Number 716 - 15th March 2014
Ben
Hanlin's Tricked returns to ITV2. Following the success of Tricked
in 2013, ITV2 has commissioned a second series of the magic show with a
difference. Magician Ben Hanlin will be conjuring up mischief once again
as he tricks more unsuspecting members of the public and celebrities,
with his own special brand of hidden camera magic. This time, Ben will
be pulling bigger, more elaborate setups on members of the public – like
helping a bride trick her entire wedding party by ruining her own
wedding – or helping someone get revenge on a friend by convincing them
they’ve won a Ferrari – and then transforming it back into their own
rusty old banger! He’ll also be using sleight of hand to fool the public
as he poses as a pretend barman, shopkeeper or market stallholder. Ben
always serves the unwary with a smile – and a cheeky trick. Director of
Digital Channels and Acquisitions Angela Jain said: “The first series of
Tricked showed the versatility and enduring appeal of magic and Ben’s
hidden camera stunts have paved the way for a new breed of magic shows.
The second series will see Ben performing even bigger and more audacious
tricks on unsuspecting members of the public and famous faces alike."
The 6 x 60 minute series will air in the autumn. Keep an eye on
TV Magic for details.
15.3.14
Killer
Magic (working title) is a brand-new programme in which five young
magicians (Dee Christopher, Chris Cox, Jasz Vegas, Damien O'Brien and
Ben Hart) compete against each other in a series of tasks, in the hope
of avoiding having to face a killer trick – a notorious illusion or
magic trick that has jeopardised the lives of those who have tried to
perform it throughout history. With a new theme each week, each
contestant must create a trick that suits their unique, individual style
to impress the audience and their conjuring comrades. Anything goes on
Killer Magic – one-upmanship, trickery and even outright sabotage. By
impressing their fellow tricksters, they must aim to get points and
avoid being the lowest scorer, because the losing magician will then
risk it all and recreate an infamous, breath-taking trick. Killer Magic
was commissioned by Zai Bennett and Alan Tyler, BBC Commissioning Editor
for Entertainment, and will be made by Objective Scotland. Executive
Producers are Anthony Owen, who created the format, and Objective chief
executive Andrew Newman. Series Producer is Toby Stevens. The show will
air on BBC 3 later this year.
15.3.14
Mind-readers,
ventriloquists and illusionists from around the globe are gathering in
the North East for one of the UK’s most magical events this weekend.
More than 150 magicians will be flying in for a three-day convention at
the Customs House, South Shields as part of the South Tyneside
International Magic Festival 2014. Teesside magician John Archer, who
has attended or performed at the South Tyneside International Magic
Festival every year since its launch in 2004, said: “The South Tyneside
International Magic Festival is an annual highlight in the UK’s magical
calendar and draws visitors from around the world due to its intimate
and friendly approach. This year’s event is another great success and
I’m already looking forward to 2015.”
www.southtyneside.info/magicfestival. Photo: Mayor of South
Tyneside, Cllr Ernest Gibson, with magician Michael Murray of event
sponsors MagicBox.
"Magician John Kimmons wows schoolchildren in South Tyneside"
Click Here.
15.3.14
British
Ring Close-up Competition, 25th September, Bournemouth. Geoffrey
Newton, British Ring PRO, writes: Applications are invited for entry for
the Zina Bennett Close-up Competition to be held during the IBM British
Ring Convention in Bournemouth this year (24th - 28th September). Prizes
are: First £500, Second £250 and Third £100. There is also the Rovi
Trophy awarded to the performer displaying the greatest skill with
playing cards. This takes place on 25th September in the Pavilion Dance
Studio (photo). It has an excellent performance area and the seating has
good sight lines. All performances need only to be presented once and
will be relayed onto a video screen in the studio. There are terms and
conditions relating to the competition (which include membership status
and registration) either for the full convention or day registration for
the 25th September. Andy Stone has kindly agreed to take over the
running of this popular annual event and he can be contacted on 02083
545487 or 07717 804315 or by email
andystone@themagiccircle.co.uk. Convention registration details are
on
www.magicconvention.co.uk and membership details and an application
form on
www.britishring.org.uk.
15.3.14
Das
Spiel. Are you part of the game? "This game is different from other
games. It grows as you play it, it becomes larger than you. It reaches
into your past and creates the present. It makes you comfortably
uncomfortable. The players are different every night and therefore The
Game is different, every night. There is one rule: You must do
everything you are asked. You are part of The Game." This is a
psychological immersive theatre show, blurring the lines of performance
and reality. A new show by illusionist and performer Philipp Oberlohr.
Tonight, March 15th at 9pm at The Yard Theatre, London. For more
information visit:
www.das-spiel.org.
