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Number 1214 - Saturday 30th September 2023
Save Covent Garden Street Performers Petition - MagicWeek readers: please sign this online petition, it'll take just seconds, Click Here. Petition organiser Gareth Forest writes: Save Covent Garden Street Performers: Westminster Council is threatening to stamp out affordable family entertainment in the West End, by imposing expensive, heavy handed and unnecessary licenses on Covent Garden Street Performers. A vote for licensing will see the colour and vibrancy of magicians, musicians, jugglers, clowns, artists and players swept away, replaced by empty gentrified, sanitised high streets in Covent Garden. Please read and sign this petition here: www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/save-covent-garden-street-performers [Keeping street performers free of bureaucracy is so important and part of their very being. Please sign this petition. DT.] 30.9.23 |
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Unbelievable arrives in London's West End! YouTube. Derren Brown on Friday's Newsnight (21min 30secs in) iPlayer.
"Unbelievable review – Derren Brown
presents an evening of magic by proxy"
www.theguardian.com. "Unbelievable, Criterion Theatre review - Derren Brown-directed show misses his otherworldly danger" www.theartsdesk.com
"Unbelievable review — Derren Brown goes missing in his own magic show"
[subscription]
www.thetimes.co.uk. "Illusionist Derren Brown admits he got ‘burnouty’ before new show" www.msn.com. Now booking to April 2024: www.unbelievablelive.com. 30.9.23 |
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The Magic of London - Fergus Flanagan's exceptional new showreel. Fergus Flanagan has just released a brand new showreel, produced in collaboration with Videographer Tim Burgess and Mitch Nieuwenhuizen, titled 'The Magic of London'. The video perfectly showcases Fergus's natural performing style set against a vibrant London backdrop, and in doing so captures the very essence of magic and what being a performing magician is all about. And all in a succinct 4 minutes. DT. YouTube. 30.9.23 |
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Martin Cox Tribute Show - Abbots Langley, 21st November. Andy Clockwise writes: Martin Cox was one of the UK's funniest Magicians who not only entertained audiences throughout the country, but also on Cruise Ships travelling the world. Sadly Martin passed away in November 2022 and although Martin is no longer with us in person, he is never far away from the Watford Association of Magicians in spirit. Martin was a well respected member of the Watford Association of Magicians (WAM), who hold their monthly meetings at the Henderson Hub, and won every award that they had to offer - Close-Up Magician of the Year, Stage Magician of the Year, Comedy Magician of the Year, Technical Magician of the Year... and some of these awards on more than one occasion.
Martin was very generous with his time and his knowledge, and shared many secrets of magic with his fellow WAM members. To remember the great man, the WAM committee wanted to put on an evening in tribute to him. All of the performers in the show were good friends of Martin, and shared a stage with him many times and they want to share their love of magic and Martin with you. So, bring the family and come along for a night not to be missed and join in the fun, and the laughter, as the Watford Association of Magicians present a Night of Magic in tribute to Martin Cox. Martin Cox Tribute Night, The Henderson Hub, Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire WD5 0AR on Tuesday 21st November at 8pm. Tickets are now on sale via www.ticketsource.co.uk. 30.9.23 |
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Oliver Tabor Lecture - South Downs Magicians, 4th October. Des King writes: On Wednesday 4th October South Downs Magicians will be having a lecture by Oliver Tabor. Oliver is a multi-award-winning member of The Magic Circle and International Brotherhood of Magicians; he is a British Magical Champion and had his most recent accolade in the stage category at the International FISM Championships of Magic. He has performed all around the world from the US to Australia and is one of the few UK magicians invited to lecture in Beijing. He was described by The Stage as "brilliantly different".
Visiting magicians are welcome to come along at a fee of £8. The meeting will be in the Handcross Parish Hall, High Street, Handcross, Haywards Heath RH17 6BJ. Anyone wishing to come along please contact Jonathan Cann jcann27@gmail.com 01444 230409 or 07850 917126 in advance. www.southdownsmagicians.co.uk. 30.9.23 |
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Etienne
Pradier Lecture - Ulster Society of Magicians, 2nd October. James Hobart writes: The next meeting of the Ulster Society
of Magicians
will be held on Monday 2nd October in the Marble Cedar Lounge at the
Errigle Inn, Belfast at 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start. It will be the
first lecture of the season and we are delighted to have secured Etienne
Pradier to visit the club. |
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John Carey Lecture - York Magic Circle. 2nd October. Gren Dowson writes: York Magic Circle will be holding by lecture with John Carey. John has a brand new lecture which is a must-see. The lecture has pretty much something for every magician from cards to coins, dice and mentalism. John's material is very simple yet very effective and something which almost anyone can perform. Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. There will be a cash door charge of £5 for non-members. The venue has a cheap bar with soft drinks and hot drinks available. Monday 2nd October at York & District Indoor Bowls Club (opposite Lidl), 302 Thanet Road, York YO24 2NW. 30.9.23 |
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Britain's Chris Cox can be seen once again touring with The Illusionists in 'Magic of the Holidays' tour across the US in November and December. This is Chris's 8th year touring this hugely successful production. www.magiccox.com. 30.9.23 |
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The MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week, John Wade on 'Five Magic Minutes' from 1980. See The MagicWeek Video Archive. To see more from The MagicWeek Video Archive Click Here. 30.9.23 |
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Jamie Allan on Craig Petty's Magic TV: 'Talk Magic'. Every week Craig Petty sits down and chats with a well known magician; a creator, a performer, or someone who has had a positive impact on the Magic Community. This week: "Jamie Allan: The iMagician, touring, and his extremely fulfilling career" YouTube. 30.9.23 |
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Albert's Sponges - in stock at DiscountMagic.co.uk. For the first time in the UK DiscountMagic.co.uk has the full range of Albert's Super Soft Sponges. Albert's are high-quality super soft sponge balls manufactured especially for magicians in 1.5", 2" & 3" sizes, with strong vibrant colours including Red, Blue, Green, Pink, Purple, Yellow, Black and now White and Turquoise. These sponges have a good spring and really pop visually. Sold individually from 80p each you don't have to buy boxes of sponges to get just what you need. www.discountmagic.co.uk. 30.9.23 |
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Samuel
Hurst: Magical AF! The Questors Theatre, London. From the promoter:
Straight off the stage of the Edinburgh Fringe, Sam Hurst 'the people's
magician', invites you into his world of machine-gun delivery,
infectious charisma and what can only be described as real magic. Sam is
a master of close-up magic, and his show is a non-stop thrill ride of
mind-boggling illusions and jaw-dropping stunts. |
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Improve
Your Magic and Theatre Skills with a new online course. In
collaboration with the Royal Lyceum Theatre and Edinburgh International
Magic Festival, Kevin Quantum is developing a new digital course, using
cutting edge “choose your own adventure” technology, delivering content
focusing on the areas of theatre considered most valid for magicians:
presence, character and direction. |
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James Ward, Lecture - The Modern Mystic League (Blackburn), 8th October. Events Secretary Brian Lead writes: One of the stand-out events in our 2023 calendar is a lecture by James Ward, to be held on Sunday 8th October, commencing at 2pm. All magicians are invited to join us, for a voluntary donation – refreshments included.
