Number
894 - 12th August 2017
The
Session 2018 (January 12th - 14th 2018) promises to be quite spectacular.
Andi Gladwin and Joshua Jay are set to host Johnny Thompson, Mike Close, Paul
Vigil and many others. With a variety of workshops, lectures, parties and plenty
of time to session (of course!), it’s no wonder that The Session has sold out
every single year. With one-off events and lectures designed specifically for
this event, The Session is not just a conference; it is a learning experience
like no other in magic. Registration is now live at
www.sessionconvention.com.
12.8.17
The
Magic Circle Dealers' Day 2017. 21st October at The Crypt on the Green, St
James Clerkenwell, Clerkenwell Close, London EC1R 0EA (Map)
from 10am - 5pm. Free for members, £5 for non-members. 25+ Magic Dealers. New
Talent area. Cafe & Social space. New Venue for 2017.
12.8.17
Len Insull Tribute Day, Little Angel Puppet Theatre, London. Austin
Phillips writes: Leonard Insull was the most prolific builder of ventriloquist
puppets/figures that England, and most of Europe, had ever seen. Originally an
Illusionist and woodworker, Insull began building ventriloquist figures in the
late 1930’s up until his death in 1974. It is recorded that from the early
1950’s to 1974 Mr. Insull made no less than 2,017 ventriloquist/puppet related
items distributed through the Davenports Magic company alone, and an unknown
amount of ventriloquist items in his time before then.
The day will be a chance for ventriloquists, collectors and admirers to come
together and learn more about this genius maker. Throughout the day there will
be performances, talks and a chance to see many of his works including some very
famous creations including the original Archie Andrews, Shorty Harris, and some
surprise guests. The day will also house the largest collection of Len Insull
figures ever to be seen! Come support this one off special day and bring along
your collection of Insull figures and stories to share. Saturday 28th October
2017, 9am - 5pm. Admission on the door £10.00. Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, London
N1 2DN (Map).
(Also see www.leninsull.com
for some amazing images and video clips. DT).
12.8.17
Mark
Elsdon: Storytelling Workshop. Saturday, September 9th, London. "Wow,
what an eye opener this course turned out to be." "From strong opening lines to
the thought provoking closing lines, this course has it all!" "A fantastic
session... the most surprising and useful Workshop I have ever done." The
Workshop is intended for magicians, mentalists, public speakers and storytellers
who want to add some depth, meaning and resonance to their performances.
Students will learn the secrets of all great storytelling and the tools needed
to learn, create and deliver stories that can elevate their performances to
another level entirely! They will also learn some incredible story/effects that
they can add to their repertoires immediately. There are a very limited number
of places available for this exclusive event. To see the full programme and book
your place see:
elsdon.blogspot.co.uk.
12.8.17
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, Johnny Hart in a guest appearance on
'Michael Barrymore's Saturday Night Out' from 22nd July 1989. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional
'bonus' video
Click Here.
12.8.17
North
Wales Magic Circle Annual Dinner and Magic Cabaret Show. Christopher O'Brien
writes: As part of our 75th Year celebrations as a magic society in North Wales,
we will be holding a special night of fun and magic at our annual dinner on the
25th of November 2017 at the Springfield Hotel, Holywell, North Wales. You can
enjoy a three-course dinner and a terrific night of fun and magic with our
compere, Thom Peterson, aka "The Amazing Guy", Michael Jordan's 'High Jinx Magic
& illusion Show' and our top of the bill, the amazingly funny Kockov, aka Jasper
Blakeley, who was such a hit with his lecture at our club earlier in the year.
Tickets are £35 for the show and a three-course meal (6.30pm for 7pm). We also have a limited number of show-only tickets available at £25 from 9pm all tickets are bookable in advance. Contact Debra Ratcliffe holywellchildcareltd@gmail.com or Chris O'Brien ctobrien1@btinternet.com. Lots of free car parking at the Hotel and if you need accommodation we have arranged a special price, for our dinner guests. Just mention the NWMC dinner discount when booking your room. We look forward to seeing our magic friends old and new. The Springfield Hotel, A55 Expressway, Pentre Halkyn, Holywell CH8 8BA (Map). www.nwalesmagic.co.uk. 12.8.17
Great Lives. Matthew Parris and Paul Daniels explore the life of Harry Houdini with his biographer William Kalush, who argues that the master escapologist may have been murdered by spiritualists. From September 2009. Thursday 17th August on BBC Radio 4 Extra. See TV Magic. 12.8.17
Urban
Voodoo Club - Sunday, August 13th, Leeds: Urban Voodoo Club's maelstrom of
magic and mindreading whips into Leeds on August 13th to stir up another frenzy
of excitement at Hyde Park Book Club. Our headliner this month is Franklin, The
Mind Magician. Steady your souls as Franklin takes you on an amazing trip into
the hidden recesses of the human mind, where closely guarded thoughts are
brought to life in incredible ways. Joined by Urban Voodoo Club hosts, Harrison
the Perceptionist and Jay George, we will even be celebrating our Chief Witch
Doctor's birthday, so there'll be more voodoo than ever to shake your thang at.
