Number 595 - 19th November 2011

 

Magic Page by Page. From the publishers: "Patrick Page Magic is pleased to announce that Magic Page by Page, the book that Patrick worked on and finished just before he died, is finally in print and available exclusively from Patrick Page Magic: "The magnum opus from master magician Patrick Page. 200 tricks, moves and comedy bits including his often-copied Easy Money, his complete ground-breaking work on the Stacked Deck, Miser’s Dream, misdirection, the Topit vanisher, full details on 28 separately marketed effects, dozens of totally new, never before published effects created during the final years of his life, and much, much more, all written in his inimitable style, and lavishly illustrated. This is a book filled with reputation-making material from one of magic’s best-loved and most creative inventors and performers. And many more……. For more details and how to get a free download of the foreword (written by Patrick Page himself) and chapter details go to the Patrick Page Magic website www.patrickpagemagic.co.uk. Visit the site to purchase many of Pat’s effects and view some family photos too." 19.11.11

 

The 40th International Magic Convention - this weekend! If you are heading off to the International Convention this weekend remember there's a Magic Bar at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 19 New Bridge Street, Blackfriars (the convention HQ Hotel). Just say "Abracadabra" for a 15% discount on their food and beverage/restaurant menus and don't forget to try the special 'Magic Cocktail' available at bar '19 Below' too! www.internationalmagic.com. 19.11.11

 

Performing Magic: A Handbook on Performance for Magicians by Tony Middleton. Chris Dugdale writes: "I can guarantee Christmas delivery for the first 100 books. As a special I also have talked with Tony the author and we would like to offer MagicWeek readers a special deal... Any books ordered before December 1st will be signed by the author. There will be no further signings after this date, ever. This is a book for those who want to perform magic successfully in the real world. It is the only magic book in history that teaches you, step-by-step, how to create a magic act from start to finish: from initial conception to walking out in front of an audience. The book is heavily focused on performance techniques, and performing successfully for the public. It is like having your very own director and magic mentor working with you – teaching you the real secrets about performance. There is no formal training for magicians in the art and craft of performing in the real world, and this is an extensive, thorough handbook, that will guide you each step of the way... As Paul Daniels says in his foreword: if you get one good idea from a book then you should be well satisfied with your investment. But in this book you will get not one, not two, but dozens of presentational thoughts, ideas and tips that will improve your performance. David Berglas says that 'if you are serious about performing magic, you cannot afford not to have this on your shelf' and Kevin James comments that 'this is one of the best books I have ever read'." Find out more, visit www.zebra-magic.info today! 19.11.11

 

Blackpool Magic! Peter Eldin updates: "Only three months to go! It is amazing that nine months have flown by since the highly successful 2011 Blackpool Magicians’ Convention last February. This means that there are only three months to go to the next one! The convention, the biggest and most successful in the world, will be held from 17th to 19th February 2012. If you have not already registered for the best magic convention in the universe now is the time to do so before it is too late as registrations have already reached record levels. Blackpool 2012 promises to smash all previous records with star acts, instructive lectures, new features, and magic dealers from all over the world. If you are into magic this is where you have to be. Log on to www.blackpoolmagic.com for more details and to download a registration form. Whatever you do, don’t miss it!" (Photo: Axel Hecklau - see him and his magic in Blackpool)  19.11.11

 

Richard Griffin at Thursford. Following his performance last year for Prince William and Kate Middleton (photo) at the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, Richard is back, in the largest Christmas show in the UK featuring a cast of over 120! Richard performs three magic segments in the show which is on now until 23rd December. For more info visit www.thursford.com. 19.11.11

 