15.3.14
The
Ulster Society of Magicians Chairman's Dinner and Ted Oldham Memorial
Lecture. James Hobart writes: Just five more days remain to the
booking deadline for The Ulster Society of Magicians Chairman's Dinner
and Ted Oldham Memorial Lecture on 22nd March 2014 at Rockmount Golf
Club, Carryduff, Belfast. A sparkling wine reception with pre-dinner
close-up magic, a four course meal and three act cabaret are on offer
for the amazing bargain of just £25. This year the guest of honour will
be the legendary Fay Presto who will present her lecture in the
afternoon and star in the after-dinner cabaret alongside Dublin
mentalist Shane Gillen and young vocalist Grant Cartwright. Top table
guest speaker is Neil Roberts, President of IBM British Ring. Please
book by contacting George Bleeks before noon on Wednesday 19th March by
email
george.bleeks@ntlworld.com or telephone 07860 115611. Payment will
be made on the night. For those wishing to stay overnight at the nearby
Ivanhoe Hotel (Telephone 028 9081 2240) we have arranged a specially
discounted rate of £49.50 single or £71.10 Double or Twin B&B. Please
mention you are attending the magic function when booking.
15.3.14
Cornish
Magical Society's 52nd Annual Dinner. Paul Scott writes: On Saturday
22nd March the 52nd Annual Dinner of the Cornish Magical Society takes
place at the Membly Hall Hotel, Cliff Road, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4NT
(Map).
7.30pm for 8pm. We are pleased to announce that the cabaret will be
provided by the one and only Paul Daniels. Tickets £25.00 Telephone Paul
Scott on 07747 122 659.
15.3.14
Magic
Store Network is looking for creative magicians to sell their magic
online. The store is set up like Amazon, you pay a small set-up fee to
get your own store front, then pay a small percentage per transaction
and get paid instantly. Aimed at magicians with one or two items,
lecture notes, ideas or anything magic related they would like to sell
and who would like to be part of a network of magicians selling one-off,
creative and original ideas. Visit
www.magicstorenetwork.com for more details.
15.3.14
The
Mysterious Gentleman. "John Nevil Maskelyne was a master magician.
His illustrious career began when he exposed charlatan spiritualists in
Cheltenham Town Hall. He then went on to create illusions that amazed
Victorian audiences, and still astonish people today. But why did he
explore dark magic? Were his powers supernatural? And who was the
mysterious gentleman in black who convinced him never to dabble in
darkness again? This new production uses a combination of stage magic
and theatre to tell the story of this Cheltenham born showman." The
play, The Mysterious Gentleman, and will be staged at the Cheltenham
Playhouse, from May 8th-10th at 7.45pm. Tickets £10.00. Box Office 01242
522852. Venue: Playhouse Theatre, Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
GL53 7HG (Map).
15.3.14
Marc
Oberon, UK Lecture Tour - now booking. Steve Gore writes: Top UK
magician, Marc Oberon, is taking bookings for his new astounding
lecture. Marc has been a brilliant creative magician and inventor for
many years and now wants to share some of his knowledge and effects with
you. His lecture really does have something for everyone; close-up,
parlour, stage, theory, visual magic and mentalism. Awards include FISM
World Champion Parlour Magic and American Champion SAM/IBM 2008 amongst
many others. Numerous television appearances include, Sorcerers
Apprentice, The Slammer, Trix & Trax and Tricky Business. Marc is
known for some of his best-selling effects, including 'Bang On',
'Oddball', 'Mental Epic Pad' and his recent, brilliant, 'Way Out', but
this is not a 'dealer dem', all the effects in the lecture are explained
in detail and some can be self made. Contact Marc directly
marcoberon1@googlemail.com
with your preferred date. Also see
www.marcoberon.com.
15.3.14
E-Club
Pro March Madness! Mark Leveridge is so convinced that more
magicians would benefit from belonging to E-Club Pro, his online club
and information resource, that he is offering a really crazy guarantee
for any new members signing up in March. Exactly what that guarantee
consists of you can discover by watching this short video
Click
Here in which Mark will also explain why you need to be a part of
this now well established online club, a club which offers 10 monthly
updated website sections full of advice, information and new ideas and
magic. E-Club Pro is designed to be of help and interest to all
magicians from the hobbyist up to the professional, and it provides a
place to receive a regular infusion of reliable, quality information and
magic. So watch the video now and catch that nutty guarantee!
15.3.14
Keith
Bennett lectures on coin magic at The South Downs Magicians on
Wednesday May 7th. Meetings start at 8pm, and run until 10pm. Visiting
magicians welcome; £5 door charge. Venue: The Parish Hall, High Street,
Handcross, West Sussex RH17 6BJ (Map).
