Number 479 - 29th August 2009
Blackpool
2010 preview. Blackpool Magicians' Club have introduced an online
video preview page to highlight performers that will be appearing at
their convention next year. The site will be updated every few weeks as
acts are added... Franz Harary is the first name to be announced
- making a welcome return to Blackpool, Franz will be presenting an
excerpt from his ground-breaking illusion show that is full of his own
original creations. Britain's top illusionist Russ Stevens is the
second name to be announced and Russ will present a section taken from
his full evening show, Russ Stevens: Theatre of Illusion. To
watch the trailer
Click Here, and bookmark the page to keep an eye on it over the
coming months! For registration details visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com. (To go
full-screen with the video, mouse-over the video and then click on the
little X in the bottom right-hand corner).
29.8.09
The
Magic Circle Christmas Show 2009. Tickets are now on sale for The
Magic Circle's Christmas Show, which sells out every year. There are two
shows a day, at 2.30pm and 7pm, on Sunday 27th, Monday 28th, Tuesday
29th and Wednesday 30th December. Tickets are £22.00 per person (adult
or child) via the Box Office on 020 7387 2222 (10am - 4pm,
Monday-Friday) using a credit or debit card. There is a 70p per ticket
booking fee. Always an excellent show - in perfect magical surroundings.
www.themagiccircle.co.uk.
29.8.09
Great
Scottish Wizards. "We are often accused of stirring controversy, be
it in recreating the miracles of Jesus or by causing a woman to give
birth to a rabbit live on stage. But there may be something in the water
of our rural Aberdeenshire which guided our dysfunctional minds as we
grew up. It may seem fairly random that Barry and I would form a magical
coalition in the tranquil north-east corner of Scotland but as unlikely
as it seems this quiet region has produced not one but two great
magicians, considered by any magical historian as hugely significant and
influential figures in the world of the dark arts..." Keep up-to-date
with Barry and Stuart via
www.barryandstuart.com/great-scottish-wizards. Fringe reviews:
hairline.org.uk,
allthefestivals.wordpress.com,
www.timeout.com.
29.8.09
Focus
On Quick Change - Las Vegas. Lee Alex has just returned from
Las Vegas where Jeff McBride had kindly invited him to present a two-day
class on the subject of quick change. "Focus On Quick Change" is the
first two-day workshop of its kind at the Jeff McBride School of Mystery
and Magic and attracted 12 enthusiastic students from all over the
States, each one of a different professional level, and each one with
their own purpose in attending the class. Students had the opportunity
to learn new methods, try out various costumes, and, of course, pick the
brains of Lee and Jeff. Betty Reilly of "Betty's Actionwear" visited
during the course. Betty has a great deal of experience in costuming and
quick change, having created items for Siegfried and Roy, Lance Burton
and Cirque du Soleil, amongst many others. It is hoped to repeat "Focus
On Quick Change" in 2011 (2010 is already fully booked!). Lee also
lectured in Phoenix, Arizona and Long Beach, California. The response
was very positive and he will be returning early next year to other
locations in California, including The Magic Castle. Lee will be in the
UK at the end of November. Any clubs or societies wishing to book Lee's
lecture "Time for a Change?" are invited to make contact via
info@magic2wear.com (Photo: A
group shot, taken at Jeff's house).
www.magic2wear.com
www.mcbridemagic.com
29.8.09
Arturo
Brachetti returns to the London stage. "Italian magician, actor and
quick-change artist Arturo Brachetti returns to the London stage this
autumn in a new show written and directed by The Right Size’s Sean
Foley. Arturo Brachetti – Change, which opens at the Garrick theatre on
26 October (previews from 19 October), tells the story of a legendary
artiste of the golden age of cabaret whose memories of his illustrious
career come to life. During the course of the show Brachetti depicts
over 100 characters, from James Bond to the Queen via Johnny Rotten, in
a display of the time-honoured Italian art of quick-change..." To read
the full story in the Official London Theatre Guide
Click Here.
29.8.09
Derren Brown:
The Event Live. 10.35pm on Wednesday 9th September on Channel 4. The
first of Derren Brown's special Events in which he will attempt, live on
air, his most ambitious challenge to date. See
TV Magic.
