Number 543 - 20th November 2010
International
Magic Convention London - starts this Friday! Ricky Smith (USA) and
Ben Whiting (USA) have just been added to the International Magic
Convention lineup, together with plenty of other surprises! The Gala
show on Saturday evening is now sold out but all other events (including
the Sunday evening Gala) are still currently available. International
Dealers will be open from 9.30am-6pm on Saturday 27th November and
10am-5.30pm on Sunday 28th November. Dealers attending: Angelo Carbone
(UK), Astor Magic Bt. (Hungary), Bob Little (USA), Card Shark (Germany),
Cups & Balls (Netherlands), Domenico Dante (Italy), Five of Hearts Magic
(UK), Gycklaren Magic (Sweden), Hank Moorehouse (USA), Hocus-Pocus (UK),
International Magic (UK), Tyler Wilson (Canada), Joker Magic (Hungary),
Jupiter (Hungary), Kreis Magic (Japan/USA), The Magic Circle (UK), Magic
Victoria (Belgium), Magicaplanet (France), Magix Effect (France),
Patrick Page Magic (UK), Pelican Stagewear (UK), Progretto Magia
(Italy), SEO Magic USA (Japan/USA), Stephen Tucker Magic (UK), Wayne
Dobson (UK), Wladimir (Slovenia). Photo: 'The Flicking Fingers' from
Germany, making their first UK appearance. Visit
www.internationalmagic.com for details (London, 26th, 27th, 28th
November).
20.11.10
Have
you booked for Blackpool 2011 yet? News from The Blackpool Magicians
Club: Bookings for the Blackpool Convention (18th to 20th February,
2011) are already up on previous years so if you have not already booked
you need to get in quick. Register before 31st December 2010 and you
will receive a free book ‘The World’s Most Ingenious Magical Apparatus’
by Convention Organiser, Derek Lever. To book your place for the world’s
biggest and best magic convention contact Arthur Casson, 44 Bryan Road,
Blackpool, Lancashire, England FY3 9BE or telephone him on 44 (0) 1253
393688. A registration form is also available on the Blackpool
Magicians’ Club website
www.blackpoolmagic.com. At only £85 per person the Blackpool
Convention has to be the best value for money in magic.
20.11.10
The
Modern Escape Artist's Handbook. Escape Artist Jonathan Goodwin is
self-publishing a new book, The Modern Escape Artist's Handbook.
"There has been almost no new publication dealing with escape artistry
for fifty years, and most of the seminal texts are older than that and
drier than the Sahara desert. I wanted to write a book which covers this
topic for a modern audience in an easy to read/understand format. It
includes techniques on escaping from handcuffs, ropes, duct tape, zip
ties, being vacuum sealed, picking and hacking locks, creativity, risk,
safety and a ton of other stuff." The book is now available for
pre-order, email Jonathan directly for details:
jonathan@jonathanescapes.com Jonathan's TV credits include Monkey
Magic, Dirty Tricks and One Way Out.
www.jonathanescapes.com.
20.11.10
Love
and Other Magic Tricks - One Night Only! Love and Other Magic
Tricks. 8pm, Thursday 25th November £8/£5 concs. Oxford House,
Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green E2 6NG (Map)
"Love is like a magic trick, you can try and work it out but that would
spoil the fun." Part love story, part magic show, Love and Other
Magic Tricks reveals the smoke and mirrors between a couple as they
search for that delicate line between love and need. Reviews:
www.whatsonstage.com and
www.citylife.co.uk.
20.11.10
StephenTuckerMagic.co.uk.
