Number 1307 - Saturday 12th July 2025

Wayne Dobson. There was a huge outpouring of love and affection for Wayne Dobson following the sad news of his death on Monday, 7th July. Wayne touched the lives of so many magicians who had either grown up watching him on television, or had got to know him personally in his later years, as a magic creator and dealer.

He had an outstanding career that fused a childhood passion for magic with an innate gift for comedy. I first saw him live at a Ron MacMillan's International Day of Magic in December 1982 and cried with tears of laughter. He was the funniest magician I'd ever seen. Years later, I was lucky enough to appear with Wayne, on his live touring shows and television series Wayne Dobson: A Kind of Magic, and I often found myself standing in the wings, still crying with laughter at the sheer brilliance of it all. He will be so missed. Duncan Trillo.

Bob Gill looks back over Wayne's career: Magic Legend Wayne Dobson Dies.

"90s TV magician Wayne Dobson dies aged 68 decades after multiple sclerosis diagnosis" www.metro.co.uk
"TV magician Wayne Dobson dies, aged 68" www.bbc.co.uk

"Leicestershire TV magician Wayne Dobson dies after MS battle" www.leicestermercury.co.uk

"Legendary 1980s TV magician Wayne Dobson who dazzled millions with mind-bending tricks dies aged 68" www.thesun.co.uk
"Iconic 80s TV magician Wayne Dobson dies aged 68 amid battle with multiple sclerosis" www.dailymail.co.uk
"Wayne Dobson: Legendary TV magician dies aged 68 as family confirm tragic news" www.express.co.uk
"Legendary magician Wayne Dobson dead aged 68" www.dailyrecord.co.uk
"80s TV magician Wayne Dobson dies aged 68 as family confirm tragic news" www.dailystar.co.uk
"Wayne Dobson dead: Legendary TV magician who shot to fame in 1980s dies aged 68" www.mirror.co.uk

"Wayne Dobson obituary: Gifted TV magician" [subscription] www.thetimes.com

"Wayne Dobson, TV magician who continued to perform on stage while battling multiple sclerosis" www.telegraph.co.uk. 12.7.25

Wayne Dobson - The Royal Variety Performance 1989. This week, let's remember the brilliant Wayne Dobson in a career changing appearance from just over 35 years ago, on 'The Royal Variety Performance' from 25th November 1989. See The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from Wayne on The MagicWeek Video Archive Click Here. 12.7.25

The Magicians' Podcast Network: A Tribute to Wayne Dobson 1957-2025: "Richard is joined by Michael J Fitch and Paul Dabek to talk about the legend Wayne Dobson who died yesterday at 68" YouTube. 12.7.25

Wayne Dobson's MagicWeek Profile, from 2002. "We were on a school outing to the British Museum, and I discovered one of the world's most celebrated magic shops, Davenports, and wandered in. It was like an Aladdin's cave to me. Instead of gold, silver and jewels, this marvellous place was packed with fantastic tricks, wonderful magical equipment, books and authentic posters of the great illusionists..." Read the full article: Wayne Dobson Profile. 12.7.25

Step into the unknown with Evolution of Magic, one of the longest-running magic shows in the UK. From the promoter: This is a show where reality glitches, time bends, and the impossible unfolds before your eyes. In an intimate Las Vegas-style showroom, world-class magicians Craig Christian and Elizabeth—two-time Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist (2019, 2024)—invite you to experience illusions that defy explanation. Craig's mastery of ordinary objects like cards and coins will leave you questioning what's possible, while his unpredictable and mysterious performances keep you on the edge of your seat.

Elizabeth's magic connects directly with the audience, blending mentalism with visual wonders that challenge your perception of reality. You won't just watch the magic—you'll feel it around you. The show moves fast, with moments that blur the line between illusion and reality. Stories weave in and out, hinting at deeper mysteries, leaving you wondering what lies beneath the surface. Is it real? Is it an illusion? You'll have to find out for yourself… if you dare.

