Number
982 - 20th April 2019
Anthony
Owen. The awful news of Anthony's death on Friday 12th April left his many
friends in magic in total shock. It's so sad. Anthony was a gentle, kind,
thoughtful man, who loved magic and was such a vital part of the British magic scene. I contacted three friends who
had posted
their immediate thoughts on Facebook, and reproduce their posts below with
permission. Duncan
Trillo.
20.4.19
John Lenahan wrote:
I never had a friend like Anthony. Before him performing was something I
did alone. Sure, I’d share a bill with other comedians but my
performances were my own and when they were done, there was no one
really to share them with. It’s hard to share when you can’t tell the
secrets.
That all changed when Anthony became my magic adviser and then partner
in Monday Night Magic. He was so young back then and shy. He was so
lacking in social skills my wife Caroline once said that when he came to
the house for our brainstorming sessions, that she felt like a mom and
Anthony had come over for a playdate. I too often felt like he was the
little brother I never had. On those brainstorming sessions we would
re-examine classic magic tricks or try to find effects long forgotten.
Some of my fondest memories are me being on stage performing an
under-rehearsed trick only to hear Anthony in the back say, “Uh oh.”
We did so much together: we ran a club, I made him be my lovely
assistant when I couldn’t find anyone else, we traveled to Europe and
India to witness long forgotten magic tricks, we made live shows, we
made TV programs but mostly we laughed. He blossomed into a wonderful
man of whom I was proud.
I of course hadn’t seen him as much in recent times but I can’t imagine
life without him on the end of a telephone or a text message. He was my
fount of magical knowledge and he was the first audience for a new joke.
If I could make Anthony laugh, I knew the line was worth working on -
and he had such a great laugh.
I last saw him only weeks ago at The Magic Circle. As he was leaving, I
handed him a first draft of a memoir/magic book I’m writing.
“I’d love to know what you think,” I said.
“I’m sure you’ll be hearing from my lawyers,” he replied.
A pretty good last line.
Rest in peace brother.
Justin Monehen wrote:
I simply cannot believe Anthony is gone. So sad. I've known Anthony my
entire magical life. We competed against each other in magical
competitions as kids, became friends at Marvin's Magic, laughed together
at magic conventions and sometimes collaborated on little projects. He
was always enthusiastic, always encouraging and always made me laugh.
I'm going to miss his instantly recognisable hoot of a laugh and our
childish sniggering over memories of BSA. RIP Anthony. You will be so
greatly missed.
Ali Cook wrote:
I’m so very sad to hear that my close friend Anthony Owen passed away on
Friday. I first met him at the IBM magic convention when I was 17 and
we’ve been mates ever since, for over twenty five years.
It’s a huge shock that he’s been taken from us at such a young age and I
can’t quite believe it.
Anthony was the go to producer for TV magic: A multiple BAFTA winner and
responsible for giving me and my friends the opportunity to have our own
TV series.
We went onto make five series and a West End show - we even got to
travel the world together performing street magic.
All the while we became closer and closer and have known each other for
most of our adult lives. From single guys in Shoreditch, to becoming
fathers and taking our kids to the swings on Sunday afternoons.
It’s such a huge loss and my thoughts are with his family and his
children Carter, Miller and Tate at this time.
Uri
Geller: Blackpool 2020. The Convention Team write: The first of our
major headliners at Blackpool 2020 will be the incredible Uri Geller!
Because of the expected interest in this man's work, we're proud to
announce that this will be the first ever 'Mega-Event' that will be
presented at the convention. An event so huge that it can only be
presented in The Opera House Theatre. This venue would be the only place
that we could possibly consider using, so that we can give enough people
the chance to attend. For over an hour Uri Geller will talk about his
incredible life and work, that has kept him in the public eye for nearly
50 years. Following his talk, there will be a chance to ask Uri anything
that you want, during a Q&A session. This is just the first of many,
many surprises that we have in store for you next year during the
February 2020 Blackpool Magic Convention. To book see
www.blackpoolmagicconvention.com.
20.4.19
Masters
of Magic World Convention, May 16th-19th 2019, Italy. Derek
DelGaudio, Luis Piedrahita, Juan Tamariz, Marco Tempest, Niek Takens,
Dani DaOrtiz, Luis Otero, Roberto Giobbi, Stuart MacDonald, Jay Sankey,
Morgan Strebler, Javier Botia, Boris Wild, Raul Cremona, DenDen, Ondřej
Pšenička... and more to be announced. Reggia di VenariaPiazza della
Repubblica, 4, 10078 Venaria Reale TO, Italy. See
www.mastersofmagicconvention.com.
