|
|
52nd Bristol Day of Magic
Sunday 13th May 2012
Reviewed by Elizabeth Warlock
Without
doubt Paul Gertner was the star of the day with his incredible technical skills
and originality combined with a great personality in his performances both at
the close-up table and his lecture. In the former were the card effect
Unshuffled, his famous Cups and Balls routine using steel ball bearings, and a
beautiful effect with an iPad whereby he interacted with his wife both in
picture and action to the music of You Are Always on My Mind. For the lecture he
demonstrated a novel effect with the four aces, Digital Dreams and his use of
the Classic Force as well as giving valuable advice to anyone thinking of
turning professional.
In the close-up show, apart from Paul Gertner were Will Gray, in top form, with
Gypsy Thread using the string attached to a balloon, production of a live
goldfish from a borrowed spectator’s coat, and the chosen signed card revealed
in a sealed deck, and. Oscar Munoz who gave us a rope effect, torn and restored
chosen card, Twisting the Aces, the Paul Harris routine of Cards Across and a
coloured ball routine.
Then there was the Gala Show that included Richard McDougall in two superb spots
first with his wonderful cigarette routine and secondly his comedy act with the
goose; Steve Hewlett, a ventriloquist par excellence, had an array of puppets
whose vocal antics had the audience rocking with laughter, and the award winning
Romany dressed in black and pink and bubbling like a glass of champagne,
included the production of numerous birdcages, a linking ring routine, silk to
rose, Coins Across and finally Gypsy Thread. Pat Fallon was traditional using
silks, candles and ribbons, Oscar Munoz included balloon swallowing and a rope
routine with an assistant from the audience, and to close the casually dressed
Martyn James strolled through such illusions as Lions Bride, the Assistants
Revenge and Through the Eye of a Needle. The Tiffany Dancers opened each half,
and the show was emceed by Kockov who unnecessarily lengthened the show to three
hours by virtually performing an act between the acts. Music was provided by the
Ambassadors of Jazz.
During the day other events included lectures from Oscar Munoz and Pat Fallon,
Mandy Davis hosted a Young Magicians workshop, Graham Lee showed how balloon
magic should really be done and 25 dealers were there to display their wares.
British Ring President, Brian Miller opened the day which was organised by
Amanda Farrell, Simon Lane and Dave Alexander and presided over by Jim Hoyland.
© Elizabeth Warlock, May 2012