Number 1228 - Saturday 6th January 2024

Blackpool Magic Convention 2024. 173 Dealers - 37 Lectures - 3 Main Gala Shows (including the full Mac King Las Vegas Show) - 7 Standalone Fringe Shows - 3 Late Night Shows... and you! Just some of the names appearing:

Axel Adler- a magician, innovator and consultant who specialises in inventing new magic combining object manipulation with visual art.

David Regal - the man behind magic seen by millions. Head writer and co-executive producer of TV’s The Carbonaro Effect.

Miki Dark - a sensation on TV shows worldwide, Miki Dark has had over 500 million views online!

Shoot Ogawa - Shoot will perform his own One-Man Show, lecture and appear as a guest act on one of the Gala Shows!

Anna DeGuzman - a trailblazing Filipina-American Cardist, Mentalist, Magician and Cardistry expert.

Raymond Crowe - Raymond's 'unusualist' skills are guaranteed to leave you feeling uplifted and exhilarated!

Book Now! Blackpool Magic Convention 15th-18th February 2024: www.blackpoolmagicconvention.com. 6.1.24

Northern Magic Circle Convention 2024. From Brian Lead, Secretary of the Northern Magic Circle: "I love the feel of the weekend, with the very friendly atmosphere; it's what every convention should be like!" (Oliver Tabor). Oliver will be joining us again this year as a special guest at the NMC’s Spring Convention, to be held at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate over the weekend of 6/7 April, joined by British Ring President Philip Partridge. Prolific creator of magic Chris Wardle will be delivering the Donald Bevan Lecture, and Geoffrey Newton will be presenting ‘More Tricks from the Key Ring’. Featuring on the gala show will be the national award-winning ventriloquist and vocalist Emily Brown, and Kay Murray will be talking about her mother, Trixie Queen, in the History of Mystery spot.

We will have our traditional welcome meal on the Friday evening (5th April), with cabaret and the close-up competition. Those wishing to compete should contact Stuart Clarkson for details and an entry form: snclarkson@yahoo.co.uk. Many more ‘names’ will be joining the line-up over the coming weeks, so do keep an eye out for up-dates. Online registration is open: www.shop.northernmagiccircle.org.uk. Booking forms and further information are also available from Registration Officer John Russell: contact registration@northernmagiccircle.org.uk or 07412 617856. 6.1.24

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Palace Theatre, London. There’s magic in every moment in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the most awarded play in history and "one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade" (Forbes). 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance.

This one-of-a-kind theatrical experience is packed with "thrilling theatricality and pulse-pounding storytelling" (The Hollywood Reporter). It will leave you "audibly wowed, cheering and gasping" (The Telegraph), as "visions of pure enchantment send shivers down your spine" (Rolling Stone). "It is out of this world, it’s magic, it’s a hit" (The Times).

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne received its world premiere in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre in summer 2016. Tickets from £30 via the official website: www.uk.harrypottertheplay.com. 6.1.24

Luke Jermay Lecture - Zodiac Magical Society, London. Donato Capitella writes: Join us in a celebration of pure conjuring. Not a single mind will be read. Instead, together, Luke will explore some of his favourite original conjuring creations. This lecture, Luke Jermay's From the Shadows, will take place on Wednesday, January 10th, 8pm-10pm at our club room located just a five-minute walk from the 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. 6.1.24

The MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week, Wayne Dobson in his weekly guest spot on The Joe Longthorne Show from 16th August 1989. See The MagicWeek Video Archive. To see more from The MagicWeek Video Archive Click Here. 6.1.24

Rodney Piper Lecture - Shrewsbury Magical Society. From the organisers: Entertainment Entrepreneur and Mystery Performer, owner of RJP Group (www.houseofillusion.com), Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, Rodney Piper will be presenting his lecture at the Shrewsbury Magical Society on Monday 15th January. Doors open 7pm lecture starts 7.30pm. The Lecture will take place at the Brooklands Hotel, Mill Road, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury SY3 9JT. All Visiting magicians are welcome; £10 on the door. For more details Contact Chairman Colin Dorning MBE on 07376 367777. 6.1.24

The Session - next weekend, 12th - 14th January. From the organisers: The Session is a small, perfectly formed magic convention in London, England. Thanks to our connections as the biggest magic store in the world, we’re able to attract amazing performers like Juan Tamariz, Richard Turner, Chris Kenner, Derren Brown and Dynamo. But because we limit attendance, The Session gives you not only the chance to meet these legends, but also hang with them. There are only 400 tickets available and it sells out every year. Do not miss out. Book your ticket today. www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic-conventions/the-session. 6.1.24

Andy Nyman's Three Skulls on a Spike. Spooky's Magic write: Andy Nyman's newest and most coveted trick, Three Skulls on a Spike, is finally back in stock. Handmade in the UK, these come in small batches so it will be a while before they are available again. It's a killer prediction effect and a gorgeous 'odd object' that is a talking point in any magic den. Only 12 units available, so don't delay. It's only available at www.spookysmagic.co.uk. 6.1.24

