Derren Brown's show is heading into its last handful of performances at the Atlantic Theater Company's Linda Gross Theatre. The show runs through its matinee performance on Sunday, June 25, and at this moment there are still a small number of tickets available, although many of the remaining performances are sold out. Many members of the local magic community have turned out to see the show repeatedly, but Brown's presence in New York seems to have transpired in a more beneath-the-radar fashion than Derek Delgaudio's, for example, which the New York Post wrote is attracting a star-studded audience. That may be because Brown explicity (and commendably) asks the audience not to discuss the specifics of the show, but nonetheless there has been a relative paucity of media coverage of the endeavor.

That's one reason that readers here may want to listen to Paul Holdengraber's interview with Brown on his podcast A Phone Call from Paul. Brown and Holdengraber discuss Brown's influences (in the realm of philosophy as well as magic), the nature of secrecy, and the skeptical mindset of many magicians. Brown drops numerous interesting tidbits throughout the forty-five minute conversation, including the point that he plans on returning "abroad" (meaning the U. S. one assumes) in the Fall or next Spring. Listening to the conversation requires some focused concentration because the audio quality is quite phone-callesque in nature, but it is worthwhile in order to gain more perspective on one of magic's most intriguing and intelligent performers.

https://soundcloud.com/lithub/a-conversation-with-derren-brown

Herb's Magic will return with its mobile magic shop to Cafe Rustico, this Saturday June 10, from noon to 4 p.m. Among the items available will be numerous out-of-print classic magic books, rare lecture notes, tricks, supplies and a wide variety of both every day and collectible decks of cards. Among the books are works by Dai Vernon, Juan Tamariz, Arturo Ascanio, Nick Trost, Roberto Giobbi, Ed Marlo, Phil Goldstein, and many others. There will be a wide range of videos by magicians like David Roth, Juan Tamariz, Sol Stone, and Herb Zarrow, and tricks like Sucker Punch, Double Cross, Awe Struck and more. Most of the items will be sold at discount prices.

Cafe Rustico is the location for New York's weekly Saturday magic hangout session. The restaurant is located at 25 West 35th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in New York City.