Number
832 - 4th June 2016
Many
congratulations to Richard Jones on becoming the first ever magician to win
Britain's Got Talent in the show's 10 year history, last Saturday evening, on
ITV! In a closely fought contest Richard received 16.7% of
the public's vote to be placed first which was an amazing achievement. To watch
Richard's winning routine,
Click Here. "Video: Magician Richard Jones on winning Britain's Got
Talent"
Click Here.
Correction: Last week MagicWeek ran a short item titled Déjà vu. During the week there had been a lot of negative publicity in the media surrounding the origins of Richard's material on BGT. I chose not to link to all the negative items, but did run a short item titled 'Déjà vu'. I linked to two YouTube clips of American magicians performing on America's Got Talent back-to-back with clips of Richard Jones' audition and semi-final appearances. I used the 'Déjà vu' heading because of the obvious similarities in some of the material in the routines.
On Monday Dave Bonsall of PropDog wrote a piece on Facebook regarding Richard's appearances and some of the criticisms he had received. So I phoned Dave as it seemed that I had jumped to the wrong conclusion re Richard's work. Dave told me that neither he, nor Richard, had even seen the American YouTube clips before Richard's routines were put together, and any similarities in the routines were a pure coincidence and that the routines featured popular magic currently available on the market for anyone to perform. So I'd like to offer my apologies to both Dave Bonsall and Richard Jones, and hope they appreciate how it was easy to draw the wrong conclusion, but that no ill will was meant. Duncan Trillo/MagicWeek. 4.6.16
Direct
from Las Vegas, Piff the Magic Dragon brings his smash hit sell out show to
the Just For Laughs Festival in London and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for its
UK premiere. Piff the Magic Dragon stole the show on Penn and Teller’s ‘Fool Us’
and was a finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. In 2014 Piff left the UK to
headline a show at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. After the success of his stint
on America’s Got Talent, Piff was offered a solo show at the iconic Flamingo
hotel where he now resides three nights a week. On his days off, Piff tours the
USA and in the past six months has broken records at major comedy clubs, sold
out Foxwoods and Borgata, twice, and sold over 100,000 tickets. "How are you
going to top a guy in a dragon suit?" New York Times. Just For Laughs
Festival in London, from July 14th–21st – further details and tickets here:
www.justforlaughslondon.com. Edinburgh Fringe Festival from August 3rd–13th
– further details and tickets here:
tickets.edfringe.com. 4.6.16
Karl
Fulves Convention, Saturday July 2nd, London. From Alan Brown... KFC stands
for Karl Fulves Convention. This is the first of a proposed annual gathering to
honour an unsung giant of magic. This highly informal event will take place on
Saturday July 2nd at 3.30pm at The Holiday Inn, 30 Jamestown Rodd, Camden,
London NW1 7BY (Map).
The idea is that all attendees must be prepared to perform or demonstrate at
least two Fulves items, or material from any of his publications, or talk about
some idea, publication or item of interest related to Fulves. Free entry. [Very
informal, no need to register. Email if needed
abrown.kfc@gmail.com] 4.6.16
SNAP,
4th-29th August, Assembly George Square Theatre, Edinburgh. A contemporary
mystery and magical performance, SNAP is a multi-faceted art performance based
on magic, combining ingenious stage language, illusion, mime, black art, white
art, comedy, dance and more. The show begins with tricksters entering a sealed
door that transcends all of space and time. They meet a boy trapped in a world
of innocence, a scarlet witch, an alchemist, a time traveller, a dreamer, and
many more people, influencing their lives and planting small seeds of change.
BBC, ITV, The New York Times, and The Oriental Daily all gave rave reviews
to each of the eight artists and directors in SNAP! All award winning artists,
they bring to life characters to share with you a fantasy experience which has
never been seen in the history of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. "SNAP is
innovative and creative and makes use of state-of-the-art theatre techniques..."
