Next Monday, 4th June, Derren Brown is appearing at St George’s Hall, Bradford, as part of his ‘An Evening of Wonders’ national tour. Are there any members of the Bradford Magic Circle who will be going to see him? If so, is there a member who would care to write something about their experience of the show? It doesn’t have to be a detailed review of all the effects that Derren performs – although it could be if the reviewer wishes to do this. It could just be a few thoughts about how you saw the show and the effect that the tricks had on the audience. Anything will do. However, it would be a disappointment if Bradford had such a big magical name in the city and we couldn’t find someone to do a report of it for the Billet. If you are going and are willing to do a piece for the magazine, you can either send me a handwritten report or, preferably, type something out and email it to me. Either way, I will tidy up any misspellings, etc. I also see that on the 7th June, there is a show called ‘One Night in Las Vegas’. The blurb about this states: “Now comes your chance to see two sensational performers in action. Starring the outstanding showmanship of singer/songwriter Martyn Lucas with his Grand Piano. Featuring his debut single, “Anybody Out There”. Including songs from Phantom of the Opera, Copacabana & Dreamgirls and classics from Frank Sinatra, Sir Elton John and Michael Crawford. Accompanied by musicians from the world acclaimed British Philharmonic Orchestra who have accompanied the likes of Shirley Bassey and Michael Ball. Add to this Daniel Dean, a British Champion of Illusion, as he performs breathtaking illusions which won him the title. All this & much more assisted by the fabulous showgirls to give you the ultimate Vegas Show.” So here’s another magician to go and see, although if you didn’t look carefully you would now know this was the case. Is anyone going to this one? If so, it would be nice to have a report on Daniel Dean. Finally, those who are fans of the comedy duo, Mitchell & Webb, may have seen that they have just released a film entitled “Magicians”. Scott Penrose was magical consultant for the film. Some scenes were shot at Butlins, Skegness in front of real holidaymakers from the camp. A magic convention was re-created for the film. There are dealers, including Merlin’s of Wakefield in the dealers’ hall. There is a bar scene with magicians Nick Einhorn, Peter Wardell, Mel Harvey, Laura London & Ali Bongo. There is a scene in Davenports. Derren Brown has a cameo role and Pat Page appears a contestant in the competition – Wolfgang the cigarette manipulator. The film is directed by Andrew O’Connor, making his film debut. The web site says: "Andrew O'Connor has not taken the conventional route into directing. Voted Young Magician of the Year at the age of 18, he then spent a decade as a mainstay on mainstream TV, hosting several TV gameshows (including Chain Letters and The Alphabet Game). He also stayed in touch with the Magic Circle, becoming executive producer for all of modern magician Derren Brown's TV specials (Derren Brown Plays Russian Roulette Live, anyone?). Now he's attempting perhaps the ultimate magic trick: to not make a mainstream British film disappear as soon as it reaches UK cinema screens. O'Connor makes his directorial debut on Magicians, a low budget comedy vehicle for double act du jour Mitchell and Webb (aka David Mitchell and Robert Webb). As well as directing, O'Connor also concocted the idea - the magic goes out of a couple of tricksters' relationship when one of them accidentally kills his wife on stage - with Peep Show writers Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain." A review on the BBC web site states: "Following on from The Prestige and The Illusionist, here's another film which focuses on the world of magic. This one stars Peep Show twosome David Mitchell and Robert Webb as magical double act Kane and Allen, whose professional and personal relationship is brought to an abrupt end by a tragic onstage accident involving adultery and a guillotine. Years later, the pair are reunited - and find themselves as rivals, as they attempt to save their now flagging careers by entering a prestigious magic tournament. There's a lot to like about Magicians, especially if you're a fan of Mitchell and Webb. The pair are just as much at ease on the big screen as they are on the small, although Mitchell's awkward, nerdy Harry is ultimately the one you end up rooting for most. There are plenty of laughs to be had at the expense of their fellow magicians and their increasingly ridiculous tricks, as well as so-called "professional" psychics, courtesy of Webb's Karl trying to reinvent himself as a Derren Brown-style mind-reader, with limited success. And yet as enjoyable as all this is, Magicians ultimately feels as though it's lacking something. The jokes have a tendency either to go too far or not far enough, giving the film a somewhat uneven tone. At times you're not sure whether it's trying to be an all-out outrageous comedy or something much gentler. It's a perfectly agreeable way to while away an hour and a half - but don't expect to remember much about it in the morning. Magicians is released in UK cinemas on Friday 18th May 2007." It’s funny that films have not been made about magicians for several years, and now we have had three in the last twelve months. Again, if you go see it, please let us all know what you think about it. |
