Number
966 - 29th December 2018
David
Berglas has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire
(MBE) for his services to Magic and Psychology in the New Year Honours
List. David Berglas,
92, said: "I am delighted to accept this honour but even more pleased
that the art of magic has at last been recognised. I have spent over 60
years entertaining people in person, on radio and television - 'reading
their minds' - but I certainly didn’t see this one coming."
David
Berglas has been an inspiration to magicians worldwide. On hearing of
the award Derren Brown said: "This honour recognises one of our greatest
living magical performers. Generations of magicians owe him a debt of
gratitude. Each of my shows is indebted to his artistry and astonishing
body of work. I thank him for his constant inspiration."
The Magic Circle president Scott Penrose said: "I am sure our members
both in the UK and around the world will join me in congratulating David
Berglas on receiving this award, which recognises his immense
contribution to magic. As our former president he was deeply involved in
the successful development of our permanent HQ in London. His influence
on magic and magicians has been profound for over 60 years and many
magicians owe him a real debt of gratitude."
David
Berglas’ extraordinary career started in the 50s. Six weeks at the
Windmill Theatre in London in 1953 was followed by a whirlwind tour of
variety theatres where he often topped the bill. He became a household
name with his regular performances on radio, conducting "Nationwide
Psychological Experiments" involving millions of listeners. He received
the largest collection of fan mail ever for a BBC radio series. In the
70s he hosted a late-night phone-in programme on LBC. He had his own BBC
television show "Meet David Berglas" in 1954 which had an audience of
over 19 million and then hosted the first ever commercial TV series in
1955. In the 80s his series "The Mind of David Berglas" on Channel 4
entertained celebrity guests such as Omar Sharif, Britt Ekland and
Christopher Lee.
Dubbed the "International Man of Mystery" David Berglas was renowned for
creating big stunts - among them, driving a car blindfold around central
London, hurtling blindfold down the Cresta Run, stopping the traffic -
and people - in Piccadilly Circus. He also confounded the magical
profession with his pulse stopping routine and with his ability to
persuade strangers to levitate a heavy table. His version of the Any
Card at Any Number routine has been known for many years as the Berglas
Effect and magicians consider this the holy grail of card magic. He has
also acted as a creative consultant on many major films, most notably
five Bond movies.
David
Berglas has entertained most members of the Royal Family and a host of
celebrities including Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra and Michael
Jackson. At one time he was the opening act for the Rolling Stones.
In the magic world David Berglas has received most major international
honours. He was President of The Magic Circle from 1989-1998 and helped
revitalise the society. During his tenure The Magic Circle admitted
women as members, established The Young Magicians Club and acquired and
refurbished the old warehouse in Euston that became their first
permanent HQ. David Berglas named it "The Centre for the Magic Arts". He has
helped raise huge amounts for charity and was voted King Rat of the
Grand Order of Water Rats, the world’s leading show business charity.
[Wonderful news to start the New Year with. Many congratulations David! DT]. 29.12.18
15
not-boring questions with... Drummond Money-Coutts. "On the occasion of
Drummond Money-Coutts' new Netflix show, Death By Magic, in which he performs
illusions which have previously killed magicians, we invited him to answer 15
questions that are actually interesting..." See
www.gq-magazine.co.uk.
29.12.18
Matt
Edmondson is known to the public as a Radio and Television presenter,
however he spent his teenage years as a member of The Young Magicians
Club. How does a driven and ambitious teenager go from selling Svengali
Decks in Greenwich Market to being chosen by Simon Cowell to present one
of the biggest Saturday night TV shows? The answers are within this
podcast. Matt also discusses how he sees magic on TV being showcased
over the next few years. Plus pre-pod prestidigitation ponderings with Alan Hudson. Listen now, via
iTunes,
Podbean
or
Spotify. One of the best podcasts to date. DT.
29.12.18
Pete Firman in Aladdin - New Wimbledon Theatre.
Paul Merton leads the cast in this year’s high-flying pantomime as Widow
Twankey, joined by Lee Ryan as Aladdin and Magician Pete Firman who will
be on hand to spread a little magic over SW19 and help Aladdin overcome
the evil Abanazar. Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients
audiences expect, Aladdin features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning
scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. This year’s
panto is a treat your whole family will treasure! To Sunday 6th January. Book via
www.atgtickets.com.