James is a prolific inventor of magic, with several books to his name
and a regular column, 'Collaborative Conjuring', in the Key Ring
magazine, compiled with Chris Wardle. He has received The Magic Circle’s
Lyle Award for' Trick of the Year' in The Magic Circular, and the
prestigious Hoffmann Award. His skill lies in taking simple-to-perform
effects and making them entertaining. |
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Ian Thom's Clown Lecture - Bexley Magic Society, 4th October. Andy Lettington writes: Bexley Magic Society President Ian Thom will be holding an evening on Wednesday 4th October entitled 'Clown - from history to today'. Providing a brief history of clowning as we know it - from Caveman to Clown. Doors open 7.30pm, evening starts 8pm at Bexley Magic Society, Barton Close, Bexleyheath DA6 8JP. All Welcome. 30.9.23 |
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Manchester Circle of Magicians Magic Table Top Sale, Monday 16th October. From the organisers: Free to attend and free to sell, for both members and non-members. We might only have the small room at the back. Sellers do not need to book; just turn up on the night. Each seller will be allocated one table to display their goods. Larger goods can be displayed to the side of the table if available. Both new and second-hand goods are allowed. There is a large free car park. It is a Carvery restaurant with 241 on all burger meals. There is a Lidl next door. Monday 16th October at 7pm at The Mickerbrook, Councillor Lane, Stockport SK8 5NU www.manchestercircleofmagicians.co.uk. 30.9.23 |
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Ben
Hart Jadoo A Tale of Indian Magic - tonight in Inverness. World-renowned, multi award-winning
magician and West End star Ben Hart returns to the stage in his most
personal show yet. Drawn from his experience of travelling India to
discover lost, real magic, Hart sheds his usual sleight of hand trickery
and lies in favour of stunning displays of wonderment, mysticism,
extra-sensory power, and a search for the truth... |
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Liam A Black opens The Haunting at The Kingsgate. The Haunting is a state of the art Halloween Haunted House attraction, featuring special effects, live actors, illusion, sets and costumes, covering 9000+ square feet. See www.hauntedevents.co.uk. 30.9.23 |
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Mervyn Cole's Lymington Magic Sale Day, tomorrow in Lymington, Hampshhire. Pennington Scouts Hut, Lodge Road, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 8HH. 9am for traders to set up for a 10am start on Sunday October 1st. "A day to catch up with friends and colleagues in the magic world, and to buy and sell your magic wares. Light refreshments available." For more details call Mervyn Cole on 01590 719497. 30.9.23 |
The Motion Show. Graeme Garden chairs the debating game with Gyles Brandreth, Scott Capurro, Arthur Smith and Paul Daniels. From June 2001. Tuesday 10th October, on BBC Radio 4 Extra. See TV Magic for details. 30.9.23 |
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Clive Leewarden 1932 – 2023. I am sad to report that Clive Leewarden passed away on 1 September 2023. Clive, his late wife Ann and later son Jamie ran two very successful businesses called Bond Agency & The Card Collection. Bond Agency supplied gift items to souvenir shops in castles, stately homes, and many other tourist attractions. The Card Collection established in 1969 was best known for its large range of playing card decks including specially printed gimmicked ones and also many different types of magician’s accessories. I would like to send my deepest sympathy to Clive’s son Jamie, his sister Karen and their families. Tony Curtis. 30.9.23 |
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"The London Houdini who has performed for Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair" Click Here • "I did card tricks to impress girls and wow nightclub bouncers" Click Here • "Spread a Smile awarded ‘for significant contribution to magic’" Click Here • "Could ‘NHS Magicians’ Stop Doctors From Striking?" YouTube • "The Magician Who Helped Defeat the Nazis" Click Here • "Young Magician & Mentalist Suhani Shah On Business Today" Click Here • "Cocktail magician: GN Chan has numerous tricks up his well-designed sleeve" Click Here • "Popular Branson magician makes two-show stop Sept. 29 in Van Buren" Click Here • "Magician Asi Wind's Inner Circle Sets Closing Off-Broadway" Click Here • "Alakazam! Why a Salem magicians society needs to conjure new recruits" Click Here • Many thanks for your UK magic news, always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan. 23.9.23 |