|
|
Magic: Unleashed
North Yorkshire
Sunday, June 9th
Reported by Walt Lees
MAPro’s (www.mapromagic.co.uk)
and Mission Magic's (www.missionmagic.co.uk)
Magic: Unleashed day, at the Riccall Regen Centre, midway between Selby
and York, was an undoubted success. Some 50 people registered, plus another 20
or so to sell, lecture, organise and run tings. Mark Foster of Mission Magic and
Martin Allan, the driving force behind MAPro’ Magic and overall supremo, was
well pleased with the support and determined to go ahead with something similar
next year.
The centre, itself, is a largish modern one, with plenty of space and facilities
for the dealers, lectures and socialising. Turning up to sell, apart from MAPro
themselves, were Joel Dickinson & Adam Hudson, Stephen Leathwaite, Magic Tao and
Mission Magic. Free bacon rolls were available on arrival and barbecued
sausages/burgers at lunchtime were included in the £20 admission fee (part of
which was refundable when items were purchased from some of the dealers).
What differentiates this from most conventions is that it is customer led. The
organiser does not decide who to book; it is the registrants themselves.
The main events were 3 lectures. The first, by Paul Morley was on the
application of standard effects to educational themes. Paul is a Christian
minister, and many of his examples were gospel based. But even confirmed
atheists, agnostics and followers of other religions could still find plenty of
food for thought – as could those believers who are a little queasy about the
concept of doing gospel magic. It was stressed throughout that similar thinking
could be applied to: bullying, stranger danger, drug/alcohol abuse, road safety,
healthy eating etc.
Paul performed many of his specialities; showed some of the Bible-themed Magic
Painting books he sells, and had a nice secular routine with a sketch book,
which quickly sold out.
After a break, Joel Dickinson, a very energetic young performer, was introduced.
Among other things, he is the resident jester at a well-known mediaeval
banqueting suite and also has considerable busking experience. His performances
combine magic with juggling and visual comedy.
All his effects had the look of being developed from practical experience in
front of live audiences. Beginning with a bottle production, he went on to a
very effective sponge balls from the mouth; a card routine which involved
spectators’ signatures being removed and replaced, coupled with a torn &
restored. But, for many, the plum item was his highly innovative Cup(s) &
Ball(s) loading technique. Also discussed, were the merits of the diabolo as a
crowd puller.
Joel then introduced Adam Hudson, who demonstrated some unusual mathematical
curiosities, before showing his take on Any Card At Any Number. He was selling
the latter as a manuscript for £5, with all the proceeds going to a charity for
sick children.
The final lecture came from Stephen Leathwaite, whose theme was card magic,
mostly of the kind that is sometimes termed “semi-automatic”. But there were a
few items that would tax the more advanced worker, too. His psychological card
force seems sure-fire. I watched him perform it on his stand many times, and
never saw it miss.
Also, especially memorable, was his method of bringing a single card to the top
– a move that will take some mastering. But his leitmotiv was persevering with
sleights that do not come easily.
The festivities concluded with what must be a first for a UK convention, namely
Iain Jay and his several cohorts giving those, who wished it, the opportunity to
try their hand (or should that be feet?) at fire walking. There seemed to be no
shortage of takers, of all ages, who were prepared to risk a few burns to chalk
up a new experience for themselves.
© Walt Lees, June 2013