Number
1067 - Saturday 5th December 2020
The
Royal Variety Performance 2020. The annual extravaganza to raise
money for the Royal Variety Charity, recorded just days ago at the
Blackpool Opera House, features performances from Sheridan Smith,
reprising her role as Cilla Black, and Samantha Barks in an exclusive
preview of the forthcoming Frozen stage musical. The show also features
music from Michael Ball, Gary Barlow, Steps, Melanie C and Britain's Got
Talent winner Jon Courtenay. Other acts on the bill include Marisha
Wallace, Celeste, Daliso Chaponda, Jo Caulfield, Stephen Mulhern (in
full magic mode!) and the Black Blues Brothers, plus an appearance by
Captain Sir Thomas Moore. 8pm on Tuesday 8th December on ITV. See
TV Magic for details.
5.12.20
A
Christmas Magic Show! 19th & 20th December, Union Theatre, London.
From the organisers: We could all do with a touch of magic right now...
So here's the chance to join four of the hottest members of the world
famous Magic Circle for a show packed full of magic and merriment!
Starring Simon Lipkin, Edward Hilsum, Harry De Cruz and Spooky Nyman, A
Christmas Magic Show will play three performances only at the Union
Theatre in London on Saturday 19th December (at 4pm and 7pm) and Sunday
20th December (at 4pm).
Simon Lipkin (that guy from Avenue Q, Rock of Ages and Nativity)
is also a magician. He's got some of his brilliant friends together from
the world-famous Magic Circle to create an unforgettable show, just for
Christmas.
Edward Hilsum is an act that needs to be seen to be believed! He
s toured the world with his magic and made history as The Magic Circle's
triple crown champion, winning every competition possible in the same
year... basically... he's really good.
Harry De Cruz is the undisputed King of party tricks with a
repertoire of utterly useless skills no one in their right mind would
learn. He spent seven years consulting for Dynamo as his Head of Magic,
so is no stranger when it comes to mind blowing magic.
Spooky Nyman is one of the youngest solo comedy magic performers
to ever appear at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has also helped to
create magic for both TV and Theatre. Together, the four of them are the
perfect recipe for a magical show!
In order to make the venue Covid-Safe, we have taken out all of the
theatre seating and placed "Bubbles" of seats into the auditorium. By
reducing capacity and increasing the floor space for the audience we
have created a safe space for you. Each bubble will accommodate either 4
people or 2 people. Book via:
www.uniontheatre.biz. Union Theatre, Old Union Yard Arches, 229
Union Street, London SE1 OLR.
5.12.20
The
magic of...podcast with Paul Roffman. This week: Marvin Berglas. Creative discussions with
creative people. From actors and writers to magicians, keynote speakers
and behavioural experts. "Listen to an in-depth discussion moving where
the conversation takes us. Not your average conversation." This
week: Marvin Berglas. Magician, businessman and entrepreneur. On Apple
podcasts:
www.podcasts.apple.com and Spotify
www.spotify.com and watch clips on
YouTube.
5.12.20
The
Great Kaplan Talking Shtick with Mark James. Mark writes: The Great
Kaplan is a modern-day vaudevillian master. With an infinite assortment
of unique and visually stunning skills, coupled with impeccable comedic
timing, Kaplan creates a world where anything is possible. The mundane
becomes magical; everyday objects become vessels of mystery and mayhem.
A hilarious ballet of chaos and calamity... From headlining at the Magic
Castle in Hollywood, to appearing on Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde, or
as a guest performer at FISM, Kaplan enjoys great success. Via your favourite listening platform including
Podbean.
5.12.20
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week (get
your binoculars out) some thimble magic that I performed on Wayne
Dobson's A Kind of Magic 28 years ago on 9th May 1992. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here. DT.
5.12.20
The
Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Competition 2021. We had
originally intended to hold the heats of the Competition in February and
the Final in April. As a result of the current pandemic we feel that
this is not a viable timescale, even if we have entries for the heats
via video submission. The Competition will therefore be delayed until
later in the year. Please keep watching this space for further
information. We understand the frustration this may cause to potential
competitors but we will do our best to proceed as soon as possible. Many
thanks for your understanding. Dr. Michael Colley, Competition Chairman.
