Number
1220 - Saturday 11th November 2023
David
Berglas MBE, MIMC. July 30th 1926 - November 3rd 2023.
Something that really struck me reading through so many caring posts across magic social media through the week was just how many magicians David had connected with over the years, and their happy memories of him not just as an original performer and creator, but of the kindness that he always extended to them individually. Twenty five years ago when I ran my Mind Magic days David was my special guest. Not just once, but for all four years that it ran! He always told me that officially he had "retired", yet year after year he would put together a unique lecture, talk or presentation, just for the day, making it so special. Such was his kindness. I know magicians everywhere would like to join me in sending our love to his wife Ruth, daughter Irena, son Marvin, and the whole family. I'll really miss him. Duncan Trillo.
Many comprehensive obituaries appeared in the media over the past few days, which I will link to below. The full page that appeared in the printed edition of The Times on Monday was also reproduced online.
"David Berglas obituary"
The Times.
"British magician David Berglas dies aged 97"
The Guardian.
"David Berglas"
The Stage.
"'Magnificent' Jewish magician David Berglas dies aged 97"
The Jewish Chronicle.
"World famous magician David Berglas dies at 97 as family pays tribute"
The Daily Mirror.
"David Berglas dies aged 97"
The Magic Circle.
"David Berglas, pioneering British television magician whose show was watched by
19 million – obituary"
The Telegraph.
"Veteran magician David Berglas dies aged 97"
BBC.
"David Berglas dead: British magician passes away aged 97"
The Standard.
"Veteran magician David Berglas dies - and never revealed secret to his 'holy
grail' of magic tricks"
Sky News.
"Magician David Berglas who perfected the holy grail of magic tricks that even
baffled his fellow conjurors dies aged 97 - taking its secret to the grave"
Daily Mail.
"British magician David Berglas dies aged 97" ITV.
"Star Gone - David Berglas dead: World-famous magician known as The International Man of Mystery & star of hit TV show dies aged 97" The Sun.
Also see,
Website: www.davidberglas.com.
Video channel: "The David Berglas Digital Scrapbooks" YouTube. 4.11.23
Cremation
Service, 11am Sunday 12th November 2023.
Following the sad passing of my father, David
Berglas last week, our family would like to firstly sincerely thank everyone for
the overwhelming heartfelt condolences and tributes. We are sorry not to have
been able to respond personally.
We are expecting a large attendance at the crematorium, so we kindly ask that
you please understand, due to limited numbers, closest friends and family will
be asked to take their seats first. This means if you feel that you still want
to be there in person, you may have to pay your respects from outside should the
chapel be full. We ask that you please be mindful of those who need to be in the
crematorium and to those who need seats.
The address is Golders Green Crematorium (West Chapel), 62 Hoop Lane, London
NW11 7NL. If you do attend in person, it would be lovely that you wear something
of colour to celebrate/honour Dad’s full & colourful life. For those that can’t
attend there will be a video link posted some time after the event.
Best wishes,
Marvin and the Berglas family
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, 'This is Your Life: David Berglas', the full programme that aired on
Christmas
Day 1991 on ITV. The researches had really done their homework producing so many
guests, resulting in a fascinating look into David's life up until that moment in
time. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To see the full MagicWeek Video
Archive to date,
Click Here.
DT.
11.11.23
The
Magic Circle Christmas Show 2023. The Magic Circle Christmas Show is our
annual fundraising special event with all proceeds being donated to The Magic
Circle Foundation. Suitable for all the family, the spectacle begins mid
December with a matinee and evening performance every day until early in the New
Year (with a couple of days off for Christmas Day and Boxing Day so the cast and
crew can recharge their batteries with a mince pie or two!).
Each year tickets for all the shows sell out quickly, so we strongly recommend you
book early to avoid disappointment!
www.themagiccircle.co.uk.
11.11.23
Newmarket Magic Shindig - today! Wayne Goodman writes: Tickets are now available for a free Magic Day in Newmarket on Saturday 11th November 2023. It's the 2nd Newmarket Magic Shindig, but in a new venue. A fantastic day where you can come and jam, session, watch, learn, teach, perform or just enjoy some great company with other magicians. It is a free day, but you need to secure a ticket as numbers are limited, to do so please email: wayne@waynegoodman.co.uk. 11.11.23
Mid-West
Magic Convention, Ireland, 18th & 19th November. From the organisers:
Ireland will host its first international magic convention in over 10 years when
some of the world’s most renowned magicians gather at Treacy’s West County
Hotel, Ennis, on 18th & 19th November for the inaugural Mid-West Magic
Convention.
