Number 361 - 26th May 2007
Abracadabra
– Magic Around The World starring master illusionist Andrew Van Buren.
"After twelve weeks performing in the Caribbean and a recent appearance on
Blue Peter, illusionist Andrew Van Buren and his team return home to
present a brand new unique magical revue at the Blackpool Tower and Circus, the scale of which hasn't been
seen in the UK for a great many years. With a cast of over 20 artistes
from around the world, the show is styled on the large classic illusion
production shows of the past - brought firmly into the 21st century."
Every Friday, until November 2nd. Box Office: 01253 622242.
www.theblackpooltower.co.uk
www.vanburen.org.uk.
26.5.07
11th Top Secret Magic Day
- Gary Young reports that tickets are now nearly 90% sold! Paul Daniels tops the bill at
the 11th Top
Secret Magic Day next Sunday, June 3rd. As well as lecturing Paul Daniels
will star in the whole of the second half of the Gala Show. Also lined up
for the day: to lecture Aldo Colombini and Nicholas Einhorn, a star
comedy hour with Mandy Muden, workshops with Paul Gordon and Aldo
Colombini, a full evening show starring Terry Seabrooke, Zane, Mandy
Muden, Aldo Colombini, Martyn James & Company and Paul Daniels, loads of
magic dealers, the Top Secret Café, and more! Visit
www.topsecretmagicday.co.uk for more information and to book one of
the few remaining seats!
Sunday 3rd June. The Bedford Corn Exchange, St Pauls Square, Bedford MK40
1SL.
Map.
26.5.07
Kennedy lectures
for the Ipswich Magical Society
on Monday August 6th (please note new date). Visiting magicians welcomed,
but please contact the secretary first.
Click Here.
26.5.07
"It
takes years of training to become the best" I
went to see Magicians last weekend - and absolutely loved it! The
movie is currently enjoying a very healthy number 5 position in the UK
movie charts. "Andrew O'Connor Interview. The director of Magicians
on his debut feature, starring Mitchell and Webb" (Video)
Click Here. To order the Magicians soundtrack CD from
Amazon.co.uk
Click Here
26.5.07
"Magician
gets the scoop on the CNJ. The Camden New Journal took centre stage on
Monday in an eerie night at the New End Theatre. Ivor Cole, 30 years a
libel lawyer for the Daily Mail, now a member of the Magic Circle,
entertained a packed house in a two-night run" To read the full story in
the Camden New Journal
Click Here.
26.5.07
The
North Western Society of Magicians Close-up Competition. On Wednesday
16th May, The North Western Society of Magicians held their annual
Close-up Competition. Playing to a full house, at their headquarters
hotel, 12 magicians each performed a seven minute routine to three
separate tables. Congratulations to Steve (Stan) Dacre (1st), Dave Simpson
2nd and, joint 3rd Phil Robinson and Ken Ford-Powell. Website
www.barrowmagic.co.uk. "Drip drip hooray"
Click Here.
26.5.07
Romany
set to conquer Europe! Norwegian film maker Flemming Fynsk has just
been commissioned by French TV channel Arte to make a 30 minute
documentary about the current Magic Circle Stage Magician Romany - Diva of
Magic to be shown on European television. Filming will start next week.
Romany is seen here working with Gordon Kaye of 'Allo 'Allo!
www.romanymagic.com
26.5.07
45-minute
Children's Show for sale! Magician Mike Clarke is moving out of the
children's entertainment field, and is offering the opportunity for up to
two people to be taught his current show. Mike emails "The show is loved
by kids and parents (check out my website to see what they say
www.thepartymagician.co.uk.) It's a 45-minute magic fun show, most
suitable for the 4-7 age, and doesn't use anything incredibly expensive or
hard to do. You've probably got most of the props already. I will spend a
day with you teaching you the show step-by-step, and explaining why it is
structured like it is. I'll also give you all my current marketing
materials to adapt and use as you wish and 350 pre-filled party bags to
use in your business. I'm based in Bristol, but am happy to travel within
a 2 hour drive to meet you if more convenient. Alternatively come to
Bristol and I'll give you lunch! No offers, serious enquiries only please.
The price for the training is £350. £200 is due at the time of booking and
reserves your place. The outstanding £150 is due on the day of the
training." Contact Mike Clarke for more information
info@thepartymagician.co.uk.
26.5.07
Vizage
are appearing six nights a week from 30th May to 29th September at The Spa
Theatre, Spa Complex, South Bay, Scarborough, Yorkshire YO11 2HD (Map)
in two different variety shows. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in "The
Summer Spectacular '07" and Thursday, Friday and Saturday in "The Viva
Variety Show" All shows start at 8pm. Tickets: Adults £10, Concessions £9,
Children £7, Family Ticket (2+2) £30, Family Ticket (2+3) £33. Box Office:
01723 357869 or book online via
www.scarboroughspa.co.uk.
26.5.07
Hotel
Bannatyne played host to a celebrity wedding last week. Taking time to
pose for a photo was best man, multi-millionaire Dragons' Den star Duncan
Bannatyne OBE. Providing the close-up magic for the guests was Corporate
Illusion's David Diamond (left). No doubt David used the moment to pitch a
few ideas!
www.corporate-illusion.co.uk.
26.5.07
News
from the Twins: "The largest Illusion show ever afloat had its
premiere last week on P & O’s flagship the Aurora! Loading the show onto
the ship took over 7 hours with a team of 10 men aiding The Twins in this
logistical nightmare. The show has taken up over half of the backstage
storage space and will be running for over 8 months. During their initial
cruise, The Twins were assisted by their own production team including
Colin Wood, The Twins’ Lighting Director. UK based RNT Music Studios were
also on hand, to create a powerful soundtrack and the team from Hallmark
Productions Ltd supplied stunning a audio visual interaction. In the words
of The Twins’ Personal Assistant Joanna 'the first 2 weeks have been very
successful. The Twins are performing previously unseen illusions, one of
which is Mark Parker’s Acceleration!'" (Photo: Colin Wood trying
Acceleration!)
www.theillusionists.com.