Eric Eswin, Past president, FISM. "A hotbed of talented new magicians"
BBC. The show features stars of Korean magic: Ted Kim, Hun Lee, Young-Min Kim,
Zeki Yoo, EK, CS Choi, Lee Yeong-min and Mun Jeong-seok. Book via
www.assemblyfestival.com also see
facebook.com/showsnap. 4.6.16
Ben
Hanlin: Work in Progress, London.
Cheeky magician and star of ITV2’s Tricked is
performing a series of intimate work-in-progress shows at the Museum of Comedy,
The Undercroft, St George Church, Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SR (Map).
This show is a blend of magic that Ben has been performing for years as well as
some brand new material. Running time: 60 minutes.
Age recommendation: 14+. 9th and 16th June. Tickets:
Click Here. 4.6.16
The
Complete Walton Volume 3. Available from Davenports: This is the long
awaited third volume of card magic by the world-renowned magician Roy Walton. It
has been some 28 years since the last completely new collected works book was
released, and we are extremely excited to offer this new volume to the magical
fraternity. This volume contains 96 carefully selected effects with cards; some
previously unpublished, and some from a diverse range of publications such as:
Abracadabra, Epilogue, Genii, Hierophant, Ibidem, Kabbala, Magic, Magic
Circular, Octet, Pabular, Pallbearer's Review, Spread Half Pass, Spellbinder,
Chronicles, The Crimp and Penumbra. Included in 'The Complete Walton Volume 3'
are the original descriptions for Roy Walton's famous effects 'Cardwarp' and
'Cascade'. The format of the book is designed to compliment the 2012 re-releases
of Volumes 1 and 2, and is printed on responsibly sourced paper by artisan
printers in London. Illustrated by Thomas Cameron. Hard backed, 257 pages. See
www.davenportsmagic.co.uk. 4.6.16
Vincent
Hedan is now on lecture tour here in the UK. He recently appeared at the
Bristol Day of Magic but apart from that this French magician has been
relatively unseen in the UK. The first half of this 2-hour lecture is on card
magic, that's easy to do, yet has a big impact. The second half focuses on
effects that can be performed either as close-up or stage magic. With original,
simple and direct methods, Vincent presents unusual effects. Wine tasting,
pseudo memory, and his ultimate “Babel” book test. “Brilliant, clever and
mind blowing! A very talented French magician. His lecture is packed full with
magic gems, stunning effects, original methods, killer mentalism... Guaranteed
impact! You won’t regret it!” Boris Wild, FISM 1997 Winner.
06/06/2016 The Magic Circle (members only)
07/06/2016 Northamptonshire Magicians Club
08/06/2016 Zodiac Magical Society, London
09/06/2016 Surrey Society of Magicians
13/06/2016 Manchester Circle of Magicians
14/06/2016 Blackpool Magicians Club
15/06/2016 Sheffield Circle of Magicians
16/06/2016 Nottingham Guild of Magicians
21/06/2016 British Magical Society, Birmingham
22/06/2016 Leamington & Warwick Magical Society
23/06/2016 Home Counties Magical Society, Reading. 4.6.16
Trix
in the Stix 2017 is now Sold Out! Tickets went on sale on the Practical
Magic website on Thursday 2nd June 2016 and all 240 sold out in just over one
and a half hours. This is for the children's entertainers' convention in
Shropshire on Monday and Tuesday May 22nd and 23rd 2017. As in previous years, a
Waiting List is now in operation. It's worth remembering that, in each of the
past 4 years, every person on the Waiting List has been offered a ticket at some
point, so, if you are keen to attend, it's worth getting on the list sooner
rather than later. Full details about the convention can be found at
www.practical-magic.com. 4.6.16
Dance
thriller Sleight of Hands comes to Yorkshire. Bringing together dance, magic
and film - Sleight of Hands comes to Cast, Doncaster on Wednesday 8th June.