The Evolution of Magic is not just a show—it's an unforgettable experience. One of the most anticipated events in Blackpool, perfect for families, friends, or anyone seeking a night of mystery and magic. Book your tickets now and be part of the mystery that's been captivating audiences across the UK for nearly a decade: www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com. 12.7.25

Places A-Z now available! Looch's brand new Places A-Z postcards are finally here. A beautiful set of 26 specially designed postcards, fully marked and stacked for direct, powerful mentalism. Create stunning reveals, personal moments, and impossible predictions - all hidden in plain sight. Available to order now at www.readmymind.co.uk. 12.7.25

Marc Spelmann – Live at the Alakazam Academy, Tuesday 15th July. Mark your calendars — because this isn't just another magic lecture... It's a homecoming. And it's personal. After months of planning, I'm thrilled to invite you to my second Alakazam Academy, streaming live on July 15th. This event holds deep meaning for me, not just as a performer, but as a creator.

My journey with Alakazam began in 2004, when they released my very first DVD set, the moment that launched my career as a creator in mentalism and magic. Now, over 20 years later, I'm coming back to where it all started... with brand-new material, personal favourites, and powerful tools I still use today. This Academy covers close-up, parlor, and stage, with something valuable for every performer. Whether you're new to my work or have followed my journey since the beginning, this will be a night of insight, inspiration, and practical magic.

This isn't theory. It's real-world material, performed and refined over decades. Join me for this deep dive into the art, craft, and evolution of performance. Let's explore the magic together. Book your place now for July 15th! This is more than a lecture. It's a celebration. Don't miss it. Marc Spelmann. www.alakazam.co.uk. 12.7.25

What's On at Smoke & Mirrors for the August Bank Holiday?
Thursday, August 21st – Daniel Chard: The Modern Magician. Shows at 7pm & 9pm
Friday, August 22nd – Daniel Chard & Mark Bennett: The Stand-Up Magician. Show at 8pm
Saturday, August 23rd – Mark Bennett & Richard Newman. Shows at 7pm & 9pm
Sunday, August 24th – Mark Bennett: 5★ One Man Show. Show at 7pm
Thursday to Sunday, experience a blend of mind-blowing magic and laugh-out-loud comedy in our award-winning theatre pub. www.smokeandmirrorsbar.com. 12.7.25

The Vampires: Dee Christopher & Vita Devoid at The Magicians Table, London on Friday 18th July. Summer Specials at The Magicians Table. From the promoter: Step beyond the veil and into the dark elegance of "The Vampires" - an alluring fusion of vampire mystique, mind-bending mentalism, and powerful magic, brought to life by the sinisterly suave Dee Christopher and the dangerously enchanting Vita DeVoid. This is no ordinary night out. The Magician's Table - London's most exclusive destination for live magic - invites you to an evening soaked in mystery, comedy, and shadowy seduction with "The Vampires", a vampire-themed spectacle of mentalism, magic, and immersive theatre.

Join the deliciously deadpan Dee Christopher, master of the dark arts and dry wit, as he teams up with the gloriously ghoulish Vita DeVoid, vampiress of vintage glam and chaotic charm, in search of the next vampire to join their pack. 7.30pm - 9.30pm on  Friday 18th July at The Magicians Table, 47-49 Tanner Street, London SE1 3PL See www.magicianstablelive.com for more info and to book. 12.7.25

Max Fulham's captivating lecture on Ventriloquism. "What if 'all the world' was your Every Day Carry? A question that Max Fulham's captivating lecture on Ventriloquism, and even its part in magic, answered in Spades..." Read the full review of Max Fulham's recent lecture given to the South Downs Magicians, Click Here. 12.7.25

Cillian O'Connor "Global Child Prodigy Awards 2025". Cillian writes: I'm beyond proud to be named one of the Top 100 Child Prodigies in the World at the Global Child Prodigy Awards 2025 held in London. Thank you to the entire GP Awards team, and the Hindustan Group of Institutions for recognising my journey and giving young voices a powerful platform. To be celebrated among changemakers from around the globe is a dream come true. Magic is my passion and now my voice which I will continue to use to inspire, encourage and to bring awareness. Thank you to my family, friends, mentor Russ Stevens, agent Lee Martin for Gag Reflex Management and to everyone who believes in children like me. The future is bright. 12.7.25

Edinburgh Fringe Magic Spotlight. Kevin Quantum: Unbelievable Magic for Non-Believers. Sceptical? Good. We're here to blow your mind right open. In the first ever magic show made for people that don't believe in magic, Kevin dares you to see the impossible, transforming your scepticism to belief, using science to deceive you... in the way only a former Physics PhD could. Scottish Comedy Award nominee; trained by Penn & Teller. Expect big gasps and raw, unfiltered magic from a world-class showman. Think you know what's real? Think again. 'Astonishing' ***** (Edinburgh Evening News). 'Defies imagination' ***** (Advertiser, Adelaide). See www.assemblyfestival.com for show times. 12.7.25

Dave Loosley Lecture - Medway Magical Society, 15th July. Guy Wade writes: Dave Loosley, The Magic Circle's Close Up Magcian of The Year 2025, will be lecturing for the Medway Magic Society on Tuesday the 15th of July 2025. The lecture will be held at The George Pub, City Way, Rochester. Doors open at 7.30pm and the lecture will start at 8pm. Non-members are welcome and will be charged £10 on the night.

