MagicWeek UK Magic News

Number 1060 - 17th October 2020

The Magic Circle Unlocked. The Magic Circle invites magicians from around the world to join us on November 15th with a free live online event that will give you a peek behind the curtain of this most prestigious and global magic society. The live show will feature contributions from leading stars of magic including David Williamson, Wayne Dobson, Jeff McBride, Luis de Matos, Andy Nyman, Michael Ammar, Gregory Wilson, Charlie Frye, Doc Eason, Laura London and many more surprise guests. Top international magic dealers will demonstrate the latest magic available with exclusive discounts and offers. Watch live for a chance to win incredible prizes kindly donated from our magic dealers and other one-off prizes. Make plans to join us on November 15th by simply heading to our dedicated Facebook page www.facebook.com/themagiccircleunlocked and click like for updates. The event is scheduled for 7pm (GMT). We look forward to sharing the magic with you. 17.10.20

Britain's Got Talent 2020 - The final was magic! Last Saturday as the 14th series came to a close no less than 5 magic acts made it through to the Final. This really was an incredible achievement and a real boost for magic. Jasper Cherry, Aidan McCann, James & Dylan Piper and Damien O'Brien joined already-through Magical Bones. Inevitably the "magic vote" ended up being split between all the magic acts, so no one made it into the top 3, but none the less a real achievement. 50% of the final was dominated by magic! Congratulations to all. DT. 17.10.20

The Olivier Awards. Jason Manford hosts from The London Palladium, celebrating the best of British theatre. Nominations include: Best Actor in a Musical: Andy Nyman as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof – Playhouse Theatre and Best Entertainment or Comedy Play: Magic Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Penn Jillette, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields and Teller – Vaudeville Theatre. Sunday 25th October on ITV. See TV Magic. 17.10.20

Piff's Back. Reopening in Las Vegas on Thursday October 29th. It’s true. Britain's favourite export is returning to the Flamingo, and this time he's in the big room. With a big new show. A socially distanced magic show from a socially distanced dragon. They'll be following all the guidelines and taking every precaution possible. Piff writes: "If we can give people a good time and they leave a little happier than they arrived then I think it’ll be worth it. On an unrelated note, the dog's run up a huge gambling debt during lockdown so I have bills to pay. So come see us at our new home in the Flamingo Showroom as we unleash the brand new holiday miracles we’ve been working on during the shutdown, alongside a few of my favorites." www.caesars.com 17.10.20

The MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week Russia's Vladimir Danilin on John Fisher's The Best of Magic from 18th October 1989. In 1991 at the FISM World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, Vladimir Danilin was awarded the Grand Prix. See The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The MagicWeek Video Archive Click Here. 17.10.20

Tricks & Treats as Cross stages a Drive-in Magic Show! This Halloween, Cross will be hosting what is probably the UK's first ever drive-in Magic Show, on 29th October at Morpeth Football Club. In this hour-long live performance, ticket holders will be tricked by some sleight of hand and close-up magic, which will be projected on to a huge video screen. They'll then get the opportunity to learn some magic for themselves, as Cross explains how to perform some easy but baffling tricks with cards and everyday objects. Upon entry to the event, each car will be given a pack of cards and some tricks to take home with them, so they can practice along with Chris Cross in the safety and comfort of their own car, and then take the tricks home.

After the magic performance and lesson, there will be a short interval, followed by a screening of Edward Scissorhands, which is one of Cross's favourite films - and an appropriate choice to celebrate the beginning of the Halloween weekend. Tickets for the magic experience can be purchased, with an add-on option of the film screening right afterwards. Hot drinks, food and alcoholic beverages will be available on-site, with an 'at-car' service in operation. There's only space for 45 cars at Craik Park Stadium (Home of the Morpeth Football Club) so to avoid disappointment, book your tickets now! Suitable for both children and adults. www.seetickets.com. 17.10.20

Tommy Cooper: Always Leave Them Laughing. The Definitive Biography of a Comedy Legend by John Fisher. Frank and revealing, this fully authorised biography by Tommy's friend and colleague, acclaimed TV producer, John Fisher, is the first ever intimate portrait of Britain's best-loved, but little known, entertainer. More than just a comedian, Tommy Cooper was a born entertainer. Working in a golden age of British comedy, Cooper stood - literally - head and shoulders above the crowd, and had a magical talent for humour that defied description. When Cooper enlisted in the army in 1939, and began to perfect his comic timing on his army colleagues in the Egyptian desert, the man with the fez was born. Cooper was at the heart of the thriving British variety scene, adored by his legions of fans and much revered by his fellow professionals.

