Number
1088 - Saturday 1st May 2021
Ehrlich
Brothers Dream & Fly, The SSE Arena, London. Saturday, 4th September
2021. Limited tickets now available. In this gigantic show, the two
World Record breaking magicians will present jaw-dropping and unique
illusions that have to be seen to be believed in their spectacular live
show. They will appear from nowhere with a helicopter, fly in a golden
Lamborghini and make the world's largest candy jar appear. In addition,
the two magic brothers will perform magic in the middle of the audience.
Andreas and Chris Ehrlich said: "After our first phenomenal show in
2019 in the UK, we were very excited to come back to The SSE Arena in
2020. Unfortunately, Covid-19 thwarted our plans. We are very happy that
we have now found a new date. See you on 4th September 2021"
Tickets:
www.axs.com. 1.5.21
David
Copperfield's History of Magic - now available for pre-order! By
David Copperfield, Richard Wiseman and David Britland, with photographs
by Homer Liwag. An
illustrated, illuminating insight into the world of illusion from the
world's greatest and most successful magician, capturing its audacious
and inventive practitioners, and showcasing the art form's most famous
artifacts housed at David Copperfield's secret museum.
In this personal journey through a unique and remarkable performing art,
David Copperfield profiles twenty-eight of the world's most
groundbreaking magicians. From the 16th-century magistrate who wrote the
first book on conjuring to the roaring twenties and the man who fooled
Houdini, to the woman who levitated, vanished, and caught bullets in her
teeth, David Copperfield's History of Magic takes you on a wild
journey through the remarkable feats of the greatest magicians in
history.
These magicians were all outsiders in their own way, many of them
determined to use magic to escape the strictures of class and
convention. But they all transformed popular culture, adapted to social
change, discovered the inner workings of the human mind, embraced the
latest technological and scientific discoveries, and took the art of
magic to unprecedented heights.
The incredible stories are complimented by over 100 never-before-seen
photographs of artifacts from Copperfield's exclusive Museum of Magic,
including a 16th-century manual on sleight of hand, Houdini's
straightjackets, handcuffs, and water torture chamber, Dante's famous
sawing-in-half apparatus, Alexander's high-tech turban that allowed him
to read people's minds, and even some coins that may have magically
passed through the hands of Abraham Lincoln. By the end of the book,
you'll be sure to share Copperfield's passion for the power of magic.
This title will be released on October 26th, 2021 and is now available
for pre-order from
www.amazon.co.uk.
1.5.21
Ben
Hart: Live - Brighton Fringe 2021. Britain’s Got Talent Finalist,
West End star and multi-award-winning magician Ben Hart is bringing his
unique brand of magic to Brighton. Described by David Walliams as "the
living embodiment of magic", Ben has played to royalty, heads of state
and celebrities, in West End theatres, international arenas and on
dozens of UK and international TV shows, including his own series on BBC
Three, on The One Show and on BBC One’s "Now You See It". A show that
shines a light on magic, life, the universe and the darkest corners of
your imaginations. With the simplest of props, using the objects and
minds of the audience, Ben Hart conjures an altogether new kind of
magic. "Unbelievable! That was unbelievable" Simon Cowell.
Brighton Fringe 2021: 29th May, 27th June, 4th July. See
www.brightonfringe.org for more info and to book.
1.5.21
Las
Vegas Magic Star Jeff McBride brings a new kind of magic show to screens
worldwide starting May 7th. Las Vegas master magician Jeff McBride
has used his time during the pandemic to create something utterly
unique. McBride’s latest creation, Jeff McBride – MagicQuest uses
the Zoom platform to deliver truly interactive magic and storytelling
over the internet. After months of development with his team, McBride
has combined his magical performance with the tale of his life-long
quest to uncover the secrets of real magic. With MagicQuest, he invites
audiences into his home – his House of Mystery – for a unique experience
that is part show, part tour, that even includes a special VIP after
party.
Few performing magicians will profess to believing in "real magic", but
McBride has been on a lifelong quest to discover just that. Has he found
it? The answer is Jeff McBride – MagicQuest. Tracing his career,
which has paralleled his quest, for over 40 years, the show is filled
not only with amazing magic, but with stories of his travels,
revelations, and his continuing search for the magical.
