Number
1079 - Saturday 27th February 2021
Little
Nightmares II - Nightmares Explained with Derren Brown. How
powerful are bad dreams? Are they simply tricks of the mind, or is
something more sinister at play? Who better to teach us about them than
master mind manipulator, Derren Brown? Little Nightmares II on
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch, and also on
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S later in the year. For all platforms
see
www.en.bandainamcoent.eu. Watch the trailer with Derren Brown:
YouTube. 27.2.21
Don't
Everybody Leave - A talk show with Mac King and his friends. "Tune
in, hang out and laugh with (or at) this hilarious group of friends.
Each week Mac King (often called the #1 comedy magician in the world)
and his pals (in alphabetical order, so no one gets too offended) Nick
Diffatte (young comedy magician--and yo-yo savant--seen on The Late Late
Show), Jason England (world renowned magic and gambling sleight-of-hand
expert, and golden retriever and goldfish rescuer), Michael Goudeau
(Emmy nominated comedy writer and Las Vegas's longest running juggler),
Vinny Grosso (two time Penn & Teller fooler and past President of The
Society of American Magicians), and Jacob Jax (Comedic sleight of hand
guy, and our authority on Motown in general and The Temptations in
particular), are joined by a guest to ostensibly talk about magic,
showbiz, each other and a whole host of other stuff that they love."
YouTube. 27.2.21
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This
week some sleight of hand card magic from Michael Vincent on The Paul
Daniels Magic Show from 16th January 1993. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The
MagicWeek Video Archive
Click Here.
27.2.21
Farnham
Maltings present 'Magical Bones: A Kind of Magic' via Zoom. From the
organisers: A live and interactive virtual magic experience. Just
because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a bit of
magic! Your sofa is the best seat in the house for this very special
live and interactive magic experience. Join your host, internationally
acclaimed magician and Britain's Got Talent finalist Magical Bones, as
he invites you to not just watch, but to take part, in this truly unique
show, live via Zoom. 7pm on Friday 12th March (45 minutes). Price
£18.00. See
www.farnhammaltings.com. "Magical Bones casts a spell during
dazzling hour of Zoom tricks"
www.theguardian.com. 27.2.21
Wayne
& Mike’s Coffee Morning. Wayne and Mike start their Fridays with
a chat and a coffee. Episode 2 featured special guest Jeff McBride, Episode
3 Joe Pasquale, 4 more chat, and today's, Episode 5, Paul Zerdin. Every Friday.
Now on
YouTube. 27.2.21
Danny
Buckler:
Talking Shtick with Mark James. Danny fell in love with performing
almost as soon as he could walk, but it was at college, when called upon
to perform a self devised piece as part of a drama course, that Danny
realised this was something he could do with his life...
Talking Shtick with Mark James. Via your favourite listening platform including
Podbean. 27.2.21
Magicseen
Issue 97 March 2021. From the publishers: The very latest edition of the
UK's only independent magic magazine is now ready. On the cover is the Amazing
Johnathan and inside you will find the first part of an extensive interview with
one of magic's most colourful characters. We also go behind the scenes with
Boris Wild during his successful appearance on Fool Us, and we catch up with
Chris Cross, who reveals how he has been diversifying his magic activities
during the pandemic. This issue also has a fascinating article in which we
question Shawn Farquhar, Marc Oberon and Edward Hilsum on how they have each
managed to win high level magic competitions on several occasions, and Jay
Fortune speaks with Abigail McBride on her approach to magic and the part she
plays in husband Jeff's Magic and Mystery School. Plus we have a Masterclass
that includes a routine from Andi Gladwin's new book The Boy Who Cried Magic,
plenty of product reviews, letters, In The Phonebox and so much more. You
can get your copy as part of a 1 or 2 year printed copy or download sub, or
simply purchase the single issue on its own from
www.magicseen.com. 27.2.21
Cards
in a Bottle by Chris Harding. Chris Harding writes: The Cards in a Bottle is a
version of what are widely referred to as "Impossible Bottles" - a bottle
(usually glass) that contains fully functional everyday objects inside that are
far too big to have conceivably passed through the neck of the bottle. The
master and pioneer of the concept was the great Harry Eng and it is to him that
myself and fellow "bottle makers" around the world owe a huge debt of gratitude
for the concept and inspiration. "Eng's Bottles" as they are known, are now
highly collectible items and are still, in my opinion, the finest pieces of
impossible craftsmanship of the genre. My own "Cards in a Bottle" work is a bug
that bit me in my early teens after reading about Harry Eng in a chapter of a
magic book, in the late 90's. Each bottle I make takes many hours of patience
and care, however I have come to find it extremely therapeutic work; almost a
sense of escapism from the often high-energy lifestyle of performing, not to
mention taking care of a wife, two children, three dogs and a cat! For more
information and to see the range on offer visit
www.cardsinabottle.co.uk. 27.2.21
The
UK’s first major Zoom magic competition. From the organisers: On
23rd February thirteen magicians battled for supremacy in the UK’s first
online Zoom magic competition, drawing performers from all four
societies in the newly formed West of England Federation. Exonian,
Cotswolds and the British Magical Society joined forces with the host,
Bristol Society of Magic, to field fifteen entries across two
categories: 'Card Magic' (pre-recorded packet tricks) and 'Live Zoom'.
