Number 994 - 13th July 2019

The Illusionists, Wednesday 10th July, Shaftesbury Theatre, London. What a fantastic show! MagicWeek was there for the press night and what impressed us from the get-go was just how well the show worked as a cohesive whole. The music, staging, lighting and special effects combined to turn seven individual performers into one hugely entertaining evening of magic. No easy task, but producers Simon Painter and Tim Lawson and director Neil Doward did it with aplomb. And what we really enjoyed about the whole production was that it didn't take itself too seriously. It was simply great fun and very magical from start to finish. From the playful mindreading of Chris Cox to the stunning manipulation of Yu Ho-Jin, all seven performers truly excelled. Some of these guys I've known since they were teenagers; it's so good to see how their careers have developed to the point where they are now world class stage performers.

The Illusionists, Shaftesbury Theatre, London, to 1st September. Starring: James More (The Showman), Jonathan Goodwin (The Daredevil), Adam Trent (The Futurist), Yu Ho-Jin (The Manipulator), Chris Cox (The Mentalist), Paul Dabek (The Trickster) and Enzo Weyne (The Unforgettable). Fantastic show! ★★★★★ Go and see it! Duncan Trillo/MagicWeek.

"The Illusionists review — tricks that work a treat" ★★★★ www.thetimes.co.uk [subscription].

"The Illusionists at Shaftesbury Theatre" ★★★★ www.theupcoming.co.uk.

"Live Review: The Illusionists, Shaftesbury Theatre, WC2" www.beyondthejoke.co.uk.

"The Illusionists review at Shaftesbury Theatre, London – ‘big, brash, and energetic magic showcase’" ★★★ www.thestage.co.uk.

See www.theillusionistslive.com/tour/london to book

Photos by MagicWeek. 13.7.19

"Jaw-dropping TV magic man ready for summer Bluewater residency" Click Here. Jamie Raven's residence opens this Monday, July 15th and runs to September 8th at Bluewater Lower Rose Gallery, opposite the Winter Garden. For more information and to book see www.makingmagic.co.uk. 13.7.19

Chris Wardle's 'Creating the Impossible' Lecture – Surrey Society of Magicians, Thursday 18th July, 8pm. This is a collection of brand-new material covering close-up, children's magic, impromptu items and mentalism, with the emphasis on cunning, streamlined methods. Chris will also be discussing the creative process and sharing tips and ideas for devising your own effects and making what you already do unique. Anyone who saw Chris the last time he lectured at Surrey will know they are in for an evening of practical material they will use. His ideas have appeared in books, magazines and have been used on TV, radio and on the stage. He has regular columns in both the IBM British Ring's and The Magic Circle's magazines and he is an award-winning Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star. Members are free and visiting magicians are welcome for a £10 entrance fee. The lecture takes place in East Horsley, Surrey. For full details contact Adam Mosley info@surreymagic.org.uk. 13.7.19

The MagicWeek Video Archive. This week, Penn and Teller on 'Talking Telephone Numbers' from 15th April 1996. See The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks Click Here. 13.7.19

Desert Island Desserts on Talking Tricks! We’ve washed up some of our favourite magicians, comedians and variety performers on a desert island and given them just one dessert for the rest of their lives. Find out what delicious puddings Talking Tricks alumni Paul Dabek, Ben Hart, Charlie Caper, Ava Beaux, Maggie Fayne, Magic Sam Hurst, Steve Dela, Neil Kelso, Katie Pritchard and Elliot Bibby would have if stranded on our fictional dessert island. Also, Ed Kane teaches you how to make all ten of these delicious dessert island dishes. Listen via iTunes, Podbean and acast. 13.7.19

Karl Fulves Convention 4 - today from 6pm, in London. The Karl Fulves Convention, organised by Allan Brown, is set up to honour close-up magic's greatest unsung genius and giant of magic... Karl Fulves. This highly informal event will take place from 6pm on Saturday 13th July at the Holiday Inn Express, Swiss Cottage, 152-156 Finchley Road NW3 5HS (Map), opposite Finchley Road tube station. All attendees must come with at least one magic trick from any Fulves publication that they can share with others. This year, we hope to be joined by Thomas Ellis, Paul Grayling, Jerry Mensfield and a special surprise guest who will not be named. There will be items on display from Swindle and Cheat. Free entry, very informal, no need to register, just turn up! Any questions email abrown.kfc@gmail.com. 13.7.19

