Number 781 - 13th June 2015
The
Magic Circle Christmas Show 2015. Tickets are now on sale for this year's
Christmas Show at The Magic Circle. This is always a popular event and the
highlight of many people's magical calendar. Visitors have a chance to explore
the headquarters, visit The Magic Circle Museum and mix and mingle with some top
magicians before entering the intimate Magic Circle Theatre for a show of
wonder. Every year sells out, so it is advisable to book early. Ideal for ages 5
and above. The balcony is not suitable for children under 8. All performances
will be at The Magic Circle, 12 Stephenson Way, Euston, London NW1 2HD.
Tuesday 22 December (2.30pm and 7pm)
Wednesday 23 December (2.30pm and 7pm)
Sunday 27 December (2.30pm and 7pm)
Monday 28 December (2.30pm and 7pm)
Tuesday 29 December (2.30pm and 7pm)
Wednesday 30 December (2.30pm and 7pm)
Saturday 2 January 2016 (2.30pm and 7pm)
Sunday 3 January (2.30pm)
Tickets cost £34 (stalls) and £30 (circle/balcony) plus £2.50 transaction fee
from www.seetickets.com
or
www.themagiccircle.co.uk/public-events.
13.6.15
Two
weeks to go to Edinburgh's MagicFest: "Our brand new Magic Village moves the
festival to one main site with bars, cafes, restaurants, exhibitions,
interactive illusions, a colour-changing bed of flowers and up to 16 shows each
day. We hope that in excess of 10,000 people will see live magic across the city
over 9 days.
There's nothing quite like seeing top magicians close-up, with no screens,
Hollywood effects or fancy TV editing getting in the way of something
beautifully impossible.
So Awake in Wonder at the Edinburgh International Magic Festival from 26th June
- 4th July 2015." See www.magicfest.co.uk
for details.
13.6.15
Conjuring
at the Court celebrates its 6th birthday on Thursday 25th June, with a cake
and a troupe of entertaining magicians: Spanish illusionist Jammes
Garibo, performing his sophisticated magic in the UK for the first time,
exclusively at Conjuring at the Court; The magical hilarity of Terry Herbert;
The inventive and original magic of Jon Allen; Stunning and powerful mysteries
from the astounding Nick Einhorn, and compere is co-producer Russell Levinson.
The show starts at 8pm and runs to 10pm with an interval. It’s in the lovely
function room of the Drayton Court, 2 The Avenue, West Ealing, London W13 8PH (Map).
There’s a bar at the back of the room so you can have a drink while enjoying the
magic or come early and enjoy a dinner from the pub’s varied menu. Parking free
from 6.30pm. Tickets £11 in advance, £12 on the night from
www.conjuringatthecourt.com.
13.6.15
All
the Fun of the Fair: Genii The Conjuror's Convention, Orlando, Florida. 30
performers. A Million memories. Join hosts Richard Kaufman, Joshua Jay, and Andi
Gladwin for the second Genii Convention. 30th September - 3rd October 2015:
www.geniiconvention.com.
13.6.15
Portsmouth
and District Magic Circle Jumbo Day 2015. Colin Rumford writes: Portsmouth and District Magic Circle have revealed their line up for this
year's Jumbo Day convention on Sunday 1st November.
Magicians lecturing this year are Marc Oberon (photo), Ryan Schlutz, Children's magician
Silly Scott and Alakazam's Dave Loosley. With magic dealers, a second-hand magic
market, auction and a full Gala Show in the evening this, the 53rd Jumbo Day, is
looking to be the busiest yet. For full details and tickets visit
www.portsmouthmagic.co.uk.
13.6.15
Pete
Firman joins John Bishop this evening, on BBC 1. "Comedy entertainment
series hosted by award-winning comedian John Bishop, coming each week from the
Hackney Empire. Across the eight-part series, John introduces his favourite
comics from all over the world, as well as music guests and variety acts. This
show features two tracks from Florence and the Machine and stand-up from
comedians Tom Stade, Ellie Taylor and Phil Wang. John also gets to try his hand
at a bit of magic with magician and comedian Pete Firman." See
TV Magic.
13.6.15
Deception Convention returns to Liverpool on 14th
June 2015 after a fantastic first year, attended by well over 100 delegates. As
well as our now infamous 'after show party', we will be hosting 4 fantastic
lectures from Jon Allen, Alan Rorrison, Kieron Johnson and Geraint Clarke and
over a dozen dealers. Plus, new for 2015, 2 'hands on' workshops. For more
information or to book tickets, visit
www.deceptionconvention.co.uk.
13.6.15
James
Freedman: Man of Steal. There is just one week left to see the current run
of 'James Freedman: Man of Steal' which will be ending on June 20th.
