Number 283 - 26th November 2005
34th
International Magic Convention - This weekend! At the Shaw
Theatre Complex, 100 Euston Road, NW1 2AJ (Map). This year's Convention is dedicated to the
memory of Ron MacMillan (left), who started the Convention in 1972, and all steps have been taken to make it the most memorable ever. The Kevin Reay Close-up Competition, with a First Prize of a
magnificent trophy and £1000 cash (plus further cash prizes for the
runners-up) will be held on the Saturday (morning). Entering: Mario Bove
(Italy), Glenn Farrington (USA), David Blanco (UK), Erik Nordvall
(Sweden), Karl Berseus (Sweden), Antonio Perete (Spain), Martin Eisle
(Germany), Szabo G Gabor (Hungary), Gianfranco Preverino (Italy), Helder
Guimaraes (Portugal), Olmac (France), Philip Tawfik (Austria), James James
(UK), William Houston (UK), Ralf Gagel (Germany), Rick Merrill (USA), Rex
Cooper (UK), Steve Dela (UK), and Ferenc Galambos (Hungary). Plus world
class lectures, close-up sessions, the gala show, a surprise event on the
Sunday afternoon, and much more... Visit
www.internationalmagic.com for details. Saturday doors open 10am.
Sunday doors open 10.30am. (You can register on the day.) 26.11.05
Geoffrey Durham No Hat, No Rabbit
- live on stage tonight in County Durham at the
Empire Theatre,
Front Street, Consett, County Durham DH8 5AB (Map)
in his brand new one man show. This is the third in Geoffrey's trilogy of
one man shows and concentrates on stand-up and close-up magic. You've see
Geoffrey Durham on the TV, now witness his astonishing skills live, on
stage, in the bar, and around the foyer. Taking TV magic as a starting
point, Geoffrey's brand new show explores what can and can't be done with
camera tricks - and in the process he'll show you just how close an
audience can come to the action, by bringing the magic nearer than ever
before. Box Office: 01207 218171. 26.11.05
Bowie
Magic. "Rock legend David Bowie is in talks to play inventor Nikola
Tesla in 'The Prestige,' a thriller from 'Batman Begins' director
Christopher Nolan. The cast also includes Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and
Michael Caine in a tale of rival magicians in early 20th century London.
The Tesla character is based on the real-life Serbian-American who
discovered the rotating magnetic field." To read more from Billboard
Click Here. 26.11.05
Nathan
Kranzo's brand new DVD Burning Up is now available. Nathan is a
full time entertainer who has acquired a reputation for creating unique
and original magic. Born and raised in Michigan he attended the Art
Institute of Pittsburgh where he specialised in Special Effects and Movie
Making. His original magic creations have been published in Magic,
Genii, and The Linking Ring and in 2004 Nathan was a
consultant for the series The Virtual Magician which aired in over
40 Countries. More recently he acted as consultant to Penn and Teller. To
see his product range, and a clip from the new DVD visit:
www.hismagic.com/burningup today! Nathan is now advertising with
MagicWeek. 26.11.05
The
Full Facts Book of Cold Reading. Ian Rowland's definitive guide is
available once again. This is the brand new 4th edition and is literally
hot off the press. The price is lower than before at just £28.00. Full
details of the book and how to order can be found on
www.ianrowland.com.
To see what Ian's been up to recently
Click
Here. 26.11.05
Chicano's
Christmas Magic Show. Jersey's top magician Steve Giles AIMC (aka
Chicano) is staging a Family Magic Show on 19th and 20th December,
featuring grand illusions, mind reading and lots of fun! This is the
second year that Steve has staged the show. Venue: Jersey Arts Centre,
Phillips Street, St Helier JE2 4SW. Tickets: £9.00 (buy 6 and pay for 5).
Box Office: 01534 700444 Book online:
Click Here For more information contact Steve Giles AIMC 01534 852081
www.thisisjersey.com. 26.11.05
Following
on from the success of his first 90 minute one-man show (and winning
Cardiff Magical Society's Ken Perks Award for Close-up Magic for a
second time) Jasper Blakeley finished the week off by "messing with
celebrity minds." Jasper was invited to entertain 400 celebrities and
business guests at the recent Prince's Trust Cymru Awards dinner at
Cardiff's City Hall. Amongst those performing was popstar Mica Paris, who
exclaimed "you're really freaking me out now!" Look out for Jasper and his
alter-ego 'Kockov' on his forthcoming Poncho Productions/Left Of Centre
Illusion one-man show tour.
www.jasperblakeley.co.uk. 26.11.05
Magician
David Bonsall turns full time pro next week after serving for 13 years
with the Royal Marines. Having recently been promoted to Associate of the
Inner Magic Circle and having just launched his new website,
www.fingertipmiracles.co.uk, David is now looking forward to spending
his days developing and honing is magical skills, as opposed to crawling
through the undergrowth with a dagger between his teeth! 26.11.05
Brighton's
Klub Magic on Wednesday, December 7th, features Noel Britten, John
Derris, Tensai, and host Mark Worgan.
