Number 174 - 25th October 2003

 

"Blair taken to hospital after heart scare" so what... Blaine's out of his box, now that is worth a picture - can nothing keep this man out of the headlines? Even The Independent (one of the UK's better papers overseas readers should note), couldn't resist the draw of Blaine's box. The closing moments made for compulsive viewing. The box was lowered and Blaine stumbled out. He was clearly shaken - 44 days of mindless tedium suddenly coming to an end in front of thousands on live television. He broke down in tears momentarily and managed a few words, "I learned how important it is to have a sense of humour and to laugh at everything because nothing makes any sense," together with a somewhat Jacksonesque "I love you all." He was then carried off on a stretcher and taken to a waiting ambulance. Channel 4's version of the show (shown on Monday night) included some extra footage showing him settling into hospital, and having a few laughs. I've always highly rated Blaine. His original "street magic" show was exactly what was needed at that time, especially in the UK, but Monday's show, which ran for nearly one hour, was poor. The live material worked very well but the pre recorded inserts were banal. Not that any of that really matters though - the world-wide publicity that this stunt generated was incredible. Many thanks to cartoonist Andy Cartledge for his take on it all: Click Here. (Visit Andy's site: www.blist.co.uk). "Blaine is now exercising and back on solids, starting with a handful of crisps" reports The Independent: Click Here. 25.10.03

 

Men in Coats - A Little Less Conversation... A Little More Action is currently on tour across the UK. Since their total sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival they've appeared on Children In Need and The Royal Variety Show 2002. They were also regular special guests on the BBC's The Live Floor Show. Earlier this year Men in Coats were invited by Prince Charles to perform especially for The Queen and members of the Royal Family at a private party at Clarence House to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Coronation. For tour dates see What's On - highly recommended. Very funny, original and magical! "Watching this show was the happiest hour I spent in Edinburgh" The Spectator, August 2002. 25.10.03

 

...or the gold fish gets it. The brilliant Noel Britten heads the line up at The Magic Club, Birmingham, on Sunday, November 2nd at The Wharf Bar, The Quality Hotel, Walsall. Tickets: £5.00 in advance or £6.00 on the door (NUS discount on production of NUS Card). To book call Keith Bennett on 0121 628 9697. The show starts at 8.30pm and doors open at 7.30pm. With Saxon Tylney, Keith's Trick, and more acts to be announced. Venue details: Click Here. No one knows more about working with gold fish than this man. 25.10.03

 

John Palfreyman, after 70 years in magic, had a "celebration and retirement from magic" party on Thursday night and was joined by John Fisher and members of The Magic Circle and the Surrey Society of Magicians. During his career he was associated with the David Nixon and Tommy Cooper shows amongst others. (Photo by www.commercialphotography-uk.com) 25.10.03

 

TrickShop.com are currently offering Mike Maxwell's Learn to Levitate Video in PAL VHS together with a supply of IT or Rob Stiff's Learn Magic Video in NTSC VHS on all orders of $50 or more FREE! The offer extends to both shipped goods and downloaded e-books (or a combination) and all orders within any given 24 hour period will qualify. Two of TrickShop's best selling books, Mastering Hypnosis and Tradecraft (left), now have full colour covers included in both the US (8½" x 11") and UK/European A4 format versions, when down loaded as PDF e-books, or ordered online. Air mail shipping to the UK is still just $8.95 per order. Visit: www.trickshop.com for more information. 25.10.03

 

Marc Paul's long awaited brand new DVD Mind 2 Mind can now be pre-ordered exclusively from www.magictricks.co.uk. MagicWeek hopes to bring you the first review next week but until then here's a look at what's in store: "Mind 2 Mind is an amazing collection of direct mind reading effects including Marc's famous book test as seen on the Parkinson TV show. The DVD has fourteen effects, performed and explained, bonus effects which include 'macro' effects that play to an entire audience, a way to read minds over the telephone and even an interactive trick to show your friends. Effects include: A coin in the hand where a spectator is able to correctly guess in which hand you are hiding a coin, a giant card mind-reading effect and an amazing direct mind reading trick where you are able to divine a shape, a colour, a letter and a number that four spectators are thinking of. The DVD has been digitally produced from start to finish - ensuring it is of the highest possible quality." To pre-order and guarantee your personal copy of what promises to be an excellent disc visit: www.magictricks.co.uk. 25.10.03