James has just been appointed by City of London Police as the UK's first Fraud
Prevention Ambassador and in this role will be working with the police
nationally to raise awareness of modern stealth and cyber crime. James plans to
stage his one-man show again in the foreseeable future and said, “I am delighted
that the show has been so well received and excited by this opportunity to use
my skills again for important crime prevention work."
www.facebook.com/manofsteal. Interview: James talks about how he became a
pickpocket and his current show Man of Steal
YouTube.
13.6.15
Peterborough
Society of Magicians Annual Sale, Exchange and Lecture Day - tomorrow! From the
organisers: Peterborough Society of Magicians 27th Annual Day of Magic 2015 is
tomorrow Sunday 14th June. It promises to be a great day for all. Doors open at
9.45am and close at 5pm. Lectures by: Mark Lee, Paul Gordon and Alan Astra the
British Ring President. We have sold out of Dealers stands; plus there are
several stands selling second-hand magic and props. There is excellent catering,
with refreshments available all day. Free on-site parking. Admission: £12 and £6
concessions (partners and under 16s). And most important we are a friendly
society whose members just love all forms of the magic arts. You could say we
are addicted to it so come and join us! For information please see
www.psmagicians.org.uk
or contact Keith Downs on 01778 343167 or email
the220@btinternet.com. Venue: The
Millfield Community Centre, Lincoln Road, Peterborough PE1 2PE (Map).
13.6.15
Magician
double act, The Deckchair Dandies, aka Jasper Blakeley and Frank E Haschka,
are delighted that their latest social media video (featuring no magic!) has
caught the attention of local and national government, and
local press: YouTube.
Jasper and Frank run
www.sideshowevents.co.uk, an agency that promotes their various double and
solo acts; their latest creation being 'The Deckchair
Dandies'. Earlier this week, with the help of Jasper's wife, Fay, they popped
over to the newly regenerated Barry Island to shoot a spoof tourism video
featuring The Deckchair Dandies. Since Fay is a marketing and branding
specialist, she made sure the video reached as many people as possible. What she
didn't expect was the local council and then the Welsh Government Minister for
regeneration to retweet it. From there local press asked to run a news
story on The Deckchair Dandies.
13.6.15
Crafted
With Carey. The first print run of John Carey's fabulous new hardbacked
book sold out within a few short weeks. Now the second print is in stock and
available directly from the publishers Magicseen, so if you have yet to get your
copy of this 200 page photo illustrated book containing the very best of John's
output, now would be a good time to act before this second batch disappears! And
don't forget, those people who are current subscribers to Magicseen Magazine
directly with Magicseen in the UK, can purchase any of their publications,
including Crafted With Carey, at a special subscriber discount amounting to 20%
off the retail price. Magicseen is now half way through its 11th year of
publication and continues to provide a vibrant, interesting and highly readable
magazine that offers you great performer interviews, background stories, helpful
information articles, comedy and more, and as the only independent magic
magazine published in the UK it's your best way to keep in touch and to stay
informed. To subscribe, to purchase Crafted With Carey or to find out more about
any of the other great offerings from Magicseen Publications go to
www.magicseen.co.uk.
13.6.15
Tricked: More Favourite
Tricks is being repeated on Sunday 21st June. Ben looks back
at the best moments from the second series, including magical wind-ups
on the public and the most popular celebrity tricks on Kym Marsh, The
Vamps and Joey Essex. See
TV Magic.
13.6.15
The
June Mark Leveridge Podcast. Mark Leveridge writes: "After last month's
Podcast Special, in which I talked about three key things that you need to
consider if you want to turn pro, this month's offering is back to the more
normal format where it features a range of varied topics. Those subjects include
a discussion about whether magicians these days are buying their magic more
regularly online rather than waiting until they attend a convention, the perils
of trying to perform in summer heat, whether comedy performers should consider
some subjects to be taboo, information about the soon-to-be-launched MLM
Academy, how to get round the problem of eating when you are performing or
travelling over meal times and a couple of observations about Jamie Raven's
latest BGT success. The Podcast is free to listen to or download and will only
take up half an hour of your life, thus making it the perfect companion while
breaking for a cuppa. Catch it now either at
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php or at
www.markleveridge.podbean.com."
13.6.15
Perspectives: The Magic
of Houdini with Alan Davies is
being repeated on Thursday 18th June on ITV. Alan Davies explores the extraordinary life
of Harry Houdini, who against the odds was among the richest, most
successful entertainers in the world. He was the ultimate showman and
one of the first American celebrities. In order to understand why
Houdini felt compelled to perform such terrifying death-defying stunts,
Alan tries to hold his breath under ice cold water, lies on a bed of
nails, is strung up upside down in a straitjacket and takes an exclusive
look at David Copperfield's priceless collection of Houdini artefacts in
Las Vegas. See TV Magic.
