Number
1242 - Saturday 13th April 2024
Graham
Jolley Lecture - Kent Magicians Guild, Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks, 30th April.
Top Comedy Mindreader Graham Jolley will present his acclaimed lecture
at the Kent Magicians Guild, The Stag Theatre, London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13
1ZZ on Tuesday, 30th April. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Guest tickets
are only £5, so book early to avoid missing out on an amazing evening. Contact
Mike Ingham on 07724 273157 to reserve a seat.
13.4.24
The
Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Competition 2024 - tomorrow in London!
Join host Simon Lipkin as eight rising stars of magic battle it out for the most
hotly contested competition in British magic! The contestants are: Rafferty
Coope, Arabella, Christopher Doxey, Cillian O'Connor, Ryland Petty, Harry Merlin
Piper, Jack Ranger-Walsh and Joseph Westbury. There will be two performances,
the first at 2pm (not judged) and the second at 6pm (judged). Sunday 14th April
at The Magic Circle in London. Book tickets here:
www.themagiccircle.co.uk.
13.4.24
United Kingdom Escape Artists Escapology Convention, Blackpool,
today!
From the organisers: We are pleased to announce our latest Guest speaker
- it's the Legend Jonathan Goodwin who will be sharing some experiences from his
career and will give us some insights into his upcoming book. Limited amount of
tickets available - do not miss out on what is set to be an amazing day. A small
friendly Convention for United Kingdom Escape Artists at Russ Brown's House of
Secrets on Saturday, 13th April.
• Lecture by Jonathan Goodwin - experiences from his career.
• Lecture by Michael Diamond- a brand new talk all about fraudulent spiritualism
featuring Harry Houdini.
• Lecture by Karl Bartoni all about his USD straitjacket escape from Blackpool
Tower - this talk is the world's first.
• The Mick Hanzlik Award for the best escape of the day - let us know in advance
if you wish to enter.
• The David De-Val Award - recognition for promoting the art throughout the
year.
• Lecture by Chris Gower on gimmicked padlocks
• Coxy and a live Guinness World Record attempt to escape from most handcuffs in
1 minute.
• Lecture about David De-Val and his Blackpool Rollercoaster escape, David
De-Val Magic and Escapology
• Doncaster Restraint Museum with lots of new toys.
Saturday April 13th, from 9.30am-5pm at Russ Brown's House of Secrets, 105 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HU. Tickets £35.00 (and more info) from: www.theukea.co.uk. 13.4.24
British
magician Emily Robinson-Hardy will attempt to fool Penn & Teller with a
perfect 'Any Card At Any Number' on the next episode of Penn & Teller Fool Us.
Will her performance dazzle the audience and even baffle Penn & Teller,
themselves? Emily will not touch the cards... and the rules of the show forbid
the use of stooges, instant stooges and preshow work. The named playing card and
the position will be a genuine free choice.
With her performance on ‘Penn & Teller: Fool Us,’ premiering on the US Network,
‘The CW’, on Friday 19th April, Emily is excited to talk about her experience on
the show. "I filmed in Las Vegas in August 2023. I cannot wait to finally share
this trick with the world because it is a trick that means so much to me. I’m
excited to be able to post pictures and to not feel as though I’m hiding
something! Penn and Teller are such incredible Magicians, it was an honour to
perform for them."
Emily’s performance on the show will be uploaded to her YouTube channel after it
is broadcast on Friday 19th April at 8pm (midnight UK) and appear on her website
www.emilyrobinsonhardy.com The big question is, will she fool Penn & Teller?
13.4.24
The
Wizards Weekend Magic Convention by The Enchanted Rabbit Magic Emporium,
19th-21st April.
From the organisers: Featuring: Roy Davenport, R Paul Wilson, Luke Jermay, Chris
Cross, Ian Kendal, Freak, Chris Lynam, Peter McLanachan, Colin Bourdiec and
Steve Faulkner. Full 3-day tickets are only £85! Gala show tickets and day
tickets are also available individually! 19th - 21st April 2024. It's at the
Gibside Hotel in Whickham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Tickets and info here:
www.theenchantedrabbit.com. Facebook event page:
facebook.com.
13.4.24
Luis
Otero: Masterclass at The Magic Circle - Sunday 21st April.
Following the success of our first in the series with Woody, The Magic
Circle are delighted to welcome one of Latin America's most respected
professional magicians. He has been a featured performer at the famous
Magic Castle, The 4F convention, Jornadas del Escorial in Spain (where
Master Juan Tamariz invites just 40 of the top minds in card magic),
FISM, and has given numerous other performances and lectures worldwide.
This masterclass has strictly limited places and is a rare opportunity
to spend quality time, up close, with one of the finest exponents of the
art alive today. Attendees will also receive a free ticket to Luis'
One-Night-Only show immediately following the Masterclass in the
evening. Sunday 21st April 3pm at The Magic Circle in London. Secure you
place now:
wwww.tmcshop.squarespace.com.
