Number 776 - 9th May 2015
Edinburgh International Magic Festival 2015. Some of the
world’s most accomplished magicians take over Edinburgh’s Summerhall this summer
from 26th June - 4th July 2015. The Magic and Variety Gala Show moves to
Festival Theatre, home of the Great Lafayette; there's a new MagicFest Opening
Night Party with live show tasters; new adult magic classes for first time this
year, and new late night ‘witching hour’ shows for adults only. This year
Summerhall, Edinburgh's 'Art Laboratory', is the new MagicFest hub, creating an
irresistible world of wonder and adventure with live shows, exhibitions, food,
drink and doughnuts all at one magical campus! Kevin McMahon, Artist Director of
Edinburgh International Magic Festival, said: "We've dreamed of having MagicFest
on one site since we started the festival back in 2010, so it's incredibly
exciting to take over Summerhall for 8 days and pack it full of magic. Imagine
entering a portal, and winding up somewhere where normal rules don't apply. It's
kinda like that but with drink and doughnuts." This is their biggest festival
yet. The full lineup can be seen on the MagicFest website:
www.magicfest.co.uk/whats-on. (Early Bird Offer: Buy 3 tickets for any of
the shows that run for 7 days and receive your free ticket to the MagicFest
Opening Night Party! The offer is valid for 3 separate shows only and tickets
must be all purchased at the same time. Early Bird tickets can be booked by
phone 0131 226 0006 or in person. The offer closes on Friday 22nd May.)
9.5.15
The
Bristol Day of Magic is on tomorrow! See Tom Stone, Mario Lopez (photo), Ali
Cook, Joseph Barry, Doc Eason, Michael Dardant, Joseph Barry, Steve Rawlings,
Amethyst, Phil Hoyles and Vincent Hedan. Plus 30 magic dealers and a late night
bar / after-show party. Doors open 9am on Sunday 10th May 2015 and tickets are
available on the door. To see this year's full line-up and for more info visit
www.bristoldayofmagic.com.
9.5.15
Derren Brown Miracle
continues to dazzle and dumbfound audiences across the UK. Tonight he's
live on stage in Stoke. "The multi-award winning master of psychological illusion is back on tour
in 2015 with a brand new one-man show. Derren is acknowledged as one of
the world’s most exciting live performers; a dark manipulator of magic
and mind control." See
What's On for tour dates. "Review: Derren Brown at the Regent
Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent"
Click Here.
9.5.15
Jamie Allan iMagician
- live on stage this evening, Grove Theatre, Dunstable. In this action packed show, audiences will witness
the most incredible illusions ever staged. Using the latest technology,
iMagician includes high powered laser beams, iPads, Twitter, Facebook, and new
for our 2015 show, the mind blowing 'Virtual assistant' a routine which involves
a full scale volumetric hologram. After mesmerising American audiences for 12
years with his fusion of magic and technology, Jamie is now set to launch a
spectacular UK tour - iMagician: The Evolution of Magic. For May tour
dates see What's On.
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John
Archer is currently on
tour with Tim Vine: "Tim Vine the punslinger returns with lots of new jokes,
silly songs and twitchy dancing in his first stand-up tour for 4 years with
special guest John Archer. It’s time to put the satire on hold and watch
a grown man act the goat. Come along and enjoy the nonsense." For more info
visit
www.timvine.com/tour.html
or see What's On.
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Trix
in the Stix. Monday May 18th and Tuesday May 19th: "Mike Bent (photo) is one
of our Star Lecturers at Trix for a very good reason. Recently, Mike performed
at the White House Easter Egg Roll. This year he had the honour of opening for
both the President and the First Lady. Now that's something to crow about! Mike
will be presenting two lectures at Trix on aspects of children's entertainment.
Also lecturing, we have the one and only Mel Mellers, who used to be a very
successful children's entertainer. Then, to top things off, and returning by
huge popular demand, we have Buster Balloon, who earned a standing ovation at
Trix last year. Trix in the Stix has been sold out for nearly a year. To find
out the latest information, please go to Practical Magic's website (www.practical-magic.com).
You can also keep right up to date with the convention and all other matters of
interest to children's entertainers by becoming members of our Facebook page.
Just type in Trix and ask to join - well over 900 entertainers already have!"
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Dave
Loosley lecture, Merlin Magical Society, Potters Bar. John Clayton writes:
"On Thursday the 21st May, the Merlin Magical Society is having a Lecture by
Dave Loosley. The Lecture starts at around 8.15pm and ends at 10.15pm. Entry is
£8 for non-members. Venue: Little Heath Parish Hall, Thornton Road, Potters Bar,
Hertfordshire EN6 1JJ (Map).
