Number 99 - 18th May 2002
David
Blaine, known for his headline-making feats of physical and emotional
endurance, will again put himself to the test in just a few days
time... He will attempt to balance on a circular platform, only 22 inches in
diameter, atop a free-standing 100-foot pillar, without the benefit of any
safety net or airbag, for 35 hours in mid-town Manhattan's Bryant Park. He will
end the stunt by plunging from the summit of the tower to street level with only
cardboard boxes to break his fall, live, on David Blaine's Vertigo. The
endurance challenge will take place in full public view with passersby being
able to see him in Bryant Park, starting at noon on Tuesday, May 21st. The show
will also include Blaine's own brand of close-up street magic. Viewers in the UK
will be able to see all at 8pm on Sky One on Sunday 26th. TV Magic
There have been all sorts of rumours flying around in the UK suggesting that Blaine will fake his own death during the stunt. The Sun reported on Wednesday that "His death would be officially announced and he would disappear for days - then amaze grieving fans by reappearing." We actually heard similar stories a few weeks ago... but I think that they are just that - stories, rumours, perhaps starting from comments Blaine himself made in his interview with Eamonn Holms on GMTV some months ago (repeated recently). Here is a link to that interview, it will take time to load but it is worth the wait! Click Here then select 'hi band' or 'low band'. For more on David Blaine and his reactions to "Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed: Escape From the Ice" from Zap2it.com Click Here For "Frozen in Time" posters Click Here 18.5.02
There's
a full report of Sunday's Bristol Day of Magic from Mandy Davis and a special interview with convention star
Whit Haydn by Ian Carpenter and
Mark Knight this week. 18.5.02
The
Magic Circle Collectors' Day takes place on Sunday 26th May at the Centre
for the Magic Arts. Speakers include: Tad Ware (The Scrapbooks of Carl Hertz),
Roger Woods (Dr Walford Bodie and the case of the Strange Electrical Suit), John
Wade (Radio Magic), Philip Butterworth (Brandon, Feats and Hocus Pocus: Jugglers
Three), and Eddie Dawes, Bobby Bernard and John Derris with a tribute to John
Ramsey. Coffee from 10am. Official opening by Magic Circle President Michael
Bailey at 10.45am. Tickets are £22.50 (cheques payable to 'The Magic Circle')
from: The Magic Circle, 12 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD. Visa/MasterCard
bookings tel: 020 7388 6480. 18.5.02
Martin
Sanderson had a whole page to himself in April's Club Mirror
magazine. The article discussed Martin's career, how he got started, and future
plans. Martin has taken his magic all around the world on cruise ships and now
specialises in the lucrative corporate market. A former Magic Circle Close-up
Magician of the Year winner he's always taken the business side of things as
seriously as the performing side "There's no show without the business, and
that's what I'm good at."
www.sanderson-magic.com 18.5.02
Wayne
Rogers lectures at the Medway Magic Society, Rochester, Kent on Thursday May
23rd. Wayne Rogers is the inventor of "Missing Spade" the "Appearing Ladder from
Briefcase" and "The Appearing Broom" amongst others. The lecture promises
something for everyone. For more details Email David Lang:
mindspy@blueyonder.co.uk 18.5.02
Magicians
Wanted! As part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations a street party is
being organised in Soho in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Research, Vision, and
Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. The organisers would love to hear from any magicians
who would be happy to go along and present some magic. Either "street magic"
mixing with the crowds, or as an actual show. Berwick Street Market will be
transformed into a street carnival and it is here that you'll be able to
perform. It's a great opportunity to be seen - The Evening Standard will be
there and BBC London TV have also been invited. You'll be made very welcome. For
more information please contact David Brady on 020 7734 1286 or
Brady@sohoeditors.com Website,
Click Here 18.5.02
The
Devon Magic Circle present a 'Magic Table Top Sale' at 10am on Sunday 28th
July followed by a lecture on close-up magic and children's magic by Mike Austin
at 2.30pm. Venue: DMC HQ Parish Rooms, Blagdon Road, Collaton St.Mary, Paignton,
Devon. Sellers Table &
Lecture £8, Lecture only £5 (this is for non members). For more details Email
Chaz:
devonmagiccircle@btopenworld.com Map:
Click Here 18.5.02
Supermodel
Claudia Schiffer, who was once engaged to magician David Copperfield, is to
marry film producer Matthew Vaughn on May 25th in Suffolk. The couple recently
bought 16th century Coldham Hall, one of England's finest Tudor properties.
Madonna, Boris Becker, and Elton John are on the guest list. Schiffer (31) is
said to have fallen for Vaughn after he gave her a tortoise as a present... 18.5.02
The
Ipswich Magical Society are holding a one-day convention tomorrow, and Michael
Vincent lectures in Derby, see What's On • For
a 'This is London' review of Marc Salem's Mind Games (left), currently on in the
West End
Click Here • Your news and reviews are always welcomed • That's it for this
week, see you next week when we'll be celebrating 100 issues, Duncan. 18.5.02