A reminder of dates and a threat of more sophisticated publicity material to follow shortly. A cunning marketing strategy culminating in the production and distribution of colour posters is in place and nearing fruition. Yes, full colour posters - we're not fucking about here.

The long anticipated preview and premiere of Mr Magic are rapidly approaching. If you only fancy coming once in Amsterdam, then I would suggest you attend the premiere in the Bellevue Theater on 26, 27 and 28 Feb. 2009. If on the other hand you would like to witness The Greatest Puppet Magic Show The World Has Ever Seen in a raw(ish) form, and then fully pimped and polished, come to the preview in the Ostade Theater - Ostadestr. De Pijp - on the 20th November, and then the Bellevue show too. Sorted.

September belonged to STAN. The demands of following the cheeky little fucker on a trans-continental tour meant a break in the work on Mr Magic - probably not a bad thing as I was rapidly approaching over-saturation. The highlight of STAN's latest foray into the international festival circuit was certainly Mindelact (http://www.mindelact.com/) a fabulous festival on the Island of Mindelo, Cabo Verde - a group of islands off the coast of Senegal. FIMP (http://www.fim.com.pt/) was in the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal, and was a new kind of challenge for STAN - the stage was set up outside on one of the city's busy central squares, including cars, trucks and buses rumbling around it. Perhaps some of the shows more fragile moments were compromised, but the audience was appreiciative and well focused despite the traffic. Last but by no means least was the 9de Internationale Poppenspel Festival in the exotic town of Meppel, North Holland(http://www.poppenspelfestival.nl/). Excellent theater and a wonderful audience.

Back now to Mr Magic, which has an official preview in the RISK festival in Amsterdam's Ostade Theater on 20th November (http://www.ostadetheater.nl/festivals/festivals/RISK.html) and the Premiere proper will be in the Bellevue Theater Amsterdam on the 26, 27 and 28 Feb. 2009.

Bollock-deep in foam rubber all week. One more week of full-time puppet making and then into the studio at Pick Up Club to start rehearsing. Mr Magic himself is already ready, Fredy, so I'm busy with his supporting cast. Cerberus the legless rabbit is almost done, and the as yet nameless showgirl is starting to take form. Watch this space.

In the meantime here's a preview pic. of Cerberus. I kill you! (That may or may not be a catch phraze of his.)

Mr Magic in RISK festival, Amsterdam.

Sorted.
Mr Magic will be presented on the first night of the RISK festival in Amsterdam's Oostade Theater at 22.00 on November 20, 2008. Also planning a run of Previews in September which will be over in the Pick Up on NDSM. Watch this space for details.
Actually, if you're reading this now I've probably got your email address and will be bombarding you with e-flyers when pre-show promotion kicks into top gear. You can run but you can't hide.

Mr Magic - promo blurb

Mr Magic is a washed-up vaudeville stage-illusionist and clairvoyant. A cripple and wheel-chair bound, he bridges the divide between the living and the dead, between this world and the next. His earnest attempt is to reach and communicate with the spirits of dead family and friends of audience members - however it is the spirits from Mr Magic's own shadowy past who return to torment and challenge him. As the saying goes, "You may be finished with your past, but your past is not finished with you..."

Three other characters share the stage with Mr Magic to assist with his illusions and mind reading. First amongst these is his male nurse, responsible for pushing Mr M.'s wheelchair and generally aiding his mobility. It is also his task to administer the powerful pain-killers the magician has become addicted to, to ease the suffering of his horrific injuries.Unfortunately, this medication has unpredictable side-effects, including extremely unpleasant personality disorders.

Next up is a glamorous female assistant - a Show Girl from Mr Magic's past, or perhaps just his imagination.

Lastly is Cerberus, a quadriplegic rabbit of Moldovan origin.

"Ladies and Gentlemen..." intones Mr M. "It is my honour, privilege and indeed duty to introduce Cerberus - The Rabbit from The Gates of Hell! Who will recite a passage from Homer's Odyssey..."

Long serving and legless, reluctant and resentful, Cerberus despises his own existence only slightly less than that of his tormentor and master, Mr Magic. He continues to plot escape and suicide.

Mr Magic is a one-man puppet show intended for an adult audience. A magic show about the comedy and tradgedy of illusions created to hide from reality.

STAN in Purmerend

STAN is back in The Netherlands after his triumphant Bolivian tour. This included two sell out nights in the Teatro Municipal, La Paz, built in 1845, and at 3,600 meters above sea level, the height of STAN's short but glittering career in more ways than one.

Almost poetic then, but not quite, that STAN's next shows are in a car park in Purmerend. No, really. Here's the link - http://www.reuring.com/

It's June 25, 26 and 27, and is part of a historic/cultural walking tour of the city. No, really. As we'll be in a car park I may even devise some new content just for the occation. Fuckin proffesional, me, innit?

MR MAGIC

Mr Magic is go!
Looking forward to a summer of rehearsals at the Pick Up in NDSM.
Previews planned for September and Premiere in November.
Watch this space.