Number
993 - 6th July 2019
Britain’s
Got Talent Finalist 2019 Ben Hart: Wonder, UK Tour 2020. Britain’s
Got Talent 2019 finalist, West End star and multi award-winning magician
Ben Hart is embarking on his debut solo tour. Expect Ben’s most
mind-blowing and exciting magic in a show that shines a light on magic,
life, the universe and the darkest corners of your imaginations. With
the simplest of props, using the objects and minds of the audience, Ben
Hart conjures an altogether new kind of magic.
Funny, subversive, often dark and always amazing, Ben has established a
reputation for always creating wonderfully alternative magic. At the age
of 16 he was awarded the prestigious Young Magician of the Year award by
the Magic Circle and is one of the youngest ever members of The Inner
Magic Circle (with Gold Star) – the highest level of the famous Magic
Circle. He was nominated for the Time Out and Soho Theatre Cabaret Award
in 2013. The star of Killer Magic, Ben Hart’s Life Hacks Hoax
(both BBC3), Now You See It (BBC1), The One Show, Len
Goodman’s Partners in Rhyme and countless other TV appearances in
the UK and abroad (his work has taken him to America, Australia, across
Europe, The Middle east, Asia and Africa).
When not performing magic, Ben invents, writes, and directs magic tricks
and illusions for TV, theatre and film. His ideas have been performed by
some of the world's top magicians and he has designed illusions for The
Royal Shakespeare Company, The Old Vic, The Globe, The Hampstead Theatre
and was the mind behind the acclaimed special effects in the west end
production of The Exorcist. Ben has also performed as part of
Impossible, one of the world’s biggest magic shows and performed in
the West End for two consecutive years with the show.
Wednesday 5th February: Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
www.eden-court.co.uk
Thursday 6th February: Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen
www.thetivolitheatre.com
Friday 7th February: Webster Theatre, Arbroath
www.webstertheatre.co.uk
Saturday 8th February: Dundee Rep, Dundee
www.dundeerep.co.uk
Sunday 9th February: Queens Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
www.queenshall.co.uk
Tuesday 11th February: Theatre Royal, Lincoln
www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
Wednesday 12th February: Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St Annes
www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk
Tuesday 18th & Wednesday 19th February: Wilton's Music Hall, London
www.wiltons.org.uk
Thursday 20th February: The Theatre, Camberley
www.camberleytheatre.biz
Friday 21st February: Public Halls Harpenden
www.harpendenpublichalls.co.uk
Friday 28th February: The Maltings, Farnham
www.farnhammaltings.com
Tuesday 3rd March: Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone
www.hazlittartscentre.co.uk
Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th March: The Playhouse, Norwich
www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk
Friday 6th March: Arts Centre, Haverhill
www.haverhillartscentre.co.uk
Saturday 7th March: The Theatre, Chipping Norton
www.chippingnortontheatre.com
Saturday 28th March: The Playhouse, Harlow
www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk
Thursday 2nd April: Corn Exchange, Newbury
www.cornexchangenew.com
Tuesday 7th April: The Castle, Wellingborough
www.thecastle.org.uk
Thursday 9th April: Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering
www.lighthousetheatre.co.uk
Friday 10th April: The Deco, Northampton
www.thedeco.co.uk
Saturday 11th April: Storyhouse, Chester
www.storyhouse.com
Sunday 12th April: The Lowry, Salford
www.thelowry.com
Wednesday 15th April: Princess Alexandra Theatre, Yarm
www.thepaaonline.org
Thursday 16th April: Carnegie Theatre, Workington, Cumbria
www.carnegietheatre.co.uk
Friday 17th April: Civic Hall, Ellesmere Port
www.brioleisure.org
Saturday 18th April: The Civic, Barnsley
www.barnsleycivic.co.uk
Sunday 19th April: Northwich Memorial Court, Northwich
www.brioleisure.org
Wednesday 22nd April: The Capitol, Horsham
www.thecapitolhorsham.com
Thursday 23rd April, McMillian Theatre, Bridgewater
www.mcmillantheatre.com
Friday 24th April: The Redgrave Theatre, Bristol
www.redgravetheatre.com
Wednesday 29th April: Theatre Royal, Winchester
www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk
Also see www.benhartmagic.com
(If you are planning to see Ben book now as some venues have already sold out. DT). 6.7.19
The
Illusionists opens tonight! This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the
jaw-dropping talents of seven of the most incredible illusionists on earth. Back
in London by popular demand for a strictly limited season this summer. The
perfect show for this summer in the West End! The Illusionists has shattered box
office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a
powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on
stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of
unprecedented proportions. Opens tonight! Shaftesbury Theatre, Limited Summer
Season, 6th July - 1st September. Starring James More (The Showman), Jonathan
Goodwin (The Daredevil and Escape Artist), Adam Trent (The Futurist), Yu Ho-Jin
(The Manipulator), Chris Cox (The Mentalist), Paul Dabek (The Trickster) and
Enzo Weyne (The Unforgettable). The Illusionists 2019 Trailer
YouTube.