The gentle giant of entertainment accompanied his bewildered, botched magic act with a sublime sense of bravado and a face that was made for comedy. He was one of the first funny men to have the entire nation in stitches. But, there was a man behind the laughter that few people saw. John Fisher was Cooper's friend and colleague and witnessed first-hand the child that lingered within the adult and moments of self-doubt and inadequacy that contrasted with the genial exterior. Until his tragic death, which occurred in the middle of his act on live television in 1984, Tommy Cooper lived in constant fear of the day he would be found out by his audience. He could never believe the accolades that came so thick and fast from every direction, and died to the sounds of laughter that he never really believed.

Supplementing his own intimate knowledge with material accessed for the first time from the archives of Tommy's agent and manager, Miff Ferrie, and with the full co-operation of the Cooper family, John Fisher brings alive the man behind the comedic mask in this definitive biography of a comedy legend. Available via Amazon.co.uk Click Here. 17.10.20

Aidan McCann (Britain's Got Talent Finalist 2020) appeared on Blue Peter on Thursday, 15th October, and put on a great little magic show! Catch up with his performance on iPlayer. 17.10.20

Derren Brown: 'I was a terrible attention seeker' "For 20 years, the psychological illusionist has delighted TV audiences. He explains why he’s ready to give it all up and paint caricatures – and how magic made him question his religious faith writes Chris Godfrey in The Guardian www.theguardian.com. Derren's new book A Little Happier was published on Thursday and is available from www.amazon.co.uk. [MagicWeek receives a small commission from Amazon for every sale, which will no doubt make MagicWeek's owner a little happier too.] 17.10.20

More magic added to The MagicWeek Video Archive last week. On Sunday I added this really nice banknote trick performed by Paul Daniels on his Christmas show back in December 1985. After a little detective work, and thanks to Nick Einhorn, I found out that it's called The Invisible Hole by Yoshio Hirose. In comedy "it's not the joke, but the way that you tell it" and in magic it's not the method, but the way that you perform it. See: YouTube. 17.10.20

Lisa Menna - added to The MagicWeek Video Archive on Thursday. Lisa Menna was a recent recipient of the Special Fellowship award presented by The Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood a couple of months ago. Here she is performing her 'Card in Shoe' back in September 1990 on John Fisher's The Best of Magic. See: YouTube. 17.10.20

Steve Short presented his Zoom lecture on the life and career of David Nixon on the 13th October to members of the British Magical Society. "Having attended many Zoom events to date, Steve's talk was one of the best. He covered this fascinating period of British magical history with a super selection of slides and video clips. Anecdotes came thick and fast including such memorable performers such as Ali Bongo and many more. David Nixon's most relaxed and entertaining style came across well and I have no hesitation in recommending this journey down memory lane for anyone's Zoom programme." Dr Bob King, President British Magical Society. For more details on Steve’s various Zoom lectures, contact Steve on 07803 125180 or info@steve-short.co.uk. 17.10.20

The Mark Leveridge October 2020 Podcast. Settle back and relax in the company of Mark Leveridge. A round up of how magic continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic : how necessary is it to change tricks in your act or repertoire? : the importance of getting the balance right between promotional costs and benefits : positive role models can provide a real boost to your magical progress : magic guilt can lead to ‘over-proving’ : are you world class at getting ready? The podcast lasts for 30 minutes and is free from either www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast-archive or www.markleveridge.podbean.com from where you can also sign up to be a follower and automatically receive each issue when it is published on the 1st of every month. 17.10.20