20.4.19
Exciting
Magic Acts at Norfolk & Norwich Festival. Norfolk & Norwich Festival
will return for 2019 from 10th-26th May with a programme of over 100
events spanning music, performance, visual art and literature. The
festival shares exceptional arts experiences across East England and
collaborates with artists – from down the road and around the world – to
explore the unique physical and cultural identities of the city and
country and to make art which is contemporary, international and
audience-centred. This year's festival features three magic related
performances:
•
Vincent Gambini’s The Chore of Enchantment combines deadpan
reflections with jaw-dropping sleight of hand magic to expertly play
with our understandings of deception, artifice and theatrical
make-believe.
•
Fake Magic features some of the most daring, alternative and cutting
edge magicians working in the UK today, presenting magicians who offer a
different approach to conjuring.
•
Bells and Spells by Victoria Thierrée Chaplin with Aurélia Thierrée,
making its UK premiere, follows Aurélia’s peculiar journey as an
incurable kleptomaniac who is at the mercy of the objects she steals.
Using ethereal imagery, unpredictable props and enchanting dance, this
performance blends the wonderful with the strange in a surreal world of
humour and illusion.
The full festival programme can be seen here: www.nnfestival.org.uk/whats-on. 20.4.19
Britain's
Chris Cox: The Illusionists, Eldorado, Nevada. Having shattered box office records around the
world, 'The Illusionists Experience' features five of the most incredible illusionists on earth: The Showman,
Valentin; The Trickster, David Williamson; The Mentalist, Chris Cox; The
Manipulator, Hyun Joon Kim and The Escapist, Krendl. Full of
death-defying stunts, acts of breathtaking wonder and hilarious magic,
'The Illusionists Experience' will dazzle audiences of all ages. From
creative producer Simon Painter and The Works Entertainment, this
mind-blowing production opened on April 17th in the
Eldorado Showroom at The Row, Nevada.
20.4.19
'Half
Moon Magicians' magically morphs into to 'MC Friday Night Magicians'.
Martin Cox's regular Half Moon Magicians show is changing its name to MC
Friday Night Magicians. On April 26th Martin will be joined by Dave
Allen, Al-Prendo and Sean Goodman at Bishops Stortford Football Club,
Dunmow Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 5RG (Map).
Free Parking, Bar, and you can even order a Takeaway to eat in if you
like! Entry is still just £10 and the doors open at 7.30pm, with the
show running from 8pm - 10pm with a short interval. To reserve a front
row seat, book now! Contact Martin on 07704 152808 or email
martin@comedyofmagic.co.uk.
Also see
www.fridaynightmagicians.uk.
20.4.19
Kevin
Quantum: Anti-Gravity, Underbelly Festival, South Bank, London 27th -
29th April. Following award-winning, sell-out performances in
Edinburgh and Adelaide, Scotland’s top magician-scientist hybrid returns
to London with his levitation themed show - Anti-Gravity. Enter a space
where the rules of gravity are bent and broken... Impossible illusions
and levitations brought to you by the magician tutored by Penn & Teller.
Having spent half of his adult life studying Physics and half studying
magic, Magic Circle Member Kevin explores the exotic space where science
and magic meet. Magic is real. And he’ll prove it to you! Winner 'Best
Magic' Adelaide Fringe 2018. Underbelly Festival, South Bank, London,
27th - 29th April 2019. See
www.underbellyfestival.com.
20.4.19
Dominic
Twose Lecture, Tuesday 30th April for International Magic, London.
In 2018, we published ‘Impromptu Secrets’ a fabulous book by Dominic
Twose which is absolutely packed with gems from an experienced and
knowledgeable author and magician. It was an immediate success as we
knew it would be and is now well into its second print run. In his early
years in magic, Dominic was a pupil of the great Fred Robinson and it
clearly shows in the style and construction of his routines. In this
lecture, Dominic will present and explain some of his signature card
routines, as well as a debut of his Cups & Balls routine that has been
in preparation for several years and previously shown to only one other
magician who immediately included it in his repertoire. This is truly a
lecture to look forward to for all close-up magicians. Tuesday, 30th
April, from 7.30pm to 10pm. £15 Per Person. 2nd Floor, Casa Italiana,
136 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL. Bookings by email:
martin@internationalmagic.com.
20.4.19
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This week Mississippi Magic from Paul
Daniels on The Paul Daniels Magic Show from 3rd January 1987. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional
bonus video
Click Here.