"Use your illusion: the magic supergroup that tricked the world"
www.theguardian.com. See
www.theillusionistslive.com/tour/london to book.
6.7.19
BMC
International Close-up Magician of the Year. From the organisers: Blackpool
Magic Convention is very proud to announce another new innovation for the 2020
event. A world’s first Close-Up Competition will be held on a worldwide scale
with the grand final taking place on the evening of Thursday 13th February 2020
as an added event. All this is included in your Gold Card Registration and
extends your convention experience. Anyone can apply to enter, with the winners
of each heat receiving travel, hotel and Gold Card Registrations to the 2020
event, and a chance to appear at the world’s biggest magic event. For details
and dates for each heat contact the representatives on the following emails: UK
- Russ Brown
russellbrown55@hotmail.com, USA - Todd Robbins
toddrobbinsnyc@gmail.com,
Scandinavia - Gay Ljungberg
magic@gycklaren.com, Spain -Rodney James Piper
rodney@rjpentertainment.com,
France - Jean Luc Bertrand
jlb@jeanlucbertrand.fr, Asia -Casa
bimilcasa@hanmail.net, Israel - Guy Zlotnik
guy@niceguy.co.il. Six lucky applicants
will be chosen to compete in each heat with the winner jetting into Blackpool in
February 2020. Is it your time to shine? Throw your hat into the ring to make
2020 something truly amazing.
www.blackpoolmagicconvention.com.
6.7.19
The
Evolution of Magic starring Craig Christian and Elizabeth Best (As Seen On BGT).
The Evolution of Magic is a fast paced, thrilling, thoroughly entertaining show.
Starring magician and illusionist Craig Christian who has the dexterity of a
true artist. He performs miracles with just a deck of cards. His urban and edgy
style is changing the face of magic and entertainment. Elizabeth’s
thought-provoking tales of the impossible delve into the world of the unknown.
Elizabeth recently appeared on the popular ITV show Britain's Got Talent. She
shocked audiences with a terrifying audition and made it through semi-finals.
The show is packed with mind-blowing magic, mentalism, and skilful cardistry,
with fresh music and stunning lighting effects. Returning to the UK for its
fourth year, The Evolution of Magic is a must-see show in Blackpool. The
show has recently been awarded a Certificate of Excellence for its consistently
high standard of reviews.
Craig, Elizabeth and The Evolution group have just returned from Stuttgart in
Germany performing in variety theatre, and perform all over the world, but enjoy
coming back to the home of magic, that is Blackpool. The Evolution of Magic
28th June - 1st September at The Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach, 525 Ocean Blvd,
Blackpool, FY4 1EZ. Book online:
www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com also see
www.theevolutionofmagic.com.
6.7.19
London
Festival of Close-Up Magic begins... Magic settles over the capital this
summer as the UK’s foremost sleight of hand artists perform hour-long close-up
shows in a unique festival in Piccadilly Circus, see
www.magichourshow.com.
Limited to 40 seats per show, this is a rare chance to rub shoulders with some
of the giants of the close-up magic world, as seen on Penn & Teller: Fool Us,
The Next Great Magician, and France’s Got Talent, in an opulent
and evocative setting. Hosted by the 5 star Le Meridien Piccadilly, guests can
also enjoy not only the show, but further close-up magic into the night by award
winning members of The Magic Circle at Maskelyne & Cooke – London’s only
close-up magic bar.
www.maskelyneandcooke.co.uk. 11th & 12th July – Nick Einhorn. Kicking-off
the festival is Gold Star Member of The Inner Magic Circle, Nick Einhorn, who
fooled Penn & Teller on series 1 of Fool Us. 3 times winner of 'Close-Up
Magician of the Year' and F.I.S.M Award Winner he has 25 years of experience
performing for celebrities, members of royalty, and billionaires in over 20
countries around the world. He is the author of top selling magic books 'The Art
of Magic & Sleight of Hand' and 'Magical Illusions' (over 1 million copies
sold). This is a rare opportunity to be entertained by one of the busiest
professional magicians on the circuit today. Don't miss it!
