Number 494 - 12th December 2009
Blackpool
2010. The new video trailer is now online,
Click Here.
For the full programme of events for February's Mega-Magic
Convention visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com. Friday 19th, Saturday 20th,
Sunday 21st February 2010. See you there!
12.12.09
Beat
the Wand is back at the Blackpool Magic Convention 2010! From the
organisers: "We want it to be bigger and better than ever but that is
only possible with your help. We want a magical flavour to the night but
are particularly interested in increasing the variety aspect of the
show. Juggling, Escapology, Contortion, Geek Magic, Bizarre, Occult,
Mind Reading, Ventriloquism, Mouth Juggling, World Record Attempts....
We know you guys are out there! If you are interested in performing,
here are the rules...
● Your act must last a minimum of three and a maximum of five minutes.
● Three giant wands will be thrown into the audience. After an act has
performed for one minute the "voting" begins. Once a wand holder has
seen enough of your act they will hold their wand in the air. When three
wands are in the air the act will stop.
● If an act reaches three minutes they are safe and will be allowed to
finish.
● The act who performs for the longest and/or completes their act "beat
the wand" and is therefore the winner. In the event of a tie then the
audience will decide the winner.
● Performers will be supplied with a hand or lapel mic, a table and two
chairs. There are no cameras or screens in the bar so close-up/table
magic is not suitable.
If you are interested in performing at the world's largest magic
convention, or know someone with a crazy act who would love to be
involved, then please contact
beatthewand@hotmail.co.uk." The Blackpool Magic Convention. Friday
19th, Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st February 2010. Visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com for details.
12.12.09
Steve
Dela's Fantasmagoria will be playing at the Komedia Theatre in Brighton
on Monday 14th December. This all-new cabaret of classic conjuring
and illusion has successfully been playing in London for three months.
Steve Dela had this to say: "I perform regularly down in Brighton and
have always thought the town has such an amazing vibe. It seemed the
most logical thing in the world to bring Fantasmagoria down here and the
response, so far, has been incredible." The line up for the Brighton
launch includes Lee Warren (aka "The Purple Magician"), the incandescent
Romany Diva of Magic and, force of nature himself, John Archer. Where
else can you see not one, but two, Magic Circle Stage Magicians of The
Year performing on the same bill? All this plus Steve Dela delivering
his own unique brand of award winning magic. And, by popular demand, a
repeat performance of Steve's nerve shatteringly brilliant bullet catch
effect. Tickets are now on sale (£12.50 / £10.00 concessions) and can be
bought from the Komedia Box Office on 0845 293 8480 or via
www.komedia.co.uk.
12.12.09
Blackpool's
Showzam, the UK's only festival dedicated to magic, circus and new
variety will again be taking place during the February half-term next
year (Friday 12th - Sunday 21st February 2010). "Showzam and
Stageworks Worldwide Productions present, in the home of magic, in
the Horseshoe at Pleasure Beach Blackpool, “Queens of Magic”. This high
camp magic production, with a twist, is turning the cards around for the
Queens of Magic – starring: Romany, Fay Presto, Mandy Muden, The
Temptress of Desire, Enchantress of Passion and the After Dark Boy
Dancers. This hilarious evening of magic, illusion, comedy, song and
dance will be variety at its best!" Find out more, visit
www.showzam.co.uk.
12.12.09
Scott
Penrose was the magic consultant on Me and Orson Welles which
was released last week. From Wikipedia: "Me and Orson Welles
(2009) is a period-drama film directed by Richard Linklater and starring
Zac Efron, Christian McKay, and Claire Danes. Based on Robert Kaplow's
novel of the same name, the story, set in 1937 New York, tells of a
teenager hired to star in Orson Welles' production of Julius Caesar,
where he becomes attracted to a career-driven production assistant. The
film was shot in the Isle of Man, London, and New York in February,
March, and April 2008, and was released in the US on November 25, 2009.
It will be released in the UK on December 4, 2009." To read more visit
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me_and_Orson_Welles and to watch a trailer
Click Here. For the official trailer:
Click Here.
12.12.09
Nothing
in his hand, but something up his sleeve... joint Session
organiser Andi Gladwin, featured on the cover of the current issue of
The Magic Circle's excellent in-house magazine The Circular, has
just announced that Thom Peterson (USA) will be lecturing at
The Session
in January. Ticket sales are going very well with just a few places left
now. Visit
www.sessionconvention.com.
12.12.09
Darker
Shores. A ghost story by Michael Punter. "And then it began…
Unmistakable. Something within the seasound. Speaking. Speaking to me…’
Christmas 1875. Professor Gabriel Stokes retreats to The Sea House, an
old childhood haunt on the desolate Sussex coast. No sooner has he
arrived than his peace is disturbed by mysterious goings on. He enlists
the help of an American spiritualist, Tom Beauregard. Together the two
embark on a terrifying journey to discover the true history of the
house..." Ben Hart
and Darren Lang worked on the play that includes a number of illusions
and a couple of Séance scenes. Visit
www.hampsteadtheatre.com for details and to book.
