Number 811 - 9th January 2016

A new series of 'Now You See It' starts today on BBC 1 "...featuring the best and worst of magic and other incredible performers from around the world. Dynamo leaves Sam Smith astounded, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt takes off, Troy wreaks havoc in a supermarket, Ben Hanlin gets peckish and America's Criss Angel performs an illusion on a massive scale. Plus a new generation of magicians and illusionists making an impact on social media." See TV Magic. 9.1.16

Keith Barry Brain Hacker - UK Tour. Keith Barry has established himself as Ireland’s biggest touring entertainment star with a series of sell-out shows and record breaking theatre runs. Now a household name as part of ITV’s brand-new Saturday night entertainment format 'You’re Back in the Room' he brings his show Brain Hacker on a UK tour. Brain Hacker promises to be a show that you won’t forget in a hurry. Using a combination of mind control, deception, mentalism and hypnotism Keith hacks the brains of his audience to unlock a safe, move inanimate objects, and enter the world of the paranormal. As a world-renowned performer, Keith has toured for many years showcasing his mind-blowing skills in every corner of the globe (including residencies in Las Vegas). As a result he has starred in over 40 international TV shows, including The Ellen DeGeneres show four times, The Jimmy Kimmel show and his own series Deception with Keith Barry for the Discovery Channel. This March he joins Phillip Schofield on ITV as part of their prime-time entertainment show 'You’re Back in the Room' where contestants will be playing physical and logical games under hypnotism, for big cash prizes. Tour dates: April/May 2016. Book via: www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/keith-barry. 9.1.16

Blackpool Magic Festival Special. From the organisers: A Pay To View Event by Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and Larry Hass entitled 'A Day at The Las Vegas Magic and Mystery School' will be held on the Sunday. This is a super session workshop lasting 3 hours on Sunday 21st February at 2pm in the Winter Gardens, Church Street, Blackpool. The cost is only £80.00. To register for this fantastic event email d.lever1@sky.com or ring Derek Lever on 01253 810113. 9.1.16

Conjuring at the Court, London. Thursday 28th January. From the organisers: A very happy new year from Conjuring at the Court, with the magic of Ben Hanlin, star of ITV 2’s Tricked; IBM Stage Magician of the Year, currently touring with Champions of Magic, Ed Hilsum; purveyor of magical fun, James Fortune; one of the greats of modern variety, ‘fast hands, smart mouth, nice suit, juggler Mat Ricardo (photo); and the return as compere of the ebullient Stephen Barry. 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), now under new and friendly management. Come early to enjoy dinner in one of the pub’s spacious bars or the elegant Victorian dining room. There is a bar at the back of the room so you can have a drink while enjoying the magic. Seats are comfortable and all have a good view of the stage. Parking is free from 6.30pm. Book now via www.conjuringatthecourt.com – tickets £11 online or £12 on the door. 9.1.16

Paul Daniels & Lovely Debbie McGee with Chris Cross. Thursday 19th May at the Montana Lounge (upstairs at Prima Pizza Pasta, The Side, Bottom of Dean Street, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne). Tickets: £45 including a three-course Italian meal, a Q&A Session with Paul, Debbie & Chris and an After-Dinner Show. Chris writes: "I really can't wait to bring more Live Variety Entertainment to my home city of Newcastle this year. I've got some brilliant acts up my sleeve, who I've met whilst performing around the globe! I'm thrilled to welcome back the Magical Legend that is Mr Paul Daniels too, and the Lovely Debbie McGee! I booked Paul for my Quayside Cabaret Club last year and the event was a sell-out - it was a cracking night with an entertainment legend - expect a show just as great this year!" For tickets email info@chris-cross.co.uk. 9.1.16

London International Mime Festival 2016. 29 days of epic, physical and visual theatre, films, workshops and discussions - 18 productions from Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Welcome to LIMF’16! "The London International Mime Festival is a treasure trove of visual and physical theatre" The Telegraph. www.mimelondon.com. 9.1.16

London Society of Magicians proudly presents: Woody Aragon Lecture. From the organisers: This is the only UK lecture by Woody at this time. So please join us and learn from a master. As a student of Tamariz, and being a multiple award winning card magician, and Spanish, he is bound to amaze you with his magic. I don't think I need to say more, you already know that you don't want to miss this. Tuesday, 26th of January at 7pm. Venue: Davenports Magic, 7 Charing Cross Underground Arcade, London WC2N 4HZ (Map) www.lsmmagic.magicandweb.com. 9.1.16

Fifty Shades of Gold by Wayne Dobson is reviewed by Ian Keable this week: Click Here and to order a copy visit www.waynedobson.co.uk. 9.1.16

