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Jim Steinmeyer: Broadway’s greatest stage illusionist, interview..

Jim Steinmeyer: Broadway’s greatest stage illusionist, interview..

When magician Jim Steinmeyer offers guests a drink they cannot be sure what they will get. One of his tricks is to pour a variety of different coloured, multi-flavoured drinks from the same container.

Since he first created it for television, it has become a popular party piece for those in the know.

But when he poured water from a jug for me in his kitchen, it was just iced water. Disappointingly, there were no tricks. Although, as someone who has spent his life devising and creating illusions, Jim has plenty up his sleeve.

Some of his latest magical creations will be among the spectacular highlights of Aladdin, the Disney musical extravaganza which opens on Broadway next week… Good interview by John Hiscock…

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New tricksters rework old tricks.. Illusionists are reinventing magic for television.

New tricksters rework old tricks.. Illusionists are reinventing magic for television.

Thanks to Bridget McManus for this article in the Sidney Morning Herald..

When David Copperfield reigned as king of small-screen magic, the ancient genre was a staple of evening entertainment and every talent quest and variety show included a budding showman peddling his bag of tricks. But since then, apart from the occasional special, and Penn and Teller’s gallant but counterproductive attempt to rekindle interest with their 2011 trick-busting contest, Fool Us, television magic seems to have done a disappearing act. In a time when digital sophistication makes wonderment commonplace, magic has been relegated to dedicated Foxtel channels and the odd entrant on Australia’s Got Talent. Even the 2014 Royal Variety Performance cut its traditional magic act, with one Green Guide reader lamenting, “What a bore. Where were the acrobats and magicians?”

However, a new breed of illusionists putting a fresh spin on old tricks has brought magic back…..

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/new-tricksters-rework-old-tricks-20140312-34kyc.html#ixzz2vohZEMFL

BBC Three for Killer Magic competition: Meet the magicians..

BBC Three for Killer Magic competition: Meet the magicians..

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The contestants taking part in BBC Three’s new competition Killer Magic have been unveiled.

The series, which will air its pilot next month, sees five contestants battling it out in a series of tasks and creating tricks to fit a different theme each week.

The magicians will score each other, with the unlucky contestant with the lowest number of points being forced to recreate one of history’s most dangerous illusions.

The five contestants taking part in the show have now been revealed as Ben Hart, Dee Christopher, Damien O’Brien, Jasz Vegas and Chris Cox.

Hart has previously been nominated for the Time Out TO&ST cabaret award, Christopher specialises in psychokinesis and mind reading, and O’Brien has performed for celebrities such as Rita Ora, Jason Derulo, Ellie Goulding and The Wanted.

Meanwhile, Vegas specialises in “burlesque, fire and freakshow” and Cox has won two Edinburgh Fringe awards and performed on four UK tours.

The Killer Magic pilot will air next month on BBC Three, with the rest of the series airing later this year.

Read more: http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/news/a557209/bbc-three-for-killer-magic-competition-meet-the-magicians-picture.html#ixzz2vofCN7IA 
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Illusionist Richard De Vere dies suddenly in Thailand…

Illusionist Richard De Vere dies suddenly in Thailand…

BOLTON illusionist Richard De Vere has died suddenly while on holiday in Thailand.

Details have yet to be released as to the cause of death of the 46-year-old entertainer, who learned his craft while a schoolboy in Bolton.

Richard, whose Mystique show ran for many years at the Pleasure Beach, in Blackpool, had been due to begin a new engagement this year at Viva showbar.

In a statement, the Pleasure Beach said: “It is with deep sadness we have to confirm that Richard De Vere has unfortunately passed away while on vacation.

“We are obviously very shocked, sad and offer our deepest sympathies to Richard’s family, his partner and friends — simply a lovely gentlemen and talent who has left us far too early in his journey in life.”..

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