The Griffin Vol. 74 No. 2 December 2016 Free to Members Nadolig Llawen
The Christmas Social Romany’s Sequin Theatre Podcast of the Month The Chester Guild of Magicians News Reviews And More
Cylchlythyr Hud Gogledd Cymru The North Wales Magic Circular 74.2/12.2016 The Griffin
In This Issue Vol 74 No 2
18 The Christmas Social I thought that went well. 20 Podcast of the Month The Magicians’ Podcast 21 The Chester Guild of Magicians How the other half lives. 23 Profile We welcome our new President Gatling, yes again. 25 In Review
3 From the Lectern 2 reviews by Coberman Thoughts you never wanted in a way you never wanted them. 29 Competition Rules 4 Hail to the Chief(s) They’ll be here before you know it. A seasonal message from our 32 Diary Presidents, Sarah and Jay Gatling. Keep up to date on what’s happening 5 Magic News in your society and others. What’s new in the world of magic and mystery. 8 Next NWMC Lecture Taz Marlowe talks entertaining little people (not leprechauns). 9 The Sequin Theatre How to build your own performance space, Romany style. 16 From the Vault A magical Christmas Carol
2 74.2/12.2016 The Griffin
From the Lectern
year, the time of year when magicians can feel both wanted and surplus to requirements at one and the same time. How do you feel professionally at Christmas? Write and let us know! I want a letters page like in the Leader! Which brings us on to... It will soon be the New Year and time for resolutions. Do you have one yet? How about a contribution to your friendly Dear Reader, neighbourhood Griffin? It takes Nadolig Llawen, Buon Natale, 400 words to fill a page, if Happy Chrimbo, Mele everyone resolved to write a page Kalikimaka, all of which means a worth of articles this year, that Merry Christmas to you! And my would be a lot less of my inanity gift is this special bumper issue, you’d have to spade through. you’re welcome to it. Even if you’d like to write but What, I wonder is on your don’t know what to write about! I Christmas list? Many of our have a list of suggestions as long favourite magic suppliers these as my arm. Do it for your fellow days run wish lists, a simple click man! Contact the Griffin at and you can save things you like [email protected] As ever, for future purchase. But did you I remain, know with a few extra clicks most of these wishes can be shared Your Faithful Servant with family and friends? It’s food for thought and could avoid Prof. Llusern another pair of argyle socks or those strange gift sets from Boots, Pp. Tesco et al. Then there only remains one question; have you been a good boy and/or girl? Chris Baglin Christmas is the magical time of Et Salve ad Iasonem Isaacs
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Hail to the Chief(s)
were we right? Check out the review further on. Outside of all this strange time travelling it’s Christmas time! A time of joy, family and magic. So, whether you’re celebrating at home with your loved ones, travelling the country and amazing all manner of folk with your incredible skills, or planning to party the night away with friends – we wish you a very merry, magical Christmas and reetings one and all. hope that Santa brings you all the G Our December Social has new tricks you desire. just passed and I’m sure that But of course this also means further on in these very pages a that 2017 is just on the horizon, a fine review of it shall be there for new and exciting year for the you to enjoy. But for us this is a North Wales Magic Circle. It is, strange thing to write, of course, our 75th year as we are doing so and there are some before this event has plans in motion to help come to pass. Such is celebrate this the weird and momentous occasion, wonderful world of a as well as all manner of monthly spot, both great meetings lined living in the past and up. So come on down future at the same time. folks, meet up with Guess my dreams of mates, learn something being Doctor Who have new and of course most become a reality in of all have fun. We’ll some strange way see you there. (Jay). All I can say for now is: I’m sure there will be some Allons-Y! awesome magic on display and a good night will be had by all;
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Magic News
The new date of the dinner dance is 25/11/2017 please adjust your diaries accordingly
He’s Behind You One half of our President has been treading the boards across North Wales as the Spirit of the Circus in Magic Light’s 2017 Dinner Dance production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Interesting news for your diaries that highlights what a Jay, for it was he, was one of a member centred society we are. five strong company touring a The date of the dinner dance has number of venues up and down to been altered slightly due to a good reviews, one of which can member’s inability to attend the be read at www.asiw.co.uk original proposed date. Debbie informs the Griffin, “
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Magic News
