Number 293 - 4th February 2006
Feed
The Children Variety Performance 2006. Feed The Children is a
humanitarian and international relief organisation and charity that's very
active in several African countries. On Saturday March 18th at the
Bearwood College Theatre, Sindlesham, Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 5BG (Map)
at 7pm they'll be staging a fund raising show starring Ali Bongo, Alan
Shaxon, Loki, Fluke, Mark Shortland, John Derris, Martyn James & Co.,
Jonathan Shotton, Sarah Banks and dance troupe Show Perfection, with
close-up magic from Mike Alderman, David Ball, Mike O'Brien and Kerry
Scorah. Adults £25.00 Children £18.00. To book call 0118 932 0095 or visit
www.feedthechildren.org.uk for more information. 4.2.06
Arthur Setterington. March 22nd 1924 - January 26th 2006.
Arthur Setterington died on Thursday 26th January 2006 age 81. A prolific
magical inventor, writer and performer, and member of The Inner Magic Circle
and recipient of The Magic Circle J N Maskelyne Literary Award in 2003, he
had published over 1000 tricks and ideas in many magical publications
throughout the world, starting in 1947 in Abra. Arthur is acknowledged as
the originator of The Penetrating Rubber Bands and was a winner of many
Linking Ring Awards. A warm, generous magical personality
who will be sadly missed by his many friends and correspondents throughout
the world. Arthur is remembered by Jon Marshall,
Click Here. 4.2.06
The
Real Hustle BBC 3 "Think you could never be tricked into falling for a
con or a scam? Think again... We are all at risk, especially when we least
expect it. Our only hope might just be to learn from the professionals how
it's done, so we don't end up falling for it. That's where the Hustlers
come in. There's confidence trickster Alex Conran, scam artist Paul Wilson
and sexy swindler Jessica-Jane Clement. Together, they carry out some of
the most notorious scams on unsuspecting members of the public." To read
the full article from the BBC
Click Here. Photo: R Paul Wilson, Jessica-Jane Clement and Alex Conran.
See TV Magic for times. 4.2.06
The
Northern Magic Circle present their Golden Jubilee Easter Parade
Convention, which will include magic dealers, lectures, competitions and a Gala Show starring Paul Daniels, from Saturday 15th
April to Monday 17th April 2006 at The Swallow Three Tuns Hotel, New
Elvet, Durham DH1 3AQ (Map).
Information and registration details from Bill Peckitt, 18 Pentland Drive,
Huntington, York YO32 9PQ. Telephone: 01904 762910. 4.2.06
Respect!
Many congratulations to Abracadabra on their
60th birthday. That's 60 years of non-stop magic... every week! This
week's issue has articles on entertaining children, "Dr Cagli-Astro's
Casebook," an article on performing close-up magic, "Chris's Crafty
Conjuring," and much more... For subscription rates write to: Goodliffe
Publications Ltd., 150 New Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 2LG
enclosing an SAE. (Weekly, 70p plus p&p). 4.2.06
Blackpool
Magicians Convention have over 50 Dealers exhibiting in the Horseshoe
Area on Friday 24th February and 104 Dealers exhibiting in the Empress
Ballroom and Arena on Saturday and Sunday 25th and 26th February. New
overseas Dealers this year are: Joe Porper Magic from USA who manufacture
some superb precision metal products, John Moehering selling MUM magazine
from the USA, Magic Land (Ton Onasaka) from Japan, Fukai Magic from Japan,
Patrik Kuffs Mentalism from Canada, Paul Green from the USA, Victor Voitko
Magic from the Ukraine, UGM (Kenji Minemura) from Japan, Rick Merrill
Magic from the USA, Michael Ammar Magic from the USA and Vallarino from
France. Only 100 tickets are left for the Sunday Gala Show and they can
only be purchased via a Gold Card Registration. Contact Arthur Casson on
01253 393688 or visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com. 4.2.06
Irish
magician and Gold Star member of The Inner Magic Circle Pat Fallon
added another movie advisory role to his list of credits recently,
advising Stephen Rea (The Amazing Albert) and Cillian Murphy (Patrick
"Kitten" Braiden) in their roles in the recently released Neil Jordan
movie "Breakfast on Pluto" starring Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea and rising
Irish star Ciallian Murphy. "The magic scenes were quite surreal featuring
a real 'bleeding' heart and lots of dripping blood for the sawing in half.
