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So who went to Blackpool and how did it go. I went with my Magic business partner for just the last day. My thoughts and experience went something like this.

Jay Sankey was on top form in the morning session with a quick succession of tricks some new and some not so new. Offered some very good prices on his stuff including a new DVD not yet released, though sold out of nearly everything before we made it to the huge queue.

Loads of dealers, lots of stuff I'd never seen, but you really needed to ask for demo's or you were likely to miss most of the best stuff.

Managed to spend just over £900, so pretty lucky we only went for the one day.

Went to the last set of close up sessions of the weekend and saw Doc Eason, Bill Malone, Jay Sankey and a guy whose name I forget. Again Jay was the highlight for me though Bill Malone was much better than I anticipated and I thoroughly enjoyed his session. Doc was up against it with a lot of noise from both sides and was struggling a bit to be heard. The other guy was a bit forgetable, the tricks he performed were decent but after the other guys lacked a bit in charisma and general performance.

One of my Son's saw a guy that must have thought he was Joe Pasquale, even speaking with a silly voice, he commented to him about speaking with such a silly voice, only to be told that unfortunately it was his real voice. Soon after he discovered that Joe Pasquale was actually at the conference He could have died when he discovered it was actually Joe that he had spoken to not some pratt imitating him. He ended up finding Joe again and Joe kindly posed while Sam had his picture taken with him. Really made my son's day and shows what kind of guy Joe is.

My eldest son got to play Stone, Paper, Scissors with Jay Sankey during his close up session and was kicking his ass till he cheated and introduced Satan

Anyhow a great day and next time I know I can have an extra hour in bed as we arrived an hour early in an attempt not to be late, only took 2 hours from Wolverhampton.

So like I said, who went and what did you think.

Oh and when I get time to play with all my goodies I will try and add a best buy at Blackpool

£900? WOW. Sounds like you had a lot of fun for just the one day. I was then, and am now really envious. Thanks for letting us know about it.

The Joe Pasquale story is funny, and I agree it really shows him up to be a nice guy - I had heard this before, but it's always nice hearin personal stories from people. £900? wow. I am really looking forward to the reviews on what you bought. I am assuming it was lots a lots of smaller things, or was it one item for the full £900?

Did I say how envious I was yet? Thanks for posting Happy Toad.

Well the £900 was split between myself and my partner, most of it was for our own acts although as we sell magic as well some was to sell, but like I say nearly all for us

Not sure I'll be doing many reviews cos a lot of it is not available online, but I'll do my best for a few reviews. At the moment really liking my double deception, Bobs box and Viagra cards. Also for Kids shows Confusing Crayons is going to be a big hit. I've actually had the day off today just so I can play

My thoughts:

Highlight of the convention:
Shoot Ogawa.
I've never heard a lecture audience gasp like Sunday's did. Close-up he was even more impressive.
Skill factor goes off the scale.

Lowpoint:
Friday evening's mentalism session.
Some names you would never associate with mentalism trying their hand, alongside a couple of real mentalists.
But it didn't matter who was performing in the end - the microphone problems killed everything.
Blackpool's worst!

Gobsmacking moment:
Juggler Mr Blub's back kick. Talk about a pressure move!!!
Quick change artists David and Dania were equally astounding.
I'm not a great fan of juggling or quick-change but these guys were amongst the best entertainment at Blackpool.

Non-event:
The Casino. Did anyone go?

Funniest Magician:
Alec Powell, in the Stage Championship (Comedy).
Didn't win, although winner Mark Shortland was excellent too, but I really hope Powell carves a successful career for himself.
He was hilarious!!

Bravest guy:
Wayne Dobson. 'Nuff said.

Most fun performance:
Bill Malone performing "Sam the Bellhop", when he dropped the cards!!!
Had to invent a story on the spot, to belly-splitting effect! What a pro!!!!!

All in all a good convention, with an outstanding Gala show.

This was my second convention so I knew a little of what to expect. I think I enjoyed this one better than last year. I’ll tell you what I went to and if anyone went to anything different or has another opinion then they can add to the review.

Friday
European Magical Close-up Championships – Didn’t go.