crossing t’s with the aim of Mulhern and Rochelle Humes the getting everything going in the show promises a competition New Year. Perhaps even before from thirty magic acts from all the next issue of the Griffin over the world over its six week comes out. So watch our social run. The acts themselves seem to media for a bit more. run the gamut of our art from the close-up to stage illusions, The Big Issue comedy and even spook show. You might think that such a Yes, the Griffin is a Biggie this variety may make the judging of month, in honour of it being the acts next door to impossible. Christmas. 32 Interesting pages But what makes this one stand out with news, reviews, articles and is that the judges are not a panel we hope to continue to provide of miscreants or the great you with top notch content. This unwashed but rather the other is where you all come in as, even contestants themselves. That’s if you can’t write yourselves, you right magicians are judging can at least send some magicians, which means of course constructive criticism our way. that the method as well as the Please get in touch at effect can be constructively [email protected] and let judged. It may come therefore as us know how we are doing! a surprise occasionally as to who gets through to the final. The Next Great Don’t worry if you missed an Magician on ITV1 episode so far. I believe all will be The Griffin welcomes the return available on catch up, on the ITV of a primetime magic show to our Hub Type this into your browser. screens. This time it is in the form http://tinyurl.com/griffinitv742 of The Next Great Magician. On Sunday evenings on ITV1 at 7pm, Stop Press: Vanish we see magicians compete (of Magazine course it has to be a competition, no such thing as a new format) for The Griffin has just discovered their own special on the channel. that the magic word’s premier free magic magazine is going Presented by Magician Stephen monthly.
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Magic News
edited by Paul Romahny, seems to be aiming to fill the gap left by Stan Allen’s decision to end Magic Magazine’s run after twenty five years. Romahny says the current issue will continue to be free from www.vanishmagic.com with a small charge for archival issues. So grab issues while they are free.
All items are accurate at the time of going to press. We try our best but keep sometimes mistakes will creep in, please bear with us. Please address any complaints to British Airways, London Vanish magazine, which is N1
7 74.2/12.2016 The Griffin
Our Next Lecture
January 3rd 2017 group of people who volunteered their time, that travelled to Taz Marlowe different venues entertaining families and the elderly with Magic for Children magic comedy and singing. January’s monthly lecture will “Skip forward a few years I be given by Taz Marlowe of Taz became a qualified nursery nurse Entertainments. Taz and worked as a nursery nurse Entertainments are world famous and a nanny which helped me in Lancashire! Taz himself has understand how to entertain been performing magic and children and their humour.” entertaining children and adults Members: £5 since a very young age. His Visiting Magicians: £10 unique style of comedy and magic gets everyone laughing and in the party spirit. “I have been performing magic since the age of 5 thanks to a Paul Daniels magic set I got for Christmas. So I have to thank Santa for giving me my vocation in life. I performed the magic on a cardboard box in my back garden and charged my friends between 1/2p to 2p to watch the show, so I could sneakily buy some chewing gum as my mum didn’t let me have it. “I then joined the starlight concert party with an amazing 8 74.2/12.2016 The Griffin
The House that Romany Built
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The Sequin Theatre
Back in 2010 Romany, of this parish, built a theatre, The Sequin Theatre, in her house! And ever since the Griffin discovered this, we have been dying to quiz her about it! I have a lovely little theatre in my home and I really appreciate the luxury of having a permanent theatrical space to rehearse! That is impressive, and slightly eccentric. The Griffin is very jealous! What inspired you? Jeff McBride; he has his own home theatre and teaches his Masterclass students that this is a sure-fire method to improve one’s magic performance. It’s the easiest way to try out new stage material to a friendly audience video camera in place; costumes and the best way to avoid and props ready to put on/load rehearsal procrastination caused and music system ready to by HATING the idea of having to go. It’s warm, cosy and beautiful find and set up your props and and a pleasure to work in. Before costume from scratch each time. I bought this house and created the theatre, I had to rehearse in We are certainly guilty of that my one room, in a tiny space one. behind the bed with a video You too? camera precariously placed in the doorway…no wonder I never got What advantages have you around to it! discovered, rehearsal wise? It sounds fabulous, could you My theatre is set up with the take us through your process for
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The House that Romany Built
