talkmagic.co.uk

Day one... after a night of drinking and thinking, the room is stinking.
but you can put up with such things at this convention, as they are part and parcel of the wonderful experience that is the South shields magic convention.

last nights informal meet and greet, turned out to be one well worth going to. I sat with the legend that is Walt Lees, and we talked about the state of magic today, and in the future, as well as other things. I learned that Cliff Lount , magic dealer of many years is a cousin of Eric Morcambe... Must find out more about that, and the brother of Cookham artist Sir Stanley Spencer was into magic in a big way...

anyhow, today’s schedule goes something like this....

10am, children’s show with Gary Dunn, followed by his lecture at 11.This was a masterclass on how to keep todays Family audience entertained, with games, fun, and magic. Simply the best childrens entertainer ive seen in many, many years.

A break for lunch, and the dealers... then we have a voice workshop, and close up sessions involving Nick Einhorn, David Stone, and Jason Latimer.

David Stones lecture If you get the chance to See David work do, because hes hysterical, and utterly breathtaking. He has some great hints and tips on the splash bottle production all who murder this effect, should use his ideas. Torn and restored card, colour chaning decks, coins, ect, ect made the time fly .. Briliant!!!

the friday Gala show.
John Archer compere introduced..
Jason Latimer, Van Buren and Company, Colin McLeod, and Jon Stetson.

Jon Stetson, American mentalist, opened the show. I felt that he was uncomfortable. I can’t put my finger on why.. Also i felt that he bought people on stage, for no reason other than to pass comment on what they wore.

van Buren and co, rattled through a numb er of wonderful classic Illusions, and botania productions in break neck speed. Andrew bought the act to a fitting climax, with as fine a display of Plate spinning as you would ever want to see.... the audience loved them.

second half Colin McLeod performed some impressive mentalism, including drawing dupe, in a manner the audience found pleasing.

Closing the show, Jason Lattimer performed his card and hoop routine... well worth looking that up on youtube!

the midnight show..

A relaxed , if drawn out evening. Jon Stetson performed a 10 minute Himber ring routine... that took over 20 to do.
john archer entertained like only john can, with a couple of nice strong effects and his superb Ukulele playing.

Then our own, ( Nearly typed my own for some reason..lol).... Darren James. it was after 1 AM , Darren performed his signature 3 rope routine, a ball production, gun slinger, and Deck A-LA orange, all served up with his own special brand of humour.
Can't really review him, as he's my best mate... and well, I am biast.
he did ok.

then to the bar till 4am...ish.

well you have to.. its a convention after all...

just over 2 and a half hours "sleep" and presto.... its saturday!

shower, shave, breakfast.... and off to the theatre to see......
Fist lecture of the day, Nicholas Einhorne. Nick demonstrates his take on some classic effects such as coin in bottle, ring flight, ect. sorry for the lack of details, but a combination of lack of sleep, and forgetting to buy a note book, means Im having to remember things in hindsight. It was a quality lecture, Illustrated with many commercial effects. loved the ring on string stuff.

Paul Vigil follows, with a full performance of his intimate magic experience, as performed in his showroom in Las Vegas. Mostly card effects, with a well scripted patter, finishing up with a supurb slow motion Coin Matrix. No explanations of the effects, but a chance to ask any questions. interseting.
following lunch, Jon Stetson walked us through a number of his favorite effects, starting with the over long Himber ring he did on the Friday night late show. He had one or two great bits in this routine.. shame he didnt actually explain them., again he over ran.

because of the over run, no break.. straight up stairs to the Colin Mcleod Lecture, where he demonstrated and taught a number of routines, including his bookless book test, lottery numbers, and some words on Dual reality.

the dealer room.. then off to find a bite to eat ready for the evenings Gala show. We found a nice Italian, where they had a 3 course deal for ten pounds.. and very nice it was too!

and off to see the saturday night gala.
On the bill..... Jon Stetson introduced (at great length).....
Paul Vigill.. performing on stage, the same routine as we saw in his talk. However this performance was TOTALY different. His choice of spectators being completely wrong. Unfortunately the lovely lady, who had health issues, became so enraptured in the act, and so full of wonder, she forgot the audience.. and started to have a loud conversation with paul. this came to a head when she asked loudly.." Are you Gay?" Paul shot up in every magicians estimation, because he handled the lady with grace, and charm, and it was a master class in audience management.. thought not on audience choice.

