Number
824 - 9th April 2016
The
Northern Magic Circle's 60th anniversary convention takes place this weekend
(9th & 10th April) at the Harrogate Theatre. Featuring John Archer, Oliver
Tabor, Morgan & West, Amethyst, Andi Gladwin, Paul Stone, Luke Jermay, Wayne
Goodman, Two Minds Combined, Katie Trickett, Noel Qualter and The Magic Circle's
Young Magicians of the Year, Destiny. The convention will stage lectures, a
children's show and a gala show. Tickets are £55 for members and £65 for
non-members. Book online via
www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk. "Top magicians to pay tribute to Paul
Daniels at Harrogate Theatre"
Click Here.
9.4.16
Kit
Harington (Game of Thrones) to star in Doctor Faustus.
Kit Harington will return to the London stage to play the title role in an
anarchic production of Doctor Faustus at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London,
from today, 9th April. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, this is the London premiere of
Colin Teevan’s version of Christopher Marlowe’s masterpiece.
With Teevan's darkly comic scenes replacing the extant middle acts (widely
believed not to have been written by Marlowe), and dynamic stage illusions, the
story of this 400-year-old play will be transported to a celebrity-obsessed
society of greed and instant gratification, offering a fresh perspective that
chimes with our times.
Faustus makes a pact with the Devil, selling his soul in return for the ability
to perform anything he pleases with the power of black magic. This fatal
decision catapults him into an intoxicating world of celebrity, as he becomes a
world-renowned conjuror, international heartthrob and friend of the rich, famous
and powerful. But what is the cost of his insatiable thirst for wealth and fame?
On returning to the stage, Kit Harington said "I have been away from the theatre
for six years, so the combination of Colin Teevan’s inventive version of
Marlowe’s extraordinary play in the hands of the visionary director Jamie Lloyd
all felt like the perfect reason to come back. Faustus’ journey is exhilarating
and the idea of playing a magician – a showman – is hugely exciting."
www.atgtickets.com. 9.4.16
The Bristol Society of Magic are thrilled to announce that Iñaki
Zabaletta from Argentina has been booked to appear at this year's Day of
Magic on Sunday 8th May 2016. It is the first time that Iñaki has
appeared in the UK.
This is a real scoop for the Bristol Society and gives magicians a
unique chance to see this top international performer. For more details
go to www.bristoldayofmagic.com. Paul MacLeavy.
9.4.16
Britain's Got Talent 2016
launches this evening at 7pm on ITV, and judge Amanda Holden is
putting her money on a magician to win: "We’ve had amazing magicians
this year. We must have had about 30-40 magicians who were all fantastic
and I would put money on a magician winning this year. I would love a
magician to win. I think magic started on our show as something we
groaned at and thought ‘oh here we go’ to something that we think is
just unbelievable and amazing,” said Holden at the launch of this year's
show. To read the full article in the Telegraph
Click Here. In recent years James More, Darcy Oake, and Jamie Raven
have all enjoyed great success and magic is at an all-time high here in
the UK. Good luck to all those competing (DT). "Paul Daniels'
nephew James Phelan to audition with own magic act"
Click Here. TV Magic.
9.4.16
Canada's
Shane Cobalt starts his UK lecture tour 'Chasing Dovetails' on April
13th, preceded by a lecture and workshop for International Magic on
April 12th (see What's On). The
lecture feature material from his working repertoire and is all within
the reach of the average magician, with just one or two items to
"stretch your fingers" a little. To find out more about Shane and his
magic visit:
www.shanecobalt.com.
13/04/2016 Devon Magic Circle
18/04/2016 Manchester Circle of Magicians
19/04/2016 Blackpool Magicians' Club
21/04/2016 Nottingham Guild of Magicians
26/04/2016 British Magical Society
27/04/2016 Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians
28/04/2016 Hull Magicians club
29/04/2016 Belfast Magic Convention
30/04/2016 Belfast Magic Convention
01/05/2016 Belfast Magic Convention
04/05/2016 Sheffield Circle of Magicians
05/05/2016 Bradford Magic Circle Erdnaise workshop
06/05/2016 Bradford Magic Circle
16/05/2016 The Magic Circle (members only)
18/05/2016 Cotswold Magical Society.