13.4.24
Kevin
Quantum Momentum - 2024 UK Tour. From the tour promoter:
International magic star Kevin Quantum embarks on his first ever UK theatre tour
with 'Momentum', a show that rocks the audience with epic stunts and belly
laughs.
The new show is a chance to see spectacular new tricks, and to witness in person
some of the breathtaking magic he has performed on international television.
The show includes an astonishing and death-defying grand finale – a blindfolded
stunt featuring a gigantic Newton’s cradle and nine flaming cannon balls. This
breathtaking trick took him to the final stages of Britain’s Got Talent, where
David Walliams described him as "a mixture of magic, science and derring-do,
you're like a sexy Doctor Who!".
Trained by the great Penn & Teller, the illusionist and inventor began his
career as a physicist before moving into magic – an art where he has thrived for
15 years. Yet science is always a key ingredient of his shows and Momentum
explores themes from Bermuda Triangle to Gravity.
4 May Royal & Derngate, Northampton
6 May The Lowther Pavilion Theatre & Gardens, Lytham St Annes
10 May Norwich Playhouse
12 May Weymouth Pavilion
14 May The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
24 May The Coro, Ulverston
27 May Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
30 May Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm
31 May Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
5 June The Redgrave Theatre, Bristol
21 June Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen
28 June Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth
Book early!
www.quantummagician.com.
13.4.24
Tommy
Cooper Night - BBC Four, tonight! Marking the centenary of his
birth, Lenny Henry presents a selection of Tommy Cooper performances
tonight in 'Tommy Cooper at the BBC' at 10.30pm on BBC Four. This
collection features some of Cooper's most famous routines, and reveals
that his reputation for terrible tricks that inevitably went wrong was
all based on an act, as his on-stage bumbling persona hid a real talent
as a magician. Followed by 'The Art of Tommy Cooper' at 11pm and 'Parkinson: The Tommy Cooper and
Frankie Howerd Interviews' at 11.30pm. See
TV Magic for details.
13.4.24
How
to Create Your Stage Act! Romany, the Diva of Magic. Romany's recent lecture
given at the Northern Magic Circle Convention on April 7th is reviewed by Roger
Woods this week. "What makes it good? What makes it bad? How do you use your
personality and physical qualities to enhance your magic? What rules are applied
to props? Why a script is important. Why getting a director or an outside critic
is important. In the course of the lecture, Romany answered all these questions
and more..." To read the full review
Click Here.
13.4.24
Ian
Rowland Lecture - the Pentacle Club, Cambridge, 16th April. Hugh Newsam
writes: This is going to be a fun lecture that everyone can enjoy! Ian will
share a lot of practical material, mainly cards and mentalism, suitable for
close-up, parlour and stage. He’ll also be sharing some amazing stories (and
disasters!) from his magical adventures all over the world. Although he’s a
writer and speaker by trade, Ian has performed magic and mentalism shows all
over the world for the past forty years. He often includes magic in his work as
a corporate speaker/trainer. His clients include Google, Coca-Cola, Marks &
Spencer, the Ministry of Defence, the Crown Estate and, most improbably of all,
the FBI! (He's the only person from outside the United States ever hired to
train FBI agents.)
Ian wrote a column on mentalism for The Magic Circular for 12 years and for
Magic magazine for 5 years, every article featuring an original effect or
routine. He has lectured three times at the Blackpool Magic Convention and four
times at both the Magic Circle and Magic Live in Las Vegas, as well as at
numerous other clubs and conventions in the UK, United States, Australia, Italy,
Sweden, Finland, Turkey, Germany and other places besides.
He is perhaps best known as the author of 'The Full Facts Book of Cold Reading',
which Derren Brown described as, "The definitive work on the subject". In the
past, Ian has been a consultant to Derren Brown, Ben Earl and Uri Geller for
their respective TV shows. The lecture will include Ian’s signature routine,
'Thetalia', in which he apparently deals winning poker hands from a borrowed
deck that is first thoroughly shuffled by a spectator.
Doors Open 7.30pm, Lecture 8pm, Tuesday 16th April. Pentacle Club, St Andrew’s
Church Centre, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge CB1 3JS. £10 on the door or you can
purchase in advance via
www.pentacleclub.com. Any questions contact Hugh Newsam:
hugh@newsam.name.
13.4.24
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week,
Escapologist Bill Shirk on 'Great Escapes', from 1992.
See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To see more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here.
13.4.24
Griffin
& Jones 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: "Griffin & Jones - The
best duo act in the UK"
YouTube.
13.4.24
Nikola
Arkane - Ulster Society of Magicians Chairman’s Dinner. James Hobart
writes: Award winning magician Nikola Arkane has been added to the after dinner
cabaret for the Ulster Society of Magicians Chairman’s Dinner on 11th May.
