04 October 2015

College of Magic announces change in International Stars of Magic line-up at GrandWest

Submitted by: Fazielah Williams
College of Magic announces change in International Stars of Magic line-up at GrandWest

The College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation and host of the International Stars of Magic gala show, to be held at GrandWest from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October, 2015, has announced a change in its line-up of international performers. Renowned mentalist Max Maven and award-winning stage magician Rob Zabrecky will unfortunately no longer appear at the scheduled three night performances due to health and personal reasons.

Deceptionist Paul Wilson, star of the BBC’s The Real Hustle, will, however be joined on stage by two of magic’s greatest heroes, Guy Hollingworth and Johan Ståhl.

“We are disappointed to announce that Max Maven and Rob Zabrecky will no longer be appearing at the International Stars of Magic show. We know that these famed illusionists are as thankful as we are for all of the support they’ve received thus far, and we sincerely hope we can make it up to you at their next Cape Town performance in 2016. ” says David Gore, director of the College of Magic.

Meanwhile, preparations are well underway for Wilson, Hollingworth and Ståhl‘s star turns in the gala show, the highlight of the 2015 South African Magic Championships, a triennial event held to select the best magician nationwide.

GrandWest, the host venue, is set to be transformed into the ultimate magic convention venue during this three day fest with a series of exhilarating contests, demonstrations, panel discussions and more. The International Stars of Magic offers these mystic aficionados the rare chance to see Hollingworth and Ståhl perform up close in the intimate environment of the Roxy Revue Bar. Set to join Wilson in mystifying audiences at the International Stars of Magic are:          

- Guy Hollingworth (UK) – The Prestidigitator, is undoubtedly one of the most sophisticated conjurors of our time. Named the 2009 Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood – Hollingworth is hailed as one of the greatest sleight of hand artists in magic. Derren Brown raves: “Guy is the finest card magician in Britain and amongst the top two or three in the world. Every move and moment exudes consummate sophistication and wit; effortless, natural, matchless. You not only admire him, you want desperately to be him." Witness his card wizardry in motion at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46KR5R8HYlc

-  Johan Ståhl (Sweden) – The Deceptionist, is a two-time FISM World Championships of Magic winner and veteran performer at the prestigious Magic Castle in Los Angeles with more than 120 close-up and stage magic performances at this iconic venue beneath his wand. Having performed all over the world including Beijing, London, Copenhagen and Las Vegas, Ståhl now shares his well-earned knowledge with future generations of magicians as the founder and course director of the university courses in magic in Sweden. Be amazed by his award-winning sorcery here: https://youtu.be/8K1gudqQ_iI 

Hollingworth is excited about his first performance in Cape Town: “The College of Magic and I have been discussing a possible collaboration for over five years now and to finally have it happen is a magical dream come true! I look forward to dazzling the local audiences alongside my enchanting co-stars– it’s going to be an experience they’ll never forget.”

The International Stars of Magic show and the 2015 South African Magic Championships form part of the College of Magic’s 35 year anniversary celebrations. Founded in 1980, the College, the only organisation of its kind in the world has been training children and adults training in the theatrical performance art of magic and its allied arts for three and a half decades.

Limited tickets are available for the International Stars of Magic show, which runs at GrandWest’s Roxy Revue Bar from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October, 2015 at 8pm each evening. Book yours TODAY at www.computicket.com.

For more information about the 2015 South African Championships of Magic, please contact the College of Magic on +27 (0) 21 683 5480 or visitwww.samagic2015.co.za