Number 277 - 15th October 2005
Now,
is that magic? "There used to be something sacred about magic tricks,
but in an era when secrets can be circulated around the world in seconds,
where do magicians stand? ...Those who have overstepped the line, such as
the US magician John Lenahan, who is based in Britain, have been
unceremoniously ejected [from The Magic Circle]. Lenahan's big mistake was
to appear on prime time TV talking, in rather too much detail, about his
art. The truth is it's much easier to be thrown out of the Magic Circle
than it is to break in." To read the full article by Jeremy Vine (photo)
in BBC News,
Click Here. Trouble in the Magic Circle 10.30am on Saturday
15th October 2005 (30 minutes) on BBC Radio 4. 15.10.05
Corporate
Magician Martin Sanderson has just been added to the line-up of
performers appearing at the second Close-up Magic Convention in Sussex
run by Paul Gordon and Mark Worgan (13th May 2006). 2005 sold out and most
of the dealer stands have now gone, so the advice is "book now!"
www.cumcis.co.uk. 15.10.05
Blackpool
Convention update: Convention Registration Officer Arthur Casson
recently mailed out 2,000 brochures to past Convention registrants. The
result is that Arthur is now inundated with bookings for the Convention.
He apologises to anyone waiting for a response to their letters or emails
and is working through them all as fast as possible. The Blackpool
Convention is proving more popular than ever - with registrations at an
all time high. The dates are Friday, Saturday, Sunday 24th, 25th, 26th
February, 2006, at the
Winter
Gardens, Blackpool. Full details can be obtained from Arthur Casson,
44 Bryan Road, Blackpool FY3 9BE. Phone/Fax 01253 393688, email
arthurcasson@aol.com or visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com. Don't miss it! 15.10.05
Eugenius?
The producer of Eugenius?, a new television show for Channel 4,
contacted us last week, thinking that single magicians may well fit in
with what they are looking for: "Eugenius? is a TV ‘experiment’ for
Channel 4 which unearths the hidden abilities/skills/attractions of
intelligent and talented guys (18 - 35) and sets them against the more
'obvious' charms of ordinary men. Eugenius will reveal to women all the
potential advantages of brains over beauty. The right person stands the
chance of winning big! With two weeks filming in December and a great
location, a fantastic experience is guaranteed!" For an application form
visit
www.septemberfilms.com. 15.10.05
kidshowmagic.co.uk
has just launched, and is advertising with MagicWeek. "The site will have
honest reviews, tried and tested effects and new and hard to find magic
for children's entertainers. There is also an area where users can
advertise their used children's magic - for free!" The magician behind the
site is Carl McCarthy, who's been performing as 'Carlo' in the Surrey
Heath area for the past six years. A member of the Farnborough Association
of Magical Entertainers and IBM, he is passionate about his magic and has
great plans for
www.kidshowmagic.co.uk - visit the site today! 15.10.05
Manchester
Circle of Magicians Jumbo Auction on Tuesday 25th October will be
truly mammoth in size. With more than 16 lots, some containing 150 items
it is going to be a long but interesting night! To cope with the vast
amount of props and books on offer the Auction will be starting at 6.30pm.
Professional used magic dealers Derek Lever and Mike Shepherd are the
knowledgeable Auctioneers and it all happens at Salford Masonic Hall,
Hemsley House, 41 The Crescent, Salford, Manchester (Map),
which also has a private bar and car park. Doors open at 5.30pm and
viewing commences at 6pm. The door charge for non-members is £3.00.
Further details from Derek Lever, 32 Pilling Lane, Preesall,
Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire FY6 OEU. Phone/Fax 01253 810113, email
deriko@webaplomb.com. 15.10.05
Many
congratulations to Will Gray who won the Leicester Magic Circles' Sir
Julien Cahn Cup for Stage Magic on Friday 7th October. The competition,
now in its 69th year, was held at Fairfield School in Loughborough and the
magical judges were Sam Mallison and Stuart Brown
www.willgray.co.uk. 15.10.05
Wayne
Dobson tops the bill in a Cabaret Extravaganza in aid of Multiple
Sclerosis supported by the Multiple Sclerosis Society at The City of
Manchester Stadium on Friday 25th November from 7pm - 1am. For full
details
Click Here. 15.10.05
UniqueBrowsers.com
is a new venture, run by magician Dave Brown, offering a unique range of
web browsers. "These browsers take browsing into another dimension with
their individual and easily personalised designs. Magicians can take
advantage of a special offer and have a browser personalised for their own
use by visiting this 'magicians only' link:
www.uniquebrowsers.com/magicians.htm which includes details of a free
2006 year planner." 15.10.05
Standing
out from the pack. "After wooing audiences in London, high-society
card sharp Drummond Money-Coutts hopes to reinvent himself as the new cool
face of conjuring. But can he work his magic in Leeds? Drummond
Money-Coutts emerges in the quadrangle of Leeds University looking
entirely inconspicuous. Aside from being unusually tall with a thick mane
of dark hair he's indistinguishable from virtually every other student
milling around him..." To read the full story from Rod McPhee in Leeds
Today,
Click Here. 15.10.05
The
Horwitz Wallet is reviewed by MagicWeek this week "The perfect wallet for real magic,
beautifully made, with an excellent collection of routines too. I loved it!"