An audience of 75 magicians scored in real time after each performance,
on 'Strength of Magic' and 'Entertainment'. Callum Weaver, Bristol’s 23
year old President won the Card category with a beautifully executed
novel packet trick using Uno cards and the prestigious title of Live
Zoom Performer 2021 went to Cotswolds member James Pockett who presented
a well honed close-up set with lots of live audience reaction and
repeated strong impact within the strict 8 minute time limit. James’s
professional experience shone through.
The standard was high with several of the clubs running knockout rounds
prior to this final. A huge range of magic was on show, including a
highly novel visual illusion from Bristol’s Damian Surr and a dramatic
cinematic Oil and Water, shot in an Army maintenance depot, from
Cotswolds Matthew Collenette. A trio of Covid inspired presentations
included one from BMS President Bob King who also snatched Runner up
prize in the live category.
Chris Payne, the organiser, thanked sponsors Vanishing Inc., Mark
Leveridge and Magicseen for providing prizes while expressing delight at
the level of participation and originality "I was really keen that all
members had a chance to grow some magic, rather than falling into a trap
of passive consumption of lectures – it has really worked well". 27.2.21
Close Call
eBook & Video by Looch - Read My Mind.
In September 2017 Looch was flown out to Cologne, Germany to give a very special
lecture at Mind Summit. The lecture, entitled ‘Close Call’ has been described as
the blueprint for successfully entertaining at close-up events around the world.
In it Looch outlines the top 3 logistical problems that can destroy a
performance, and teaches how to tackle those problems to ensure a smooth an
effective close-up show.
‘Close Call’ consists of the physical lecture that was filmed live at Mind
Summit 2017, along with a detailed eBook of lecture notes that breaks down each
problem and arms the reader with a wide range of tips and techniques to utilise
at your own gigs to ensure a smooth and successful performance. In addition,
Looch teaches a range of subtleties that he uses at each of his close up
bookings. The goal is to maximise the impact your performances will have on your
audience, and to ensure a smooth and trouble free event for all concerned.
‘Close Call’ by Looch: Online lecture (filmed live at Mind Summit 2017),
44 page detailed eBook (eBook contains link and password to video). See
www.readmymind.co.uk. 27.2.21
The
Mark Leveridge Podcast. Catch up with the latest free magic podcasts
from Mark Leveridge. Released on the first of each month, Mark provides
a fascinating mix of comment and opinion on all manner of topics
magical. You'll agree, or disagree, you'll perhaps learn a few things
too! Mark's podcasts are not like most others in that he does not
feature interviews, instead he chats with you and encourages you to
think about your magic. Listen to a podcast that dares to be a little
different by going to either
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast-archive or
www,markleveridge.podbean.com from where you can also sign up to be
a follower and automatically receive each issue when it is published at
the start of every month. 27.2.21
When
we can all smile again by Mr E Enterprises. Mr E Enterprises write:
Enjoy performing something really topical; be the first to show it in
your area. It's also great for Zoom performances! You comment to your
audience how unhappy everyone looks wearing their masks, and hiding our
smiling faces, also reminding them how happy we will all be when
everyone the world over are free to enjoy our lives again. Attending
concerts, watching magicians, enjoying weddings and such like events.