6.7.19
L.P.I
(Looch Pocket Index) - Stainless Steel Edition. From
www.readmymind.co.uk:
"Back in 2007, Looch set the Mentalism world on fire by introducing the L.P.I
(Looch Pocket Index). This well designed pocket miracle maker instantly sold out
and was considered by the pro’s as one of the best pocket indexes ever made.
Over the years one of the most frequent requests from fellow mentalists was for
the L.P.I to be made available again. After years of research, discussion and
development, Read My Mind Ltd are delighted to announce that this incredible
product is finally back and better than ever! Each L.P.I has been expertly
manufactured in Stainless Steel and will last a lifetime of performance use.
Load up your L.P.I with billets, folded business cards, or even currency and it
will always be ready to assist you in producing mind blowing mental miracles for
your audiences! "I have long searched for a perfect billet index; finally the
search is over, thank you." Lior Manor. "I recently used LPI at a
convention; I like it because it is simple and can't go wrong, it worked
perfectly." Richard Osterlind. Find out more, visit
www.readmymind.co.uk.
6.7.19
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, 1991 Grand Prix FISM Champion Vladimir
Danilin on the Magic Comedy Hour from September 1991. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks
Click Here.
6.7.19
Become
a MagicWeek Backer. Thank you to everyone who became a MagicWeek Backer since the
launch of the scheme last July (see
MagicWeek
Backers). There are now over 50 backers (including a magic club),
and also our main advertisers. As MagicWeek heads towards its 1,000th
edition, and as I'd like it to continue from there to the 2,000th
edition, I introduced the scheme so that MagicWeek will always be free.
Click Here to find out
what it's all about. Backers help with the cost of projects such as The MagicWeek Video
Archive (above) and Friday's Hobnobs. DT.
6.7.19
Ken
Dyne "Confessions of a Serial Gigger".
Tony Junior, NMC Secretary writes: The
Newcastle Magic Circle proudly present an exclusive lecture on Monday 15th July: An Evening with Ken Dyne "Confessions of a Serial Gigger".
In this talk Ken will be peeling back the curtain on the business and marketing
side of getting more of the gigs that you want.
If you'd like to learn some new tricks and tips, to get yourself more bookings,
raise your fees, and perform more often, you are more than welcome to
join the NMC. This talk is suitable for all types of entertainers. For full
details, please visit our website
www.newcastle-magic-circle.co.uk.
The venue is: MagicBox, Unit 3, Strand House, Locomotion Way, Camperdown
Industrial Estate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 5US (Map).
Doors open 7pm, seated 7.30pm, lecture starts 7.45pm. End of evening is
usually 10pm.
NMC Members free. Visitors £15.00 or £10.00 if a member of another magic club.
Pay on the door.
Please feel free to email Tony Junior, NMC Secretary should you have any
questions: nmcsecretary@outlook.com.
6.7.19
The
Peterborough Society of Magicians can now confirm the final lineup of lecturers
for their Day of Magic on Sunday, 22nd September. Keith Downs writes:
Joining Nick Einhorn and Chris Rawlings will be "the lovable trickster" himself,
Steve Rowe. Steve will not only lecture but has offered to do a workshop on card
splitting. For more details contact Keith Downs on 01778 343167 or
the220@btinternet.com. Venue: The
Fleet, Fleet Way, Fletton, Peterborough PE2 8DL (Map).
Also see www.psmagicians.org.uk.
6.7.19
Opus,
from Fraser Parker, now shipping. From the makers: Opus is a 'master-class'
from Fraser released in video format, detailing his unique approach towards
creating believable mind reading. In this video project he outlines his use of
words to create shifts in perception, in order to create the impossible. This is
the first time he has allowed such an eclectic mix of some of his more exclusive
and harder to find work to be released in video format. Opus will be released on
USB as a PDF containing download links to over 50 videos and will include never
before seen methods from Fraser, as well as his latest thinking on some of his
best material from his various different, ground-breaking limited works.
As well as complete teaching and performances of each effect (except the living
& dead for reasons expressed inside the project), Fraser will also include
multiple uncut performances from the real world. This is his largest project to
date and will hopefully once and for all, silence the nay-sayers and prove that
this material is practical and can be performed within actual sets of believable
demonstrations of mind reading.
His latest name guess: The lost Name of God, exclusive to this project, will
blow your mind with its simplicity and will no doubt be Fraser's last word on
this plot. There is no jumping through letters of the alphabet or convoluted
process – just simple and direct prop-less mind reading. "Fraser Parker is
one of the finest thinkers in contemporary mentalism. If you are interested in
practical, impressive effects based on subtlety and often breathtaking
ingenuity, you will love his work." Ian Rowland. Over 3 hours of content,
including thoughts on prop-less as well as a two-part interview with Fraser. Now
shipping. See
www.fraserparker.co.uk/opus.htm for full contents and to order. Also see
www.vimeo.com.