Dave Loosley's original routines and twists on the classics, set the stage for a
fun, unique and entertaining evening. Dave's creative thinking and unique
outlook on magic has allowed him to devise a large number of tricks and
routines, which he has kept to himself until today! Dave also works with Peter
Nardi and Alakazam Magic, creating and advising on brand new products and future
releases. This lecture is aimed at the close-up working magician." More info:
www.merlinmagicalsociety.co.uk/lecture.html.
9.5.15
West End Magic -
Leicester Square Theatre, London, this afternoon at 3pm. West End Magic returns in May at its
regular residency at The Leicester Square Theatre, with some of the most
exciting names in magic and variety: Oliver Tabor,
Sean Heydon (photo), Mat Ricardo, and compere Christian Lee. The Leicester Square
Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX (Map).
Saturday 9th May. Doors 3pm;
Show 3.30pm;
Tickets: £15 full price, £10 children, £40 family ticket for four.
Recommended ages: 8 upwards.
www.westendmagic.com.
9.5.15
Wayne
Dobson Presents The Key. Inspired by Peter Crush and designed by Alan
Rorrison: "I have always loved this effect and Wayne's gimmick is awesome!
The Key is a must have prop for any magician. Innocent looking and beautifully
engineered. Well done Wayne for breathing new life into this modern day classic.
" Peter Nardi. Pre-Order now via
www.waynedobson.co.uk.
9.5.15
Peter
Eggink's UK Lecture Tour is now well under way. With over 20 years experience, Peter knows the “real secrets” of
being a successful magician and shares them in his new
lecture, which covers subjects such as personality, presentation, people
skills and how to become successful as an artist. See
What's On for
remaining tour dates.
9.5.15
Magicseen
Issue 62 May 2015: "TV magic in the UK has arguably been shaped in many ways
over the last few years by the output from Objective Productions, and we have
head honcho Anthony Owen on our latest cover and inside where we get to find out
more about this vibrant award winning company. We also get to chat to Denis
Behr, one of the world's best card magicians, and Jasz Vegas, female star of
TV's Killer Magic (from Objective Productions, of course!). There's an
interesting piece on the famous telepathy act The Piddingtons, we have a live
review of the Ehrlich Brothers spectacular illusion show, and Mark Shortland
finds himself on the Psychiatrist's Couch (not before time, some might say!). We
like to help and inform our readers too, and in this issue we discuss the
benefits of branded give-aways as a method of self promotion, plus in Pros and
Cons we look at whether it is better to arrive at the close-up gig set up and
ready to go or unset. The May issue is also a Masterclass Special one with no
less than 6 ideas for you to try, plus we have a ton of reviews (at least that's
how much the pile of review props weighed!) as well as a whole host of other
entertaining and informative articles and features. You can get your printed or
download copy now from the home of the UK's only independent magic magazine,
www.magicseen.co.uk."
9.5.15
Back-to-Back
Magic. London, 26th May: A double bill of illusion and theatre. Christopher
Howell and Philipp Oberlohr bring you two unusual theatrical approaches to magic
with these two back-to-back one-man shows. Howell will present 'A Peculiar
Night with Norvil' in which he plays his beguiling alter-ego Norvil.
Howell's unique approach creates a magical and theatrical world for audiences.
Through magic, story and song, Norvil is your host as he leads the audience
through deliciously dark and comical tales. Philipp Oberlohr presents
'Closer. Intimate Illusions'. He does everything he can to get to know you.
He will read your mind, if he has to. You will be happy to take part. You will
be happy to share. You will be happy. How do we know? Many before you did and
were. You are different, yet similar. One night only. £5. Show info and booking
www.christopherhowell.net/back-to-back-magic-show. Doors at 7.30pm and Show
at 8pm. Comedy Cafe Theatre, 68 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3AY (Map).
9.5.15
The
Mark Leveridge Podcast, May 2015. The latest edition of the free audio
presentation is a Podcast Special in which Mark spends half an hour discussing
three of the main issues that face any performer who is thinking of turning pro.
It's often the wish or fantasy of semi pro entertainers to be able to give up
the day job and concentrate on the thing they love instead, but actually making
the jump is a step many fail to take. With this in mind Mark highlights some of
the things that need to be thought about, information which he has drawn from
his own professional experience, and which he hopes will be of interest and
assistance to anyone who wants more information. The May Podcast is free to
listen to.
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php or
www.markleveridge.podbean.com.