29.12.18
Talking
Tricks previews The Session and revisits the Pete Firman interview.
Talking Tricks with Kane & Abel is joined by Andi Gladwin to preview The
Session convention next month. Gladwin unpacks the whole three-day event which
features performances from Mac King, Max Maven, Luke Jermay, Ben Hart, Andy
Nyman, James Went, Dani Daortiz and many more. Andi also discusses Vanishing
Inc’s new Costa Rican Getaway convention and his top picks for books all
magicians must read. Meanwhile, the boys talk Christmas TV magic and are joined
by the ghost of podcast past Pete Firman to discuss his life in Magic. Listen
via Podbean or iTunes via:
www.kaneandabelmagic.com/blog-1.
29.12.18
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, the fourth show of John Fisher's
The Magic Comedy Strip from 1992 starring The Pendragons,
Jeff Hobson, David Williamson, Rudy Coby and Joe Pasquale. This show went out on
April 13th. Number 5 next week. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional
'bonus' video
Click Here.
29.12.18
Unfathomable - Sheraton Grand Park Lane, London. A new immersive mind-reading show for 2019. Do you believe in telepathy? Join Tony Middleton ‘Sonic’, star of the 5 star sell out show The Magic Hour, and Rebecca Herrera – the first female mentalist to fool Penn & Teller – in an immersive show of mind-reading. From the evocative wood panelled drawing room of the Sheraton Grand Park Lane, you will experience remarkable demonstrations of telepathy and second sight, and hear intriguing stories from magic's past. Do they have superhuman ability? Can you work them out? Or are they simply… Unfathomable? Limited to 6 dates in January: 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd. 60 guests only per show. Tickets from £25. Get 20% off the first 10 tickets per show with code: MAGICHOUR Book now to avoid disappointment: www.magichourshow.com/unfathomable. See Rebecca Herrera's appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us YouTube. 29.12.18
Cromer
Pier Christmas Show 2018 - final weekend. The North Norfolk News describes it as "varied, surprising and
energetic". Back once again for the festive season, the annual Cromer
Pier Christmas Show is performed daily throughout December. As reviewed
by Tim Wardley, chairman of the National Piers Association: "Headline
artists Mark James and the irrepressibly evergreen Olly Day (photo) have the
audience in hysterics with their quick fire comedy, magic and audience
participation." The show features a full cast of singers and dancers
including vocals from musicals' star Harvey James, along with chart
topping vocals and cello from Fiona Jessica Wilson. Visit
www.cromerpier.co.uk for tickets and
more details.
29.12.18
The Prestige. Period thriller set in Edwardian London where two rival magicians, partners until the tragic death of an assistant during a show, feud bitterly after one of them performs the ultimate magic trick - teleportation. His rival tries desperately to uncover the secret of his routine, experimenting with dangerous new science as his quest takes him to the brink of insanity and jeopardises the lives of everyone around the pair (repeat). See TV Magic for details. 29.12.18
Catch up with Dynamo: Magician Impossible on both W and Dave. The acclaimed magician Dynamo travels the world, dazzling those he meets with his illusions. See TV Magic for details. 29.12.18
Planning
the year ahead? Book
a magic lecturer for your club for 2019. Visit the MagicWeek
Lecturers page!
29.12.18
"Derren
Brown's 'Sacrifice' is the best magic special on Netflix"
Click Here • "Where The Magic Happens: 5 Spellbinding Restaurants"
Click Here • "Broadway magician helps audience member
propose during show"
Click Here • "Magician puts on a performance for Shelter Dogs"
Click Here • "World Hypnotism Day - The Perfect You"
YouTube • "'He just loved the kids:' Fredericton's magic man dies
at 75"
Click Here • "Magician medal looking for a home"
Click Here • "Arizona man finds magic moments in TV show on uncle
Harry Houdini"
Click Here • "Truly magical moment"
Click Here • Hope you all had a really good Christmas. All best
wishes for 2019, Duncan. 29.12.18