26.5.07
Magic
Dave (Dave Allen) presents his "Little People Big Business" lecture
for the
Coventry Magic Circle on Tuesday 29th May at 8pm. The venue is Cherry
Tree Sports and Social Club, Lythalls Lane, Coventry. Contact Alan Cooper
alancooper@alan-cooper.co.uk
telephone 07970 26257 for further information.
www.magicroundabout.net.
26.5.07
Marc
makes magic in Saudi. Last week Magician Marc Dominic entertained
thousands of Saudi Arabians each night as part of Mobaliy’s national Falah
promotion. The shows were restricted in content due to Islamic laws and
Marc’s show had to be vetted by the Saudi Religious Police and was altered
slightly. “It was a strange experience as Saudi men in general haven’t
experienced magic and the simplest of things astound them” said Marc.
Magic is often seen as evil by some of the Bedouin tribes and on live TV
one spectator was heard to cry out “this is not a man - this is a devil!”
At times, due to crowd numbers. Marc had to be flanked by 6 armed guards,
trying to maintain order as people clambered to see his magic!.
26.5.07
Stuart
and Jayne Loughland (aka Safire Illusionists) are currently touring UK
theatres with BBC's Chuckle Brothers "Spooky Goings On" show and also
appear in the brand new DVD release "Pirates of the River Rother"
performing two illusions and playing parts in the storyline. Full to the
brim with lashings of slapstick comedy, Paul and Barry Chuckle's 2005
sell-out UK theatre tour comes to DVD on May 21st (released by Liberation
Entertainment). In the photo Paul and Barry Chuckle look at Stuart and
Jayne's recently awarded MIMC certificate!
26.5.07
Magician
Criss Angel to try escape stunt above Times Square. "Magician Criss
Angel plans to hang in a cube encased in concrete suspended 40 feet above
the ground near Times Square next month in a stunt that will test his
Houdini-like ability to escape... 'I am, in my opinion, the best in
the world today,' he said." To read the full story by David Bauder for The
Associated Press in NYJournalNews
Click Here. (So long as that's just your opinion then Criss,
we've only ever had you down as the vainest!)
26.5.07
Hand
of Cleopatra (a
www.topsecretmagic.co.uk UK Exclusive). "Cleopatra's Hand will find
objects in envelopes, cards and miscellaneous items placed around her
pyramid. A golden pyramid, along with a golden sarcophagus is placed on
the table and her hand is placed upon the top of the pyramid and given a
spin. When it stops, it will be pointing to the selected item that is only
known by the spectators. Can be repeated immediately and it always stops
wherever the selected secret item is! Performer does not handle the
pyramid or the hand during the routine! Everything takes place in the
spectator's hands. You supply the cards or envelopes. Please note these
are the originals not the copies that have recently be offered on eBay!
Don't miss out on this miracle!" Price: £125.00 For more information visit
www.topsecretmagic.co.uk under "New In".
26.5.07
Tony
Griffith presents The Magic of Science a day long
lecture/teach-in on Sunday October 7th from 10.30am - 5pm. Tony Griffith
has a background in education, including the Headship of a primary school.
Using this experience he has created the Magic of Science Show. Tony will
demonstrate and explain many of the science magic items that appear in his
school shows, together with information on: Booking the show in schools,
Being aware of the schools’ expectations, Your audience, Organisation and
more. Limited to 10 places. £45.00 (£40.00 if booked before 31st August -
includes morning coffee, buffet lunch and a light tea). Tony Griffith, 33
Davids Road, Whitchuch, Bristol BS14 9JH Telephone 01275 837017
tony@tonygriffith.co.uk
www.tonygriffith.co.uk.
26.5.07
Magicians
visiting the Greek Island of Zakynthos in the summer should look out
for the comedy close-up and cabaret magic of Scotland's Paul Brignall,
performing at various venues in the resorts of Laganas, Kalamaki, Tsilivi
and Zakynthos Town.
26.5.07
Neil Bonner emails: In a further blow to magicians - especially those who make their living performing street magic - a new TV show is about to reveal more trade secrets. On July 7th, the Zone Reality channel will screen Secrets of Street Magicians Finally Revealed. "The show exposes sleight-of-hand, levitation and mind-reading tricks - the full (three-card) monte," says the channel's publicity blurb. But what isn't revealed is the identity of the masked magician responsible for giving away the secrets. "He confounds unsuspecting pedestrians by making objects vanish into thin air, tearing the head off a dove and bringing it back to life and guessing what someone is thinking. Then, breaking the profession's strict code of secrecy, he shows how it's done." 26.5.07
Adrian Harris emails: At the AGM of the Perth Magic Circle, Alastair Cowe was re-elected President. Other committee members are James Craig, Vice-President, Len Martin - Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary is Adrian Harris (adrian.harris@blueyonder.co.uk, Tel.01738-628985) who replaces Mike McMillan who has just become a proud father! Meetings resume in September, but any magician visiting the area at any time is invited to make contact with us. 26.5.07
"Day of the dad" Click Here • "Houdini collection gone in a puff of smoke. Million-dollar house burned by burglar lighting crack pipe, authorities say" Click Here • "The Magic of Pamela Anderson" Click Here • "Water torture for new Houdini" Click Here • President Scores with Knockout Punch Click Here • Thanks for your contributions and see you next week, Duncan. 26.5.07