Number 941 - 7th July 2018

 

The influence of Ancient Egypt on the History of Magic. A lecture by Nacho Ares. International magic write: We have dozens of cultural references regarding magic in the time of the Pharaohs. Texts, images and traditions found in the Valley of the Nile inspired many magicians during the 19th century, when theatres and spectacles showed devices motivated for the modern Egyptomania. In this lecture on 9th July, Nacho Ares will take us on a journey from the first mentions to magic as illusionism in Ancient Egypt (2500 a.C.) to modern magicians who have employed archaeological motives and designs inspired in Ancient Egypt.

 

Don't miss Nacho's first lecture in London on this fascinating aspect of magical heritage. Lecture: £15 per person. Start :7.30pm. Venue: Casa Italiana (2nd Floor), 136 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL (Map). www.internationalmagic.com (just across the road from our Magic Shop!). Advanced booking essential - please email martin@internationalmagic.com. 7.7.18

 

IBM British Ring Convention 2018. From the organisers: Want to be involved in the I.B.M. British Ring No.25 Convention? Here is how you can be part of the fun at Southport! The deadline for applications - 30 July 2018 - is fast approaching for the Stage and Close up competitions! There are still a few spaces on each for any last minute applicants – you have to be in it to win it! Here is a reminder of what is up for grabs to contestants:


Stage Competition
1st prize of the British Ring Trophy plus £500
2nd prize of the Theo Speaker Cup plus £250
3rd prize of the Alastair Wand plus £100
Plus do you have an act you believe can win The British Ring Shield (for achieving outstanding magical excellence), the Dittia Shield (for manipulation), the Tom Harris Cup (for comedy) or the Conventioneers Trophy (for the greatest originality shown in effect, method or presentation)? These awards have a reputation for excellence as they will only be awarded if the judges all agree they have been earned! As such if a contestant is awarded the British Ring Shield they will be invited to perform their winning act as part of West End Magic at Leicester Square Theatre in London.
Contact our competition organiser Oliver Tabor now for further details on 01702 543242 otmagicfx@hotmail.com.

Close-up Competition
1st prize of the Zina Bennett Trophy plus £500
2nd prize of £250
3rd prize of £100
The ‘Rovi’ Trophy may also be awarded for the most entertaining and skilful act using cards. For further details on how to enter please contact Bill Simpson w.e.simpson@btinternet.com.

The Ali Bongo Micro Marathon of Close-up Magic – all I.B.M. members welcome to take part
Since the late and much revered Ali Bongo introduced a Micro Marathon of close up magic at the Eastbourne Convention in 2008 it has continued to be a popular and well attended part of every convention. Magicians of all levels of experience are encouraged to enter to showcase their skills to their fellow magicians in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The winner is decided by the votes of the audience. The 'Ali Bongo Memorial Trophy' is presented to the winner and all competitors receive a certificate of participation. For further details on how to enter please contact Rick Tynan: ibmbritishring25treasurer@gmail.com.

The I.B.M. British Ring No.25 are looking for young magicians to perform at Southport
Each year the Stars of the Future show is a highlight at the Convention and it is a fantastic chance for young magicians to get involved and raise their profile. Participants are still being welcomed for Southport so please contact the team at conventionteamibmbr25@gmail.com for further details of what is on offer if you would like to take part or if you know of a young magician who is interested.

 

If you would like to attend the convention and require a digital copy of the registration form or have any questions please contact the Registration Officer, Carol Tynan, at ibmbritishring25reg@gmail.com. The full registration price for members and their partners is £150, it is £170 for non-members and £75 for juniors - other rates for weekend and day tickets are available as well. See www.britishring.org.uk/convention-countdown. 7.7.18

 

Simon Drake's long-awaited lecture DVD has just been released as a limited edition. Several sources have been combined and digitally enhanced for this special presentation. Simon explains in depth many of the effects he's created for stage and screen, and unusually for a magic lecture also explores the thinking behind the stagecraft of his four decades as a performer. It also covers the TV series Simon created, The Secret Cabaret, which has now achieved well deserved cult status, and proved to be way ahead of its time. Many prominent magicians including the vastly knowledgeable Patrick Page cite it as the best TV magic ever made. This lecture is described as "a must-see", not just for Simon's fans, but any serious student of magic and illusion. For more info and to order visit www.houseofmagic.co.uk/lecture-form. 7.7.18

 

Portsmouth and District Magic Circle Jumbo Day 2018. From the organisers: Sunday 4th November 2018 at 9am. Lectures from Etienne Pradier, Brando & Silvana and Dave Jones. Buy and sell new and secondhand magic. Southern Magician 2018 competition. 1st Prize £100 PropDog vouchers, 2nd Prize £50 PropDog vouchers. Venue: Portsmouth and District Magic Circle, Buckland Community Centre, Malins Road, Portsmouth PO2 7BT (Map). For more info and to register visit www.portsmouthmagic.co.uk/jumbo-day. 7.7.18

 