Magical artist Jay Fortune has just released his final set of magician portraits. Recent work includes full paintings of Vernon (pictured), Ricky Jay and Houdini. Plus, ink portraits on old Genii magazines from 1943 of Marlo and Vernon. His limited edition Tommy Cooper print has only 5 copies remaining. And there is currently a Summer Sale of his charcoal portraits including Richard Turner, Johnny Thompson, Jeff McBride and many others for only £100. With free shipping in the UK, and with demand in Jay's original portraiture coming to the attention of galleries and collectors, now might be the best time to buy one of his magician portraits before the price goes up. Jay says he won't be painting any more magicians for a while as commissions and an expanding portfolio are taking up his time in the studio going forward. To view, visit www.jayfortune.co.uk. 13.7.19

Paul Zenon: Trust Me! Ed Fringe Preview - Smoke & Mirrors, Bristol, this Thursday 18th July at 8.30pm at Smoke & Mirrors Theatre Bar, 8 Denmark Street, Bristol BS1 5DQ (Map). From Comedy conman to cutting-edge conjurer, Hollywood to Bollywood and Countdown to La Clique - for almost 30 years Paul Zenon has brought his unique combination of contemporary trickery and streetwise stand-up to the stages and screens of around 40 countries worldwide. Now its time for Paul Zenon to perform at Smoke & Mirrors! "He has the wonderful talent of being very funny and has the brilliant skill of his magic, so he's quite unique - there isn't another performer like him" Don Ward, The Comedy Store. To book visit www.smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk/tickets. 13.7.19

The Davenport Collection website - a growing resource on magic and entertainment history. The Davenports have been accumulating magic, puzzles, jokes, novelties and related ephemera ever since Lewis Davenport founded Davenports magic business in 1898. But it was not until the summer of 2016 that this website was started. Three years on, there are 900 items available with more being added. In addition to items from the Davenport Collection, many magic historians have agreed for their conference talks to be added to the website in downloadable PDF format. Thanks are due to them all. A complete list of the 19 talks can be found here: www.davenportcollection.co.uk/content/talks.

Anyone with an interest in the world of magic and entertainment will find something to interest them. In addition, if you wish to receive an e-newsletter about updates four times a year, simply contact the Curator via www.davenportcollection.co.uk/contact/ and ask to be added to the circulation. John Davenport. 13.7.19

Magicseen Issue 87 July 2019. From the publishers: The sun may be shining and you may be about to go away on holiday, but that's still no reason to miss out on the fab contents of the latest Magicseen Magazine. Peter Turner features on a striking front cover and we are delighted that he not only chats at length to us about his work, but he also provides a cool effect for the Masterclass too. Then Caroline Ravn makes a welcome return after three years, and we get an update on what is happening in the world of one of Sweden's top magicians. We also unearth a real gem in Rory Adams, a man who consults on a range of top high profile TV magic programmes. Jez Rose offers some very interesting thoughts on how commercial close-uppers can provide more than just table hopping or mix and mingle magic, Looch reveals why strolling mentalists (yes, they do exist!) have a tougher job at times than their magic contemporaries, and there's a fascinating insight into the rise of small magic theatres in the United States. Add to this a Pros and Cons on invisible thread, loads of honest product and live show reviews, In The Phonebox, the Masterclass, and a round up of readers' letters, and you can see that there's plenty to help you keep your magic focus throughout the summer. Get your copy now from www.magicseen.com. 13.7.19

Ryan Hayashi lecture, Portsmouth & District Magic Circle. Newly installed Portsmouth & District Magic Circle President Sean Lobban writes: On Monday 15th July, Ryan Hayashi is lecturing for Portsmouth & District Magic Circle. Ryan is a FISM European Champion, has performed on 38 national television shows in 12 countries and fooled Penn & Teller. He describes his performance style as 10% magic, 90% presentation. His lecture deals with the real magic of how to be magical. Using his experience as a magical, television and FISM performer, he talks about his understanding of stage presence, speaking skills, how to structure an act and theatrical direction. He will also teach his Matrix and some of his card routines. The lecture starts at 7.30pm at Buckland Community Centre, Malins Road, Portsmouth PO2 7BT (Map). www.portsmouthmagic.co.uk. Visiting magicians welcome - £8 admission. 13.7.19

