Number
1072 - Saturday 9th January 2021
David
Copperfield - headline interview for The Magic Circle Unlocked
celebrating the centenary of the first public performance of the art’s
most iconic illusion - Sawing a Woman in Half. On Sunday January 17th The Magic Circle
will host the free online event on the anniversary of the day in 1921 that PT
Selbit stunned the entertainment world with an illusion that has
fascinated audiences ever since. The event will be open to all.
Debbie McGee, Paul Daniels’ partner on stage and in life, will speak of her experience as the woman who found herself dismembered on numerous occasions. As Noel Britten, the president of The Magic Circle, said this week: “Debbie has been sliced, diced, cremated, crushed, divided and decapitated more than most, so has a great story to tell.” The evening will chart the invention, history and development of this effect with magicians, magical historians and social commentators giving their take on the twists, turns and variations that have been seen over the years.
It has been the cause of numerous feuds, deceptions and downfalls over the years. Would PT Selbit, sawing through a seemingly simple wooden box have envisaged Copperfield sawing himself in half in full view on a Las Vegas stage with a massive circular saw? Magician Simon Drake and historian Mike Caveney among others will give their perspective. The event will be streamed on The Magic Circle Unlocked Facebook page (open to all) at 6pm GMT on Sunday, 17th January. www.facebook.com/themagiccircleunlocked. 9.1.21
The
magic of...podcast with Paul Roffman. Episode 25: Billy Kidd. Billy
Kidd discusses magic, showmanship and creating her theatrical magic
experience. Billy knew she wanted to become an actor by the age of 5.
Every day after school she trained extensively in ballet, jazz and tap
dance as well as Piano, Saxophone and voice lessons to help further her
acting career. By age 11 she was getting paid to play. She was a working
actor in theatre, film and TV for many years. In addition, she also
educated people worldwide about a lost instrument called the Nose-Flute.
Billy proceeded to train, teach and perform with her group the
Slappyfeatherwhistle Nose-Flute Ensemble to critical acclaim in
theatres, radio and TV. When she turned 18 she was accepted into the top
theatre schools in the UK and Canada including RADA and Trinity College
in London, the National Theatre School and the BFA Acting programs in
Canada. After graduating from theatre school she was lucky enough to
still be making a living as an actor. Everything was going according to
plan until she saw street magician Nick Nickolas... Then she went into a
deep depression, sat in the dark drowning in tears because she knew she
had to become a magician. This was not the plan! On Apple podcasts:
www.podcasts.apple.com Spotify
www.spotify.com and
YouTube
(Excellent podcast this one, and on YouTube too. DT).
9.1.21
The
Dodo! New issues out now: The Dodo contains mainly card magic and
humour that some will find very offensive. This issue is very limited in
number and purchase must be made by end of January. For ordering/payment
details, email
jerrysadowitz@hotmail.com.
9.1.21
Britain's
Got Talent 2021. "Britain's Got Talent 2021 is scrapped as Covid-19
lockdown scuppers plans for nationwide auditions... but bosses hope
series will return in the autumn" To read the full story in the Daily
Mail
Click Here.
9.1.21
An
Evening with Adrian Lacroix via Zoom, 13th January, The Newcastle Magic
Circle. Tony
Junior writes: The Newcastle Magic Circle invites you to join them live
on Zoom at 7.30pm
on Wednesday January 13th, for 'An Evening with Adrian Lacroix', an evening of extraordinary card magic. The fee is just £5.00 per
person for visitors who are members of any magic club, or £10.00 for
non-members. Adrian is amazing and attracted the largest crowd to date
for his recent online lecture for The Magic Circle. Full details are on
our website:
www.newcastle-magic-circle.co.uk/zoom.
If you would like to attend please contact Tony Junior via
nmcsecretary@outlook.com.
9.1.21
Rajan
- Zodiac Zoom Lecture - January 13th. William Spencer writes: Watch
Rajan’s Killer New Ball and Coin Lecture on 13th January at 8pm on Zoom.
