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Another Blackpool Bonanza
Blackpool Magicians’ Club - 62nd
Annual Convention
February 21st, 22nd, 23rd 2014
Reviewed by Walt Lees
Photos by Daniel Eden
Photos © www.eden-photography.co.uk used with permission.
To view or purchase official Blackpool Convention photos visit www.eden-photography.co.uk 'Proofing' and enter BMCDAY1 or BMCDAY2 or BMCDAY3
Blackpool Magicians’ Club, with Derek Lever at the helm, once again pulled off a spectacular success. Still packing them in after 62 years, this annual mega convention opened its doors to 3,600 registrants on Friday 21st February, with 130 or so dealers exhibiting their wares. While buying on line is increasingly becoming the norm, there is no substitute for actually seeing the products live, feeling the quality and watching unedited demonstrations, free of cutaways or carefully-selected camera angles. Judging by the constantly-packed aisles in the three dealer rooms, many magic enthusiasts are of that opinion.
Boris Wild started the production-line of 21 star
lectures – nearly all by legendary names - which took place over the next three
days. Today’s programme included talks and demonstrations by Oscar Munoz,
Mathieu Bich, Mel Mellers, Dan Garrett, Anson Lee, and John Archer. Ken Bowe’s
exhibition of theatre posters, photos and memorabilia ran quietly in the
background throughout the convention, and Robert Ormesher sat patiently in the
lobby, ever ready to sketch caricatures of anybody who wished to sit for one.
The afternoon brought International Close-up Magic in the Pavilion
Theatre. The large number attending meant that the vast majority had to watch on
the big screen behind the performers, or via the half dozen or so monitors
dotted around the Horseshoe which skirts the theatre. Quite a few commented on
the irony of travelling to a convention, with all the expense that entails,
simply to watch everything on screens; but getting close to the live action
usually entailed bagging a seat at least 30 minutes beforehand.
The performers, introduced by David Plant were: Paul Gertner, Mark Elsdon,
Patrick Redford, Tabary, Mark Shortland, Mathieu Bich, Oscar Munoz and Hayashi.
One novelty highlight of the show was Paul Gertner performing with an iPad
fastened in front of his face.
That evening brought the first of three International Gala Shows - the
music for all of them being ably supplied by Dave Windle at the keyboards. This
one was emceed by Mel Mellers whose charisma and comedy lifted a rather
slow-moving first half. It seemed to drift a bit after being given a cracking
start by Anson Lee’s skilful and well-presented, manipulation of colour-changing
cards and balls. The other performers were Oscar Munoz, Dan Garrett and Patrick
Redford. But this was very much a 'show of two halves'. Things livened up
considerably after the interval, with Valerie’s quick changes, Mark Raffles’s
losing battle with his Linking Rings, Amethyst’s fast-moving illusions and the
show-stopping magical comedy and sight gags of Men in Coats.
Saturday saw lectures by Valerie, Henry Evans, Hayashi, Paul Gertner, Jay
Sankey, Tabary, Jordan Gomez and Woody Aragon. But the big event of the morning,
for many, was The British Children’s Entertainers National Championships
taking place in the Opera House. Oscar Munoz emceed in fine style, smoothly and
effortlessly filling the gaps between performers and entertaining the
predominantly adult audience while at the same time keeping the interest of the
small number of children, who occupied the first few rows.
Competitors were David Tomkins, Silly Scott, Mr Merlin & Okey Dokey the Dragon,
Brian Daley, Magic George and Colonel Custard. The general standard was high,
and unlike some previous years, each performer had a distinctive working style
that was completely different from those of fellow competitors. So there was
none of the he’s-only-doing-the-same-sort-of-things-as-all-the-others feeling
that has often dogged this event in the past. The winners, decided by audience
vote (i.e. mostly fellow magicians) were, in descending order, Colonel Custard,
Silly Scott and Brian Daley.
