventually surface in the employ of a tech genius who needs to recover a stolen gadget that can decrypt and access all electronic devices. See TV Magic for details. 15.12.18
Justin Willman on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Thursday 20th December on ITV2. Benedict Cumberbatch tells us all about voicing The Grinch in the animated version of the Dr Seuss story. Megastar Cher joins Ellen for a game of 5 Second Rule. Yara Shahidi talks about her role in the film Small Foot. Magician Justin Willman talks about his Netflix show, Magic for Humans. See TV Magic for details. 15.12.18
The
December Mark Leveridge Podcast. Mark Leveridge writes: At some
point this month you are hopefully going to have some relaxation time,
and so I would like to recommend that you sit back for half an hour and
listen to my latest podcast. As always I have provided a varied
assortment of topics, as follows. How do you define the difference
between a close up competition and a stand up magic competition? :
changes in the average attention span of spectators can have an effect
on the type of magic we need to present : it seems that some people are
suffering from magic fatigue : I really enjoy spending some time with
Paul Gordon putting the magic world to rights : is the Christmas rush
still a rush? : I consider the John Bannon assertion that maybe the
stereotypical close up worker may need to change what he does in order
to remain bookable. You can get your free access to this latest
edition, as well as all the other 71 recordings, by going to
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php, or you can also listen online or
download to any mp3 player from
www.markleveridge.podbean.com where you can also sign up as a
follower and receive each new podcast automatically when it is released
on the 1st of each month. I look forward to chatting with you soon.
15.12.18
Devin
Knight - A Lifetime In Magic. Magicseen write: Magicseen
Publications are delighted to be the publishers of some of the best
mental routines around from a performer who has many years experience of
what it takes to fool and entertain the public. The second volume of the
Devin Knight trilogy has just been released and it contains a strong set
of over 20 reputation making ideas that you are bound to use if
mentalism is your thing. Volume 1 is also still available, and as a
Christmas Gift to all our customers we would like to offer the first
volume at half price if you purchase it together with the new second
volume. Simply purchase the two books together from
www.magicseen.co.uk
and we will then refund you 50% of the cost of the first book. This
offer will close on Friday 21st December 2018, so be quick with your
order and hopefully you will receive both books in time for Christmas.
15.12.18
Magicians
of Basingstoke Chain of Office found. Kate Haigh writes: "My mother
has just come across the Magicians of Basingstoke presidential medal
with all the presidents on. Do you know if anyone might be interested in
it? Picture attached." To contact Kate email:
da_murf@hotmail.com.
15.12.18
Exhibition
of Photographic Illusions Now Open! We’re delighted to announce the
launch of our free photographic illusion exhibition at the Scottish
Storytelling Centre and The Museum of Childhood. One year in development
working with magician Prof Richard Wiseman and the super talented,
energetic and all round wonderful bunch at Edinburgh Young Carers -
Now You See It Now You Don't is a mind-bending collection of
impossible photos from around Edinburgh, taken by amazing photographer
Julie Howden. Each photograph features young carers (aged 5-17) doing
what they do every day of their lives - making the seemingly impossible
possible. Enjoy the illusions at the Storytelling Centre, and come
backstage to find out how illusions were created and learn more about
the Edinburgh Young Carers at the Museum of Childhood. Running now till
the end of January 2019. See
www.magicfest.co.uk for details.
15.12.18
Paul
Gordon Lecture now booking. Last Saturday Paul Gordon and Scott Penrose took to the Jeff
McBride Stage in Kent to perform at a black tie event. Host and compère
Paul Craven said it was one of the best nights they'd had at the venue.
"Paul Gordon performed a pacy half-hour card set and Scott Penrose
thrilled with his automata and mentalism." To watch Paul Gordon's card
set see YouTube.
