Number
853 - 29th October 2016
Derren
Brown Presents Twisted Tales. A special dark and scary Halloween treat
introduced by 'the storyteller' Derren Brown. Three horror fans get a Halloween
experience like no other as the boundaries between fact and fiction are blurred
to take them on a uniquely dark and unnerving journey. Set up by family and
friends, the three unsuspecting fans find themselves in the middle of real life
stories which turn out to be dark and twisted tales. Using their families and
teams of actors, and drawing on the greatest traditions of ghost stories and
spine-tingling British classics such as Hammer House and Tales of the
Unexpected, this unique format looks and feels like a drama but at its heart has
an unaware central figure taken into a mysterious and creepy world created
around them. Be prepared to hide behind the sofa, close the curtains, and think
twice before you answer the door. On Monday 31st October. See
TV Magic.
29.10.16
Dinner
to Celebrate 90 Years of Magic and Mystery in Aberdeen. The Aberdeen Magical
Society is celebrating its 90th anniversary this evening with a gala dinner at
the Hilton Aberdeen Treetops. Magicians and invited guests will join together to
celebrate Aberdeen Magical Society’s rich history, and enjoy an evening of
entertainment like no other. After dinner performances will be provided by John
Archer (photo), the first magician to fool Penn & Teller on their hit TV series
Fool Us, and debonair gentleman juggler Mat Ricardo. Garry Seagraves, perhaps
one of the area’s best known magicians, serves as the society’s current
president – the 10th in a line stretching back to the mid 1920s. He has followed
in the footsteps of his father, Bill Seagraves, himself a former president who
will be travelling from his home in New Zealand to attend the dinner. They will
be joined by four more former presidents on the night: Steve Meredith, Ron Gordon, Peter Nicol
and Dave Goulding.
Garry said “Aberdeen Magical Society has come a long way since it was founded in
1926, but its aim of promoting and celebrating magic in the north east of
Scotland lives on. Our members all come from different backgrounds, and range
from full-time professionals to people who just want to show their friends a
couple of tricks in the pub at the weekend. What brings everyone together, no
matter what their age or ability level, is a love and appreciation of magic.
Throughout our 90th year, I have seen some incredible magic performed by our
members. The wealth of talent on display has been staggering, and leaves me
confident that the future of magic in Aberdeen is in safe hands. I look forward
to what the next ten years will bring as we approach our centenary.”
Formed in 1926 by a group of amateur conjurors including famed architect T.
Scott Sutherland, Aberdeen Magical Society has become one of the most active
magical societies in the country, meeting twice a month to give its members the
chance to socialise and further the art of magic. A varied programme of events
takes place each year including public shows; three competition nights for
close-up magic, card magic and entertainment; guest lecturers visiting from
across the globe; and themed nights run by the members themselves.
The society follows a historic tradition of magic in the north east, following
in the footsteps of giants like electro-magic pioneer Walford Bodie (1869-1939),
and John Henry Anderson (1814-1974) – the Great Wizard of the North – who
popularised the deadly Bullet Catch and is thought to be one of the first
magicians to pull a rabbit from a hat. A great inspiration to Harry Houdini,
when the famous escapologist visited Aberdeen he paid for the upkeep of
Anderson’s grave, which still stands in St Nicholas Kirkyard today.
Aberdeen Magical Society has spawned its own magicians of note, too. In the
1990s, member Bill Duncan presented Bill’s Magic Box for Grampian TV. More
recently, macabre comedy magic duo Barry and Stuart have risen to fame with a
string of hit shows for the BBC, Channel 4 and Watch after first meeting at the
society.
Aberdeen Magical Society provides a warm and welcoming environment for magicians
in the north east of Scotland, and anyone over the age of 18 with a genuine
interest in magic is welcome to join, no matter their abilities. For more
information visit
www.aberdeenmagic.com or follow Aberdeen Magical Society on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/aberdeenmagicalsociety.
29.10.16
57th
Bristol Day of Magic, Sunday 7th May 2017. Paul MacLeavy writes: The Bristol
Society of Magic wish to announce that the 57th Bristol Day of Magic will be
held on Sunday 7th May 2017 at the Nailsea Academy of Performing Arts, Nailsea,
Bristol BS48 2LE (the same venue as this year). Once again there will be a full
programme of lectures, dealers, close-up performances, and an international Gala
Show. Details to follow.
www.bristolmagic.co.uk.
