Number 669 - 20th April 2013
Ben
Earl: Trick Artist. Friday 26th April, Channel 4: "Sleight-of-hand genius,
trickster, manipulator, illusionist, hustler - master of deception. This is Ben
Earl. In each of four shows Ben invites a select group of guests whom he amazes
with a series of tricks leading up to one mind-blowing death defying stunt. Ben
focuses on a different theme each week and transforms an empty space into a
wonderland of deception designed to explore the week's theme. With a belief that
there is no limit to what his mind and body can accomplish, Ben has dedicated
his life to mastering the unimaginable and to making his audience believe the
impossible. Ben said: 'The opportunity to work with Channel 4 is incredibly
exciting. They are mischievous, controversial and not afraid to push boundaries.
My kind of people.' This first show is all about crime. Ben invites a select
group of people to join him as he attempts to catch a speeding bullet, goes to
prison to perform astonishing sleight-of-hand tricks with ex-convicts, teaches
an audience member how to pickpocket, and finds himself leaping from the top of
a moving car." See TV Magic for
details. Interview with Ben Earl: Trick Artist,
Click Here. Trailer,
Click Here.
20.4.13
The
Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year - Saturday 27th April.
The final of this major
competition will be held on the evening of Saturday 27th April at The Magic
Circle Headquarters in London. Eight magicians: Richard Griffin, James More,
Richard Pinner, Steve Price, Tim Shoesmith, Mark Shortland, Oliver Tabor and
John van der Put will take to the stage to
compete for the coveted title 'The Magic Circle Stage Magician of The Year 2013'.
Doors open at 6.15pm and the competition will start at 7pm... just a few tickets
remain for this event which is open to the public. Visit
www.themagiccircle.co.uk/public-events for more information and to book.
20.4.13
Kidology,
the midweek convention for Children's Entertainers. 10th September,
Wolverhampton. From the organisers: "Another great lecture has been added to the
line up. Scott Penrose will be lecturing on 'Making Your Magic Magical'
illustrated with a number of children's effects. Scott will also include his
pocket Aerial Fishing and talk about the use of animals in your act. Scott has
immense experience not only as a performer but also in advising and devising
effects for film, theatre and television. Recent credits include co-devising a
Cirque du Soleil production which is still touring and work on the TV Series
Help My Supply Teacher is Magic. For further information go to
www.kidologyuk.co.uk."
20.4.13
It's
Kevin, 10.30pm on Sunday 28th April, on BBC 2: "In the last show of
the series, Kevin Eldon celebrates with a massage and a visit from a
close-up magician. He also shares some of his favourite music and Bob
goes into hibernation. Starring: Kevin Eldon, Martin Bird, Amelia
Bullmore, Adam Buxton, Justin Edwards, Harry Enfield." See
TV Magic.
20.4.13
Phantom
52, A platform to share your thoughts on magic & deception: "An experiment
to find out what lurks inside the bubble which is magic, deception and the
mysterious. Collaboration is at the heart of this project; we are hoping enough
people share their thoughts be part of its life blood... Share something lets
see what happens...
www.phantom52.co.uk.
20.4.13
Mat
Ricardo's London Varieties.
April 25th: Paul Daniels, Eastend Cabaret, Lisa Lottie and Johann Lippowitz. The first three shows for the 2013
season of Mat Ricardo's London Varieties have just been announced. This year
they've moved to the Leicester Square Theatre but all the features and surprises
you loved last year will be back, bigger and crazier than ever! Mat Ricardo
writes: "Just last like year, the interview from each show will be podcast, but
additionally, an edited version of the show will be professionally filmed and
put online so you can watch it at home! For free! I figured if TV won't make a
proper variety show, then I will! And, as you can see, we've got some big names.
Some of them you'll know, and some of them maybe you won't, but every single
person on all of the bills is the absolute best at what they do, and I'm proud
and - frankly - stunned to be welcoming them to The Varieties. We've got some
bona-fide legends and heroes of variety and circus coming your way this year.
For the opening night we've got the hilarious Kev Orkian, the UK's funniest
magician John Archer, the spectacle that is Craig the Incredible Hula Boy, and
I'll be sitting down for a chat with the brilliant Omid Djalili - comedian,
actor, and, recently, high diver! It's going to be special, and if you ever
considered coming to one of these shows but haven't - now's the time! Get
yourself a ticket to the first night and lets pack that theatre and show the
West End that there's an audience for a knock-down, drag-out, no-apologies,
no-compromise variety show!" For more info, and to book tickets
Click Here.
20.4.13
Introducing
Rubber Chicken - a new magic magazine aimed at Children's Entertainers.
