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Japanese illusionist, Princess Tenko, suffered serious injuries when an illusion went wrong.

Princess Tenko was trapped in a box with 10 metal swords, breaking several ribs and her right cheek during a performance in the Japanese city of Sabae.

According to her manager, one of the swords “would have been stuck in her right eye if it were one centimetre higher”. He also stated that it will take months for the wounds to heal.

Princess Tenko is hugely famous across Asia and North America, frequently performing in Las Vegas.

The trick being performed was called ‘The spike illusion in the face of death’, and required her to escape the moment after the swords were driven into the box, but tragically something went wrong and she was pinned inside by the swords.

Remarkably, the star continued her show for another 20 minutes before it was called off.

“She is suffering tremendous pain but is more shocked that she had to call off performances,” said her manager.

For football fans up and down the country, what their players do on the pitch every Saturday is sometimes little short of magic.

But even though the Premiership’s top scorers may be wizards on the pitch, they are unlikely to be showing you many card tricks off it.

Not something you would expect footballers to be doing anyway really, but more than one club has obviously thought that there are not enough rabbits getting pulled out of hats - and not just in relegation battles.

This week, The Guardian reported on the number of top flight football clubs that employ a resident magician.

Arsenal were the first ever club in the UK to have a full time resident magician in the shape of Marvin Berglas, who started there in 1993.

Not only does he entertain corporate guests on match days, he even plays for the club’s own celebrity supporters side.

London rivals Spurs obviously felt like they were missing a trick, employing Nicholas Einhorn in 1997 to keep the hospitality boxes enthralled.

The capital is clearly providing a home for British magicians and graduates of Hogwarts, as Chelsea too have their own conjurer.

Up north, Manchester United - known as the Red Devils - have their own practitioner of the black arts, one Matt Windsor, who entertains guests with a mixture of magic tricks and sleight of hand.

He describes himself as a “magician and pickpocket” - although rumours that he has helped pull more than one title out of the bag can not be confirmed at time of going to press.

American pop starlet Britney Spears appears to have found herself a new soulmate in the form of celebrity magician Criss Angel.

The pair appeared together recently to open a new nightclub in Las Vegas, scene of a previous Britney love tryst that saw her marry her childhood sweetheart only to divorce him hours later, claiming it was a drunken prank.

The opening night of the LAX Club in the Luxor Hotel and Casino saw Britney and magic man Criss Angel getting “up close and personal” on the dance floor, according to one newspaper.

At one point the singer, who had exhorted attendees to “have a good time” earlier in the evening, removed a lollipop from the conjurer’s mouth and placed it in her own.

Angel may have worked another bit of magic by getting the pop princess’ hand in marriage - Spears was seen with a large diamond ring on her wedding finger, sparking rumours that the two may be more serious about each other than was previously supposed.

A group for mentalism magicians has been established by Roni Shachnaey and Dr Todd Landman.

The group, known as Psycrets: The British Society of Mystery Entertainers, aims to provide a formal space for mentalists and mystery entertainers alike to share ideas to further enhance the art of mystery entertainment.

The group will schedule regular meetings, which will allow mentalists to discuss effects, techniques, props and performances, and will also allow the buying and selling of mentalism related products.

Membership of the group costs £10 initially, with a £25 annual membership fee. For this, members get a membership card, regular newsletters, access to the ‘members only’ section of the Psycrets website and exclusive bonuses and discounts on mentalism related effects and products.

Members who cannot provide documentary evidence of their role as a mentalist entertainer will carry the title of ‘associate member’ for a minimum of one year, when their status will be reviewed by the committee based on their contribution to the group, evidence of public performances of mentalism, publication of effects and book etc.

The society is based in the UK, but welcomes members from across the world.
Visit the official website at www.psycrets.org.uk

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