anyone who would like to have a magical fantasy world, let’s go themselves? imagine that she warbles, “Oh Firstly, I accept no darling, how marvellous, do responsibility for the scorn and whatever you like, here’s all the wrath you’re going to get from housekeeping cash, I can’t wait to see what you create!!” your wife / significant other the moment you mention that you’d Get out clause read and erm… quite like to create a magic understood! theatre in your living room! We First, I had to search for the might as well assume right now right house. I told the estate agent that she who must be obeyed that I would need a huge living might not explode with joy at the room that I could turn into a concept of velvet drapes and theatre. He obviously thought I silver spotlights… But in a was either eccentric or deluded
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The Sequin Theatre
but nevertheless showed me lots The room is L-shaped so the of houses with massive living long part is the half stage/half rooms and I bought the Sequin auditorium and the side part a Starship. You can see from the workshop/mirrored practice rather blurry picture that the space. I ordered full-length original house had a classic mirrors for the far wall and had a family living room with a large workbench built with lots of Horrendous (capital H!) flowery storage space underneath for wallpaper and a nasty, nasty green tools, sewing machine and storage carpet. Decorators came the day I boxes of material. Shelves on the moved in and painted every wall opposite side hold props, tricks in white; the hideous purple flowers the making and smaller boxes of had to go! I tore up the vile green screws etc. I have a large carpet and stripped and varnished wardrobe rack for costumes and a the floor to make a beautiful pine cups/balls table that I used to keep floor for the auditorium and hard my current act on, ready to wood base for the stage. rehearse, again one of Jeff’s
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The House that Romany Built
teachings. up in the inside of the theatre wall The walls of the theatre are and plug straight into the standard hung with good quality black electrical sockets on the velvet. Simple to do, we made wall. The final touch was some wooden brackets on the walls that vintage ruby red theatre curtains hold 2 x 4 lengths of wood. The with a touch of gold fringing with velvet is staple gunned to the I found on e-bay and altered to wood and the whole panel can be fit. easily taken down if not That’s it! Very simple! How needed. The back and sidewalls you design the auditorium is up are solid velvet panels with the to you. Mine is rather like an old side opening on to ‘backstage’ fashioned parlour with a having 2 panels for easy access. Chesterfield sofa, antiques, I bought the new LED types of Moroccan lights and spotlight because they have the cushions. You can bring as many advantage of keeping cool. They chairs in as necessary but I hang on a simple curtain pole put usually keep the room quite
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The Sequin Theatre
empty so that I can leave the night. video camera ready to record my How about as a performance rehearsals. space? So there you are, home theatre, It was only last Christmas that a great pleasure and a really we started using it! A lady around valuable performance the corner asked if she could tool. Hoorah!!! bring her friends round for a Wondrous! Now you’ve had it in show. She did, ‘twas fun, so she place for a few years. How is it brought another four groups working out? around... since then we've done It's a brilliant idea for a low risk twenty. However, it's a lot of place to practice material and work. I make £300 for the night doing a whole 2 x 45 mins in one but you have to clean the whole
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The House that Romany Built
house, fix drinks, clear up AND madness? do a whole night's show AND The jury's still out! market and sell the night. Ouch! So now, I’m not planning any Another enormous thank you more since I’m putting all my energy and time into this book. from the Griffin to Romany. However, my partner, Walkabout, Look out for her memoire really enjoyed it so he's now which will be published next suggesting that he helps me year (It will be worth the market the show to bigger wait, trust your Griffin!) theatres. So, stroke of genius or touch of
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From the Vault
Being a random selection of articles from the history of the Griffin,, these are produced as near to the original as feasible.. This article is an uncredited Christmas Carol A Magical Christmas Carol To be sung to the well known 5 Linking Rings tune:- 4 Coins across 3 French drops On the first day of Christmas a 2 Appearing doves, magician taught to me, And the Ghost Count by Alex The Ghost Count by Alex Elmsley. Elmsley. On the sixth day of Christmas a On the second day of Christmas magician taught to me, a magician taught to me, 6 False knots 2 Appearing doves, 5 Linking Rings And the Ghost Count by Alex 4 Coins across Elmsley. 3 French drops On the third day of Christmas a 2 Appearing doves, magician taught to me, And the Ghost Count by Alex 3 French drops Elmsley. 2 Appearing doves, On the seventh day of And the Ghost Count by Alex Christmas a magician taught to Elmsley. me, On the fourth day of Christmas 7 Silk productions a magician taught to me, 6 False knots 4 Coins across 5 Linking Rings 3 French drops 4 Coins across 2 Appearing doves, 3 French drops And the Ghost Count by Alex 2 Appearing doves, Elmsley. And the Ghost Count by Alex Elmsley. On the fifth day of Christmas a magician taught to me,
