Number 820 - 12th March 2016

 

[Thursday morning, 17th March.]

 

Paul Daniels dies aged 77 (6th April 1938 -17th March 2016). Magician Paul Daniels has died aged 77. He had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in February. Daniels was born Newton Edward Daniels in Middlesbrough and started out performing in working men's clubs where he honed his quick-witted ad-libs and brilliant magic routines to perfection. He made his TV debut on ITV's talent show Opportunity Knocks, but it was really his appearances on The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club YouTube [1975] that shot him to fame. This led on to him ultimately having his own BBC series The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran for 15 years; dominating the British magic scene throughout the 80s and early 90s.

 

Paul had a huge passion for magic, and a huge passion for life. He will be greatly missed. He leaves behind wife Debbie McGee and his three sons from a previous marriage. A fuller appreciation will appear on Saturday. DT. 17.3.16

 

Exonian Magic Society One Day Convention. From the organisers: The Exonian Magic Society will be celebrating their 80th anniversary with a fantastic 1 day convention on Sunday October 2nd 2016. Featuring five lectures, close-up sessions, a gala show and a three course meal in the price of £45 for the whole convention, or just £30 for a daytime only registration. Tickets will be available via the website shortly, or from Ozzy Dee ozzydee@themagiccircle.co.uk directly. The venue is the excellent Deer Park Country House Hotel, Honiton, which also offers accommodation for the Sunday Evening. www.exonianmagicalsociety.co.uk. 12.3.16

 

The Magicians' Podcast this week features Geoffrey Durham. In this interview he discusses why he quit performing, his thoughts on the magic world today and why you absolutely should have a trick with liquid in your show! Listen to this podcast and catch up with previous editions at magicianspodcast.podbean.com. Also see www.facebook.com/MagiciansPodcast. 12.3.16

 

Diego Minevitz - UK lecture tour. From the organisers: Diego Minevitz has developed a lecture focusing on the secrets of Harry Houdini's escapes, Russian Roulette and Fakirism, titled 'Extreme Magic For Everybody' (See, Extreme Magic Lecture: YouTube; Sky Escape: YouTube; The Sword: YouTube). In his lecture we'll also see psychology in magic, staging and mentalism. It is designed in order to work for magicians of all styles. This lecture has been delivered in 22 countries, 50 cities and 60 magic associations. The themes of the lecture are very different from normal, but not less interesting. It's a fun evening, where magicians learn, are amazed, laugh a lot and constantly take part in everything!
15/03/2016 British Magical Society
16/03/2016 Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians
17/03/2016 Nottingham Guild of Magicians
18/03/2016 Bradford Magic Circle
21/03/2016 Manchester Circle of Magicians
22/03/2016 Blackpool Magicians Club
23/03/2016 Scottish Conjurors Association
24/03/2016 Aberdeen Magical Society
25/03/2016 The Trickery (public show)
29/03/2016 Northamptonshire Magicians Club
30/03/2016 Leamington & Warwick Magic Society
31/03/2016 Surrey Society of Magicians.
12.3.16

 

How to join The Magic Circle. If you’ve always wanted to be a part of The Magic Circle, the world’s premier magical society, then this link www.themagiccircle.co.uk/join-us will give you all the information you need. If you’re ready to join straight away you can find out how the process works, what you need to do and what you can expect. If you’re interested in the Apprentice Scheme or The Young Magicians Club you’ll also be able to find out how membership works. 12.3.16

 

Katie Trickett added to NMC Convention. From the organisers: The Northern Magic Circle are pleased to add Katie Trickett to the line up for the convention at the Harrogate Theatre on the 9th and 10th of April. Katie will present her magic bar act, mixing up magical cocktails with a 1920s speakeasy/Charleston theme. The convention will also feature the manipulative magic of Oliver Tabor, time travelling illusionists Morgan & West, shadow theatre from Two Minds Combined and The Magic Circle's Young Magicians of the Year Destiny. As well as star-studded lectures from Andi Gladwin, Paul Stone, Morgan & West and Luke Jermay. The convention line up also includes a fantastic Children's Show and Gala Show with some of magic's biggest stars! More acts to be announced shortly. Ticket prices are £55 for members and £65 for non-members. To book visit www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk. 12.3.16

