Number 311 - 10th June 2006
Michael
Vincent's recent lecture for the Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians is
reviewed by Will Wood this week: "...After a short break, Michael began
the theoretical side of the lecture using the routines he had shown us to
demonstrate how to use Audience Attention Control to its full potential.
Michael explained how theories from Tamariz, Slydini, Alan Alan, and Tommy
Wonder (to name but a few!) had had a profound on the way that he viewed
magic, and from this process he had arrived at his own personal
philosophies regarding Audience Attention Control and its proper
applications. Michael emphasised the importance of taking advantage of the
rhythm of Tension and Relaxation, and by doing so you can make your 'dirty
work' invisible, despite the fact that it happens directly in front of the
audience..." To read the full review
Click
Here. 10.6.06
Fiasco
Flourishes! Terry Herbert's award winning 'Great Fiasco' act has been
sold to Denmark's Nick Caraway. Terry devised the original act back in
1972 specifically for a spot on a British Ring show. From there it
developed into one of magic's funniest acts, winning the FISM award for
comedy in 1982, the Desert Seminar comedy award in 1987 and the Magic
Circle's Carlton award for comedy in 1992, amongst others. Nick now owns
the rights to the complete act and will no doubt add his own touches to
it, ensuring that The Great Fiasco can reek on-stage havoc for years to
come. 10.6.06
How
not to catch a bullet. The crowd thought he could defy death - but
Chung Ling Soo's secrets were much darker than mere magic tricks. His
story is perfect for opera, says Lyn Gardner (Friday June 9, 2006 in The
Guardian). On March 23 1918, the Wood Green Empire in north London was
packed to the rafters as the most famous magician of the era, Chung Ling
Soo - "the marvellous Chinese conjuror" - neared the end of his act. As he
had done at theatres across the country, Soo enthralled his audience with
his trademark tricks, including the Chinese Ring trick and several
breathtaking feats of disappearance. Since his arrival in the UK at the
beginning of the century, these had made him the most famous and wealthy
magician in the country. As always, Chung Ling Soo performed all his
tricks in silence - he claimed never to have mastered English. Interviews
with the press were always conducted through his personal interpreter. To
read the full story in the Guardian
Click Here. For June and July dates see
What's On. 10.6.06
The
Kaymar Magic Company is one of the UK's oldest established magic
dealers having been in business for over 50 years. In October 2005
previous owner Morley Budden retired to Spain and the company was taken
over by Alban and Lyn Unsworth, assisted by their son Matthew. Together
they now run the Magic Studio, the mail order business, and their website
at
www.kaymarmagic.com. Based in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, the Magic Studio
is open five days a week and details of their opening times, together with
a map, can be found on the contact page. Customers are always welcome to
call in to the studio or visit online at
www.kaymarmagic.com. 10.6.06
New
from Black Artefacts: The Dragon Card Box. "The Dragon Card Box is a
superbly detailed pewter card box that has a heavy lid which is deeply
modelled with two dragons. The base has gothic styled feet at each corner
which really makes it look the part. Designed to take poker size cards,
the box comes with its own set of Devil's Deck playing cards, which
includes a booklet with presentation ideas. We have added a little
‘something’ to the box so that you can use it to present a brand new Black
Artefacts effect about St. George and the Dragon; with a surprise ending."
Visit:
www.blackhart.co.uk for more information. 10.6.06
Holey
Sh*t! is reviewed by Tom Lauton this week: "If you like close-up card
transpositions you won't find any much more eye-bugging than this. The
effect looks so clean and open. Spectators will NOT believe their eyes.
The workings are really easy and the gaffs are very well made. Start with
this trick, ditch the cards with holes in them at the end and you will
have a full deck ready to carry on with another effect…perfect. Holey Sh*t
plays with no real angle issues and is ideal for table top close up. Pete
Firman and Anthony Owen have an impressive trick here. Those of you who
work with card effects and want a visual stunner you should snap up a copy
of this one!" To read the full review
Click
Here. 10.6.06
Marc
Oberon lectures at the Nottingham Guild of Magicians on Thursday 15th
June at the Pond Hills Lane Community Centre, Pond Hills Lane, Arnold,
Nottingham. 7.30pm start (visitors £5.00). The lecture will include
segments from his award winning close-up act, hints and tips on corporate,
close-up and table hoping work, plus a sneak preview of his upcoming FISM
competition act.