Get there early, and pack your tin foil hats! Pay what you decide after the
show. August 13th at 7.30pm. Venue: Hyde Park Book Club, 27-29 Headingley Lane, Leeds LS6 1BL
(Map).
facebook.com/uvcmagic,
twitter.com/urbanvoodooclub.
12.8.17
Andi Gladwin appeared on the American television series
Penn & Teller: Fool Us
last week. Filmed earlier this year in Las Vegas, Andi performed his "magician in
a balloon" act. He received high praise from the Vegas duo (specifically Penn)
who said that his act was "really terrific and wonderfully funny!". In the run-up
to the show, Andi was featured in The New York Times, on Penn's Sunday School
podcast and bookended the commercials running every few hours on American
television.
www.illusionist.co.uk.
12.8.17
The
Ipswich Magical Society present Beyond Belief. At the Wickhambrook Memorial
Social Centre on Saturday 2nd September. Tickets are £7.50 and the doors open at
7pm for a 7.30pm start. There is a bar, a raffle and a whole evening of stage
and close-up magic performed by the members of the Ipswich Magical Society! An
evening not to be missed. Gemma Raymond. Memorial Social Centre, Cemetery Road,
Wickhambrook, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 8XR (Map).
For more information call Gemma Raymond on 07825 561670.
12.8.17
North
Wales Magic Circle invite you to 'Magic In The Park' on Sunday 3rd September
2017. Christopher O'Brien writes: The North Wales Magic Circle is pleased to
invite you to our Magic In The Park event, which is part of our 75th birthday
celebrations. We will be providing a variety of magic and fun events throughout
the afternoon. Admission is free, and this will include our Children's
Entertainer competition, which begins at 1pm. We will be collecting donations
for 3 children's charities: Happy Faces, Chernobyl Children and Ty Gobaith.
Refreshments will be available. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing
you! Sunday 3rd September 2017 noon till 4pm at The Botanical Gardens, Grange
Road, Rhyl LL18 4DA (Map).
www.nwalesmagic.co.uk.
Christopher O'Brien.
12.8.17
Nottingham
Guild of Magicians Annual Stage and Close-Up Competition, Sunday 26th November.
From the organisers: The annual Stage and Close-up magic competition by members
of The Nottingham Guild of Magicians. This is a popular family friendly show.
Sunday 26th November at 6pm. Tickets are just £12.50 each and include a buffet
meal, contact Andrew Morrison on 07966 494 095 or Dawn May on 07772 513007 to
book. John Godber Centre, Ogle Street, Hucknall, Nottingham NG15 7FQ (Map).
Also see
www.thenottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk.
12.8.17
E-Video
Newsletter August 2017. Another month, another fun 30 minute online video
presentation from Mark Leveridge. The August edition has the following: The
Teach In - a cool and effective way to vanish any small object is explained.
Wrinkles - learn a new effect using the marvellous El Duco Wallet. It
Could Only Happen Live - a true story that reflects the challenges of
performing a kids' show outside. Web Offers - background info on two coin
routines which are reduced in price this month. 60 Seconds To Success -
an explanation of why writing a blog can be helpful for your website. The
Review Corner - the mental effect 'Key Prediction' is assessed. Access to
the full August E-Video Newsletter can be purchased for a tiny sum, or by taking
out a 1 year subscription, the individual cost per Newsletter reduces even
further! To watch a trailer, or to order your full access now, go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk/evn.php.
12.8.17
The Family Festival of Magic - Great Yarmouth, 22nd & 23rd August. From the organisers: Britain's Got Talent Stars of Magic come to Great Yarmouth for The Family Festival of Magic. Imagine a cavalcade of magicians descending into Great Yarmouth who will wave their magic wands and make your troubles disappear... well, for a few hours at least. That’s exactly what’s happening at the St. Georges Theatre and Plaza on August 22nd and 23rd as Great Yarmouth plays host to the first Family Festival of Magic. Magical folk and entertainers of all kinds will be performing their skills inside and out at the St. Georges venue on King Street with Free Entry to the daytime events featuring: balloon modellers, children's magicians, Punch & Judy, close-up conjurors and circus style performers.
TV comedy stunt man Jeff
Drayton and TV comedy magician Stevie Pink from Britain's Got Talent will
both be appearing along with Chris North from ITV's New Faces and 3,2,1.
The evening magic shows are priced at £3.00 per person and
feature these local TV stars of magic together with many
other local stars of variety, magic and wizardry.