20.4.19
The
On The Money Deck by Gavin James. RSVPMagic write: The On the Money
Deck by Gavin James is one of the cleanest and cleverest mind-reading
card routines currently on the market. Watch a full performance of The
On The Money Deck by the brilliant Ryan Tricks on the streets of London
and see the reactions that it gets at
www.rsvpmagic.com.
20.4.19
Marc
Oberon Lecture, Mercian Mystics Magic Society, Stoke-On-Trent. Chris
Stokes, Secretary, Mercian Mystics Magic Society writes: The fabulous
Marc Oberon will be presenting his lecture, 'Grips, Lines and Looks' at
the next meeting of the Mercian Mystics Magic Society in Stoke-on-Trent
on Tuesday May 7th (8pm start). Marc will perform and explain many of
his close-up, stage and mind-reading effects through the lens of his
theory of magical choreography. There’s something for everyone; effects,
methods and performance techniques that helped Marc become a FISM
winning world champion. This is a rare chance to see a world class
performer up close and personal. Don't miss it! (Just £5.00 for visiting
magicians). The club meets at the Smallthorne Victory Club, 300 Hanley
Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST6 1RE (Map).
www.mercianmysticsmagi.wixsite.com. Chris Stokes, Secretary, Mercian
Mystics Magic Society.
20.4.19
Merlins
of Wakefield have loads of new items to look at over the Bank Holiday!
Merlins write:
Click Here to see a selection! To join our mailing list with weekly
offers, discounts and news of the latest in magic
Click Here. Our ‘Magic Festival Day’ is just three weeks away, and
there are just a few tickets left, so if you are thinking of attending,
get yours soon. Everyone who purchases a ticket will be entered into our
weekly draw for £100+ worth of magic! With artists including Paul
Gordon, Matricks, James Brandon, Thomas Antony, Darren Mac, Walt Lees,
Mathew Tiffany, Franklin and Workshops, Dealers and Sideshows, there
really is something for everyone,
Click Here for details. Also, for a full copy of our latest 20 page
Preview for April/May, just
Click Here. Have a great Easter everyone, hope to hear from you
soon!
www.merlinswakefield.com.
20.4.19
The
Mark Leveridge April Podcast. Published on the 1st of each month,
this lively 30 minute magic podcast is short enough for you to be able
to find the time to listen, and interesting enough to hopefully keep you
coming back for more! It features Mark's thoughts and opinions on a wide
variety of topics. Here's the line up for April: The show fee debate
rages on, but Mark makes the case that all fee amounts have equal
validity. If you never perform magic for the lay public, does that mean
you should have no involvement with magic at all? We are all guilty
sometimes of performing tricks that we like and not necessarily ones
that our audiences like. Musicians can teach magicians much about
dedication. If you could create the perfect magic convention, what would
it look like? Lay people are sometimes impressed simply because they do
not know the secret rather than by the skills that brought about the
magic. Access to the podcast is free and available either from
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php, or
www.markleveridge.podbean.com.
20.4.19
The
Repair Shop. "The team tackle a ventriloquist’s dummy, a 1920s
typewriter and a precious athletics trophy that’s the last remaining
memento of a much-loved father"
iPlayer.
20.4.19
Sunday Night at the Palladium. Jimmy Carr hosts tonight's show which features the cast of the multiple Olivier award-winning Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, who perform a medley of hits from the show. The world's fastest illusionist, Hans Klok, flies in to wow the Palladium audience - and to teach Jimmy a few tricks. Comedy comes from Rob Beckett, while dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace perform a stunning routine. Also featuring Westlife's Markus Feehily, Rebecca Ferguson and the legendary Deacon Blue. (Repeat) Sunday 28th April on ITV3. See TV Magic. 20.4.19
"Has
Britain’s Got Talent’s Stephen Mulhern been secretly auditioning on the
show?" [no!]
Click Here • "Britain's Got Talent: Jonathan Goodwin the Welsh
magician set to wow Simon Cowell"
Click Here • "Debbie McGee: Strictly star left surprised after being
told Paul Daniels story live on air"
Click Here • "Tribute paid to ‘awesome’ dad, actor, writer, Manston
quiz master and magician Peter Corey"
Click Here • "Learning About Attention from Magic"
Click Here • "Dunblane magician wows judges with Rubik’s trick to
land top award"
Click Here • "Closely-guarded secrets to David Copperfield's magic
tricks are somewhere on the Moon"
Click Here • Many thanks to everyone who contributed news this week,
always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan.
20.4.19