9.4.16
Champions of Magic are live on stage in Guildford this evening. Starring: Young & Strange, Fay Presto, Alex the Mind Reader and Edward Hilsum. From the producers: Join 5 of the World’s top illusionists for a spectacular night of mystery that’ll keep you guessing for a long time to come. With over 16 million online views between them, the cast includes international award winners presenting incredible mind reading, stunning close-up magic and daring large-scale illusions. Witness the impossible, including disappearances, teleportation and a heart stopping finale that sees one performer walk through the spinning steel blades of a giant industrial fan, all presented with lighting and pyrotechnics to rival the biggest arena productions. See What's On for details. 9.4.16
Special
school holiday events at The Magic Circle.
More dates have been announced for the special school holiday events
designed to give families a sneak peek inside The Magic Circle. They follow the success of the first 'Monday Morning Magic' event held
during the Easter holidays.
These special sessions include: meeting magicians who will show you
wondrous sleight of hand; curators telling you stories about The Magic
Circle Collection; and a chance to explore the headquarters of this
world-famous magic club.
The events are ideal for families with children aged 8 and above.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Doors open 11am and the morning starts at 11.30am and lasts about two hours.
The next sessions are on Tuesday 31st May (half-term), Monday 22nd August
(summer holidays) and Monday 24th October (half-term).
Family ticket: A group of four (must include at least one child and one
adult) £50 - no booking fee.
Single tickets: £18.50 plus booking fee.
Tickets from www.themagiccircle.co.uk.
Venue: The Magic Circle Headquarters, 12 Stephenson Way, Euston, London
NW1 2HD (Map).
More details:
www.themagiccircle.co.uk/public-events.
9.4.16
The
Mark Leveridge April Podcast. Mark writes: Wondering what to do with
yourself this weekend? Well, how about spending half an hour with a
cuppa listening to the latest Mark Leveridge podcast? In the latest
edition, amongst other things, I reflect on the gaping hole that Paul
Daniels has left in the magic world, I get a first hand report on the
frustration/annoyance some spectators can feel when they are waiting for
the table magician to arrive and I examine why it is almost impossible
to arrange the perfect live magic event. Plus a couple of questions:
have you ever considered how important your latest gig might be to the
people who have booked you? And do you need to be fooled by the dem of a
trick before you will buy it? Food for thought is always provided with
the podcast and you can get your free portion of April brain feed right
now from
www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php or
www.markleveridge.podbean.com.
9.4.16
Now You See Me [but you'll probably wish you hadn't] is being repeated on Film 4 next week (see TV Magic). Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo and Isla Fisher star in Louis Letterier's thriller: "A year after being clandestinely brought together in New York, four conjurors - street magician J Daniel Atlas, mind-reader and hypnotist Merritt McKinney, escape artist Henley Reeves and sleight-of-hand artist Jack Wilder - are performing as The Four Horsemen in Las Vegas. Their initial show is impressive: a member of the audience is apparently instantly transported to their bank vault and invited to switch on a vacuum machine, which then showers the remainder of the audience in cash. It not only baffles the spectators, it also stumps the police when they discover that the 'robbery' was actually carried out for real. And, as the Horsemen brazenly build upon this first success with a series other inexplicable heists, FBI agent Dylan Rhodes and Interpol's Alma Dray are tasked with tracking the magicians down and finding the evidence to convict them..." 9.4.16
Debbie McGee is a guest on Loose Women on 11th April: "Guests today are Corrie's Samia Ghadie and Debbie McGee, who discusses life with her late husband Paul Daniels." See TV Magic. 9.4.16
Blink
and you'll miss it! Secret trick that allows magicians to unwittingly
fool their audience is revealed"
www.dailymail.co.uk. The original work behind this fascinating story,
produced by Richard Wiseman and Tamami Nakano, can be read in full
online, Click
Here. Richard writes: "Basically, we have discovered that audiences
are often blinking at the precise moment he [Teller] is carrying out a
steal, because when we relax our attention we tend to blink. Teller’s
timing is amazing because people are often blinking to within a
millisecond of the steal." (Conversely, something I've always
noticed, re: 'magicians and blinking', is that a poor magician will often blink
at the very moment when they execute a move. A bit
like a child covering their eyes with their hands to hide; it
doesn't really work does it... Over to you Richard, or would that just be a paper
on bad magic? DT).