12.12.09
Magician
aladin delivered a talk on leadership at the World Petroleum Council
congress in Paris on November 20th in his capacity as a leading
interdisciplinary expert on management
issuu.com/aladin/docs/wpcpdf. The speech can be seen
here. At the very end of the video aladin fired a playing card to
the back of the auditorium and the person who managed to catch it was rewarded with a copy of the wonderful
Book of Cool in
which aladin teaches how to throw playing cards amongst other things.
aladin has unofficial world records for throwing a playing card at speed
(108 mph) and distance (71 metres indoors). The organisers bought
300 copies of the Book of Cool to give out as gifts to their VIP
guests.
12.12.09
Sim
Sala Bim, The Magic and Illusion Show, Saturday 16th January at
7.30pm. "A full evening of stage magic, a visit with Merlin and his
assistants, a trip to the Middle East, Out in Space, and lots more."
Tickets: adults £8, over 60 and under 16 £6. For tickets call 020 8803
1723. Venue: St. Peter's Church Hall, Bounce Road, Edmonton, London N9
8JP (Map)
Contact Richard Sanders: 020 8803 1723.
12.12.09
Remembering
Ali. On Tuesday 8th of December it would have been Ali Bongo's 80th
Birthday. At Peterborough Society of Magicians, the monthly meeting
night was planned as 'President's Challenge' and to be a surprise to the
members. Our President Josh Miller had to plan the evening events. Josh,
knowing it would have been Ali's 80th Birthday that day, planned the
night in Ali's honor with a Magic quiz and team challenges in true Ali
style, by getting teams to do things like make the tallest newspaper
trees and putting their heads through playing cards! We had pictures of
Ali on the walls around the room and in the break Josh had arranged for
us to all raise a glass for Ali with Ali's close friend and neighbour
Stuart, saying a few words on the phone through a sound system about
Ali's life and how much he is missed, but will never be forgotten. So a
big thanks to Stuart, your words meant so much, and to Josh for a great
fun night and for keeping Ali's memory alive. Will Pyatt, Peterborough
Society of Magicians.
www.psmagicians.org.uk.
12.12.09
December's
Mystery Magazine is out now: "It has a really great interview with
Dynamo as well as loads of great tricks, a full report on the J-Day at
The Magic Circle as well as the usual society reports and lots more. As
always it’s available in printed or PDF versions via
www.magicbooksbypost.co.uk".
12.12.09
Stuart
and Jayne Loughland (Safire Illusionists) are currently appearing in
the sell-out Christmas Chuckle Tour. They perform two illusions, a
general magic spot and a black art puppet spot
YouTube as well as appearing in routines during the show. When the
tour ends on 22nd December at Blackpool Opera House they will transfer
to The Magic Circle Christmas Show, which runs from 27th-30th December
(see What's On).
Starting in February Safire will be appearing in 'An Audience with The
Chuckle Brothers' spread over 50 dates nationwide. Having completed the
21st series of the ever-successful series “ChuckleVision” for the BBC.
Paul and Barry have decided to interact live with their audience and
fans. In this one-off tour special they will be showing film clips of
some of their favourite routines as well as performing some of your
favourite live routines with supporting artistes. They will speak about
the most memorable incidents from their career, which changed their
lives and turned them in to one of Britain’s best loved family double
acts. (Again, see What's
On for dates).
12.12.09
Damien
was recently seen performing backstage at the
T4 Stars of 2009 event where he amazed a number of stars including
Peter Andre, Alexandra Burke, Jedward and Diversity:
YouTube "That was one of the greatest tricks I have ever seen I
can't even begin to think how Damien could of done that - it's simply
amazing!" Ashley (Diversity).
12.12.09
Mike
Stokes of Playtime Balloons is currently working on a fifth DVD to
be launched at the Blackpool Convention, it will be titled Table
Hopping with Balloons and will be filmed and produced by Rob
Gaffney. "All models will be made with 160 Qualatex balloons giving more
space on the tables and a bigger aaah factor." Mike is now taking
lecture bookings for 2010
www.playtimeballoons.com.
12.12.09
Darren
Bonas aka 'Mister Twister' received the Newcastle Magic Circle's
Edmund Younger Cup for Stage Magic at their annual dinner last week.
Presentations took place at the Old Assembly Rooms in Newcastle. Darren
will be performing at the Fleetwood Marine Hall, Lancashire on Saturday
27th and Sunday 28th March 2010.
www.northernmagic.co.uk.
