Number 204 - 22nd May 2004

 

Really sad news to report this week that Tony Shelley died on Sunday evening, May 16th, following a massive brain haemorrhage that struck, out of the blue, on the Friday while he was performing at a magic show in Alcester, with members of the British Magical Society. Tony was a Past President of the British Ring and Past International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and also a Past President and Honorary Secretary of the British Magical Society and a member of The Inner Magic Circle. But more than that he was a much loved and respected man who people instantly warmed to and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts go out to Boon, Elizabeth and children Mark and Victoria. Tony was only 65. The Funeral and Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday May 25th at 12.15pm at St. Matthews Church, Birmingham Street, Walsall. A Cremation will take place after the Service for family members only. 22.5.04

 

Roy Horn's First Video Appearance Since Tiger Attack. "It's a moment so many have waited so long to see. Magician Roy Horn is talking and joking alongside his longtime partner, Siegfried. Today's video appearance has surprised and delighted many of Roy's fans and friends who still weren't sure about the success of his recovery. News 3's Steve Crupi reports from Roy's Las Vegas home, where Roy's been busy working on a new TV series." Video and story: Click Here. 22.5.04

 

Derren Brown hosts a special programme that will bring twelve members of the public together to recreate a séance at 10.35pm on Monday 31st May on Channel 4. See TV Magic. Friday's Trick of the Mind was excellent. 22.5.04

 

Marco Tempest is The Virtual Magician Keeper of Secrets and his fast-paced, CG-enhanced, "sci-fi meets reality" TV series comes to Sky 1 on Monday May 31st. "His imaginative combination of computer-generated imagery, video, music and stagecraft with his unique vision of future life is creatively unique and unequalled within the performing arts. No one else combines the incredible technical savvy with the showmanship, the physical skills and the charisma of Tempest. With all that talent, it’s amazing that he seems to enjoy poking fun at himself, and all those marvelous toys! Marco gets a kick out of bending reality around the edges. Is that image IN the screen, or just in front of it?" See TV Magic. 22.5.04

 

Gary Young's 8th Top Secret Magic Day approaches! Tommy Wonder is flying over to the UK especially and will be lecturing and performing together with CoSMIK, Mark Shortland, Luke Jermay, Viva and Terry Seabrooke. 18 magic dealers will display all the latest gear and (as predicted!) the day is virtually sold out... so hurry if you still haven't booked a ticket! Visit: www.topsecretmagicday.co.uk for full details. Sunday, June 6th, Milton Keynes, 9am - 9.30pm. 22.5.04

 

International News. Pieras Fitikides is organising the Cyprus Magic Convention which will run from November 3rd - 7th, 2004. This is the first time that a magic convention has been staged on the beautiful island of Cyprus making it the ideal opportunity to combine magic with a holiday. Already a number of top performers have been confirmed, including guest of honour David Berglas, and the five star St. Raphael Resort Hotel looks like it will be the perfect convention venue. The stated aims of the convention are: To pay tribute to outstanding magicians and their contribution to the magic fraternity; to promote the art of magic; to establish Cyprus as a meeting place for foreign magicians; to promote friendship between magicians and to establish the Cyprus Magic Convention as an annual event. Sounds good to me! For more information visit the website: www.cyprus-convention.com. 22.5.04

 

GotMagic.co.uk are now advertising with MagicWeek. Specialising in magic for the children's entertainer they offer a unique range of products ranging from Attack of the Book Worms to The Magic of Thinking Creatively DVD Set. From the company: "Here you will find high quality, modern props and supplies that you won’t necessarily find anywhere else. We aim to be the resource for the professional magician so if there is something you need (prop, utility item or even waistcoat!) get in touch and we will source it for you." Visit www.gotmagic.co.uk today! 22.5.04

 

Last week there was a touch of magic in the air in Reading when the Mayor held a Grand Charity Gala Dinner at Caversham Park. Local magician David Hawkins (photo) teamed up with Lee Florida to provide close-up magical entertainment for the 300 guests and celebrities during the champagne reception and then around the tables during the dinner. It was a very busy night but the close-up performances were really appreciated by the guests. David and Lee donated their services free of charge and, although it will be some time before the official figures are released, it is expected that the event will have raised many thousands of pounds for local charities. This event concluded a busy week for David, performing at a European Travel Industry Gala Dinner in Brighton, a large corporate event for Nokia, a dinner party for the board members of a European bank and a lavish wedding at the exclusive Woodlands Park Hotel in Cobham. www.david-hawkins.co.uk www.leeflorida.co.uk. 22.5.04

 

Magic Spectacular 4: A Fistful of Broken Wands takes place at the Bloomsbury Theatre on 2nd and 3rd June at 8pm. Featuring award winning magic, music and comedy from Alfonso Rios, Jonathan Goodwin, Tim Vine, Milton Jones, Jessica Cornish, Stuart Scott, Steve King, The Band and Paul Dabek. Tickets £15 (£12 concessions). For full details visit: www.thebloomsbury.com or call the Box Office on 020 7388 8822. 22.5.04

 

The Mid-Ulster Magic Circle are hosting a one day "Halloween Convention" on Saturday November 6th at the Fitzwilliam International Hotel at Belfast International Airport Northern Ireland. Magic Circle President Alan Shaxon and Perthshire's 'Mr. Magic' Adrian Harris have already been booked. The convention is open to all magicians. Further details from Joe Glover 02838 325079 or Des Callaghan 02894 453667 or Click Here to visit the website. 22.5.04

 

Steve Giles is presenting An intimate evening of Close-up Magic and Mind Reading every Wednesday at The Hotel L'Horizon, St Brelade's Bay, Jersey, from May 26th. Seats are £20 each or £37 including a meal and numbers are restricted to just 20 for each performance. To book telephone the Hotel on 01534 743101 - booking in advance is suggested as numbers are limited... so if you're visiting Jersey this Summer book now! 22.5.04

 

Congratulations to Paul Gordon and fiancée Judy who are getting married today. Magician Father Roger Crosthwaite is conducting the service. Back to business and for anyone who has had difficulty in placing orders recently Paul reports that all is now back to normal, the gremlins have gone, and some new products have also been added to the website. Visit: www.paulgordon.net. 22.5.04

 

"...The event organiser on the other hand spends the rest of the year organising sales data or some such task, and this is their one chance in the year to give vent to their latent theatrical aspirations. They are not going to give up this chance easily." Be Prepared writes Black Hart Click Here. 22.5.04

 

A number of magicians were approached last week regarding an upcoming "documentary" production for Channel Five that plans to expose some of David Blaine's work. Steer well clear • Do you believe in magic? Patrick Jones asked Sir Ian McKellen in the Independent. "As a devotee of Penn & Teller, Derren Brown and Tommy Cooper, of course I do" he replies Click HereMark Worgan's recent Klub Magic evening at the Komedia in Brighton is reviewed this week by Martin Breese Click HereThat's it for this week. It's our daughter's 6th birthday party today so I've decided to perform my full silent act... should be fun!! Your magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 22.5.04

 

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