Special Lecture by Mahko Tendo – The guy is a legend. His cane productions were beautiful and genius. His card productions even more so. The translator is a funny guy.

Mainly Mentalism Show – The microphone problems were very annoying, I could hear, because I was on the second row, I suspect those further back could not. I didn’t really like the show either.

Star Lecture by Doc Eason – Only saw a little bit. The anniversary waltz looked clever, but he didn’t fully explain it, probably because he want’s you to buy it, which I did not.

Star Lecture by Rafael Benatar – Didn’t go.

Saturday
Question and Answer session with Bill Malone – Didn’t go.

United Kingdom Children’s Entertainer of the Year Competition –
Paul Joyce (compere) – He introduced himself!
Marvo the magician – I thought he was good, but had nothing to compare him against at that point.
Marc Dominic – I liked the ventriloquism with a dinosaur puppet, and there was a really funny joke about Little Miss. Muffet.
Magic Malky - The eventual winner and deservedly so, definitely the best. At first I thought he wouldn’t be any good, but he made me laugh at the same jokes that the kids were laughing at – mis-calling names and telling the girls, “That’s a good boy.” He was lively and bounced around the stage and he had a sharp word, for a man in the audience who tried to comment – “Shut it, it’s for the kids.”
Magic Mark – Some of the magic, didn’t really seem like kid’s magic. There wasn’t much audience involvement.
Johnny Hardy – He did a levitation trick with a kid and he was really scared. He was really worried – not good.
Eddie Hughes – Punch and Judy, oh so very annoying. I had to leave.

Star Lecture by Rick Thomas – Didn’t go.

The Masterclass – A short trick each from Jay Sankey, Rafael Benatar, Doc Eason, Dominique Duvivier, Kenton Knepper and Marc Paul. I was impressed with Duvivier, and Marc Paul, but was not so impressed with Knepper.

Kidz R Us Lectures – Didn’t go.
British Champion Street Entertainer (Part 1) – Didn’t go.

Star Lecture by Kenton Knepper – Didn’t go.

The British Magical Stage Championships – Being a competition, there’s always going to be those that are worse than others. My main concerns were why if you want to produce a stack of cards, from the back of your hand, would you take them out your pocket first and show them us in a fan and then go into the productions – a steal might have been nice. I also think the short rope, middle rope, long rope should banned. The Dain Cordean act?? Finally the Vizage girl couldn’t sing and their act seemed incoherent, it was just series of tricks, whereas on the other hand Viva had a theme – 60’s America – a hair salon, a changing room, icons (the vanish box) – Original, I like. I also laughed a lot at Alec Powell, putting the girl in the cannon – hilarious. I thought Dazzling Darren (only sixteen) was really funny, too. Everyone else – schmeh!!

Sunday
Star Lecture by Jay Sankey – Didn’t go.

Close – up sessions – For the first one we got there early and sat right at the front in the middle, Bill Malone came and said hi and “Great seats, guys.” The second ones, we got the same seats, but different table number.
Doc Eason – Bill in lemon. It was all right, I got to hold the knife.
Bill Malone – Bill Ma-lone, Bill Ma-lone, Bill Ma-lone, Bill Ma-lone. I knew he’d be funny, but this was funny. Funnier than Sankey and Sankey was funny! Sam The Bellhop, a couple of other card tricks – pure class and brilliance. You could tell he was a true proffesional.
Rafael Benatar – Not my favourite, some good card tricks.
Jay Sankey – Funny gag at the start, knocking the chair over twice (hilarious), coupled with excellent card magic, and an unbelievable coin trick – the patter was brilliant. And the ending, well…you had to be there!
Dominique and Alexandra Duvivier – The guy next to me making notes, wrote ‘Rope trick – cups and balls POOR.’ This was not poor! Cups and balls routine to music, with two people almost like a competition between the two, and the girl was really hot!
Shoot Ogawa – What can I say. I talked about the double matrix for months leading up to the event. I was not disappointed. Highly advanced magician and technically skilful. Fools me a lot and probably others too.
Kenton Knepper – A clever card trick though and he even forced a card on me that I was determined not to have, he went through the deck twice. However, his style is not to my liking.
Marc Paul – A nice centre tear routine. Clever and I liked it.