9.5.15
Das Spiel. Are you part of the
game? This psychological immersive theatre show blurs the lines between
performance and reality. It is a refreshing take on the crossover of magic and
theatre. The opening night is already sold out, but there are still tickets
available for the remaining 5 shows. The Game has found you. Ovalhouse, London,
May 12th -16th: www.das-spiel.org.
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Sunday
Night at the Palladium. "Jimmy Carr hosts tonight's show which
features the cast of the multiple Olivier award-winning Beautiful - The
Carole King Musical, who perform a medley of hits from the show. The
world's fastest illusionist, Hans Klok, flies in to wow the Palladium
audience - and to teach Jimmy a few tricks. Comedy comes from Rob
Beckett, while dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace perform a
stunning routine. Also featuring Westlife's Markus Feehily, Rebecca
Ferguson and the legendary Deacon Blue." 8pm on Sunday 17th May
on ITV. See TV Magic.
9.5.15
Scott
Creasey British Magical Society lecture. Paul Cadley writes: On Tuesday 12th
May the British Magical Society is pleased to present Scott Creasey with his
all-new lecture: "What do you do when luggage containing your props goes to
Glasgow as you arrive for an important show in Bristol? How would you cope?
Seven years performing for unforgiving holiday makers on the Spanish Costa del
Sol club circuit has shaped Scott’s mentalism to ensure his routines are
interactive, fast-paced and personal." Non-members are invited to attend for a
modest £10 fee. Time and venue: 7.30pm at Selly Oak Ex Serviceman’s Club, Selly
Oak, Birmingham B29 7DL (Map).
See
www.britishmagicalsociety.co.uk for details.
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Magic
Circle Dealers' Day. Keith Pain writes: Magic Circle Dealers' Day. Saturday
24th October 2015. Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, London WC1. 10am to
5pm. £5 entry (free entry to Magic Circle members). Lots of Dealers booked. Also
at 4.30pm, lecture and workshop by Wayne Fox (in the Alexandra Suite), £10 entry
for all.
9.5.15
Peterborough
Society of Magicians Annual Sale, Exchange and Lecture Day. From the
organisers: Peterborough Society of Magicians invite you all to come and meet
old friends and make new ones at their 27th Annual Day of Magic 2015 on Sunday
14th June. And this year promises to be a great day for all. Doors open at
9.45am with the official opening by I.B.M. British Ring President Alan Astra at
10am. Lectures by: Alan Astra, Paul Gordon and Mark Lee. Dealers so far
registered are: Adrian Sullivan, Albion Magic, Astra Magic, Andrew Normansell,
Hocus Pocus, Magic Nevin, Merlins of Wakefield and Paul Gordon. Also several
tables for second hand magic have been booked. There is free on-site parking.
Refreshments available all day. Free Draw with several excellent prizes.
Admission: £12 and £6 concessions (partners and under 16s). If not selling, you
may pay on entry. All tables for selling are £5 extra each and must be booked in
advance (set up from 8.45am). For further details see
www.psmagicians.org.uk
or contact Keith Downs on 01778 343167 or
the220@btinternet.com. Venues: The Millfield Community Centre, Lincoln Road,
Peterborough PE1 2PE (Map).
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Creep into Criss' Crib at 6am on Wednesday 13th May on MTV: "Criss Angel, Marques Houston and Derek Anderson let us into their homes to take a look around in this episode." See TV Magic. 9.5.15
Death Defying Acts.
The year is 1926, and Houdini (Guy Pearce) is a household name. Isolated
by fame and drowning in regret over having not been present to hear his
mother's last words, Houdini announces that he will pay $10,000 to
anyone who can prove spiritual contact with his deceased mother. But in
his determination to prove that there is life after death, he becomes
the target of countless charlatans, scam artists, and self-proclaimed
spiritualists... Starring Guy Pearce, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Timothy
Spall. 11.20pm on Thursday 21st May on BBC 2. See
TV Magic.
9.5.15
"Taiwanese
magician Lu Chen confirms marriage with model 10 years younger"
Click Here • "Review: Champions of Magic, Theatre Royal, Winchester"
Click Here • "Meet the smoldering magician casting a spell on celebs"
Click Here • "Q&A: Professor talks upcoming mentalist performance"
Click Here • "America's Got Talent star comes to Holland's Tulip Time"
Click Here • "Illusionist Darcy Oake Pulls Off Coffee Shop Levitation Stunt
In New Tim Hortons Campaign"
Click Here • "The magician who astounded the world by conjuring spirits and
talking with mummies"
Click Here • "Did Kimlat fool Penn & Teller?"
Click Here • "NYC magician Oz Pearlman wins Long Island Marathon"
Click Here • That's it for another week, your UK magic news is always
welcomed, see you next week, Duncan.
9.5.15