The Leicester Magicians Network. Adam Edgeley writes: We are writing to introduce The Leicester Magician's Network (LMN) a brand new magic club. When founding The LMN, the philosophy was to create a modern, forward-thinking Club that is not constrained by out-dated ideas or principles - this philosophy will remain at the core of everything we do. Our Club will be a place where a diversity of fans and supporters of magic come together to share their passions and express their ideas with a group of like-minded people. The Club will be a place where members will feel comfortable enough to be themselves in an open and inclusive environment. Amongst our Core Values is to promote a relaxed, friendly environment which allows members of all abilities to share ideas, ask questions and perform when they wish to without fear. The Club will be open to all those with a genuine interest in magic and will always strive to preserve the secrecy of magical principles, and respect creators. Sharing will always be restricted to fellow magicians to ensure the art form is evolved and held for the next generation. We would dearly love for you to come along and begin this journey with us. Regards Adam Edgeley, Ian Gamage, Pete Whitmore and Scot Jerram, The Founding Members of The Leicester Magician's Network. For more information find us on Facebook or check out our website www.adamedgeley.wixsite.com/website-3. 17.10.20

Penn and Teller's First Final UK Tour - additional dates announced. Two more dates have been added to Penn & Teller's tour: June 14th Manchester and June 18th Birmingham. From the promoter: 'Comic Magicians', or 'Evil Geniuses' as described by David Letterman, Penn & Teller are celebrating their 45th Anniversary as 'The Kings of Magic'. Penn & Teller's 'The First Final UK Tour' in June will see them start in Manchester at The Apollo on June 13th 2021, then Birmingham at The Alexandra on June 17th. The London run then starts at London's Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith on Tuesday 22nd June through to the 27th. Penn says "We’ve been working together 45 years and are now coming out of the longest break we've ever had from working together. We are so excited to start touring in the UK playing our favorite theatres. Is this our last UK tour? We don't know, but you're welcome to buy tickets and hope for that, while we'll be hoping for more final tours than the Stones and Cher put together." 13th June - O2 Apollo Manchester. 17th June - New Alexander Theatre, Birmingham. 22nd to 27th June Eventim Apollo, London. www.ticketmaster.co.uk. 17.10.20

Free Vernon Mini-print. Jay Fortune writes: To spread some cheer, I’m giving away a free mini-print of one of my magician paintings. As voted for by magicians online, you can own this free mini-print of Vernon by visiting my store. At check-out simply enter the coupon code FREEVERNON and you’ll get 100% discount! All you’ll cover is p&p. Hope this unique magical gift will bring a smile as it lands on your doormat. www.jayfortune.co.uk/product/vernon-smoke-mini-print. 17.10.20

Magic Talks Hosted by Magicman London. David Harris writes: Join the Magicman London as he shares his views on interesting topics, some amusing stories, anecdotes and whatever else pops into his head. New episodes released every Friday: www.podchaser.com. 17.10.20

Talking Shtick hosted by Mark James. Via your favourite listening platform including Podbean. 17.10.20

Colour Match Chips by Eddie Burke - Merlins. You show two sets of poker chips. There are four to each set, and each set contains a red, white, blue and green chip. A spectator selects either set of chips and you take the other set (no force). Both the spectator and you hide your chips behind your backs and mix them thoroughly. To be certain both sets are well mixed, you and the spectator swap sets, unseen and mix them up once again. You now ask the spectator to bring forward any one of his chips into view from behind his back. As he does this, you also bring forward the matching coloured chip from behind your back. This is repeated with a second chip, and again the colours match. Each of you still have two chips behind your backs, which you again mix. You ask the spectator to conceal one chip in each closed hand, and you both bring your hands forward. When the chips are now checked, both sets of chips match for an amazing finale! Everything can be examined before and after the effect! No markings on the chips! No extra chips used! No magnets! Nothing added or taken away! "That's great, I'll take one please" Andy Nyman, Blackpool Magic Convention 2020. For more info and to watch a video visit www.merlinswakefield.co.uk. 17.10.20

Perfect Intuition - Mark Leveridge Magic. Mark Leveridge writes: The performer selects a lady with the object of discovering whether she has female intuition or not. Spreading a pile of envelopes, each one of which contains a double blank card, he invites her to select any one and to remove the card from inside. The lady helper now nominates and names any person around the table who she is emotionally close to or with whom she feels she has some empathy. It could be a relative, a close friend or maybe even her husband! Let’s say she selects a close friend called Sophie.

