Posts.. – Page 268 – Magic Roadshow

The Mind Illusionist…

May 29, 2014 Rick Carruth

By Elizabeth Stuart for the Egypt Daily News..

Pick an animal.

Mustapha Berjaoui knows what you’re thinking.

A self described “mind illusionist”, Berjaoui, 21, this week became the first Egyptian magician to earn a Merlin, an award Tony Hassini, chairman of the International Magicians Society, describes as the “Oscar of magic”.

The majority of past honourees, which include legendary showmen David Copperfield and Siegfried & Roy, have hailed from the United States or Europe. After coming under fire in 2009 for favouring big-budget acts over magicians in small countries with fewer resources, Hassini said the International Magicians Society began evaluating magicians regionally to ensure more diversity. Berjaoui, who earned the designation “Best Illusionist”, was up against performers in 12 other countries in Africa and the Middle East….

Johnny Depp in Negotiations to Star as Houdini in Lionsgate Film (Exclusive)

May 28, 2014 Rick Carruth

Is Johnny Depp looking to pull a vanishing act?

The actor is in negotiations to star as famed magician Harry Houdini in The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero for Lionsgate’s Summit label. Dean Parisot (Red 2) is directing.

The story, which is said to be in the vein of Indiana Jones, recasts Houdini as not just a master escape artist but an investigator of the world of the occult. Noah Oppenheim wrote the screenplay, which is based on William Kalush and LarrySloman’s book of the same name…

May 27, 2014 Rick Carruth

Thanks to Yahoo TV and Press Association..

Britain’s Got Talent magician Darcy Oake has said he is grateful to get some recognition for his act, because there are so many bad magicians around that it can be difficult for people to get excited about.

Darcy is Canadian but has come to the UK to compete in the ITV talent contest in the hope of launching his career, and flew through to the live semi-finals with approval from all the judges, including known magic-hater Simon Cowell.

He said: “Magic is never really the most respected art form and it’s kind of, I wouldn’t say looked down on, but it’s like, ‘Oh right, you’re a magician, right here we go…’ Because in the grand scheme of things, there are a lot of bad magicians…

May 26, 2014 Rick Carruth

FROM card tricks on the bus to delighting millions in Hollywood – it has been a magic time for Andrew Kelly.

A shy youngster, he used to impress classmates en route to Warlingham School with his illusions.

Since then he has entertained audiences at many weddings and corporate events.

But he enjoyed an extraordinary breakthrough last month.

Researchers for American chat show host Ellen DeGeneres were so impressed by Andrew’s magic skills on YouTube they paid for him to fly over and appear on her programme.

His six-minute appearance has since had more than 1.1 million YouTube hits.

Andrew, of Ryelands Close, Caterham, said: “When I was offered the TV appearance, I thought it was a joke at first.

Read more: http://www.surreymirror.co.uk/Young-magician-wows-American-chat-host-Ellen/story-21124932-detail/story.html#ixzz32nXAg5qK

Young magician wows American chat show host Ellen DeGeneres