Jeff McBride – MagicQuest opens its doors to the public on
Friday, May 7th at 7pm (Las Vegas time), over the Zoom platform. Tickets
range from $30 per screen, up to the $100 VIP ticket, which includes an
after party, where guests can interact with McBride, see parts of his
House of Mystery never before revealed to the general public, and even
receive a special 'Treasure Chest' of rarely seen McBride video,
graphics, and other mementos. Only 8 performances, with 100 tickets
available for each, are currently available.
McBride’s show is not the first magic show on Zoom. In fact, he and the
team from his McBride’s Magic & Mystery School have been producing a
weekly Monday Night Mystery School show online for almost ten years, the
last 14 months of which have utilized the Zoom platform. "I love the
real interactivity of the medium," says McBride. "It allows me to
interact with audience members even more directly than you can do with
live audiences in the theater."
McBride is joined by producer/director Tobias Beckwith, his longtime
manager and producer who has worked with him since the late 1980s. Also
on board is technical producer Scott Steelfyre. Such magical luminaries
as Max Maven and David Copperfield have lent their expertise and advice
to the creation of the show, as well. Jeff McBride – MagicQuest
opens May 7th at 7 pm (Las Vegas time) and runs for 8 performances
through May 16th. Audiences can learn about Jeff McBride, this show,
view a video trailer and purchase tickets by visiting
www.mcbridemagic.com.
1.5.21
Magicseen
issue 98 May 2021. The latest edition of the UK's only independent
magic magazine is now out and has modest mentalism maestro Michael
Murray on the cover and in the feature article inside. He is joined by
top international escapologist Andrew Basso, quirky medicine show
magician Greg Solomon, and the Amazing Johnathan returns for the second
and concluding part of his in-depth interview. If you worry about making
performance mistakes, our Skating On Thin Ice article will help you to
take steps to avoid many of them, and if you're feeling up to it, you
can read the latest diatribe from magic's favourite moaner in the Grumpy
Old Magician Does Lockdown. If you want to learn some magic, Gregg Webb
and John Bannon provide excellent effects in the Masterclass, and you
can also win a John Bannon 4 DVD box set courtesy of BigBlindMedia in
the competition we are running. All this plus so much more awaits your
attention in the May issue, and you can secure your copy via a 6 month,
1 year or 2 year printed copy or download sub, or by buying the
individual issue right now from
www.magicseen.com.
1.5.21
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This
week the magical mime of Tina Lenert in a guest appearance on The Paul
Daniels Magic Show on 16th October 1982. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The
MagicWeek Video Archive
Click Here.
1.5.21
Richard Young on The Magicians' Advice Podcast. Hosted by Phil Taylor and Ian Brennan. Episode 152: Richard Young, Performing on stage and releasing Magic. Richard Young joins Ian and Phil to chat about Stage magic, life on the road, and Richard's new release of Bob Swadling's Torn and Restored Card. www.magiciansadvice.com. 1.5.21
R&D
Mind Control Tour, August 2021. Rick Green and Dean Williamson, aka
R&D Mind Control, present an Evening of Magic and Mind Reading. From the
promoters: Highly interactive and theatrical we begin with Mind Reader
Dean Williamson who will open the evening with his 'Influence' show.
This show transcends what it means to influence and be influenced.
Followed by International Personality Magician Rick Green back
performing in the UK for the first time in eleven years. He was the
first magician to get a yes from every judge on Britain's Got Talent.
Rick will take you through a spectrum of magic from pure sleight of hand
to grand illusion. With support from comedy magician Lewis Hill.
Early bird tickets £15 each. Families welcome (minimum age 12).
7th August: Layton Institute - 30 Westcliffe Drive, Layton, Blackpool FY3 7HG.
11th August: Alexander's Live - Rufus Court, Chester CH1 2JW.
13th August: Prohibition Cabaret Bar - 25-27 Pink Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5DW.
See www.events.factoryofmagic.com for more info and to book. 1.5.21
Zoom
presentation on Sideshow Showman Jon Gresham. On Tuesday 4th May at
7.30pm Jon Marshall presents a live Zoom presentation featuring the
story of Jon and Pat Gresham's Sideshow illusion empire, his
fire-eating, cinema, magical and theatrical exploits and how his Museum,
Penny Arcadia, Europe's largest collection of coin operated amusement
machines, came into being. Later Penny Arcadia became Pocklington Arts
Centre a vibrant and popular cultural and entertainment venue in
Yorkshire. The Arts Centre has just celebrated their 20th Anniversary.