29.10.16
54th
Portsmouth
& District Magic Circle Jumbo Day, next Sunday, 6th November. Portsmouth & District Magic Circle Presents 54th
PDMC Jumbo Day.
Magic Lectures and full Gala Show with Mark Elsdon, Matthew Garrett, Sean
Heydon, Sean Lobban and Dave Bonney.
Buy and sell new and second hand magic at our magic fair.
Magic auction.
Magic Competition sponsored by Alakazam. Venue: Buckland Community Centre, Malins
Road, Portsmouth PO2 7BT (Map).
www.portsmouthmagic.co.uk.
29.10.16
Wallis's
Wonders Magic Shop re-opens on November 5th. Paul Henri writes: Following
the devastating fire in August, Mike Wallis has managed to secure premises and
stock to open Wallis's Wonders at 29-31 Victoria Arcade in Great Yarmouth NR30
2NU (Map)
on Saturday 5th November 2016. Mike said "My dear friends and fellow wonder
workers. On Saturday November 5th at 11am, the new Wonder Lair will open. I know
2ic (2nd in command) Paul Henri will be with me for this special occasion. I am
so grateful for all the help and kindness shown by the magical fraternity and
other dear friends. Please do not expect quite the range and amount of stock we
previously held. It will grow with your help. I feel truly blessed." Join us if
you can, as the Phoenix rises from the flames and Great Yarmouth gets back its
very own Magic & Puppetry store!
29.10.16
Screaming in the
Face of Cancer. "Today, Saturday 29th October, we are putting on a Night of Magic, Hypnosis and Live
Music to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. So if your free and in
Leicestershire why not come along and join us for a fun-filled night!
The performers are: Mozique (Moz Powrie), Amit Badiani, Dave Vegas, Antony Bola, Phill Smith, Colin
Hall and Roy Brownlowe! With live music from Stax of Soul." The Ramada Leicester Stage Hotel,
299 Leicester Road, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1JW (Map).
See www.themagictouches.co.uk.
29.10.16
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, Paul Daniels: Live at
Halloween with magic guest Eugene Burger, from 31st October 1987. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional
'bonus' video
Click Here.
29.10.16
Magicseen
Issue 71 November 2016. The brand new edition of the UK's only independent magic
magazine is now out, containing top interviews with cover stars The Clairvoyants,
FISM winning comedy illusionists Scott and Muriel, and long time Magicseen
favourite Ning Cai (formerly 'Magic Babe Ning'). Paul Merton (yes, him)
offers sage advice for how to integrate comedy into a magic act, Iain Moran
explodes a few myths that some may hold about what it is really like to be a
full time pro, and Jay Fortune chats to Phil Telfeyan about his altruistic magic
performances in the US. The International Masterclass this time features two
Russian effects to get you practising, there's a selection of the best one liner
gags from the stars at the recent Edinburgh Festival, and in a retrospective
article, Dick Oslund shares some personal stories about former greats Jay
Marshall, Mike Caldwell, George Johnstone and Karrell Fox. The November issue
has got reviews covered too, with a report on Gerry Cottle's WOW Circus and of
course the usual round up of recently released products. All this plus more
awaits your attention right now, and you can get your copy either as part of a 1
or 2 year printed copy or download sub, or as the first of an open ended
Pay-As-You-Go sub, or just singly in printed or digital format. With the nights
drawing in you've plenty of time to enjoy Magicseen Issue 71 which you can order
right now from www.magicseen.co.uk.
29.10.16
All
Aboard! Brand new from PropDog: PropDog are proud to present 'All Aboard', a
fantastic new release by Tom Swift. This is an incredibly powerful, visually
stunning and beautifully made effect that utilises British train tickets. Based
on Dan Harlan’s CardToon and with Dan's blessing, All Aboard is a flick book
animation using the train tickets where an animated train pulls into a station
that is the same as a spectator has previously chosen. Using no forces, this
uses an incredibly simple method to leave your audiences thoroughly entertained.