Stephen Tucker, after publishing his own close-up orientated magic
magazines, Spell-Binder and Chicanery, went on to edit the
Pabular magazine for a number of years. He has written a number
of books (including Cardinal Sins, Cardiac Pacemakers, Cardiac
Stimulation, Cardiac Arrest, The Gemini Book, Thought Waves and
Card-Bored), produced various DVDs, marketed numerous effects and
published routines in most magic magazines. He is proud to have been
honoured with two one-man issues of Harry Lorayne's Apocalypse
magazine. He has lectured at magic societies and conventions throughout
the world. Over the years he competed in virtually every close-up and
stand-up magic competition, and was lucky enough to win (or be placed
in) most of them. In 1994 he appeared on BBC television, on The Paul
Daniels Magic Show, and these days, in addition to being, for the
past fifteen years, the editor of The Budget - the magazine of
British Ring 25 of the I.B.M. - he is also a magic dealer/lecturer with
his own unique range of magic (and one of the country's brightest magic
minds in my opinion too! DT). Visit Stephen's site today
www.stephentuckermagic.co.uk (and have a look at the WOWallet
package).
20.11.10
Terrific-trix
for Kids’ Shows. Practical Magic are pleased to announce that they
have exclusive stock of the new book from Ian Adair, specially for the
children’s entertainer, Terrific-trix for Kids’ Shows. During his
long association with the Supreme Magic Company, and in the years since,
Ian has been a hugely prolific writer on all aspects of magic, though he
has always retained a special love for children’s magic. Here, in his
latest book, are 60 tricks, complete with patter and routines all of
which have been tried and tested. Over 200 A5 pages and signed by Ian,
the book is packed with fine illustrations from Alexander Allen. For
full details, visit
www.practical-magic.com.
20.11.10
Order
of the Magi Christmas Party. The Order of the Magi (Manchester) is
pleased to announce that they have secured the services of Max Blake and
Tony King as bill toppers for their Christmas party entertainment on
December 14th. These two are back working together with their unique
blend of comedy and magic. This act has been honed to perfection over
many years and clearly demonstrates their ability to entertain an
audience. When asked, Max and Tony said “It’s great to be working
together again: it’s as if we have never been away!” The line up also
includes past Presidents Nick Barnes and Peter Moran and guest vocalist
Graham Cooper. Balloon expert President Alan “Snaggers” Russell will
teach you all how to make a ‘snowman’, there’s a quiz, spot and raffle
prizes together with a surprise auction item. Please make a note of the
date in your diary now. Tickets are £5 and include a hot supper. Over 50
have already gone. The cut off date for tickets is 7th December. Please
contact
pro@orderofthemagi.org.uk or 0161 969 8222. Geoffrey Newton PRO.
20.11.10
Ben
Proos - Modern Mystic League Stage Competition Winner. Northern
Magic Circle, Fylde Mystics and Modern Mystic League member Ben Proos
was recently crowned the Modern Mystic League Stage Competition winner
for 2010. At the age of 15 Ben is a rising start in the magic world
having also won the title 'Northern Magic Circle Junior Stage and
Close-Up Champion' earlier this year. Photo: Ben Proos receiving the
trophy from Modern
Mystic League President Allan Clarke.
20.11.10
Polly
wants a Christmas Cracker Prize Draw. As many of you know - Derren
is the proud patron saint of The Parrot Zoo and its charity The Parrot
Zoo Trust (registered Charity Number 1062413). Here is your opportunity
to help and support his chosen charity and stand the chance of getting
some exclusive and ultra-rare Derren related prizes too. Please help
towards the care of over 2,000 rescued parrots. Visit
www.parrotzoo.com/polly for details.
20.11.10
Tommy
Cooper's Mirth, Magic and Mischief by John Fisher. The second in the
Tommy Cooper library of merriment, following 2009's Christmas
bestseller: The Tommy Cooper Joke Book. "Relive the mirth, magic
and mischief of everybody's favourite magic man with gags galore, tricks
unlimited and a priceless trip down memory lane courtesy of many
previously unpublished photographs from the Cooper archives - jus like
that!" Hardcover. 176 pages. Avaialble from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here.
20.11.10
International
News. "While the rest of Las Vegas is sleeping... We will enter a
world of magic like no other! A celebration of culture, magic, dance,
theater and performance art. Non- stop magic and variety all night long!
I'll hope to see you there on the third Thursday of each month!" Jeff
McBride
www.vegaswonderground.com.