The Wayne Dobson and Friends show which followed in the Pavilion Theatre
is now so popular that it has almost outgrown the venue, which was packed to
standing-room-only capacity. As usual, Michael J. Fitch hosted and played
straight man to Wayne’s quips and interjections. Wayne started with his
impression of Stephen Hawking, thereby setting the tone of the show! Then Jeff
McBride gave us his of Wayne and later returned with a version of the Benson
Bowl plus squeaky sponge balls. Others appearing were Ian Rowland with a mental
effect and George Kovari Junior escaping first from stocks and then a
strait-jacket with muzzle attachment. But the real joy of this show is the
concert-party atmosphere, as the various performers join forces to participate
in the gags and fun.
Later in the afternoon came Magical Speed Dating under the auspices of
Harry Robson. With seven tables around the room, the performers passed from one
to another, spending ten minutes at each. The idea was for them to answer
questions rather than explain tricks. This caused a few problems for the ones
with less-strong voices, who were almost inaudible over the cacophony of
background noise. John Archer coped well and managed to make himself heard by
everyone, while Daryl, at my table, did not project beyond the first couple of
rows. The performers who fared best were those like Jay Sankey, who disregarded
the ‘no tricks’ injunction and simply showed and told. The others doing the
rounds were Dan Garrett, Hayashi, Shoot Ogawa and Woody Aragon.
The International Gala Show that evening was emceed by John Archer and
was, in many ways the best of the three. It also contained what must have been
the most talked-about performer of the entire convention, Paul Derek. This
looked like one of those acts that all too often crop up in magic competitions,
where the performer’s general ineptitude provokes much derision. Here the
audience were hooting with mirth at a complete shambles of an act, which was
funny for all the wrong reasons. However, I am reliably informed by two people
whose opinions I respect, that this is a busy performer, who deliberately feigns
incompetence. However, I felt that the audience were laughing at him
rather than with him (especially those who began slow handclapping
halfway through), and when about a third of them rose to give him a standing
ovation at the finish, it seemed more ironic mockery to me than appreciation.
But Derek Lever tells me I have it all wrong, saying that he knew exactly what
to expect. The act, which plays cruise ships and tours with Ken Dodd, did just
what he was booked to do.
However, all this came later. The opener was Jupiter, who seems to turn up in
some show or other at Blackpool almost every year. He was followed by the
stylish manipulations of Erwan Bodiou whose bird productions not only include
doves, but also canaries in cages and a large duck. Hayashi assisted by two
young men, all in Japanese Samurai costumes, demonstrated his swordsmanship and
martial arts skills in a way which must have struck fear into the heart of every
cucumber within a ten-mile radius.
Tabary demonstrated how a true showman can entertain with just a few bits of
rope. Oliver Tabor performed his signature magical violinist act. Rocco worked
with sweets, biscuits and peanuts, forsaking the stage to stand under a single
spotlight on the floor of the auditorium.
Finally Guy Barrett assisted by three girls replaced the billed Ali Cook with a
series of high-speed illusions, including a highly spectacular girl through
revolving fan, ending the show on a high note.
The final event of the day was Beat the Wand presented by Magic Sam and
Andrew James. For many, this is one of the highlights of the convention,
providing a bawdy shop window for new talent, often featuring material that
would be deemed unsuitable for the more formal shows.
Sunday brought lectures by Paul Megram, David Ginn, Daryl, Shoot Ogawa,
Jeff McBride, Patrick Redford, Rocco and Rick Merrill.
The first programmed event was the Master Class where Jeremy Guest
introduced Shoot Ogawa, Henry Evans, Rocco, Woody Aragon, Hayashi and Jay
Sankey, who all delivered mini lectures of 10-20 minutes.
Shoot Ogawa’s later star lecture was cut short to make way for the show which
followed, so turned into more of a dealer dem. as he had insufficient time to go
through the workings of much of what he showed. Nor was he helped by a man whom
we were told to call Charlie, who was introduced as his mentor. Throughout the
lecture this individual’s restless fidgeting distracted attention and upstaged
his ‘student’.