Whether you're a complete beginner or a full time professional, All Aboard is a
simple and incredibly easy to perform effect that should be in every magicians
close-up case. This is only available from PropDog, so for more
information or to order visit
www.propdog.co.uk/all-aboard-tom-swift-train today!
29.10.16
Ben Earl Workshop, London, 13th November. Ben Earl has been heralded as one of the finest sleight of hand artists of our time. Lennart Green said “his philosophy and ability is supernatural” and mentalist Colin Mcleod said “his skill level, thinking, style and approach is close to unrivalled”. In an effort to find out what makes Ben the best, Vanishing Inc. have arranged a full-day workshop on Ben's "Neo-Movement" framework. The workshop will be held in an art gallery in Hackney, London, on 13th November 2016. There are just 30 spaces, of which over half sold out within 12 hours. Book your ticket now at www.vanishingincmagic.com/events. 29.10.16
Major
Changes For Mark Leveridge Magic. After 35 years of providing a magic mail order
service, Mark Leveridge will be changing next year the way that his original
products and ideas are supplied to customers. With effect from the 1st April
2017, all of Mark's items will be supplied either as downloads or as online
learning, and he will be discontinuing the regular mail order service. Central
to this business model will be E-Club Pro, where much of Mark's creativity and
ideas have been channelled over the last 6 years. The online club will continue
to provide its members with high quality advice, instruction and new magic ideas
at a highly affordable monthly membership cost. As well as E-Club Pro, however,
Mark will continue to generally supply a wide range of routines and effects
either on video or as PDF downloads. There are already many such products
available in Mark's range and his E-Routines (the PDF download range of magic)
and TricKlips (the video download series) will both be expanded with more new
items being added. The current list of physical products (items made from brass,
leather, envelopes etc) will no longer be supplied after the 1st April next
year, and as current stocks sell out they will not be replaced. The new format
will allow all of Mark's customers worldwide to access his entire range
instantly and without incurring any postage costs, of course. Mark looks forward
to expanding his offering by adding plenty of new ideas and effects to his
range, all of which will continue to be available through his website at
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
29.10.16
Classic
Correspondence III from Egyptian Hall Museum. Volume III of Classic
Correspondence from Egyptian Hall Museum has just been published. Volume III
is considerably larger than Volumes I and II, coming in at 411 pages, packed
with 333 photographs and posters, most of which have never been published. As
before, it is printed in full color on matt art paper with the now-customary
endpapers featuring a dramatic display of all 24 letters. The authors and
recipients of these letters represent a wide range of magic personalities
including Chefalo, Cecil Lyle, John Mulholland, Neil Foster, Jane Thurston,
Senator Crandall, Lewis Ganson, George Boston, H. Adrian Smith, Ira Davenport,
Harry Houdini, Okito, Francis Martinka, Milbourne Christopher, Carl Rosini,
Charles Carter, Howard Thurston, Harry Kellar and many more. See
www.mcmagicwords.com for more information and to order. Classic
Correspondence Trailer video
Click Here.
29.10.16
History and Mystery at The Magic Circle: Enjoy a visit to the House of 10,000 Secrets with a unique experience at the headquarters of The Magic Circle. Be enthralled by tales of past Masters of Magic during a guided tour of the building which houses priceless treasures, memorabilia and magical posters. Make a wish while turning three times on The Magic Circle emblem beneath the magnificent staircase which leads to the Devant Room displaying unique apparatus of the past. Marvel at the hand painted murals on the staircase depicting magic from its early beginnings to the present day. Enjoy some entertaining close-up magic presented by a skilled member of The Magic Circle and a unique live magic performance in our fully equipped theatre which includes a hearing loop. There is a lift and wheelchair access to all public areas, plus tea/coffee and biscuits on arrival.