The script also called for a very different version of the long card,
dagger chest and a blooming flower from tea mug! The set was also dressed
with many other props of the period including many Jack Hughes items, but
you have to be quick to spot them all!" Said Pat.
www.abcmagic.net. 4.2.06
Graham
Lee's BalloonArtWholesale.co.uk is now advertising with
MagicWeek. Graham is passionate about improving the perception of balloon
modelling and runs "Care & Share Balloon Jam/Workshop Fundays," sponsored
by Sempertex. Upcoming dates include 22nd February in Rotherham, 29th
March in Bristol, and 26th April in Birmingham, with more dates to be
announced for June. Graham also offers a full range of modelling balloons,
private lessons, and a lecture for magic clubs. Look out for the Balloon
Art Wholesale stand, and Graham's lecture, at the Blackpool Convention in
February and at the Irish convention in April. Graham has been performing
professionally for 20 years and recent work includes helping to launch a
new Disney Channel (this month) and recording for "A Question of Sport"
(seen here in the photo with Roger Black). For more information visit
www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk - today! 4.2.06
Manchester
Circle of Magicians report: "The recent Manchester Circle of Magicians
Magic Auction proved to be their best ever with nearly 180 magicians
attending from all over the country. Hundreds of items were sold in 5
hours of frantic bidding with Auctioneers Mike Shepherd and Derek Lever
doing a magnificent job. The next Auction takes place on Tuesday 16th May,
2006. The next meeting is on Monday 27th February with a double star
lecture featuring Michael Ammar from the USA and Martin A. Nash from
Canada. This event is for members only. Membership costs just £10.00 per
year." Full details:
www.taurusmagic.net. 4.2.06
Annual
Stage Magic Competition. On Monday, February 6th, The Shropshire
Magical Society are holding their annual Stage Magic Competition followed
by a professional magic show featuring some of the best magicians in
Shropshire. The evening starts at 7.30pm at the Lord Hill Hotel,
Shrewsbury. Tickets available at the door: £5 adults, £2 children. A
donation from the profits will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
www.shropshiremagic.com. 4.2.06
Steve
Dela, the current Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year, has just
returned from Paris, having been flown out to perform on the number one TV
show, Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde. Described as having an
"enchanting stage presence," there is the possibility that Steve will
return in the near future with one of his other award winning acts.
www.stevedela.co.uk. 4.2.06
SpeakEzee
is a new low-cost portable mains/battery powered PA system that's supplied
complete and ready to go for just £99.99 "SpeakEzee is different - you
literally just get it out of the box and start using it! Best of all, it's
fraction of the cost of other systems." Supplied complete with three
wireless microphones (handheld, lapel and headset!). For more information
visit
www.portablepa.co.uk. 4.2.06
Ten
new releases for 2006 from Mark Leveridge Magic! The new material
includes four DVDs, a book, a CD, three effects for close-up performers and a
versatile prop for children's entertainers. Mark will have all these new
items with him at the Blackpool Convention later this month, or you can
order now directly from
www.markleveridge.co.uk to avoid the crush. 4.2.06
TV
hanging show sparks complaints. "A failed attempt at a live TV hanging
stunt by an escapologist has received complaints by viewers who feared it
could encourage copycats. Media watchdog Ofcom is now investigating
whether the Channel 4 digital channel E4 show Death Wish Live breached
broadcasting guidelines." To read the full story by the BBC
Click Here. "Viewers complain after TV stunt hanging is cut short"
Click Here "TV hanging stunt halts death show"
Click Here. 4.2.06
Illusioncraft
are launching "Cantastic - Anything in a Can" at the Blackpool Convention,
and email: "One man operation - no assistant needed, instant reset, use a
signed card, watch, ring, or anything else that can fit into a can!