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Griffin Vol 63 No 1 DEC 2004
On the eighth day of Christmas On the eleventh day of a magician taught to me, Christmas a magician taught to 8 Cards to wallet me, 7 Silk productions 11 Colour changes 6 False knots 10 Double lifts 5 Linking Rings 9 Paddle moves 4 Coins across 8 Cards to wallet 3 French drops 7 Silk productions 2 Appearing doves, 6 False knots And the Ghost Count by Alex 5 Linking Rings Elmsley. 4 Coins across 3 French drops On the ninth day of Christmas a 2 Appearing doves, magician taught to me, And the Ghost Count by Alex 9 Paddle moves Elmsley. 8 Cards to wallet 7 Silk productions On the twelfth day of Christmas 6 False knots a magician taught to me, 5 Linking Rings 12 Ambitious phases 4 Coins across 11 Colour changes 3 French drops 10 Double lifts 2 Appearing doves, 9 Paddle moves And the Ghost Count by Alex 8 Cards to wallet Elmsley. 7 Silk productions 6 False knots On the tenth day of Christmas a 5 Linking Rings magician taught to me, 4 Coins across 10 Double lifts 3 French drops 9 Paddle moves 2 Appearing doves, 8 Cards to wallet And the Ghost Count by Alex 7 Silk productions Elmsley. 6 False knots 5 Linking Rings Do you have any articles or old 4 Coins across editions of the Griffin. We’d love 3 French drops to see them. Get in touch through 2 Appearing doves, [email protected] And the Ghost Count by Alex Elmsley. 17 74.2/12.2016 The Griffin
The Christmas Social
for the benefit of all. After a few words from President Gatling (J.), Steve Ashcroft was the first up to bat. He opened with a short but sweet card under glass effect, moving seamlessly on to an ambitious card routine, then a lovely signed card to wallet before finally culminating in an Omnideck reveal in the hands of not one but two of his audience. Then Jay returned with a nice poker themed packet effect. Next was a very nice think of a card/ Ever want more from your ACAAN which was very nearly magic club? It is difficult with the scuppered by the choice of 51 as North Wales magical diaspora the number! But fair play to the spread so thinly for simple things Prez he went with it and found like debate, mentoring or even the named card at the last but one conversation. So this month the placement. Then was what we NWMC put the social back in learn elsewhere in this issue is society with a Christmas party. one of his go-to effects (see page Christmas time, Mistletoe and 23) a multiphase Rubik’s cube wi-- Shloer . A fun night of socialising and chatter, with lots of food and fun. The December meeting was a nice change of pace for the NWMC and well attended, considering the time of year, with almost half the membership there. Of course the lure of mince pies and seasonal chocolates can’t have hurt either. There was also a little bit of entertainment with a few of the regulars stepping up to the crease
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The Christmas Social
the way. But this was not an ordinary show and tell evening. It was also a social one with refreshments before Christmas. There were some fabulous mince pies, faux champagne (most were driving and it was a school night too!) and a great opportunity to chat and catch up with others. Conversations/debates The Griffin heard covered favourite acts on The Next Great Magician, suitable self working effects, effect where, essentially the fees for events, and Mike’s solving gets faster and faster until holiday! the solving is eventually Getting to press the flesh and transferred to the hands of a share a story and opinion or two spectator. We can see why this is was a pleasant experience. A a go to effect now. Well done it very, enjoyable, relaxed evening was too. overall. Here’s to more like this Finally was a last minute in the not too distant future. substitute in the form of the Griffin editor, Chris Baglin. Our hero started with the Chicago Opener, a nice card transformation effect with a false double ending. Following this up with a quick mind reading version of the Think a Drink effect, before finally a blank card transformation where a signed blank card is transformed into a copy of a selected card. A card heavy evening as it turned out but not without some interesting bits and pieces along
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Podcast of the month
