Number
1367 - Saturday 5th September 2026
Piff and Pop's Magic Shoppe - UK Tour from Thursday... Penn Jillette and Piff the Magic Dragon will tour the UK for the very first time with new show Piff and Pop's Magic Shoppe for nine dates in September 2026, featuring MagicWeek favourite, Mr Piffles – the world's only magic-performing Chihuahua.
Piff and Pop's Magic Shoppe, promises a night of jaw-dropping magic, side-splitting comedy, and unforgettable showmanship. Split in two halves, Act one will feature a solo act from both Pop (Penn Jillette) and Piff The Magic Dragon, along with Mr Piffles. Each will take to the stage to showcase their signature styles of magic, wit and wonder from Penn's sharp storytelling and world-class sleight of hand to Piff's eccentric comedy and offbeat illusions. Act two will see the pair return to the stage as a duo, blending their unique talents into a one-of-a-kind double act. Expect the unexpected as the ''Dragons' combine forces into a larger-than-life finale.
Since 2001, Penn & Teller have headlined
at the Rio Hotel & Casino, earning the distinction of the
longest-running residency in Las Vegas history for a magic act, as well
as numerous awards and accolades including their recent induction into
The Magic Circle. Piff the Magic Dragon, described as "the greatest
performing dragon of all time," rose to international fame on America's
Got Talent and quickly became a Las Vegas sensation. Since 2015, Piff
has headlined his own residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas, delighting
audiences with his offbeat humour, inventive illusions, and the world's
only magic-performing Chihuahua, Mr. Piffles.
Thursday, 10th Sep 2026 Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth
Friday, 11th Sep 2026 New Theatre, Cardiff
Sunday, 13th Sep 2026 Theatre Royal, Brighton
Tuesday, 15th Sep 2026 indigo at The O2, London
Wednesday, 16th Sep 2026 New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Thursday, 17th Sep 2026 Opera House, Manchester
Saturday, 19th Sep 2026 Opera House, York
Sunday, 20th Sep 2026 Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle
Monday, 21st Sep 2026 Pavilion, Glasgow
Book via www.aegpresents.co.uk. 5.9.26
Pre-Convention
Event Announcement from the I.B.M. British Ring Convention Organisers:
The Ali Bongo Micro Marathon. To get things started the Ali Bongo
Micro Marathon will be held the night before the Convention, on Friday
18th September at 8pm in The Old Club House, Buxton. This has always
been a special event at our conventions and we are looking forward to
bringing our magic to the people of Buxton.
Any British Ring member who wishes to enter and take part in this
fabulous event in memory of the incomparable Ali Bongo, should email
Rick Tynan
treasurer@britishring.org.uk. Everyone is welcome to come and share
this free event with us. To register for the full convention:
Click Here. For more convention information visit
www.britishring.org.uk.
5.9.26
Blackpool
Magic Convention Family Entertainer of the Year. So you think you
can win? Calling all Family Entertainers worldwide! Applications to
enter our Family Entertainer of the Year competition are now open and
it's easy to apply. Submit a short performance video of no more than 10
minutes for a chance to appear in the live final on the incredible Opera
House Theatre stage at The Blackpool Magic Convention 2027! Send your
performance video, along with your details to:
familyentertainer@blackpoolmagicconvention.com Applications close
30th December 2026.
www.blackpoolmagicconvention.com.
5.9.26
Leeds
Magic Jam - tomorrow, Sunday 6th September!
Chris Stewart writes: Leeds Magic
Jam is a one day magic convention with world class lectures, dealers and
loads more. Leeds Magic Jam 2026 will be held on Sunday 6th September at
Garforth Welfare Hall, 56 Main Street, Garforth, Leeds LS25 1AA. Our
venue has lots of free parking opposite, is only a 5 minute walk from
Garforth train station, and is close to lots of cafes, shops and bars.
All of our guests will be performing and lecturing for you, at this one
day, intimate convention! Not only that, but we will have dealers
providing everything from second-hand gems to the latest and greatest
releases... from independent creators, to mainstream suppliers... there
really is something for everyone from our dealers! Check out Facebook for up to date
information:
www.facebook.com/leedsmagicjam. The main event will run from 10.30am
and finish at 4.30pm, after the event has finished we will head to a
local bar to continue the jamming till late.
www.ticketebo.co.uk/leeds-magic-jam.
5.9.26
Christian
Grace Lecture - 3SM Cannock, 7th September. Ian Brennan writes: 3SM
are proud to be hosting Christian Grace as their opening lecture for
their new season. This will be at 8pm on Monday 7th September at The
Greenheath Club, 21 Blewitt Street, WS12 4BE Cannock. All magicians are
welcome. Non-members door fee of £10.