Tickets for From Penny Arcadia to Pocklington Arts Centre are available
from
www.pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk.
1.5.21
Blink
2 - New from Read My Mind. Designed by Looch and produced by the
incredibly talented Alan Wong, Blink 2 is a modern peek case that
offers a variety of peeks to suit its owner. You are still able to
utilise the peek methods used in our original Blink but now you
have the ability to work with a myriad of new peek mechanics such as the
Turnover Peek and the now legendary Hookway Peek! Blink 2 has an
integrated money clip built into the gimmick which allows you to hold
bank notes/predictions etc., and the pockets are wide enough to
accommodate Poker size cards.
In 2018 we brought you the original Blink. A premium leather business card case designed to do one thing perfectly... peek! Blink quickly sold out and was regarded by many of the world's top mentalists as one of the finest peek cases ever. Soon after the release of Blink, Looch was already creating designs for its successor. The fundamental mechanics behind Blink's ingenious peek were retained, but this time built into a modern, minimalist, business card case. Limited Edition. Find out more: www.readmymind.co.uk. 1.5.21
Wayne
& Mike’s Coffee Morning. Wayne and Mike start every Friday with
a chat, a coffee and a surprise guest.
This week: Gary & Paul from The Twins FX, Part Two.
YouTube.
1.5.21
The
May 2021 E-Video Newsletter. This month Mark Leveridge's online
magic video programme runs for 43 minutes and includes: The Teach In
– learn a simple ‘regular deck’ variation to the Brainwave deck. Pro
Peeks – a nice coins and purse routine is extracted this month from
E-Club Pro’s Vintage Vault. Keeping Control Unplugged – part 11
discusses when and how to pack your show to get the best out of it at
the venue. Web Offers – dems and info on a children’s routine and
a quirky close up effect which are both discounted this month. 60
Seconds To Success – how to implement a simple piece of card
handling that will dramatically improve trick endings. The Review
Corner – taking a look at Isolated, a special deck to create a
version of ACAAN. Anyone who is signed up to Mark's free E-Club Lite
will receive an email that contains the link to access the E-Video
Newsletter, so if you are not currently a member and would like to
register, go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk/#e-prices.
1.5.21
Light
and Heavy Chest - Merlins. There are lots of versions of this effect
on the market, but we believe this is one of the best available. The
wooden box is carried on by the magician and placed down. It is opened
and items are taken out and replaced during a performance. At any time,
a spectator is asked to pick up the box and move it. Amazingly, no
matter how hard the spectator tries, they can not lift the box. The
magician says there must be too much in it, so opens the box and removes
a hanky or other small item. The magician then lifts the box and moves
it very easily. The box is under the magician's control, so lots of
bi-play and routines can be created to make this a feature item of
anyone's act. Comes with instructions and ideas:
www.merlinswakefield.co.uk.
1.5.21
Ring
and String Deluxe - Mark Leveridge Magic. Mark Leveridge’s original Ring and
String routine comprised of four moves – 1 ring on and 3 ring off handlings –
and as No.6 in the Master Routine Series, it has proved hugely successful and
popular for many years. This PDF download features the original four moves plus
two further ones making it a comprehensive collection of great looking ring and
string handlings.
There are two ‘ring on’ moves, including Mark’s famous Dip Down Move which is
considered by many to be one of the best ring moves ever created, and four ‘ring
off’ handlings, including Mark’s Squeeze Move which has fooled many magicians
never mind lay people. The supplied PDF explains each of the moves clearly and
succinctly, and the text is accompanied by some excellent colour photos which
really help to make everything easy to understand. With no gimmicks required
(you simply borrow a finger ring and use any length of cord or round shoelace),
this is the ultimate selection of natural looking moves with which to amaze and
entertain your audiences. For more info, to watch a video, and to order visit
www.markleveridge.co.uk. 15.21
The Simpsons with guests Penn & Teller. Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder. Series 11, episode 6. "After a rotten day, Homer bowls a perfect 300 game, and becomes a local hero. But his fame soon fades, and to keep himself from gloom, Homer decides to focus his attention on baby Maggie. Guest Starring Penn and Teller, Ron Howard, Nancy O'Dell and Pat O'Brien as themselves." Monday 3rd May on Sky One. See TV Magic. 1.5.21
Name
It - Alakazam. Name It is an amazing card routine in which
you'll show spectators that all of their choices were predicted from the
start. At no time will they expect the final reveal! Name It is a
modern, high-impact, take on spelling tricks, with, for once, a truly
magical finale. Simple to perform and requiring almost no memory work,
this effect will enter your repertoire and become a killer routine that
you will always have with you to impress those around you! You will
receive the effect and the gimmicks necessary to complete this trick,
all you have to do is customize them with your own predictions, your own
language, and you will be ready! Watch the trailer and find out more,
see
www.alakazam.co.uk.
