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The Session
10th + 11th January 2015
Cheltenham
Reviewed by Elizabeth Warlock
This close-up convention celebrating its
tenth anniversary was organised once again by Andi Gladwin and Joshua
Jay (Vanishing Inc.). Taking place over the weekend of January 10/11 at
the Thistle Hotel, Cheltenham, it was a packed programme of lectures,
talks and shows presented by many famous names in this field of magic to
a record number of attendees among whom it was possible to spot such
stars as David Blaine, Dynamo, Troy and Ben Hanlin, there just to enjoy
the magic and camaraderie.
In keeping with the current trend, cards featured prominently. Roberto
Giobbi showed a version of Fred, an opening sequence for the Cups and
Balls, and various deck switches; Daniel Madison demonstrated a number
of sleights including the Gamblers' Cop and the Drop Cop, and Boris Wild
gave a version of the Ambitious Card, The Trick that Cannot be
Explained, Perfect POP being an extension of the Stewart James Open
Prediction and a superb presentation of Any Card at Any Number. Luke
Jermay, ever the professional, went back to his pre-mentalism days with
some expert card work like Four of a Kind, tarot reading using regular
cards and a Poker Hand routine. Away from cards actor Peter Clifford
spoke about voice production and staging.
Asi Wind opened his lecture with a walk around effect using a stacked
deck and various card effects including Double Exposure and Switcher.
After a conversation with Luke Jermay detailing his philosophy on life
and magic, Michael Weber demonstrated a number of effects like card
calling, Colour Prediction and the Ten Card Poker Deal.
The surprise event came from Andi Gladwin and Joshua Jay with
Presentation and Method. From Andi we saw Cutting the Aces with
reference to the Scarne trick, a blindfold card revelation, and a very
effective Magic Square using numbered cards which Vanishing Inc is in
the process of marketing. Joshua showed the Butterfly effect, a blind
persons card effect using blank cards and a Prism Deck routine using a
phantom deck.
Guest of Honour was Derren Brown. In an interview with Peter Clifford he
spoke of his early days in Bristol where he performed close-up magic, of
his gradual foray into hypnotism and magic of the mind, and later
television. Previous to the event registrants had been asked to supply
questions via the hotel reception desk, and these were revealed during
the interview. These mostly ranged from questions about his stage and
television shows. At the conclusion of the interview Andi Gladwin and
Joshua Jay presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award, to which
Derren received a long standing ovation.
Just prior to and during the convention and at an extra charge there
were workshops by Roberto Giobbi, Juan Tamariz and Michael Weber. As a
result the show on the Saturday night did not start until 10.30.
Presented by Asi Wind it was opened by Chad Long with some of his clever
coin productions combined with comedy, Rune Klan who had the audience
helpless with laughter with his gags and crazy antics, and Boris Wild
performing his beautiful love story with cards which he dedicated to all
those who had died in the Paris terrorist attacks. Asi Wand continued
with such items as Time is Money and Any Card at Any Number.
Unusually the convention finished with a lecture by Juan Tamariz but not
before he had presented his show that had the audience amazed and
entertained as only Juan can. There was a version of the Three Card
Monte, a chosen card knocked from a deck in a box, the very funny
telephone card effect whereby a member of the audience who by using his
own phone has to call someone he knows and ask them to think of a card.
This turned out to be hilarious as the guy phoned his mother who lived
in Moscow with the conversation being in Russian. There was also that
wonderful Oil and Water, and Double, Triple and Total Coincidences.
After a short break he then presented his lecture which featured an item
he had used in his show. At the conclusion of these events he received a
long standing ovation.
PowerPoint featured in almost all the talks and lectures and Bob
Hamilton assisted by Sue was there with his cameras relayed onto two
screens. The attractive set was designed by Matt Clemitson, and James
Went was in charge of sound.
Apart from the organised programme, there were informal sessions with
enthusiasts gathering between events and into the small hours showing
each other their latest miracles. But then that is what The Session is
all about.
© Elizabeth Warlock, January 2015