So, I’ve finally got around to posting a little review of the International Festival of Magic which was held in London last week. Mods, please merge with the Convention thread if you feel that it belongs in there.
Sadly, I could only attend 3 of the 4 evenings and none of the daytime lectures due to work commitments so my review will be based on what I actually saw. Please, however, be aware that my memory isn’t great so there may well be bits missing or in the wrong order!
Monday Night Magic
Hosted by John Lenahan, this night was billed as a “varied bill of top class magical & comedy performers” and it certainly was a fun evening. I really like John’s comedy style; energetic and somewhat manic at times. I was fortunate enough to be “slip slide left” in a great cards across routine using fitness equipment.
Mark Shortland performed some humorous rope, mouse-trap and card magic before finishing with a signed foam disc bullet catch. After the show I had to commend him on excellent audience management as one of his volunteers was a rather difficult French girl who didn’t comply very well with instructions.
Alan Hudson, who had only took the gig that afternoon, was up next and did his lovely “which balloon?” routine which went down well.
Nick Einhorn started his set with a wine bottle from balloon production before mesmerising the audience with a great linking of volunteers’ wedding bands.
Last act of the evening was John Archer who performed his routine from “Fool Us”. Again I was a participant and I have my “John Archer Commemorative Zero Dollar Bill” as proof.
All of the acts stayed behind after the show for a drink and a chat and I felt that the evening was a great success.
Tuesday Night: Hustle!
First up (I think!) was Jason England. My word, this fella can control cards! For me, this was a flawless demonstration of all types of dealing and I was ready to throw my decks in the bin after watching him perform.
Next, the wonderful R Paul Wilson. A great gambling show with lots of audience participation. A great coin routine preceded his final routine which was a funny pea and shell game with an unfortunate volunteer who, at one point, was down about £360. Obviously Paul let him win the last bet which was an impossible pea penetration of a glass.
Guy Hollingworth followed and, as always, was a class act to watch.
Last up was Pete Wardell who adopted the persona of a Texan hustler and demonstrated some good poker hustles against an audience member.
All in all, another wonderful night. I only got a chance to hang out with Pete after the show as the others must have head off straight after.
Wednesday: Mentalism
The night kicked off with our very own Dr Todd. A wonderful array of peculiar props had the audience in suspense before the show started and Todd did very well when came on. Todd speaks with great diction and links every effect nicely with stories of his childhood and his political interests.
Closing the evening was Quentin Reynolds. He actually opened with the same routine as John Archer’s fool us (with a different method, however) which I thought was a little odd but the rest of his show was great. He did a lovely routine with a married couple “psychically” determining the word their significant other was thinking. The highlight for me was being the participant in a lovely knotted silk routine. I really did tie my best knot!
After I had sat down he held the ends of the silks and the knot untied itself. The moment really was beautiful. The crowd were perfectly silent and the knot came undone at exactly the right pace.Summary
Man, I wish I could have been at the whole thing!
Although I made a great new friend in Pat Fallon, with whom I spent the majority of the three days. He really is a charming gentleman and a pleasure to be around.
After-show was spent mainly drinking with Max Maven, Luke Jermay, Eugene Burger, Mark Setteducati, Lubor Fiedler and Pat.
If this event was on next week I would be going to every event.
10/10 for me – congratulations to International Magic for putting the whole thing together.
And now, some photos:
... sadly work meant that I couldn't get to the day time events, nor the weekend convention... 
