Number
859 - 10th December 2016
Troy: The Highwire. 22nd December, E4. In this one-off special, magician Troy is set a seemingly impossible challenge: to perform a brand new illusion while balancing in mid air. Troy has just two months to learn how to walk on a highwire and design a magic trick that can be performed at altitude. It's the worst possible scenario for a magician: being exposed on all sides and unable to use his hands - while trying not fall off. Troy must conquer his fear of heights. He assembles a team of brilliant magicians to help crack the challenge - shining a light on the process of magic. Along the way, Troy tests some mind blowing new tricks, including a master class in misdirection and seemingly making the moon vanish. See TV Magic. 10.12.16
The
Session (Heathrow, London) is just four weeks away! From the
organisers: The final five acts have been announced. Denmark's celebrity
magician Rune Klan will star in the gala show, TV producer Anthony Owen
will share two of his most prized effects, Derren Brown's co-writer Iain
Sharkey will discuss ways we can improve the impact of our magic, Kieron
Johnson will, well, do something crazy, and finally Roberto Giobbi will
share some secrets from his new book Hidden Agenda. These acts join
Dynamo, Ben Earl, Woody Aragon, Jamy Ian Swiss, Eric Mead, Max Maven,
Michael Weber, Danny Buckler, Banachek and more for an unforgettable
weekend of magic at the UK's most studied magic convention. As always,
tickets are almost sold out.
www.sessionconvention.com.
10.12.16
Magicians
to conjure up festival fun. From the organisers: Leading magicians from across the globe
will head to the North East next spring for the 14th South Tyneside
International Magic Festival.
Big hitters on the worldwide stage will converge on the seaside town to
take part in the annual event when it returns in March 2017.
The festival will run over the weekend March 17th-19th, and offers something
for both members of the public and magicians alike.
Along with public magic shows at the Customs House theatre, the weekend
also hosts a three-day convention for professional performers to take
part in featuring lectures, masterclasses, question and answer sessions and a
trick competition.
Helping to conjure up this year’s event is talent booker and leading
magician Steve Gore, who has already confirmed a number of magicians on
this year’s programme.
Leading the way are three American favourites who have all appeared in
the documentary Our Magic, created and filmed by R Paul Wilson, which
will be shown during the convention.
Rob Zabrecky of Los Angeles is famous for creating magic through a
series of strange and beautiful effects which are all about drama and
timing.
Also hailing from across the pond is Mahdi Gilbert of New York who has
created every technique he uses after being born without hands or feet.
He successfully fooled Penn and Teller on Season Three of their show
Fool Us and is renowned for his sleight of hand technique.
Asi Wind is another magician jetting in from New York, known as
one of the industry’s most influential thinkers and performers.
Magicians wishing to attend the convention can book now.
Tickets cost £65 and are available by calling Kari Prinn on 0191 455
4031 or by emailing karri.prinn@southtyneside.gov.uk.
10.12.16
Piff
is feeling the holiday magic with charity shows at Flamingo. "We’ve
seen what hasn’t worked on Las Vegas stages this year: Puppets
practicing improv. Rock-themed musicals. Adult revues. A collection of
magnanimous illusionists. What has worked? A sullen comic-magician
dressed in a satin dragon suit, toting his similarly attired
Chihuahua..." Read the full story by John Katsilometes in Las Vegas
Review Journal,
Click Here. Piff zipped into the UK for 36 hours last week, to
record for Alan Carr's Happy Hour which went out at 8pm on
Friday, and is being repeated late night tonight (2am) on 4Seven, see
TV Magic.
10.12.16
Blackpool
Convention 2017 - update: Congratulations to illusionist Jamie Allan on getting through to
the final of ITV's 'The Next Great Magician'. Jamie will be
appearing at the World's Largest Magic Convention in February, so don't
miss this chance to see him live.
Also of special interest to children's/family entertainers is the news
that they
will have four very different lecturers to choose from over the weekend
featuring
Mike Bent, Steve Doe, John Kimmons and Silly Scott; plus the
Family Entertainer of the Year competition along with a host of dealers
from all over the world. We recommend getting your registrations in now. Alan Horne PRO officer.