Learn a beautiful one coin routine, with tips on direction and
misdirection, using an ungaffed coin. Rajan will also teach a killer one
cup and ball effect ending with ‘loads from nowhere’. His new lecture
shows well worked material and has something for all abilities. If
you’re looking to add a little coin magic to your close-up magic then
this is one not to miss. The lecture is free for Zodiac members or £10
for non-members (or free if you go on to join). The Zodiac normally
meets weekly in west London, but now attracts magicians nationwide over
Zoom. If you want to watch this lecture please email
membership@zodiacmagicalsociety.co.uk or visit
www.zodiacmagicalsociety.co.uk for club info.
9.1.21
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This
week, Alan Shaxon on ITV's 'Five Magic Minutes' from 1980. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here.
9.1.21
David Kaye
(Silly Billy) online Lecture, 2nd February, South London
Magic Society. Simon Rossllie writes:
Learn how to use child psychology techniques to make the kids love you
and want to see you again and again. If you do kid shows or are just
starting out you must attend this lecture. What you learn will result in
repeat bookings many times over. Even if you don't do kid shows this
lecture is funny and entertaining and you will be able to apply his
theories to your own magic shows.
David Kaye, performing as Silly Billy, is considered to be one of the best magicians for children in the US. He has performed at the White House, Lincoln Center, and on many television shows. In addition to being a full time performer, he was a columnist for Magic magazine for eight years and is currently a columnist for Genii. David’s book, Seriously Silly is considered to be the bible of kid show magic. He was recently awarded the prestigious Performing Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts, in Hollywood, California. He was also named Magician of the Year 2019 by the New York chapter of the Society of American Magicians. David is one of only a handful of magicians in the world who has appeared on the covers of seven international magic journals. He has lectured at magic conventions in 30 countries and has created many original products for the professional children’s magician, used by children's magicians around the world. Tuesday 2nd February, 8pm-10pm, online. £10 for non-members of South London Magic Society – email me if you would like to attend: simonrosselli@themagiccircle.co.uk. 9.1.21
White
Magic on Crackerjack! Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes host another
entertainment-packed Crackerjack! Guests include Joe Tasker, Harpz Kaur
and Kidz Bop. There is an amazing contortion and magic act, White Magic
(Michael White and Hulan) plus lots of games and prizes for the
contestants to win and comedy from the Crackerjack Players! 6pm on
Friday 15th January on CBBC. See TV
Magic for details.
9.1.21
The
E-Club Pro Live Open Event. Mark Leveridge's brand new Zoom lecture has
already been seen by a number of societies around the country, but for
those magicians who are either not affiliated to a magic society, or
whose club are not providing Zoom lectures, an opportunity to see the
complete lecture is now being offered via an Open Event. The lecture
will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 10th February 2021 and will
comprise of a 2 hour Zoom presentation of a selection of top ideas
extracted from Mark's E-Club Pro archive. Mark will perform and explain
in full a variety of straightforward to do magic suitable for close-up
shows, commercial performance, stand-up and even mentalism. Everything
is performed with everyday objects or commonly available magic props
(such as sponge balls etc.), and the methods are practical and useable.
The cost for a ticket is £10.00, but provided registrants attend on the
night, afterwards they will receive a MLM Credit Voucher worth £10.00 to
spend on any product from Mark's range, thus making the lecture itself
effectively free if the voucher is cashed in. For more information and
to book your place right now, see
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
9.1.21
Magicseen,
January 2021. From the publishers: Make your lockdown experience just a little more bearable by investing
in the latest issue of the UK's only independent magic magazine. Issue
96 of Magicseen is full of great articles and personality interviews. We
talk to cover star Gaetan Bloom, whose creativity shows no signs of
abating, and Graeme Shaw, the current holder of the UK Family
Entertainer Of The Year award. Connie Boyd explains the situation for
many women in magic, while Romany reveals her own lockdown trials and
tribulations. Luca Volpe takes us behind the scenes of his new online
show, and Vinny Sagoo offers some start up advice for those
contemplating commercial performance. As usual we have a couple of
effects for you to learn in the Masterclass, and our resident expert
reviewers evaluate the latest products to hit the marketplace, plus
more. You can receive your copy via a printed or download subscription
(6 month, 1 and 2 year options are currently available), or simply by
ordering the issue on its own from
www.magicseen.com.