World record holder Jay Sankey, TikTok sensation Aidan Murphy, and America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Ryland Petty are amongst the lineup for the gala evening performance on Sunday 19th. Event goers will be able to mix with professional magicians, magical hobbyists, dealers, collectors of magical apparatus, and other students of the art of magic throughout the weekend.
Canada’s Jay Sankey, who holds the world record
for creating more unique magic tricks than any other living magician, will also
be performing in Ennis alongside Ireland's TikTok sensation Aidan Murphy who has
racked up 1.6m followers performing tricks on the social platform. Other
performing magicians include Craig Petty (UK), Colm Dawson (Ireland) and Nick
Lopaco from the United States who is the official magician of "Penguin Magic".
Award-winning magician Leon Andersen from Limerick said, "As Ireland’s first
annual celebration of the art of magic in over a decade, this is a significant
moment for the country’s large community of magicians. The Mid-West Magic
Convention brings together magicians and magic enthusiasts from all over the
world and features a diverse range of magic from close-up tricks to grand stage
illusions to a Magic Marketplace. The weekend concludes with a special magic
show on the main stage at Treacy’s West County on the evening of Sunday 19th."
There will be free entry (excluding Gala evening) to the Mid-West Magic Convention for under 14s who are accompanied by an adult, in what organisers hope will draw younger people to the world of magic. Visit www.midwestmagicconvention.com for ticket information and the Mid-West Magic Convention event schedule. Photo: Leon Andersen. 11.11.23
The Order of The Magi presents the return of The North West Dealers' Day & Magic Car Boot Sale.
Saturday 18th November 10am - 6pm.
The Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M8 0RY.
Sellers Tables only £20.
Buyers Entrance £5 - or Free for members of any Magic Society & Equity.
www.orderofthemagi.co.uk/dealersday. 11.11.23
High
Jinx Christmas Show, Blackpool Tower Circus. Experience the magic of the
holidays with the High Jinx Christmas Show at the famous Blackpool Tower Circus!
Join Michael Jordan and the incredibly talented cast of High Jinx for a
family-friendly Christmas extravaganza. Prepare to be amazed by mind-blowing
magic, awe-inspiring circus acts, and delightful festive surprises sprinkled
throughout the show. This is the perfect way to create lasting memories and
celebrate the joy of the season together! 2nd December 2023 - 1st January 2024
at The Blackpool Tower Circus, Blackpool Promenade FY1 4BJ
www.theblackpooltower.com.
11.11.23
Wayne
Trice on Craig Petty's Magic TV: 'Talk Magic'.
Every week Craig Petty sits down and chats with a well known magician; a
creator, a performer, or someone who has had a positive impact on the Magic
Community. This week: "Wayne Trice - a hidden gem of magic tells his
inspirational story"
YouTube.
11.11.23
Merlins
of Wakefield Black November Sale - Now On! With 600 items at up to 33% off
RRP!
www.merlinswakefield.co.uk.
Ends Midnight, Monday 13th November.
Watch out for further 'Specials' throughout November.
The Tenyo 2024 range is due back in stock around 20th November. Visit
www.merlinswakefield.co.uk.
11.11.23
New
From Mark Leveridge Magic. Here are details of the latest two additions to
the MLM Select range of downloads extracted, for a limited period, from the
E-Club Pro archives.
1. 3 Card Con. Three pre-folded cards are tipped from a card box and displayed as being a QH and two blank cards. The three cards are folded to conceal their faces and arranged in a row on the table ready for the classic Find The Lady. Having mixed the positions of the three cards, the one that should be the QH is opened to reveal it is in fact one of the blanks. That’s surprise no.1. Surprise no.2 comes when the other two cards are unfolded to reveal they are both blanks as well! The QH has completely disappeared! Surprise no.3 is revealed when the QH is found folded inside the card box that has been on the table throughout. A clever principle makes this a very clean and convincing effect that is quick and easy to follow. No gimmicks required, just the cards and the card box.
