Number 982 - 20th April 2019

 

Anthony Owen. The awful news of Anthony's death on Friday 12th April left his many friends in magic in total shock. It's so sad. Anthony was a gentle, kind, thoughtful man, who loved magic and was such a vital part of the British magic scene. I contacted three friends who had posted their immediate thoughts on Facebook, and reproduce their posts below with permission. Duncan Trillo. 20.4.19


John Lenahan wrote:

I never had a friend like Anthony. Before him performing was something I did alone. Sure, I’d share a bill with other comedians but my performances were my own and when they were done, there was no one really to share them with. It’s hard to share when you can’t tell the secrets.

That all changed when Anthony became my magic adviser and then partner in Monday Night Magic. He was so young back then and shy. He was so lacking in social skills my wife Caroline once said that when he came to the house for our brainstorming sessions, that she felt like a mom and Anthony had come over for a playdate. I too often felt like he was the little brother I never had. On those brainstorming sessions we would re-examine classic magic tricks or try to find effects long forgotten. Some of my fondest memories are me being on stage performing an under-rehearsed trick only to hear Anthony in the back say, “Uh oh.”

We did so much together: we ran a club, I made him be my lovely assistant when I couldn’t find anyone else, we traveled to Europe and India to witness long forgotten magic tricks, we made live shows, we made TV programs but mostly we laughed. He blossomed into a wonderful man of whom I was proud.

I of course hadn’t seen him as much in recent times but I can’t imagine life without him on the end of a telephone or a text message. He was my fount of magical knowledge and he was the first audience for a new joke. If I could make Anthony laugh, I knew the line was worth working on - and he had such a great laugh.

I last saw him only weeks ago at The Magic Circle. As he was leaving, I handed him a first draft of a memoir/magic book I’m writing.
“I’d love to know what you think,” I said.
“I’m sure you’ll be hearing from my lawyers,” he replied.

A pretty good last line.

Rest in peace brother.


Justin Monehen wrote:

I simply cannot believe Anthony is gone. So sad. I've known Anthony my entire magical life. We competed against each other in magical competitions as kids, became friends at Marvin's Magic, laughed together at magic conventions and sometimes collaborated on little projects. He was always enthusiastic, always encouraging and always made me laugh. I'm going to miss his instantly recognisable hoot of a laugh and our childish sniggering over memories of BSA. RIP Anthony. You will be so greatly missed.


Ali Cook wrote:

I’m so very sad to hear that my close friend Anthony Owen passed away on Friday. I first met him at the IBM magic convention when I was 17 and we’ve been mates ever since, for over twenty five years.

It’s a huge shock that he’s been taken from us at such a young age and I can’t quite believe it.

Anthony was the go to producer for TV magic: A multiple BAFTA winner and responsible for giving me and my friends the opportunity to have our own TV series.

We went onto make five series and a West End show - we even got to travel the world together performing street magic.

All the while we became closer and closer and have known each other for most of our adult lives. From single guys in Shoreditch, to becoming fathers and taking our kids to the swings on Sunday afternoons.

It’s such a huge loss and my thoughts are with his family and his children Carter, Miller and Tate at this time.


Uri Geller: Blackpool 2020. The Convention Team write: The first of our major headliners at Blackpool 2020 will be the incredible Uri Geller! Because of the expected interest in this man's work, we're proud to announce that this will be the first ever 'Mega-Event' that will be presented at the convention. An event so huge that it can only be presented in The Opera House Theatre. This venue would be the only place that we could possibly consider using, so that we can give enough people the chance to attend. For over an hour Uri Geller will talk about his incredible life and work, that has kept him in the public eye for nearly 50 years. Following his talk, there will be a chance to ask Uri anything that you want, during a Q&A session. This is just the first of many, many surprises that we have in store for you next year during the February 2020 Blackpool Magic Convention. To book see www.blackpoolmagicconvention.com. 20.4.19

 

Masters of Magic World Convention, May 16th-19th 2019, Italy. Derek DelGaudio, Luis Piedrahita, Juan Tamariz, Marco Tempest, Niek Takens, Dani DaOrtiz, Luis Otero, Roberto Giobbi, Stuart MacDonald, Jay Sankey, Morgan Strebler, Javier Botia, Boris Wild, Raul Cremona, DenDen, Ondřej Pšenička... and more to be announced. Reggia di VenariaPiazza della Repubblica, 4, 10078 Venaria Reale TO, Italy. See www.mastersofmagicconvention.com. 20.4.19