1.5.21
John
Kimmons Zoom Lecture, Wednesday 5th May 2021 at 8pm. Des King
writes: South Downs Magicians have a Zoom lecture on the 5th May by John
Kimmons on comedy and family entertainment. This will be a great night
as Kimmo is one of the very best and funniest family entertainers
around. South Downs Magicians invite full members of other magic clubs
to this lecture for the small price of £8.00. Anyone interested should
contact Jonathan Cann
jcann27@gmail.com 01444 320409 or 07850 917126
www.southdownsmagicians.co.uk.
1.5.21
Tony
Griffith's Zoom Lecture. Tony Griffith writes: How are Mifelew,
Becton and Coffrin connected? To find out you will have to book Tony
Griffith’s ‘Art of The Magician’ Zoom lecture. It contains a bit of
history, anecdotes and many easy to do commercial tricks you will want
to do. Climb on board and get the benefit of 30 years of professional
experience. Available worldwide. Details: 01275 835463
tony@tonygriffith.co.uk
www.tonygriffith.co.uk.
1.5.21
Now You See Me 2. Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson and Morgan Freeman are among the returning cast of Jon Chu's sequel to the crime thriller about magicians who stage seemingly impossible heists. The previous movie saw the Four Horsemen - Danny Atlas, Merritt McKinney, Henley Reeves and Jack Wilder - emerge from nowhere, use perfectly crafted illusions to rob a Parisian bank, fleece an insurance magnate of hundreds of millions of dollars, shower their fans in cash... and then vanish again. But before disappearing they framed Thaddeus Bradley for their crimes. Now, the jailed former magician who publicly reveals how tricks are done, aims to exact revenge on the Horsemen. And Bradley may get his opportunity when the Horsemen - minus Reeves, who has been replaced by Lula May - eventually surface in the employ of a tech genius who needs to recover a stolen gadget that can decrypt and access all electronic devices. Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan. Saturday 1st May on Film4. See TV Magic. 1.5.21
Magic on Game of Talents tonight! Vernon Kay hosts a game show in which contestants pair up with celebrities to try to uncover the secret talents of the eight mystery performers in each episode. With big money prizes up for grabs if they get it right, will they be able to tell the fire-eater from the footballer or the line dancer from the lion tamer based solely on the performers' appearances and some intriguing clues? See TV Magic. 1.5.21
"Edinburgh
Castle magician performs daredevil flaming cannonball pendulum stunt"
Click Here and
YouTube
• "Britain’s Got Talent magician Richard Jones reveals his heartbreak after
losing best friend and manager to Covid"
Click Here • "Globetrotting twin magicians in homecoming live show"
Click Here • "Dancing On Ice star and magician Ben Hanlin shares very
embarrassing parenting moment as he discusses life as a dad"
Click Here • "Kent Magicians Guild in Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, recruiting
new members as performers emerge from lockdown"
Click Here • "Reopening theatres: a rolling list of venues and shows that have
confirmed returns"
Click Here • Thank you to everyone who submitted news this week, it is
always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan.
1.5.21
MagicWeek TM
magic magazine -
Created and Produced
by Duncan Trillo MIMC © 2000-2021
The UK Directory of Magicians:
www.corporatemagicians.com
Directory of local
children's entertainers:
www.childrenspartyshows.co.uk
Magic shops, below:
Number
1087 - Saturday 24th April 2021
After
a dry spell, there's magic brewing in the West End with Wonderment
- Palace Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, London, 16th July - 30th August.
From the promoter: There’s magic brewing in the West End once more. A vaudevillian journey
of illusion, with performers at the cutting edge of their art,
Wonderment is set to astonish audiences this summer at the Palace
Theatre. This fun night for all the family must be seen to be believed.