2. ESP Match Up Plus. Two sets of five ESP cards are freely displayed, one set with red backs, the other with blue. The red set if given to the spectator who shuffles them, the magician mixing the blue set. One at a time the performer places his cards face down onto the table and each time the spectator then places one of his cards at random next to the performer’s. When the pairs of cards are turned face up, all five sets are seen to have been put down in matching pairs! This is a streamlined version of Mark's card matching routine which has extra subtleties and a cleaner handling than earlier versions. Each download costs just £7.00 (£3.50 for members of E-Club Pro). To watch dems and to order go to www.markleveridge.co.uk. 11.11.23
London Magic Convention 2023. Many congratulations to Jake Allen,
winner of the 'London Close-Up Champion 2023' title at last Sunday's London Magic
Convention. Jake was presented with the Anthony Owen Trophy by Carter Owen,
Anthony Owen's son. Congratulations also to mystery lecturer Kovari, on being
presented with the Patrick Page Award, presented by Janette Page, Pat's daughter. The
Nyman family produced another excellent day! DT.
11.11.23
Merlin
Magical Society Auction, Thursday 16th November, Potters Bar. John Clayton
writes: On the 16th November, the Merlin Magical Society is holding an auction,
to sell the effects of the late Peter Liddelow, who sadly past away earlier this
year, and was a member of the Merlin Magical Society, as well as a past Chaplain
of The Magic Circle. There are 179 items, that will be up for auction.
Entry is free for members and non-members of the club. Doors open at around
7.40pm for an 8pm start at Little Heath Parish Hall, Thornton Road, Potters Bar,
Hertfordshire EN6 1JJ. Please bring lots of £1 coins, as well as notes, as we
will be collecting money, as we go. Also bring carrier bags, so you can store
any purchases made on the night. For more info see
www.merlinmagicalsociety.com/auction.
11.11.23
Zane's
Magic Shop, latest: We've have added lots of new products to the website -
especially pocket tricks ideal as Christmas presents! One of the new tricks,
featured here, is called
Blow Out - an easy-to-do packet trick with images of matches that gets great
reactions! Visit
www.zanesmagicshop.com for full details! (Please note the new number for the
shop: 07817 806711).
11.11.23
Magic
Live! Las Vegas, August 4th-7th 2024. Registration now open. The producers
of Magic Live! work year round to find new ways to surprise you, to offer
something unexpected, to create an environment for you to share with new friends
and old — and to send everyone home inspired. Find out more and how to register
at
www.magicconvention.com/about.
11.11.23
Colin
Dymond's 'Big Magic For Little People' Lecture - The Zodiac Magical Society,
London. Donato Capitella writes: The Zodiac Magical Society is pleased to
host a lecture by Colin Dymond, exploring the "how and why" he uses magic
designed for an adult audience in his shows for children. This event will take
place on Wednesday, November 15th, from 8pm-10pm at our London club room located
just a five-minute walk from Northfields Tube station on the Piccadilly Line.
There is a charge for visitors, you need to email
membership@zodiacmagicalsociety.co.uk to let us know that you are coming.
You can follow us on Instagram at @zodiacmagicalsociety for updates.
11.11.23
Million Dollar Listing: NYC. "Ryan seeks to create a little magic by inviting an illusionist to an open house. LA agent Josh Altman worries about Fredrik's new team." Monday 20th November on ITVBe. See TV Magic for details. 11.11.23
"UK's favourite TV magicians as acts vanish from small screen"
Click Here • "Magician Asi Wind Shares His Favorite Places In New
York"
Click Here • "Joe The Magician"
Click Here • "Las Vegas Magician Stacey Stardust fosters a community
of performers"
Click Here • "UK's Top Wedding Magician Conjures Up Love in
Phillipsburg"
Click Here • "In this math seminar, the magician reveals his
secrets"
Click Here • "Magician Jamie Allan sure to 'amaze' Midwest Theater
audiences Thursday"
Click Here • "Snow foolin': Illusionist Kevin James welcomes the
holiday season"
Click Here • "If I hadn’t been a magician, I might never have ended
up as a Wharton professor: Adam Grant"
Click Here • "Priest, magician and missionary"
Click Here • "Interview with Comedian and Magician Piff the Magic
Dragon"
Click Here • As always, your UK magic news is very welcomed. See you
next week, Duncan.
11.11.23