12.12.09
News
from Zane's Magic Shop "There is now a video demo for Zane's new
trick 'Anniversary Tango' at
www.zanesmagicshop.com (click on 'Zane's Tricks' to watch it) Also
magic dealers can now order this trick as well from Murphy's Magic
Supplies Inc in the States. Zane is also offering MagicWeek readers 10%
off orders made before 31st December 2009 - together with free p&p. Just
mention 'MagicWeek' if you place an online order and 10% will be
refunded or phone 01843 850036 to speak to Zane in person."
12.12.09
Wessex
Magical Association presents Mark Worgan on Tuesday 12th January
2010. Mark talks about how to entertain with magic in, ''Comedy and
Comedy Cabaret'' including: the definition of comedy illustrated using
his own material; tips on setting the working area; presentation and
timing; moving from stage to cabaret floor, and using the right magic.
He also covers hecklers and how to deal with them, and the difference
between magic and comedy, and ''comedy magic''. Mark talks about his own
stage show and includes lots of other tips and routines. The evening
starts at 7.30pm for 8pm and visiting magicians are especially welcome
for a nominal £5 fee. The location is the Bourne Valley Community
Association, 56 Herbert Avenue, Poole, Dorset BH12 4EE (Map).
Any queries to Alan Chitty, WMA Publicity Officer on 01202 883474 or
achitty@tiscali.co.uk. The
Wessex Magical Association attracts members from Dorset, Hampshire,
Wiltshire and beyond.
www.wmagic.co.uk.
12.12.09
Young magician and illusionist Chris Philpott was hired for a
third year running to entertain shoppers in BHS on the Isle of Wight
in the lead up to Christmas. Chris said: " I do this gig every year, not
only to entertain customers, but to get more Kids involved in magic -
remember our faces when we were five!"
www.chrisillusions.com. 22.11.08
The
All Star Impressions Show at 9.30pm on Boxing Day on ITV1 features
Tim Healy and Paul Daniels as an old version of Ant and Dec, in the
Jungle!
12.12.09
Believe:
The Eddie Izzard Story. Keiko and I were invited to the West End premiere of
Believe: The Eddie
Izzard Story last week. Back in the day, when Eddie and I were both
street performing in London's Covent Garden I used to be into video
making, and would make showreels for some of the acts, including Eddie's
'escapology on a unicycle' act. I also made a 10 minute short called 'To
Boldly Go' for a Sony sponsored video making competition in 1987, all
about the street performers of Covent Garden. The video won first prize
and Eddie remembered this so contacted me to see if he could use some of
the footage for his up-coming documentary film Believe:
The Eddie Izzard Story. So, all these years later, it was great fun
to see some of my footage of Eddie and other street performers up on the
big screen. Mind reader Ian Rowland was also at the party. Ian and Eddie
go back many years as well, having performed together at University and
at the Edinburgh Fringe under the banner "Sheffield University Fringe"
(or "SUF" for short!). Ian is interviewed in the documentary and talks
about the early days with Eddie. The film charts Eddie's amazing career,
but more, it is an uplifting story, a story of self determination, self
belief and discovery... Believe:
The Eddie Izzard Story opens at selected cinemas nationwide from
January 2010 and will be released on DVD in March. (DT).
www.eddieizzardbelieve.com.
Trailer
Click Here.
www.eddieizzard.com .
12.12.09
Magic bar opening in Blackpool in 2010. Alan Chester emails "I have some exciting news to share with the community, I am opening a magic bar in January in Blackpool it will provide live magic on stage from time to time the bar staff and catering staff will be performing at tables and we will offer 'open mike nights' at least two nights per week. We will be a family bar so children can utilize the facility and a special play area is set aside for children, there is also a party room for hire. We are opening mid Jan and on Feb 1st there will be a special night with entertainment and prizes etc tickets are free but are limited to 150. All enquiries and to book tickets call our hotline on 01253 408893 or email coopermagic@tinyworld.co.uk". 12.12.09
Laws and regulations for Stage & Street Hypnosis. Jonathan Royle emails: "Following the recent news that laws and regulations for Stage & Street Hypnosis (even when combined with magic) are to be more strictly enforced Click Here hypnotherapists and members of the UK Street Hypnosis and magic community Nick Davies and Alan Whitton have persuaded Jonathan Royle to create a free series of online training videos teaching fans of Magical Street Hypnosis how to remain 100% legal in England transparencytemplate.wordpress.com. 12.12.09
My Magic Highlight of the Year (hum it to yourself using one of Harry Hill's themes if need be). We'd love to hear from you - what was your personal magic highlight of the year? Large or small, something you achieved or something you saw, just for you or enjoyed by many... tell the magic world via MagicWeek! Please send a few lines to MagicWeek and we'll run them just before the end of the year... 12.12.09
"Magician
Ali Bongo left cash to help struggling performers"
Click Here • "Report: Magician Wyrick's Show Canceled"
Click Here • "Waltham Forest Council enlists help of magician
to show how card scams work"
Click Here • Many thanks for your contributions this week - see
you next week (or on Monday if you are going to The Circle), Duncan.
12.12.09