29.8.09
Comedy
Night in Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire. Tuesday 1st September sees the
launch of a new monthly Comedy Night in Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire at
The Bell Kitchen & Bar. Comedian Jez Rose hosts the evening supported by
guests. To start as it means to go on, the first guest act is Piff the
Magic Dragon, direct from his acclaimed Edinburgh Festival show,
together with local comedy magician Sam X. Jez says: "This first one has
a bit of a magic flavour to it but it is a comedy night not a magic
venue per-se. It's a very well supported venue with a great atmosphere
and a perfect opportunity to test out new material." Jez is inviting
semi-pro and professional comedy acts to get in touch if they would like
to appear (email:
bookings@jezroseandcompany.co.uk). It is paid and the venue even
feed you, too! More info at
www.jezroseandcompany.co.uk.
29.8.09
Under
the microscope: Paul Daniels on the thyroid problem that convinced
him he was going insane. "In our health quiz this week, Britain's master
of magic talks about the male menopause, alternative therapies and the
illness that made him feel he was losing control..." Yvonne Swann fires
the questions in the Mail Online,
Click Here.
29.8.09
Mind
to Mind with Marc Paul - on tour again, see
What's On for dates
and venues.
29.8.09
Southport
Convention, September 2009. Bob Hayden delivers more convention news
this week,
Click Here.
29.8.09
Animals
at Work. John Barrowman presents the factual series Animals at Work
at 4.35pm on Wednesday 9th September on BBC 1. "Tinker Magician's
Assistant - Factual series about working animals, presented by John
Barrowman. A Maltese terrier debuts as a magician's assistant, a dog in
Namibia works as a foster mother to orphaned wild cats, and a
prize-winning ferret races for charity in the UK." See
TV Magic.
29.8.09
Derren Brown: An
Evening of Wonders is being repeated late night Wednesday, 9th
September. This is the specially televised version of Derren
Brown's stage show Evening of Wonders, recorded at the Garrick Theatre
in London. "The internationally acclaimed psychological illusionist takes
the theatre audience and viewers on a jaw-dropping, laugh-out-loud
journey to a climax of the most astonishing mind-reading." This is
Derren at his very best, see
TV Magic.
29.8.09
Tyler
Wilson Lecture - Blackpool. Joshua Jay described the Canadian
magician Tyler Wilson as having "a wonderful, creative mind. His work
with cards is top notch". Members and Associates of the Blackpool
Magicians’ Club when he lectures at the club headquarters on 28th
September. Tyler is a close-up magician and stand-up comedian from
Alberta, Canada who has gained a great reputation for his originality
and creativity with cards, coins and mentalism. He is the author of the
critically acclaimed ‘Dominatrix’ which is packed with innovative magic
that he uses himself. Lectures are free to all members and associates of
the Blackpool Magicians’ Club so if you are not a member or an associate
do consider joining. Details of membership and associate membership can
be found on
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
29.8.09
Tyler
Wilson Lecture - Ipswich Magical Society, Monday September 7th. The
Ipswich Magical Society are proud to be hosting a lecture by Canadian
Magician, Tyler Wilson on Monday 7th September. Tyler is one of the
funniest, most creative and original magicians in the world (or at least
that is what he tells us), and this promises to be another great night
of magic. Guests are welcome, but please contact the secretary first.
www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk.
29.8.09
Anniversary
Tango. Zane's Magic Shop are now taking pre-orders for Zane's brand
new trick Anniversary Tango. It comes with specially designed cards in
Bicycle stock and is exclusive to Zane's Magic Shop. Orders will be
dispatched on 21st September in time for the launch at the IBM
Convention in Southport. Zane said "I think this is my best trick to
date. It has an amazing impact on people!" For more info visit
www.zanesmagicshop.com (Pre-orders before 21st September also
receive a free Bicycle Deck).
29.8.09
Don't
Ring That Bell! by John Breeds. This item will be released by
Practical Magic for children's entertainers at this year's Kidology. "A
fantastic bit of business which you can use any time you have a few
volunteers to help you. Three children come up to help. One is the
timekeeper and is given a bell push and switch. He presses the bell to
make sure it works. You explain that he must only press the bell when
you tell him. Meanwhile, you turn your back, and, holding a wrapped
prize, explain to the other two children how to win the prize. At that
moment… THE BELL RINGS! You hasten to the timekeeper and tell him only
to ring the bell when you tell him. Back you go to your other helpers
when… THE BELL RINGS! You change timekeeper… and still THE BELL RINGS!