Jeff McBride’s Magic & Mystery School have recently invited Jay Fortune to join their faculty after another successful UK tour (co-produced by Jay). Larry Hass, the school Dean, said "I am so pleased to say that our friend Jay Fortune has officially joined the Magic & Mystery School team as one of our Guest Teachers! Jay brings so many talents to our team. He has a long career as a magician, but he is also a fine artist, producer, agent, and deeply experienced magic teacher. His knowledge of magic and magic business is extraordinary." As Jay 'retires' as a successful performing magician after nigh-on two decades to focus on his art and writing, Jay says he has plans to work closely with the school to develop new projects and tours and constantly strive to excel in his lifelong pursuit of magic. 7.7.18

 

Become a MagicWeek Backer. As MagicWeek heads towards its 1,000th edition, and as I'd like it to continue from there to the 2,000th edition, I thought I'd introduce a 'MagicWeek Backer' scheme. Click Here to find out what it's all about. DT. 7.7.18

 

Carl Royale Lecture - York Society of Magicians. Adrian Salamon writes: After making a living from performing magic for the last fifteen years Carl will share his approach to many of his highly commercial routines, straight from his working repertoire. The lecture includes Carl's now famous Micro Cup and Ball Routine (The Gold Cup Con) magic with cards, coins, elastic bands, business cards, and fun mental magic, including his thoughts and work on using indexes. All delivered with the good humour you would expect from a working professional magician. In the lecture, Carl will also discuss his approach to adding humour to your magic routines, making effects more magical for your audience and include many stories from his time as a working pro and much much more. Wednesday 11th July at 7.30pm. Members of other societies are welcome. Door charge of £5. Please get in touch for more details gren.dowson@virginmedia.com 07515 566786. Venue: Red Lion Hotel, Boroughbridge Road, Upper Poppleton, York YO26 6PR (Map). www.yorksocietyofmagicians.co.uk. 7.7.18

 

The Mark Leveridge July Podcast. The free monthly 30 minute podcast is an interesting mix of opinion, information and advice from someone who has been a professional magician for 37 years. Mark chats with you about a range of varied topics on July's edition: Richy Roy suggests that most of us are charging far too little for our shows and Mark discusses whether he is right or not. There is a story which proves that no matter how long you have been in the magic business, there can still be things which happen to you which have never happened before. "Strolling magic is not an art, it's a service" says Paul Brook - but is he correct? There is news of a new MLM release that is a terrific, practical version of a classic plot. The mobile phone has changed the way spectators want to experience our magic. Why do lay people still fall back on cliched explanations for the magic that we do? You can access this podcast and any of the previous 66 episodes at www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php, or alternatively you can link to www.markleveridge.podbean.com from where you can also sign up as a follower and automatically receive each new edition as soon as it is ready on the 1st of every month. 7.7.18

 

Tommy Cooper Forever - Parts 1 & 2. Two-part celebration of Tommy Cooper's life and work. Three decades have passed since Tommy Cooper died, but the nation's love of this unique magician has gone on. In the second programme, singer and actress Anita Harris retraces her footsteps back to the London Palladium where she worked with Tommy. There is a return to Holland to discover how Cooper became an unlikely comedy hero on Dutch TV in the 60s. Comedian Les Dennis makes an emotional trip back to Her Majesty's Theatre to remember the night he saw Tommy's final performance. 8th & 9th July (repeat), see TV Magic. 7.7.18

 

The Hypnotist - Live & Outrageous. From the promoters: Robert Temple is returning to the road in October and November for the second leg of his 2018 theatre tour, 'The Hypnotist - Live & Outrageous'. Playing a total of 20+ dates, including Peterborough, Redhill, Scunthorpe, Torquay, Lowestoft, Weymouth, Basildon, Lancaster, Skegness, Halifax, Redditch, Robert is excited to put his fresh brand of outrageous comedy and hypnosis back into UK theatres. Co-written and directed by Kennedy. Tickets available via: www.roberttemplehypnotist.com/tour-dates. 7.7.18

 

Magic at the Barn: 15 Years of Magic - Rochford, this weekend. A unique show featuring award-winning magic, incredible illusions, secret wonders, mind-blowing impossibilities, comedy and entertainment from the past 15 years of the 'Magic at the Barn' shows. Set within the enchanting atmosphere of a 17th century barn theatre and presented by the show's creator Oliver Tabor. Witness: a levitating girl, drawn pictures that come to life, impossible mind-reading, appearing butterflies and much more, including guest performances from Christian Lee and the Card Ninja. Guaranteed entertainment for all the family! 4 amazing shows over 2 days, Saturday 7th July at 3pm & 7.30pm and Sunday 8th July at 12pm & 3pm. Tickets: £10 child, £15 adult, £40 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) via www.eventbrite.co.uk. Box office: 01702 543242. Red Brick Barn, Sutton Hall, Shopland Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1LH (Map). 7.7.18

 