5.9.26
Sounds
Impossible: Casefile 13. A gripping new play about magic, music and
other invisible forces, written and directed by Neil Kelso. There's an
agency that doesn't officially exist - responsible for all those small
impossible things that keep the world running roughly on schedule: the
near-misses, the strange coincidences, the just-in-times. Somewhere in
there, a file has gone missing, and one agent, working off the books,
has just one evening to put it right before everything unravels.
From the writer and director of "Dead on Time" (shortlisted for Broadway
World's Best Immersive Show of 2025), the Edinburgh Fringe hit Sounds
Impossible returns in an all-new production: part detective story,
part fever dream, told through live music and magic.
"One of the best shows to see at the Fringe" The Herald.
"Impressive" World Magic Review.
"Pick of the Fringe. Five Stars" Mervyn Stutter.
Tuesday 8th September, doors open 6.45pm. Price: Pay What You Can. How
to Book:
www.hoxtonhall.co.uk. Hoxton Hall, 130 Hoxton Street, London N1 6SH.
5.9.26
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This
week, Paul Daniels from 'The Paul Daniels Magic Show ' on 3rd January
1987. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The
MagicWeek Video Archive
Click Here.
5.9.26
The
Order of the Magi Comedy & Cabaret Magic Competition - 8th September.
Jonathan Royle writes: On Tuesday 8th September at 7.30pm members of The
Order of The Magi will compete to win Awards for Best Comedy Act and
Best Overall Cabaret Magic Act at The Irish World Heritage Centre in
Manchester, which has its own car park and is located close to Queens
Road Metrolink station. Entrance is free to come and watch. See
www.orderofthemagi.co.uk.
5.9.26
Chris
Funk's Desert Island Tricks. "A card rises to the top of the deck
because a violin is playing and somehow that makes perfect sense by the time
it's over. That's the kind of 'how is this even happening?' thinking we love and
it's why we've wanted Chris Funk on for years. Chris is a touring magician known
for Redefining Wonder and for bringing music into modern stage magic in a way
that feels lived-in, not bolted on..."
YouTube.
Brought to you by
www.alakazam.co.uk.
5.9.26.
North
Wales Magic Circle Annual Dinner & Cabaret - St George's Hotel
Llandudno, 14th November. Macauley Knight writes: The North Wales
Magic Circle is delighted to announce our much-anticipated Annual Dinner
& Cabaret, taking place on Saturday, 14th November, with the evening
beginning at 7pm in the St George's Hotel in Llandudno, North Wales.
Prepare for a spectacular evening of magic, entertainment, great food,
and fantastic company. We are thrilled to welcome Rick Green, the
incredible magician as seen on Britain's Got Talent, who will amaze and
astonish with his unforgettable performance. We're also delighted to
have the amazing David Stevens providing superb live vocals throughout
the evening, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy.
As if that wasn't enough, there'll be a huge raffle with fantastic
prizes, plenty of laughs, and lots more surprises throughout the night.
Tickets are strictly limited, so don't miss out! Book now via our club
website to avoid disappointment:
www.nwalesmagic.co.uk We can't wait to welcome you for a truly
magical evening!
5.9.26
Fortitude
- Official Trailer
YouTube. "The greatest deception the world has ever seen. Check out the trailer
for Fortitude, an upcoming action drama film starring Matthew Goode, Ed Skrein,
Jordi Mollà, Alice Eve, Art Malik, Lukas Haas, Adrian Topol, Emilio Sakraya,
Maeve Courtier-Lilley, Paul Anderson, with Sir Ben Kingsley, with Michael Sheen
and Nicolas Cage..." Also see
www.warhistoryonline.com
and
www.warhistoryonline.com and
www.wikipedia.org. "Netflix Hit With $105 Million Suit After Losing
Copy of Nicolas Cage WWII Film"
www.variety.com [Jasper Maskelyne history buffs will be interested
in this one].
5.9.26
Charlie
Hewish Lecture - The Surrey
Society of Magicians, 10th September. Paul Dickson writes:
Charlie Hewish is a magician and mindreader whose work combines close-up
magic, psychology and creative thinking. A member of The Magic Circle,
he also works behind the scenes developing magic for other performers,
including collaborating with Dynamo on his Up Close & Magical live show,
and consulting on effects for television, stage and social media.
For his Surrey lecture, 'The Thinking Behind the Magic', Charlie will
focus on practical, commercial mentalism developed through professional
performance and consultancy work. Rather than simply explaining methods,
the evening is about the creative decisions that turn a trick into
something an audience actually remembers.
What to Expect:
Original routines exploring false memories, impossible locations, peeks
and predictions.
Practical applications of one-ahead techniques.
Visual moments alongside more traditional mentalism.