6.7.19
Jack
Tighe - "The Adequate at The Card Table" lecture. From the organisers:
London Society of Magicians presents Jack Tighe - "The Adequate at The Card
Table" lecture. Erm...who? Jack is sure you've never heard of him but he says he
is ok with that. You might have seen him pop up on various Big Blind Media DVDs.
You might have seen him doing pointlessly difficult gambling sleights on
Instagram. He might have showed you a good second deal in the Ruskin that one
time.
His full time job is in the deliberately secretive casino surveillance business.
It's a job that gives him a lot of time to think up card tricks and practice
centre-deals. But, as a regularly featured performer for "Close Up at The Magic
Circle" and Chris Wood's "The Close Up Show", he understands that there is far
more to magic than technique (but he still thinks it's a good place to start).
He also says he is notable for being potentially the only magician working in
London who isn't an "award winning close-up magician".
In this lecture he'll teach you card tricks and moves. Lots of them. Most of
them good. A whole bunch of it will be on his upcoming DVD "When the Dealing's
Done" from BBM, but that's not due out until Blackpool 2020. If you come to the
lecture, you'll be learning this stuff while it's still underground and cool and
slow-motion and black and white.
Assurances from other people that might convince you it won't be a total waste
of your time: "Jack presents a fascinating lecture, drawing from his
unrivalled technical skill, soft touch and gambling expertise from running
security in one of the UK's leading casinos. An amazing magician, not to be
missed!" Liam Montier. "Jack is without question one of the very best
card men I have ever seen. He is also a great performer where it really matters,
with the public. Plus he's a super nice guy and his fiancee makes great
cakes..." - Chris Wood. Location: Davenport's Magic Studio (www.davenportsmagic.co.uk)
Date: 23rd of July. Doors: 6.30pm. Lecture: 7pm. Price: £10.
6.7.19
Mark
Southworth's Creative Magic Lecture, Bolton Magic Club. Paul Goodman
writes: From the creator of many magic effects used worldwide such as:
Sucker Punch, Double Cross, Shoe’t and his latest, The Box Pocket Edition. Mark
takes a different approach to normal lectures, with: 'Hands-on Teaching', 'The
Creative Process' and 'Gimmick Building', down to having a go yourself and
making some props that you can take away with you. Please bring a brand new deck
of cards. Doors open at 8.30pm on Wednesday 10th July at Bolton Magic Club, The
Doffcocker Inn, 780 Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 5QD (Map).
www.boltonmagicclub.uk.
Visiting magicians from other societies are most welcome. There will be an
entrance fee £10.00 for non-members.
6.7.19
Modern
Mystic League Auction 2019. Concert Secretary Brian Lead writes: On Sunday
14th July, commencing at 2pm, our expert auctioneer Brian Berry will be putting
under the hammer a series of lots, including the remaining books from the Trevor
Dawson collection and other magical items donated by League members. Venue: St
Silas Parish Centre, Preston New Road, Blackburn BB2 6PS (Map).
Admission free, including refreshments.
6.7.19
The Carbonaro Effect, the hugely popular TV show, is being repeated again on 4Music. "Hidden-camera magic show, with illusionist-cum-prankster Michael Carbonaro." See TV Magic for details. 6.7.19
News
Deadline reminder. Please submit news by Thursday if possible - absolute
deadline 12 noon Friday, no exceptions. DT.
6.7.19
"Newfoundland
through the eyes of a surly comedian in a green onesie? Meh, says Piff
the Magic Dragon"
Click Here • "Magician is shot in the head with a crossbow during
live performance in front of horrified audience in South Africa"
Click Here • "Where Everything's Done Proper: Dynamo"
Click Here • "Jamie Raven launches own magic theatre in Bluewater as
‘demand for magic sets soars’"
Click Here • "Magician James Phelan follows in the footsteps of
uncle Paul Daniels"
Click Here • "Photo Flash: Magician Criss Angel Begins His Broadway
Residency!"
Click Here • "The best Magician specials on Netflix"
Click Here • "Masters of Illusion come to Tahoe"
Click Here • Wayne Goodman's recent lecture at The Surrey Society of
Magicians is reviewed by Chris Wardle this week,
Click Here •
"J.J. Abrams, theater producer: First ‘The Play That Goes Wrong,’ then
two magic shows"
Click Here • And finally, not magic, but well worth seeing if it's
playing near you: "Apollo 11 review – eye-opening documentary is a
five-star triumph"
Click Here. That's all for another week. Thanks as always for
your magic news - see you next week, Duncan.
6.7.19