The Family Festival of Magic is a two-day event which will be raising funds
to help the local magic clubs. The Gathering and The Anglian Magic
Society. If anyone wishes to join in the event during the two days please
contact Kyle 07982 819727. Also see:
www.magicfestival.co.uk
and www.stgeorgestheatre.com.
12.8.17
Matt
Johnson Lecture - North Wales Magic Circle, Tuesday 5th September.
Christopher O'Brien writes: Our magic lecturer on the 5th September is from Matt
Johnson. Magician, Mentalist and Escape Artist, you may have seen him on Penn
and Teller Fool Us, or Wizard Wars, Penguin Live, or any other of his many TV
appearances over the last 20 years. He's from Vancouver, Canada, but if I
remember correctly he was originally from Sheffield, England, Members and
affiliated club members £5, other visiting magicians £10 on the door. 7.30pm for
8pm start. Another lecturer not to be missed. You can see some of Matt's work on
the YouTube. Free parking. Venue: North Wales Magic Circle, St. Paul's Hall, The
Corner of St. Gorge Road & Bridge Street, Abergele LL22 7HA (Map).
www.nwalesmagic.co.uk.
12.8.17
Manchester
Circle Jumbo Auction. From the organisers: Magical Bargains Galore on Monday
14th August at Salford Masonic Hall, 41 The Crescent, Salford, Near Manchester M5 4PE (Map).
Organised by Manchester Circle of Magicians. Free for members, £3.00 door charge
for non-members. Doors open at 5.30pm and viewing commences at 6pm. Auction
commences at 6.30 pm. Star Auctioneers are Quentin Reynolds and Derek Lever.
Hundreds of items being sold many without reserve, such as DVDs, books,
close-up, kids tricks, mentalism, etc. See you there!
12.8.17
Inside
the Mind of 'Mind FX', with Michael Murray. "Phil and Ian are joined by
Michael Murray of Mind FX: The magicians talk about Michael’s life as a
mentalist, as opposed to a traditional ‘magician’, and how to present yourself
if you want your audience to believe in what you are doing. Michael talks us
through what he carries in his pockets on a daily basis; he explains the
psychology behind how he has gained his powers (as viewed by his spectators),
and how to break down pre conceived barriers between performer and spectator
regarding psychic/mentalist abilities. Michael also discusses why mentalism
might not be best suited for weddings and parties. Stay tuned to the end where
there is a discount code for Michael’s award winning book A Piece Of My Mind."
www.magicianscorner.co.uk/inside-mind-mind-fx-michael-murray.
12.8.17
Baffling
Blandford magical town walk, 4pm every summertime Sunday (until 10th
September). Discover the secrets of Blandford, both fact and fantasy, as
we illustrate this fine Georgian town's magical hotspots with stunning
illusions. Tickets £8 (£7 conc./£20 family)
from: Blandford Information Centre, Crown Hotel reception, or just turn
up on the day! (New: online discounts). Free nearby parking on Sundays at the Marsh & Ham Car
Park DT11 7AW. The walk starts from the Crown Hotel, West Street,
Blandford Forum DT11 7AJ (Map).
www.artoftheimpossible.com.
12.8.17
Adam Beeson - The Magician's Daughter. Shot on stage, a dying magician passes secrets of his act to his daughter. Fearing rivals, she disappears. Stars James Bryce. Tuesday 15th August on BBC Radio 4 Extra. See TV Magic. 12.8.17
"Champions
of Magic to Bring Holiday Illusions to Playhouse Square"
Click Here • "The 'daunting' task of being the youngest magician to
perform at Edinburgh Fringe Festival"
Click Here • "Watch magician's incredible trick using a can of Coke"
Click Here • "What sorcery is this? Teen magician performs
phenomenal tricks for the AGT judges"
Click Here • "AI Helps Magicians Perform Mind Reading Tricks"
Click Here • "Success for young magician"
Click Here • "Magician may sue after being accused of dirty tricks"
Click Here • 'A Night with Andy Normansell' is reviewed by Geoffrey
Newton this week,
Click Here • 'Magic In The Real World' What You Need To Know Before
You Quit Your Day Job by Christian Painter is reviewed by Quentin
Reynolds this week,
Click Here • "Dorset's own Magic Martin reaches the finals of
national competition"
Click Here • "Illusionist Keith Barry's 'mind games' with Taoiseach
Leo Varadkar in bid to lower Ireland's taxes"
Click Here • "Edinburgh Fringe Review: A magical evening At the
Illusionist’s Table"
Click Here • "Theatre: Derren Brown's Newcastle-bound 'greatest
hits' show gives the psychological illusionist a second chance at some
of his most spectacular magic"
Click Here • "Murray the Magician Invited Backstage at David
Copperfield’s Show at MGM Grand Las Vegas"
Click Here • "Derren Brown pays tribute to late magic mentor"
Click Here • That's it for another week. Your UK magic news is
always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan.
12.8.17