5.12.20
CardOracle
- A PropDog Exclusive. PropDog have collaborated with Yves Doumergue
to release his CardOracle in the UK. Notoriously fussy about what they
stock, let alone endorse, this collaboration only came about when the
PropDog staff were blown away by a live performance. The App provides a
multi-phase routine where the CardOracle repeatedly predicts cards
freely selected from a deck the spectator has shuffled themselves! See
www.propdog.co.uk.
5.12.20
Pete
Firman in Sleeping Beauty. Don't get caught snoozing this festive
season - grab your tickets for this year's unmissable, socially
distanced pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, created especially for Christmas
2020! Starring Lee Mead (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,
Holby City) as the Prince, star of stage and screen, Claire Sweeney, as
the evil Carabosse, Hearsay’s Suzanne Shaw as the Enchantress and
comedian and magician, Peter Firman, as Sleeping Beauty’s best friend in
this year’s unmissable family production. This year's production,
created especially for Milton Keynes Theatre in this unprecedented year,
will be a riotously funny, one-act celebration of pantomime, packed full
of comedy and laughter and will allow audience members the opportunity
to come safely together and enjoy the magic of the much-loved and unique
art form this festive season. Dates and tickets:
www.atgtickets.com.
5.12.20
Syncplify
NotePad by TCC - MagicBox. "The perfect psychic clipboard." Find out
all about it and watch a video at
www.magicbox.uk.com.
5.12.20
Merlins
of Wakefield - the shop is now open again! We have some great
in-store offers, and have an amazing sale online as well, which finishes
on 7th December:
Click Here for details (all items posted out around 11th December).
We also have a couple of the latest Magic Wagon releases, including the
Imperial Vase Mystery! To visit in person you can call in on Monday,
Wednesday, Friday or Saturday between 10am and 4pm from now till
Christmas. If you have any magic books, tricks or collectables, then get
in touch, we are always looking for stock. Email what you have to
merlins@btconnect.com.
5.12.20
iDeal
- The Ultimate Card Free Deck App. From the makers: "Darryl Rose
MIMC has just released a new iPhone iOS app called iDeal - The Ultimate
Card Free Deck. It’s been developed by Myke Phillips. Darryl came up
with this great idea a week into lockdown. It's a virtual deck to be
used online or in person! You can create multiple forces, create your
own stack, and use pre-loaded stacks all in the virtual deck. In person
you can peek the cards on the phone, or your Apple watch and/or
PeekSmith. You can also use it as a stack trainer. This iDeal App can
also be renamed in any language! More info at
www.idealmagic.app."
5.12.20
Magicseen
Lite Issue 10 December 2020. From the publishers: We are delighted
to offer you the latest taster edition of our bi-monthly magazine,
available as a free download right now from
www.magicseen.com, as
well as from Card Shark, Mission Magic, PropDog, Black Artefacts,
Vanishing Inc and Discount Magic. Issue 10 has a selection of the
content from the full Magicseen Issue 95 (Nov 20), including the big
cover story on Belgian magic maestro Rafael, a behind-the-scenes article
from Oliver Tabor on the staging of his ambitious Zoom show and a
fascinating article on how to improve both close up and stage
performances by exercising control over your movement. We have also put
in a neat coin routine from the Masterclass, a Dealer's Booth featuring
Neo Magic, plus a selection of the latest product reviews. So if you
want to get a feel for what Magicseen is like, why not download your
free copy right now?
5.12.20
Just
one month left to secure a bargain! MLM write: On the 1st of January
2021, the cost of membership to Mark Leveridge's E-Club Pro and E-Club
Elite will unfortunately need to be increased. But despair not, because
anyone who has a membership already in place will remain unaffected by
the price increase and will continue to benefit from the 800+ online
pages of content at the same price as they pay right now. This is good
news for current members, but it could benefit you too. All you have to
do is join either E-Club Pro or E-Club Elite by midnight on the 31st
December 2020, and your monthly rate made via automatic PayPal payments
will proceed at the current price for as long as you retain an unbroken
membership. So, act now and make all the fabulous magic, advice and help
contained in the E-Club Pro and Elite vaults available to you within
moments of signing up. You'll be truly amazed at the volume, depth,
quality and variety of content, all of which is updated and supplemented
every month. It's one of magic's true gems, so go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk for more information and to join before the
1st January deadline.
5.12.20
Help
Save Magic Inc. From their Go Fund Me campaign: For almost
100 years Magic Inc. has been about community. From its start as the
Ireland Magic Co. to its re-branding as Magic Inc. in the 1960s our
family owned & operated shop has always been a gathering place for
magicians from around the world.
