Magick Words

November looks like being a vintage month for lectures here at The Lounge. On Thursday 1 November we have professional close-up and stand-up magician Andi Gladwin presenting his acclaimed lecture, plus a bonus of three new pieces!

Earlier this month Andi received The John Nevil Maskelyne Literary Award from The Magic Circle. The award is presented for “noteworthy contributions to the art or literature of magic”, so it is clear that this is a lecture not to be missed.

Here’s a small sampling of what you’ll learn:

An introduction to the Master Pushoff;

A decent helping of close-up tricks that Andi uses in his professional performances;

A full stand-up routine that fits in a briefcase, yet fills a stage;

If the audience wishes, he is also prepared to add a brief talk, with some interesting thoughts on marketing for magicians. (I trust you will wish; marketing is vital to anyone who hopes to earn a living from magic, but is too often overlooked.)

The lecture starts at 7:30 at The Magick Lounge, 82 Broad Street, Sheffield S2 5TG. Doors open at 7:11 p.m. Admission is £10, but free to paid-up members of the Sheffield Circle of Magicians.

Many of you will have been to Steve Faulkner‘s regular sell-out shows at The Greystones. On 28 October Steve will be bringing his show to The Sheffield City Hall for Fright Night.

Alongside Steve will be three more top-flight performers (all of whom have appeared on Penn and Teller’s ‘Fool Us’): Graham Jolley, perhaps the funniest mindreader I’ve ever seen, Romany, Diva of Magic, Alan Hudson, who combines situation comedy with magic… “he almost makes magic an enjoyable experience again.”

The whole evening promises to be enjoyable, unique, funny and mind-blowing. Tickets are £12 and available from the City Hall or Arena box offices. Get them now to avoid disappointment!

Just a quick note to say that David Stone is to lecture here at the Lounge on Thursday 22 November. We are anticipating a high demand so this is likely to be a ticket-only event.

News of this event seems to be spreading and quite a number of local (and not-so-local) magicians have been in touch so I thought I’d put a brief advance notice here to keep my faithful reader au courant. Watch this space for further information.

I have received an email from the Home from Home Ladies Group, based in the Dronfield area. They are holding their annual Christmas party on Thursday 6 December. The email said that they hoped to have some form of entertainment for a short time during the evening.

Obviously, I get many such emails but I thought this one worth mentioning as it could provide invaluable experience for anyone wishing to develop work in the house party area of this business. I understand that this is a popular area in the USA but remains relatively undeveloped in the UK where we tend to concentrate on corporate, hotel and restaurant work.

Sheffield’s magical communicator Steve Faulkner speaking at a major business conference.

The lady also mentioned that at their normal meetings they usually have a speaker and would be most interested to receive details from anyone who could provide this at some later date. She would like suggestions as to the subject of such a talk. I know that several local magicians have done talks for Sheffield University, and various colleges and arts organisations, as well as being featured speakers at corporate dinners and business conferences. Seems to me that this is another area that is ripe for development.

If anyone interested in either, or both, of these opportunities could contact me I’ll see that their details are passed on.