Monday 14th November. Doors open 11am, event starts at 11.30am and lasts two hours which leaves plenty of time to explore the rest of London. Note: this event is for over-10s only - no refunds will be issued for under-10s. Individual tickets £18.50 plus fee. Groups of 20 or more £18.50 no booking fee. The Magic Circle headquarters, 12 Stephenson Way, Euston, London NW1 2HD (Map). Tickets available from www.themagiccircle.co.uk/public-events. 29.10.16
See Hear: Hidden Nation. Wednesday 2nd November on BBC 2 (see TV Magic). "In this episode, we visit Karina, a deaf beauty contestant from London who wants to pass on her skills to the next generation. Can she mentor Melissa and Oscar to victory at Mr and Miss Deaf World 2016? Johnny is a magician who has wowed audiences for decades. As he gets ready to pack away his cards and retire, we follow his last performance in front of a deaf audience. Will it be his final curtain or is the lure of the French drop too strong? And Lloyd is a talented musician who is part of the British Paraorchestra, founded by renowned conductor Charles Hazlewood. We follow him to the Pyramid stage at the legendary Glastonbury Music Festival. Having never set foot on the stage before, will nerves set in?" On Friday 4th November Johnny Fantastica perform close-up magic at a BBC Anniversary party and on Saturday Johnny will perform two cabarets and two workshops, teaching magic to children as part of the BBC Anniversary at the Watershed, Bristol. 29.10.16
The
Carey Files. John Carey writes: Delighted to announce that my new book, The
Carey Files, is now available for pre-order. The book is crammed with 61 items
with a myriad of plots. There are even a few coin items for your consideration!
The book is scheduled to be shipped on November 9th. People who pre-order the
book now can purchase it for £30 plus shipping. From November 10th the book
will retail for £35. On the website you will find all the information you need,
including a table of contents. There's even a 3 trick sampler available. Yours
to keep and enjoy with my compliments. Visit
www.thecareyfiles.co.uk.
29.10.16
MAGIC
number 301 The Final Issue. Pre-publication Special Ends November 1st.
MAGIC's contribution to magic over the past 25 years has been immense. After 25
years and 300 monthly magazines, MAGIC will wrap up with one final issue, number
301. At 164 pages, it’s more of a double issue featuring all of their current
contributors, plus many of the iconic contributors from the past. There’s brand
new material from: Max Maven (Parallax), Jim Steinmeyer (Conjuring), Richard
Kaufman (Inner-Workings), Jon Racherbaumer (Inside Out), Joshua Jay (Talk About
Tricks), Paul Gertner (Questions), Jeff McBride (The Show Doctor), David Kaye
(Turn It Around), Charlie Frye (Eccentricks), Kevin James (Choice Secrets),
Master Payne (Paynefully Obvious), Mike Caveney (Classic Correspondence), Martin
Lewis (Making Magic), Mike Bent (Bent on Deception), Steve Reynolds (Monk’s
Way), Simon Coronel (Walkabout Soup), Mark Kornhauser (For What It’s Worth), Ian
Rowland (Loving Mentalism), and our special guest Chad Long (In One)
Plus, there are 10 amazing feature stories, ranging from exclusive results of a
survey on what laymen think of our art to an interview with Derek DelGaudio,
Glenn Kaino, and Frank Oz. There are profiles on Enrico de la Vega and Ray
Anderson, and a special article on mentoring. There are reports on Britain’s new
TV show naming the Next Great Magician, as well as coverage of MAGIC Live! And
so much more! This final, double issue will be available November 15th. The
retail price is $12 plus postage. But if you order before November 1st, it’s
just $10 postage-paid in the US (Canada $12.50, all other countries $14.50). To
order, visit
www.magicmagazine.com.
29.10.16
MAGIC
Live takes place be at The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, August 13th-16th, 2017.
MAGIC Live is known, more than anything, for its first class approach to… well,
everything. When you arrive you’ll discover a highly organised registration
process, wonderful welcome gifts, personalised photo badges, a first-class
party, and an opportunity to win part of tens of thousands of dollars of prizes
— and that’s just the very first day! Every detail is considered, every option
is explored, and every bit is polished in order to bring you the best convention
experience ever! Alumni Registration is available starting on November 30th,
2016, with General Registration opening December 6th. See
www.magicmagazine.com/live.
29.10.16
Magical
Wedding. Jon Marshall writes: We’ve all heard of walking over hot coals for
the one you love, but walking up a ladder made of six silver, shiny, sharp
swords? This could only be a one of a kind wedding from the amazing Alex and
Steve Collison. Wedding guests were treated to a performance of Jon
Marshall’s Ten in One Sideshow. Show land performer friends appeared in the show
- featuring Juggler Jamie Waudby, Bizarre magician and Fire-eater Michael
Diamond, The Great Inferno and Jon Marshall as Dr Phantasma. Illusionist James
Long took a few days out from his twenty-four month contract entertaining on a
cruise ship in China, to join them in the show and Alex appeared in one of
James’ incredible illusions.