20.11.10
Russ
Roberts, known to many for being a past cast member of Charlotte
Pendragon's illusion act, clearly has another string to his bow. Russ is
pictured here with his trophies, including the two latest additions
received on Saturday 13th November for winning the North Wales Magic
Circle Close-up Competition for an amazing 5th time, as well as having
won the cabaret and stage competition and the Ben Jackson cup for
outstanding contributions to magic twice in previous years. Russ said
“the standard of this year’s competition was extremely high and I am
delighted to have received this close-up award yet again, receiving the
award for the 5th time is close to a record with the NWMC so it makes it
a double honour for me. I am over the moon.” More about Russ and his
company “Invisible Inc. Magic” can be found at
www.russrobertsmagic.webs.com.
20.11.10
Merlins
of Wakefield held their annual close-up competition last week. In a
tightly fought contest, members of Merlins Magic Club competed for a
trophy, certificates and vouchers donated by the company. The winner was
Dave 'Bobo' Magic who performed a four ace routine and card in fruit
effect to wow the assembled audience. For more details and pictures
visit Merlins Blog,
Click Here.
20.11.10
The
Order of the Magi (Manchester) has needed to change their scheduled
lecturer for Tuesday 23rd November due to health issues. They have
managed to secure the services of two speakers to fill this slot in the
programme. Firstly David Yorke (pictured in Victorian guise) will
present his talk “The Changing Face of Magic” based on his over 50 years
in the business. He is three times past president of The Mercian
Mystics, a former secretary of the Medway Magical Society and the only
known magician to work in a triple act (three magicians performing in
harmony). He also appears as a Victorian conjurer on the Churnet Valley
preserved steam railway on special occasions. The second half of the
evening is being covered by balloon expert and current Magi President
Alan ‘Snaggers’ Russell who will present a workshop on Christmas
Balloons which could be very useful in the near future especially for
children’s entertainers. Door charge for guests, please contact Geoffrey
Newton on 0161-969 8222 or
pro@orderofthemagi.org.uk Directions are on
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk. Geoffrey Newton.
20.11.10
The
World's Smallest and Quaintest Magic Shop is a short video that
takes you in to Malcolm Norton's
Top Secret
Magic shop in Barbican, Plymouth,
Click Here. Matthew Keys emails "It takes a look at Malcolm Norton's
new Top Secret Magic shop, and offers the chance to see the shop and
hear a brief interview with my friend and mentor. I'm considering making
further shorts/documentaries about magic shops in the UK, and people can
contact me about this via mjjkeys+magicshopfilm at gmail.com."
20.11.10
The
Northern Magic Circle is set to relaunch its website in the next
couple of weeks, together with a 'convention only' website featuring all
the latest convention news. The NMC 2011 Convention will take place on
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th April at the Spa Complex in Scarborough
featuring a host of international magic stars. The first announcement
will be within two weeks. Stay up to date with the latest NMC news via
twitter @NorthernMC.
20.11.10
Lee
Smith: The Walkabout Lecture - Merlin Magical Society. On Thursday
the 25th November the Merlin Magical Society are having a lecture by Lee
Smith entitled The Walkabout Lecture. Lee will be showing a mixture of
effects. Doors open at 7.30pm, lecture 8pm to 10pm. Entry for non
members is only £5. The Merlin Magical Society meets at Little Heath
Parish Hall, Thornton Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1JJ (Map).
If anyone needs further info Secretary John Clayton on 07931 525399.
20.11.10
Keith
Cooper MIMC A Life in Magic. The Ilford Magic Society host an
evening with Keith Cooper MIMC on Wednesday, 24th November: "Presenting
his 'A Life in Magic' will see Keith talking about his life from his
early days as The Young Magician of the Year, through the international
cabaret years, up to the present in his latest role as President of the
British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The
interview will be illustrated with pictures, film clips and Keith
performing some of his favourite effects. We meet at The Parkside
Community Centre, 176 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford in Goodmays IG3 9PP (Map)
starting at 8pm. Visitors are welcome £10 on the door." Paul Clancy
www.ilfordmagic.com.