13.6.15
The
Magicians' Podcast this week features a double-bill: Etienne Pradier and Alex
McAleer. Listen to this Podcast
and catch up with previous ones at
magicianspodcast.podbean.com also see
www.facebook.com/MagiciansPodcast.
13.6.15
Will
Houston Home Counties Magical Society lecture. Andrew Lewis writes: Home Counties Magical Society is to have
current Magic Circle Close Up
Competition winner Will Houston lecture for them at their next meeting on Thursday
18th June 2015 at 8pm at Maiden Place Community Centre, Maiden Place, Kilnsea
Drive, Lower Earley, Reading RG6 3HE. Visiting magicians welcome for a door
charge of £10.00. For more info visit
www.hcms.org.uk.
13.6.15
Martin Cox's One Man Show:
Up Close and Personal. An evening of Comedy and Magic. Saturday 20th June at Furneux Pelham Village Hall, Furneux Pelham, Buntingford, Hertfordshire SG9 0LJ
(Map).
Tickets £12 / £8 concessions.
Email martin@comedyofmagic.co.uk or phone 01279 659562 to book.
Online booking:
www.wegottickets.com/event/322777.
13.6.15
Tony
Griffith lecture - now booking: "Magic Club Secretaries. Are you looking for
that lecture that offers something different for your members? Tony Griffith
(MIMC) is now offering his Magic of Science lecture presentation. Tony is a
retired Head Teacher of a primary school. For the last 25 years he has been
visiting both primary and secondary schools with his Magic of Science show with
great success. A couple of years ago Tony presented part of this lecture at the
Christian Magicians Association Annual Conference and it was greeted with much
enthusiasm. This is now available for magic clubs throughout the UK. Lasting two
hours the presentation demonstrates lots of the items from Tony’s show. In the
presentation he gives the low-down on visiting schools and how to get repeat
bookings. The items shown can easily be adapted to become part of a children’s
magic show. If you are not a children’s entertainer many of the ‘science tricks’
can be included in your adult presentation or talks. This lecture is completely
different from the usual lecture seen at magic clubs. Details: email
tony@tonygriffith.co.uk or call
01275 835463
www.tonygriffith.co.uk. Tony’s other lecture 'The Reflections Lecture' is
still available and is based on material found in his best-selling books in The
Reflection series."
13.6.15
Order
of The Magi Close-up Winners. Geoffrey Newton PRO reports: Two
younger members of The Order of The Magi both from the Oldham area took the
prizes in the close-up competition held earlier this week. Peter Cholewa (27)
from Dobcross (right) was placed as the overall winner with Michael Bates (17)
from Grotton, taking the Sly Smith Shield for the best card trick. A high
standard was set throughout and judged on entertainment value by two lay judges
and on magical content by well-known professionals Andrew Normansell and
Jonathon Royle. By the number of members and visitors attending it showed that
close-up magic is as popular as ever. Whilst scores were being totted up Alan
‘Snaggers’ Russell presented a balloon modelling interlude and I am not quite
sure which he had the most of, balloons or one-line gags. It was though, as usual,
a
very enjoyable experience seeing not only his tried and tested items but some
new ones as well. The timekeeper was Max Townsend and the evening was compered by
Secretary Mike Sharples.
13.6.15
The Anglian Magic Society is holding a fun quiz night
at their next meeting
on Tuesday 16th June. Anyone is welcome to pop along and we have a reduced door
fee on this evening for visitors. The quiz is a mixture of fun quiz formats
taken from famous TV quiz shows and will have our visitors and members working
in teams to gain the most points. You don't have to be very knowledgeable to
take part; you may even learn some fun trivia about magic. It's always a fun
evening full of laughs with some very tongue-in-cheek moments. Members £2.00.
Visitors £4.00. 7.30pm at The White Horse Inn, The Street, Trowse, Norwich NR14
8ST (Map). For more information please go to our FaceBook page:
www.facebook.com/TheAnglianMagicSociety.
Steve Majes, Secretary, Anglian Magic Society.
13.6.15
News
Deadline reminder. Please submit news by Thursday if possible - absolute
deadline 12 noon Friday, no exceptions. DT.
13.6.15
Magic technicians required for cruise contract. Chris De Rosa writes: "I am currently working on Jeff Hobson's Illusionarium for Norwegian Cruise Lines and we are in urgent need of a Lead Magic Tech. Urgently required! Magic Techs, Lead Magic Techs, Assistant Magic Techs for world's leading illusion show. Possible 6 months on, 6 months off, for the right people. Potential 5 year project. Must have experience with stage illusions, prop making, maintaining theatrical props and equipment. An intermediate knowledge of electronics. Job requires good eye for detail and hard working individual. High level of fitness. Ability to work at heights and confined spaces essential." Contact chris.derosa@virgin.net for more details. 13.6.15
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Many thanks for all your news submissions - always welcomed. See you
next week, Duncan.
13.6.15