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
10.12.16
Hans
Moretti: Russian Roulette. "There
are still 4 or 3 inside? I didn't count..." This week from the
MagicWeek Video Archive, master showman Hans Moretti, 27 years ago on
John Fisher's 'The Best of Magic', presenting his version of Russian
Roulette. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional
'bonus' video
Click Here.
10.12.16
Steve Allen's Christmas Cracker, The Magic Circle, London, 23rd December. A special show from radio host and magician Steve Allen at the headquarters of the world famous Magic Circle. The show is aimed at LBC listeners and Steve Allen's loyal following. Friday 23rd December 2016. Doors open 1.30pm, show starts 2.30pm. This event is for over 5s only. Tickets £31.00 and £35.00 plus transaction fee. Venue: The Magic Circle headquarters, 12 Stephenson Way, Euston, London NW1 2HD (Map). www.themagiccircle.co.uk/public-events. 10.12.16
The Next Great Magician: The Final. Tomorrow evening at 7pm. "Stephen Mulhern and Rochelle Humes host, as the search for the world's next great magician concludes with the grand final, in which the winners of previous five shows compete. Featuring illusions, comedy, levitations, time travel and a veritable feast of magic. Who will perform the most awesome trick to win the crown?" See TV Magic. 10.12.16
The
House of Magicians Family Comedy & Magic Show, Bristol. From the
organisers: Two of our House Magicians will have you entertained for 90
minutes with magic and comedy! On entering Smoke & Mirrors you will be
greeted by our in-house close-up magician who will bamboozle you with
great tricks and our welcoming staff will be on hand to look after your
drink and food requirements. At 4.15pm we will invite you to enter our
1920s style theatre, seating just 48 people; it's cosy and the
atmosphere is electric. Our theatre host will seat you at your table and
take your interval drink orders for you. So once we have seated all our
guests the show starts at 4.30pm, with our resident compere guiding you
along the way. Two comedy magicians will entertain and wow you for 90
minutes (with an interval). At 6pm the show finishes. We pride ourselves
in offering full-blown entertainment from the moment you walk through
the door to moment you leave. Book now to avoid disappointment. All ages
welcome, but we recommend you are aware the shows are 12+ rated. January
dates:
Click Here.
10.12.16
Mike
Sharples.
Geoffrey Newton writes: As magicians we are often called upon to work in all sorts of
places and in all sorts of guises, to suit a particular occasion. Last
Saturday, Cheadle Parish Church (near Stockport), clearly influenced by the
TV re-runs of The Good Old Days, staged an Old Time Musical Hall event at
their premises in the High Street. It was unusual to see a Leonard Sachs
type lookalike acting as MC from the pulpit! Manchester magician Mike
Sharples provided two spots amongst a guitar virtuoso, a soprano, a
string ensemble playing pop music and a vibraphone/sax duo. With perfect
acoustics, lighting and a big screen video link he handled it well having
carefully thought out routines suitable for that type of audience. Magic is very much on the up at the moment and whilst
it is in so much demand we should take advantage of the opportunities to
show our versatility.
Mike is a past president and for many years now the Secretary of The
Order of The Magi which keeps him busy from an administrative point of
view as well as his bookings. The picture shows Mike with violinist
Ellie from one of the acts on the night Strings Attached.
10.12.16
The
Card Collection (cards4magic.co.uk) Book and DVD Sale! On now through to
10am, Monday 19th December. 25% discount on all DVDs and books at
www.cards4magic.co.uk
or call 01233 647878. Don't miss out!
10.12.16
Monday
Night Magic at Grosvenor Casino Salford. The success of Monday Night Magic at Grosvenor Casino Salford
continues with this year's Christmas Special on December
19th featuring three of the countries leading professional magicians.
Host magician Carl Royle is pleased to present Shaun McCree and Harry
Robson both back by popular demand.
A close-up magic session and magical stand-up from all performers
will make for an amazing night.
Pre show meal available. £17.50 per person (show and meal) or £10 (show
only). Monday December 19th at 8.30pm. Call 0161 839 0467 to book.
10.12.16
MAGIC
Live registration now open! The Orleans Hotel, Las Vegas, August 13th-16th, 2017.
From the organisers:
A $100 deposit holds your spot, with a 90% refund available through May 10th,
2017. So even if you’re not 100% sure you will be able to join us, you’re only
risking ten bucks. The balance of $320 is not due until February 2017.