Covid-19 arrived in 2020 and even with the forced shutdown we managed to
hold on, but as we enter Phase Two, it has knocked the wind out of our
sails. Because of its impact we cannot survive the huge decline in foot
traffic, a near complete loss of tourism for our city, and zero in-store
events – a loss of numerous lectures, summer camp, and private and group
classes. We don’t want to lose our brick & mortar magic shop without a
fight and want to try every last option before we give up our corner
lot. The funds will be used to pay our rent and the remainder toward the
salaries of our loyal employees.
When Jay Marshall died in 2005 everyone thought that was the end of
Magic Inc. But Jay's son, Sandy & his wife Susan stepped in and somehow
Magic Inc. survived for the next 15 years. In all that time Sandy &
Susan never took a penny out of the shop. They ran Magic Inc. to honor
Jay Marshall's memory. They made their part-time demonstrator, Pedro
Nieves, the shop manager and hired a talented team of professional
magician demonstrators. Magic Inc. is a Chicago institution. They tell
us brick & mortar magic shops are a thing of the past. We hope you'll
help us prove this isn't true. We are grateful for your support and
thank you for your help to keep Jay Marshall's legacy alive. Read more
and see:
uk.gofundme.com/f/help-save-magic-inc.
5.12.20
A
Lifetime In Magic, Devin Knight. 130 pages, photo illustrated, soft back.
From the publishers: The
amazing mentalism and magic of internationally renowned performer Devin
Knight. Volume 1, features full details of 9 routines from Devin's
personal repertoire. Devin's ideas are always unbelievably well thought
out, with every possibility analysed and the best and most convincing
methods selected. He leaves nothing to chance, and creates plots that
are amazingly varied, and which produce effects that are inexplicable
and real reputation makers. This trilogy will offer you the strongest
mentalism and magic achieved with practical, commercial methods - if you
haven't seen this material before you are going to be stunned! For full
content details and to order visit
www.magicseen.com
and click on the book!
5.12.20
Cambridge Pentacle Club Presents: Pentacle TV.
Hugh Newsam writes: After regularly selling out at Cambridge Junction the
Cambridge Pentacle Club is proud to present "Pentacle TV". We have been
out and about in Cambridge and here at Cambridge Junction filming the
most amazing magic.
You'll see levitations, classics like sawing a man in half, Alan the
magical Toucan and even Father Christmas. The highlight of the show will
be local entertainer Jezo driving a car blindfolded around an obstacle
course, and of course, being Jezo something will explode! Viewing of the
show will be via a link that will be distributed an hour before the
show.
One ticket (£12) required per household. Details of how to access the
event (on YouTube) will be provided ahead of the show. Sunday 6th
December at 6pm.
Tickets available from
www.pentacleclub.com. Teaser Trailer:
YouTube, Pentacle TV Trailer:
YouTube.
5.12.20
Copy
Ring - Mark Leveridge Magic. A wonderful effect for strolling
magicians and table hopper’s using a spectator’s finger ring. An
‘invisible’ template of the size, shape and style of a borrowed ring
magically fills out to become a visible solid exact replica of the
original ring! However unfortunately, the loaned ring itself has become
invisible! All ends well when the original ring is magically restored to
its normal state. No re-set, this is amusing and magical. This great
routine is available either as a TricKlip Video Download if you learn
best from video, or if you prefer written directions, then please select
the E-Routine Download order button which will deliver the instructions
via a PDF text file. See:
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
5.12.20
David Blaine: Real or Magic. For more than a decade, David Blaine has been captivating the world with his high-profile endurance stunts. Starting his career as a magician who appeared to do the impossible with a deck of cards, he was soon following in the footsteps of Houdini, seeking out that which seemed physically impossible, and actually doing it. This special programme follows Blaine's signature brand of street magic and mystifies some of the most recognisable celebrities in the world, including Jamie Foxx, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Ricky Gervais, Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz and Will Smith, to name a few. Blaine goes into the homes of Kanye West and Olivia Wilde, and visits Stephen Hawking at his office at Cambridge University. He also travels the world, astonishing people from all walks of life with never-seen-before, inconceivable magic. Repeat, Sky One, Sunday 13th December. See TV Magic for details. 5.12.20
Curry
and Chips by Martin MacMillan - International Magic. A baffling
trick that's easy to perform, fits into a pocket and is ready to use
anytime, anywhere, without preparation that uses six Poker Chips (each a
different colour), an instruction card and a small mat. The mat has
letters A - F printed on it, each marking a circled position. The
spectator is handed the Poker Chips and instructed to place them on the
circles in a random order. This done, both magician and spectator read
the printed instruction sheet, and follow its directions. During a novel
process of elimination, the spectator hands the magician individual
Poker Chips - when turned over, each chip has a value in £s printed on
it. The final instruction reads for the spectator to turn over the
remaining chip and claim their prize. Alas, when revealed, the final
Poker Chip has only a value of zero pounds! A self working trick that
has novelty value, is baffling and what's more, is fun to perform.