 

Adam Trent is a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday 23rd March. "Light-hearted US talk show hosted by comedian Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen's guests today include actor Kirsten Dunst, Big Bang Theory star Melissa Rauch and illusionist Adam Trent." See TV Magic. 12.3.16

 

An Evening with Steve Kovarez at The Anglian Magic Society. Steve Majes writes: Steve Kovarez is a very successful international magician and illusionist. During this special evening Steve is going to share some of the secrets behind his success. Many will have seen one of Steve’s created characters “Stevie Pink” when this colourful character reached the live finals of “Britain’s Got Talent” last year. Steve will give us some valuable insights along with hints and tips regarding appearances on television talent shows. Steve is such a fun guy to chat with and listen to, so don’t forget to mark this date in your diary as it may be years before we get another opportunity to have “An Evening with Steve Kovarez”. Tuesday 15th March at 7.30pm. Members £3.00 / Visitors £10.00. The White Horse Inn, The Street, Trowse, Norwich NR14 8ST (Map). All magicians and magic enthusiasts are welcome. 12.3.16

 

Family Easter Magic Show, Nunhead. Simon Rosselli writes: "Easter Rabbit, puppets, one lucky person to be cut in half, audience participation, comedy, laughter and Great Family Entertainment! A chance to meet Fluffy the Rabbit. A Free Bunny Copter to all those attending. Doors Open 15 minutes early. Interval between two magical acts. Starring: Klassy & Amigo's Magic. David Klass is one of the busiest family entertainers in the South East. He has won numerous awards for his magic and has been entertaining children of all ages with his unique, modern and fresh style for over 10 years. He says creating childhood memories, filled with laughter, magic and astonishment makes every second a delight. Amigo's Magic is a Member of The Magic Circle has been on The Big Breakfast and has also performed worldwide. Monday 28th March at 1pm and 4pm. Tickets: Adults £7.50, Children £6.00, Family tickets of four £20, or five £25. Venue: The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead SE15 3BE (Map). www.magicmindreadingandmayhem.co.uk. 12.3.16

 

Gordon’s Magic Wins Top UK Award. Since winning the Kidology UK Children’s Entertainer of the Year competition in September magician Gordon Drayson 'Gordon’s Magic', has been working overtime to perfect and improve his act which has now just won the National Children’s Entertainer Championships held in Blackpool. Winning a trophy and £500 prize money, Gordon performed his act, specially created for the event, to around 1300 children and adults in the Blackpool Opera House. Votes were cast by the audience, so to be voted the winner by the children, families and his fellow entertainers is a great accolade. Gordon said “I am so pleased to have won this competition – the other five acts were of a really high standard, as you would expect, so I had no idea how the votes would be cast.” His act for the Competition took his audience back to their childhood, asking the question “Do you believe in magic?” and featured a talking drawing board, virtually instant costume changes and the creation of a snowstorm that filled the stage. Highlights of his award winning act can be seen here www.vimeo.com. Also see www.disbelieving.com. 12.3.16

 

Gary Jones lecture night, Coventry. The Coventry Magic Circle are delighted to welcome back Gary Jones. The lecture is full of effects and tips for both professionals and hobbyists. If you're a working magician you cannot afford to miss this lecture. And if you are a hobbyist you will absolutely love it too. It promises to be a great night. Tuesday 22nd March at 8pm at Bentley Road Social Club, Bentley Road, Nuneaton CV11 5LR (Map). www.garyjonesmagic.co.uk www.coventrymagiccircle.co.uk. 12.3.16

 

Adam Cooper's competition win! Sue Oakley writes: On Wednesday 9th March, The Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians held their annual Close-up competition for the Tom Laws Plate. The competition was the highest standard it has been for many years and the worthy winner was Adam Cooper. The trophy was presented to Adam by president Dave Pitt. www.wcm-magic.co.uk. 12.3.16

 