Globe of Death Show – Motorbike in one of those large metal balls they used to have on gladiators. Not magic, but it only took ten minutes, so worth having a look at.

Star Lecture by Dominique and Alexandra Duvivier – Didn’t go.

British Champion Street Entertainer (Part 2) – Didn’t go.

Ladies Event – Floral Demonstration by Laurie Spencer of “Flower Style by Laurie” – Didn’t go.

Star Lecture by Shoot Ogawa – He would perform his trick and blow everyone away. He would explain it and we are all still baffled, yes the gasps were unlike anything I’ve heard. Then he said “ Any questions” and there was a laugh. Where do we start? My friend fell asleep in Shoot Ogawa’s lecture – how, I don’t know, but he probably regrets it. The thunderous applause woke him up – quite right. Many people rushed to the table to get the dvd.

Private Magic Show – We went to sit in the horseshoe for a bit and we got chatting to these other people. We then took it in turn to do a trick at the close-up tables. I did Club Sandwich, but it turned into a comedy act, when my participant, turned both my kings over!

International Gala Show – Mahko Tendo was absolutely brilliant. We saw him in the interval and had to go tell him, that we thought the show was great. Magical and beautiful magic. Stan Allen’s rabbit was funny. Dazzle made the whole show for Les Arnold, she was his assistant, but she was trying to take over his show. It was funny because she was clumsy at the dancing and she was scared of the duck, he produced. David and Dania got a standing ovation and quite rightly. The quick change duo made my eyes bleed and my head ache – the glitter change at the end…you have to see it! Sabrina and Mr. Blub were a juggling duo from Germany and my hands, my hands. They were aching after all the clapping, they were almost red raw, I was in pain – but another standing ovation – I can juggle, but this was mental, five tennis rackets, passing over the head – back to back, the back kick of the ball and and and the leapfrog! Finally Rick Thomas, good show, and a funny guy. Excellent interaction with the audience - with the kid he had on stage and the couple who he brought up, very funny.
After Gala Show – Didn’t go.


The Casino
Yeh, that was a bit rubbish. I put my $20,000 on odd and won. Then I put $30,000 on odd and $10,000 on even. It landed on 0.

The Dealers
Walked around, looking at people showing tricks. Found myself drawn towards Shoot Ogawa’s stall, quite a bit. One guy I met got a rabbit in a hat puppet for £5. If you went you probably know, he said he’d tell everyone.
I brought:
A back issue of Genii – bargain.
Three Fly 3 – from Daryl.
A yellow silk.
Four Sponge Rabbits.
And I got a good deal on some UltraViolet Appearing canes, form Mahko Tendo. He knocked £15 off each of them because I brought two.
I got autographs, from several magicians including Mahko Tendo and his translator, and Pasquale wrote Love Joe Pasquale ? I also got Marc Paul, Shoot Ogawa and Daryl.

Summary
Another brilliant convention and I love that weekend because it makes me laugh so much. There’s always one magician that stands out personally for me. Last year it was Boris Wild, this year it’s Mahko Tendo, he is a remarkable manipulator and a hell of a nice guy too. I don’t know if I’ve learnt anything substantial. I’ve learnt a few tips for the classic force, and a few tricks and that coin magic is quite cool. I’ve got to start working on putting the canes into my act somewhere, doubt they would work well with mentalism, and so will have to learn a manipulation act.

It was great fun again and I’m wondering what they’ll put on next year…

In a word, fantastic, marvellous, stupendous and unbelievably excellent value for money. I know that's more than one word but, as everything in Blackpool was larger than advertised, I reckon a few more words are fully justified.

I did all three days and I’m sure they crammed a week’s worth into every day. Starting with the initial small scale dealer display (and going via the problems with the sound system at the Close up Championships which meant the audience didn’t hear an awful lot of what was going on) it all went on way past midnight with the last 1 hour Star Lecture by Raphael Benatar not starting until 11.30pm! Saturday saw the full scale Dealer Showcase open and it was a CUPS sufferer’s paradise/nightmare with the 140 plus opportunities to spend shedloads of cash on just about anything magical.