9.1.21
The
Complete Magic Party E-Book - Mark Leveridge Magic. The Complete
Magic Party is a highly detailed book dealing with many
aspects of entertaining children with games and magic and it provides
children’s entertainers with a huge amount of information based on my
30+ years experience of providing lively, marketable parties for
youngsters. The book is divided into sections: Advice,
Games,
Warm Up and
Magic. The Complete Magic Party is packed full of information which will help
both experienced and novice children’s entertainers to get the most out
of their paid work at children’s parties.
189 pages, over 70 illustrations,
10 warm-up routines, over 40 games, 20 magic routines. Find out more.
Visit
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
9.1.21
Phil Lawson 'The Magic Researcher' takes a look back at the recent
magic history in his home town of Preston, Lancashire. In this
article he shines a light on some of Preston's finest magicians, with a
quick look at the neighboring town of Blackpool, home of the world's
largest
magic convention. As ever he uncovers some lesser known facts on his
tour around this Proud Prestonians home city.
Houdini, Hart, Raffles, Thompson, Mason and more...
Click Here.
9.1.21
The
Mystery Agency is a brand new collection of mystery puzzle
experiences delivered to your door, created by Henry Lewis, co-creator
of The Play That Goes Wrong. Every package contains an original
and atmospheric mystery story, told through authentic objects and
documents.
www.themysteryagency.com.
9.1.21
Mind
Lock - Merlins. Show a 4 digit combination padlock, and open it to show it is set to
0000. Reset the lock code, without anyone seeing, and have a
borrowed ring fastened locked.
You now have a four digit number selected. The lock is set to the 4
digit number, and amazingly it opens, so the spectator's ring can be
returned. Comes with specially made lock and full instructions.
A very easy to perform effect which has a strong impact on the
spectator. www.merlinswakefield.co.uk.
9.1.21
Disability: A New History - Freaks and Entrepreneurs. In Touch presenter Peter White examines modern ideas about disabled people who exhibited themselves in 18th and 19th-century freak shows, many of whom in fact became wealthy entrepreneurs and also challenged society's expectations of what they could achieve. He discovers how dwarves were delivered to people's doors in boxes, and studies the artist and magician Matthias Buchinger, who was born without arms or legs but performed for royalty. 15 minutes past midnight, tonight, on Radio 4. See TV Magic for details. 9.1.21
No
Tear -Torn & Restored Newspaper by Mark Mason - Zane's Magic Shop.
"The classic No Tear torn and restored newspaper now comes complete with
a full instructional DVD. Show several torn pieces of newspaper (and
read out a few jokes), then in the blink of an eye the pieces restore
into a full newspaper. The paper can be shown both back and front, this
looks amazing! The included DVD takes you through everything step by
step. Chapters include performance, explanation, bonus tips and a
chapter on jokes/gags, that are perfect for this routine. Comes complete
and ready to perform with the newspaper and routine!
www.zanesmagicshop.com.
9.1.21
"KFC
owner hits back at TV magician Dynamo’s chicken ‘food poisoning’ claim"
Click Here • "Conjuring under Covid"
Click Here • "Corsham magician Chris Hiscock hopes to perform on
Britain's Got Talent"
Click Here • "Theatre Review: James Galea’s Best Trick Ever"
Click Here • "Caledon magician pursues Guinness Record for most
tricks in a minute"
Click Here • "Ashley Morrison magician from Abertillery in lockdown"
Click Here • That's it! Thanks as always for your UK magic news. See
you next week, Duncan.
9.1.21