Number 578 - 23rd July 2011

 

The Expert at the Card Table. "Magic, mystery and double-crosses in 'The Expert at the Card Table'. Cheating at cards can make you rich, but it can also get you killed. And though sleight of hand is a charming party trick, it can be a path to betrayal, disaster and death. So says 'The Expert at the Card Table,' a one-man play starring acclaimed British magician Guy Hollingworth. The show, under the direction of Neil Patrick Harris, gets its U.S. premiere Friday at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica after a lengthy successful run in the UK" Click Here. "The Expert at the Card Table" Click Here. "Theater review: 'The Expert at the Card Table' at the Broad Stage's Edye" Click Here. "The Expert at the Card Table" Click Here. "Connie Chats" Click Here. "Magicians’ Mysteries Revealed In ‘The Expert At The Card Table’" (includes TV appearance) Click Here. 23.7.11

 

"Lenny Henry pulls out of hit BBC show The Magicians to do Shakespeare... The comedian, 52, had to quit when bosses decided the show will be live in January rather than pre-recorded." To read the full story by Nicola Methven in the Daily Mirror Click Here. 23.7.11

 

The Big Fool Us Magic Tricks Competition. To celebrate the fact that Quick Change Artists Keelan and Charlotte are going to be performing on Penn & Teller: Fool Us tonight at 9pm, MagicTricks.co.uk are running a huge competition where you have the chance to win hundreds of pounds worth of magic tricks, just by watching the show! Click Here for details on how to enter. 23.7.11

 

EMC 2011 - The Party's not over yet... This year's EMC may technically be over, but if you missed it, it's still not too late! Right now you can 'sign-up' to see the full conference at home, in your own time. All the sessions are now online for your viewing. Register and you will also receive the DVDs mailed to your home absolutely free (a $150 value!). Registration only costs $90 or 70 Euros and includes all 16 hours of magic right now - online and on demand. View on your computer, iPad or iPhone anytime you wish until July 2012. In addition, at a later date, the final DVDs, containing all the conference presentations and bonus materials will be sent to you post-free. Additional bonuses if you register now include Volume 1 of Opus magazine in PDF format. Plus one month’s membership of Ask Alexander the brilliant online database of magic books and magazines. Other bonuses include Mike Caveney’s explanation of Walter Jean’s Million Dollar Mystery and Max Maven’s and Peter Lamont’s explanations of their incredible card effects performed during the conference. Visit www.essentialmagicconference.com. 23.7.11

 

Opus Magazine. Following their talk at the EMC 2011 Chris and JJ now have a new website where you can order instant back volumes of the infamous Opus Magazine in PDF format. You are also invited to rant and rave on their forum and read the random ramblings of the Opus squad. Visit www.opusmagazine.co.uk and Click Here to find out how it all started. 23.7.11

 

Get Magic Residencies. Professional magician's John Danbury and John Harding are in the final stages of putting together a full 'toolkit' to help magicians of all types get resident work in restaurants and hotels. The kit will have an extensive workbook covering every aspect, from identifying a suitable venue, through to what to do when you work, what tricks to use in a restaurant environment and then how to use these gigs to gain private and corporate bookings. There will also be DVD footage of live performances and audio interviews with top magicians – they want this to become a definitive guide for gaining work and earning money from restaurant magic, for beginners and pros alike, and have launched a web page to gather interested people's email addresses, so that they can make contact when the product is ready in the next couple of weeks. Visit www.getmagicresidencies.com for more information. 23.7.11

 

Pure Q & A is the latest manuscript from Paul Voodini, featuring forewords from Luke Jermay and Neal Scryer. "Imagine a full Q & A show with no gimmicks, no gaffs, no sleights, and no pre-show! Pure Q & A outlines a full-length mind-reading show that is ideal for both stage and parlour, where questions are answered, the future is divined, and telepathy is demonstrated! In the words of Luke Jermay - 'Paul Voodini's thinking in Pure Q & A elevates him into the realm of the 'greats'!'" Price £18, available as an ebook from www.readerofminds.co.uk. 23.7.11

 

Magic Moments African Orphan Appeal update: We're still seeking easy-to-perform magic tricks, with instructions, to ship on this year's Magic Moments Day to our friends in Zimbabwe and get as many magic tricks out to the orphaned children. Shipping is expensive and our friends in Africa undertake the dangerous challenge of getting the magic through to the children, as corruption means many packages of help go missing and never reach their intended recipients. We're working to send as many donated tricks as possible and urge magicians everywhere to dig deep into the back of their magic cupboard, find the old self-working tricks they may have, jiffy bag them up and send them to us. A small effort on your part could mean a world of difference for the children. We know a few magic societies are considering a collection at their club to send to us as we near this year's Magic Moments Day, on Saturday 1st October. Any donated tricks can be posted direct to Magic Moments, 24 Cambridge Road, Torquay, Devon TQ1 4QN. Thanks to all magicians for their kind support of this charitable initiative. Jay Fortune. 23.7.11