Jake Banfield: Modern Magic. Back for 2024! The longest running parlour magic show in London. Downstairs in the sumptuous screening room at the Charlotte Street Hotel, the audience will have their minds read, senses manipulated and experience some of the most astonishing feats of modern magic. Sit down and relax as Jake takes you on a journey of dapper deception, sophisticated sleight of hand and mischievous mind games. Saturday 24th February, Friday 22nd March, Saturday 20th April at The Charlotte Street Hotel, 15-17 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RJ. www.modernmagic.co.uk. 6.1.24

Russ Brown Lecture - Cambridge Pentacle Club. Hugh Newsam writes: The one and only Russ Brown will be talking about all things magic, from presenting family shows and inventing crazy puppet shows to touring the world. The lecture will feature some of Russ's favourite routines. £10 on the door or in advance via www.pentacleclub.com. Tuesday 9th January at 7.45pm. Cambridge Pentacle Club, St Andrews Church Hall, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge CB1 3JS. 6.1.24

6 Months of E-Club Pro or Elite at Half Price! Give your magic life a significant boost at the start of this new year by joining Mark Leveridge's online magic resource, E-Club Pro. With over 1,000 pages of online content consisting of original routines, moves and ideas for close-up, stand-up, children's work and mentalism, plus hugely helpful advice sections based on Mark's 40+ years as a full time pro, E-Club Pro offers magicians of all standards and experience a reliable place to get inspired and informed.

Established in 2011, E-Club Pro and its exclusive premium version E-Club Elite, provides monthly updated material that always offers something new and exciting, and if you want to become part of it all, now is a great time to jump in. Any new member* who signs up in January 2024 will receive each month, for the first 6 months, a discount voucher worth half of their monthly membership fee (i.e. £6 for Pro or £10 for Elite). These vouchers can be used against any products sold by MLM. There is no fixed subscription period, so it’s a no-risk option, and monthly fees are quickly set up as automated PayPal payments. So kick start your 2024 in the best possible way by joining today. For more information and to register go to www.markleveridge.co.uk/#e-prices. *To qualify for the half price rate, applications must come from people who are either first time members or who have not been a member since at least the 1st July 2023. 6.1.24

Magic on the Mersey - Liverpool. From the promoter: Magic on the Mersey is Liverpool's premier magic show. You will be amazed and amused by the magic of Steve Price, one of the UK's top magicians. Steve will have you laughing and wondering just how he does the impossible, turning ordinary objects into extraordinary memories. Steve is a Gold Star Member of The Inner Magic Circle, and he is widely acknowledged as one of the UK's busiest and most well-established magicians. Come and see the show that has entertained thousands of people across the UK and on cruise ships around the world. Tickets: £16-£21. See www.magiconthemersey.com for dates and to book. 6.1.24

Derren Brown: Showman. This one-off special brings Derren Brown's record-breaking, five-star show to TV. Written by Derren Brown, Andrew O'Connor and Andy Nyman, the award-winning team behind Miracle, Svengali and Derren's BAFTA-winning Channel 4 specials, the critically acclaimed Showman is Derren's most personal show to date. Director: Julia Knowles. (Repeat)  Friday 12th January on Channel 4. See TV Magic for details. 6.1.24

Houdini's Greatest Escape - UK Tour. Harry Houdini is the world's greatest entertainer. Just as his death-defying escapology stunts have him, and his wife Bess, on the cusp of a career-defining performance for King Edward, he finds himself framed for murder by a gang of criminals in cahoots with the chief of police. Can Harry & Bess escape the plot and clear their names? And how is their rival, The Superstar Spiritualist medium, involved?

All will be revealed in this hilarious 39 Steps-esque thriller, played out in New Old Friends' (Crimes on Centre Court) inimitable, award-winning style of physical comedy, sparkling wit and just a touch of chaos. Featuring a hard-working cast of four playing multiple roles on an almost harder-working set, this show will have you laughing and gasping throughout at the magic of theatre and the 'real' magic of illusions designed by TV's Pete Firman. Between 6th February 2024 and 30th June 2024 this tour will visit 29 venues. See www.uktw.co.uk for more info and to book. 6.1.24

Johnny Hocking - Master Maker of Magic. Remembered by Ian Adair. Master Maker of Magic Johnny Hocking's passing. For 36 continuous years, on a daily basis, Johnny Hocking manufactured thousands of wooden props for The Supreme Magic Company. His workshops on the outskirt of Bideford in Devon were well equipped with industrial machinery which allowed him to make items small and large in vast quantities. His finished products were of a high quality and were acclaimed to be outstanding in both craftsmanship and appearance. His wife Joyce (who sadly passed away in September 2022) worked alongside him, together with their son Peter who was responsible for paint spraying and stencilling the props. Over my almost 40 years with the firm, I had the pleasure of meeting up with him on a regular basis, collecting vast amounts of finished props when ready. Johnny wasn't a magician and never performed in public. He was interested in magic and in particular, the making of effects in wood. 6.1.24

"'The best song to have sex to? All By Myself by Eric Carmen': Derren Brown’s honest playlist" Click Here • "UK’s top comedy magician, Pete Firman, comes to Winchester" Click Here • "Girl, 13, completes record underwater scuba magic trick in impressive footage" Click Here • "The three card tricks everyone should know... according to a magician" [subscription] Click Here • Not magic, but make sure you see Godzilla Minus One while it's still on the big screen. That's it for another week, your UK magic news is always welcomed - see you next week, Duncan. 6.1.24

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