Nikola joins the already announced special guests Vice President of The Ulster
Society of Magicians, Magical Legend, Fay Presto and President of the British
Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Comedy Conjuror Philip
Partridge.
We will be returning to previous successful venue Rockmount Golf Club,
Carryduff, Belfast for the Ted Oldham Memorial Lecture at 2.30pm with a break
before gathering at 7.30pm for the evening activities. Please reserve your place
by sending the names of your guest(s) and any special dietary requirements to
Treasurer Paula McIntyre
vippykins@icloud.com or 07716 183298. Contact Paula to arrange your
preferred method of payment. Final Deadline for payment and booking is 1st May.
Please prepare your group of friends for an evening of fine food, raffle, magic
and laughter for the bargain price of just £45.00 (Steak supplement £10). Any
questions can be addressed to the Secretary, James Hobart, whose contact
details, and other information about the Society can be found on our website
www.ulstersocietyofmagicians.com. For those wishing to stay overnight in
Belfast 10% off has been arranged at The Ivanhoe Hotel who will also be
arranging taxi transfers before and after the event if there is sufficient
interest. Please book directly with them and quote the magic dinner when doing
so.
13.4.24
Mark
Leveridge Podcast April 2024. The very latest 45 minute audio podcast from
Mark Leveridge is available for your listening pleasure: Considering the
potential impact of ChatGPT on magic content creation. Why most magic
competitions do not create a level playing field. When honesty does not always
seem to be the best policy. The Brendan Rodrigues Blackpool vlog captures the
essence of the convention. Are the days where one magician dominates the general
public’s attention now gone?. Jim Sisti reveals how to keep your magic
reputation intact. MLM Select routines highlighted. Kids’ show performers need
control over their audience before they can entertain. The joy of sharing magic
ideas in a trusted group. A practical commercial use for quick eye candy magic.
There are two ways to listen to this free 45 minute podcast. You can catch it
either from
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast-archive, or from
www.markleveridge.podbean.com where you can also sign up to be a
follower and receive each new release automatically. Mark Leveridge's recent "Leveridge
Legerdemain" lecture presented to The Bristol Society of Magic on April
10th is reviewed by Paul Preager this week,
Click Here.
13.4.24
London
magician and stage manager Jack Vogler is running next Sunday's London
Marathon to raise money for theatrical charity Chickenshed. "I have been amazed
by all the support I’ve received so far! Anything you can give to help the
theatre makers of tomorrow would be truly magical"
www.2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com.
13.4.24
Fourth Annual Bath Circle of Magicians Magic Car Boot Sale and Auction, Thursday 18th April. Roger Nicot writes: The Fourth Annual Magic Car Boot Sale and Auction sponsored by the Bath Circle of Magicians. There will be a proverbial plethora of amazing new and gently used items for your purchasing pleasure. Our previous sales were a smashing success! Don't miss out on amazing deals. We hope to see you there! 7.30pm on Thursday April 18th at St Mary's Church Hall, Queen Square, High Street, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3EL. 13.4.24
Chris
Congreave's Commercial Close-Up Lecture - Merlin Magical Society, London.
John Clayton writes:
On Thursday 18th April, the Merlin Magical Society are having a lecture by Chris
Congreave entitled Commercial Close-Up. This is a new lecture by Chris.
Entry for non-members is just £10.00.
Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start, at Little Heath Parish Hall, Thornton
Road, Potters Bar, London EN6 1JJ.
www.merlinmagicalsociety.com.
13.4.24
Dr
Matt Pritchard's Designing Deceptions lecture at the Zodiac Magical Society,
London, Thursday 18th April. Donato Capitella writes:
On 17th April the Zodiac Magical Society in London will be hosting a talk by Dr
Matt Pritchard. Optical illusions have both an aesthetic and scientific appeal
as they question our perception of reality. This talk will deconstruct the
development process of creating new illusions.
This event will take place on Wednesday, April 17th, at 8pm 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.
13.4.24
Quirky
Forces by Chris Wardle. 50 sneaky, ingenious, offbeat forcing methods from
award-winning originator Chris Wardle. "Chris Wardle has the rare knack of
devising very good tricks indeed. His magical inventions are always practical,
satisfyingly ingenious and slyly deceptive. Chris's creations rely on a clever
force or a way to apply a familiar forcing principle in a new way. In this
superb new book, Chris presents a range of his favorite forces and shows how to
use them to create intriguing effects that are as baffling as they are fun to
watch"' Ian Rowland. "This is an impressive resource that deserves a spot in
your library next to the Annemann classic." Nathan Coe Marsh, Genii. Over 200
pages, with over 40 graphics. For more info and to order visit
www.alakazam.co.uk.