20.11.10
Isle
of Wight Magic Circle HQ Floods. Chris Philpott emails: The Isle of
Wight Magic Circle HQ located in the basement of the Royal Esplanade
Hotel in Rude, Isle of Wight was found to be flooded on Thursday 11th.
Nearly 100 books, 4 stage illusions and numerous props and club
documents were damaged in the 5 foot high flood. Some of the many
magical items were recovered and put in storage but most had to be got
rid off due to the horrific damage. Chris Philpott the clubs Liberian &
Alan Philpott (former Chairman) were called to collect the remaining
props and put them in storage. Signed autographs were damaged and
historic props made by the late Sid Edwards of The Magic Box were
destroyed. The HQ has now moved to Ryde Methodist Church Hall in
Garfield Road, Ryde due to possible future flooding. The new HQ has been
provided by member of the IOW Magic Circle Rev. Marie Attwood. The
hotel's residents were evacuated early Thursday morning. Meetings will
now take place at the new HQ in next year, with no meetings for the rest
of this year 2010.
www.iowmagiccircle.org.
20.11.10
"Chubbz
Comedy Christmas Cracker" at Wyre Light, London Street, Fleetwood,
Lancashire on Saturday 4th December from 3pm -5.30pm. Admission free,
but all children must be accompanied by a adult. "A Festive magic show
with Top comedy Magician 'Chubbz' plus party games and balloon models
for everyone, and loads more!"
20.11.10
Fantasma
Magic's Grand Illusion Set. Angelo Carbone emails: "Just wanted to
say for only another 2 or 3 weeks you can buy Fantasma Magic's Grand
Illusion Set at any Costco store for a very affordable £14.99. Then they
will be gone from Costco's line. The Magic Set contains over 200+ magic
tricks along with an Instructional DVD featuring Ed Alonzo as well as
the main Head Twister Illusion I designed. Other effects included are a
biscuit that restores itself after a bite, a gimmick to reveal a card on
toast, pen through tongue, Psychic Deck, rope illusion, linking rings
and more. It also includes an instructional DVD featuring Ed Alonzo
teaching cool magic tricks. It is a good present for Christmas for
anyone starting out in magic."
20.11.10
Ziggy
Zoo at the Big Switch On. Hundreds of people showed up for the 'Big
Switch On' of the Christmas lights in Basildon, Essex last week. Ziggy
Zoo asked BBC Essex presenter Sadie Nine live on air if she would be his
magician's assistant on stage that evening, and she willingly accepted.
Ziggy Zoo wowed the crowds with his magic act, and even attempted to
cook a meal in a spectator's shoe on stage, while Sadie later confessed
her showbiz career all started as a magician's assistant before her
radio days! For more details visit
www.ziggyzoo.co.uk.
20.11.10
Congratulations
to Jim Kelly winner of the Scottish Conjurers’ Association Stand-Up
Competition. In what was a very entertaining contest Paul McAtear was
runner up and Chris Dinwoodie came third. The event was well organised
by Harry Gallacher. The SCA meet on the first, second and fourth
Wednesday of each month. New members are always welcome.
www.scottishconjurersassociation.org.uk.
20.11.10
Wanted! A host for a Monthly Magic night in central London. Tim Bergmeier emails: "I am wanting to run a monthly (Thursday) Magic evening for up and coming talent. Initially I am seeking one or two enthusiastic London based up and coming Magicians who would like an outlet for their performance. We have held a monthly comedy night, which the comedians love. We simply make them feel welcome and give them a few beers and they are grateful to add another gig to their list. We can pay expenses." Email Tim Bergmeier for more info tim@chequersbar.co.uk. 20.11.10
Pickpocket
James Freedman escapes from The Slammer, (BBC iPlayer 17.05)
Click Here • "Making magic on 'nightmare cruise'"
Click Here • "Frankly, the future is all too predictable"
Click Here • Many thanks for your UK magic news, always
welcomed, see you next week, Duncan.
20.11.10