Number 147 - 19th April 2003
"An
escapologist will risk his life by dangling upside down, tied to a
crane by a blazing rope, more than 150ft above George Square in Glasgow.
Shahid Malik's stunt means he will have less than four minutes to break
out of a strait-jacket and be lowered to the ground before the flaming
rope disintegrates." From the Online Evening Times,
Click Here to read the full story - the stunt takes place on
Wednesday, April 23rd.
19.4.03
Rob
James provides sleight of hand segments for "Design Rules" - a new
peak time BBC series due to begin on Monday May 12th. Hosted by design
wizard Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, the series is about interior design in the
home and the first show draws comparisons between the world of design and
the world of illusion. Rob caught the eye of the show's researchers while
performing at a summer party for the BBC last year.
www.rob-james.com.
19.4.03
Davenports
are now advertising with MagicWeek. One of the great names in
British magic this family run company have been magic dealing for over 100
years and offer an excellent range of magic both via their shop in London
and now over the internet. The Davenports Magic Catalogue is now
available, consisting of over 500 pages, 1200 items, and over 15
categories: close-up, general, stage, cabaret, cards, books, accessories,
fire, children's, sponge magic, coins, juggling, escapology, mentalism,
ventriloquism, posters and a video section, all comprehensively indexed.
The price of the catalogue is £7.50 and it can be ordered from their
website:
www.davenportsmagic.co.uk. Pay them a visit today!
19.4.03
Mike
Danata's Magic Studio has a new website! Based in Bournemouth the
store is packed top to bottom with everything magic - magicians travel
from all over the South to visit. The Studio will be open for business
this Bank Holiday Monday and Mike will, as always, be on hand to
demonstrate what's new. Visit
www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk for more information.
19.4.03
Magicbox.uk.com,
one of the UK's leading magic dealers, has just launched MagicBoxVideo,
a brand new streaming video system. The magic video clips can be accessed
from the relevant product pages and open in a pop-up window. Users can
view the videos in real-time without downloading them, although they are
more suited to Broadband. Users with Modems can download the files though
and enjoy them at the same high quality. "We didn't want to just film the
clips in front of a video camera, we decided to go out and film the tricks
as they are meant to be performed, in front of real people" explained
magician Clive Richardson, proprietor of MagicBox. Graeme Shaw, a staff
magician at MagicBox added, "The beauty of filming the clips in this way
is that people can visualise the effects in real situations… something
which is often difficult to do from reading a description." The
compilation of clips will be available on video and DVD from late May /
early June. "This new video will be broadcast quality - we've put a lot of
thought into the way we wanted to do it. I'm sure it will be a resounding
success!" For more information contact Paul Younghusband, Telephone 0191
232 5335, Email:
info@magicbox.uk.com Website:
www.magicbox.uk.com.
19.4.03
Mark
of the Beast from Black Hart Productions is now available with
"e-instructions" on a single disc containing colour photos, text and video
clips. "This is the first of our effects to receive the 'e' treatment,"
said Black Hart Productions boss Keith Hart. "It is a great way to read
the instructions and to learn magic. The video clips show just how a
particular move should look. We are always looking for ways to improve
service to our customers and this is a good way to use the power of modern
technology to our customers advantage." For more information on Mark of
the Beast 2 visit the website
www.blackhart.co.uk.
19.4.03
Magician
Philip Partridge, who set up his business with help from The Prince's
Trust, will get the chance to say a very personal thanks to The Trust's
President, HRH The Prince of Wales, when he makes a special visit to the
North West next week. HRH, The Prince of Wales will be visiting Cheshire
on Monday 28th April and during his visit he will be meeting a number of
beneficiaries and supporters of his charity from the Region. Philip will
perform one of his favourite tricks to The Prince of Wales and other
invited guests and dignitaries during the visit. Philip set up his
business thanks to a £1,500 loan from the Trust in 1997 and has never
looked back. Not only has he performed at Brooklyn Beckham's Birthday
Party but he has appeared on the Entertainer's Special of The Weakest Link
for The Prince's Trust and is soon to appear on BBC1 on Ian Wright's new
show "I'd Do Anything." "I'm really excited about being involved in the
visit," said Philip, "The help and support offered by the Prince's Trust
has been invaluable, particularly in the provision of a fantastic mentor
who encouraged and advised me a great deal. I am also now myself a Trust
mentor as I wanted to give something back." Young entrepreneurs are
supported with start up loans and grants, free advice, a comprehensive
'aftercare' programme and advice from volunteer 'Business Mentors'. Nearly
60% of Trust businesses are still trading into their third year, a rate
that compares very favourably with conventional lending sources, despite
the 'high risk' nature of the businesses.
www.princes-trust.org.uk.
19.4.03
Following
on from the success of last year's Easter Magic in Central Milton
Keynes Shopping Centre, Eugene Matthias has been asked if he would like to
stage a similar event this year. Six magic shows a day are planned, plus
"six daily schools of magic" for youngsters, run by The Magic Club of
Great Britain, together with street magicians who'll be performing
around the centre. The event has attracted a lot of media coverage and all
looks set for a busy Easter Bank Holiday weekend. The centre is located
at: 24 Silbury Arcade, Central Milton Keynes MK9 3ES (Map).
19.4.03
Escapologist
Tom Lyon was on Xchange last week performing a new escape
routine and he'll be appearing on Blue Peter (photo) again in the not too
distant future. Also, a German production company are filming a mini
documentary about Tom's escapes to air in Germany on a show about the
paranormal.
www.thelockkeeper.co.uk.
19.4.03
MidKnight Magic have decided to stop trading for the time being in order to allow them time to concentrate on developing their own performance material. They currently have a small amount of stock for sale as a 'job lot' that would be ideal for smaller magic outlets or a magic club perhaps. All items are of a professional standard, including mentalist material. For a stock list and 'package price' please contact info@midknight-magic.com. A small quantity of novelty items and fancy dress costumes are also available. 19.4.03
Just
published That's
Magic by Richard Jones is now available from MagicWeek in association
with Amazon.co.uk
Click Here • Jus' Like That! is featured in The Independent's
"Best Plays" list, and is reviewed by James Rampton this week,
Click Here • "It is without doubt one of Bath's more bizarre stories.
The tale of magician Albert Macdonald who fell into the River Avon and
died - while his pet guinea pig which was in his pocket survived." Read
the full story in The Bath Cronicle
Click Here • The "Featured Performer" links on MagicWeek (see
Magicians) now include a mini
screen-grab as well as 50 words of text - please email for details • The
For Sale and Wanted
ads are very popular but you'd be amazed at how many people think that
"Full Name" means "dezza" or "Mr Bubbles" or whatever. Please read the
Terms & Conditions
before sending in an ad • That's it for this week, have a great Easter
weekend, and do keep your news coming. See you next week, Duncan.
19.4.03