Number 166 - 30th August 2003
David
Blaine hit the headlines across the UK last week. The Daily
Telegraph had him on the front page and inside in an interview
with Jan Moir, "He predicts that he will lose 50 to 55 pounds in weight
during this 1056-hour marathon, a better result than any Atkins devotee
could ever hope for." To read the full interview
Click Here (you may need to 'register' first). To read The Observer
Profile
Click Here. To read an interview in The Independent
Click Here. On Thursday morning Blaine decided to do the tourist thing
and took a ride on the
London Eye... but travelled on the outside
Click Here and
Click Here. Above the Below will be broadcast live, as
David Blaine enters his box on Friday, September 5th at 8.30pm on Sky One
and then on Channel 4 at 10pm on Monday, September 8th (Map). Sky viewers will be able to
tune-in 24 hours a day using their "red button." See
TV Magic for more listings. 44 days is
a very long time to spend inside a box (understatement of the year or
what!) and I really can't see how he's going to last, but wish him well - MagicWeek will bring you updates, exclusive photos from the scene
and a daily counter! 30.8.03
Geoffrey
Durham is back on tour in September with his critically acclaimed
Geoffrey Durham's Little Miracles show. On Friday, September 5th, he's
at the
Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton, Telephone: 01823 283244. On Wednesday,
September 10th, at the
Stag Theatre,
Sevenoaks, Telephone: 01732 450175. On September 11th, 12th, 13th at the
Greenwich
Theatre, London and on Saturday, September 27th, at the Chequer Mead
Theatre, East Grinstead, Telephone: 01342 302000. With more dates in
October, November and December (see What's
On). The Greenwich Theatre dates offer a rare opportunity for London based
magicians to see Geoffrey's work live. Geoffrey is the special
guest on Countdown on Tuesday, September 2nd, on Channel 4 (see
TV Magic) and after a break for the Summer
Magic Profile
is back and Geoffrey Durham is in the hot seat.
"I was out of work as an actor, and was reading
every magic book I could get my hands on. I discovered the Supreme Magic
Company by accident, and read some of their stuff. Through an
extraordinary little book called Stranger Than Fiction by Derek
Lever, I started to work as a busker on the streets of Liverpool doing a
stunt act - fire eating, bed of nails, razor blades, hammering a nail up
my nose. I was called Scrappy Lambert when I did that act, and I did quite
well, really. I've often thought that I might try it again one day."
Magic Profile.
30.8.03
The
Young Magicians Club "J Day 2003" takes place on Sunday October 19th
and features close-up and stage competitions, magic dealers, lectures, a gala show with Ali Bongo, Paul Megram (photo)
and Larry Parker and the chance to spend a whole day at the famous Magic
Circle HQ in the heart of London. The day runs from 10am to 8pm and
admission is by ticket only. YMC members: £5.00 (quote your membership
number), non members under 18: £8.00, adult magicians: £10.00 but please
note that this event is intended for young magicians only as numbers are
strictly limited. To register for the competition heats, to be held on
October 4th, please contact Mandy Davis by September 20th. Email:
Mandy@TheMagicCircle.co.uk
or write to the address below. All contestants must purchase a ticket.
Applications must be in writing. Please include an SAE. Cheques and postal
orders should be made payable to: "The Magic Circle Youth Initiative" and
sent to: YMC J Day 2003, The Young Magicians Club, Centre for the Magic
Arts, 12 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD.
30.8.03
Stephen
Bargatze lectures at the
Watford
Association of Magicians on September 21st. Apart from his Southport
British Ring lecture a week later this is his only other UK lecture. The
lecture starts at 8pm and tickets are £5.00 for members and £10.00 for
non-member magicians. For more information email WAM Secretary Tim
Shoesmith: t.shoesmith@virgin.net.
30.8.03
The
Medway Magical Society's Annual Dinner will be held on Saturday
October 18th at the St George Hotel, New Road Avenue, Chatham - 7pm for
7.30pm. With cabaret from Joe Tracini, Jon Robinson and (from September
8th) new Magic Circle President Alan Shaxon (photo). "Enjoy a relaxing
evening with Kent's friendliest magical society." Adults £24.50, Under 18s
£17.00. Tickets from: Keith Borland, 40 Montfort Road, Walderslade, Kent
ME5 9HA. Telephone 01634 862140. Please enclose an SAE.
www.medwaymagic.org
30.8.03
Congratulations
to Shane who won first prize in the Manchester Circle of Magicians
Stage Competition on August 19th. The Salford Memorial Hall was packed
to capacity as both magicians and the public enjoyed the evening's
competition. Taking part: Ian Ball, John Blackham, Dazzling Darren, Philip
Partridge, Freddie Wilkinson, Shane, Geoff Berry and Crisandy. Third place
went to Dazzling Darren, second to Philip Partridge but first was reserved
for Shane who's act features quick-fire productions: "His rapid card
manipulations and mobile phone productions were incredible, all the more
so because he abandoned the platform and still controlled the sight lines
within a few feet of the judges." Emailed Steve Voce. For membership
details visit:
www.taurusmagic.net.
30.8.03
The
Zodiac Magical Society have just launched a new website. Formed in
1946 by Dick Chavel and Napier Bye they now have about 100 members and
meet on Wednesdays in Ealing, West London.
www.zodiacmagicalsociety.co.uk.
30.8.03
Safire appear in Entertainment Unlimited at the Colwyn Bay
Theatre, North Wales on November 13th at 7.30pm. Tickets £6.00,
concessions £4.00, starring Safire, Mike Sealey, Phoenix and Anne Marie.
Box Office 01492 532668.
30.8.03
Irish
magician Ruairi O'Connor has just signed a contract to present his act
at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Ruairi who is a popular and
hardworking performer on the corporate circuit is delighted. "Hard work,
luck and more than a little bit of the hocus-pocus" are what Ruairi
attributes his success to. He's been a magician ever since he skipped
classes in his Dundalk school days to hone the various skills of
his craft. He was spotted by Las Vegas magician
Steve Dacri who
invited him to appear on his show Extreme Close-up Magic. Ruairi leaves
for Las Vegas on September 20th
www.ruairioconnor.com.
30.8.03
The Magic Cavern at Barons Court
presents the close-up magic of Noel Qualter (photo) and close-up 'magic of the
mind' with mind writer Ian Carpenter on 6th October at 8.00pm. Barons
Court Theatre, West Kensington, London. Box Office 020 8932 4747
www.falseimpressions.com. If you are interested in presenting your act/show at The Magic
Cavern (now booking to April 2004) contact Richard Leigh.
richard@falseimpressions.com.
30.8.03
The British Magical Awards Convention takes place tomorrow - see What's On • Fay Presto and mindreader Drew McAdam are appearing at the Dunblane Hilton on November 8th for the children's charity Dreamflight. The event is being organised by British Airways • Nathan Newman's Case Discoveries mentioned in MagicWeek a few months ago is now on the market and available from www.expertmagic.com • Well, that's about it for this week. Your magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 30.8.03