Number 113 - 24th August 2002
Russ
Stevens has just been added to an already strong line up of magicians set
to lecture and perform at this year's British Ring IBM Convention in
Eastbourne (24th - 29th September). Also, just added, past FISM winner,
from France, Pierre Brahma. For a booking form visit the official website:
www.britishring.org.uk 24.8.02
Helga
Moretti, one half of the brilliant Morettis, died of cancer
last week. Last seen live on stage in the UK at the International Magic
Gala Show in London in December 2001 she was as charismatic as her partner Hans
Moretti, and together they formed one of the world's greatest all-time magic acts.
24.8.02
Following
on from the success of last year's Young Magicians Club Junior Day,
the Magic Circle Youth Initiative are going to present their second Junior
Day on Sunday, October 20th. With lectures from international magic star
Ali Bongo and award-winning comedy magician John Archer, close-up and
stage competitions, magic dealers, and a gala show compèred by Stephen
Mulhern (from the BAFTA winning TV programme The Quick Trick Show)
featuring top acts Fluke and The Great Kovari. Admission is by ticket
only. YMC members £5.00, non members under 18 £8.00. This event is for
young magicians only and numbers are strictly limited. To register for the
preliminary heats for both stage and close-up competitions to be held on
Saturday 21st September, please contact Mandy Davis
Mandy@TheMagicCircle.co.uk
(Note: All contestants must purchase tickets). All tickets must be bought
in advance. All applications must be in writing, quoting YMC membership
number (where applicable), and include a stamped self-addressed envelope.
Cheques only, made payable to "The Magic Circle Youth Initiative" should
be sent to: YMC Junior Day 2002 Tickets, The Young Magicians Club, Centre
for the Magic Arts, 12 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD.
24.8.02
Rare Opportunity: Objective, the
production company behind the Derren Brown Mind Control special and
series, and the BAFTA award-winning Quick Trick Show, and the new
Channel 5 primetime magic show, Monkey Magic, are looking for
contemporary young performers with magical skills. A sense of humour,
weird ideas and an affinity with shows like Jam, Brass Eye and
Tom Green are essential. Please send photos, tapes and CV's to:
Anthony Owen, Objective Productions, 25-27 Bickerton Road, London N19 5JT.
24.8.02
Kovari
Magic Productions are now advertising with MagicWeek. Kovari
made his first original trick in Budapest in November 1956, the "Indian
Dream Rope" which he is still selling today. From 1960, in between
professional engagements, Kovari made tricks for Unique Magic (run by
Harry Stanley and Ken Brooke). It was at that time that he learned all about magic dealing,
forming his own business in June, 1973. One of the items that he made
years ago were the "real" Bamboo Chinese Sticks (which Kovari has just
re-released). They now manufacture 80 items from close-up to cabaret to
stage magic. One of their best-selling items being The Pom-Pom, marketed
with Ali Bongos' blessing. Kovari sights two reasons for the
invention of original props and effects, 1. The need for effective items
for his three magic and illusion shows (all one and a half hours each) and,
2. Creating special magic for a one-off play or show. All items are used
before real audiences before being marketed to iron out any potential
problems, and come with full and detailed instructions. Visit
www.kovarimagic.co.uk
today!
24.8.02
International News: MAJINX! are an
illusion company based in Ottawa, Canada. They are currently performing at
the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto through until September 2nd.
Performance times are 2pm and 6.30pm daily. Winners of the Canadian Magic
Champions the show features Cynthia and Lawrence together with their two
children, Nathan and Zadia. It is a colorful original show for a family
audience. Lawrence designs and builds all their illusions - so that they
are truly unique. The name Majinx came about when they combined "Magic" with
"Hyjinx" - which is pretty much how they describe their show! Visit:
www.majinxcentral.com and be
sure to see the show if you visit Toronto this Summer.
24.8.02
On
Tuesday 20th August the Manchester Circle of Magicians held their
second Jumbo Auction at the Salford Masonic Hall. With an attendance of
220 magicians it was without doubt one of the largest Auctions seen for
many years. Over 250 items were sold generating a turnover of nearly
£5,000 amongst which were a number of original Jack Hughes items.
Auctioneers Derek Lever and Mike Shepherd romped through the goodies with
professionalism and good humour whilst a whole army of Circle members
acted as runners, sorters and manned the administration table, working
their socks off until well after midnight. With seven new members joining
the club, taking the total membership to 212, it was without doubt a very
successful night.
24.8.02
Magician's
Wanted for an up-coming charity event in London from the 21st October
to the 1st November. The Halloween Horror Factory will be offering
children, and their families, "the chance to design and dress up in their
own Halloween outfits, visit hauntingly awful activity stalls, make
disgusting 'mixtures' and try some delicious eyeball soup." Kids
Company, a charity working for vulnerable and disadvantaged children
living in and around Camberwell and South London, would like to hear from
you if you think that you'll be able to offer your services. Contact Lisa
ter Haar on 0208 747 4526 for more information. 24.8.02
Card
Guard is the perfect way to protect your cards. Constructed in
stainless steel it's available from MagicTricks.co.uk
by return. 24.8.02
Magic
Clubs are always on the lookout for something a little
different... Based on The Black Magick Theatre Show, Black Hart
sets up his Black Magick Theatre in your own club room, complete
with props, lighting and effects. After a short introduction the lights
are turned off, the candles lit, and it's on with the show - exactly
as it is performed for the paying public. The only difference is that
after the break all is revealed. The presentation and lecture can be seen
at the Bolton Magicians Club on September 4th. Visiting magicians are
welcome (£3.00) at the Cotton Tree Hotel, Prince Street, Bolton. Contact
Jim Hodgkiss first on 01204 522651 for further details. Black Hart only
present a couple of these club lectures each year, the last being for The
Magic Circle. Visit
www.blackhart.co.uk
24.8.02
Stuart
Macleod and Barry Jones were the official magicians at Billy
Connelly's recent 60th birthday party. Guests included Judy
Dench, Paul McCartney, Robin Williams, Steve Buchemi, Patrick Stewart, Bob
Geldof, Rod Stewart and Steve Martin (himself a "magic fan").
24.8.02
David
Lancaster will perform at a wedding celebration for over one thousand
guests on September 1st. He will be presenting some close-up magic
followed by a cabaret show at Lancaster's Town Hall. David works mainly in
the North West, specialising in close-up and cabaret for parties and
weddings. He can be contacted at
davnbl@aol.com
24.8.02
Steve Cohen's Chamber Magic (King's
Room of the Langham Hilton, minus a couple of days when the room is being
used for a different function and it moves to the Ambassador's Room) can
be booked from Monday next week... There were a few teething troubles
"booking wise" that are now being sorted out. Show details, see
What's On
24.8.02
A few quick links: A box manufacturer has distant links with Chung Ling Sue • Siegfried & Roy meet Michael Jackson's new baby • MagicVideoDepot is a new website featuring around 150 "performance only" magic video clips: magicvideodepot.com • Don't forget to watch Uri Geller on I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here! on Sunday night - he's packed loads of garlic apparently... "my friend David Blaine told me it repels mosquitoes" and fellow contestants no doubt Uri. See you next week, Duncan. 24.8.02