She writes the name of her chosen person, Sophie, on the back of her chosen blank card and then returns it to the envelope. Five more envelopes are then added and all six are shuffled and mixed by the performer and then by the lady herself so that no one could have any idea which one contains the card with Sophie written on it.

The six envelopes are now going to be distributed to people round the table in an order selected by the lady herself. In any random way that she wishes, she points to fellow diners and they receive an envelope from the shuffled pile. At some stage she must point to Sophie, but this can be right at the start with the first envelope, or at the end or at any point along the way. It is her decision.

Despite the fact that the lady helper selected any card to write on, that she shuffled the pile of envelopes herself, that she was the one who decided who received which envelope, such is her amazing intuition, when the spectators themselves remove the cards from their envelopes, Sophie discovers she has been given the card with her name on! Find out more and watch a demonstration at www.markleveridge.co.uk. 17.10.20

Mel Mellers The Travelling Trickster. From the publishers: 148 pages, softback, produced in colour throughout and featuring routines, comedy lines and advice from the UK’s top comedy performer

With his hilariously sharp yet playful put down lines and quirky comedy plots, Mel Mellers has rightly established himself as one of the nation’s favourite stand up performers. Equally at home in front of lay people or a theatre full of magicians, Mel’s individual performance style, which has been honed over many years as a pro and through countless performances all over the world, is a delight to experience.

Now you can go behind the scenes with this truly inspiring performer and learn how you too can become a top flight entertainer. Mel gives freely of his advice on all aspects of performance, including audience management, misdirection, how to put an act together, creativity, the 6 rules of comedy, practising, hecklers and entertaining children and families. He shares with you scores of hilarious one liners covering all manner of performing situations that you will be able to use in your shows too. Plus he gives full details of over 50 of his feature routines and ideas, most of which are simple to do and which come with Mel’s presentations and patter lines.

Mel Mellers is one of magic’s real larger-than-life characters, and this book will also explain some of his background, give you various anecdotes from his closest friends in magic about the antics that Mel has got up to over the years, and will provide you with a thoroughly entertaining and instructive read. 148 pages, softback, produced in colour throughout and featuring routines, comedy lines and advice from the UK’s top comedy performer: www.magicseen.com. 17.10.20

Lynn Thomas. Nicky Lewis writes: Very sad news for Sussex magicians. Renowned and unique talent, Lynn Thomas passed away over the weekend. He was a local lecturer and had performed for HM The Queen Mother and appeared on The Paul Daniels Show. Lynn made headline news once having had his rabbit stolen mid show. He was a well known character in Brighton and will be sadly missed. [Really sad news. Lyn was a great character, full of fun, loved performing and had his own unique style. DT] 17.10.20

"Just an illusion? Trickster Derren Brown paints David Attenborough" Click Here • "Armagh Magician Caolan McBride Stars In Cahoots NI’s New Online Show" Click Here • "Escape artist performs stunt while dangling over Elora Gorge" Click Here • "Piers Morgan: GMB host hits out at Britain’s Got Talent final 'Far too many magicians'" Click Here • "Re-opened theatres: a running list of socially distanced shows on UK stages" Click Here • Many thanks as always to everyone who submitted news items this week. See you next week, Duncan. 1710.20

The UK Directory of Magicians: www.corporatemagicians.com

Directory of local children's entertainers: www.childrenspartyshows.co.uk

Magic shops, below:

Number 1059 - 10th October 2020

Penn and Teller's First Final UK Tour. From the promoter: 'Comic Magicians', or 'Evil Geniuses' as described by David Letterman, Penn & Teller are celebrating their 45th Anniversary as 'The Kings of Magic'. Penn & Teller's 'The First Final UK Tour' in June will see them start in Manchester at The Apollo on June 13th 2021, then Birmingham at The Alexandra on June 17th. The London run then starts at London's Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith on Tuesday 22nd June through to the 27th.