Wonderment brings together some of the greatest illusionists live
on stage in breathtaking displays of magic and illusion that will
electrify, surprise and delight. Taking to the stage will be the
multi-award-winning mind reader and TV star, Chris Cox, and the most
talked about woman in magic, Josephine Lee.
The star of CBBC’s Chris Cox’s Mind Boggling Magic, Chris Cox has
sold out UK tours and runs at Fringe Festivals from Edinburgh to New
Zealand, and is the only mind reader in history to have played the West
End, Broadway and Sydney Opera House. Josephine Lee took the magic world
by storm after her appearance on Britain’s Got Talent in 2017.
Her dynamic and modern spin on illusion saw her act hit millions of
views overnight.
Both stars of The Illusionists which has played on Broadway, the
West End and across the globe, as well as Impossible which
travelled from the West End on to a world tour, Josephine and Chris are
only the first incredible artists to be announced. Five acts will
showcase their awe-inspiring talents at every performance and the rest
of the line-up will soon be announced.
Director, Annabel Mutale Reed comments, It’s an absolute privilege to
be creating Wonderment with world class magicians, who are bringing
their greatest illusions to the West End this summer. Audiences have
been making memories at The Palace Theatre for 130 years, and we are
delighted to be filling its stage with a vibrant 2021 twist on an
old-fashioned variety show. Wonderment is an exhilarating, mind-bending
show that really has to be seen to be believed, all under the roof of
what was once described as ‘The Handsomest Music Hall in Europe’!
Wonderment producer, Stephen McGill comments, We are so excited to
bring some magic and wonder to the West End again, which we know has
been sorely missed during this difficult last year. Our fun-packed
family show is full of magic, illusion, and comedy. It promises some
old-fashioned entertainment with some innovative, fresh, contemporary
style and exceptional performers. We hope it will cast a spell over our
audiences and fill them with Wonderment!
Nica Burns comments, Wonderment: fantastic and fantastical, full of
surprises and marvel. Hugely entertaining. A perfect summer show for
all. Just the tonic.
Palace Theatre, London. 16th July - 30th August. Website: www.wondermentlive.com Box Office: www.nimaxtheatres.com/theatres/palace-theatre. 24.4.21
Edinburgh Castle hosts world premiere of spectacular stunt by
scientist and magician Kevin Quantum. On Thursday 29th April,
scientist and magician Kevin Quantum will celebrate the journey out of
Covid-19 adversity by staging the world premiere of a spectacular
demonstration of courage, optimism and harmony at Edinburgh Castle.
Broadcast worldwide on
YouTube,
the premiere of Flaming Cannonballs at Edinburgh Castle will show
Quantum relying on science, self-belief and hope as he attempts to walk
blindfolded through nine flaming cannonballs swinging from a huge
pendulum on the ramparts of the capital’s iconic landmark.
If his scientific studies of the pendula’s patterns and calculation of
the precise magical moment the cannonballs harmoniously align, Quantum
will emerge unscathed from his daring stunt at precisely the moment
Edinburgh’s famous One O'clock Gun is fired. In the run-up to his
fearsome feat, Quantum has released a trailer which can be viewed here:
YouTube
Internationally acclaimed magician Quantum, also known as Kevin McMahon,
lives in Edinburgh and his last performance was as a semi-finalist on
ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. He has gained exclusive access to Edinburgh
Castle to stage his dramatic performance in the shadow of Mons Meg, the
famous Medieval Bombard and one of the largest cannons in the world. His
stunt will mark the moment Scotland begins to open up after life in
lockdown and people celebrating the chance to reconnect with friends and
experience the joy of live performance. While anyone within a two-mile
radius of Edinburgh Castle will be able to hear The One O'clock gun go
off, Quantum is inviting people across the city, Scotland, the UK and
the world to connect with the performance and each other by watching the
premiere on
YouTube.
24.4.21
Topas
- a Zoom lecture presented by The Newcastle Magic Circle on Monday 3rd
May at 7.30pm. James Piatt writes: Join us for a very special
lecture from German magic superstar Topas! Topas is a FISM World
Champion and a regular performer on major international TV shows such as
The World’s Greatest Magic and most recently, Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
This must-see lecture is free for members of the Newcastle Magic Circle
and only £5 for visiting guests. Please contact
nmcsecretary@outlook.com
for further information.