then Jon Stetson came on to introduce the next act..... and went on, and on, and on, performing a confusing routine with a map, and for some reason 7 members of the audience, including the lady from the last act, who served no purpous what so ever.

next on the bill, we see... Nicholas Einhorn. He has the most excelent version of my least favourite effect Smash and Stab using 6 chairs,6 cups, 2 dice and a spike. he also performed ring flite, using a different to that shown in the lecture.

next, after Mr Stetson ... Jason Latimer, performing his best known act the glass cups and balls. some incredible moments of wonder, and loved by the lay members of the audience.

second half, and the amazing wonder that is... NORBERT FERRE`... Balls, cards, shoes, squeeks, impressions, tap dancing, and charm swepth through the audience.. and this incredible act won him a deserved standing ovation from magicians, and non magicians alike.. I love this act more than i can say.. and he is so nice too! humble.... and brilliant.

Following Norbert, and Jon.... British magical sensation Amethyst perform a whirlwind of Ilusions, and smaller magical effects, including snowstorm,( with a small load.. i like that) Pavels walking knot.. and Pavels Silk Serenade... a simply excellent and tiny box effect ended this supurb convention finisher.. and the Lay audiences were sent off into the night, having watched some great magic. In fact as Jason Latimer pointed out at the bar afterwards, this gala show included 4 FISM prize winning acts.. not many small conventions give you that do they?

back to the hotel for more social drinkies, and magic... I left reasonably early, as the last couple od nights had finaly caught up with me big time. but i gather it was still going on at 6am.

Sunday......
2 lectures, from 2 of the best. Jason Lattimer, a man who never lectures, shared a dream, and valuable information regarding an overlooked area in magic, Corporate design. Illustrating how his company offers Visual special effects thearte rather than magic, and as an example, we saw how he produced a car for a global launch. Interesting stuff. The dream he shared was his Las Vegas show that will happen one day. He also had a few tales of Billy Mcomb, His mentor for 17 years. It shows. Lovely guy.

next, and closing the convention, Our Own John Archer.
6 effects, including his envelope routine as seen on fool-us were performed.. then explained, in his own special way. John could stand there for the hour scratching himeslf, and we would all still enjoy ourselves, and go away knowing something new.
his take on the sneek thief is worth thinking about, his "you" card trick is lovely, he has a cool yet not marketed routine involving collector cards of movie stars.. lots of great stuff.

and then sadly.. the trip home... a long trip... which i kept awake for. as Did Darren.. thank gawd. since he was driving.

now the good news.

there has been a rumour that this years was going to be that last one.

its more than 90% sure that this event will continue. Let us remove any doubt that its going to stop by spreading the word. Tyneside magic convention is probably the greatest magical gathering in the world. Visitors that come to see this wonderful weekend, always go home singing it's praises.. put the whole of march on hold next year.. and make sure that you can be there to witness this amazing happening for yourself..

incidentally, there are tons of photos on facebook, more loading as i type, so do a search.. and see what you missed out of.

in closing the thank you's........

Firstly Martin Duffy... whose dreams and ambitions created this wonder. This convention has probably elevated British magic to a level no other event will ever do....
Secondly, his right hand lady, Karri Prinn, who is so nice, so hard working, and a magic nut.. If my council had someone with half her devotion, and determination, i wouldn’t be upset at the council tax. South shields get their money’s worth just with her..

the customs house, who give the venue free of charge, in order to make this event a success. This venue is just about the nicest one I've ever visited.

Magic box. What can i say about the boys? great guys, and generous sponsors.. Please show your thanks to them by buying my new trick Iconoclast, when it finally comes out.

and a special mention of thanks must go to the other 149 delegates, who make this a real joy to attend.

Ill write up the dealers later

In adition, it was lovely seeing so many T.M'ers.. Including our dear old past member....Eshly. who is in life, exactly the same as on line. Bloody frustrating at times.

Excellent Reviews from both Dale and Pete on the other thread. Sounds like y'all had fun!

Haha, Seems like Jon Stetson is not your cup of tea Dale! :p

No, please dont get me wrong, Jon is a lovely guy.

its just that I felt that he was out of his comfort zone , in particular when he was MC for the Gala show. His gags didn't go down all that well with the Geordie Audience. but he may well of been jet lagged.