Number 622 - 26th May 2012
Plagiarised
Piff Pickles Pretender. A
Ukrainian magician has stolen Piff the Magic Dragon's act - and appeared with it
on a Russian TV show called 'Surprise Me!' Andrey Chekanyuk performs in a replica dragon outfit,
complete with sidekick. Van
Der Put has a Chihuahua called Mr Piffles, Chekanyuk has a guinea pig called
Mr Piffles, but it doesn't stop there... the props, main trick and jokes are the
same as Van Der Put performed on the ITV 'Penn & Teller: Fool Us' show last
year, which subsequently appeared on YouTube – amassing 1.7million views. John
van der Put said: “Since I performed the act on national television and it went
viral on YouTube, I've had a few emails from individuals asking me how to build
a Tacular, where to buy a magic sneeze and claiming to have had the same idea
many years ago. Whilst I had a nasty feeling it was only a matter of time before
someone did something, this is ridiculous. He even ate a banana! And a guinea
pig called Mr Piffles? A guinea pig??! Can it levitate? No. Can it do card
tricks? No. Does it cost £900? No. Mr Piffles would be spinning in his grave if
he weren't alive and well, currently deep in preparation to stake his claim as
the World's First Cannonball Chihuahua in his return to Edinburgh with Jurassic
Bark every day at 7.10pm, King Dome, Pleasance. Needless to say I am supremely
annoyed as I had hoped the Russian market was where I would truly establish my
name. Now I guess they will have heard of my younger brother. Andrey."
A plagiarised Piff pickles the pretender on this side-by-side video
Click Here.
Full copy:
Click Here. www.piffthemagicdragon.com.
26.5.12
'Dynamo:
Magician Impossible' returning to Watch. "Watch have confirmed today that
the highly-acclaimed Dynamo: Magician Impossible will return to the channel for
a second series in July." To read the full story by Jordan Howell in
imediamonkey
Click Here. (Also, watch this
Click Here, as Dynamo tips his cap to Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi. DT).
26.5.12
Three
more top names announced for EMC: "Please welcome three more Speakers to
EMC’s astonishing line up of 33 amazing magicians. Three of the world’s greatest
professional magicians, from France, Germany and the USA. Register now and get
the Early Bird bonuses! Gaetan Bloom - one of the most ingenious magicians on
the planet. He has a knack for creating entertaining effects made possible by
devilishly clever methods that not only fool laypeople but destroy magicians.
Best of all, his thinking often make his tricks delightfully easy to do. Gaetan,
we look forward to you fooling us again. Steve Cohen is known as “the
millionaires’ magician” working for a stylish clientele at the Waldorf-Astoria
in New York where he has established a unique salon show. The show draws rave
reviews and has earned a very special place in the world of magic. Meet this
virtuoso of conjuring at EMC and learn what it takes to make a dream come true.
Topas - Topas is a World Champion Manipulator. His dexterity has taken him
around the world. He was awarded Grand Prix Magiques de Monte Carlo and World
Magic Award 2008 in the USA. None of this prepares you for Topas because he’s
also one of the funniest guys in magic. Brilliant performer. Crazy ideas. If you
saw him at EMC last year, tell your friends that he’s here again. Welcome back
Topas."
www.essentialmagicconference.com.
26.5.12
Magicians
of Facebook UK are staging their first-ever convention on Sunday 21st October
at the Holiday Inn Bromsgrove, in the Midlands. From the organisers: "The day
will feature lectures from Luke Jermay (performance, some effects and a Q+A
session), Stephen Leathwaite (Stephen has produced some great DVDs recently),
Wayne Goodman (one of the funniest workers out there, you may know him from Look
Sharp! He also has some great new effects on the way), and Tom Crosbie (this
young man is a master of memory and the stacked deck, and has just released his
first DVD – Recall). Also, we have some great dealers onboard some of which you
will all know!, plus many deals for you with some great competitions! We also
have a fun night the evening before (Saturday). We will have a show with Luke,
Tom and Alex Fisher (Bizarre Magic) and finish off in the bar for a drink and a
jam, this is however very limited. All this is for only £20 for the day. Please
check the link below!"
www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/groups/364280026946237 Here's a link to their
new website
www.mofbukconvention.webs.com.
26.5.12
The
2012 Magic Trek finished at The Magic Circle HQ on Monday, 21st May. Eight
magicians had walked the entire route of 115 miles from Portsmouth to London,
via Brighton. Another two took part for stages. The magicians were welcomed at
The Magic Circle's HQ, The Centre for the Magic Arts by Fay Presto, who kindly
provided food, drink and a cake for the walkers, Magic Circle president Jack
Delvin, and friends and family. The Magic Trekkers look likely to reach their
target of raising £4,000 in aid of Anthony Nolan, the charity that save the
lives of people with blood cancer. Donations are still welcome online at
www.justgiving.com/MagicTrek.
Click Here
to enlarge the photo.
26.5.12
The
Nine of Diamonds book on card magic has just been released: "This book is a collection of card effects brought to you by some of Scotland's
finest underground magicians.
