ACE OF WANDS in the EXPRESS & STAR |
22nd January 2010 |
The Express & Star newspaper's Weekend supplement will, this coming Saturday, contain a short feature on Ace of Wands in its Television Memories column. Designed as both an introduction to the series and a memory-jogger, it's unlikely that any regulars here will learn anything new*, but I thought I should mention it for any completists among you... * By the way, I'm not being mean-spirited about someone else's work when I say that about it - I wrote it! |
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ALI BONGO (1929 - 2009) |
8th March 2009 |
I'm sad to report the death of Ali Bongo. He was Ace of Wands' magic adviser but so much more, of course. I've posted below some links to various online obituaries and will add others as I find them. |
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Another ACE OF WANDS Yahoo GROUP |
1st July 2008 |
There seem to be a few problems with the earlier group and so Richard Neil's created another one. You can join it by entering your email address and clicking on the button!
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ACE OF WANDS Yahoo GROUP |
11th July 2007 |
Chris MacAllister has started an Ace of Wands chat group on Yahoo. You can join it by entering your email address and clicking on the button!
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Thanks to Chris MacAllister for this information |
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DVD - IT'S OUT! |
9th July 2007 |
Network's DVD is out! What else is there to say... |
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DVD REVIEW |
9th July 2007 |
There's a short DVD review in Empire Magazine |
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Thanks to Catherine Palmer for this information |
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MAGAZINE FEATURE |
29th June 2007 |
There's a one page "Obscure Corner" feature on Ace of Wands with some colour pictures in the current (July 2007) edition of TV Film Memorabilia. I've only just learnt about this - but despite the July cover date, it's not going to be whisked off the shelves just yet, it should be around for a couple more weeks. This edition also includes features about Batman, James Bond toys and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop amongst many others. |
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Thanks to David Healey for this information |
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ADVERTS APPEARING |
28th June 2007 |
It's biggest circulation advert yet? The Ace of Wands DVD is featured in the Radio Times' Pocket Films guide for 2007. |
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Thanks to Vaughan Brunt for this information |
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THEME SONG - ANOTHER RELEASE |
18th June 2007 |
Andy Bown's "Tarot" features on a new four-CD psychedelic boxed set "Real Life Permanent Dreams" released on Sanctuary records. Nigel also tells me that the version included on the CD isn't the same as the version we're all familiar with, adding that is has "more prominent bass in places, some background sound effects/harmonies missing (and some effects added!), also Andy's vocals seem to have a different feel". Haven't heard this myself yet, but the copy I've ordered should be here any day now. |
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Thanks to Nigel Lees for this information |
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PRESS RELEASE FROM NETWORK DVD |
4th June 2007 |
Network DVD are delighted to announce the much-anticipated and long-awaited DVD release of cult children's television programme Ace of Wands . As quintessentially 1970's as Spangles, the Chopper bike and massive flares, Ace of Wands introduced an entirely new kind of adventure series, which thrilled children and adults alike until 1974 – and is now available to buy as a special edition DVD for the very first time from 9th July 2007. It was the Summer of 1970 - a tim e when the heroes of children's series were still either puppets or men smoking pipes, the ‘swinging sixties' had come to a close, the singles charts were at their most progressive, and fashions were ... pretty awful. Against this backdrop, Ace of Wands was first unleashed onto British Television, portraying the adventures of young, handsome magician Tarot (Michael Mackenzie). This DVD release contains all remaining twenty episodes, (the entirety of series three), complete and uncut, and a wealth of special features. These include: • A brand new documentary With quirky storylines from the likes of P.J. Hammond ( Sapphire and Steel ) and Victor Pemberton ( Doctor Who ), Ace of Wands was seen as a bold and daring variation of the standard fare for children's television in it's day. A multi-layered mystery drama, it depicted not only Tarot's stage career as a conjuror and escapologist, but also his adventures solving mysteries and crimes as he used his magical powers to fight various evil forces. The theme music, "Tarot" was written and performed by Andy Bown (now with Status Quo ). Title: Ace of Wands Special Edition Disc One: The Meddlers and The Power of Atep |
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DVD - UPDATE FROM MICHAEL MACKENZIE |
29th May 2007 |
I went down to London a couple of weeks ago to do some interviews and a cast commentary with Petra, (we hadn't seen each other for 30 years!) and Darrol Blake who was one of the directors. This was for the "extras" that will be on the DVD. I believe Judy Loe, Pam Lonsdale, Trevor Preston, Roy Holder and some others did interviews too. It should be fun, and quite a trip down memory lane! |
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Thanks to Michael Mackenzie for this information |
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ACE OF WANDS - ON TV? |
29th May 2007 |