In this lecture, Dave Loosley will take you through the tried and tested routines used hundreds of times in the real world. Dave's magic is easy to perform, very visual to watch and always creative. You are going to learn some incredible magic with sweets, cards, napkins and rubber bands. This lecture will be crammed with great information including the creative process Dave goes through when inventing his unique style of magic and a lot of fun and laughter along the way.

"This is a lecture you cannot afford to miss. It's nice to know the new generation of magic is in safe hands." Wayne Dobson
"If you're looking for some good visual magic with smart, well-constructed methods, then you have to check out Dave Loosley's lecture." Alan Rorrison
"Dave Loosley is one of my favourite creators of modern magic, His tricks are as fun to learn as they are to watch." Kieron Johnson . 12.7.25

Edinburgh Fringe Magic Spotlight. David Alnwick: Objectively the Best Magician. 15 year Edinburgh Fringe veteran David Alnwick returns with fast-paced, hilarious magic. 'The most spontaneously funny magician on the Fringe' **** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Alnwick is wildly, ridiculously popular... Incredible... Daily queues down the street' ***** (WorldMagicReview.com). 'Completely f***ing awesome' **** (Skinny). **** (FringeGuru.com). **** (Deadline News). See www.edfringe.com for show times. 12.7.25

Nikola Arkane's Desert Island Tricks. "In this week's episode, Nikola Arkane reveals the theatrical foundations that elevate her performances from mere tricks to captivating experiences. With a background in drama from Queen's University, Nikola brings a unique perspective to magical performance that transforms standard effects into memorable moments of wonder." YouTube. Brought to you by www.alakazam.co.uk. 12.7.25

Edinburgh Fringe Magic Spotlight. David Alnwick: Occult Illusionist. Hilarious magic with a supernatural theme from a Fringe legend. ***** (ThreeWeeks). ***** (TheSphinx.co.uk). ***** (Suitcase Monkey, YouTube). **** (FringeGuru.com). 'Alnwick has reached a point in his career where he could coast on the formidable skill set that earned him his reputation and probably still cause daily stampedes for a spot in his shows. Instead, he has chosen to innovate, pushing his own boundaries and the boundaries of magic as a genre... Incredible… Daily queues down the street' ***** (WorldMagicReview.com). See www.edfringe.com for show times. 12.7.25

Edinburgh Fringe Magic Spotlight.  Mason King: The Mind Spy. Mind reader, mentalist and psychological magician Mason King returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with a thrilling, interactive journey into the inner depths of your mind! Could you be a Mind Spy?! Step into the world of covert psychic experiments where the audience become the test subjects. Thought transmission, remote viewing and precognition are put to the test in this exciting and immersive experience inspired by the real-life psychic research conducted under Project Stargate in the 1970's. Let the transmission begin... 'Astounding!' ***** (FringeReview.ca). 'Mind Blowing!' **** ½ (TheatreAndArtReviews.com). See www.edfringe.com for show times. 12.7.25

Ulster Society of Magicians AGM. James Hobart writes: At the AGM on Monday 7th July Alan Kennedy (pictured left) took over as Chairman of The Ulster Society of Magicians. He joins Alan Curran (Vice Chairman), James Hobart (Secretary), Paula McIntyre (Treasurer), Lucie Wilson (Membership Secretary), Darren Close John Donnelly and newcomer Harry Gilliland on committee. David McAuley continues as Auditor with David Lillie as Welfare Officer. Paul Gomac is in office already, as Vice President, and Fay Presto as President continues for a further two seasons. www.ulstersocietyofmagicians.com. 12.7.25

The Karl Fulves Convention, London - today! The Karl Fulves Convention (KFC) will be held this year on Saturday 12th July from 1pm at The Sir John Oldcastle pub, 29-35 Farringdon Road, London EC1M 3JF (on the corner of Farringdon Road and Greville Street, a five minute walk from International Magic in Clerkenwell Road).