It is intended for those at intermediate-advanced level, and is split into four
chapters: "Sleights & Techniques", "OK Show Me Something" (FASDIU tricks),
"Minus 52" (for those who like to dabble with more than just a deck of cards),
and “Some Set-Up Required” (tricks requiring preparation).
This project has been a long time in the making, with the contributors meeting
weekly for the past six years in a bar in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. Over
time (and many beers!) the concept of the book was formed, and 12 months after
starting writing the project it is now complete.
Please see www.nineofdiamonds.co.uk for further information, contact details and
links to purchase!"
26.5.12
Cheeky Mentalist Colin McLeod
promises to keep his trousers on at this year’s
MagicFest! "Britain’s Got Talent’s Colin McLeod promises to keep his trousers on at this
year’s MagicFest as he replicates the mythical deductive powers of Sherlock
Holmes in 'Sheer Luck?'
The first mentalist to appear on BGT, Colin left this year’s judges stunned with
a mind reading trick as he took to the stage in front of them, along with
their autobiographies. He asked the panel to select a book, page number and
line, then had Ant and Dec join him on stage to pick out the longest word from
the line on the page in the book that the judges had chosen. Wowing the audience
and judges, Colin proceeded to reveal the same word had been written on his
bottom all along!
Colin says, 'BGT was great fun to be a part of. I was apprehensive at first as
there is a risk of them making you look bad, so I decided to plan something to
perform that they instantly connected to and of course became memorable and
funny. I think I managed to achieve that with four yes's! Ant and Dec were great
sports and literally had me performing for them personally for a good 45 minutes
back stage revealing all sorts of things about them, unfortunately nothing I'm
allowed to mention here, but put it this way, you wouldn't believe what I found
out!'"
Edinburgh International Magic Festival Dates: 29th June – 6th July 2102. Tickets
available online via www.magicfest.co.uk
or by calling Hub Tickets on 0131 473 2000.
Follow on twitter @magicfest
and www.facebook.com/edmagicfest.
26.5.12
Win
a Mindbuster Competition. Soren Harbo emails: We have now been selling our
Mindbusters for 4 Years: The original Mindbuster in 2008; Mindbuster Mini in
2010; Mindbuster Exclusive in 2011; and Mindbuster Pocket in 2011. We think
there must be lots of great routines out there, so now everyone can join
Lacomagic's "Mindbuster Competition". Send in your best routines to Labcomagic
sorenharbo@gmail.com before the 1st of
July 2012. The entrant sending in the best routine will win a free Mindbuster of
their choice. All routines will be collected in an e-book that will be free for
download on our website.
www.labcomagic.com.
26.5.12
International
News: The I.B.M. convention in Norfolk, Virginia, is going to witness the
confirmation of the fourth British International President in its long history.
Succeeding Vanni Pulè will be John Pye who will take over the honour and
responsibility at the end of the convention. Previous British Presidents were
Bill Stickland, Jeffery Atkins and Tony Shelley. Chris Hannibal, Paul Gertner,
David Acer, Dani DaOrtiz, Arthur Trace, Master Payne's Magykes, Geoff Williams,
George Saterial, Frania Ramirez, Wayne Houchin, Chris Capehart, Justin Flom,
Chip Romero, Butterfly Lovers, May Yanyan, Yuji Yasuda, Hou Kai and Juliana Chen
are going to be among the performers. The headquarters hotel is the Norfolk
Waterside Marriott and the registrations can be made on the I.B.M. portal
www.magician.org The events will
take place between the 3rd and 7th July. It will finish just in time for
FISM.
26.5.12
Dani
DaOrtiz One Day Workshop - Aberdeen, Scotland. Sunday 10th June 2012. Organiser
Steve Truglia writes: "Following on from the amazing one day workshop held in
London in April, we are glad to announce that the incredibly talented card
magician who has astounded some of the most experienced magicians in the world,
will be hosting a one day workshop in Aberdeen, Scotland. After his unbelievable
appearances and lectures at The Session Convention, Dani has been touring the
world as one of the most remarkable card men on the planet! His style is a
highly friendly, hilariously funny mixture of Tamariz and Lennart Green, and
belies a formidable understanding of the construction of devastatingly strong
magic, which, coupled with amazing psychological wizardry leaves his audiences
completely dumb struck. You will start using this stuff right away as it’s
simply incredible. The workshop will take place from 9am, to 5pm. It will
include performances, lectures, hands-on practice sessions, sessioning with Dani
and a Q&A session. We would suggest that this workshop is not really suitable
for complete beginners in card magic. A good basic knowledge of stock card
sleights is all we ask. Places are limited to keep this event personal and allow
everyone to get the most out of this fantastic day. Cost of the day is £80.
Venue is to be confirmed in the City of Aberdeen in Scotland, UK." For more info
and to book visit
magic52.net/?page_id=61.