The Mark Leveridge March Podcast. Mark writes: My March melange of magical musings covers a number of hopefully interesting topics this month, including how I coped with performing unexpectedly for some blind spectators, the irritation that can be caused by spectators constantly fiddling with their phones while you're trying to entertain them, the pros and cons of receiving and dealing with show enquiries via email and whether it is important or not what you wear when you perform commercially. The Podcast is published on the first of every month, lasts 30 minutes and always has varied and interesting content to engage you. Oh, and it's free. So if you've got a spare half an hour while you kick back with a cuppa, why not go to www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php or www.markleveridge.podbean.com and listen in to some magic chat? And if you like it, you can catch some of the previous editions at the same time too. 12.3.16

 

Wayne Fox's new "Chatter Fox" lecture. Brian Lobo writes: Wayne is an Associate of The Inner Magic Circle and with his award winning technical abilities there is a chance here to learn original sleights and cleverly thought out misdirection, for visual card tricks, coin magic and mindreading. All taught in a relaxed and entertaining manner. Non members welcome. Entry fee: £6.00. Tuesday 15th March at 7.30pm. The Millfield Community Centre, New England Complex, Lincoln Road, Peterborough PE1 2PE (Map). www.psmagicians.org.uk. 12.3.16

 

Mel Mellers: The Travelling Trickster! If you've ever seen Mel perform (and you almost certainly have!), you'll know that he manages to combine some pretty strong mentalism effects with side splitting comedy. It's a heady combination which has garnered him huge success all around the world for decades. When someone of this calibre decides to spill the beans about what he does and how he does it, it pays the rest of us to sit up and take notice, and that's why Mel's new book, The Travelling Trickster, has flown off the shelves since its launch at the Blackpool Convention. If you love practical stand up effects, if you enjoy using comedy in your own act, if you want to learn the real tricks of the trade from one of magic's best, then you should read this book. You'll laugh out loud at his hilarious asides and gags, you'll select your favourites from the 50+ routines included to use in your own shows, and you'll really benefit from the wisdom and experience that Mel shares on a whole range of magic topics. Beautifully designed in full colour throughout, this 148 page soft backed book deserves your attention and is available right now from the publishers, Magicseen. Go to www.magic.forgecom.info/magbooks.htm to order your copy today. 12.3.16

 

Zig-Zag on the streets of Dublin. Towards the end of last year Irish magicians Pat Fallon, Brendan Byrne, Brian Daly and mentalist Robert Williams gave a special performance on Grafton Street in Dublin to celebrate fifty years since the invention of Robert Harbin's Zig Zag Girl illusion. RTE television sent a team from the popular magazine programme Nationwide to cover the event, which was broadcast last Wednesday. Initially it was hoped that the broadcast would coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first time Harbin presented his illusion on television during ITV’s Sunday Night at the London Palladium in 1965. However, a backlog of features for the programme prevented it from been shown, until now. For anyone who would like to catch up with the event the RTE iPlayer is available worldwide and the show is accessible through this link: www.rte.ie. 12.3.16

 

Aberdeen Sleight of Hand Expert Excels in Competition. An Aberdeen card sharp is following in his grandfather’s footsteps after celebrating a big win in a competition judged by his peers. Marcus Gordon was awarded the Ron Gordon Trophy for Card Magic by members of the Aberdeen Magical Society. The trophy was presented by Ron Gordon himself – Marcus’ grandfather – after a close competition judged by a panel of experts on Tuesday, March 8th. Marcus fought off tough competition from four other magicians with a slick display of card sleights and showmanship. Despite being one of the youngest members of Aberdeen Magical Society, this is the fourth time Marcus has won the annual competition for card magic.