half a chance. What are the downsides? . This podcast is accessible to the public so don’t expect any secrets to be unfolded. . That bloody awful theme tune. . It is currently on hiatus and I don’t know when it will return. Number of Episodes? . 72 currently. Split into three seasons. Highlights so far? What is it? . David Berglas, John Lenahan, . It’s a radio show made by a Debbie McGee, Fay Presto. magician for magicians and How can I find it? available to listen to at any . It is possible to find it on time, for free, from the iTunes or just type the URL internet. below into your browser and Why you should care: enjoy . When it says the Biggest Names in Magic, it isn’t http://tinyurl.com/griffinpod742 kidding. Including David Berglas, Dynamo, Derren Heard a podcast you like? Let the Brown, Graham Jolley, and Griffin know at the late Paul Daniels, to name [email protected] but a few. . The informal style means that interviewees are more open and frank about their lives, experiences and magic than They would be for Parky. . The interviewer is a working professional magician, so covers the kind you subjects you probably would, given
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The Chester Guild of Magicians
Finding out what happens in different society meetings is, I believe, important to our personal and professional development in magic. Just like going to conferences it shows us different ways of being magicians, performing and interacting with each other. It is especially useful The Griffin went recently to the when there are other societies on Chester Guild of Magicians’ our doorstep who will welcome meeting to see what it was all visiting magicians! about. There’s a whole other I was immediately made to feel world out there. welcome very quickly by several The crowds were unexpected of the members, including John and the fireworks were Jones who seems to organise the spectacular, as I worked my way whole affair. “We have quite a past the parade of Nine Ladies few new members,” he tells me Dancing and Eight Maids A- pointing them out to me “from Milking I was coming to realise beginners to the more that this was not wholly to experienced.” But regardless of celebrate the meeting of the the ability the magicians are Chester Guild of Magicians. It generous in allowing everyone to was the 17th of November and I show something if they want to. I was on my way to the Coach naturally feel I have to justify House on Northgate St. “I think myself and show a shortened they’re around the corner” said version of the three-card monte, the young lady on the door. Not as we stand around our own too promising having to find a magician’s table. We talk about group of strangers in a crowded the first card tricks we learned alehouse, but I needn’t have and swap other war stories, worried, nothing gives away the getting to know each other. The presence of magicians than emphasis of this society seems to empty, red Bicycle packets on the be on the social, and puts me in tables! mind of the sessions in the pub after our usual meetings.
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How the other half lives
But this is just one strand to this meeting, whilst we are around our magicians’ table John is away entertaining the regular alehouse punters, and calling the others over, one at a time, to show a trick and blow a mind or two. What better way is there of honing and getting tricks gig ready than practicing them in front of muggles? entertain a muggle, but these are “I want to put on a public show petty concerns, I know. soon,” John tells me “in Upton. So, the upshot is I will be back There’s a big capacity hall with a to the Chester Guild, they are a stage and a bar. With the people very friendly bunch and the we have now, I can see it going change of pace is very pleasant. really well. And Luke (another Plus it will allow me to scratch member) is going to be doing a that magic social itch more than workshop in the New Year.” once a month. There is no doubt that the Chester Chester Guild of Magicians meet Guild has ambitions. at the Coach House at 7.30 on Swapping ideas and stories with the third Thursday in the month. the other magicians was a For the next meeting see the pleasant change from a lecture/ diary at the end of this issue. competition session and the www.chesterguildofmagicians.co.uk informality and social side did appeal a lot. That is not to say it is not without its problems; the pub was particularly noisy for instance, and has no back room, snug or likewise where to adjourn for some peace. And a number of times a conversation had to be broken off as one of the people chatting was called away to
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In Profile
President Jay Gatling
Name? Jay Gatling How and when did you first get into magic? I round it to about 10 years of age, unlike most stories where the individual gained a magic kit for Christmas/birthday, I was bought a magic book from a boot fair. From this book, that was far too advanced for my age, I learnt one effect, or more precisely one sleight; the back palm. I didn’t do it very well and actually placed inspiring and visually astounding the card into position with my shows can be produced utilising other hand before production. But magic as its core. And it gives our I got a positive response from folk audiences that chance to suspend when I showed it off. So it disbelief and wonder ‘What if?’ continued into being given a copy of Magic by Post, where I bought What is your Go-To effect? many a packet trick, and thus an Honestly I don’t really have obsession began. one effect that I fall back on or What keeps you in magic? immediately think of when asked to ‘show us a trick’. I’m more Truthfully it’s largely down likely to choose the trick based on to the fact that it is now my the situation and what I have with livelihood and business. But on a me or to hand. Tricks I’m likely more personal level I love what to do are my current favourite the can be done with magic from an Rubik’s cube, manipulations with entertainment standpoint. Awe