Editor Peter Aubery writes: "We have a wide variety of articles and interviews,
reviews, and a star routine each issue and we are growing. We have already seen
sales not only in the UK but the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and
Argentina and have featured David Kaye (Silly Billy) in Issue 1, Terry Herbert
in Issue 2, Jimmy Carlo in Issue 3 and our cover star for Issue 4 is Paul
Daniels. We publish every 2 months. We have just published Issue 4 and the cost
of the magazine is currently £3.50 plus postage. Issue 5 is due out the first
week of June." For more information and to order a copy visit
www.rubberchicken.bigcartel.com.
20.4.13
Chris Wood
Lecture - Exonian Magic Society. Ozzy Dee writes: Chris Wood will be
presenting his very commercial lecture, billed as 'Magic with Charm' (and that is
exactly what you will be getting) on 25th
April at 7.30pm.
Venue: Exonian Magic Society, Exeter CVS Centre.
www.exonianmagicsociety.com.
20.4.13
Harry
Robson Lecture - British Magical Society. Paul Cadley writes: Celebrate St
Georges Day - Come along to the British Magical Society, in Birmingham who are
proud to present Manchester’s own Harry Robson's 'A Laugh A Minute' lecture on
Tuesday 23rd April 2013. Aimed at magical societies the lecture is in two
halves. Both consist of a performance and explanation, with a short break. At
the end of the evening Harry is happy to hold a workshop for half an hour with
members so they can practice some of Harry's effects. Harry's working commercial
effects are for sale at the end of the evening. 7.30pm on Tuesday 23rd April at
Selly Oak Ex Serviceman’s Club, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 7DL (Map).
Non-members are invited to attend for a modest £5 fee. See
www.britishmagicalsociety.co.uk for details.
20.4.13
Vanish,
the International Magic Magazine, is now available for the iPad. Publisher Paul Romany
emails: "We have teamed up with
www.revizzit.com to offer the magazine to all magicians. Just download the
free App from iTunes (revizzit e-reader) and sign in to get the Vanish Magic
Magazine App. It's out now, and it's free." Direct link:
https://revizzit.com/product/1368.
20.4.13
Paul
Zenon could be seen on Countdown last week, and can be seen on Monday
and Tuesday of this week too; see
TV Magic. From May 3rd to June 2nd (nightly at 9pm, except Mondays) Paul can
be seen live on stage in
La Clique in the Spiegeltent on the Old Steine in Brighton as part of
Brighton Festival and Fringe. He'll also be supplying a few outdoor attractions
at the site. (Photo: From Edinburgh last August, with other performers that
will also be appearing in Brighton this year).
20.4.13
The
Creative Solutions Deck. Phill Smith writes: "I have just launched a
Kickstarter for a deck of cards I created to help jumpstart sufferers of
creative block but which are (secretly) a cunning magic prop designed to read
minds. It's an intersection of my two trades - design and magic, and I have
already had lots of positive feedback from both designers and magicians/mind
readers. My Kickstarter page has a video and images that explain the project and
what makes it so cool:
http://bit.ly/creativesolutionsdeck."
20.4.13
Movie
Magic, news from The Twins FX: "The Twins FX have been involved in the 'Keep
Moving Projects', an innovative project by BlackBerry, designed to spark
'brilliant new ideas between creative megastars and their fans'. The goal? To
create new artworks in which fans play a key role. The BlackBerry’s 'Keep Moving
Projects' are inviting people all over the world to collaborate with one of the
biggest names in movie-making: Robert Rodrigues. To celebrate, Blackberry asked
the top special-effects companies including The Twins FX to tell us what the
perfect monster looks and sounds like. The Twins FX love being part of such a
wonderful project. Click below to watch Gary and Paul from The Twins FX share
some of their magical ideas about creating a monster...
www.thetwinsfx.com and
www.guardian.co.uk/blackberry-keep-moving/video/how-to-create-a-monster-video."
20.4.13
W!ZARD
Radio Station is proud to present a brand new 'Magic Show' on-air every Saturday
from 3pm to 5pm (GMT). The station write: "The show is presented by young
magicians, Jay Sands and Leon Thomson – both members of the Magic Circle’s Youth
Initiative, the Young Magicians' Club – with the aim of presenting magic in a
‘fresh, new, exciting light’ by using a mixture of talk, music and specially
designed radio magic tricks to assist the art with its constant need to keep up
with modern technology and trends. The duo kicked off the new, engaging show
last Saturday to an amazing response including the London Film Museum, who
tweeted all of its followers to listen to Saturday’s show! Make sure you don’t
miss this amazing two-hours of fun, games and magic! Every Saturday from 3pm to
5pm at
www.wizardradio.co.uk."