Completely under your control at all times. A smart red bevelled board
and a doorbell with a loud chime. Don’t miss out on one of the best bits
of business in a long time! Price: £35.00 - but remember that this will
not be released before Kidology which this year is on Tuesday September
8th. It's at the usual venue: the Civic and Wulfrun Halls in
Wolverhampton." Kidology tickets need to be booked in advance. This
year's lecturers are Ali Cardabra (Walk Around Magic for Children);
Derek Lever (Children's Magic Props Through the Ages); Michael Diamond
(Halloween Magic) and Michael Fitch (Kids' Cabaret). Plus 14 dealers
with all the latest children's props! To register visit
www.practical-magic.com.
29.8.09
Troy
Star: Fake It Till You Make It "Driven by a burning passion to
succeed at any cost, Gold Coast magician Troy Star who specialises in
close up magic sets off on a world tour with a documentary "crew" (ie
one judgmental, difficult cameraman) in tow. Aiming to create an
exciting, globe-trotting look at the glamorous, mysterious world of
magic, Star (who also directs, narrates, edits and produces) instead
ends up with something far more fascinating and original: a nakedly
honest, often scathing self-portrait. Troy Star bravely and willingly
shows himself to be overly ambitious, self absorbed, reckless. He also
cannily shows the magic industry to be one populated almost exclusively
by the eccentric, the sleazy and the highly insecure. Though
stylistically rudimentary, Troy Star: Fake It Till You Make It is
utterly compelling (and occasionally hilarious) from beginning to end,
while the excellent special features (commentary, featurette, deleted
scenes, magic lesson) make this a great buy." Available now to buy from
www.troystarmovie.com - quite an adventure!
29.8.09
The
Magic Alliance - Introduction Night and Jon Allen Lecture. The Magic
Alliance is a brand new non-profit organisation for magicians in the UK.
The opening evening will feature a new lecture by Jon Allen. Tickets are
£7.50 each and include a buffet. Order via:
www.themagicalliancetickets.weebly.com. Friday 4th September at 7pm.
Venue: St Michaels Irish Centre, 6 Boundary Lane, Liverpool L6 5JG (Map).
Contact Paul Gilligan (aka Giggs Kadabra)
giggskadabra@hotmail.com
telephone: 075998 27130 for more information.
29.8.09
Tabula
Mentis VI: Paranormality Personified. Saturday 21st November at The
Music Room, Hitchin Priory, Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5
2DL (Map)
Featuring: Mystery Morning Lectures with Margaretta Hicks, Evanna
Harris, Raven and Paul Bell – The Paranormal Entertainer. Tools of the
Trade Roundtable with Phill Smith, Iain Dunford and Roni Shachnaey, and
Keynote Lectures from Roger Curzon and John Archer. Visit
www.psycrets.org.uk for details. (Don't leave it too late to book!)
29.8.09
Jon
Marshall’s Sideshow Illusions were presented in Margate last weekend
at the Dippers and Dunkers Festival. 3,000 people took the tour around
all five shows which included The Headless Lady, Girl in the Goldfish
Bowl, Living Half Lady, Electra and The Mummy. All these shows were
first shown by their original proprietor Jon Gresham at Dreamland,
Margate in the 1960s and many locals remembered seeing them at that
time. The festival included Magic, Circus and Burlesque workshops,
outdoor aerial acts and a Sassy Seaside variety show, produced by Amy
Saunders (Miss Behave) and Professor Vanessa Toulmin, that included
Marisa Carnesky’s Temple of Banares routine. The sideshows next outing
will be an appearance at Sheffield’s Fright Night on Sunday 25th
October. See
www.sideshowillusions.com.
29.8.09
Julie
Carpenter is currently working at the Apollo theatre in Shaftsbury
Avenue in 'Carrie's War 'which is based on a novel by Nina Bawden about
two children evacuated from London to Wales to live with a lovely lady
called Auntie Lou and her tyrant brother and shop keeper Mr Evans. Julie
isn't in cast but is the 'interval magician' and is loving every minute
of it! Julie performs her ten 10 minute cabaret in the stalls based on
her War themed magic act, seen at the Southport Convention in 2005.
Julie also performs up in the Circle and often manages to do some
close-up magic in the bar as well. Nick Einhorn is responsible for a
magic illusion in the show - a disappearing skull. Photo: Prunella
Scales who plays Mrs Gotobed and Julie Carpenter.
www.juliecarpenter.co.uk.
