Max Maven – “Thinking In Person” which forms part of the Festival of Magic at the Bridewell Theatre has now sold out. To compensate for all those Maven devotees that are unable to join him that night, Max has agreed to an intimate evening of interview, including questions from the audience, on the preceding Thursday night (November 17th) at the same location.

The evening will be one of the 5 evenings at the venue that comprise the public show element of the Festival. Monday (14/11) sees a rare re-incarnation of John Lenahan’s Monday Night Magic with guests including John Archer and Danny Buckler, Tuesday (15/11) comprises of a double bill with a gambling based show comprising of individual sets from Guy Hollingworth, Jason England and Paul Wilson followed by Pete Wardell’s one man show “Hustle”. Wednesday night (16/11) is another double bill of both Todd Landman and Quentin Reynold’s individual mentalism-based one man shows.

Booking details for all these evening shows and events can be found at The London Festival Of Magic website which, with the sliding price scale based on the number of evenings you attend, gives unbeatable value for money, starting at under £7 per event.

Always a high spot of The International Magic Convention, (18th-20th November 2011) the Close Up Competition has now reached it’s allocated number of entrants. If you wish to be added to the waiting list, for a spot in the event of drop outs, please contact georgia@internationalmagic.com.

The winning performer picked by the international panel of judges, which includes many foreign Convention organisers, wins the Kevin Reay Trophy, an invitation to the FFFF Convention in America and £1000 cash.

In the year leading up to each FISM Convention the Competition has traditionally had a very high standard and we hope that you’ll be able to join us this year for another exciting event.

Registration details for the whole Convention and other extra magical events in the same week can be found on The International Magic Convention website

Further information and registration can be found at the International Magic Convention website. We will as always be bringing you all the news and updates in the run up to both the London Magic Festival and the 40th International Magic Convention.

The Gala Show (19 & 20 November) at this years International Magic Convention – known affectionately known as “Ron’s” – once again promises to be a wonderful evening’s entertainment of magic and variety including three completely new-to-the-UK acts including a phenomenal Korean manipulator, a German act packed with unbelievable magic and surprises and an act based on one of the oldest principles in magic but brought bang up to date with a contemporary twist. We’d tell you’re their names but in this day of youtube we’d much prefer you to experience their magic for the first time live and in person in the comfort of The Mermaid Theatre rather than alone on a computer screen!

Alongside these acts premiering in Great Britain, are some old favourites from previous Gala Shows including David Williamson, Simmons and Simmons, and London’s first stage appearance of Sweden’s Tom Stone. A great evening of magic, laughter and speciality acts that you can be proud to bring your friend and families to.

Tickets available for Saturday and Sunday night – but remember if you’re planning to attend the one-off Saturday Night performance of Max Maven’s one man show Thinking in Person: An Evening of Knowing and Not Knowing at The Bridewell Theatre you will definitely need to book Gala Show tickets for the Sunday.

Tickets for all shows, the Convention and specialist seminars in London’s Festival of Magic available at The International Magic Convention website

In the week preceding the International Magic Convention, which takes place 18th-20th November 2011, the organisers are holding a series of special one-day seminars at The Bridewell Theatre to enable those with interests in particular genres of magic to spend more time with the stars of the Convention, investigating particular aspects of the art in a combination of lectures, panel discussions and Q&A sessions

The line up looks extremely strong, and will provide a great start to what is always a great convention.

Monday November 14th “Marketing for Magicians” with Bob Yelland.

Tuesday November 15th “Advanced Card Technique” with Jason England, Guy Hollingworth, Ben Earl and Paul Wilson.

Wednesday November 16th “Mentalism” with Andy Nyman, Luke Jermay, Paul Stockman and Mark Elsdon.

Thursday November 17th “Making Magic Meaningful” with Eugene Burger and Larry Hass.

Friday November 18th “Creativity” with Tom Stone, Mark Setteducati and Angelo Carbone.

Each day the doors will open at 10.30am, with the first event starting at 11am and ending at approximately 4.30pm. The price for one seminar is £30, two – £50, three – £65, 4 – £75 and all 5 for £80.

You can book directly and find out more information by visiting the main International Magic Convention website

For the last few years the ultimate event of the Sunday daytime of The International Magic Convention which takes place on 18th-20th November 2011 has been the presentation of the David Berglas International Magic Award. Always a closely guarded secret the recipients over the last few years include Uri Geller, David Copperfield and Juan Tamariz, all of whom have been happy to answer questions from the assembled audience at The Mermaid Theatre in London following the presentation.

The surprise element of who the recipient is going to be has always created an incredible buzz in the theatre leading up to the proceedings and some of our most cherished memories of the Convention. Once again David Berglas has another amazing event planned for this year, and once again we’d like you to join him and us not only for that but also many other fantastic lectures and shows to celebrate our 40th anniversary.

Further information and registration can be found at the International Magic Convention website. We will as always be bringing you all the news and updates in the run up to both the London Magic Festival and the 40th International Magic Convention.

International Magic are now accepting applications for competitors for their annual Close Up Competition which takes place on November 19th 2011. The International Convention itself runs from November 18th to 20th 2011.

Previous winners include some of the top names in close up magic; Gary Kurtz, Lennart Green, Michael Vincent, Shoot Ogawa and Marc Oberon. The winner will not only receive the Kevin Reay Trophy but also £1000, along with an invitation to the FFFF Convention in Buffalo, New York and the title of International Close Up Magician of the Year. Applicants should email admin@internationalmagic.com for details, or visit the main international magic website

Further information and registration can be found at the International Magic Convention website. We will as always be bringing you all the news and updates in the run up to both the London Magic Festival and the 40th International Magic Convention.