These shows will feature Penn & Teller's classic magic performed live with their unique brand of humour and audience participation and will feature never before seen tricks in the UK. For over 45 years as magic's most outrageous and innovative team, Penn & Teller are Emmy award-winning TV stars, best-selling authors and Las Vegas icons. Their Showtime series, 'Penn & Teller: BS!' was nominated for 16 Emmys. Past ventures were the highly successful ITV's 'Penn & Teller Fool Us!' hosted by Jonathan Ross on Saturday nights and 'Penn & Teller Tell A Lie' for Discovery Channel and Channel 5's 'Fool Us in Vegas' TV show is in the 7th series.

Penn says "We’ve been working together 45 years and are now coming out of the longest break we've ever had from working together. We are so excited to start touring in the UK playing our favorite theatres. Is this our last UK tour? We don't know, but you're welcome to buy tickets and hope for that, while we'll be hoping for more final tours than the Stones and Cher put together." 13th June - O2 Apollo Manchester. 17th June - New Alexander Theatre, Birmingham. 22nd to 27th June Eventim Apollo, London. www.ticketmaster.co.uk. 10.10.20

Britain's Got Talent 2020 - The final's going to be magic! The 14th series of the talent search comes to a close with tonight's Final. Steve Royle (comedy juggler), Nabil Abdulrashid (stand-up comedian), Aaron & Jasmine (dancers), Magical Bones (magician, illusionist & dancer) and Jon Courtenay (comedy singer) that the judges put through, will be joined by the yet to be announced five acts that the public have been voting for over the past few weeks. Then, as viewers vote for a final winner, excerpts from some of the West End's finest musicals, Mary Poppins, The Phantom of The Opera and Les Miserables, will be performed by Michael Ball, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Shan Ako and Zizi Strallen and more. Tonight from 7.30pm to 10.10pm on ITV. See TV Magic for details. 10.10.20

Aidan McCann (Britain's Got Talent 2020) appears on Blue Peter on Thursday, 15th October. "Magnificent Magic and Facing Your Fears. Young magician Aidan McCann teaches the presenters how to pull off the perfect illusion. And see how Mwaksy gets on as she attempts to overcome her fear of dogs, with the ever-trusty Henry by her side to help out." Thursday 15th October on CBBC. See TV Magic for details. 10.10.20

The MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week Penn & Teller on Channel 4's late night show The Word hosted by Terry Christian and Dani Behr. From December, 1993. See The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The MagicWeek Video Archive Click Here. 10.10.20

Real Workers Magic Convention - Saturday 24th October online. From the organisers: Fasten your seat belts as we have an incredible line-up guaranteed to blow you away. On the 24th October join the Real Workers Magic Convention. Joel and Andy present a day of magic with a hand picked line-up of international artists and magic creators... Marc Oberon, Etienne Pradier, Mark Eldson, Paul Gordon, Harry Robson and Myles Thornton. Get a front row seat and learn secrets from these world class, close-up and stage magicians. A day cram-packed with magic; no secrets will be left untold. The event will be topped with a exclusive debut performance from Marc Oberon. This is not to be missed.

Close-up magic, mind reading, parlour and more. This will be happening live, via Zoom. Sit back, chat and interact with magicians from around the world. Includes a jam room with a guest host. Line up subject to change if unforeseen circumstances arise. If circumstances do arise, a suitable replacement will be organised. 11am on Saturday 24th October 2020. Find our more, visit www.realworkers.co.uk/products/rw-magic-convention. Organised by Andrew Dean and Joel Dickinson. Email ask@realworkers.co.uk. 10.10.20

Video Chat Magic: Final Month. Reviewed as "The most important release of 2020" Video Chat Magic is a collection of nearly 50 tools, tricks, scripts, routines, interviews and pieces of software designed to enhance your magic and mentalism on platforms like Zoom. With contributors like Max Maven, Jim Steinmeyer, Tobias Dostal, Pete McCabe, Richard Wiseman, Marc Kerstein, and Luke Jermay this is a huge collection that you can access right now for just $59, with all the subscriptions donated to charity. Video Chat Magic will only remain open to new subscribers until 31st October so go to www.videochatmagic.com today to sign up before it's too late. "As magicians reinvent their performances for remote environments Video Chat Magic is unveiling the most effective ways to succeed in this new medium." Luís de Matos. 10.10.20

