I was delightfully bewildered witnessing the slight of hand and uncanny trickery of magician Tony Middleton (aka Sonic) when I caught his Magic Hour back in March. Now Tony’s back with a full-on Festival of Close-Up Magic and I can’t wait to see what surprises lay in store.
The very first London Festival of Close-Up Magic will run from Friday 22 to Sunday 31 July 2016, launching with Magic and Mixology featuring Middleton and two other magicians wowing their audiences in the atmospheric surroundings of The Vaults. After that, the festival will continue with a series of performances by award-winning magicians in the plush surroundings of the Grand Royale Hyde Park hotel.
Listings are as follows:
Official Launch Night: Magic & Mixology
Friday 22 July, The Vaults
Featuring Brendan Rodrigues – Magic Circle Close-Up Magician of the Year 2016.
Sink into a world of Liquor and Legerdemain in The Vaults beneath Waterloo Station – a maze of atmospheric tunnels. Unwind with exclusive magic cocktails in the unique surroundings of The Vaults bar before or after the show and enjoy an hour with three of London’s finest close-up magicians: Brendan Rodrigues, Chris Dugdale and Tony Middleton ‘Sonic’. Performances at 7, 8 and 9pm.
Dominick Zwolinski: Konjurations
Thursday 28 July, Grand Royale London Hyde Park
Dominick has been performing close-up magic for 20 years. Over his career he’s worked with Jim Carrey, Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep and David Cameron and travelled the world – performing on the streets of Covent Garden, West End stages, football stadiums and luxury boats. Konjurations is a compilation of his very favourite pieces of magic from his long and distinguished career. Enjoy one-hour of top class close-up magic and stunning sleight of hand. Performance lasts one hour.
Chris Dugdale: Up Close
Friday 29 July, Grand Royale London Hyde Park
With 12 Royal performances to his name, and Command performances for the United Nations in New York, you know this is going to be good. Sir Richard Branson, Simon Cowell and Angelina Jolie have all been amazed by his skill and showmanship. Only in the UK for a short time, catch him in London before his 5th run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with a show of world class close-up magic and mindreading. As seen on ITV’s Penn & Teller Fool Us, BBC, NBC and CW channel. Performance lasts one hour.
Kockov: Much More Than Just a Magician
Saturday 30 July, Grand Royale London Hyde Park
Kockov, the alter-ego of award winning professional magician Jasper Blakeley, keeps audiences on the edge of their seat with fast-paced illusion, sleight of hand, tight leather trousers and a mullet almost as magical as the man himself. With a unique blend of magic, mind reading and comedy, his Russian Roulette finale has to be seen to be believed. Prepare for more than just a few tricks – this is an hour of mind bending magic with lashings of wicked humour, which has taken the Edinburgh Fringe by storm.
Suitable for ages 18+. Contains Strong language. Performance lasts one hour.
Max Somerset: Wizard of Odd
Sunday 31 July, Grand Royale London Hyde Park
Star of his own hit Sky TV series Max Magic, featured in Undercover Magic and headliner of CBBC’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Maximillian is a magician in a league of his very own. He was awarded honorary membership of the Inner Magic Circle for his services to magic, and the Magic Circle’s prestigious Carlton Comedy Award. He is currently Resident Magician at Mayfair’s Dover Street Arts Club. Performance lasts one hour.
The London Festival of Close-Up Magic will run from Friday 22 to Sunday 31 July 2016 at The Vaults and Grand Royale London Hyde Park. Tickets cost £15 to £21. Find out more at magichourshow.com/london-festival-of-close-up-magic.
The Vaults is located at Leake Street, SE1 7NN.
Grand Royale London Hyde Park is located at 1-9 Inverness Terrace, W2 3JP.
