Number 192 - 28th February 2004

 

The incredible Yamagami Brothers! Yoshinosuke and Akinoshin 'strike a pose' during the after gala party at the Blackpool Convention on the Sunday night. Stand out performers for me this year were indeed the Yamagami Brothers, whose sense of showmanship and fun is irresistible, Takamitsu Uchida, whose stunning card manipulation begins where others end, Joe Pasquale, Vik & Fabrini, The Great Nardini, Tony Stevens, Wayne Dobson, Billy McComb and Franz Harary's lecture. I missed a lot of events, but Kevin Gallagher has submitted his 'highlights' report, Click Here. The Blackpool Convention was, once again, a total success and I am sure that convention organiser Derek Lever, President David Plant, Stage Director Russell Brown and the entire BMC team were delighted with the outcome. Next year's dates are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 25th, 26th and 27th February and the registration desk opens on July 1st, that's just four months away! 28.2.04

 

Eagle eyed readers may have spotted Dynamic FX among the credits for BBC1's much publicised new drama series 'Hustle', which started last week. The company are advising the writers on scams and hustles for plot development and also training Robert Vaughn and the other actors in the art of the con, card sharp techniques and pickpocketing. Visit the Hustle website: www.bbc.co.uk/hustle. 28.2.04

 

James Freedman appeared picking pockets on ITV's 'This Morning' on Friday to promote Hustle. James lectures at The Magic Circle on Pickpocket Secrets on Monday 8th March and MagicWeek hears that some secrets from the show will be revealed! Visit www.pickpocket.co.uk. 28.2.04

 

Peter McCahon, from Five's Monkey Magic, appeared on Blue Peter last week to challenge Blue Peter presenter Simon Thomas, and teach him the art of escapology! The programme is repeated on Monday 1st March at 7am on BBC2. 28.2.04

 

Crowdstop.com are now advertising with MagicWeek and many readers will have seen their range of Spider stages, backdrops and tables at the Blackpool Convention last week - their stand was one of the busiest. Peter Nardi's Alakazam have been appointed as main dealers for the South, Merlins of Wakefield remain as main dealers for the North, and Pat Fallon (01 621 1900 email abcmagic@iol.ie) for Ireland. Customers can visit all three dealers who will be happy to demonstrate the Spider Stage and discuss the full product range in depth. Visit www.crowdstop.com today for more information. The piece of staging shown in the photo is incredibly light, folds down to nothing and sets up in seconds. 28.2.04

 

David Penn, Chris Priest and Sav were invited by David Berglas to entertain celebrities and corporate sponsors at the Variety Club of Great Britain on its 14th Gold Heart Day on February 14th. Stars from the world of television and music, together with corporate clients, were treated to a feast of stunning close-up magic performed by the trio and many thousands of pounds were raised. 28.2.04

 

Magician and motivational speaker John Hotowka is featured in icHuddersfield, Click Here. 28.2.04

 

Congratulations to Magic Dave (David Allen) winner of this year's UK Children's Entertainer of the Year 2004 competition at the Blackpool Convention. Each member of the audience of 800 was asked to register a vote to find the most entertaining act, taking into consideration, Showmanship, Skill, Magical Content and Entertainment Value. Dave's act included levitation, ventriloquism and magical mayhem! 28.2.04

 

The reformed Liverpool Magic Circle (originally formed 50 years ago in 1954) now have Ken Dodd as a patron and Franz Harary, Patrick Page, Paul Zenon and Paul Gertner as honorary members. This photo shows members, with Franz Harary second from the left. New membership applications are welcomed: www.liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk 28.2.04

 

A new magic club has just been formed in North Hertfordshire. Magical Mayhem meets fortnightly on Thursday evenings at 7pm in the Roecroft Centre, Church Road, Stotfold - just off Junction 10 of the A1 (Map). "This is a club with a relaxed atmosphere, and low overheads - which are passed onto club members. To join you must demonstrate a pulse and a genuine interest in magic. Your first two meetings will be free but the annual membership fee of £10.00 will be required after that. A short demonstration of your magic may be required." Their first booked lecturer is Terry Seabrooke on March 25th. Tickets must be booked and paid for in advance as space is limited. For further information on joining the club, or to book tickets call Martin Daubney on 01462 627503. 28.2.04

 

Andy Reay showed me his Sharpie Pen through Signed Card at the Blackpool convention and it instantly appealed. Not only was it a clever piece of visual magic but at the end of the routine you are left with a pen and a deck of cards that can then be used for other effects. In fact when Andy was showing me another magician came back to take another look as it had fooled him so badly. Clever stuff! Available from: www.andyreay.co.uk/Shop.html. 28.2.04

 

Chris Cox is pleased to announce the premier of Mind Works. For two evenings only Chris Cox will be bringing his unique blend of magic, psychology and "influencing" skills to The Backwell Playhouse, Mariners Drive, Backwell, Bristol BS48 3HT (Map). "This one-man show is an evening like no other, a visual roller-coaster encompassing drawing replications, memory recall, unbelievable predictions and influencing techniques that are demonstrated and explained." Friday March 26th and Sunday March 28th at 8pm. Tickets £10 from the Box Office on 07786 194703 or via www.chriscox.info. 28.2.04

 

Paul Gordon's range of magic can now be ordered securely online and they are currently running a free book promotion. For more information visit: www.paulgordon.net/acatalog. 28.2.04

 

Congratulations to Matthew J Dowden who has just won the Newcastle Magic Circle Close-up Competition - closing his act with the Boomerang Card of Death, which anyone who has seen Greg Wilson's card stunts would have appreciated! www.matthewjdowden.com 28.2.04

 

Jonathan Royle presented an under water escape last week at the launch of Simply Pure Water Ltd., suppliers of premium quality bottled water machines to businesses in Yorkshire and the Northwest. Dressed in shorts and t-shirt he was chained up from head to toe, padlocked, handcuffed and manacled, and then submerged into a large container full of water supplied by the sponsors, escaping just moments later. To read the full story in Manchester Online Click Here. 28.2.04

 

The DownTown Magic Club in Ashford, Kent, invite you to a Questions & Answers Night on March 8th when you'll be able to pose your magic questions to several of their professional members. Magic Dealers Alakazam and The Card Collection will also be there. The evening is open to members and visiting magicians and there will be a special admission price for members of other clubs. For more information contact Miki Travis on 01233 620120, email mikitravis@ntlworld.com Website: DownTown Magic Club. 28.2.04

 

Fabrini, of Vik and Fabrini fame, is also a talented artist, visit www.magicartoon.com to see his work • Derren Brown Live did well in the recently announced Nowt 2 Do Awards 2003 Click Here • Anthony Jacquin reviews Douglas Merrick's recent performance at The Magic Tavern, Barons Court this week, Click Here • "Sleight of bland" writes Barbara Scherzer in the Las Vegas Mercury • On March 5th at 9.15am Jay Fortune will attempt a record straitjacket escape to Queen's I Want To Break Free live on 1134 Kool AM (or online at www.koolam.co.uk). Jay was featured in issue 190 • The Aberdeen Magical Society now have a website www.aberdeenmagic.com • Mark Parker is looking for an illusionist with a view to them being the first to use one of his original illusion designs that will be developed and built by Bill Smith's Magic Ventures in Las Vegas. The illusion will then be marketed using the prop as a show model. For more information (serious enquiries only) email markparker1@mac.com • Tamara Cohen is charmed by Aladin in The Oxford Student, Click Here • From the Manchester News - "Dad keeps tricks of trade in family" Click Here • That's it for this week, your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 28.2.04

 

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