Enter the world of conmen and tricksters and follow four characters on a journey
of betrayal and revenge. When there is no one to trust and everyone is out for
themselves, who has the final laugh? Cirque du Soleil magician Simon West and
award winning director and script writer Josh Baker-Mendoza collaborated with
Middleborough-born choreographer Nathan Johnston to create this new dance
thriller performed by three dancers and one magician. Tickets for Sleight of
Hands on Wednesday 8th June at 7.45pm at Cast are £10.50 / £8.50 concessions,
available on 01302 303 959 or by visiting
www.castindoncaster.com. 4.6.16
Victorian
Magic at The Seagull Theatre. Chris and Belinda North continue the
successful run of their Victorian show, A Night of Mystery with a performance at
the Seagull Theatre in Lowestoft on Saturday June 11th. It’s a nostalgic return
to Lowestoft for Chris who spent many years living there and during that time
shot to fame by winning ITV’s New Faces and a national club act award for the
best speciality act in the UK. He went on to appear in many TV shows displaying
a unique and innovative approach to the art of illusion. A Night of Mystery is a
light-hearted re-creation of the unexplained phenomena and marvels of yesteryear
that still amaze and amuse audiences today. The show has a turn of the century
feel with a contemporary presentation. A good mix that continues to attract
critical acclaim wherever it is presented. A Night of Mystery - Saturday June
11th at 7.30pm at The Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft, see
www.theseagull.co.uk. 4.6.16
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. Visit
The MagicWeek Video Archive for this week's clip. It's another great video,
this time from my all-time favourite comedy magician, recorded back in 1988. And if you click through
to the YouTube page, why not subscribe, share, and leave a comment too? DT. 4.6.16
Steve
Gore presents his lecture on Wednesday 8th June at the Wolverhampton Circle of
Magicians. The lecture has received excellent reviews and been given at The
Magic Castle, the IBM British Ring Convention and at around twenty magic
societies. It includes lots of his original effects, including 'PhoneBox',
'Trick Photography', 'Visions from Vegas' and 'The Casino Con', which is just
being rereleased. It’s not all close-up though, there are effects for stage,
stand-up, mentalism and kids too - so there’s something for everyone. Plus all
of his effects are also easy to master, allowing you to focus on the
presentation.
www.stevegore.co.uk. 4.6.16
Vincent
Hedan lectures at The Surrey Society of Magicians on 9th June 2016. Adam
Mosley writes: Vincent Hedan has been performing his unique style of magic
everywhere in France since 2000, as well as in America, Australia, Europe and
Asia. A member of 4F since 2011, he won the 1st Prize in Mentalism at the 2008
French Magic Championship. This 2-hour lecture reveals the secrets of his work
on easy-to-do card magic, as well as his original effects for parlour
mentalism. His methods are simple and direct: everyone will find something that
they will be able to add to their repertoire to fool and entertain their audiences.
Vincent is fluent in English and the entire lecture works perfectly in English.
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 email
info@surreymagic.org.uk. 4.6.16
New
Release from Mark Leveridge Magic. Mark Leveridge is pleased to announce the
release of a highly commercial routine taken directly from his current working
repertoire. 'The Pro Ring On Glasses' is a borrowed ring effect which enables
the performer to cause a spectator's finger ring to vanish and instantly
reappear linked onto a pair of glasses which are held by a spectator inside a
glasses case. The handling is extremely clean and very straightforward to do.
There is no reset so it is perfect for both table work and also walkabout, and
it can be performed virtually surrounded. This is an updated and streamlined
version of this routine which is different in method from an earlier version of
the basic effect. Purchasers receive a special handkerchief, a glasses case, a
gimmick which you can use in many other effects, colour photo illustrated
printed instructions plus online video back up directions. For more info visit
www.markleveridge.co.uk. 4.6.16
Peterborough
Society of Magicians 28th Annual Sale, Exchange and Lecture Day - next Sunday,
12th June. John Learoyd writes: Peterborough Society of Magicians remind all
to come to their Annual 1 Day Magic convention 2016 in just one week on Sunday
12th June. Traders will have access at approx 8.45am to set up. Doors open for
all at 9.45am. The official opening is at 10.00am. Lectures by: The great Mel
Mellers and by children's entertainer David Tomkins. Dealers registered
include: Adrian Sullivan, Colin Fish, The Magic Trick Shop, Stuart Burrell
(escapology), David Tomkins, Richard Ballinger. Also several tables for
second-hand magic have been booked. There is free on site parking. Refreshments
available all day at very reasonable prices. 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. For further details go
to: www.psmagicians.org.uk or
contact Keith Downs on 01778 343167 or email Keith at:
the220@btinternet.com. The venue is:
The Millfield Community Centre, Lincoln Road, Peterborough PE1 2PE (Map).