13.4.24
Chris
Wood Lecture - Orpington Magic Society, 27th April. From the organisers:
Leading magician Chris Wood presents his lecture for the Orpington Magic Society
at 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday 27th April at Poverest Coronation Hall,
Fordcroft Road, Orpington, Kent BR5 2DA. Tickets £10 on the door - all welcome.
13.4.24
Chris
Dugdale was called up to deliver a Keynote Presentation to the Pentagon on
Deception on Thursday April 11th. He performed a 20 minute set, a Keynote
lecture and a fascinating Q&A, in a top secret conference room in the heart of
the Pentagon.
13.4.24
John
Kimmons Lecture - Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians, 17th April. Sue Oakley
writes: On Wednesday 17th April, the Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians, have a
lecture from John Kimmons. John, also known as Kimmo, has been a professional
comedy magician and ventriloquist since the tender age of 15. In a career
spanning over 40 years he has performed to family audiences all over the world
and in every conceivable type of venue, from birthday parties in living rooms to
cruise ships, theatres and television. In this lecture he will showcase routines
that have helped to pay his bills over the years and discuss ways to make your
material play to every age range. He’ll also briefly discuss ventriloquism and
give some tips and hints on how to introduce a puppet to your act. Lecture
starts at 7.45pm and is at our new meeting place, the Jones Road Working Men's
Club, Jones Road, Wolverhampton WV10 6JQ. Car park and entrance is on South
Street. Visiting magicians welcome for just £5. Contact Sue Oakley for more
information sueoakley61@gmail.com.
13.4.24
Phantastic
Phenomena! Presented by Chris and Belinda North, Phantastic Phenomena! is
the 8th in series of Victorian productions. This atmospheric show is an eclectic
mix of illusion, magic and mentalism with a vibrant soundtrack and video clips
intertwined with curious tales and unusual phenomena with just a hint of
steampunk! Saturday 27th April at 7.30pm at Black Swan Theatre, North Walsham,
Norfolk. Book online:
www.blackswanpubtheatre.co.uk also see
YouTube.
13.4.24
Zen
Lecture - Harrogate Society of Magicians, 16th April. Gary Craswell writes:
Harrogate Society of Magicians is excited to host a lecture from Zen on Tuesday
16th April at 8pm at Pannal Village Hall, Station Road, Pannal, Harrogate HG3
1JJ. Zen is a magic entertainer specialising in mentalism through reading non
verbal communication. Zen has used 18 years of research in the skills used in
various fields including work from the 1960s CIA remote viewing program, micro
facial expression reading, body language and neuro-linguistic programming
techniques to give the audience demonstrations in how he can communicate to
individuals at a much deeper level than most. The training provided during the
evening isn’t about learning the latest gimmick or sleight of hand skills.
This is a night to help you become a better communicator and create more empathy
with others. But also to help you in situations where you (or others) might
struggle with mental health and how you can better support yourself. Zen will
talk openly about his first hand experience in these situations but also his own
challenges and experiences in life too. Visiting magicians £10 on the door, or
£5 from affiliated clubs.
13.4.24
Aberdeen
Magical Society will hold an Open Night on April 23rd, and write: Aberdeen
Magical Society will hold an open night at 8pm on Tuesday, April 23rd at The
Sportsman’s Club on Queen’s Road, allowing those interested in joining the
chance to meet members and learn more about the society. Attendance is free and
open to anyone aged 18+ with an interest in magic – from complete beginners to
passionate amateurs to skilled professionals. Attendees can register here:
www.wegottickets.com.
President Garry Seagraves said: "Magic is usually a very secretive
pastime, so we’re excited to welcome potential members to our first ever open
night. Some might feel they are too inexperienced to join, but there is a place
for all magic fans within our society. It’s a great place to learn and develop
your magic in a friendly environment. We all start our magic journey somewhere,
whether that’s with a magic set at the age of 8 or a flash of inspiration at
58!"
During Aberdeen Magical Society’s open night, guests will have the chance to see
magic performed live and chat with members in a relaxed and casual setting.
Visitors will also learn more about the society – including its twice monthly
meetings, guest lectures by magic stars from around the world, and public
performances. Aberdeen Magical Society was founded in 1926. For more information
visit
www.aberdeenmagic.com.
13.4.24
"Justin
Willman Reveals the Real Trick Behind His Chart-Topping Netflix Series
‘The Magic Prank Show’"
Click Here • "Brave Cambuslang magician faced fears to abseil 100ft
in fundraiser for spina bifida charity SBH Scotland"
Click Here • "'Piff the Magic Dragon' comes to Greenville"
Click Here • "Magician Mat Franco teams up The Animal Foundation for
upcoming donation drive"
Click Here • "Magician will bring Harry Houdini to life at
Harrisburg mansion"
Click Here • That's it for another week. Your UK magic news and
reviews always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan.
13.4.24