Scrooge is now on tour, starring Tommy Steele, with magic by Paul Kieve. Leslie Bricusse's spectacular musical extravaganza Scrooge is a heart-warming family story based on Charles Dickens' classic 'A Christmas Carol'. With stunning sets and costumes, specially created illusions by Paul Kieve, the special effects 'magician' behind Harry Potter, and a fantastic musical score, featuring the Oscar-nominated hit Thank You Very Much, Scrooge is this season's unmissable smash hit musical for all the family. 21 - 26 November Milton Keynes Theatre Milton Keynes 0844 871 7652; 28 November - 2 December Royal Theatre Glasgow 0844 871 7647; 5 - 10 December Empire Theatre Liverpool 0844 847 2525; 12 Dec - 7 January Lowry Theatre Salford 0843 208 6000 and 9 - 14 January New Theatre Oxford 0844 871 3020. "Thank You Very Much Tommy Steele for a night of pure Dickensian escapism" Click Here. 19.11.11

 

Practical Mesmerism: The Head Hacking Magic Lecture, with Anthony Jacquin, Kev Sheldrake, Amit Badiani and Marcus Lewis. "Magic and hypnosis have been closely linked in the eyes of the public for over a century, yet the two are rarely performed together. By blending hypnotism with magic, Anthony Jacquin and the team have developed a devastatingly effective performance style that ranges from impromptu and prop-less at one end of the scale, to stage and television performances at the other. The Head Hacking team perform and teach at venues and events around the world. In this unique lecture, you will learn what hypnosis is (and what it isn't), its practical uses and limitations, and how to make it work in a performance setting. We will discuss working details such as our patter, structure and success rates and we will demonstrate the routines we perform with close-up magic and mentalism. You will be taught a simple but flexible technique that we will exploit to explain our approach and set up, the nature of suggestions, ambiguous language and the production of basic phenomena." To book Practical Mesmerism and the Head Hacking team visit www.headhacking.com or call Amit Badiani on 07823 777 825. 19.11.11

 

The Order of the Magi (Manchester) Christmas Party. Geoffrey Newton PRO writes: The Order of the Magi (Manchester) Christmas Party is on Tuesday 13th December and a night of fun has been arranged by President Mike Sharples. After about an hour of games there is a hot pot supper (with a vegetarian option if ordered at the time tickets are booked) followed by entertainment from well known northern comedian Venn Tracey (photo) – back again by popular demand. Madcap comedy magician Peter Dean then takes to the stage. This riotously funny act had great success at the Empire Theatre in Blackburn earlier this year and it is with great pleasure we welcome him to The Magi. There is even a special item from the TV series Benidorm with a magical link up, for auction. It’s only £5 per guest ticket. Please contact pro@orderofthemagi.org.uk or telephone 0161 969 8222. The cut off date for tickets is 7th December (for catering purposes) and further details are on www.orderofthemagi.org.uk. 19.11.11

 

Magical Mathematics reveals the secrets of amazing, fun-to-perform card tricks--and the profound mathematical ideas behind them--that will astound even the most accomplished magician. Persi Diaconis and Ron Graham provide easy, step-by-step instructions for each trick, explaining how to set up the effect and offering tips on what to say and do while performing it. Each card trick introduces a new mathematical idea, and varying the tricks in turn takes readers to the very threshold of today's mathematical knowledge. For example, the Gilbreath Principle--a fantastic effect where the cards remain in control despite being shuffled--is found to share an intimate connection with the Mandelbrot set. Other card tricks link to the mathematical secrets of combinatorics, graph theory, number theory, topology, the Riemann hypothesis, and even Fermat's last theorem. For more information and to order Click Here. 19.11.11

 

Art of the Impossible - Paul Hyland. "This new show combines words and performance in a startling display of alchemy" David Woolley. Award-winning poetry and traveller's tales laced with incredible magic... Four of Paul Hyland's travel books have been 'Books of the Year' in UK and US broadsheets. He has made magic in the hands of many celebrities including Jasper Conran, Julian Fellowes, Ronnie Corbett and the Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney. Art of the Impossible, Bridport Arts Centre, Monday 21st November at 7.30pm, Tickets £6, Bridport OpenBook Festival: 01308 424204 www.bridport-arts.com. 19.11.11

 