During their show Alex appeared as Ramona Gypsy Sideshow Queen on the Ladder of
Swords, and as Miss Elastina defying death from a thousand cuts as she twisted
her body around multiple steel blades. Not to be left out, Steve, the groom, who
travels all over the UK and abroad presenting his Dangerous Steve act joined in
as well. Steve thrilled the guests as he balanced high in the air on an
unsupported ladder and juggled fire and a lethal chainsaw. Newly married
Alexandra Collison was whisked off by her husband “Dangerous Steve” Collison on
“Honeymoon” this week - to perform in The Magic Zone at the Out of This World
Festival in Sheffield and there’s just time to catch the show today in Dr
Phantasma’s Sideshow at
Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Halloween event on Saturday 29th October from 11am
- 5pm. (Map).
Photo (Click
Here to enlarge) L to R, Juggler - Jamie Waudby, Illusionist - James Long,
Street Performer and Groom - Dangerous Steve Collison, Bride - Alexandra
Collison, Bizarre performer - Michael Diamond and The Great Inferno - Tim
Cockerill.
29.10.16
Christmas
Parties at Smoke & Mirrors and Illusions, Bristol: "When it comes to organising a Christmas party for your friends or work
colleagues, we know it’s sometimes hard to cover all the bases and choose the
entertainment, food, drinks and venue that will suit everyone. Well let us
take that stress away from you because at Illusions, we promise your Christmas
party with us will be one that no one will ever forget!
With our magic theatre hosting Bristol's number one show The House Magicians,
we’ll make this year a little easier to organise and plan - so that you can sit back and soak up the festivities."
See
www.smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk and
www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk.
29.10.16
David
Copperfield is the highest paid magician in the world... "According to the
Forbes list, he earns virtually the same amount as the highest-paid actor in the
world, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. While most people give up on magic tricks when
they hit puberty, the fortunate few who persevere can wind up on a lucrative
career path." To read the full article by Maya Oppenheim in the Independent
Click Here. Also see "World's Highest-Paid Magicians of 2016: David
Copperfield Conjures $64 Million, Tops List"
Click Here.
29.10.16
Hypnotist's Second Trance! Jonathan Royle writes: "Following the conviction and
jailing for 15 months of journalist Mazher Mahmood who was famous as 'The Fake
Sheikh' Hypnotist and Mind Magician Jonathan Royle is a step closer to clearing
his name. For full details along with videos of his BBC Newsnight feature,
Click Here."
29.10.16
News
Deadline reminder. Please submit news by Thursday if possible - absolute
deadline 12 noon Friday, no exceptions. DT.
29.10.16
"Now that's rail magic! Britain's Got Talent winner stuns train passengers
by making their tickets disappear"
Click Here • "Magician to recreate Houdini's famous straight jacket
escape in Pittsburgh"
Click Here • "Houdini the great escape artist couldn’t escape his
own painful death"
Click Here • "Is TV's Mo Magic as magical live?"
Click Here • Neptune Magic Society's First Annual Dinner, reported
by Michael Shepherd,
Click Here • "David Copperfield is the highest paid magician in the
world"
Click Here • "Harvey Mackay: Don't overlook the small things"
Click Here • "BWW Review: Houdini speaks to the living - Pure Magic"
Click Here • "'Keep your trap shut': disappearing behind the Magic
Circle's doors with Jamie Raven"
Click Here • "'Illusionists' is magic show with edgy, modern twist
at the Saenger"
Click Here • "Hidden Room Theatre's Houdini Speaks to the Living"
Click Here • "Illusionists also celebrate on Halloween"
Click Here • "Levitation is real: Man stuns internet with trick
nobody can explain"
Click Here • "Behind the Magic: ‘As We Lie Still’ Debuts in Dallas"
Click Here • And finally, "'Ghost Stories' to shoot end of October"
[now in production]
Click Here • That's it! Another week disappears as a new one
appears. How do they do that? See you next week, Duncan.
29.10.16