www.nottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk. 10.6.06
Dominatricks
gets the full quota from Qualter this week in Noel Qualter's review: "The vast
majority of the material is card magic with a sprinkling of coin magic and
mentalism / mental magic. The standout items for me are 'B52 Shooter',
which is a very novel handling of Triumph that has already been added to
my repertoire and to the repertoires of several other London magicians
that I know... Accompanying the book is a studio-shot CD of Tyler
performing the sleights from the book which is a real help to the learning
procedure..." To read the full review
Click
Here, to order visit
www.andigladwin.co.uk. 10.6.06
Cataclysm
is the name of a soon-to-be new release from the creative mind of Brian
Caswell, the man behind last year's best selling card trick Trilogy.
Cataclysm promises to take the idea of numbers on cards to an whole new
level. For more details visit Brain's new website:
www.unearthlymagic.com. 10.6.06
Leamington
and Warwick Magic Society, Frank Allen Cup. Martin Key reports: The
annual battle for the Frank Allen Cup for close-up magic attracted 8
contestants at the Leamington and Warwick Magic Society on Wednesday 7th
June. Keith Pearson was the very efficient and amusing host and
time-keeper making sure that all the contestants obeyed the rules. The
show was enjoyed by some 60 members and guests who were entertained with a
wide variety of styles and magic. The judges were entertainment agency
owner Mark Stickley of G.C. Entertainments in Leamington Spa, master
magician Dominic Twose, and father of junior member Elliott Green, Charles
Green. They had a difficult job arriving at their decision but the final
tally put Paul Kybert as the winner, just in front of Stephen Buxton (2nd)
and Arthur MacTier and Bernard Visgandis (joint 3rd). All competitors
acquitted themselves well and are to be applauded for giving us all a
great evening's entertainment. Also taking part were Lord Peter St. Cloud,
Ryan Compton, Karl the Magician and Matt Redmond.
www.magicsociety.co.uk. Photo: Paul Kybert (right) receiving the Frank
Allen Cup from Mark Stickley. Also shown, (left to right) Bernard
Visgandis, Matt Redmond, Stephen Buxton, Ryan Compton, Lord Peter St.
Cloud and Arthur MacTier. 10.6.06
Welsh
magicians Stuart Watkins and Jason Thomas were happy to be handed the
task of providing close-up magic at the wedding of Blackburn and Wales
footballer Craig Bellamy recently. Guests included many premiership
footballers including England players Kieron Dyer and Titus Bramble - seen
here with Stuart learning some of the tricks of the trade! 10.6.06
Wanted: Presenter/Magicians for new TV projects. Foundation TV Productions are searching for young magicians/presenters for upcoming projects. Ideally aged between 16 and 26, your personality and style is most important, ahead of your magical ability. Send showreels to: Magic Presenter, Paul Andrews, The Foundation, PO Box 981, ME14 5NZ. (Submitted material can not be returned). 10.6.06
Pleased to report that Craig Kidd is now in remission and building himself up again, following 12 months of chemotherapy. Craig still has no feeling in his left hand and toes but should have full use once again when the nerves grow back at which time he looks forward to getting back into his magic. Craig would like to thank MagicWeek readers for their kind emails of support and all his friends in the IBM and Magic Circle for their kind and generous support as well. 10.6.06
Look
out for Dynamo on Russell Brand's 1 Leicester Square tomorrow
(Sunday 11th) at 8pm on MTV • See what's new at The Card Collection,
Click Here • "Magician David Blaine Touts Magic of Books"
Click Here • "Budding magician gets upstaged by a professional"
Click Here • "Magician Performs Houdini-Style Escape LIVE on KBTV-4"
Click Here • "The start of the pier show!"
Click Here • "Playing Those ‘Mind Games’"
Click Here • "Geller's Elvis Home: Return to Sender"
Click Here • "Tips on how to predict psychic scams"
Click Here • Objective Productions are planning a fourth series of
Derren Brown's show which will include six half-hour programmes and two
one hour specials all for broadcast in 2007. Derren Brown will step into
the role of executive producer alongside Andrew O’Connor and Anthony Owen
• Criss Angel - "Speaking with the mindfreak"
Click Here
(long audio download) • Your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you
next week, Duncan. 10.6.06