24.4.21
Castle
Magic (established in 1982 as Castle Magical Services) is one of the
leading dealers in pre-owned and second-hand magic apparatus and books,
often handling antique and vintage apparatus from around the world.
Based in Great Britain, where a considerable amount of vintage magic
equipment started life, we supply and ship items worldwide. We also
purchase and exchange magic props, books and allied arts apparatus from
individual items to complete acts. During 1997 we launched our Castle
Premier Range of exclusive magic tricks for children and close-up
entertainers.
During 2011 Castle Magical Services acquired the business and rights of
the Bradford Magic Studio – a company set up and operated by Cliff Lount
since 1949, making Bradford Magic Studios the 2nd oldest established
magic company in the UK still trading. We will be remaking and supplying
a number of its classic magic effects in the near future. We are also
proud to announce that Workshop Thirteen, which produces Escapology and
Bizarre Magic, will now also be part of the Castle Magic family.
www.castlemagicalservices.co.uk.
24.4.21
Harapan
Ong Leicester Magician Network Zoom Lecture - tomorrow at 2pm! Adam
Edgeley writes: The Leicester Magician Network is proud to present
Harapan Ong on Sunday, April 25th, at 2pm via Zoom. For info on how to
attend please visit
www.leicestermagicians.wixsite.com. The charge for non-members is
£10. Singapore's Harapan Ong has caused an online sensation with his
technical abilities. Videos began to circulate some years ago showing a
pair of hands doing extraordinary things. His style is natural,
unassuming, and soft. But Aces appear, card selections transpose, and
magical things just seem to happen in Harapan's hands!
24.4.21
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This
week, Faust & Company on '3-2-1' from January 14th 1984. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The
MagicWeek Video Archive
Click Here.
24.4.21
Wayne
& Mike’s Coffee Morning. Wayne and Mike start every Friday with
a chat, a coffee and a surprise guest.
This week: Gary & Paul from The Twins FX.
YouTube.
24.4.21
Steve
Dimmer's new Zoom Lecture: Tricks For The Trade. This lecture is
different and specifically designed to be presented over Zoom, although
in a perfect world everything would be performed with a live audience.
Each routine is videoed as it would be seen by spectators and then
explained by Steve in his usual breezy style. It comprises close-up,
parlour and stage tricks, the majority involving everyday objects
transformed into amazing magical tricks. All the effects are within the
scope and skill level of every performer (no finger-flinging!) which
means presentation is the focus of the trick, often relying on original
principles never employed in magic before. Featuring:
Agent ZigZag: In which a picture of the most
infamous of British spies disappears and reappears into other spy
portraits.
Spice of Life: A revelation of a chosen spice using spice jars, suitable
for parlour show.
Licensed to Trick: James Bond becomes the focus of a mind-reading
effect.
In Full View A predicted card is shown face up before 3 genuine
selections are made, all of which match the prediction.
Text Book: An exercise in mentalism which can be done with an audience
or by phone, email or even text!
Eccentric, eclectic, enthusiastic and effective Tricks For The Trade is
an amazing collection of newly devised routines all of which have been
bench-tested in the real world. This lecture is now being offered to
magic clubs throughout the UK. For a zoom lecture, the fee is an
all-inclusive £85. Further details: Steve Dimmer Email:
Inflatabletheatre@ntlworld.com Telephone: 01604 409010 Mobile: 07904
311 007.
24.4.21
Prof
Richard Wiseman recently carried out research showing that teaching
a simple magic trick to school children increases their creative
thinking. The study compared magic to an art lesson, and suggests that
teaching magic might be an economical, practical and fun way of boosting
creativity in the classroom. The study, 'Conjuring up creativity: the
effect of performing magic tricks on divergent thinking' is published in
an academic journal called PeerJ and you see it for free here:
www.peerj.com/articles/11289.
24.4.21
The
Mark Leveridge April Podcast. If you half an hour to spare you might
care to spend it in the company of Mark Leveridge as he presents his
latest podcast featuring thoughts and opinions on the following topic:
Plot and effect – the difference as explained by Doug Dyment :
announcing the arrival of E-Club Pro Select : hybrid conventions may be
the way forward for some magic event organisers : the secret to finding
a receptive audience for your magic as you grow older : details of an
online session in which the attendees decide the content : how to
harness one of magic’s most potent performance weapons. A new
podcast is released on the first of each month and you can access your
free copy 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 edition automatically.