The thinking and framing that can turn a method into a stronger
presentation.
Ideas for creating original material, rather than simply reproducing
existing routines.
Material and principles adaptable to both close-up and stage
performance.
Thursday 10th September. The Surrey Society of Magicians, Nomad Theatre,
Bishopsmead Parade, East Horsley, Leatherhead KT24 6RT. Doors 7.30pm.
Lecture 8pm. 15-minute interval. Ends 10pm. Visiting Magicians are
welcome with a £10 fee, payable on the door.
www.surreysocietyofmagicians.co.uk.
5.9.26
New
From MLM Select. Mark Leveridge's Select range features a rolling
list of 10 downloadable routines which have been extracted from the
members' only E-Club Pro files and made generally available for a
limited period. Here is one of the latest additions. Quad Bikes.
A card is chosen from a shuffled deck by a spectator – let's imagine it
is the 3C. Splitting the deck into two halves, the 3C is inserted into
one half at a position decided by the helper. The spectator then touches
any card from the second deck half. When the two cards either side of
the 3C are shown, they turn out to be the 3H and 3D, while the touched
card in the other completes the set of four as it is the 3S. Just
requires a regular deck and one simple, quick set up. Price: £7.00
(£3.50 for members of E-Club Pro). To watch a dem and to order go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
5.9.26
Brian
Lead Lecture - Liverpool Mahatma Magic Circle, 10th September.
Liverpool Mahatma Magic Circle is delighted to welcome Brian Lead, Member of the
Inner Magic Circle, who will be presenting: 'A Deadly Way to Make a Living: The Lamentable Fate of Chung Ling Soo, Marvellous
Chinese Conjuror'.
Brian has carried out extensive research into the fascinating story and
mysterious death of Chung Ling Soo, including interviews with first-hand
witnesses and examination of contemporary evidence surrounding the events of
that fateful night in 1918.
It promises to be a fascinating evening exploring the facts, fiction and myths
surrounding one of the most intriguing figures in the history of magic.
Thursday 10th September at
8pm at Liverpool Mahatma Magic Circle,
St Stephen's Church Hall,
St Stephen's Road,
Hightown
L38 0BL.
Entry is free for members and £15 for visiting magicians.
5.9.26
Michael
Warlock Lecture - York Magic Circle, 7th September. "I'm so excited to share the secrets I've created
and discovered over 15 wonderful
years of professional performance experience. Unlock your Creativity!
This is the lecture if your club wants an interactive session that helps: Maximise the impact of your magic, Synergise your
'carry', Unlock real creativity.
Designed for workers and passionate hobbyists who want usable, practical
thinking they can apply the very next day."
"Personable, refreshing and brilliant ideas." Adrian Fox, President, Southend Sorcerers Society.
"His creations are made to perfection." Steve Dela MIMC.
"His ideas about using existing props and squeezing every last ounce
out of them was a breath of fresh air. Highly recommended by me!" Chris Congreave.
7.30pm on Monday, 7th September. £5 for non-members. Plenty of free parking (including disabled), and of course, a fully licensed bar! York Magic Circle, 302 Thanet Road, York YO24 2NW www.yorkmagiccircle.co.uk. (Note: This replaces the previously planned Jamie Williams lecture). 5.9.26
The
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Los Angeles. Founded by George Lucas
and his wife Mellody Hobson, the museum will showcase all types of
visual storytelling, including painting, film, photography, sculpture,
illustration, comic art, performance, and video. The building itself is
stunning, designed by Ma Yansong of Chinese architecture firm MAD
Architects
www.i-mad.com. I plan a visit! DT
"First look at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in L.A." YouTube.
"A new galaxy of creativity: George Lucas unveils Museum of Narrative Art in LA" YouTube.
"Get an inside look at LA's highly anticipated Lucas Museum of Narrative Art" YouTube. 5.9.26
"Juan Tamariz, Master Magician of Misdirection and Joy, Dies at 83"
[requires free sign-up]
Click Here • "Golden Buzzer: Hundred Fingers' Unbelievable Magic Will Leave
You Speechless - Quarterfinals AGT"
YouTube
[great act! DT] • "Gloucestershire magician wins corporate entertainment award"
Click Here • "Mario the Maker Magician keeps wonder alive for kids"
Click Here • "TrickStars – One More Time!", reviewed by Steve Majes this
week, Click Here
• "Front Row: World-famous magician performs secret Sydney show - until one fan
ruins the illusion"
Click Here • "''Chinese' magician who died on stage, shot by his own gun"
Click Here • Best of
luck to Young & Strange with their next-round AGT appearance on Tuesday.
That's it for another week. Your UK magic news is always
welcomed - see you next week, Duncan.
5.9.26