South Tyneside International Magic Festival. From the organisers: The South Tyneside International Magic Festival is in the middle of its virtual festival which started on Thursday 8th October, and runs until Sunday, culminating with a Zoom get-together session hosted by John Archer, Steve Gore and Nevin Cody at 8pm. At noon on Saturday and Sunday there will be a YouTube playlist released for you to watch at your leisure, featuring artistes from the previous 16 years. You’ll also be able to see Thursday and Friday's videos too! All free of charge. New faces and friends welcome. If you wish to join in on Zoom there are limited numbers and places have to be booked by emailing karri.prinn@southtyneside.gov.uk. Also see www.facebook.com. Here is the playlist: Thursday: Graeme Shaw, Boris Wild, Freddie Rutz, Robert Baxt, Alex Lodge, Shoot Ogawa, Brando Y Silvana and Charlie Fry. Friday: Jasper, Paul Romhany, Jeton, Brad Manuel, Nicholas Einhorn, Jason Latimer, David Regal, Debbie Magee and Brian Sefton. Saturday: High Jinx, Paul Nardini, Satori, Alana, Paul Megram, Rafael and Andi Gladwin. Sunday: Adam Wilber, ‘Magic Babe’ Ning Cai, Mark James, Philip Partridge, Woody Aragon, Javi Benitez, John Archer, Amethyst and Mario ‘The Maker Magician’ Marchese. The Festival magic consultant is Steve Gore. 10.10.20

More magic added to The MagicWeek Video Archive during the week. On Tuesday I added this rare interview with Fay Presto in a guest spot on Wogan from November 5th, 1986. At the time Wogan was running three nights a week and had a large following. See: YouTube. 10.10.20

Hand Cut Stripper Decks - Custom made in the UK. From the makers: The 'Stripper deck' or 'Tapered deck' is one of the most versatile and easiest to use gimmicked decks available. Apparent miracles can be performed that credit the performer with amazing sleight of hand skills. The gimmicked deck allows the performer to locate any required card(s) with ease, even after being shuffled by a spectator. The problem with commercially produced Stripper decks are the cuts! The tapers on these decks are very deep. Spectators cannot get close to, or handle, the deck, without instantly detecting its gimmicking! The answer to this problem started life as an underground secret, used by professional card cheats: Hand Cut Stripper Decks! Visit www.handcut-stripperdecks.co.uk for more information and to order. 10.10.20

Can you solve it? The art of illusion. A magician asks you to explain his tricks. Alex Bellos writes in The Guardian: "Today’s puzzles are four optical illusions devised by the magician Matt Pritchard. He calls them 'perspec-tricks'. Each image is a photograph that seems to show something impossible. The puzzle is to work out exactly how Matt created the illusion. The magic he used is old school: none of the photographs have been digitally modified. What you see is exactly what the camera saw. All the illusions involve mirrors in some way." See www.theguardian.com. 10.10.20

The magic of...podcast with Paul Roffman. Creative discussions with creative people. From actors and writers to magicians, keynote speakers and behavioural experts. "Listen to an in-depth discussion moving where the conversation takes us. Not your average conversation." On Apple podcasts: www.podcasts.apple.com and Spotify www.spotify.com and watch clips on YouTube. This week: Tim Bran, and on Sunday Nicholas Hoult. 10.10.20

Alan Browne, new President of the Zodiac Magical Society. Alan Browne has become the new President of the Zodiac Magical Society; as the club enters its 75th year, Alan joins the select few who have held this honour. Over the years Alan has worked tirelessly within the society, taking a hands-on role in many key positions. Even during these testing Covid-19 times the Zodiac Magical Society continues to meet every Wednesday at 8pm to enjoy monthly lectures interspersed with varied club nights; not in its usual Ealing, West London home, but online thanks to the wonders of Zoom! Congratulations to Alan from everyone at the Zodiac Magical Society www.zodiacmagicalsociety.co.uk. 10.10.20

