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well, it’s good to be back here yet again... where shall i begin? the fish and chips were splendid. the shop is called the red hut, and if you are in the area... go!!!! so nice, and do say yes to extra batter. now magic.

we missed the children’s show and lecture, so can’t comment on it.

first for us, was the long awaited interview with Simon Drake. In the short time we had, He shared storys about his life, secret caberet, and his ascociation with Pat Page.
yes, the subject of the gadget show came up.. and yours truly took to the mike.

his own words?

I was totally pi**ed off with the programs makers.

This remark got a round of applause.

next, we had Roni Sachenay.

he started off with a book test, a message from mum, a nice magical number prediction, and heaven and hell paper tear.

then his signature effect Graffiti..

Joshua Quinn then shared a number of fantastic mental effects, all of which are practical, and commercial.

Im being hurried up.. the beer is a calling... more later
Last night’s gala show hit all the right notes.
the bill was suburb, and for a change its impossible to single out one act as a high, or low in the bill.
Often, you feel that one act outstays its welcome, ( see previous years blogs for more info) not tonight.
Brad Manuel warmed the audience up with his likeable personality, and an endless stream of glasses of drink from his shoes. You had to see it. quite brilliant!
the first act on, was Richard McDougal, and Silent magician. His opening bit was a brilliant cigarette manipulation act. Proof positive that there is a place in this world for ciggys, and that they don't have to be lit.
he followed this with a truly hilarious piece of theatre, where he goes on a blind date with a single white female....(goose)
Brad entertained us with more glasses, an a hanky trick
then mat Dowden, and his card manips, and a suburb gypsy thread, involving a violin, which he then plays.
Lenard green blew away the lay audience, with his incredible card skills. It was a very good idea to show the lays close up in this way, as they tend to miss out on the real art some times.
Jaton the gentleman juggler stole the show for many.. utterly breathtaking. ..

and Finally the one, the only Wayne Dobson. A true legend, and inspiration.

The midnight show was a hoot..BUT please can we have a magic act on? I feel that more would of attended if there was a magician on the bill.
the food was excellent, and set me up for a good nights snore.

oh, almost forgot... Thanks to the Karri and council for laying on a private car to get to the venue... buttering up the press like this, guarantees a good review

lectures have been the order of the day. Firstly Lenart green, who demonstrated a number of self working effects.. well, i say self working. the tricks were, but the shuffles, cuts, and palms were far from self working. Magical.. included in the talk was his trademark laser deal.
next.. an audience with the one and only Wayne Dobson.

what a fascinating, funny, entertaining talk, hosted by Michael J Fitch. This also contained the explanations for a number of trademark routines, including his incredible version of 5 card repeat. A true lesson on professionalism.

After a break, Pete Ross gave a session on speech, and how to protect that most important tool, the voice. Close up sessions followed, with Joshua Quinn, performing a poker deal, a rock , paper, scissors effect, And his utterly incredible linked business card, where two cards are torn from one, and are genuinely linked.

Brad Manuel, assisted by the ever lovely Darren King romped through a bill change, ring flight, card in shoe.. and drinks from same shoe..and a fantastic display of die stacking. the bill, ended up in his own effect bill in Zippo lighter.

then once again, the miracle that is Lenart green, with a shell and pea routine using the school for scoundrels scarabs, and a whirlwind series of card reveals, plus my favorite, out of this world, performed with a borrowed, shuffled deck... oh, and the deck was face down all the time. Unbelievable!

one more gala to go, and one more sleepless night for one, or more of us

In the beginning was the word.. and the word today is Uggh! After a late night dear readers, i can assure you that your two bloggers are well and truly fragile.
but what a great night it was. The Gala show hosted by John Archer, international Pizza flinging champion, and all round nice guy.

First act on tonight’s bill, was Shahid Malik and Lisa.
Its interesting.. In the past Ive watched their act, surrounded by magicians and i have thought, oh no, not in the news again, or oh no not leopard silk again... Loads of clasi magic we have seen time, and time again. BUT last night, i was sitting surrounded by Lays, and right from the start, every effect drew gasps , and wows. This highlighted to me just what an incredible gem we have in this country in Shahid and Lisa.. They are just about as commercial as you can possibly get, and a true highlight of the convention.

second on the bill, was Mentalist Joshua Quinn. It seems to be the general opinion with everybody Ive chatted to, that it wasn’t a great act, with confusing patter, and effects. The ideas i liked, but then Im into mentalism, but there seemed to be something missing presentation wise. Joshua is a really nice guy, and has some very strong ideas.

next Brad Manuel and Candy.
drinks were produced, money was destroyed, credit cards ruined, tons of great gags , and a cracker of a finishing bit with a guy from the audience.. Brad, is clearly the find of this years convention.

and lastly, a return of last night’s sensational Juggler... JATTON.

a brilliant old school act, with some amazing special stunts. Talking to him in the bar afterwards, Its great to find out that hes a really nice guy.

and then to the hotel. and the first ever pizza tossing competition. Everybody ( almost) trying to get the last bit of pizza into a box balanced on the head,, a tribute to something that Jaton included his act. and the winner is.. John Archer.
Karri Prinn coming a close second.

today’s lectures from Brad Manuel, and Richard McDougall will be brining the convention to a close for yet another year.

Both lectures were fantastic! Brad gave us a huge range of ideas, covering all aspects of comedy magic, with all kinds of things.

Next the wonderful amazing Richard McDougall talked about construction of theatre within magic.
Illustrated with video clips of sports events, silent movies, and films. Absolutely no magic what so ever.. but truly magical In every way.
there were quite a few people in the house with a few tears, thanks to the emotions generated during this talk. One of the best talks i have ever seen!!!!

And with that, we said our fair wells, many hands were shaken, hugs and kisses shared, all with the hope that we can do it all again next year .

Sunday lectures cont.. Darren King.

The final day was a great finally to another outstanding convention. Again the Tyneside team bring a new person to the lecture circuit with Brad’s easy going style and comic approach. Where the lecture was not heavy on magic explanation watching him perform was a lesson enough and some good tips about making the audience feel good.
The second lecture of the day was the most though provoking and for most of us emotional lecture, and how fitting that it was delivered inside a theatre as that was the subject, it made us all think about the state of magic today and how we can all work to improve it. Richard needs to deliver this message to every magician and I highly recommend his lecture to all magic clubs.

And so ends another great weekend, 2 great gala shows outstanding lectures great company in a nice part of the world. This was the 7th convention and I feel proud to have been to all 7, there looks like there will be an 8th and South Tyneside magic convention long continue. If you have never been to this convention then you’re missing out on unique experience.

Harris wrote:The speech workshop and the hilarity of an un-named tm-er warming their already loud voice !! My stomach physically hurt from laughing so much !