The Saturday programme was even more frantic and it was clearly impossible to see and do everything so choices had to be made and whichever way the coin came down, it was a worthwhile choice. The evening Stage Championships were mind-blowingly good and boasted no fewer than two intervals. Many shows these days don’t even have enough to justify one interval but here we had 11 competing acts plus support, dancers and Bernie Clifton showing exactly why his popularity is everlasting despite the lack of TV appearances. And yes, the ostrich was there as well! One show highlight was when Mark Shortland, the eventual winner of the Comedy Magic award, needed a volunteer from the audience so he went and dragged Las Vegas Star Rick Thomas up on stage as his ‘stooge’. Rick got his own back when the awards were presented and Mark had the trophy and cheque in hand by just walking on stage, taking both off him and walking off again.

Sunday was even more crammed trying to get to all the Close Up sessions and the acoustics of the Horseshoe shaped area didn’t help but it all went so well and so quickly. Shoot Ogawa is fantastic and even if his lecture meant that we could 'see' a little of what he did in a later performance, it was still stunning stuff. The International Gala Show on the evening was probably the best stage event I’ve ever seen and it was great to see so much talented live entertainment on display. Joe Pasquale did his bit, Ken Dodd did his (longer) bit and both were on top form as usual. It wouldn’t be fair to mention all the names of those who took part but Sabrina & Mr.Blub from Germany were young, talented, and exhausting to watch. Possibly my current object of hero(ine) worship would be Dania who, in partnership with David, did a superb quick change act where she changed costumes in a blink of an eye - the costumes got larger as well as smaller – the best one being where a tray of large silver glitter was thrown over her and her whole costume changed to silver as the glitter descended. When a women asks, ‘Have I got time to change?’ that’s the kind of timescale I like – Mrs.M take note.

Downsides? True, the sound system was in poor shape most of the weekend, just about every Children’s Entertainer used a breakaway wand to the point of boredom but the 40 or so children brought in to help judge these acts all enjoyed it so I say no more! Plus points? Crikey, how long have you got? Chatting to Ali Bongo in the Registration queue, seeing Jay Sankey in frantic form, realising that Kenton Knepper isn’t just someone who writes for Online-Visions bemoaning and bewailing the state of rip offs in magic – in fact he’s remarkably like an Americanised Billy Connolly in presentation and style – also a nice guy to talk to when queuing for the Gent’s in the interval! Rick Thomas doing a superb dove production routine and then 'confessing' that he can't stand birds, then moving on to big illusions and finishing by simply levitating a lovely assistant right up to the rafters of the stage and then levitating himself up there to join her - all without any preamble and seemingly without any means of support in either case. The whoops of approval from the audience said it all - great stuff and fully appreciated.

Fortunately, the 2005 program included a registration form for 2006 – mine’s already filled in and I only hope I recover from this year’s event in time to make it. Congrats to all concerned in such a spectacular event which is even greater when you realise that it’s the largest event of its kind in the world, it’s in the Guinness book of records as such, it attracts well over 3500 people and the total membership of the Blackpool Magician’s Club is 41! (And no, I didn’t get to the casino, I didn’t even get to change my voucher into chips and I didn't see the Wall of Death Riders either - far too much magic going on!)

Best part of the weekend was stayng in the Ruskin with Ian Roland and Paul Zennon until 6AM. Gosh i need to catch up with some sleep.

And receiving a Free gift from Kenton Knepper on Sunday for some of our interesting conversation we had over the weekend.

I thought Sundays stage show was far better than last years. The last illusion show, even though he was not as well known as Franz Harrary, won my vote. Youve got to admit guys his rise to the ceiling of the stage was fantastic.

The Juggling act was one of the best i have ever seen.

It made me realise how friendly our community is. The amount of people that remember you from precious conventions is amzing. Everyone is very friendly. Im looking forward to next year when i meet my new found friends and make some new ones.

I really enjoyed it. Any more Bernie Clifton however and I may just cry.