26.5.12
Chris
Cox: Fatal Distraction E4 Udderbelly, London. Chris Cox returns to London's Southbank
on Tuesday 29th May at 9pm with his
award-winning show Fatal Distraction for two performances only at the E4
Udderbelly Festival. Fatal Distraction is the fifth brand-new show from the
multi award-winning, five star, fringe sell-out, mind reader who can’t read
minds, Chris Cox. He’s been on TV, toured the world and is somehow still getting
away with it. Chris will be doing things he shouldn’t be able to do with the
fringe brochure, performing tricks nobody has ever done before, controlling
coincidence, probing theories of fate and answering the FAQ: ‘Can you use this
stuff on girls?’ ‘Stunning.... has other magicians scratching their heads.'
The Times. Tickets/info:
www.udderbelly.co.uk
(book tickets for the Tuesday show, quote 'MAGIC' to the box office, and pay
just £10 per ticket)
www.magiccox.com.
26.5.12
Egg,
Sausage, Peas - The Bizarre Comedy Psychic Show by Jonathan Royle has
completely sold out for its next Manchester show on May 30th, but some tickets
are still available for the following performance on July 4th. To claim a 50%
discount on tickets (so that they only cost you £5 each) enter the discount code
julyeggs at the checkout. To see clips from the show and reviews of past shows
Click Here.
26.5.12
Peter
McLanachan is lecturing at the Cardiff Magical Society on Monday 28th May.
Entry for non-members is £10. To attend contact Cardiff Magical Society directly
for full details:
www.cardiffmagic.org.uk.
www.thecardman.co.uk.
26.5.12
Magician
James Maunder is seen here with his daughter Ellie, photographed last week
with an Olympic torch. "I was booked to do some close up magic by Plymouth's BMW
dealership who had organized a promotional event for past clients to visit the
showroom and have their photographs taken with the Olympic Torch which was to
begin the national relay from Lands End the following morning. 650 people
attended the event, experiencing some live close up magic before donning the
white gloves to hold the torch. After two and a half hours of performing, I was
offered the chance to hold the torch along with my daughter, Ellie. She,
naturally, was thrilled with the opportunity, commenting afterwards, "If you had
a normal job like a builder, we'd never have had the chance to do that!"
26.5.12
Paul Gordon is presenting his all-new lecture at the North Wales Magic
Circle on Tuesday 5th June and The Bexley Magic Society on Wednesday 6th June. See
www.paulgordon.net/lectures.html
for reviews, schedule, promo video and full information.
26.5.12
The
Sussex Magic Circle has entered its 60th year and is having a "mega line up of
star lecturers" to celebrate. Visiting magicians are always welcome!
www.sussexmagiccircle.co.uk Simon
Vertue.
26.5.12
News
from the Nottingham
Guild of Magicians.
The Nottingham Guild of Magicians close-up and stage magic competitions will
take place at the John Godber Centre, Ogle Street, Hucknall, Nottingham NG15
7FQ (Map), on Sunday 17th June, 2012, starting at 6.30pm (doors open
at 6pm).
Admission is by ticket only. These are £10 each, include a buffet and are
obtainable from Dawn May (tel: 0788 2603832) or Andrew Morrison (tel: 0796
6494095).
Ricky Gardiner (Secretary). On May 17th The Nottingham Guild of Magicians were privileged
to witness the debut presentation of Graham Colvan's lecture with the working
title 'Technical Stuff for Magicians', the title is as clear as the instructions
on the tin of that famous wood stain and fits the bill exactly. Magic forms a
small part of the presentation in suitably high tech fashion, clips from acts
demonstrate staging possibilities in terms of both sound and lighting and are
very funny to boot. Stage forms, lighting, sound systems and the author's
favourites, smoke and fire effects, are all expertly explained, brought to life
by examples of the appropriate kit and fascinating anecdotes, all combine to
form an evening of informative entertainment. Highly recommended.
Graham Harper President Nottingham Guild of Magicians.
www.nottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk.
26.5.12
Congratulations
to Martin Cox who won this year's 'Watford Association of Magicians Close-Up
Magician of The Year Competition' last Tuesday evening. Second place went to
Harry De Cruz (who also won the Technical Award) and third to Kane
Sinclair-Sojek. Reported by Andy Clockwise.
www.wamclub.co.uk.
26.5.12
Wednesday
Night is Variety Night - Live at the Pier. Wednesday 30th May to Wednesday
12th September, Pier Theatre, Bournemouth. "A modern type Variety Show featuring
some of the top U.K. entertainers. Also introducing fresh new young talent
making a name for themselves in show business." One free child ticket with every
full price adult ticket.
hwww.bic.co.uk/events.
26.5.12
"A Conversation with Greg Frewin"
Click Here (see Greg Frewin live on stage at
FISM 2012) • "Win! - Tickets to York magic show"
Click Here • iPad ap worth downloading
Click Here • "Derren Brown Svengali Nottingham Theatre Royal"
Click Here • "Derren Brown: Inside Your Mind' premieres July 7th in
the States
Click Here • "Magician will get back to his roots for show"
Click Here • "Magician spellbound with fame"
Click Here • "Paul Daniels at the Mill at Sonning"
Click Here • "Murray keeps laughs coming along with magic staples"
Click Here • Thanks to everyone who contributed news this
week, your UK magic news is always welcome - see you next week, Duncan.
26.5.12