 

Charity Magic Night Dinner, in aid of LOROS, a Leicestershire charity for cancer sufferers, on Thursday 8th September. "A 3 course dinner in the luxury Dovecote Suite of the Royal Arms Hotel with ten close up magicians from Leicester Magic Circle, Coventry Magic Circle and Leamington and Warwick Magic Society performing table magic. Starring on stage, Mark Shortland and Steve Evans (The Magic Bloke). Close-up magicians so far include in random order, Alan Cooper, Bernie Visgandis, Bernard Anderson, Dave Taylor, Mark Traversoni, Matthew Redmond, Paul Kybert, Mick McCreath and Keith Pearson. All magicians have waved their fees for this wonderful cause and all proceeds are in aid of Nigel Smith's (North West Leicestershire Council) LOROS Appeal. 7.30pm. Tickets £20 from Mick McCreath 07747 052878. Venue: The Dovecote Suite, The Royal Arms Hotel, Main Street, Sutton Cheney, Near Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV13 0AG (Map) www.charitymagicnight.co.uk. 23.7.11

 

Jon Allen is currently lecturing over in California for the first time in 16 years. It will also signal the first chance for magicians to see his new effect 'Rule of Three'. Straight after the tour, he will be travelling up to Vancouver for the PCAM/CAM convention: www.magicianconvention.com. 23.7.11

 

The Devil's Dinner Party. A brand new show for Sky Atlantic. Six strangers, one dinner party, and a chance to win up to £6,000. ITV Studios are looking for confident, charismatic and outspoken guests to come together and dine at The Devil's Dinner table. Over delicious food and fine wine you'll play a psychological game of the Devil's devising, answering revealing questions and using your intuition to judge your fellow diners. The better your instincts, the more money you'll win. But, only the most popular diner will leave the table with the prize money... It'll be a hell of a time. If you're 18 or over and would like more information and an application form email: ddp@itv.com. 23.7.11

 

Summertime Special - Featuring High Jinx, at the West Cliff Theatre, Clacton. Booking is now open, with special rates for group visits. Box Office 01255 474000 or www.westcliffclacton.org. 20th July to 1st September at 7.30pm Wednesdays and Thursdays only except 28th July 2pm & 6pm 18th August 2pm & 7.30pm and 25th August 6pm. Seats from £13.50, Children free subject to booking conditions. Venue: The West Cliff Theatre, Clacton. 23.7.11

 

British Illusionist Craig Christian is currently in Germany, enjoying a lot of success for a second time at the Krystall Pallast Variete Theatre, in their "Summer in the City" show. The previous production with Craig, "Illusia" proved to be the most successful show in the theatre for the past 10 years! www.krystallpalast.de. Visit www.craigchristian.com to watch Craig's Showreel. 23.7.11

 

Mandy Davis was delighted to learn, last week, that she has been appointed British Ambassador to the Society of American Magicians (SAM). She flew to Pittsburgh for the national convention where she was presented with her award by the incoming President Vinny Grosso AIMC. 23.7.11

 

Patrick Page Magic have added lots of new Patrick Page devised magic tricks to their website, including "The Pat Tube", Pat’s own version of a dye tube that he used but which he never sold. "The Princesp Card Trick", Pat’s variation of the Hardin Princess Card Trick, "The Patlock", an effect using a padlock that can be performed by magicians of all levels, the brilliant "Old Moore’s Diary" trick, and many more... Also for sale are the very popular Patrick Page Deluxe Topit Vanisher and Hanky Panky Cloth. Patrick’s son and daughter, Jeremy and Janette are including a number of items that Patrick owned in the upcoming Magic Circle Heritage Auction which will be held on August 31st. These include some Doc Albo books signed and dedicated to Patrick, some Mr Insull original vent dolls, some antique wooden Punch and Judy puppets, a Demon Box of Tricks label from Davenports, Billy McComb’s Will Slates and Will Goldston's and other magicians’ signatures. More details on the Patrick Page Magic website www.patrickpagemagic.co.uk. 23.7.11

 

