Number 289 - 7th January 2006

 

Very sad news to report. Alex Elmsley (March 2nd 1929 - January 8th 2006) died on Sunday of a heart attack. With a background in computer programming his ever inventive mind was put to great use in devising brilliant close-up moves, sleights and routines for magicians across the globe. Most famous for the classic "Elmsley Count" (as it became known), many card routines that we now take for granted depend on moves developed by Alex. After a break from magic for many years he came back to the magic scene just over ten years ago, recently performing at The Magic Circle Centenary convention in London. He will be sadly missed by his many friends in magic. 10.1.06

 

Subliminal messages and sleepless nights... "I am filled with an irresistible urge to buy a Derren Brown book. I've even been on Amazon to try and find one, but all they had was a DVD. Frankly, it's worrying. Not the lack of mind-control books available to buy online, but the niggling feeling that, during last night's TV experiment, Brown subliminally manipulated me into desiring his products..." writes Louisa Pearson in Scotsman.com Click Here. "Anger over fake heist" Click Here. "Guards condemn hypnotist band raid" Click Here. "A case of banking on human nature?" Click Here. "Union attacks illusionist's Heist" Click Here. If you missed Derren Brown: The Heist it is being repeated this week, see TV Magic for times. 7.1.06

 

James Brown will be performing at the now sold out Session Convention on January 15th, but for those of you who can't make it he also offers a lecture entitled No Fluff. "A lecture about modern magic designed to leave the audience truly gob smacked. In a world of MTV, remote controls and short attention spans No Fluff hits the audience with killer effects that require virtually no gimmicks. Impromptu, out of the pocket, and off-the-cuff!" For more information visit our Lecturers page or contact James via his website www.jbmagicman.co.uk. 7.1.06

 

Doug Segal's two mind reading spots on BBC1's New Year's Eve show according to BARB viewing figures achieved an audience of 7.6 million viewers and 5.8 million viewers respectively. Crucially it would seem that Doug had a very positive effect on viewer retention, as in the 5 minute segment following Doug's second spot (post midnight) viewing figures dropped only slightly to 5.3 million compared with a slump to 2.7 million last year. Photo: Doug and presenter Clare Balding in front of the Millennium Wheel. www.dougsegal.com. 7.1.06

 

Practical Magic January Sale! Exclusive to readers of MagicWeek the sale will run to 12 noon on Saturday 21st January, after which time prices will revert to normal. Most of the items are close-up, but there are some larger items on offer as well. Because stocks are limited, orders will be dealt with on a strictly first come - first served basis. Simply email Jeremy via info@practical-magic.com with Sales List as the subject heading and you will be sent a special Sales List as an email attachment by return. 7.1.06

 

Andy Nyman's Killer Elite Pro is now in stock at www.alakazam.co.uk. Very strong first time around this all-new 'pro' version features a custom designed high quality leather wallet, real poker chip and full colour movie cards that have been specially produced on credit card stock. Also back in stock, a new batch of Assassin Wallets... see www.alakazam.co.uk. 7.1.06

 

David Lang lectures on close-up and restaurant work in "Magic without Bunnies" at the Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians on Monday April 24th. For details contact the club's secretary, Edward Loughram: edward.loughran@ntlworld.com. 7.1.06

 

He's off again! Following on from his booking last New Year's Eve at the 7 star Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, close-up mind reader Mark Cairns is heading back out to Dubai again this year, at the end of January. Mark will be reading the minds of Olympus executives from all over the world as part of their launch celebrations for a new product line. Then in February Mark's off to New Zealand, where he will be combining a little performing with a lot of holiday! www.markcairns.co.uk. 7.1.06

 

Paul Gordon has been a member of The Sussex Magic Circle for 30 years. To celebrate, he is presenting a special "30 Years Later" lecture on Thursday 2nd February which will be open to non members. The club meets in Lewes, Sussex and full details can be found on this PDF Click Here. Paul also has a number of other lecture dates lined up, including for the first time a lecture in Northern Ireland - see What's On for details. 7.1.06

 

Philip Partridge will be appearing at BETT 2006 from Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th January representing PC World Business. He'll be introducing expert speakers in the PC World presentation theatre and performing close-up magic on their stand. www.philippartridge.co.uk. 7.1.06

 

Confessions of a Hypnotist: Everything you ever wanted to know about Hypnosis but were afraid to ask by Jonathan Royle is now available as either a 513 page paperback, or as an ebook, from www.diggorypress.com (see 'Hypnotism'). Royle says "In short this manual teaches everything there is to know about Stage Hypnotism, Hypnotherapy and even Hypno-Tricks" See www.diggorypress.com for more information. 7.1.06

 

Ulster Boy John turns to making magic for a spell. "Ulster magician John Ussher is hoping that his new show Carnival for the Mind will cast its own good spell on his future career. Magicians from across the world will be jetting into the Province for Carnival for the Mind's world-wide premiere at the Lyric theatre next Thursday. It then goes to the rest of the UK, Netherlands and the US." To read the full story in News Letter - The Pride of Northern Ireland Click Here. 7.1.06

 

Andy Nyman can be seen in the upcoming movie 'Played' starring Val Kilmer, Patsy Kensit and Vinnie Jones - we'll let you know when a release date has been set • On Tuesday January 31st magic4you2c will hold another open night at their shop at 101b Eastbourne Road, Birkdale, Merseyside PR8 4EH (Map). Magicians are welcome to bring along some magic that they are working on to "brainstorm" ideas with others. Snacks and drinks available. For details visit www.magic4you2c.co.uk • Visit www.magic-frediup.com for "the ultimate silicone thumb tip" • "Oedipus complex was a tricky knot for Houdini to untie" Click Here • That's it for this week, your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 7.1.06

 

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