Number
1243 - Saturday 20th April 2024
Harry Merlin Piper is The Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year 2024!
Charlie Burgess reports: 13-year-old Harry Merlin Piper used a telling off for
practising a card trick in school as the motivation for an act which won him The
Magic Circle's Young Magician of the Year title on Sunday, 14th April.
Harry became the youngest ever winner of the award, as he performed
sleight of hand with lights and playing cards, and made his pencil case "talk".
He beat seven other contestants in the competition held at The Magic Circle's
theatre in their London headquarters.
Harry, whose father Rodney James Piper runs a magic dinner show venue in Salou, Spain and is himself a Member of The Inner Magic Circle, said: "This is the most magical moment of my life. When I was told off in class in Salou I thought I could use this and make an act based on my school experience. It worked!"
Arabella Crawford from London was second with her act based around a Gollum character and third was Rafferty Coope from Winchester. All three are members of The Young Magician's Club which teaches magic to 10 to 18-year-olds.
The awards were presented by Marvin Berglas, the President of The Magic Circle,
who said: "The originality, creativity and showmanship from all the competitors
was wonderful. It was a tough task for the judges due to the really high
standard. I know it's corny to say they were all winners but the true winners
were the audience. They loved all the acts. Congratulations to young Harry
Merlin Piper who took home the trophy. He was exceptional. The future of magic
is in good hands."
The competition was hosted by Simon Lipkin and produced by Preston Nyman. Matt
Edmondson, Danny Hunt & Stephanie Clarke (Amethyst Magic) and Chris Wardle
judged.
"Young magician Harry Merlin Piper conjures up top prize" www.sky.com. 20.4.24
The
Wizards Weekend Magic Convention - this weekend!
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. "Chris Cross hosts conference of magicians in Whickham"
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk.
20.4.24
Britain's Got Talent returns. Ant and Dec return with the nationwide talent search, with a fresh batch of contestants taking to the stage in the hope of impressing judges Bruno Tonioli, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon and progressing to the semi-finals. Expect plenty of magic along the way (starting with Sunday's show). See TV Magic for details. 20.4.24
Newly
crowned Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Harry Merlin Piper has just been
added to The Magic Circle Convention lineup. Harry
will be appearing in the 'Sunday Night at The Magic Circle' show. From the
organisers: The 3rd Annual Convention on May 12th at the prestigious Magic
Circle HQ, nestled in the heart of London on Stephenson Way. Experience The
Magic Dealers Emporium with over 25 dealers split over two rooms and all
conveniently located at The Wesley Hotel, just behind the HQ. Enjoy performances
from world class magicians, including the legendary King of close-up magic Mr
Michael Vincent, witness the amazing pickpocketing skills of James Freedman and
be blown away by the stars of stage and screen, Richard Griffin and Ryan
Hayashi, and the... To top it all off... We have Magic Royalty - the lovely and
legendary Debbie McGee!
Open to all. Whether you're a member or non-member, tickets are available now
for this once in a lifetime event. Last year was a complete sell out and tickets
are going fast, so secure your place now! This isn’t just any convention, this is The
Magic Circle Convention. Don't miss the chance to be part of this very special
day.
www.themagiccircle.co.uk/convention.
20.4.24
Leveridge
Legerdemain, the brand new lecture from Mark Leveridge - now booking. Mark
Leveridge has been presenting lectures since 1978, and in that time has appeared
at clubs and conventions all over the world. Mark's latest lecture, Leveridge
Legerdemain, features practical, intriguing magic designed for mentalists, close
uppers and parlour magicians, and all the material uses either normal objects,
or props that can be easily made or obtained. Mark performs every effect
entertainingly and then follows this with a full explanation that ensures that
everyone will leave with several new routines to work on. With so many years
experience of presenting lectures, Mark knows how to put across his ideas
clearly and with humour, thus providing an enjoyable evening for everyone who
attends. Leveridge Legerdemain is available to societies as a live presentation
in the clubroom or as a Zoom event. For more details, go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk/lectures. For a recent report on Leveridge
Legerdemain
Click Here.
20.4.24
Dave
Forrest Lecture - British Magical Society, 23rd April. Phil Sweeting writes:
Fresh back from his 4th appearance at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, Dave will
be presenting brand new material (and some forgotten gems that are so old,
they're new again!) covering close-up card magic and mentalism with his
signature mix of clever methods utilising sleight of hand, self-working
principles and some funky gimmicks! Visiting magicians are welcome for £10 on
the night. Lecture starts at 7.30pm, at The British Magical Society, The Weoley
Castle Working Men's Club, Barnes Hill Road, Weoley Castle, Birmingham B29 5TY.
20.4.24
Michael
J Fitch and Lee Hathaway 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: "Michael J Fitch and Lee
Hathaway on The Magic Circle and The Magic Circle Convention"
YouTube.
20.4.24
Britain's
Chris Cox can be seen in The Illusionists, the world’s biggest-selling
magic show, this week at Kennedy Centre in Washington DC. The
Illusionists has played hundreds of cities, spawned two TV specials, and
shattered box office records across the globe, dazzling audiences of all ages
with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on
stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of
unprecedented proportions featuring the jaw-dropping talents of the most
incredible illusionists on earth. April 23rd to 28th. For more info and to book
visit
www.kennedy-center.org.
20.4.24
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week,
Magician Paul Daniels in his 'House of Cards' segment on The Paul
Daniels Magic Show from 2nd November 1985.
See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To see more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here.
20.4.24
III
Maratón Magia de Cerca. 24h en directo, or "3rd Close Up Magic Marathon. 24
hours live!" Paulino Gil of Zamora,
Spain, is organising a 24 hour marathon of close-up magic. Paulino is the
organiser of several magic festivals in Spain but this one will be broadcast
free, via
YouTube, from 7pm (Local time) on May 11th from the Ethnographic Museum in Zamora, Spain. 12 Artists will perform
individually, changing every 20 minutes. Save this link!
YouTube.
20.4.24
Luis Otero: Masterclass - The Magic Circle London, this 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. 20.4.24
Aberdeen Magical Society Open Night, 23rd April. 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.
20.4.24
Knowing Me, Knowing You - With Alan Partridge. Minnie Driver appears on the spoof chat show as Playboy magazine's agony aunt, who has a book to promote and a surprising revelation to make. Alan's other guests include a magician and hypnotist and two of Hollywood's biggest stars. Tuesday 23rd April on Gold. See TV Magic for details. Aha! 20.4.24
For
Sale & Wanted. The free MagicWeek classified ads have been going strong
since issue number 1, in July 2000. Please double-check the T&Cs when
placing an ad, to make sure your
ad appears. For Sale
Wanted. DT.
20.4.24
"From
Peterhead to Hollywood – how a north-east magician became Netflix star"
Click Here • "Castledaly mentalist and magician to
perform new show in the Brazen Monkey"
Click Here • "Fife magician awarded as one of UK's best"
Click Here • "Eddie Hearn: No Passion, No Point - Podcast with
Steven Frayne"
Click Here • "Why Magic Murray Has Been Suspended From The Magic
Castle"
YouTube • "David Copperfield Accused Magic Murray of Stealing A
Trick On AGT"
YouTube • Your UK magic news is always welcomed - see you next week, Duncan.
20.4.24