To register, please visit
www.MAGICmagazine.com/live.
Price is always a consideration when selecting which convention to attend, and a
major part of that cost is your hotel room. That’s where the good news comes in.
Believe it or not, the rooms at The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas are only $44 per
night, including free Internet and parking! Even when you add the tax and resort
fee, your rate is only $67.19 per night. If you share with a friend — and we all
know that’s the best way to attend a magic convention — it’s only $33.59 each
per night. The biggest reason people do not join us at MAGIC Live is that this
“unconventional convention” regularly sells out. In 2016, there were over 700
names on our wait list!
10.12.16
David Blaine: Beyond Magic. Following his critically acclaimed ratings smash David Blaine: Real or Magic, Blaine returns with his most revealing performance yet, which has been two years in the making. Blaine pulls the lid off his signature brand of street magic, sparking reactions that will leave audiences in awe and defy all expectations. Magic meets documentary in the one-hour special, as Blaine blows the minds of some of the most recognisable celebrities in the world, including David Beckham, Johnny Depp, Drake, Steph Curry, Dave Chappelle, John Travolta, Patrick Stewart, Emma Stone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others. Monday 12th December on Channel 4. See TV Magic. 10.12.16
Monday Morning Magic
at The Magic Circle. A brand new show
designed for families during the school holidays.
Visit The Magic Circle and explore the mysteries of The Magic Circle's
Museum. See wonders of conjuring right under your nose as members baffle
you with their skill.
Ideal for children over eight years old. Children aged 8 to 16 must be
accompanied by an adult. Monday 13th February at 11.15am.
Doors open 11am. This event and lasts about two hours.
Family ticket: A group of four (must include at least one child under 16
and one adult) £50 - no booking fee.
Single tickets: £18.50 plus booking fee.
Please note, if you require more than six tickets you will need to make
more than one booking. This is due to the rows consisting of 12 seats
with an aisle break in the middle and is to ensure that customers do not
book across the aisle. If you would like to book more than six tickets,
please contact
www.seetickets.com/customerservice.
Tickets from
www.themagiccircle.co.uk or
www.seetickets.com.
Venue: The Magic Circle Headquarters, 12 Stephenson Way, Euston, London
NW1 2HD (Map).
10.12.16
Magicians
Advice Podcast. Phil Taylor and Ian Brennan are joined by new
magician, Darren Pearce. Darren is starting out as a magician and has
just finished his first corporate gig where he was performing alongside
Ian. The three magicians talk about the experience of Darren’s first big
corporate gig: what went well, what he has learnt, and what he would
change next time. Let’s see how he did!
www.magicianscorner.co.uk.
10.12.16
"British
Hypnotist Jonathan Royle aims to set World Record and heal the planet on
World Hypnotism Day"
Click Here.
10.12.16
The
Good Old Days. Catch up with The Good Old Days on iPlayer, including
appearances from Johnny Hart and Victor Burnett & June,
Click Here.
10.12.16
"Magician
Katherine Mills' delivers trickery with a beguiling smile in Mind Games"
Click Here •
"Magical pair enjoy a spell on TV show"
Click Here •
"Houdini’s secrets unlocked in Hungary"
Click Here •
"Britain’s Got Talent Auditions Comes To Manchester"
Click Here •
"Australian magician Adam Mada performs in Delhi"
Click Here •
"Chris Pratt Knows The Best Card Trick Ever - The Graham Norton Show"
Click Here • "A little Copperfield magic, just the trick for
patients"
Click Here •
"Burton magician in Small Business Saturday trip to Downing Street"
Click Here •
"Magician Penn Gillette Explains Celebration of Freedom & Love of
America Story Behind 'Flag-Burning' Trick"
Click Here •
"Rick Thomas works his magic in ‘The Illusionists: Turn of the Century’"
Click
Here •
"The Illusionists – Turn of the Century review at Palace Theatre, New
York – ‘only likely to appeal to magic addicts’"
Click Here • "Busker magician blinded after street attack gets
apology from city mayor on behalf of half-a-million residents"
Click Here •
Well, that's all for another week. Thanks as always for your magic news -
see you next week, Duncan.
10.12.16