24.4.21
Pure
Cards Across - Mark Leveridge Magic. Two sets of 10 cards are counted out
fairly and openly onto a spectator’s hand before being dropped into two glass
tumblers where they can be clearly seen. One at a time three cards are invisibly
moved from one glass to the other, and when the piles are counted back onto the
spectator’s hand again, the first glass only contains 7 cards and the other 13!
This is the classic cards across effect using a method that is completely move
and sleight free. Everything happens at fingertips and there is no palming
required, nor any special counts. Designed for a close-up or intimate parlour
show, this routine is so open and fair looking that it seems impossible that
three cards could migrate from one pile to the other. And yet they do! This
comes as a Premier E-Routine which is a downloadable PDF text file featuring
detailed written instructions and which has a link in it to take you to
additional online performance and explanation footage. For more info, to watch a
video, and to order visit
www.markleveridge.co.uk. 24.4.21
Magicians Advice Podcast. Hosted by Phil Taylor and Ian Brennan. Ep:151 Tom Crosbie. Tom Crosbie talks about being the geek, Edinburgh Fringe, Cruises, and being rescued by the Cuban Military. www.magiciansadvice.com. 24.4.21
Free
Arrow by Himitsu Magic - Merlins of Wakefield. Your spectator first
selects an item on the table, or selects a card. Then they are asked to
transmit, through their mind, their chosen item. A compass pointer
instantly points to their item or card! The pointer will stop at a
certain position during the movement, and then open precisely at the
selected item. In addition, the roles can be exchanged - the audience
member thinks about their card, and tries to mentally send it to the
pointer. After opening, the pointer shows the very card that was
selected! The inspiration for this product comes from street magic - we
wanted the audience to experience a very strong visual effect as well as
mentalism.
www.merlinswakefield.co.uk.
24.4.21
Game of Talents. Vernon Kay hosts a game show in which contestants pair up with celebrities to try to uncover the secret talents of the eight mystery performers in each episode. With big money prizes up for grabs if they get it right, will they be able to tell the fire-eater from the footballer or the line dancer from the lion tamer based solely on the performers' appearances and some intriguing clues? (Still not a magician in sight... but there will be one next week! DT) See TV Magic. 24.4.21
Houdini:
The Elusive American by Adam Begley. From the prizewinning Jewish
Lives series, an exuberant biography of the world’s greatest escape
artist. In 1916, the war in Europe having prevented a tour abroad, Harry
Houdini wrote a film treatment for a rollicking motion picture. Though
the movie was never made, its title, “The Marvelous Adventures of
Houdini: The Justly Celebrated Elusive American,” provides a succinct
summary of the Master Mystifier’s life.
Born Erik Weisz in Budapest in 1874, Houdini grew up an impoverished
Jewish immigrant in the Midwest and became world-famous thanks to
talent, industry, and ferocious determination. He concealed as a matter
of temperament and professional ethics the secrets of his sensational
success. Nobody knows how Houdini performed some of his dazzling,
death-defying tricks, and nobody knows, finally, why he felt compelled
to punish and imprison himself over and over again. Tracking the
restless Houdini’s wide-ranging exploits, acclaimed biographer Adam
Begley tells the story of a mystifying man’s astonishing career.
"Witty, intelligent, and sprightly, Adam Begley's Houdini tells a story that is not only central to the American experience, but strangely pertinent to the fakery, fraudulence, and self-promotion dominating our news waves at present." Wendy Lesser, author of Jerome Robbins: A Life in Dance. Available from www.amazon.co.uk. 24.4.21
"Who
Is Murray The Magician From Pawn Stars?"
Click Here • "Award-winning magicians to bring ‘Wonderment’ to Palace
Theatre this summer"
Click Here • "Good trick: Magicians in Ottawa and beyond have learned how to
deal with the pandemic"
Click Here • "Magician Mat Franco reappears at the Linq"
Click Here • "Celebrated Maidenhead magician presents live show for Thames
Hospice"
Click Here • "Elsenham WI transfixed but can't work out magician's tricks"
Click Here • "Psychological illusionist Derren Brown is coming to Theatre
Royal Plymouth"
Click Here • "Copycat Magician? Shin Lim Speaks Out About ‘Italia’s Got
Talent’ Winner"
Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcomed - big or small! See you
next week, Duncan.
24.4.21