Ben Proos will be performing his magic in the Blue Peter studio on Monday 28th November on BBC 1. "With just a few weeks until Christmas, the team devote a whole episode to the subject dominating many children's thoughts: toys. There are plenty of ideas of what to ask for - and what to give - this festive season, from gadgets to games to inexpensive stocking fillers. There are also ideas for how to spend more time with friends and family. Plus, there is a gift to make and young magician Ben Proos performs his tricks in the studio." See TV Magic. 19.11.11

 

Willow Foundation’s Spellbound Charity Ball. Marvin Berglas was co host with Natasha Kaplinsky and Mary Nightingale of the Willow Foundation’s Spellbound Ball at the Park Plaza Hotel in Westminster last Saturday. The theme of the Ball was Magic and Illusion and Marvin brought together many of his award winning friends in magic to produce a stunning night of entertainment which raised £282,000 for seriously ill young adults. Marvin opened the proceedings with the assistance of legendary International goalkeepers Bob Wilson, David Seaman and Pat Jennings who threw and caught Lights from Anywhere and then caused a cosmic Mexican wave of over 1000 Lights across the entire audience of 500. The show featured David & Dania who flew over especially from the US and Graham P Jolley, both acts causing a sensation. There were special close-up areas which proved extremely popular featuring Peter Wardell, Michael Vincent, Rajan and David Redfearn. www.willowfoundation.org.uk. 19.11.11

 

Scott Creasey lectures at The Mystic Ring, on Thursday 24th November: "Scott Creasey, who brought you The BIP Book and The Impression Pad, reveals in his new lecture how to put together your own mentalism act. The lecture and supporting notes cover in detail, the props needed, the psychology involved, dress codes, scripting, patter and much more. Scott will also perform solid material which he has used for the last couple of years to entertain, inform and empower audiences." The lecture starts at 7.45pm and takes place at The Mystic Ring, Dunstable Conservative Club, 49 High Street North. Visiting magicians welcome, admission £5. For more details email themysticring@hotmail.com or visit www.mysticring.co.uk. 19.11.11

 

David Owen heads West. After spending the last six years working in the UK, on Brittany Ferries, and at a bar in France, David Owen MMC, is taking up a residency as restaurant magician for the winter months at the Yachtsman Grill, on the island of Nevis, in the West Indies. Any passing/visiting/holidaying magicians are more than welcome to call in for a chat, or even perform some magic! For more details visit www.yachtsmangrill.com or www.davidowensimplymagic.com. 19.11.11

 

The Ziggy Zoo Show, Wickford’s CLC Centre on the 16th December 2011 at 6pm & 7.30pm. "A variety of family entertainment hosted by Ziggy Zoo with special guests. Ziggy Zoo is one of the UK’s top children's entertainers with performances throughout Europe for British holiday makers. This year he has done 140 shows in Greece for Sensatori Holiday Resorts." Show Times 6pm & 7.30pm. Tickets £5 Adults, £3 Children, £15 family via www.wickfordextendedservices.org.uk - Tickets are selling fast online so book now to avoid disappointment. 19.11.11

 

Merlin's Magic Club in Wakefield held their annual competition on Wednesday night. A full house watched as the competitors went through their well practised routines to produce an entertaining evening. In a very close contest, 3rd Place went to Dave 'Bobo', 2nd place to Phil Tilson and the trophy to winner, Ian Waring. Mark Lee is pictured presenting the trophy to Ian at Merlins of Wakefield. Well done to all the competitors that took part! www.merlinswakefield.com. 19.11.11

 

The Manor Hotel Séance VI – Yuletide With The Spirits. Freddie Valentine offers one more night of supernatural entertainment at The Manor Hotel on December 5th! Not for the faint hearted, join Freddie and  Dale Shrimpton for a night of paranormal activity at the 400 year old Manor Hotel in the historical (and haunted) village of Datchet… Find out about all that is involved in this amazing evening at www.valentineentertainments.com. Tickets for this event are limited and are priced at £25 per person with special deals for parties of four or more. No one under 18 can be admitted. Visit www.valentineentertainments.com for full details and to book. 19.11.11

