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Breath-taking Blackpool
The 2008 Blackpool Magicians Convention
22nd-24th February 2008
Reported by Peter Eldin
To report on the Blackpool convention gets harder and harder every year because
there is just too much to cover. Even the 3500 or so registrants find it very
difficult to see everything they want to see - there is just so much going on.
In an attempt to get a real flavour of the convention I tended to flit in and
out of most events, and took the opportunity to speak with many of the dealers,
lecturers and performers but this meant that I did not see many of the events in
their entirety.
I briefly met friends from Cyprus, France, America, Italy, Ireland, Spain and,
of course, England. With some it was just a wave of acknowledgement as we passed
(never to be seen again in the magical melee of magicians that is Blackpool) and
some people I know were there I did not see at all! I spent three days searching
(ultimately successful) for one particular person but with many there was the
opportunity to chat and renew old friendships and even make a few new ones.
Blackpool always has an excellent line up of lecturers and this year was no
exception - I counted twenty lectures - that should be enough for anyone! These
included David Sousa from Portugal talking about the use of an “invisible wall”
to make magic more visible to the audience, Shoot Ogawa from Japan, J.C. Wagner
from America, and Valerie from France on the techniques of quick change
(something I found fascinating as it is a subject about which I know nothing).
There was also Lennert Green, that Paderewski of the paste boards, triple world
champion Shawn Farquhar, sleight of hand expert Kostya Kimlat and mentalist Lior
Manor from Israel. Apologies to all those not mentioned but it is impossible to
include everyone. What do you think I am - a magician!
One event I was determined not to miss took place on Sunday morning - an
audience with Wayne Dobson and Geoffrey Durham (two leading British performers
with a wealth of experience in show business) interviewed by popular compere and
magician Terry Seabrooke. It was simple in format - just Terry asking questions
of two of the biggest names in British magic but it proved to be entertaining,
instructional and very amusing. These guys know their business and it showed.
Apart from the Gala Show this, to me, was one of the highlights of the
convention.
As the convention was heralded as the “Close-Up Colossus” there was inevitably
plenty of close-up magic to be seen and enjoyed. Among the many magical stars
performing were Jupiter from Hungary, David Stone from France, Canadian magic
champion Shawn Farquhar, David Stone from France and UK’s own Steve Dela.
In addition to the lectures and close-up sessions there were numerous other
events, several world championships, a special non-magical item for the ladies
(a talk on flower arranging) and well over 100 dealers from around the world.
Blackpool is breathtaking.
The penultimate event (prior to a late night party) of this whirlwind weekend
was the ever popular Gala Show. In my opinion this year’s show was a well
balanced production with a good mix of acts. Specific mention must be made of
the compere Adrian Walsh who, although not a magician, is ideal for a magic show
as he has the ability to adapt himself to every eventuality. Whatever happens he
keeps the whole show bouncing along.
We were entertained by manipulators such as Mahka Tendo from Japan and David
Sousa from Portugal. There was comedy from the Dutch couple Scott and Muriel
(their act is a “scream” and if you ever see them - and hear them - you will
know what I mean) and Rafael from Belgium. Topas presented two most original
acts, one of which included the effective vanish of a rocking horse, and
illusions were presented by the very young Yamagami Brothers from Japan.
I have never seen Harry Greenaway, President of the Blackpool Magicians’ Club,
dance before but that that is what he did, after a fashion, after being dressed
up as a cactus during the crazy act of Scott and Muriel (as they say “you had to
be there”). Another unusual act was that of Antje Pode who thrilled with amazing
‘feets’ from Germany. She is a foot juggler of the highest degree and, although
not a magic act, received the highest spontaneous applause of the evening - and
a welcome change from magic. Another unusual immensely entertaining artiste was
Rafael from Belgium who presented a highly original comedy act which also
contained some extremely good magic - this is certainly one I would like to see
again.
The show ended on a high note with the colourful parasols and brain stunning
fire breathing dragons of Shimada, a fitting climax to yet another wonderful
convention. I look forward to next year.
This report may be a little unfair because I have picked out my highlights which
may not be the same choice as anyone else but it is almost impossible to mention
every performer and lecturer without simply replicating the programme listings.
It is also impossible for a single reporter to attend every event so I have to
admit to a rather truncated report of the whole event. But you should not be
reading reports - you should be there, that is the only way to experience the
uniqueness that is Blackpool. To me it is a social occasion as much as a magical
one, it is a time to meet old friends and make new ones but of course to many it
is the opportunity to see the biggest gathering of international dealers in the
world, to others it is the thrill of seeing the world’s leading magicians “strut
their stuff” and to most it is a combination of all these. How Derek Lever and
his band of willing helpers from the relatively small Blackpool Magicians’ Club
achieve such an outstanding convention year after year is an act of amazing
magic itself. The Blackpool Convention is unique and long may it remain so.
© Peter Eldin, February 2008