29.8.09
Multi
award winning magician Etienne Pradier will be lecturing in the
Phoenix Artists Bar, Charing Cross Road, London, on Sunday 13th
September at 7pm. Tickets are £10 on the door or £8 if you register in
advance by emailing
info@academyofmagic.com or from 'Magic Cave' in Covent Garden.
29.8.09
Etienne
Pradier also lectures at WAM on Tuesday 1st September at 8pm. £10
for non-members. Contact Julie on 01923 720040 or email
juliecarpenter@themagiccircle.co.uk for venue details.
29.8.09
Magic
Car Boot Sale, West Bromwich, Sunday 6th September! As usual there
will be over 20 stalls, some dealers and some second-hand, with one of
the second-hand stalls selling illusions too. Doors open at 9.30am and
admission is £4.00. Hot breakfasts will be available. There will be a
final clear out of props from The Beechmen Circus including an 8 foot
giraffe unicycle, freestanding tightrope and outdoor trapeze rig for
anyone feeling up to it, and also a 14 foot mobile stage unit. This will
be the last sale at the old venue which is: 43 Union Street, West
Bromwich B70 6BP (Map).
For further details call organiser Alec Powell on 07831 115448.
29.8.09
Wessex
Magical Association presents Sammy Sunshine on Tuesday 8th September.
The evening starts at 7.30pm for 8pm and visitors are especially welcome
for a nominal £5 fee. The location is the Bourne Valley Community
Association, 56 Herbert Avenue, Poole, Dorset BH12 4EE (Map).
The Association attracts members from Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and
beyond, visit
www.wmagic.co.uk.
29.8.09
Magicbox's
sister company - Funatyourfingertips.co.uk. Whether your act
includes clowning, puppets or juggling, why not visit Magicbox's sister
company
www.funatyourfingertips.co.uk? You'll find everything from rubber
chickens to the latest in fancy dress accessories (Photo: Lucy the Sheep
Puppet).
29.8.09
Celebrating
100 years of Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli at Pinewood Studios. Chris
Dugdale was invited to entertain at the very exclusive Bond event at
Pinewood on Sunday. The original print of "From Russia With Love" was
screened, on loan from MGM, followed by a VIP lunch and entertainment
from Chris Dugdale. Speakers included Honor Blackman (photo), Eunice
Gayson, John Glen, Lewis Gilbert, Oscar winner Norman Wanstall, Shirley
Eaton and many others. A massive Bond fan, this was a real treat for
Chris. Oscar winner Norman Wanstall commented: "There’s little doubt you
made a huge impression and really added a new dimension to the day. I
always feel very proud when I watch you perform. Maybe if I live long
enough I’ll work out how you do the dog trick!"
www.thinkofacard.com.
29.8.09
Alex
Lodge reports that he has had a busy year touring holiday parks,
appearing on cruise ships, in hotels and theatres, as well as appearing
on television. Alex has been asked to perform at the Mayor of
Basingstoke's Varity Concert ‘The Royal Varity Show of Basingstoke’ at
the Anvil Theatre on October 3rd at 7.30pm. Tickets: £12.00 (over 60s
and under 16s £8.00) via
www.anvilarts.org.uk.
29.8.09
Magic
- back on the Menu. Jim Sisti is about to re-launch his classic
Magic Menu and has asked Paul Gordon to be the trick editor. It'll
be a quarterly magazine. The Magic Menu was a great back in the
90's - so let's hope it can be again! Paul emails, if you have any
'worker" type material (non card, preferably) that you'd like Paul to
consider, please contact him directly:
pgmagic@btinternet.com.
29.8.09
Brian
Eames. I am very sorry to have to report the death of a dear friend
and fellow professional magician and children's entertainer Brian Eames.
He had been a pro for over 40 years and his career spanned nearly all
aspects of the entertainment world including Television, Radio, Theatre,
Summer Shows, Cabaret, Pantomime and Children's Entertainment. He had
been for ill for a long while and the end came peacefully on the morning
of Thursday 20th August 2009. He will be sorely missed by his many
friends in the business. RIP. Terry Herbert.
29.8.09
Potter
& Potter's auction of magicana from the collection of Walter Graham
is now online:
www.liveauctioneers.com • O2 Money:
Click Here (starring
Billy Kidd), and
Click Here (starring
Brendan
Patricks) Dynamo consulted • "Hocus Soakus"
Click Here • Your UK magic new is always welcome - see you next
week, Duncan.
29.8.09