For maps of the venue please contact John Learoyd:
johnlearoyd@homail.com. For venue
contact on the day, call John on 07970 631120 or Paul on 07812 438947. We look
forward to making you welcome on the day. 4.6.16
Monday
Night Magic - Comedy Special, Salford. From the organisers: The next
instalment of our popular Monday Night Magic at Grosvenor Casino Salford will
feature host magician and compere Carl Royle who will be joined by the hilarious
rising star of comedy magic John Holt (photo). The evening consists of a first
half of close-up magic by both performers and after a short interval a stand-up
cabaret comedy magic set by John Holt. Ticket only £10.00. Two course pre show
meal and show ticket £17.50. The show starts at 8.30pm on Monday 20th June.
Grosvenor Casino Salford, 5 Derwent Street, Riverside, Salford M5 4SW (Map)
facebook.com/MNMatGrosvenor. 4.6.16
Chris
Congreave lecture, Liverpool. From the organisers: Monday 6th June at
7.30pm. £5 members & Mersey Dee Circles / £10 guests. Venue: Longmoor Social
Club, Longmoor Lane, Liverpool L9 9EN (Map)
www.liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk. Richard T Smith Secretary: 07979 804823. 4.6.16
The
Merlins of Wakefield Birthday sale is now over. Merlins write: Many thanks
to all customers who took advantage of the deals. We now have our latest 16 page
June/July Preview available, and it's free! Carrying on from our 21st Birthday
Celebration, it contains loads of great magic at great prices. If you’d like a
copy, email for a PDF to download, or if you’d prefer a printed copy, just email
your postal address, to
merlins@btconnect.com. We will be at the Leamington Day of Magic on 15th
June, so if you are going and would like anything taking along to save on
postage, get in touch 01924 339933. 4.6.16
Royle
Reveals (A Working Pro's Survival Guide to The Mystery Arts). "On Tuesday
9th August, at 7.30pm, controversial Magician, Mentalist, Psychic Entertainer
and Hypnotist Jonathan Royle returns to The Order of the Magi at The New Irish
Heritage Centre in Manchester with a truly unique, entertaining and thought
provoking lecture that is sure to contain much worth for everyone who attends
whatever their preferred area of magic is! During his almost 39 years in
showbusiness, Royle has worked in every genre from kids shows and close-up
through to doves and large stage illusions on the one hand to mentalism and
hypnosis, performing in comedy clubs, theatres and even at the circus. This
lecture will contain a mix of commercial magic and mentalism, secrets of cold
reading and hypnosis and even insider tips on how to make more money from magic.
Click Here for details. Also see
www.magicalguru.com/magical-lectures." Non Members are welcome at this event
for a fee of £10 on the night. Venue: The Order of the Magi, The Irish World
Heritage Centre, 1 Irish Town Way, Manchester M8 0AE (Map)
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk. 4.6.16
Kids
comedy magician Chubbz will be appearing at Blackpool Pride next Saturday,
11th June, in the family arena in the Pavilion Theatre, Blackpool Winter
Gardens. He will be performing part of his act between 1.55pm and 2.15pm, and
will be making his mad balloon creations for sale in the main arena, both before
and after his appearance. There's loads going on the 5 main arenas, plus
entertainment outside the Winter Gardens as well, and it is all absolutely free. 4.6.16
Bolton
Magicians' Club Presents Rus Andrews. Paul Goodman writes: Rus Andrews has
been performing close-up psychological magic professionally for nearly 7 years.