9.4.16
Tony
Middleton's 'The Magic Hour' celebrates 3 years in central London on
Friday, 15th April: Following 5 star reviews and sell-out shows
since 2013, The Magic Hour celebrates 3 years in central London this
Friday, 15th April. All tickets include access to the after-show
reception with a glass of Prosecco and a slice of cake! From the
evocative drawing room of the Grand Royale, Tony Middleton (Sonic) casts
a spell over the audience, taking them back in time to the Golden Age of
Magic. This award winning parlour show dazzles with sleight of hand,
misdirection, and mind reading - including traditional pieces such as
the Orange & Rice vase, and concluding with a Victorian séance. It was
named in the top 10 attractions of London in 2014. All tickets include a
complimentary magic cocktail on arrival. "One of the finest magicians
I have ever seen" Sir Roger Moore. "Hugely captivating... an
expert display of magic - 5 stars" West End Wilma. "Extremely
entertaining - a perfect showman - 5 stars" City Chic Lifestyle.
www.magichourshow.com.
9.4.16
Conjuring
at the Court, London, Thursday 28th April. From the organisers: A
comedy magic spectacular at Conjuring at the Court! Carl and Dave
present their delightful comic illusion double-act. Rob James performs
strong, subtle magical effects with a highly original approach. Mandy
Muden is a very talented comedy magician who builds a tremendous rapport
with her audience, and Mark Shortland (photo) is a hilarious
performer who has the audience in stitches! The show is in the lovely
function room of the Drayton Court, 2 The Avenue, West Ealing, London
W13 8PH (Map).
Doors open at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm. It’s just 12 minutes
from Central London by train from Paddington to West Ealing, and the pub
is 2 minutes’ walk from the station. Or take the Central or District
line to Ealing Broadway, change to the train or a take a short bus ride.
Parking is free after 6.30pm. Tickets £11 in advance from
www.conjuringatthecourt.com or £12 on the door.
9.4.16
Aaron
Calvert: Decisions. Qualifying as a doctor in 2015, Aaron chose to
leave the medical field to deliver this fast-paced, edge of your seat
experience that showcases his mastery in mind control, hypnosis
and psychology. "Jaw-dropping entertainment from a modern day wizard"
Derby Telegraph. "Astounding mind reading and fascinating hypnotic
feats await in Aaron Calvert's highly anticipated new show. Brilliant,
hilarious and very clever" Key 103 Radio. "Captivating
psychological mischief" Nottingham Post. Venue: Urmston Grammar
School Theatre, Manchester at 7pm. Tickets £5. Wednesday 20th April:
Click Here, Thursday 21st April:
Click Here.
9.4.16
'Let
Me Try This' - a new evening from Smoke & Mirrors, Bristol. Mark
Bennett writes: This is for anyone who wants to get into parlour or
stage magic, but has nowhere to perform their act. So, here at Smoke &
Mirrors in Bristol, we are offering you a chance to perform a 20 minute
routine in front of a lay audience. This is also open to experienced
stage performers looking to test out new material before they go and
perform at that highly paid gig. Let's put it this way: most comedians
try out material in little pubs before hitting the main circuit, so why
can't magicians have the same type of venue, but just for magicians? If
you are interested please email
mark@smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk and I will let you know more about our
new night, starting in June.
www.smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk.
9.4.16
Magic,
Mindreading & Hypnosis Show, Friday 15th April at The Ivy House, London
SE15. April 15th at 8pm: 'Magic, Mindreading & Hypnosis Show'
starring stage hypnotist Martin S Taylor and comedy magician David
Klass. Doors Open at 6pm for a drink or meal beforehand and to reserve
your seat. There's close-up magic in the bar from 7pm from members of
The Magic Circle. Come along and enjoy an evening of sorcery, trickery,
sleight of hand and illusion. Tickets £10 in advance or £15 on the door.
Magic, Mind-Reading & Mayhem Show, The Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road,
Nunhead, London SE15 3BE (Map).
Visit
www.magicmindreadingandmayhem.co.uk for more information.
9.4.16
Richard
Pinner lecture - Farnborough Association of Magical Entertainers.
Philip Sweeting writes: Richard Pinner will be lecturing at the
Farnborough Association of Magical Entertainers, this Monday 11th April
at 8pm, at St. Mark's Church Hall, Farnborough, Guildford Road East,
Farnborough GU14 6TU (Map).
Richard is a well known professional magician and his lecture has
something to offer for all kinds of magician. Visiting magicians welcome
(£5 on the door).
www.fame-magic.co.uk.
9.4.16
Chris
Wood lectures at The Order of The Magi on Tuesday 12th April.