Magic Car Boot Sale in West Bromwich. After 23 years the final Car Boot Sale will take place on 7th February at the Masonic Hall, Edward Street, West Bromwich B70 8NT (Map). Doors open at 9am and admission is £5, including a free drink. Some stalls are still available - to book call Alec Powell on 07831 115448. For information about who will be there and any special bargains join the Facebook group - Magic Car Boot Sale. See what you are buying and enjoy a good haggle with the seller! Alec Powell. 9.1.16

The Alakazam Magic Club was established in 2015 by Alakazam Magic. The objective was to create an environment for local magicians in Kent to meet and socialise. The club meets once per month, with events ranging from guest lecturers to informal competitions. Think it sounds like fun? Join the club! www.alakazammagic.club. 9.1.16

Venezuela's Luis Otero - January lecture tour. Luis Otero's lecture is a treasure trove of magic, moves, and philosophy for the close-up magician. What's exciting about hosting a lecturer from this part of the world is that he brings with him a new style of magic and presentation, and an entirely original philosophy on card magic. The magic is beautiful, intelligent, and unusual in construction. Tricks that appeal to the beginner will be taught, as well as more advanced and challenging material.
13/01/2016 Zodiac Magical Society www.zodiacmagicalsociety.co.uk
14/01/2016 Exonian Magical Society www.exonianmagicalsociety.co.uk
18/01/2016 Newcastle Magic Circle www.newcastle-magic-circle.org
19/01/2016 British Magical Society www.britishmagicalsociety.co.uk
20/01/2016 Bolton's Magicians Club www.boltonmagic.co.uk
21/01/2016 Nottingham Guild of Magician www.thenottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk
24/01/2016 High Peak Magic Club www.chrismagic.co.uk/article-1288004271.php
25/01/2016 Manchester Circle of Magicians www.manchestercircleofmagicians.co.uk
26/01/2016 Blackpool Magicians' Club www.blackpoolmagic.com. 9.1.16

An Evening of Magic and Michael Bublé. TV’s Puzzle Paul presents An Evening of Magic and a Tribute to Michael Bublé featuring top magicians Jamie Docherty, Matthew Garrett and Mark Paul, also featuring the sounds of Michael Bublé by Nick Martland. The show features magic, mind reading, comedy and grand illusions suitable for all ages! You will not believe your eyes as you see the impossible happen right in front of you! The team have been touring for the past two years and are looking forward to bringing the show to the Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering on Friday 26th February. Tickets available from just £11 via www.magiceventslive.co.uk. 9.1.16

Brian Watson Order of the Magi lecture. Geoffrey Newton PRO writes: On Tuesday 12th January The Order of The Magi presents a lecture from South Yorkshire based professional performer Brian Watson. He will demonstrate his mastery of the Cups and Balls, along with many other thoroughly entertaining and mystifying effects. He promises to go into great detail about all the moves and nuances to achieve the routines. I hear that some of his effects have received endorsement from Jeff McBride. 8pm at the usual venue see www.orderofthemagi.org.uk for directions. There is a door charge for non-members. 9.1.16

Chris Cox has just returned from a sell out run in The Illusionists at the Moon Palace Arena in Cancun (as "El mentalista") and starts touring the UK in Impossible at the end of this month. See What's On for Impossible tour dates. www.magiccox.com. 9.1.16

Derren Brown Pushed to the Edge 9pm on Tuesday 12th January on Channel 4. Psychological illusionist Derren Brown returns with Pushed to the Edge; his most ambitious experiment to date. He aims to persuade an unwitting member of the public to push another person off a roof, seemingly to their death. Brown is investigating the powers of social compliance: how authority, peer pressure or ideology can be used to make people carry out horrific acts. His subject is Chris Kingston, a 29 year-old member of the public who is unaware he's being filmed or manipulated at a distance. The setting is the gala launch night of a fictitious new charity called Push. Brown has recruited Hollywood special effects artists, stunt coordinators and a troupe of 70 actors to stage this carefully choreographed experiment. See TV Magic. ""Derren Brown: Pushed to the Edge" Click Here. 9.1.16

Christian Engblom UK lecture tour, now booking. Steve Gore writes: Finland's Christian Engblom is one third of the 'Fat Brithers' (Dani Daortiz, Christian Engblom and Miguel Angel Gea). He will be lecturing the UK in June 2017. Email tours@stevegore.co.uk for booking details. In his lecture entitled 'Details and Justification - or how to turn over the deck', Christian teaches, with practical examples and routines, ways to make your magic stronger through justification, and simple psychological techniques that will aide in getting the audience into the palm of your hand. Most of the effects and techniques are demonstrated with cards, but the lessons within are universal. Effects as well as 'moves', range from easy to difficult, from published to underground. All true lovers of magic welcome! www.christianengblom.com. 9.1.16