20.4.13
Oliver
Meech Collides Magic and Science at Smoke and Mirrors, Bristol. Following
his performance at the London Festival of Magic 2012, Magic Boffin Oliver Meech
brings his hit Magic-meets-Science show to Smoke and Mirrors in Bristol on
Wednesday 24th April. Oliver meddles with forces we barely understand, in a
comedy magic show for the QI generation. Amazing tricks inspired by astounding
science. It's the Natural Selection! **** 'Funny, endearing, impressive
showmanship' (ThreeWeeks). 'Real gasps of awe' (BroadwayBaby.com). Sell out
performances: Brighton Fringe, Oxford Fringe, Green Man Festival. Recommended:
Metro, Time Out. After melding magic with Neuropsychology and Time in previous
one-man shows, Oliver turns his attention to the rest of the universe. Wednesday
24th April, 7.30pm. More info:
www.bit.ly/meechmirrors.
20.4.13
Manchester
Circle of Magicians are holding a Jumbo Auction on Monday 22nd April at
Salford Masonic Hall, Hemsley House, 41 The Crescent, Salford M5 4PE (Map).
Doors open 5.30pm, viewing from 6.00pm. Auction commences at 6.30pm. Star
Auctioneers, Mike Shepherd and Derek Lever. Members free. Non members pay £3.00.
Hundreds of items available at bargain prices. For further information email:
d.lever1@sky.com or phone: 01253 810113.
20.4.13
Newly
crowned Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Sebastian Walton will be
appearing at the House of Illusion in Spain from May 5th to the end of
October. (In fact they signed him before his recent win, very shrewd!). See
www.houseofillusion.com
and
www.sebastianwaltonmagic.com.
20.4.13
Make
Believe Magic are performing at two different events this weekend, the IBM
Presidential Dinner in Buxton on Saturday and the regional finals of 'Britain
Does Variety' at City Varieties in Leeds on Sunday. If you would like tickets
for the talent show on Sunday email
makebelievemagic@stevegore.co.uk as soon as possible!
www.makebelievemagic.co.uk.
20.4.13
Bexley
Magic Society Stage Magic Competition. Roy Marsh reports: On Wednesday 17th
April, Bexley Magic Society held their annual stage magic competition, The
George Trophy. Inaugurated in 1965 by late member George Burrowes. The entrants
were Jason Deverell, Dave Andrews, Roberto Forzoni and Joe Greenaway. This year,
the winner was Roberto Forzoni (pictured) with a part of his much longer one man
mentalism show, each act being limited to a maximum of 10 minutes. He predicted
the order in which three people would choose a large, stuffed, Angry Bird and
where they would sit with it. He then moved on to determine three words each of
those people chose at random from three different books, closing with the
prediction of a word selected from an imaginary book. Congratulations to Roberto
and better luck next time to the other contestants.
www.bexleymagic.org.uk.
20.4.13
Training
programmes for children's entertainers - super-saver offer! Following a
number of enquiries, children's entertainer Mike Clarke is now offering a
special discount for his three training programmes when ordered together. These
programmes all feature material Mike has used and still currently uses in his
market (Bristol, UK). Full details of the discount can be found at
www.thekidsmagician.com/resources-for-entertainers.
20.4.13
Continuing
their farewell lecture tour, Rachel and Aldo Colombini bring their talents
to the Southend Sorcerers Society on 28th April, commencing 7.30pm. The lecture
has been well described here on MagicWeek so you will know it is one not to be
missed. It will be a unique night with a unique lecture. Visiting magicians
welcome for a guest fee of just £5.00, although members of the Mid Essex Magical
Society have free entry. Venue: Ekco Social Club, Thornford Gardens, Southend on
Sea, SS2 6PU (Map).
www.southendsorcerers.co.uk. Richard Graham.
20.4.13
Gregory Wilson's 'Latest &
Greatest' UK Lecture Tour is in full swing - see
What's On for details • Britain's Got Talent 2013: Magician Ryan
Tricks gets Aleha Dixon involved with his act"
Click Here • "Digging Into Ricky Jay's 'Deceptive' Card Tricks"
Click Here • "Movie Review: 'Deceptive Practice' - 3.5 stars"
Click Here • "Keeping His Secrets Well Up His Sleeve. ‘Deceptive Practice:
The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay’"
Click Here • "No hit, Sherlock – it’s magic. Did detective cheat death with
help of illusionist Derren Brown?"
Click Here • "Alesha Dixon plays staple roulette"
Click Here •
"Make the Magic Happen in Your Business"
Click Here •
"'Now You See Me' Movie: 7 Things We Learned On Set"
Click Here •
"Dynamo is conjuring up a BAFTA nomination"
Click Here •
"Arts: Magician Luis de Matos awarded the Golden Grolla Prize – Italy"
Click Here •
And finally, it's not magic, but, "Harrison Ford Won't
Answer Star Wars Questions"
Click Here
• That's it for this week, thanks for all your contributions,
see you next week, Duncan.
20.4.13