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In Profile
a pen, Bill Abbott’s A Woman’s succeed. To put on my own Mind or if I’m feeling like really theatre variety show and to take freaking them out the 360 arm. said show to Fringe Festivals Who are your influences in and around the country. And that’s out of magic? just for now, as time goes on I’m sure more mad ideas will pop into In magic I am greatly my head. influenced by magicians such as Simon Drake, Topas and Derren What was the last film you saw? Brown all for different reasons. Conveniently enough, In part due to performance style, Marvel’s Doctor Strange, their how they present themselves on tale of a superhero sorcerer . stage and how they perform their When you hear the words the effects, with less emphasis on the book, which book comes to trick and more on the interaction mind? with the audience or a tale being told visually. Out of magic, quite Magic wise: simply, movies. I’m a huge Card Manipulations by Jean movie fanatic and love how film Hugard. As this was the book that can transport you to different I got from that boot fair. worlds and make you feel a whole rainbow of emotion. After Story wise: watching a good movie I’m Magician: The Rift War Saga always inspired to create my own by Raymond E Feist. Any of the amazing routines or stories.. Jack Reacher books by Lee Child What is your greatest or the Skulduggery Pleasant achievement to date? series by Derek Landy. Winning The Dittia Shield Best sandwich? and The Theo Speaker Cup in the Cheese and Ketchup. Of Stage Competition during the course. IBM Convention in Southport. What do you hope to achieve in the future? To continue my business in Next time– entertainment and see it grow and Entertainments officer 24 Mark Thorold 74.2/12.2016 The Griffin
Review:
mirror and a few pocket mirrors, bought from the internet, all of which have been either inconvenient, uncomfortable, or totally useless and a waste of money. But at last I have found something that works well. It's Sean Yang's 3-way mirror and it also doubles up as a portable close-up mat! It’s light, thin, and it's easy to use and carry and get this; it's also shatterproof. because it's made of high quality safety mirror. It comes in just one size, A4, and as far as I know, just like Henry Ford is reputed to have said about his Ford T motor car, "It’s in any colour you like as long as it’s black!" This is not a trick review as At first I thought I was going to such, but I want to tell you what a be disappointed with the A4 size worthwhile buy this is. and the fact that it is quite a bit For years I have been looking less springy than my trusty red for a convenient way to see what other people see, when I practise my magic. In the past I have tried any number of things, ranging from using a video camera, my wife's dressing table
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3-Way Mirror
mat, that I have uses for over 30 are a working travelling years. But then I unfolded it to 3 magician, or just a hobbyist, that times its length and I found that it is into close-up magic, and you is in fact a superb size, and the have a need to practice anytime, lack of some springiness was not anywhere, then Sean Yang's 3- such a problem. When it was way mirror will be for you. The unfolded it was easy to spread a price is around £30 but if you talk full deck of cards with the indices to your friendly magic dealer, it visible across the length of the maybe a little bit less. mat, yet when it’s refolded it fits in my briefcase. The velvet backing looks elegant, but I found that it does seem to pick up bits of lint etc., however it is soon brought back into pristine condition, with a clothes brush, or a strip of sticky tape. When it comes to the 3-way mirror function itself, which was my original reason for buying it, I found it to be both functional and convenient, it can be used as a mat and single mirror, just a double mirror, or with all 3 mirrors in use it lets you see just about every angle at one time. In my opinion it is definitely worth every single penny I paid for it. So, if you
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Review:
trick. That request caused a bit of a problem for the young man on the till, he went for the manager, she seemed concerned and asked me what I wanted them for! When I told her I wanted to do magic with them, the frown I bought a box of forks (50) at turned to a smile and she gave me the LADS one day convention, the bags free of charge. When we thinking they were a gimmick and got home I gimmicked them up, download for a metal bending as per the video instructions and trick I had seen demoed that day, am now using them for that trick but as it turned out they were just which is, fifty forks and a different Forksaken: By local magic download, so they were not the and mentalist star Mark Elsdon. bargain I thought them to be! However, as they say, "Every The last time Mark lectured at cloud has a silver lining" and it NWMC you may well remember turns out they are the perfect he told us about his love of forks for forked card in bag trick, puzzles, well in this trick Mark that I had picked up the week combines a puzzle with his knack before. for creating strong practical magic and this one can be used in On the way home from LADS both close-up and stand-up, or the we called into a McDonalds, not climax to a card magic routine. something Wendy and I have The effect is as follows; done for many years, but due to traffic diversions we needed a 1) A bag and fork are removed break, and to be honest, I had from your pocket and the bag been wondering if a McDonalds, is shown empty (I joke about or another fast food bag would always taking your own fork) give a better reason for having a then the cards are introduced. fork in that trick. Whilst in the 2) The spectator chooses a card queue I spotted that they had (any force can be used) it is three sizes of bags and offered to then shuffled back into the buy six of the middle size ones, as deck and genuinely lost, the they are the perfect size for that spectator can shuffle them at 27 74.2/12.2016 The Griffin
Forksaken
this point if you wish. readymade impossible fork on a 3) The deck is dropped into a bicycle card, you will need your paper bag that you are own matching deck. holding, it is shaken by you to The video instruction is very good "re- shuffle the cards." and includes the full method of how to make the impossible 'card 4) The dinner fork is examined and fork' object (which is easy and then you take it back and once you know the secret), and all stab it down into the bag, the details of the full routine, plus eventually piercing one single bonus handlings including a torn card. corner version for parlour, and a 5) That card is removed on the close-up walk around version. fork with the back showing to Easy to do. (even for me!) Use the spectator. the bag and fork supplied, or try 6) The rest of the cards are the McDonalds ones, and when tipped out and the bag is you need them I know someone otherwise empty. with a few forks going cheap!! ! 7) When the stabbed card is Chris O'Brien turned around it is the card COBERMAN that has been selected. "The Sit-down Magician" 8) BUT the card is now permanently and impossibly linked onto the fork! They are completely inseparable. It is a regular card and a regular fork, and the impossible object that can / should - be given away. If you sign it and stick a label with your contact info on it, Have you bought a new trick, book or it could make a good advertising magic download? Why not share your thoughts on it with your fellow magicians tool, it will be shown around and through the Griffin. talked about for ages. You can perform this Go to http://tinyurl.com/griffinreview immediately as you do get a plain Or email [email protected] brown bag included and a 28 74.2/12.2016 The Griffin
Competition Rules
7The Close up Competition magic that particular competition will be upon us again in is catering for. February. Here is a reminder of 1.5: Members in arrears with our competition rules in advance. their subscriptions will not be 1 General eligible to enter contests. 1.1: Entries will only be 1.6: Any disqualification will accepted on the forms provided be announced before the on request and must be received commencement of the next act. within the time specified. 1.7: Provision will be made on 1.2: A Competition Organiser the Entry Form for the inclusion shall be appointed at each AGM. of the effects to be performed. NB Should the appointed The Competition Organiser may Organiser wish to enter a at their discretion, ask for an competition, then a non- effect to be replaced if they competing Committee Member consider that it is not applicable to shall be co-opted to be the that particular type of Official Organiser for that event. competition. In the event of 1.3: A draw of all those who disagreement between the have entered will take place Competition Organiser and a twenty minutes before the timed performer as to suitability, the commencement of the contest. A President (or President Elect in competitor not in attendance the former’s absence or if the immediately before the previously President is a competitor in that drawn contestant commences to particular competition) shall have perform will be disqualified, the the final say on the matter. Once a vacant position being taken by the competitor’s act has been next drawn competitor. If a accepted it must not be competitor is drawn No.1 and he/ substantially altered. she is not in attendance at the 1.8: It is recommended that a time of the draw he/she will be winner one year will not be disqualified. excluded from competing in that 1.4: Guest Appearances (i.e. contest the following year non competitive) should be either (subject to the rules of that non-magical or not the type of particular contest).