New Release from Mark Leveridge Magic: Mark Leveridge is pleased to announce the release of the first new product for 2016. Called Six Appeal, it is a fooling prediction effect designed for a close up show, or a parlour or platform performance. The performer shows a pay envelope from which he removes a single prediction card. The envelope is otherwise empty and can be examined if required. The card is returned to the envelope and left in full view. Six Jumbo cards of varying values are openly displayed and in any manner that the performer wishes, spectators eliminate five until just one remains. At this stage the final card can still be swapped for any of the other discarded five. Despite this fact, when the prediction card is removed from the envelope, it is an exact match for the Jumbo card. There is no equivoque or force of any kind. There is genuinely only one prediction card in the envelope, the envelope is not switched and the Jumbo cards are all freely shown back and front during the presentation. Straightforward to do, this comes with all the necessary cards and colour photo illustrated printed instructions. For more details and to watch a dem please go to www.markleveridge.co.uk/sxap.php. 9.1.16

The Magicseen 'Double-Up' Draw. Editor Mark Leveridge writes: To celebrate the New Year and the fact that the next issue of Magicseen (issue 67 March 16) will herald the start of the magazine's 12th year, we are having a special draw on the 31st January. Everyone who either renews or starts a Magicseen subscription in January will automatically be put into an electronic hat and on the final day of the month we will make a draw of two names. Both of these lucky subscribers will have their new or renewed sub period doubled for free! So, if you take out in January a new 1 year printed copy or download subscription, or extend your current one, as one of the two winners in the draw you would have a further 1 year added to the sub period. And if you sign up for a 2 year new sub or extension in January, you would be rewarded with a further two years! To ensure that your name is included in the draw, you need to sign up or renew no later than midnight on the 30th January 2016. So, give yourself the chance to double up your renewal or new sub period now by contacting Magicseen on www.magic.forgecom.info/magicseensubform.htm. 9.1.16

Ian Keable lectures at The Surrey Society of Magicians on Thursday 14th January. His lecture, Cabaret Magic, concentrates on the theory and practise of what he does for a living: performing Cabaret for adult audiences. In his lecture Ian performs and explains several tricks from his professional repertoire to illustrate not only how to, but also how not to, do Cabaret magic. Ian also talks about choosing Cabaret material, how to be funny, patter to avoid, dealing with hecklers, using assistants from the audience and other aspects of Cabaret magic which can only be learnt through solid performing experience. Above all the lecture is designed to be entertaining. He guarantees that even if you don't use any of his tricks or buy his lecture notes, you will still have a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Members are free and visiting magicians are welcome for a £10 entrance fee, the lecture takes place in East Horsley, Surrey at 8pm. For full details contact Adam Mosley info@surreymagic.org.uk. Also see www.iankeable.co.uk. 9.1.16

Oliver Meech's Improvised Magic Show comes to London for one night only. Following sell-out performances at the Edinburgh Fringe, Oliver's hit show comes to Camden this Monday, 11th January. Discover what happens when spontaneity and impossibility collide. You shape the show - the music, the presentations, even the tricks themselves. Never the same twice. Always great fun. "My jaw hit the floor" BBC. "Hilarious" Buxton Fringe. Monday 11th January, 7-8pm, Etcetera Theatre, above the Oxford Arms, 265 Camden High Street, London NW1 7BU (Map) tickets £9 available from: www.etceteratheatre.com. 9.1.16

Franklin The Mind Magician, 'Beyond the Veil' lecture - now booking: "A lecture entitled Beyond the Veil impressed and enthralled all members who attended. The mind magician performed some amazing effects then thoroughly explained how to achieve them with maximum impact. This lecture is highly recommended and is a must for all magicians who want to perform strong, powerful magic." Merlin Magical Society. For more information and to book visit the Lecturers page. Also see www.themindmagician.co.uk. 9.1.16

Banished Magicians are hosting a lecture/dem by Adrian Sullivan on Tuesday 26th January at Hanwell Fields Community Centre, Rotary Way, Banbury OX16 1ER (Map) at 8pm. Adrian is a well known versatile magician and there is sure to be magic for everyone's taste and pocket! Visiting Magicians welcome, £10 charge. Contact Nigel Davis: banishedmagician@gmail.com for more info. 9.1.16

Tony Griffith has been presenting his science show The Magic of Science to primary and secondary schools throughout the UK for the last 25 years. Now he is offering this as an alternative to his Reflections lecture. This is ideal for those clubs and small conventions looking for something different. During the lecture Tony will not only be demonstrating lots of fun science based ideas he uses in schools, but will reflect on how to successfully book into schools on a regular basis, year after year. The items in the lecture can easily be inserted into a children’s magic show, as well as being adapted for an adult audience. In other words they appeal to a wide interest range. For more info see the Lecturers Page, or visit www.tonygriffith.co.uk. 9.1.16