Kane & Abel return to Shropshire with their home brewed show "Knob Gags and Rope Tricks". "Kane & Abel are a second generation comedy magic act, featuring twin brothers Ed Kane and Laurence Abel. They were first inspired by magic when their Grandfather started teaching Laurence card tricks when he was ill in hospital. From then their act was born. Kane & Abel present brand new cutting-edge magic along with classic effects with a unique twist. They started performing in Shropshire at the age of 15 and over the last 9 years have performed at art and music festivals all over England, Scotland and Wales, including The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and have now taken their brand of entertainment all around the world. They have held the Shropshire Magical Society’s Close-up Award for two of the last three years. Kane & Abel "Knob Gags and Rope Tricks", Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth, 9pm July 28th, 9pm July 29th, 7pm July 30th (family friendly version). Tickets £5, call 01746 763257. 23.7.11

 

Wayne Slater (aka El Loco) has recently completed work on his new show “Beastro” described as a “breath of fresh air” by Ron Martin management who have signed Beastro on a two year worldwide exclusive contract www.ronmartin.co.uk. Monster Creations have built a new website for Wayne including a new video prom of the show “Beastro”. www.elloco.co.uk. 23.7.11

 

Hampshire magician, Phil Smith won The 2011 Portsmouth & District Magic Circle Stage Competition last week. His slick, polished routine based on the theme 'Colours' was voted the best act by members of the audience. The runners-up were John Shuttleworth and Timmy Taylor. The picture show Phil receiving his award from PDMC secretary Sean Lobban. 23.7.11

 

Party in the Park. Saturday 23rd July at Fleetwood Memorial Park, Lancashire, from 10am-4pm, a great family fun day out celebrating the 175th anniversary of Fleetwood, with Displays stalls, bouncy castles, face painting, and magic from Chubbz & Co. Free event. The recent fund raising event at Fleetwood Rugby Club raised £6,500. Chubbz emails: "At the recent fund raiser at Fleetwood Rugby Club for young Molly Robinson, an amazing £6,500 was raised on the actual day. Molly has a rare form of cancer and is only 9 years old, this now means she and her family can go on their dream trip to Disneyland." 23.7.11

 

Magical Weddings! Peter Eldin, of Blackpool Magicians' Club writes: "If you are planning a wedding why not tie the knot in Blackpool? For a wedding with a difference you could marry in Blackpool’s new Las Vegas Style Wedding Chapel which is a short distance from the Winter Gardens. For a really magical wedding why not time it to coincide with the 2012 Blackpool Magic Convention (17 - 19 February ) or the FISM Magical Championships (9 - 14 July)? The impressive, purpose-built, building is available for weddings, civil partnerships, naming ceremonies, or to re-new wedding vows. Fees for ceremonies start at £125. To find out more about the wedding venue or to make a booking telephone 01253 477 177 or email registrars.bdm@blackpool.gov.uk and if you do make a booking to coincide with either of these two great conventions please let Peter Eldin, press officer for Blackpool Magicians’ Club, know (peter.eldin@gmail.com)." 23.7.11

 

Riviera Circle of Magicians will be holding its annual Bring and Buy tabletop sale on Wednesday July 27th. Entry and tables £2 each, 8pm prompt start. Contact Secretary Chris Tennant chris@tennantmagic.co.uk for more details. 23.7.11

 

Magic Sale, Berkshire - update. Maurice Weller emails: "I'm having a Magic Sale in my back garden: 27th & 28th August and 3rd & 4th September just come along (and also 29th August to 2nd September by appointment - please call first: 07989 046543). All Magic must go. Illusions, Lots of Dove magic, cages, vanishing & appearing. Lots of candles & canes, silks. Magic previously used on board Cruise ships over the last few years. Costumes - male & female - There are also some magicians tables. Reason for blockbuster sale - health. There is no new magic - All used with some attention required. Venue details - 25 Bramshaw Road, Reading, Berks, RG30 6AT. Tel: 07989 046543 Maurice Weller maurice.weller@ntlworld.com." 23.7.11

 

"Q&A Special: Magician Paul Kieve" Click Here • "Ghost The Musical gets its spirits raised in London's West End" Click Here • "Penn and Teller fooled with a dinner trick" Click Here, video Click Here • "Penn & Teller: Fool Us is strictly for magic fans" Click Here • "Las Cruces Magician Marks 24th Anniversary As A Professional" Click Here • "How to make your iPhone do magic tricks" Click Here • "Could it be magic..." Click Here • "The Magicians' Review of Harry Potter" Click Here • "...analysing comedy is like dissecting a frog. Nobody laughs and the frog dies." Barry Cryer • That's it! See you next week, Duncan. 23.7.11

 

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