The Four F’s Stars of Close-up Magic which followed the Ogawa lecture was
emceed jointly by Obie O’Brien and Joan Caesar. The performers were Rick
Merrill, Jay Sankey, Woody Aragon (whose variation of the John Scarne and/or
Bill Simon Call To The Colors, using red and blue backed cards was, for me, the
highlight of the show), Daryl, Boris Wild, Henry Evans, Rocco, Dan Garrett and
Shoot Ogawa (whose Cup & Ball routine using components of a cocktail shaker was
another high spot).
For that evening’s International Gala Show the compère was Liverpool
comedian John Martin, whose comedy, based much on topicality and current news
events, makes him ideal for the job. Although, I would imagine even he heaved a
sigh of relief when the curtain finally descended on a four-and-a half-hour
marathon.
The opener was Jordan Gomez with his smooth CD manipulations. The Supertells
followed (Peter & Sonja Moretti) with an updated version of the spectacular
crossbow act made famous nearly four decades ago by Hans & Helga Moretti. Later
they were to return with the legendary sword-box act.
Mel Mellers’s sly digs can always be relied on to get an audience rocking with
laughter and tonight was no exception, while the antics of Clive Webb, Danny
Adams & Co. raised the roof. However, several people commented on the wisdom of
allocating them two spots in such a long show. Both were hilarious, but perhaps
it would have paid to keep one back for some other time. Claudius Specht, Swiss
juggler, whose remote-controlled table moves around, shooting clubs at him
whenever and wherever he needs them, enabling him to get as many as eight up at
once, garnered huge applause. Graham Jolley was good and got off to a great
finish with his Magic Square, but I have seen him register much stronger on
other occasions.
Jeff McBride has such a reputation that he would have to be really bad for a
magical audience not to like him. On this occasion he was at his best. So even
given the lateness of hour, he scored very heavily, helped by the antics of the
boy who assisted with Miser’s Dream. Demonstrating how an experienced performer
is not afraid to give the helper his head, knowing he is contributing to the
overall success of the act.
I felt a lot of sympathy for illusionists Julius Frack & Cindy who not only had
to follow such a strong performer, but to do so with an audience, most of whose
appetite for magic had been more than surfeited and were ready to leave.
However, their final production of a sports car was amazing and drew a lot of
gasps, even at this late hour.
As is customary in the middle of the show, various accolades were presented.
President Russell Brown handed out prizes for the previous day’s Children’s
Entertainer winners. The Murray Award for outstanding service to the art of
magic went to Obie O'Brien and a Lifetime Achievement Award to Joan Caesar. Ken
Dodd presented his Comedy Cup to Graham Jolley, the Neville King Trophy to
Arthur Casson, and did a short spot of gags (yes, you read that correctly – a
short spot!).
Then came the After Show Party where Karl K introduced cabaret by Brian
Sefton, Patrick Redford and Mark Shortland.
So ended another great winter weekend of magic. Obviously events like these
require a lot of human input and organisation. So while Derek Lever is the
overall supremo, many others provide invaluable back-up. They were: Anne Lever
(Organiser’s PA), Russ Stevens (Assistant Organiser), David Plant (Assistant
Organiser, Joint Chief Steward and Close-up), Arthur Casson (Registration
Officer), June Casson (Assistant to the Registration Officer), Les Pybus (Chief
Security Officer), Russell Brown (Stage Director for Blackpool Magicians’ Club),
Harry Robson (Close-up and Dealers), Jeremy Guest (Joint Chief Steward and After
Show Party), Pat Guest (After Show Party), Mike Shepherd (Treasurer), Christine
Shepherd (Treasurer’s PA), Karl K (Assistant Security Officer), Duncan Jump
(Stage Manager), Kenny Bowe (Lecture Note Sales), Adam Walker (Media
Co-ordinator) and Mark Woodsford (Media Co-ordinator). But, of course, there
were many others, too.
So here’s to next year: 20th, 21st, 22nd February 2015. Don’t miss it!
© Walt Lees, March 2014