Tickets, via the Box
Office: 01273 647100. For more information visit:
www.klubmagic.co.uk.
Noel can also be seen live on stage this weekend at the
International
Magic Convention in London. 26.11.05
Michael
Gee played his part in raising money for charity at a recent Sir
Alan Sugar Challenge event. Michael was filmed by the BBC performing
close-up magic for Griff Rhys-Jones who hosted the event, which was a
great success, at The REX Cinema, London.
www.michaelgeemagic.com. 26.11.05
Alan
Astra went so well on ITV's Today with Des and Mel on Monday
21st November, that they invited back on Friday to teach Mel how to make a
poodle!
www.astramagic.com. 26.11.05
Aaron
Paterson's levitation "The Icarus Effect" is now available in the UK
exclusively from Mike Danata's Magic Studio in Bournemouth
www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk. Fast becoming one of the most talked
about effects of the year, Mike tells us that a number of top magicians
have already purchased it. 26.11.05
Dave
Allen (Magic Dave, UK Children's Entertainer of the Year 2004, WAM
Stage Magician of the Year 2005) lectures at the Newcastle Magic Circle,
Copthorne Hotel Newcastle, The Close, Quayside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1
3RT (Map)
at 8pm on Monday 28th November. Contact Martin Duffy for more information
0191 237 6240. 26.11.05
Tony Griffith - Creative Magic Lecture/Teach-in Day.
Sunday 5th March 2006. Tony Griffith will be holding another of his
Creative Magic Lecture/Teach-in days at his home in Bristol. "The material
presented places emphasis upon subtlety, routing and entertainment. Areas
covered will include close-up magic, trade shows, after dinner
speaking/entertainment, promotion, publicity and organisation. Items for
the children's entertainer can be included if desired." The cost is £40
(£35 if booked before December 31st) and includes morning coffee, buffet
lunch and light tea. 10.30am -
5pm. Details from Tony on 01275 837017 or
tony@tonygriffith.co.uk
www.tonygriffith.co.uk
Seating is limited to 10. 26.11.05
Latin-Magic
(Latin dance, magic, and illusion) are currently performing onboard the
Black Watch for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines to 3rd December
www.fredolsencruises.com then from December 18th they'll be on
Discovery
www.voyagesofdiscovery.com in the Caribbean.
www.latin-magic.biz. 26.11.05
The
Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians. For the past six months the
society's website has been offline. They now have a new URL and contact
details:
www.middlesbroughcircleofmagicians.co.uk. 26.11.05
Sean
Heydon recently had a call from Scott Bradbury: "We would love
to use a magician on our stand, however we don't see how it is possible
because we are a training company who train people in the importance of
communication and we use a Banana in our tag line and advertising. We are
unsure how you could combine training, communication and Bananas in one
presentation!" The now almost classic 'Vanishing Bandana' routine came to
the rescue, resulting in thirteen dates, an ten performances per day!
www.accuracyprogramme.co.uk. 26.11.05
Bob
Read, 1940 - 2005. Bob Read died suddenly on November 20th and is remembered by
Ian Keable Click Here,
and Chris Power in Opus:
www.opusmagazine.co.uk. 26.11.05
"Bloom's
next project - still in its early stages - is a TV sitcom about a
struggling magician. It's a chance for him to show off his card tricks."
Click Here • MagicTricks.co.uk have just purchased the website
www.magicextreme.com.
The site retails the "Learn Extreme Street Magic" video as an instant
download • "Bloch an arbitrator by trade, magician by hobby"
Click Here • "London's incredible shrinking man"
Click Here • "Magician conjures up top award"
Click Here • "Windmill: always nude but never rude"
Click Here • Vismayam Magical News, the monthly from India's
first Magic Academy, is available in PDF
Click Here • "Move over, Harry - Raoul's the real deal"
Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week,
Duncan. 26.11.05