Well, maybe just a clip. According to Paul Dwyer who produced the 1970s segment of BBC 4's Children's TV On Trial his edition features Ace of Wands and Lewis Rudd, who was head of Children's Television at Thames Television when Ace of Wands was commissioned. |
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DVD - A STORY WITH AN END... |
27th March 2007 |
Network DVD have confirmed that the long-awaited Ace of Wands DVD will be out in July 2007. No further information available at this time. See Network's own site for details. |
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PAMELA LONSDALE EVENT APPEARANCE |
15th March 2005 |
Pamela Lonsdale – instrumental in setting up Ace of Wands, producer of the first two series and director of Seven Serpents, Sulphur And Salt – will be attending the Kaleidoscope event on June 11th. Full schedule details will be posted here in due course. Pamela will be appearing with her husband, the producer/director Reginald Collin. Programme details are not yet finalised, but will include screenings of the Shadows episode Dutch Schlitz's Shoes and the Dramarama edition Mr Stabs. |
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RUSSELL HUNTER - RIP |
3rd March 2004 |
I'm sorry to report that actor Russell Hunter, Mr. Stabs in Seven Serpents, Sulphur And Salt as well as the Shadows episode Dutch Schlitz's Shoes died on February 26 2004. The Guardian's obituary may be found here. |
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MICHAEL ON STAGE IN EDINBURGH |
2nd December 2003 |
Michael Mackenzie is on stage at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh in a run of The Slab Boys trilogy in celebration of the theatre's 40th anniversary. See here for news about the production and here for dates, prices and other info. |
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?? |
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NEW CD... |
11th May 2003 |
Cherry Red Records have just released a CD titled "Magpie - 20 Junkshop Pop Ads & Themes" (RPM260). It contains Andrew Bown's recording of the Ace of Wands theme as well as the Murgatroyd Band performing the theme to Magpie and a whole lot more besides. Don't know how easy this is to find, but a number of internet sellers seem to be stocking it. You can read more about it here. |
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Simon Coward |
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DVDs AT LAST... |
10th April 2003 |
Not a lot of further info so far, but this link could be worth watching... |
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Alan Collins, Saul Hazan, Chris Corney et al |
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16th March 2003 |
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Last week's rumours seem to have been confirmed - Ace of Wands should be available on DVD by the end of the year. I don't have any further information at this time - watch this space... |
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Simon Coward |
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MICHAEL MACKENZIE BACK ON STAGE |
10th May 2002 |
Michael is once again appearing in rep in three plays at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre until October. He plays Antonio Saliery in Peter Shaffer's Amadeus from Friday 10th May; Gudgeon in Agatha Christie's The Hollow from 30th May; and from July, Tchaikovsky's Ghost in John Clifford's The Queen Of Spades. |
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JUDY LOE IN BBC'S "CASUALTY" |
18th September 2001 |
Judy is appearing as a regular character in the new series of BBC drama Casualty |
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Simon Coward |
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MICHAEL MACKENZIE ON STAGE |
21st September 2001 |
Michael is appearing in rep in three plays at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre until October 12th. He plays Mr. Oliphant in Let Wives Tak Tent, Frank Oddie in Amy's View and the title role in The Admirable Crichton. |
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Thanks to Mary Cartledge for this information. |
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ACE OF WANDS - MISSING EPISODES FOUND? |
12th August 2000 |
I have been contacted by someone claiming that some missing Ace of Wands material may exist in the vaults of a US TV company. Pearson TV, the owners of the series, followed up the lead but so far, the cupboard seems bare. |
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Simon Coward. |
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WATCH AN ACE OF WANDS EPISODE |
5th July 2000 |
The National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, in Bradford, includes an area called TV Heaven where visitors to the museum can watch programmes from a selection of around 600 plays and episodes of series. Amongst this collection is episode one of The Meddlers. The museum is well worth a visit in any case, and both it and the TV Heaven area are free to enter. |
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Simon Coward. |
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ACE OF WANDS THEME ON CD |
11th June 2000 |
"Tarot" by Andrew Bown has been included on the compilation of pop-sike records called "Justavibration" (catalogue number FUNNY4) which is semi-legit. However, the compilers mis-spelled his name and he's become Andrew Brown. Very careless! There's a track listing and a bit more info here. |
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Thanks to Kev Biscoe for this information. |
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MICHAEL MACKENZIE ON STAGE |
2nd June 2000 |
Michael Mackenzie is performing in The 3 Estaites - "Scotland's greatest play" until the 9th July. See here for details. |
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Thanks to Sue Tibbles for this information. |
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