Paul is now taking bookings for his 'Impromptu Entertaining (and 'doable') Card Magic lecture
2019' "It is rare to see a magician who can entertain an audience
that much with just a deck of cards. But Paul Gordon is one of them! His
shows are as funny as the magic he performs is strong. Paul perfectly
knows what the spectators enjoy and deliver it to them with great humour
and killer effects." Boris Wild. See the MagicWeek
Lecturers page for full details.
15.12.18
Storytelling
Magic in Norwich, Norfolk. David Fung, Associate of the Inner Magic
Circle, appears in The Maddermarket Theatre’s Christmas family show,
James and the Giant Peach, this Christmas. David plays a wizard
alongside nine other cast members. The faithful retelling of Roald
Dahl’s classic children’s tale promises magic, music, singing,
storytelling, fun and plenty of surprises. Running until 31st December,
matinee and evening performance tickets are available, with family
ticket discounts, from
www.maddermarket.co.uk, or in person at the box office. Also see
www.davidfung.co.uk.
15.12.18
The
Anglian Magic Society Social Night. This Tuesday, 18th December,
join The Anglian Magic Society for a relaxed evening away from the mad
rush of Christmas with a chance to catch up with magic friends and
colleagues in this social night with a twist. Bring along magic props to
swap or interesting items from your collection to show and tell, or
both! It’s a fun way to learn more and share interesting information
from our crazy and fascinating world of magic. Members £3.00, Visitors
£10.00. 7.30pm at The White Horse Inn, The Street, Trowse, Norwich NR14
8ST (Map).
www.theanglianmagicsociety.uk. Steve Majes MMC.
15.12.18
'Twas
the Night Before Christmas, read by celebrities, speakers and
magicians Ben Hanlin, Troy and Jamie Raven:
www.nmplive.co.uk.
15.12.18
The
Magic of Variety, 2nd March 2019, Royal Hippodrome Theatre,
Eastbourne. From the organisers: A night of absolute variety,
this one-off show is for all the family. So, prepare to be amazed and to
laugh out loud with some of the best acts in the UK today. The Magic of
Variety is in aid of Neuroblastoma UK, a charity funding crucial
research into an aggressive childhood cancer Neuroblastoma. Starring
international comedy magician Richie Austin. Richie has put this show
together in aid of Neuroblastoma UK and in memory of his niece, Gemma,
who lost her fight with Neuroblastoma cancer in 2007 and has raised tens
of thousands for the charity since 2006. Richie himself performs all
across the world performing in venues from Eastbourne to Egypt and is
one of the most popular comedy magicians on the circuit. Richie provides
audiences with bamboozling magic fused with toe tapping music and a
twist of comedy. Richie makes his welcome return to the Royal Hippodrome
after his 2014 Summer Season There's Magic in The Music. Also
featuring Britain's Got Talent Finalist Steve Hewlett and The Spellbound
Show (Tracie Hughes & Jenifer Bentley). 7pm on 2nd March 2019 at Royal
Hippodrome Theatre, 108-112 Seaside Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21
3PF. Tickets available from
www.ticketsource.co.uk also see
www.royalhippodrome.com.
15.12.18
"Branson's
Virgin Galactic successfully reaches space"
www.bbc.co.uk (but there's no sign of David Copperfield! For those
that remember, from 2006: Back Issue 301).
15.12.18
"Half magic, half comedy, all dragon:
Piff the Magic Dragon coming to Sioux Falls"
Click Here • "Watch magician Criss Angel torment Korn's Jonathan
Davis in new 'Mindfreak' video"
Click Here • "Abracadabra! Pittsburgh magician’s theater hopes to
reach out and grab you"
Click Here • "Magician Drummond Money-Coutts specializes in death"
Click Here • "Death by Magic: Tricks never die"
Click Here • "Award-winning illusionist to perform at Egyptian
Theatre"
Click Here • "America's Got Talent Winner & The Illusionists Star
Shin Lim Ride of Fame Induction Ceremony"
Click Here • "This absorbing succession of illusions is excellent
pre-Christmas fare"
Click Here • As always your magic news is very welcome. See you next
week, Duncan.
15.12.18