You're supplied with the Poker Chips, the Mat, the Instruction card and
you're ready to perform right away. Plus, as there's no set up, you're
ready to go again as soon as you've finished! See
www.internationalmagic.com.
5.12.20
The
Article Complete - Clipboard Edition, back in stock at Read My Mind!
The Article is a custom built A4 sized clipboard that enables you to
freely predict anything you want to in your shows. It has been designed
with the solo performer in mind and you don't need any assistants or
outside help. Limited stock... find out more:
www.readmymind.co.uk.
5.12.20
Jack
the Ripper - Mr E Enterprises. The name 'Jack the Ripper' originated
in a letter written by someone claiming to be the murderer and it was
widely published in the media. The public came increasingly to believe
that a single perpetrator was responsible for all the killings mainly
because of the extraordinarily brutal nature of the murders and media
reporting of the crimes at the time.
You show six pictures of men who were suspects in the Ripper’ crimes. At
that time the police had about 100 suspects to investigate, you explain
that many clairvoyants also tried to discover who the culprit was, but
no one has ever been found guilty at that time or since. Showing six old
photographs of the main subjects, you propose an experiment and ask a
member of the audience to use their latent psychic ability to solve the
crime. Your audience participant eliminates five of the defendants
pronouncing them “not guilty” leaving just one guilty suspect. Your
prediction which has been in full view from the start is revealed and
corresponds exactly with the lady’s choice - leaving your audience with
a chill up their spines! No stooges, no rough & smooth. No sleights or
skill required. Comes with picture cards of the suspects, envelope and
instructions. See
www.mreenterprises.co.uk.
5.12.20
Spoon
to Fork - Zane's Magic Shop. A great routine with built-in laughs
and a kicker ending they'll never see coming! The magician displays a
spoon and tells the audience that he is going to change the physical
properties of the metal right in front of them. The audience believe the
magician is going to bend the spoon just like Uri Geller... The magician
holds the bowl of the spoon in his hand and concentrates and just when
the audience thinks nothing is going to happen. To everyone's big
surprise when the spoon is revealed, instead of the spoon being bent it
has now changed into a fork! This is not only amazing but very funny!
This is a must have for any comedy magician, mentalist, or person who
wants to add a funny magical bit to their act.
See: www.zanesmagicshop.com. 5.12.20
Secret
Night Lamp to Flowers by Tora Magic - Merlins. This is one of our
quality used magic items. This is another super stage effect from Tora
Magic. You show a table lamp from all sides, it looks like a lamp.
Whenever you want, you instantly transform it in to a stunning bouquet
of flowers. Ideal for stage production, pantomimes etc... See
www.merlinswakefield.co.uk.
5.12.20
News
Deadline reminder. MagicWeek welcomes your UK magic news, but please
remember the news deadline... by Thursday if possible; final
deadline 12 noon Friday. DT.
5.12.20
"Britain's
Got Talent magician wows Redditch caregivers"
Click Here • "Longton wedding magician bags regional award"
Click Here • "Magician Uri Geller Apologizes to Pokémon Fans"
Click Here • "Christian magician George Dabal D'Cruze has died"
Click Here • "Magician & Former Celebrity Apprentice Star Penn
Jillette Calls Trump ‘A True Villain’"
Click Here • "Marvin’s Magic Live – Free Online Event: An Amazing
Celebration Packed With Magic, Master Magicians And Incredible Prizes"
Click Here • "Great Live Entertainment Is Back—Wherever You Want A
Big Night ‘Out’"
Click Here • "Government issues further guidance around reopening
of theatres"
Click Here • Thanks as always for your UK magic news - see you next
week, Duncan.
5.12.20