Britain Does Variety 2016. From the organisers: Britain Does Variety 2016 - A nationwide quest to prove that Britain really does have talent! Do you want to perform in front of talent scouts, top producers and some of the biggest entertainment bookers in Europe? Would you like to win a huge cash prize? Britain Does Variety is a talent competition for all types of acts, including Singers, Acrobats, Jugglers, Animal Acts, Novelty Acts, Impressionists, Dancers, Gymnasts, Magicians, Contortionists, Comics, Mime Artists, Musicians, Ventriloquists, Vocal Groups, Buskers, Beatboxers, Footballers, Crazy Acts, Entertaining Acts, Glee Clubs, Wacky Acts, Modern Variety, Musical Theatre, Show Choirs, Impersonators... if you're entertaining you can audition - pretty much anything goes! Auditions are being held across the country in February and March 2016, but book your audition quickly to avoid disappointment. www.britain-does-variety.co.uk. 9.1.16

The North Wales Burlesque and Cabaret Festival returns to Llandudno at the end of January. A quick browse through the festival’s website shows a whole host of different acts that include acrobatics, pole dancing, juggling, magic, escapology, stand-up comedy, live music, hypnosis, comedic dance, walking on broken glass and bed of nails. Kimberley Edmunds, who is known in burlesque circles as Foxee Stole and is co-founder of the festival, said: “We have so many different acts appearing throughout the festival that there is literally something for everyone. We’ve even got a live lightsaber duel during our all Welsh show, Sioe Pysgod a Sglodion. Not only are we the first burlesque and cabaret festival to have anything like that, we’re also unique in that we have an even mix of both male and female acts.” The North Wales Burlesque and Cabaret Festival starts at 3pm on Friday 29th January and runs until 7pm on Sunday 31st January. Tickets and information can be found on their website, www.northwalesburlesque.com. 9.1.16

Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun. "Documentary series exploring Brits who moved to Benidorm for sun and a low-cost life. Magician Barry has arrived with just £900 and hopes that his magic will wow the punters. Mick and Karen have sold up in Essex and ploughed their life savings in to The Showboat Cabaret Bar, but do not know a thing about how to run it. And John makes a living out of buying and selling caravans, but when he gets a call to pick up an abandoned caravan nothing can prepare him for what is inside." See TV Magic. 9.1.16

Hugh Nightingale. It is so sad to report that much loved Hugh Nightingale died in a tragic accident on Friday 1st January. Hugh was simply one of the nicest men you could ever know. I first met him through The Magic Circle and always so enjoyed our chats on all things magic and otherwise. Hugh had been a professional magician for 25 years, and was a member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star. He was one of the first magicians I featured in a Magic Profile, back in 2001. He will be greatly missed by his many friends in magic. All our thoughts are with his wife Chloe and family. Duncan Trillo. 9.1.16

John Barlow. Chris Smith writes: I am very sad to report that Magician John Barlow past away on Sunday 3rd January 2016. He died in his sleep at home in Caversham, Reading aged 90. John had not been performing for the last 10 years. He first became hooked on magic as a boy when he went with his Mother to see Dante's Show at the Chiswick Empire in London. He served his National Service in India. Had he not been doing this he would have been founder member of the Home Counties Magical Society. On his return to normal life he joined the Society, became a member of its Council and later its President, before being made an Honorary Life Member. He was also a member of the British Ring (IBM) for over 50 years. He gave up his job as the Claims Manager for the Phoenix Insurance Co. to entertain professionally at the end of the 1960s. He toured all over the UK appearing at Cabaret Clubs, Hotels, Holiday Centres and Theatres. After retiring he became a very popular Children's Entertainer in and around Reading. He will be remembered by all his friends as a generous man. A fine entertainer, and a real Gentleman. The Funeral will be at the Henley Road Crematorium, All Hallows Road, Caversham, Reading on Wednesday 13th January 2016 at 3pm. 9.1.16

"QI Christmas Special" [on iPlayer, with a surprise magical ending] Click Here • "Dynamo: One bit of magic I can't do is cure myself of Crohn's disease" Click Here • Catch up with Jamie Raven on 'Bruce's Hall of Fame' on BBC's iPlayer Click Here • "Magician Dynamo's UK Marathon - Pulling Magic Into The Modern Mainstream" Click Here • "West End star to portray legendary entertainer at Runcorn theatre" Click Here • "What’s my Vibe? Magician Chris Wood tells us what entertains him…" Click Here • "Football Focus: Jamie Raven's amazing card trick wows Leicester" Click Here • "Magician escapes from handcuffs while hanging 20ft in the air with his head in a tank of water in front of thousands at London's New Year parade" Click Here • "Blind magician wows New Yorkers with impressive street magic" Click Here • "Diners horrified as chef 'cuts off his arm' in sick prank" Click Here • "The Most Watched Magician of the Year Was… Some Guy Named Rick Lax" Click Here • Many thanks for your UK magic news as always, see you next week, Duncan. 9.1.16

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