He said “I feel proud to win the trophy again for a couple of reasons. Obviously, with it being my grandfather’s trophy it’s important to me. But also because card magic is how I got started and it is humbling for the hard work I have put in to be recognised by my peers. My earliest memory of magic was seeing my grandfather performing at a family gathering – he was making coins pass through a table and I just couldn’t figure it out. When I was a bit older, he started showing me some basic tricks and flourishes with cards, and I was quickly moving on to more difficult things.” www.aberdeenmagic.com .
12.3.16

 

Magicians at the Half Moon. From the organisers: What an Easter treat there is in store for you as the 'Magicians at the Half Moon' crack on with their Easter show on Friday, 25th March - yes, that's Good Friday. How good can it be? Well, your show producer and compere for the night, Martin Cox, has the Great Al-Prendo returning for his 4th appearance by popular demand. We never know what Al is going to do, Al doesn't seem to know what he's going to do , but whatever he does do you're guaranteed a laugh or two. Joining Martin and Al is first timer at the Half Moon, Russell Levinson. Russell produces his very own successful monthly show - Conjuring at the Court - in West London (also recommended a visit) so it's a real treat to have him with us on what again promises to be another eggciting night of Magic and Entertainment. Tickets are £15 on the door but you can save yourself £5 by calling Martin on 01279 659562 and reserving a seat. Doors open at 7.30pm and the fun kicks off at 8pm at the Half Moon, 31 North Street, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2LD (Map). More information at www.halfmoonmagic.co.uk. 12.3.16

 

Magic Moments. Raising over £2,200 for conservation charity 'Friends of Paradise Wildlife Park', the production of 'Masters of Magic' was itself a magical transformation of an event marquee in a wildlife park into a full theatrical performance of the world’s best magicians. The sell-out crowd ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ in all the right places as the magicians presented a 2 hour show featuring magic that was amazing, theatrical and comical. Highlights included an unexpected audience being greeted by the stars of the show upon arrival, witnessing incredible magic close-up and personal, through to Jeff McBride performing his full Las Vegas show to close the evening. Thanks to all the supporters, staff, volunteers and friends who made the evening such a success. And of course to the stars of the show themselves; Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and Lawrence Hass – true Masters of Magic! 'Masters of Magic' was a Magic Moments show raising money and smiles through magic for charity. Produced by Jay Fortune with Kenny Roberts and Lynn Whitnall. If you have a Magic Moments idea then why not contact ‘The Magic Moments Team’ at magicmoments@live.co.uk. 12.3.16

 

The Fylde Mystics have a new Life President. Alan Mylecraine writes: Ken Ashburn, the last original founder member of the Fylde Mystics, gratefully accepted the position of Honorary Life President last month, which was coincidentally 58 years from his last term of office back in 1958, the year of its founding. Ken regaled the members with a few stories of the early years in the Fylde Mystics before accepting a certificate marking the occasion. The Fylde Mystics was reformed in 2008 and is dedicated to the performance of magic. For further information visit www.fyldemystics.co.uk. 12.3.16

 

"Fans thanked for their support after Paul Daniels' diagnosis" Click Here.

"Paul Daniels: Terminally ill Wargrave magician 'happy at home' after leaving hospital" Click Here.

"Son of magician Paul Daniels to continue with Suffolk show after father’s brain tumour diagnosis" Click Here. 12.3.16

 

"Society tip their fezzes to Caerphilly comic in posthumous 95th birthday" Click Here • "Dynamo hits Belfast and seeing really is believing!" Click Here • "Dynamo Belfast review: Left in awe as illusionist wows SSE Arena" Click Here • "Review - A magical night with Dynamo in Belfast" Click Here • "Magician Dynamo claims 'I could be the next BMX superstar' - but it's all an illusion..." Click Here • "Thorpe Park is offering tickets for just 12p to celebrate the opening of Derren Brown’s Ghost Train" Click Here [Oops... 1 Bob or 1 shilling = 5p or 12d, not 12p] • "Firefighter turned magician Matt plays his cards right" Click Here • "World-class magician" Click Here • "Dynamo Uses Galaxy S7 Camera to Create Everyday Illusions" Click Here • "For Harry Houdini's wife, love was not a magic trick" Click Here • "Magicians from around the world descend for South Tyneside International Magic Festival" Click Here • "Reveen’s legacy lives on" Click Here • "Illusionist Leon Etienne Headed To China" Click Here • Your news, event listings and reviews always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan. 12.3.16

 

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