 

Exciting Magic Acts at Norfolk & Norwich Festival. Norfolk & Norwich Festival will return for 2019 from 10th-26th May with a programme of over 100 events spanning music, performance, visual art and literature. The festival shares exceptional arts experiences across East England and collaborates with artists – from down the road and around the world – to explore the unique physical and cultural identities of the city and country and to make art which is contemporary, international and audience-centred. This year's festival features three magic related performances:
Vincent Gambini’s The Chore of Enchantment combines deadpan reflections with jaw-dropping sleight of hand magic to expertly play with our understandings of deception, artifice and theatrical make-believe.
Fake Magic features some of the most daring, alternative and cutting edge magicians working in the UK today, presenting magicians who offer a different approach to conjuring.
Bells and Spells by Victoria Thierrée Chaplin with Aurélia Thierrée, making its UK premiere, follows Aurélia’s peculiar journey as an incurable kleptomaniac who is at the mercy of the objects she steals. Using ethereal imagery, unpredictable props and enchanting dance, this performance blends the wonderful with the strange in a surreal world of humour and illusion.

The full festival programme can be seen here: www.nnfestival.org.uk/whats-on. 20.4.19

 

Britain's Chris Cox: The Illusionists, Eldorado, Nevada. Having shattered box office records around the world, 'The Illusionists Experience' features five of the most incredible illusionists on earth: The Showman, Valentin; The Trickster, David Williamson; The Mentalist, Chris Cox; The Manipulator, Hyun Joon Kim and The Escapist, Krendl. Full of death-defying stunts, acts of breathtaking wonder and hilarious magic, 'The Illusionists Experience' will dazzle audiences of all ages. From creative producer Simon Painter and The Works Entertainment, this mind-blowing production opened on April 17th in the Eldorado Showroom at The Row, Nevada. 20.4.19

 

'Half Moon Magicians' magically morphs into to 'MC Friday Night Magicians'. Martin Cox's regular Half Moon Magicians show is changing its name to MC Friday Night Magicians. On April 26th Martin will be joined by Dave Allen, Al-Prendo and Sean Goodman at Bishops Stortford Football Club, Dunmow Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 5RG (Map). Free Parking, Bar, and you can even order a Takeaway to eat in if you like! Entry is still just £10 and the doors open at 7.30pm, with the show running from 8pm - 10pm with a short interval. To reserve a front row seat, book now! Contact Martin on 07704 152808 or email martin@comedyofmagic.co.uk. Also see www.fridaynightmagicians.uk. 20.4.19

 

Kevin Quantum: Anti-Gravity, Underbelly Festival, South Bank, London 27th - 29th April. Following award-winning, sell-out performances in Edinburgh and Adelaide, Scotland’s top magician-scientist hybrid returns to London with his levitation themed show - Anti-Gravity. Enter a space where the rules of gravity are bent and broken... Impossible illusions and levitations brought to you by the magician tutored by Penn & Teller. Having spent half of his adult life studying Physics and half studying magic, Magic Circle Member Kevin explores the exotic space where science and magic meet. Magic is real. And he’ll prove it to you! Winner 'Best Magic' Adelaide Fringe 2018. Underbelly Festival, South Bank, London, 27th - 29th April 2019. See www.underbellyfestival.com. 20.4.19

 

Dominic Twose Lecture, Tuesday 30th April for International Magic, London. In 2018, we published ‘Impromptu Secrets’ a fabulous book by Dominic Twose which is absolutely packed with gems from an experienced and knowledgeable author and magician. It was an immediate success as we knew it would be and is now well into its second print run. In his early years in magic, Dominic was a pupil of the great Fred Robinson and it clearly shows in the style and construction of his routines. In this lecture, Dominic will present and explain some of his signature card routines, as well as a debut of his Cups & Balls routine that has been in preparation for several years and previously shown to only one other magician who immediately included it in his repertoire. This is truly a lecture to look forward to for all close-up magicians. Tuesday, 30th April, from 7.30pm to 10pm. £15 Per Person. 2nd Floor, Casa Italiana, 136 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL. Bookings by email: martin@internationalmagic.com. 20.4.19

 

The MagicWeek Video Archive. This week Mississippi Magic from Paul Daniels on The Paul Daniels Magic Show from 3rd January 1987. See The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks and the occasional bonus video Click Here. 20.4.19

