Number
1276 - Saturday 7th December 2024
MagicFest,
Edinburgh, 17th-30th December. Edinburgh is 900 This Year -
Celebrate With Us! Join us as MagicFest celebrates Edinburgh's 900th
anniversary by delving into the city's enchanting past! This year, we're
uncovering Edinburgh's magical heritage with a spellbinding array of
shows, talks, and mysterious events. From recreations of historic
illusions and tales of conjurers past, to captivating modern
performances that bring the magic of bygone centuries to life, this
year's programme offers something for all ages. Step back in time with
us, discover Edinburgh's magical history, and experience moments that
will thrill, inspire, and leave you wondering about the secrets hidden
in our city's storied streets!
See Kevin Quantum, Tricky Ricky, Richard Wiseman, Dan Bastianelli, Will Houstoun, Lorenzo, Tim Licata, Magic Bros and lots of special events! For more information and to book visit www.magicfest.co.uk/whats-on. 7.12.24
Miracles. Steven Frayne, the magician formerly known as
Dynamo, returns to his roots by taking his magic back to the streets, stunning
huge crowds as he goes. He sets out on a journey around the country, unearthing
everyday heroes and delivering mind-blowing magic, building to a climax in which
he takes the ultimate risk, pushing himself to the limit for a death-defying
finale. The first showing is late-night Wednesday 18th December at 2am, and then
again at 9pm on Thursday 19th, on Sky. See
TV Magic for details..
"'I consider myself a working-class hero'. Steven Frayne's magic tricks turned him into a global sensation – then mental illness (and Crohn's) threatened to ruin it all. What's next?" Liam Kelly interviews Steven Frayne in www.telegraph.co.uk. 7.12.24
Wake
up with Derren! Saturday Live, BBC Radio 4, this morning at
9am. With Abigail Tinnion, Rob Parsons and Mackenzie Crook. See
TV Magic for details.
7.12.24
Romany,
lecturing and performing at MagiCon 2025 Belfast. James Hobart
writes: At the Christmas meeting of The Ulster Society of Magicians we
were proud to announce that the headliner of MagiCon 2025 in The Malone,
Belfast from May 2-4 2025 will be Romany. In a change from previous
years we will be joined by 'The Diva of Magic' for the whole weekend to
lecture and perform. Romany joins Fay Presto, Tom Stone, Nikola Arkane,
Quentin Reynolds, Griffin & Jones and recently announced Ben Taylor -
The Magic Mod - who will be performing his full length evening show to
open the event on the Friday night. All details of the event so far can
be found on the website
www.ulstersocietyofmagicians.com/convention. Reminder: Reduced hotel
rates only apply till 1st January 2025.
7.12.24
Britain's
most successful panto magician, Phil Hitchcock, celebrates 30 years
of panto by appearing at the Bristol Hippodrome with Brian Conley from
Saturday 7th December to Sunday 5th January. The role of Magical
Mysterioso was originally written for Phil for the production of
Goldilocks at the London Palladium. He is thrilled to be returning to
the production with original illusions and effects for this spectacular
show. See
www.atgtickets.com for dates and times.
7.12.24
Italian
magician Chefalo – in film and words. The Davenport Collection has
collaborated with Marco Pusterla to produce a short biographical film
about the life and work of magician Raffaele Chefalo (1885 – 1964). This
film makes use of Marco's extensive knowledge of Chefalo and an actual
performance by him at the Chiswick Empire Theatre in London in 1939.
Find it on the
Davenport Collection website. For more on Chefalo, just search
Chefalo on the website.
7.12.24
The
Celtic Marble Mystery. Merlins write: Merlins of Wakefield are now
taking Pre-Orders for the latest effect from Retro Rocketeers... a UK
Exclusive! Due in around 15th December, The Celtic Marble Mystery is a
beautiful effect where a spectator's freely chosen coloured marble seems
to impossibly disappear from its position and reappear inside a central
container, underneath a shot glass! The spectator has a 100% free choice
marble. The marbles do not need to be handled after the spectator makes
their selection. The effect can be instantly repeated without handling
any of the marbles. The spectator can simply choose another colored
marble and then have that marble again instantly appear under the shot
glass. Designed with an Irish Celtic flare influenced by our Irish roots
this piece is also made from Australian Jarrah Eucalyptus hard wood
giving it a deep luxurious feel and a connection with our new home in
Australia. Find out more, watch a video and order at
www.merlinswakefield.com.
7.12.24
The MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week,
magic from The Great Kovari on 'Five Magic Minutes' from 1980. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To see more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here.
7.12.24
David
Alnwick’s Premiere of The Haunted House. From the promoter:
Critically acclaimed writer, actor, and magician David Alnwick (The
Mystery of Dracula, The Signalman) brings his first full-length
theatre show, Charles Dickens' The Haunted House, to The Lantern
Theatre, Sheffield, from 16th–25th January 2025.