The KFC is a highly informal afternoon set up to honour the most important close-up magician of the 20th century. Attendance is free but you are required to show at least one trick by Fulves, or from any of his publications. To commemorate its 10th anniversary, this year's convention promises a few surprises! At 5.30pm there will be a lecture and a second-hand book sale at the nearby Betsey Trotwood pub if there is enough interest. For more information email abrown.kfc@gmail.com. 12.7.25

New President of the Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians. On Wednesday 9th July, The Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians welcomed their new President, Lee Raybone. Lee's year begins on Wednesday 3rd September. For information about the events planned for Lee's year see www.wcm-magic.co.uk. 12.7.25

Upcoming I.B.M. British Ring Competitions. Cameron Gibson writes: There's still time to enter the International Brotherhood of Magicians' British Ring close-up and stage competitions 2025! Both competitions will take place in Hinckley as part of the I.B.M. British Ring One Day Convention on Sunday 14th September 2025! For more information or to enter please contact Cameron Gibson (Close-Up competition organiser) info@cameron-gibson.com or Oliver Tabor (Stage competition organiser) otmagicfx@hotmail.com. Convention tickets: Click Here. 12.7.25

New Releases From MLM. Two fresh routines have been made available in the Mark Leveridge Magic Select range. 1. The Off-By-One Prediction. A deck is shuffled by a spectator and the performer then places on the table, sight unseen, a prediction card that he hopes, in a few moments time, will be a suit colour and number match for a second freely chosen card. Spreading the deck face down an onlooker is invited to touch any card, his selection being left face up in its position in the deck. However, when the prediction is turned over, it is not the promised matching card! Disaster is averted when the card immediately next to the one touched in the shuffled deck does turn out to be the required match! Easy to do, this can be performed with any regular deck and without any get ready.

2. The Passage Of Time. From a purse, which represents the 'past', the performer tips a single coin. In order to fix the coin in the 'present', stickers bearing the initials of the performer and a watching spectator are attached to both sides of the money. The coin is then placed under a handkerchief which is held by a spectator. A second purse, which represents the 'future', is shown to be empty and is handed out for examination, after which it is left in view on the table. The performer takes back the handkerchief covered coin and invites a spectator to snap their fingers and to then pull the handkerchief away. On doing so the coin has vanished. So the money has left the 'present', but has it arrived in the 'future'? With empty hands the magician opens the second examined purse and tips the signed coin out from inside.

These are just the latest two releases in the Select range, which features for a limited period routines previously available only in E-Club Pro. Each effect costs £7.00 and details of every effect can be found at www.markleveridge.co.uk. 12.7.25

It's not magic, but... Something new from MagicWeek! "It's not magic, but..." will appear here occasionally, featuring an item that I hope will be of interest to magicians, that's not actually 'magic', but perhaps related in some way. I'm starting off with this Vanity Fair video, in which the ever-creative Wes Anderson talks about his movies. Sometimes It's not magic, but... will link to an online article or video, and sometimes it will be my own thoughts on anything and everything. DT.

Every Wes Anderson Movie, Explained by Wes Anderson - Vanity Fair. "When you're writing a story, it often feels less like you're doing architecture and more like you're doing excavation–we're just unearthing it." Wes Anderson had made 12 films over 29 years, making his name widely known for his distinctive visual style of symmetrical compositions, vivid color palettes and unique camera movements. From his very first film 'Bottle Rocket' to his great hits like 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'The Royal Tenenbaums,'' Wes Anderson takes a look at all of his films and discusses in detail how they came to life: YouTube. 12.7.25

"Derren Brown: Master illusionist bringing 'Only Human' tour to Edinburgh in 2026 - here's how to get tickets" Click Here • "Abracadabra! Top magician appears on Your Voice - Dorset Podcast" Click Here • "Magician-Comedian David Shao Brings One-Night-Only Solo Show Shower to Ontario" Click Here • "Before He Conquered The Box Office, Christopher Nolan Won This Dueling Movies Battle" Click Here • "Las Vegas Illusionist Xavier Mortimer to Appear at Powers" Click Here • It's great to see such a large contingent from the UK competing at FISM this time around - have lots of fun everyone! Your UK magic news, big and small, always welcomed - please submit by Thursday if possible, absolute deadline 12 noon Friday. See you next week, Duncan. 12.7.25

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