To read the full review
Click Here. 15.10.05
Sleight
of Mind. Following Sean Goodman's sell out performance at the Norwich
Playhouse Theatre, Sleight of Mind, an interactive family show, can
be seen at St Georges Theatre, Great Yarmouth on December 3rd. "Sean's
relaxed informal style, together with feats of telepathy, ESP and
foresight create a memorable show guaranteed to leave the audience wanting
more and questioning the power of the mind." Venue: St Georges Theatre,
King Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 2PG (Map) Date: 3rd December,
Tickets: £9 for adults, £7 concessions, £25 for a family ticket (2 adults
and 2 children), Box Office: 01493 858387
www.simplymagic.co.uk. 15.10.05
The
Ipswich Magical Societys' Annual One-Day Convention. Tickets are still
available for The Ipswich Magical Society’s Annual One Day convention on
Sunday, 23rd October, at Needham Market (near Ipswich). This year's
lecturers include Jon Allen, Scott Creasey and Scott Penrose who will all
also perform in the evening Gala show, along with Michael Pearse (comedy
juggling), Matt Edwards (as seen in C4’s Faking It), Karl Jeffery
(ventriloquist) and Steve Kovarez (The Matrix Illusionist). As always the
evening show will be compared by comedian and magician, Richard Whymark.
All this plus magic dealers. More information:
www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk/eveconv2005.htm or email Ally Riley,
allymagic48@hotmail.com. 15.10.05
Mind
Reader Jez Rose has had a busy month presenting training conferences
for new clients Pfizer and Bristol-Meyers Squibb, and performing in
cabaret for Oracle in Barcelona, which resulted in him getting behind with
some orders. Jez emails "All future orders are being handled by someone on
my behalf; I wish I could say a beautiful assistant but she's really not
that pretty at all - she will, however, get all orders sent out right away
...or she'll be out of a job!" Jez will be releasing three mind reading
DVDs and a new book for the public in time for Christmas,
www.jezrose.co.uk. 15.10.05
Equity
(Wales) celebrate their 75th anniversary at The Princess Royal Theatre,
Port Talbot, with a Gala Night of The Stars on Wednesday, November
2nd. The evening will feature a wide variety of acts, including magic and
mind reading from Jasper Blakeley's character 'Kockov' and close-up magic
throughout the evening from Stuart Watkins (photo). The show will be
compered by actor and comedian Stan Stennett. Doors open at 7pm for a
7.30pm start, Tickets: £5.00, £6.50, Box Office: 01639 763214
www.livemagic.co.uk. 15.10.05
Multi
Lock by Riley. A Top Secret Magic exclusive, designed with the
escape artist and magician in mind. This special padlock can be examined,
and measures approximately 3" x 4". For more information visit
www.topsecretmagic.co.uk (click on 'New In'). 15.10.05
Houdini
inspired Jail Escape from Dick Turpin's Death cell! Amethyst (Daniel
Hunt and Annette Claire) will attempt a Houdini-style escape from
York Castle
Museum on Monday October 17th. Daniel will be searched and handcuffed
by North Yorkshire police before being locked into the condemned cell
where the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin spent his last night alive! All
proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Relief. For more information
visit
www.amethyst-illusions.com or email:
janet.hewison@ymt.org.uk To
make a donation contact Macmillan Cancer Relief on 01904 756403 and
ask for Kate or Karina. 15.10.05
Balloon Jam/Workshop days. Graham Lee has two more Balloon Jam/Workshop days coming up on Wednesday 9th November and Wednesday 23rd November. Email Graham for details: grahamleesmagic@blueyonder.co.uk. 15.10.05
Michael Dekker will be lecturing in Exeter on Sunday 16th October and Ilford on Wednesday 19th October. For the Exeter lecture (7.30pm at Wat Tyler House, King William Street, Exeter) contact Ozzy Symons 01392 461881 wizardcalledozz@yahoo.co.uk for entrance fee and more information and for the Ilford lecture at the Ilford Magical Society, Parkside Community Centre, Goodmayes Lane, Ilford on Wednesday 19th October at 8pm contact John Penrose: 01277 659919 (£5 admission to non-members). 15.10.05
"Wes
Craven [photo] takes the stage with Magic Macabre"
Click Here • "Magician adds innovative twists to illusions"
Click Here • "The man with the maggots in his eyes"
Click Here • "Martin: Paul Daniels is best"
Click Here • "Magic Makeover - Curtis Adams is on a mission to make
magic seem cool and mainstream"
Click Here • Smokin' Aces by Working Title Films is currently
in production. The movie is about the pursuit of a magician and mobster
named Buddy Israel, who decides to jump bail and hide out inside a
penthouse casino at Lake Tahoe • See you next week, Duncan. 15.10.05