The E-Video Newsletter July 2019. Got 42 minutes to spare? Good, because that's how long it will take you to watch all of the very latest online E-Video Newsletter which is full of magic, advice and fun! Here are the contents. The Teach In - learn a neat regular deck effect that requires minimal handling. Top Tips - a simple yet effective way is revealed to display cards, predictions, envelopes etc. The Strolling Magician Unplugged - part 18 considers how to deal with kids at adult gigs. Web Offers - pay less for two entertaining TricKlip video download routines for close up. 60 Seconds To Success - how to make good use of show testimonials. The Review Corner - 'Banked' by Taiwan Ben comes under the spotlight. You can get access to all the above for as little as £2.00 via a 1 year subscription, or you can just purchase this edition on its own if you prefer. Either way it'll be 42 minutes well spent. To watch a trailer or to order, go to www.markleveridge.co.uk/evn.php. 13.7.19

Andrew Normansell: Bizarre Bazaar Lecture, The Order of The Magi, Manchester. Geoffrey Newton PRO writes: On Tuesday 23rd July The Order of The Magi presents Andrew Normansell: Bizarre Bazaar Lecture. Those who have seen Andrew perform and lecture, will know that the evening is guaranteed to be full of laughs, professional tips, and of course some top-quality conjuring. This lecture will predominately focus on Andrew’s bizarre and more spooky effects and, with exactly 100 days until Halloween, the timing couldn’t be better! You will have plenty of opportunity to rehearse the effects presented, ready for the end of October. Guests; £5 by prior arrangement with the President: magicdavidowen@gmail.com 07881 614501. www.orderofthemagi.co.uk. 13.7.19

Celebrity Crazy Cricket in the 1950s, Wednesday 24th July on Talking Pictures. "Famous faces including Jon Pertwee and Tommy Cooper play a match." See TV Magic. 13.7.19

Punch & Judy's Jamboree, Sunday 6th October, Birmingham. Paul Temple writes: We are excited to invite you to Punch & Judy’s Jamboree - a special out-of-London jolly in October! This free event will take place in the Metro Suite at the Austin Sports & Social Club in Birmingham. Amusements will include displays of Punch & Judy puppets through the ages, ventriloquist figures of stage and screen, rare archive film clips, skill share sessions, side stalls and a licensed bar, plus an auction of Punch and puppet-related articles. There is also free parking! Doors open at midday. To register now to confirm your attendance Click Here. If you would like to submit items for auction and be included in the catalogue, we recommend you contact the jamboree_team@thepjf.com ASAP with a simple description of the item(s) you wish to include and any reserve you might wish to place. There will be a 10% commission charge on successful sales to cover costs of the event. See you in October... That’s The Way To Do It! 13.7.19

Disney's Aladdin is everything you could wish for and more, dazzling audiences daily at the beautiful Prince Edward Theatre, in the heart of London's West End. Breathtaking sets, astonishing special effects, over 350 lavish costumes and a fabulous cast and orchestra bring the magic of Disney's Aladdin to life on stage. Ends August 24th. www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk. 13.7.19

"It's all done with..." some exceptional work from Amsterdam-based filmmaker Rogier van der Zwaag, Click Here. 13.7.19

Book a magic lecturer for your club today. Visit the MagicWeek Lecturers page! 13.7.19

"Dynamo blasts Britain's Got Talent panel as 'ill-informed' as he eyes up judging spot" Click Here • "Vietnamese magician sets another world record" Click Here • "The moment a teenage magician made money appear for a homeless woman on Manchester's streets" Click Here • "Poof! Science reveals how easily a magician can fool you" Click Here • "My favourite comedian by comedy magician Mandy Muden" Click Here • "'I'm so freaked out': Phillip Schofield is left in shock as Rochelle Humes falls into a trance during mind reading segment on This Morning" Click Here • "The traditional Chinese magicians calling for greater censorship of their ancient tricks" Click Here • That's it! Have a magic week, Duncan. 13.7.19

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