 

The On The Money Deck by Gavin James. RSVPMagic write: The On the Money Deck by Gavin James is one of the cleanest and cleverest mind-reading card routines currently on the market. Watch a full performance of The On The Money Deck by the brilliant Ryan Tricks on the streets of London and see the reactions that it gets at www.rsvpmagic.com. 20.4.19

 

Marc Oberon Lecture, Mercian Mystics Magic Society, Stoke-On-Trent. Chris Stokes, Secretary, Mercian Mystics Magic Society writes: The fabulous Marc Oberon will be presenting his lecture, 'Grips, Lines and Looks' at the next meeting of the Mercian Mystics Magic Society in Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday May 7th (8pm start). Marc will perform and explain many of his close-up, stage and mind-reading effects through the lens of his theory of magical choreography. There’s something for everyone; effects, methods and performance techniques that helped Marc become a FISM winning world champion. This is a rare chance to see a world class performer up close and personal. Don't miss it! (Just £5.00 for visiting magicians). The club meets at the Smallthorne Victory Club, 300 Hanley Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST6 1RE (Map). www.mercianmysticsmagi.wixsite.com. Chris Stokes, Secretary, Mercian Mystics Magic Society. 20.4.19

 

Merlins of Wakefield have loads of new items to look at over the Bank Holiday! Merlins write: Click Here to see a selection! To join our mailing list with weekly offers, discounts and news of the latest in magic Click Here. Our ‘Magic Festival Day’ is just three weeks away, and there are just a few tickets left, so if you are thinking of attending, get yours soon. Everyone who purchases a ticket will be entered into our weekly draw for £100+ worth of magic! With artists including Paul Gordon, Matricks, James Brandon, Thomas Antony, Darren Mac, Walt Lees, Mathew Tiffany, Franklin and Workshops, Dealers and Sideshows, there really is something for everyone, Click Here for details. Also, for a full copy of our latest 20 page Preview for April/May, just Click Here. Have a great Easter everyone, hope to hear from you soon! www.merlinswakefield.com. 20.4.19

 

The Mark Leveridge April Podcast. Published on the 1st of each month, this lively 30 minute magic podcast is short enough for you to be able to find the time to listen, and interesting enough to hopefully keep you coming back for more! It features Mark's thoughts and opinions on a wide variety of topics. Here's the line up for April: The show fee debate rages on, but Mark makes the case that all fee amounts have equal validity. If you never perform magic for the lay public, does that mean you should have no involvement with magic at all? We are all guilty sometimes of performing tricks that we like and not necessarily ones that our audiences like. Musicians can teach magicians much about dedication. If you could create the perfect magic convention, what would it look like? Lay people are sometimes impressed simply because they do not know the secret rather than by the skills that brought about the magic. Access to the podcast is free and available either from www.markleveridge.co.uk/podcast.php, or www.markleveridge.podbean.com. 20.4.19

 

The Repair Shop. "The team tackle a ventriloquist’s dummy, a 1920s typewriter and a precious athletics trophy that’s the last remaining memento of a much-loved father" iPlayer. 20.4.19

 

Sunday Night at the Palladium. Jimmy Carr hosts tonight's show which features the cast of the multiple Olivier award-winning Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, who perform a medley of hits from the show. The world's fastest illusionist, Hans Klok, flies in to wow the Palladium audience - and to teach Jimmy a few tricks. Comedy comes from Rob Beckett, while dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace perform a stunning routine. Also featuring Westlife's Markus Feehily, Rebecca Ferguson and the legendary Deacon Blue. (Repeat) Sunday 28th April on ITV3. See TV Magic. 20.4.19

 

"Has Britain’s Got Talent’s Stephen Mulhern been secretly auditioning on the show?" [no!] Click Here • "Britain's Got Talent: Jonathan Goodwin the Welsh magician set to wow Simon Cowell" Click Here • "Debbie McGee: Strictly star left surprised after being told Paul Daniels story live on air" Click Here • "Tribute paid to ‘awesome’ dad, actor, writer, Manston quiz master and magician Peter Corey" Click Here • "Learning About Attention from Magic" Click Here • "Dunblane magician wows judges with Rubik’s trick to land top award" Click Here • "Closely-guarded secrets to David Copperfield's magic tricks are somewhere on the Moon" Click Here • Many thanks to everyone who contributed news this week, always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan. 20.4.19

 

Back

 

© www.magicweek.co.uk