15.3.14
Parkinson:
Masterclass. Sir Michael Parkinson meets magician Dynamo, who
discusses how he used magic to ward off bullies as a child, and the
inspiration behind some of his greatest stunts. Sir Michael Parkinson
explained: "Masterclass is an innovative series and it is the set of
interviews I've always wanted to do because you never know what you
might discover about an artist and their craft. Their work is
spellbinding and I hope the studio audience and Sky Arts viewers will
find the demonstrations of their artistic talents as inspiring and
thought-provoking as I do." Parkinson: Masterclass, 8pm on Tuesday 25th March on
Sky Arts 1, see TV Magic.
15.3.14
The Millionaire
Matchmaker. US reality show. "Patti tries to find a date for an illusionist from Las
Vegas." 5.05pm on Friday 21st March
on ITV2. See TV Magic.
15.3.14
Paul
Gordon's Card Capers Day of Magic is now only a few weeks away: "If
you've been before, this year boasts a new format and new material. If
you've not been before, there is a warning: be prepared to be bombarded
with killer magic and lots of fun. It's a fast-paced day of tuition,
workshops, gags, stories, advice, tips and tricks. Food included in the
price. A chance to make new friends, too. Advance booking only." Sunday
6th April. See
www.paulgordon.net/cardcapers.html for videos, reviews and full
information. "Paul Gordon is one of the best lecturers and card
magician entertainers I've ever seen. His pace, energy, humour and magic
are/is riveting. Wonderful!" J C Wagner.
15.3.14
WOW!
This Show Is Magic - more tour dates added: Sunday 23rd March, Yarm
School, Stockton-on-Tees, 3pm
www.yarmschool.org and Saturday 24th May, The Ark Theatre,
Borehamwood, 2pm and 6.30pm
www.thearktheatre.co.uk. "The retro-modern show consists of
spell-binding story-telling and illusions from Doctor Bondini, while
JezO keeps the audience enthralled with an array of quick tricks and
jokes. The show culminates with a fast paced grand finale!"
15.3.14
Associated
Conjurers of East Sussex. Nicky Lewis writes: Members recently took
part in the annual Tom Hooper Memorial Close-up Competition. Six
competitors, using a wide range of effects including a lizard, rubber
gloves and hydrochloric acid(!) participated with the overall winner,
Mike Pettitt, being voted for by members, winning by just one vote. It
was the closest competition for many years and a great evening's
entertainment for everyone.
15.3.14
Dancing
on Ice Wrap Party. Michael Gee had the privilege of performing
close-up magic for the stars of Dancing on Ice at their grand finale
after-show party which took place last weekend at Elstree Studios. It
was their ninth and last ever television series and in recognition of
this special occasion, all past and present contestants of the show were
invited back along with many other celebrity guests. Michael is seen
here performing magic for Christopher Dean and Philip Schofield.
www.michaelgeemagic.com.
15.3.14
Scottish
Conjurers Association Close-Up Competition 2014. Brendan Kirk,
Secretary to the SCA, writes: The youngsters are coming! Campbell Black
was a worthy winner of the 2014 Close-up Competition of the Scottish
Conjurers Association on Wednesday March 12th. Campbell presented a
variety of card effects, ring to nest of wallets and a finale of the
Cups and Balls. The photo shows Campbell being awarded the trophy by the
competition organiser Harry Gallacher.
15.3.14
Richard
De Vere. "Blackpool stunned by death of showman Richard De Vere.
Blackpool’s entertainment community was today in mourning after the
sudden death of resort favourite Richard De Vere. The master
illusionist, magician and showman died while holidaying in Thailand,
friends and colleagues confirmed. Details have yet to be released as to
the cause of death of the 46-year-old Thornton-based entertainer." To
read the full story in The Blackpool Gazette
Click Here. "Tributes paid to magician Richard"
Click Here.
15.3.14
"Jim
Steinmeyer: Broadway's greatest stage illusionist, interview"
Click Here • "New tricksters rework old tricks"
Click Here • "Magic lessons at Darwen school during lunch break"
Click Here • "Youngest Osmond takes over reigns at Moon River Theatre"
Click Here • "Illusion at the heart of 'Ghost the Musical"
Click Here • "Q&A: Criss Angel"
Click Here • "Magic is the new rock 'n' roll"
Click Here • "Cinemadope: Going Dutch"
Click Here • "Famous 'unusualist' swaps Vegas for country NSW"
Click Here • "East Lancs magician meets idol 'Dynamo'"
Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcomed - see you next week, Duncan.
15.3.14