Now you show some emoji pictures all wearing masks over the lower parts
of their faces with just their eyes showing, saying you wished your
magic could vanish those masks – but pointing out it would take a strong
magic wand to do it; such a wand does exist and you show a picture of a
syringe that you intend to wave over the masked pictures – but wait a
minute you comment, one in five people are refusing to have the magic
Syringe Vaccine; so you remove one picture placing in in your pocket
with its eyes just peering over the top
You wave the magic Syringe picture over the other pictures one at a time
and they all indeed now have lovely smiles on their faces, their masks
have disappeared completely. The last picture popping out of your pocket
is also removed and this too has magically lost its mask as well – the
world is now once again safe and we can all go about our lives in peace.
Thanks to those wonderful scientists that invented those magic wands and
the National Health Service that used them to cast their spells. The
trick is easy to do and you will learn it in 20 minutes or so. Comes
complete with the laminated picture cards and instructions. Post free in
the UK. See
www.mreenterprises.co.uk. 27.2.21
Hide
and Seek - Mark Leveridge Magic. "One of the classic card effects in
magic is The Ambitious Card, and many close-up workers use one variation
or another of it. I was looking for an in-the-hands card routine that I
could introduce into my strolling work, and it suddenly occurred to me
that maybe you could do the Ambitious Card in reverse! Hide and Seek is
the routine that I came up with and which I have been using in my
commercial work ever since..." See
www.markleveridge.co.uk. 27.2.21
PiperActive
- James Piper (BGT 2020) twin DVD set - RSVPMagic. With just a
regular deck of cards and some coins you'll learn 16 disarming routines
to blow your audience away. All the magic is in the hands and perfect
for the working magician. From a rising star in the world of magic,
sharing his working material for the first time. All the routines are
practical workers, refined over thousands of performances. These are
routines that you will use. And remember, all with a regular deck of
cards, or coins - no gaffs!
www.rsvpmagic.com. 27.2.21
Tommy Cooper at the BBC. Marking the centenary of his birth, Lenny Henry presents a selection of performances by the comedian, whose bumbling persona hid a real talent as a magician. Though much of Cooper's TV work was aired on ITV, he did make a number of memorable appearances on the BBC. Friday 5th March on BBC One. See TV Magic. 27.2.21
Tango
Ultimate Coin - Zane's Magic Shop. T.U.C. is everything you want in
a gimmicked coin! The T.U.C. coin is already a modern classic. Its power
is really revolutionary. You will become an expert coin magician in a
very short time with this piece of coin magic. You can perform the
following routines with it: Matrix, Coins Across, 3 Fly, Coin thru
table, Coin thru hand and lots more! Comes with free instructional DVD
by Mr Tango himself in English. See
www.zanesmagicshop.com. 27.2.21
News
Deadline reminder. MagicWeek welcomes your UK magic news (major and
minor), but please remember the news deadline: Thursday if possible; final
deadline 12 noon Friday. Many thanks, DT. 27.2.21
"UK government to conduct review of vaccine passports for entering venues such as theatres" Click Here • "Starving dog 'riddled with parasites' rescued days before being shot by villagers" Click Here • "Illusionist and magician Scott Silven on his show ‘The Journey’ that will take you on a trip like no other" Click Here • "Magic Circle: Meet the Tayside and Fife magicians who still have a few tricks up their sleeve" Click Here • "Well-known Shropshire Magician & Entertainer publishes life story in aid of charity" Click Here • "The best of Jonathan Goodwin (Full Performances) - America's Got Talent 2021" YouTube • "‘Rise Up With Arts’ virtual variety show to celebrate global theatre" Click Here • "X Factor winner Matt Cardle and magician Michael J Fitch put on show" Click Here • "Lockdown Lift: The Brighton illusionist transformed by the pandemic" Click Here • Take care, see you next week, Duncan. 27.2.21