DISILLUSIONED is a brand new comedy web series about a professional magician struggling to find love, success, and respect in an art form that doesn’t really get any. Premieres November 6 on YouTube and at www.DisillusionedShow.com
Magician Franz Harary is driving through the Las Vegas of China, trying to remember the last time he did a show in the United States. “Three years ago, maybe?” he says tentatively. “I think it was some Christmas thing. Or maybe it was an Indian casino.”
As he pulls into the parking lot of a new $3.2-billion casino resort called Studio City, the gate attendant gives him a blank stare. “Do you have a pass?” he asks.
Harary is used to it. Though he’s made the space shuttle disappear, levitated Michael Jackson and filled scores of stadium shows across Asia, the 53-year-old has neither the debonair air of a David Copperfield nor the goth theatricality of a Criss Angel to mark him as a celebrity offstage. His L.A. publicist even touts him with the somewhat awkward brag: “The most famous magician on planet Earth is a guy you’ve never heard of.”
“My name’s in the computer,” Harary tells the guard with not a hint of annoyance. “Have a look.”
But now the Hollywood-based illusionist can just point to the Studio City marquee. On Tuesday, the casino opened Franz Harary’s House of Magic, a permanent, $40-million venue with a rotating cast of magicians. Read more..
http://www.latimes.com/world/great-reads/la-fg-c1-macau-magician-20151028-story.html
It’s 12 years since a tiger that Siegfried and Roy used in their Las Vegas magic show attacked Roy on stage, leaving him partially disabled.
But that has never deterred the magicians from their quest to help save rare big cats from extinction.
On Thursday, the couple helped make 12-year-old Emma Goldsberry’s wish come true when they introduced her to four tiger cubs at their SARMOTI Cubs Day at the Mirage Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
They also made her their Child Ambassador Of Conservation in a private ceremony organised by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Emma got to pet two rare white female cubs, Liberty and Maharani, who were born to mother Indira and father Svengali on August 5 as part of a litter that also included golden female Hirah and golden male Justice.
They are the newest additions to Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden at the casino. Read more and watch video at:
A top magician from the Ripon area has just scooped a major national award in recognition of his craft – and one trick in particular.
West Tanfield magician James Ward had cause to celebrate after landing the prestigious Cecil Lyle Award for Magical Innovation.
The trophy is awarded annually by the world-famous Magic Circle for what is judged to be the best trick published in its members’ magazine, The Magic Circular.
James, who is a comedy magician and children’s entertainer, won with a mind-reading routine involving the use of any borrowed banknote.
Cecil Lyle himself was one of the country’s last great touring illusionists.
Billed as ‘The Greatest Living Exponent of Magic,’ he appeared at Harrogate’s Royal Hall in September 1946.
James, who has originated almost a hundred magic tricks over the years, co-authored books on magic, and even performed on TV and radio, said the award was a huge, but wonderful surprise.Read more..
http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/magician-conjures-up-best-trick-accolade-1-7524953