29 74.2/12.2016 The Griffin
General Competition Rules
1.9: Where the Stage any kind, must not be announced Competition and Comedy either before performance or Competition are run in the same when introducing the competitor. show, a competitor attaining 1.14: Where there is a tie for highest marks in both first place in any Circle competitions, in accordance with competition, the names of such rules of both the competitions, winners in that Competition will shall be awarded each be inscribed on the Trophy and competition trophy. each of the joint winners to hold 1.10: The Circle it for an equal length of Representative in Inter Society- 1.15 The announcement of Competitions will be the winner winners and presentation of (s) of the appropriate category Trophies shall take place at the competition held within the Annual Dinner Dance. The Circle, should such winner(s) be winner(s) shall be responsible for available to represent the Circle the safe-keeping of trophies and at the time of the Inter-Society may be requested to cover the Competition. cost of any loss or damage. 1.11: Competition Judges and Trophies must be returned in a the official Time Keeper are to be clean/polished condition prior to identified and/or named to the following Annual Dinner competitors before the Dance. commencement of the 1.16: The decision of the competition. Competition Organiser is final 1.12: Each competitor shall be except as stated under Rule 1.7 responsible for setting up their 1.17 If the Magic Judge(s) of a own stage/table/props etc. Under competition feel that the standard no circumstances may a of acts is too low to be awarded competitor request the help of the the trophy, two other committee Competition Organiser, President members should be consulted and or any of the judges in a decision made as to whether to preparation or performance of award the trophy for the his/her act. competition or not. 1.13: The competitor’s titles, 1.18 The minimum times are qualifications or achievements, of
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Specific Competition Rules recommended times only, run shall be penalised as follows:- however acts will be informed that 1 point to be deducted for each a shorter act may not be marked as 30 seconds or part thereof. highly as a longer one. After 3 minutes the competitor 1.19 A warning bell will be shall be disqualified sounded two minutes before the maximum time, and any act who 4.3: Tables will be provided for is over the maximum time will be competitors but may be disqualified. supplemented by competitors' own mats, close up cases or other aids 4 Competition Rules: Close with a maximum height of twelve Up inches. 4.1: The Judging Panel will 4.4: Competitors may be consist of lay people to the ratio required to perform their act at of One to each Close Up Table; each table in turn. There will be a who will mark on entertainment maximum of four tables. only, i.e., how much he/she was entertained by the contestant. 4.5: Competitors are required There shall be at least one magical to perform seated at or standing judge at each Close-Up Table who behind the table or directly to a shall mark under three headings: spectator adjacent to the table. Effects and properties used must Skill and Technique, be those primarily intended for Strength of magical effect upon Close Up work. Large apparatus the Audience. (c) Originality in or tricks which are essentially for method of presentation. platform use are excluded, and the Magical Judges may use their use of such will result in discretion as to whether or not an disqualification. effect is suitable. If not suitable, 4.6: In fairness to other the Judges will not mark that Competitors, where more than one effect (see also 4.5). is competing at the same time, 4.2: The performance shall be music accompaniment or other not less than 8 minutes and not loud distractions are not permitted more than 12 minutes. An audible during the performance. warning shall be given after 10 That should bring you up to speed. If you minutes have elapsed. Any over- want to enter get in touch through the website or Facebook 31 74.2/12.2016
The Griffin
Next Issue
More Magic News
Eddie on The Tarbell Course
Member profile—Ents Officer
Highlights from the January Lecture
And much, much more!
Forthcoming Meetings
5th December: Liverpool Magic 4th April: Lecture TBC Circle Stage Comp. 2nd May: Mental Magic 8th December: Liverpool Mahatma Competition Magic Circle Xmas 6th June: Summer Social Social th th 4 July: Lecture – Shoot 15 December: Chester Guild of Ogawa Magicians meeting st rd 1 August: Stage / Cabaret 3 January: Taz Marlowe Competition Lecture th th 5 September: Lecture TBC 7 February: Close Up 3rd October: President’s Night Competition 7th November: AGM 7th March: Comedy Night & Children’s 25th November: The Annual Entertainment Dinner Dance and Cabaret 32