Blackpool Magicians' Club Table Top Sale, 10th July. From the organisers: Blackpool Magicians Club are holding a table top sale on Tuesday 10th July from 7pm at the club's HQ: Blackpool Magicians' Club, 56-60 Caunce Street, Blackpool FY1 3NE (Map). www.blackpoolmagic.com. There is no door charge and visiting magicians and societies are most welcome to come along and enjoy our hospitality and facilities. Bar refreshments and catering will be available throughout the evening and of course you may just find a few new tricks and props. We will have a limited number of tables available to visiting magicians at £10 each. To reserve a table please contact Alan Horne on alan@childrensentertainments.co.uk for availability. 7.7.18

 

The MagicWeek Video Archive - A New Video Every Saturday! This week, Jeremy Beadle's take on Copperfield's Vanishing Statue of Liberty that will leave you asking not "how?" but "why?". From Beadle's Box of Tricks, August 1989. See The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional 'bonus' video Click Here. DT. 7.7.18

 

I Was Philip Larkin's Magician. From the producers: Andrew McGibbon talks to Professor Edwin Dawes, biochemist and beloved magician to Philip Larkin. Edwin Alfred Dawes arrived at the University of Hull to establish its Biochemistry department in 1963. There he met Larkin, the poet and university librarian. They became good friends and Edwin became chairman of the library committee, working under Larkin. But Edwin had a parallel professional interest in magic and conjuring, and Larkin was spellbound with Edwin's sleights of hand and magic skills.

Edwin wrote many notable books on biochemistry and continues with his magic, having been awarded the Gold Medal from the Magic Circle for "exemplary service to the Society or exceptional magical ability or both". He is only the ninth recipient of this award since 1926. As well as library and magic commitments, Edwin's biochemistry department at Hull University took the lead in researching bioplastics in the early 1970s, which led to the commercialisation of Biopol, a biodegradable plastic polymer chain that can be used to make disposable plastic items, a discovery later sidelined but now the subject of renewed interest. Written and presented by Andrew McGibbon. Available on iPlayer.
7.7.18

 

Basic Balloon Modelling Day, Wednesday 11th July, Surrey. Graham Lee writes: I am holding a Basic Balloon Modelling Day in Sutton, Surrey on Wednesday 11th July from 10am to 5pm. There will be four workshops during the day. Running you through all you need to know about the balloons, with a few hints and tips, while making a few basic designs and hopefully ending up making the flower design in this photo. Contact graham@balloonartwholesale.co.uk for more details, or to book visit Click Here. 7.7.18

 

Geoff Hunt. Nicky Lewis writes: It is with great sadness that we learn of Past President of the Associated Conjurers of East Sussex Geoff Hunt passed away last weekend. Details of the funeral are awaited and our thoughts are with his sister and her family. Now with Janet and Deborah. RIP Geoff. 7.7.18

 

Magic Lecturer? You may be missing out... A MagicWeek reader emailed on Tuesday: "This is not an actual news item, more of a request in response to your reminder this week to look at your lecturers page. Do you think you could write an article requesting UK based lecturers to advertise themselves on your page, or encourage magicians who have a lecture to write a piece for your main page saying they have a new lecture & give details enabling us to contact them directly to book them, or even asking lecturers to directly email the magic clubs listed on your site?

 

One of the clubs I attend has booked at least 10 people who advertise on your lecturer’s page; 9 current, & at least one who is no longer listed. I am not saying everyone was booked purely on MagicWeek’s lecture page, but many of them were. We have now exhausted the current MagicWeek lecturers list (as there are a few lecturers listed we are not interested in booking)!


In summary we want to support UK based magic/magicians, but we need them to help us do this, and MagicWeek could be the perfect platform. I am aware of the 'lecture tour' offers we receive, sometimes these are great, but these are time limited so often even if there is someone we like we can't book them, when they advertise with you this is not an obstacle! I can't guarantee every new magician to advertise the club I go to would book, but at least I could propose the ones that look good!"

 

Visit the MagicWeek Lecturers page to advertise your lecture, or to book a lecturer for your club or magic event. DT. 7.7.18

 

US websites blocked. If you've noticed that the number of US magic related links in the 'sign-off' section at the bottom of the News page have been decreasing, it's not me ‌being lazy, but all to do with recent Data Compliance rules which result in some magic news stories being automatically blocked: "GDPR compliance: US websites block UK and EU readers as new data rules come into force" www.standard.co.uk. DT. 7.7.18

 

"Kids Stuff for Magician Chris Cox" Click Here • "Working As A Science Magician Lets Me Explain Our Mindblowing, Wondrous World" Click Here • "Magician Jamie Raven welcomes in the Autumn season at The Anvil" Click Here • "Hartsville magician heads to world championships" Click Here • "Sheffield mayor Magid Magid uses 'magician' at council meeting" Click Here, and here he is: YouTube • "Sparta Stage presents magician Eric DeCamps" Click Here • "Had I won elections, I would have resigned the next day" Click Here • "Magician bringing show from Shropshire to Edinburgh Fringe" Click Here • Another beautiful weekend ahead, hope you are having fun in the sun... see you next week, Duncan. 7.7.18

 

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