 

Building Blocks by Luke Jermay is due out in just a few weeks. By blending psychological techniques with some classic conjuring methodology Luke presents cutting-edge mentalism and 'magick' effects that will have your audiences believing that you can do anything! "Luke is one of those rare individuals who brings a unique touch of originality to everything he does. Great thinking and great routines! With fresh presentations like these, I look forward to the future of our craft." Steve Banachek. The first 150 copies will be individually numbered and signed. Published by Alakazam. To pre-order or just to find out more visit: www.alakazam.co.uk today. 25.10.03

 

Klub Magic is back on Monday November 3rd at the Komedia Theatre in Brighton. Host and magician Mark Worgan has put together another top line up this month featuring Ian Keable (photo), Richard McDougall, Russell Levinson and Pete McCahon. Tickets are available online via the Komedia Box Office: www.komedia.co.uk. Visit www.klubmagic.co.uk to see who's on over the coming months. Klub Magic is going so well that the current run (first Monday in the Month) has been extended until May 2004. 25.10.03

 

Pete Firman was a guest on MTV Europe's flagship show TRL last week, talking about Monkey Magic and David Blaine while performing some of his own magic for the studio audience (to great effect). Last week he was also a guest on the BBC's Liquid News. Pete's top ten magic tricks can currently be seen in this month's issue of THE FACE magazine. www.petefirman.co.uk. 25.10.03

 

Mark Worgan lectures at the Bolton Magical Society at 8.30pm on Wednesday, November 5th at the Cotton Tree, Prince Street, Bolton. Visiting magicians are welcome (there will be an entrance fee of £3). Further information from: www.bolton-magic.co.uk or telephone Jim Hodgkiss 01204 522651. Mark will be covering close-up and comedy cabaret with extracts from his act that will include some of his own routines and tricks. Full lecture notes will be available on the night, or via: mark.worgan@btinternet.com. 25.10.03

 

Paul Daniels has teamed up with The 2004 World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas to present a new masterclass on the business of magic. This will take place on January 11th. The day will feature all-new content covering performance skills, and how to improve on them, together with what's involved business wise in developing a career in magic. The 2003 masterclass was very popular, as the testimonials on the official website confirm. Good news for anyone who missed last year's UK dates: Paul is currently looking at the possibility of presenting more UK masterclasses in the Spring of 2004. For more details visit www.pdmasterclass.com. 25.10.03

 

XMP illusions headed by performer Rob McKenna can be seen on two upcoming television programmes over Halloween. First, live, on UK Living's Loose Lips on Wednesday 29th at 5.10pm and the then on the BBC's Blue Peter for their Halloween Special on the 31st. Rob will be performing illusions on both shows. "It's high time we gave back magic its classics - performed in the way they were originally intended. As a life long enthusiast, that's exactly what I am setting out to achieve," said Rob. 25.10.03

 

Many congratulations to Jonathan Shotton who won the Young Magicians Club Junior Day Stage Competition last Sunday. We'll bring you the close-up results next weekFor a message from Siegfried Click Here. "Siegfried vows he and Roy will return": CNN John Palfreyman has a large book list (far too long for the free ads!) that he'd like to send out to magicians and collectors. Please email John at j.palfreyman@btopenworld.com for details The six-part Psychic Secrets Revealed series ended on Friday and Solomon: The Escape Artist was shown last Sunday. I hope to bring you reviews of both in a week or twoThat's it for this week. We had a problem with our news submission form a few days ago for a couple of days so if you sent in some news and it didn't appear please resendYour news is always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan. 25.10.03

 

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