MLM Web Offers October 2020. Mark Leveridge's download magic range is already great value, but each month he also selects two items from his catalogue to receive an extra discount. For October he has chosen Instant Card Reverse, which is a very clean way to make a freely selected card instantly turn face up in a regular deck (and you finish completely 'clean'), and the second item is the Robin Hood Coins Across, which is a story based presentation for the classic effect. You can find dems of both products on the MLM website www.markleveridge.co.uk and the specially reduced prices are available until the 31st October. Check them out now and save yourself some money. 10.10.20

The Royal Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, relaunches 'Tales from the Shadows' and 'Crime Scene Illusion'. Tracy Wise writes: I’m delighted to confirm that my two shows 'Tales from the Shadows' and 'Crime Scene Illusion' are being relaunched at The Royal Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The first show will be our Halloween Special on 31st October with two sittings in the hauntingly beautiful ballroom of this historic hotel. With more space we can ensure social distancing and Covid-19 protocols are observed. On November 19th Crime Scene Illusion will make its first appearance in Southend since it began 10 years ago, in the very same hotel. This event will include a 2 course meal. Ticket information and booking is via The Royal Hotel, Southend. Facebook: facebook.com/royalhotelsouthend or by calling 01702 899 222. 10.10.20

The Magic Collection of Rüdiger Deutsch Part II. October 31st. This Halloween, Potter & Potter is proud to present the second auction featuring the collection of Rudiger Deustch. Known as a master craftsman and consummate collector, this sale will feature many of the finely-crafted props from Deustch's own workshop, along with rarities from the showrooms and factories of Willmann, Bartl, and Conradi. Mechanical masterpieces of yesteryear (and fine recreations as only Deustch could construct) will be chief among the featured lots. Complementing the vintage magic apparatus will be a selection of vintage stone lithographs and early conjuring prints. www.auctions.potterauctions.com. 10.10.20

Extrasensory Deceptions: Livestream show by Christopher Howell. From the organisers: Grab the front seat and belt up for an online experience of magical extrasensory connections. Join Christopher Howell for one of ten interactive shows on Zoom to raise money for Breathe Magic for their 10th birthday celebrations. It's an unexpected journey full of magic and stories delivered to the comfort of your home. The show is family safe however only those over 15 years may participate. Viewers must have Zoom on their device to watch. Your camera video will need to be on for this performance. Duration: 50 minutes. All proceeds from this show are in support of the Breathe Magic programme run by Breathe Arts Health Research. The show is free to attend and a donation will be welcomed after the show. October 10th, 11th, 18th, 20th, 21st, 30th. November 3rd, 4th, 7th. To book Click Here. 10.10.20

A Lifetime In Magic, Devin Knight. 130 pages, photo illustrated, soft back. From the publishers: The amazing mentalism and magic of internationally renowned performer Devin Knight. Volume 1, features full details of 9 routines from Devin's personal repertoire. Devin's ideas are always unbelievably well thought out, with every possibility analysed and the best and most convincing methods selected. He leaves nothing to chance, and creates plots that are amazingly varied, and which produce effects that are inexplicable and real reputation makers. This trilogy will offer you the strongest mentalism and magic achieved with practical, commercial methods - if you haven't seen this material before you are going to be stunned! For full content details and to order visit www.magicseen.com and click on the book! 10.10.20

Hanky Juggling - Mark Leveridge Magic. This is a wonderful participation routine for children’s entertainers using the simplest of props – a wand, a silk and an unprepared bag! Two children come up to assist. A silk is made invisible and handed to one child, while the second helper examines and then holds onto a bag. The invisible silk is ‘blown’ up into the air, caught on the end of the magic wand, which is then used to flick it over to the child holding the bag. The silk is supposed to now be inside the bag, but the child holding the bag seems to be unable to find it inside. Realising that the silk must still be invisible, the performer uses magic to make it become visible again so that the child can now genuinely pull it from the bag.