 

Oliver Meech lectures at the Merlin Magical Society on Thursday 24th November. Oliver's "Plotting Away" lecture features a mixture of powerful magical effects in a "mini workshop" format. For more information visit www.merlinmagicalsociety.co.uk. The Merlin meet at Little Heath Parish Hall, Thornton Road, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1JJ (Map) Time 8pm to 10pm, Entry is £5, For any further information contact John Clayton (Secretary) on 07931 525399. 19.11.11

 

Tony Griffith has been holding his 'At Homes' since the early 1990’s. Now, to celebrate his 25 years as a professional magician Tony has decided to take his At Home out on the road for any magic minded groups who may be interested. This is a day long event for those looking for a more in depth discussion and learning experience. The day will cover a variety of areas including Close Up/ Stand Up Magic, Presenting and Organising a One Man Show, After Dinner Speaking/Entertaining, Working in Schools, Promotion, Publicity and Organisation, Trade Shows and Corporate Hospitality. The day typically runs from 10.30am to 5pm and is presented in a relaxed informal atmosphere for small groups and magic clubs. No special venue is required, just a room in a house, hotel or a small hall. Because of this the whole day is very reasonably priced. For more detailed information and how to book, contact Tony Griffith on 01275 835463 or email tony@tonygriffith.co.uk "At Home with Tony Griffith" is reported by Steve Beam this week, Click Here. 19.11.11

 

Bexley Magic Society Marvello Cup, reported by Roy Marsh MIMC. On Wednesday 16th November Bexley Magic Society held the latest round of the Marvello Cup. This is a close-up competition and is hotly contested each year. This time was no exception. Taking part were club Chairman Kevin Doig, Chris Latham, Joe Greenaway, Ron Wheatley, Adrian Sells and for the first time in many years, Honorary member Terry Herbert. Each of the performers had a minimum of 5 minutes and a maximum of 10 minutes (or face disqualification) to impress the three lay judges selected from the members of the public, who attended in large numbers. Marks were given for entertainment and magical content. The eventual winner was Terry Herbert, pictured here with club President Roy Marsh, presenting him the Marvello Cup. Congratulations to Terry and commiserations to all the other contestants who contributed to a fun evening. The event was ably compèred by club secretary Dave Andrews. 19.11.11

 

Marjorie Stokes of Playtime Balloons writes: Chinese whispers!! We are glad to say that rumours of the closure of Playtime Balloons are unfounded, truth is the business will hopefully be changing hands in the New Year, but will continue to provide the same personal service with lots of innovations planned. Updates on the changes will be on face book and our website, for the immediate future nothing changes so please remember to check your stock and get your Christmas orders in early! www.playtimeballoons.com. 19.11.11

 

Brian Hodge sends in a tale full of delight... "The rest of the audience could not understand when I laughed during the performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Royal Shakespeare's Stratford Theatre. There was extensive use of DeLite both red and green to give juice into the eyes of Puck!! Why laugh - Oberon used one as he said the following:- Puck, On the ground Sleep sound: I'll apply To your eye, Gentle lover, remedy. Squeezing the juice on Lysander's eyes. When thou wakest, Thou takest True delight In the sight Of thy former lady's eye: And the country proverb known, That every man should take his own, In your waking shall be shown: Jack shall have Jill; Nought shall go ill; The man shall have his mare again, and all shall be well. It certainly was true delight!" 19.11.11

 

"Cyberillusionist? A High-Tech Magician Who Writes His Own C Plus Plus Code" Click Here • "Like magic, Thomas and tigers are back at the Tropicana" Click Here • "Famed magician joins Hopefield celebrity line-up" Click Here • "Researcher uses card trick to reveal unconscious knowledge" Click Here • "An Evening of Magic and Mystery" is reported by James Willoughby this week, Click Here • That's it for this week, I didn't fall off the roof (had to add that for continuity) see you next week, Duncan. 19.11.11

 

Back

 

© www.magicweek.co.uk