Geoffrey Newton writes: Chris Wood is an accomplished performer who runs
The Magic Circle Close-up shows and is known for his insight and
attention to detail when improving effects. His lecture notes cover
in-depth the why as well as the how behind some of the
routines from his working repertoire. Chris is certainly not new to
magic, having been tutored, in his youth by Alan Alan alongside Michael
Vincent. Testimonials from the various societies he has presented this
lecture at are all very favourable. It is clearly going to be a night
where we can all learn. There is a door charge for guests. See
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk for directions.
9.4.16
Wonder:
An Evening of Magic and Mystery. From the spin of a coin to the luck
of the draw, I will try to make the impossible, possible, leaving you
with only one question. "I Wonder what would have happened if I had
changed my mind?" So what are you waiting for? Get you tickets today!
Just visit
www.davidharrismagic.co.uk. Tickets £8 each, or offers on group
bookings of 6 or 10. Thursday 21st April at 8.30pm at
The George IV,
185 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London W4 2DR (Map).
9.4.16
Scott
Creasey lecture - Bolton Magicians' Club. Paul Goodman writes:
Bolton Magicians' Club present Scott Creasey. Scott is a full-time
mentalist and psychic entertainer. His brand new mentalism lecture is
titled: "Forces, Peeks, Stacks and Gaffs - Mentalism with cards." In
this lecture Scott performs and explains some of his favourite Mentalism
card routines; effects he has been using as part of his professional
repertoire for many years involving routines using borrowed decks,
stacked decks and gaffed decks. He also discusses the psychology behind
cards, should we use them in Mentalism, and if so, how should we handle
them? How can we transform the 'pick a card' trick into a piece of
emotional theatre? Doors open at 8.30pm on Wednesday 13th April at The
Doffcocker Inn, Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 5QD (Map).
Visiting magicians from other societies are most welcome. There will be
an entrance fee of £5.00 for non-members. For directions to the
Doffcocker Inn visit
www.boltonmagic.co.uk or telephone Paul Goodman on 07883 676003.
Also see
www.scottcreasey.com.
9.4.16
Peter
Eggink's iSolation: iSolation is the mobile version of the classic
'Card Trough Window', done with your mobile phone's protection case...
in the spectator's hand! "Not a clue how that works -fooled me!"
Matt Johnson. "That's so good! I want one right now!" Christopher
Oberle. "OMG I love it. Amazing!" Chris Turchi. Watch the video
and find out more at
www.peter-eggink.com.
9.4.16
Coventry
Magic Circle are holding their annual close-up competition on Tuesday
19th April. James Cannon writes: This promises to be a wonderful
evening of magic. Free admission to magicians, their friends and
families. The evening starts at 8pm so if you have any young magicians
in your family be sure to tell them. Licensed bar for adults. Venue:
Coventry Magic Circle, Bentley Road Social Club, Bentley Road, Nuneaton CV11 5LR
(Map).
www.coventrymagiccircle.co.uk.
9.4.16
Glitchy, 21st April, ITV2: "Plebs star Ryan Sampson and an ensemble of rising comedy stars rope the public into taking part in bizarre fake reality shows and phoney competitions with titles like Britain and Ireland's Next Top Hand Model, Date My Daughter and 24 Hours in a Phone Box. Some passers-by may also be unlucky enough to encounter Mezmo, a petty thief cum creepy street magician. Exactly how far will people go in the quest for fame? Starring Ryan Sampson." See TV Magic. 9.4.16
Don't
know your cache from your cash, or your cookies from your biscuits?
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Clearing
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9.4.16
"Derren Brown's Miracle proves that seeing really
is believing"
Click Here • "Uri Geller invited to meet Chinese government after impressing
with spoon trick"
Click Here • "Fife magician Kevin McMahon wants to you to be bamboozled and
amazed"
Click Here • "‘The Illusionists’ bring multi-magician spectacle to the Clay
Center"
Click Here • "Illusionist grossed out Howie Mandel on 'America's Got
Talent'"
Click Here • "Westgate won't swear off animal shows at PETA request"
Click Here • "Magician Dynamo makes a rare appearance with his wife Kelly on
a day out in London"
Click Here • "Brad Pitt Meets Magician Dynamo, Gets Autographs for Kids"
Click Here • That's about it for this week, your UK magic news is always
welcomed, see you next week, Duncan.
9.4.16