This easy to do routine lasts around 6-7 minutes and is ideal for the 4-7 year old age bracket. You will need to supply a regular wand, an ordinary cloth or opaque plastic bag, a 12″ silk and a small easily obtained well known gimmick. Full instructions are supplied as a Premier E-Routine, which is a downloadable PDF text file, and these instructions also come with a link which enables you to watch and/or download a live video recording of the complete presentation. See www.markleveridge.co.uk. 10.10.20

Economicon book test by Al Smith - Merlins. Two spectators are given a book each. They can fully examine them, read some passages if they wish and confirm they appear to be ordinary paperback books. A third spectator is asked to call out any page number (there are 125 pages in each book). The spectators turn to the freely selected page and note the first word. You now tell each of them what the word is! Direct, no fishing, no questions. You can then ask a spectator to open there book to any page, and select any word they wish. As there are over 30000 words in the book, you ask them to call out the first letter of the word. Instantly, you can tell them the word they have chosen! This is a fantastic book test by Al Smith. No difficult calculations, always direct, no fishing for clues, always ready to perform. Ideal for walk around, stage or cabaret. As used by Dynamo on the London Underground. Direct mindreading at its best and great value for money! For more info and to order visit www.merlinswakefield.co.uk. 10.10.20

Robert Temple The Hypnotist: Live & Outrageous. From the promoters: Robert Temple presents the return of his show The Hypnotist: Live & Outrageous (socially distanced edition) streamed live from the Tyne Theatre & Opera House in Newcastle on Saturday 17th October 2020, at 7.30pm. Forget tired old pocket watches and people clucking like chickens, this is a cutting-edge, thrilling show featuring incredible hypnosis and never-before-seen side-splitting sketches... guaranteed to tickle the very naughtiest parts of your mind. Directed by Kennedy. Get notifications and tune in completely free: www.thehypnotistlive.com. 10.10.20

Coin-O-Matic 2.0 by Steve Cook and Mark Lee - new from Merlins of Wakefield: Merlins write: This effect originally used coins and a box which was not always easy to carry around and manage. The latest version uses specially printed cards and an envelope, eliminating the need for coins, so is much simpler to carry around and re-set. For details Click Here. Our new ‘Mail’ has been delayed at the printers, but should be out next week. Those who have seen the PDF version have given us some positive feedback, see the PDF copy Here. Our shop is currently open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 4pm. We have also just added over 100 used magic items to the website, and are adding more every week: Used Magic. www.merlinswakefield.com. 10.10.20

Les Douglas. Chris Cross writes: Broken Wand. I'm sad to report that a former Northern Magic Circle President, Les Douglas, has passed away at the age of 90. (22.02.1930 - 19.09.2020) Les was a lovely man and quite a character - he spoke over half a dozen languages fluently, loved Italian food, always had a few tricks up his sleeve and a joke on the tip of his tongue. Up until his final days, he enjoyed live shows. He watched my show at the Tyne Theatre Show last year and he spent his 90th birthday evening at John Archer’s show! If any of Les's friends have any messages for his family, (who are not in the magic world) I am happy to pass them on to his daughter, Joanne. Thanks, Chris: info@chris-cross.co.uk. 10.10.20

"All-star pantomime returns to the London Palladium for Christmas" Click Here • "Britain’s Got Talent magician, 11, performs mind-reading trick on judges from his bedroom in semi-final" Click Here • "Britain’s Got Talent magician Hakan Berg gets his own back on David Walliams after shocking him with big bird" Click Here • "Auckland magician says 'tool thieves' stole bags of circus props from his van" Click Here • Nicholas Einhorn's Zoom lecture for The Magicians' Society, Malta, is reviewed by Vanni Pule’ this week, Click Here • "Meet the Mersey magician who is bringing his cruise liner show to the shore after Covid cancellations" Click Here • "Beloved magician, entertainer Rob Rue has died" Click Here • "New 'See It Safely' campaign launched to bolster audience confidence" Click Here • That's all for this week. As always your UK magic news is welcomed. See you next week, Duncan. 10.10.20

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