Combining Dickens' ghostly tales with the chilling intrigue of
Jonathan Creek, Alnwick delivers a supernatural murder mystery like
no other, weaving psychological illusions seamlessly into the story.
Five strangers are invited to a secluded house for an evening of ghost
stories inspired by Dickens' classic tale. Cut off from the world, their
night takes a deadly turn when one guest is found dead in a locked room.
Was it murder—or the curse of the house?
"I grew up watching Derren Brown's psychological illusion shows and horror movies. I wanted to combine the two and create plays using that kind of magic." David Alnwick. 16th–25th January 2025 at The Lantern Theatre, Sheffield. Click Here for more info and to book. ★★★★★ ThreeWeeks ★★★★★ The Sphinx ★★★★ Broadway Baby ★★★★ Fringe Guru. 7.12.24
A
Thurston mini-print for Christmas. Jay Fortune writes: Free Thurston
mini-print! As it's Christmas, I'm gifting a free mini-print of my
painted study of Thurston to the magic community. I've not released a
mini-print for a few years, and they are always popular, raising money
for charity along the way. Each print is only £10 (plus P&P) and if you
purchase one, 100% of the profit goes the to the homeless this
Christmas. However, I know for many that times are hard so if you're not
able to donate, you can receive your mini-print completely free (you
only pay P&P) by entering a discount code at check-out via my online
store. For the code and details, please visit
www.store.jayfortune.co.uk (Only one free print per order. While
stocks last.) Happy Christmas!
7.12.24
The
Dec 24/Jan 25 E-Video Newsletter. Mark Leveridge Magic's latest
online video presentation is now available, featuring: The Teach In
– learn a two stage close up card routine called Predictive Switch which
combines mentalism with magic. Pro Peeks – extracted from the
E-Club Pro Mark’s Monthly Message Archive, is a video emphasising the
importance of conversation in close up. The Table Magician Unplugged
– part 9 of the series based on The Table Magician e-book considers how
to approach tables in restaurants. The Trick Box – this time a
neat up-in-the-hands chip trick called Confusing Chips is explained that
was originally published in the Lecture Collection e-book. Web Offers
– get creative with an e-book explaining exactly how to do it plus add a
magician-fooling version of a classic rope effect to your repertoire.
60 Seconds To Success – here are some simple ideas to help you keep
track of which tables you have already worked at busy dinner functions.
To watch the complete 39 minute presentation, simply sign up to Mark's
free E-Club Lite at
www.markleveridge.co.uk/#e-prices which also includes his monthly
email newsletter, and the weekly Back-Chat blog.
7.12.24
Magic
Sale at The Ilford Magical Society. Peter Meacham writes: On
Wednesday 11th December at 8pm The Ilford Magical Society will be
playing host to a table sale in memory of a friend and colleague Mr
Keith Speller. Long time member of The Magic Circle and friend of The
Ilford Magical Society. All proceeds will be divided between The Magic
Circle Benevolent Fund and Parkinson's Disease Charity. Please bring
cash. The Ilford Magical Society, The Parkside Community Association,
176 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford IG3 9PP.
7.12.24
Surrey
Society of Magicians Winners. The Surrey Society of Magicians held
its annual stage competition on Thursday, 28th November. The competition
is judged on magical entertainment, and the winner was one of our newest
members, Peter Mehtab with T & R Newspaper, Chop Cup and a Card Stab.
All done very professionally. The competition also awards the Bernard
Weller Comedy Trophy, voted on by the members, to the most humorous act
and this was won by Paul Dickson. The pictures show Chairman Geoff
Pescud presenting the trophy to Peter in the presence of magical judge
Carl Royale and the presentation of the comedy trophy to Paul.
7.12.24
Guillermo del Toro's Nightmare Alley is being shown Channel 4 on Sunday. An ambitious carnival worker with a talent for manipulating people joins forces with a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is. Guillermo del Toro's thriller, starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett and Toni Collette. See TV Magic for details. 7.12.24
"Magician
Penn Jillette: 'I really enjoyed working with Trump… Now I'm on his hate
list'"
Click Here • "TV magician Ben Hanlin to host P&J’s prestigious
charity gala"
Click Here • "Magician from Eastleigh wins a 'Magician of the Year'
award for second time"
Click Here • "The Magician Who Stole Christmas – Theatre At The
Tabard"
Click Here • "These magicians just designed a new magic trick for
people who are blind"
Click Here • "Runcorn businessman named one of best magicians in UK"
Click Here • "Renowned illusionist set to dazzle Victoria for one
night"
Click Here • Many thanks as always to everyone who submitted news
items this week. See you next week, Duncan.
7.12.24