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Travis Perkins Assembly Eighteenth Anniversary Day of Magic
Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire
Sunday 4th July 2010
Overlooked by Al Smith
With no price increase over last year and still just £3-50 for a day of magic,
the only baffling thing is that there weren’t more “enthusiasts” clamouring to
get in. But a grand total of 162 is not bad at all for a “small” event.
Working on the theme of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, the format remains
largely the same, though there is some inbuilt flexibility.
This year the workshops were back, two in fact, one lecturette (a short lecture)
a Questions & Answer panel chatathon and the showette (a short show).
Following the official opening, welcoming and various parish notices, came the
announcement that the marvellous Mrs Higgins was retiring this year and come
next year’s event, the venue would be in the hands a of a new caretaker. We wish
the new girl, Rachel, all good fortune, but Mrs Higgins is a hard act to follow.
“Caretaker” is a thoroughly inadequate description for the work she’s put in to
keep the building serviceable and, of course to help keep the TPA Days running
smoothly. Thanks again, Mrs H.
John Archer kept his fee at the same level as last year and so was invited to
return. He offered a sprinkling of his new Hannibal Lecture. The time
available in a lecturette meant it could be no more than a sprinkling.
Introduced by Bob West (he does his best) the feature of this was Blank Night.
This is something Mister Archer has been selling in PDF format via his website
for the last month or so. It’s his take on Bank Nite, or as we prefer to
call it, Just Chance. The performance was, not surprisingly, superb and
the explanation very clear. There’s a bit of preparation, which will likely
scare many (as a time served fingers-and-thumbs merchant, it did me) but it’s
worth checking and persevering with.
This was followed by a direct card thing in which a married couple divined each
other’s thoughts. Not much of a description for a strong item. Again well
performed and explained. As was the final effect, a book test using street
guides. Instead of a word, a spectator chose a street name. A fine idea and
something Mister Archer markets. It uses special books and according to Mister
Archer, it’s expensive. Quite how expensive, he didn’t say. But printing has
never been cheap, so I believe him.
The session was a treat. Mister Archer is a familiar face on the convention and
lecture circuit, but this is his new lecture. Don’t miss it.
It was the Q&A discussion panel next, with organiser-in-chief, Mike Shepherd
chairing a discussion on various magic topics. The expert panellists were John
Archer and Scott Penrose. Mister Archer is the current Magic Circle Stage
Magician of the Year and Mister Penrose is a previous (first-ever?) Magic Circle
Magician of the Year. Mister Penrose is also the incumbent vice-president of the
club. A high-powered duo, indeed.
Subjects ranged from which is more commercial, comedy or straight magic, working
in films and theatre, exposure on YouTube and TV, and much more. No tricks,
which may have irritated a few, but the majority loved it. An interesting
session.
The “commercial-comedy-straight magic” question was posed by Derek Lever, a
one-time TPA regular, who hasn’t been seen in Ferrybridge for a few years.
Welcome back Derek.
The two workshops occurred simultaneously, so, it was a choice of one or the
other. Outside in the sunshine and strong breeze, High Jinks, in the shape of
Michael Jordan, current Magic Circle Young Magician, demonstrated juggling and
unicycling. Inside Peter Roberts demonstrated his modernised version of the
Slydini Silks. Both were well attended and both highly informative. Apparently
Mister Roberts considers the Slydini original old-fashioned or dated some such.
I’m still not quite sure how he arrived at this conclusion, as the trick uses
handkerchiefs and not much else. I know sleeves are generally available as an
alternative, but are handkerchiefs old-fashioned, or dated? Oh well.
To close the day came the traditional Showette. John Archer doubled as compere
and performer, introducing High Jinks—Michael and Siobhan Jordan—and Scott
Penrose.
High Jinks did the longest spot, with a very varied mix of stuff, ranging from
needles from mouth, strait jacket escapes, tee-shirt prediction (you had to be
there) singing, guitar strumming and other stuff I’ve forgotten. A solo spot
from Siobhan featured Sands Of The Nile or Sands Of Egypt, or
whatever the latest version is called.
John Archer presented a blindfold routine, divining three spectator-drawings in
the middle of much comedy mayhem. Following this he introduced Scott Penrose.
According to one Wikipedia description, Scott Penrose is: “The epitome
of the professional magician. Think top hat and tails. Think silks, doves and
disappearing candles and you will know exactly who I am talking about.”
Which, in a nutshell at least, just about sums it up. Linking Rings and card
manipulations also get a serious look in. I should, of course, say, card magic;
during the Q&A session, Mister Penrose made it clear, more than once, that card
tricks are not his favourite food. It wouldn’t do for us all to like the same
things, would it.
Spending breaks were interspersed between the “official” magic, during which the
dealers sold tons of stuff. Perhaps. As always, a mix of “proper” dealers and
carbooters.
In no particular order and from failing memory, these included Castle Magic,
Merlins Of Wakefield, Black Cat Magic, Bradford Magic Studio and the
performers/lecturers. The carbooters were Sue de Courcy, Brian Mayne and the
Barnsley Circle Of Magicians.
And that was it for another year. Next year’s celebration is set for Sunday 5th
July 2010. Sadly there will be a price rise to £4-00. But it’s guaranteed to be
pegged at that figure until at least 2012.
As always, Mike Shepherd, overseer-in-chief of Castle Magic, very ably
masterminded the day’s proceedings, very ably assisted by the usual
suspects—Christine Shepherd, Sue de Courcy, Maurice Johnson, and Bob West. Pat
Gresham and Irene Webster (I think—I didn’t see her) were on the door keeping
busy all day, as was the retiring Mary Higgins and her team of helpers.
All in all, a grand day out.
© Al Smith, July 2010