Available at a fantastic low price of £25 from Illusioncraft and all good
magic dealers. Reserve yours now to avoid disappointment as stocks will be
low. Dealer enquiries invited." Email:
cantastic@illusioncraft.co.uk or telephone 01253 314868. 4.2.06
Mandy
Davis has been appointed Chairman of The Young Magicians Club, with
immediate effect. Part of The Magic Circle Youth Initiative, the club is
open to young magicians over 10 years old and under 18. Members receive a
free trick, membership badge, membership card and wallet and an excellent
bi-monthly magazine. They also enjoy access to the members area of the
website that features a lively forum, and help from top magicians. Visit
www.youngmagiciansclub.com today! 4.2.06
Radio
Magic is changing the way that they broadcast their show. It will
still be available on Mondays at 8pm (GMT), 12 noon (PST) via the website
(and podcast) as usual, but will no longer be streaming via another site.
Listeners can download the latest show every week from
www.radiomagic.co.uk
and can also now take part in competitions after transmission. Jay Fortune
writes "As the show continues to grow ever more successful we have made
changes to provide an even better free service for magicians world-wide.
The website and podcast changes will take approximately one week to
complete, therefore there will not be a Radio Magic show on Monday 6th
February." Jay and Layman Steve will be back from Monday 13th February -
make sure you tune in then!
www.radiomagic.co.uk. 4.2.06
Henry
Evans lectures at Davenport's Magic Studio, 5-7 Charing Cross
Underground Arcade, The Stand, London WC2N 4HZ (Map)
on Friday, February 10th. Tickets: £8.00 from Bob Pamplin (Secretary
London Society Of Magicians) on 020 8504 0979. 4.2.06
Penn and Teller's Magic and Mystery Tour
is currently being repeated on Sky Travel. There's some excellent magic on
the series, from both Penn and Teller and the magicians that they meet on
their journey, but the duo's "all clear" Cups and Balls exposes more than
the secret itself. See TV
Magic. 4.2.06
Sim
Dala Bim plays at St. Peter's Church Hall, Bounces Road, Edmonton,
London N9 on Saturday March 11th at 7pm. Tickets are on sale at the hall
every Sunday, or from Richard Sanders on 07958 200723. Adults at £6.00,
Child & Seniors £4.00. 4.2.06
Gary Sumpter's launched a new website and would like readers to contribute. Gary emails: "I need magicians to go on and add their business cards to the gallery and make a posting or two in the forums. Hopefully the website will become a useful resource in designing and making the most out of your business card." Visit www.magicbusinesscards.co.uk for more information. 4.2.06
Santa Claude brings curtain down at last. "The motto 'the show must go on' could have been coined for veteran magician Claude Perry. For 38 years the conjuror has pulled a white rabbit from a hat to bring down the curtain on his Christmas show for infants in Sawston. But pupils at John Falkner Infant School will not have that treat to look forward to this year - Claude, 84, has decided it is time to hang up his magic wand." To read the full story in the Cambridge Evening News Click Here. 4.2.06
Jonathan Royle has released a new book entitled Confessions of a Showbiz Celebrity: How I Became Rich and Famous as a Showbiz Celebrity which is a 250+ page paperback priced at £9.99 or as an ebook at just £4.99. Visit www.diggorypress.com for details. 4.2.06
The Commercial Close-up Forum is reviewed by David Hawkins this week... "I'm sure everyone present would agree that this was a truly unique and enjoyable day. The amount of invaluable information and advice presented was amazing, the chance to witness three of the best close up magicians in the country both performing and sharing their experience was fantastic, and plenty of time during the day to socialise, chat with old friends and make new ones all contributed to a wonderful atmosphere." To read the full review Click Here. 4.2.06
The Magic & Laughter Show, Nottingham Guild of Magicians is reviewed by Graham Harper this week... "Wayne's dry humour, impish smile and immaculate sense of timing all added to the absolute delight of the audience. Peter Presto, a seasoned performer himself, was literally crying as he assisted the Maestro with a Bill vanish, the tempo was relentless." To read the full review Click Here. 4.2.06
"Inside the mind of the magician - Copperfield shares his thoughts but not his secrets." Click Here • "Magicians oppose move to introduce magic in arts fest." Click Here • "Hocus-focus." Click Here • "A lot of tricks up his sleeve." Click Here • "Future will be magic." Click Here • Thanks for all your UK magic news, it's always welcomed. Have a magic week, Duncan. 4.2.06