He started taking an interest in magic way back as a child, obsessed with
watching the street performers and gamblers in London town. For nearly a decade
now Rus has been leaving people stunned and speechless at dinner parties, pubs
and clubs all over the south-west. Rus has released several exciting magic
products over the years, some of these effects include: Destination, Trauma,
Numbers, Evolution, Dual Edge, Spoken and Bold. The lecture itself is a mixture
of Rus’s card based material, his psychological effects based around thought of
cards, 'Card At Any Number' and Rus’s latest release, Denouement. Rus will also
teach some controls, a hands-free sandwich effect, and a new twist on the
Ambitious Card. Doors open at 8.30pm on Wednesday 8th June 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. 4.6.16
Paul
Abbey returns to his home town of Croydon after his first successful one man
show in February with Magic Noir ll on 12th June at 3pm, this time with a family
afternoon matinee show supported by Theatre Utopia, Mathews Yard Arts and
Entertainments Venue, with guest support act and a fun open mic Magic spot for
any keen would-be Magicians who fancy trying out a favourite effect in front of
a live audience. The best trick gets a prize! 4.6.16
Direct
from his appearance on Britain's Got Talent Mel Harvey teamed up with his
writing partner Dave Short MMC for a comedy cruise on board MV Magellan with
comedian Lee Carroll. In the past Mel and Dave have worked together in Panto as
Comic and Dame, in a theatre tour of The Flanagan and Allen Story plus
fundraising shows for the Shakespeare Hospice where Mel is a volunteer. On board
Mel and Dave will be presenting close-up magic for the Captain's Cocktail Party
plus two full shows in the main showroom. Two days after disembarking Mel looks
forward to meeting friends old and new on his stand at The Leamington Day of
Magic before downsizing vessels to his narrow boat for another cruise this time
on the Grand Union Canal. 4.6.16
Ozzy
Dee Lecture, now booking. Ozzy writes: I will be presenting my new lecture
at the Pentacle Magic Society in January. Coming up from Devon is expensive so I
am looking for other clubs in the South East that maybe interested in the
lecture at the same time to save the club's money with travel expenses. The
first half is for close-up and parlour workers and the second half is something
completely different, an interactive lecture including some of my game shows for
all ages. Please email for more information. Dates are either around 10th
January or the 24th January 2017.
ozzydee@themagiccircle.co.uk. 4.6.16
Criss Angel: Mindfreak,
all night long... 1am - 5am on Sunday 5th June on
H2. "Street magician Criss Angel performs a range
of tricks and stunts." See TV Magic.
"Interview: Criss Angel discusses new Mindfreak Live! at the Luxor"
Click Here. 4.6.16
George Taylor. George Taylor of Wigan died peacefully on Saturday the 28th May 2016 he was 94 years old. He had been a member of IBM Modern Mystics League and Wigan Circle of Magicians. Any fellow magicians are welcome at his interment which is at Ince in Makerfield Crematorium on Tuesday the 9th June at 2pm. Ian Fabian. 4.6.16
"Uber will send you a magician on demand in Toronto and Montreal on June 3" Click Here • "Daniel Radcliffe's magic in Now You See Me 2" Click Here • "Michael Carbonaro: Secrets of a Magician" Click Here • "Magician Michael Carbonaro Will Perform Live in DC" Click Here • "Ricky Jay’s ‘Matthias Buchinger’" Click Here • "Magician left covered in his own blood after a trick went wrong on stage" Click Here • "Magician Penn Jillette Reveals Which Candidate Lies The Least" Click Here • "Winnipeg illusionist Darcy Oake performs for Queen at Windsor Castle" Click Here • "Paul Daniels’ final magic unveiled in new children's show at North East theatres" Click Here • "Criss Angel offers life lessons and levitations in new Luxor show" Click Here • "Abracadabra and the dying art of illusion" Click Here • "Crazy cool illusionist performs final show of tour residency" Click Here • "Paul Daniel’s widow Debbie McGee to star at Milton Keynes fundraising ball" Click Here • Many thanks for your UK magic news submissions this week, always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan. 4.6.16