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The Northern Magic Circle
Convention 2016
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April
Harrogate
Reported by Donald Bevan
On
April 15 1956 seven magicians met at the Scotch Corner Hotel, Yorkshire and
formed the Northern Magic Circle. Sixty years later, this friendly society
marked its Diamond Anniversary with another successful convention, set in the
historic Harrogate Theatre. The weekend was dedicated to Paul Daniels, whose
recent passing is so sorely mourned, Paul being the N.M.C. Honorary
Vice-President.
Early Saturday morning after registrations and opening of the dealers (Merlins
of Wakefield, Devine Magic [Su Jayne] and Adrian Sullivan) President Danny Hunt
welcomed the small number of early birds, declared everything ‘open’ and we were
off. First a new item, Close-up Competition for magic clubs affiliated to the
Northern Magic Circle, of which there are close to twenty. So why only three
clubs fielded an entrant remains a mystery. Rick Tynan for Mahatma Magic Circle
(Liverpool) opened with smooth mini Linking Rings and varied signed card
locations, climaxed with the card appearing in his shoe. For Ipswich M.S. Wayne
Goodman also had multiple card locations, delivered with skill and lots of
humour. Finally, for Derby M.C., Paul Sharp also had chosen card revelations,
twisting kings (a la Aces) and a book test.
An unscheduled lecture was slipped in next, by Noel Qualter, of quiet
personality but devastating magic. This included a borrowed £20 note vanished,
to reappear as a photo on an iphone, the number verified before being ‘restored’
to its owner. Ambitious Card had the Qualter treatment to great effect; a
selected card visibly passed through a clear sheet of Perspex, a borrowed coin
was ‘burnt’ in water, and a celebrity name freely chosen from a deck of 52
(genuine!) names had that person’s photo in Noel’s (thin!) wallet. It was an
entertaining, instructive session.
After a lunch break, the next lecturer was Paul Stone. Forty-five minutes is
never enough to listen to Paul. In addition to showing numerous effects marketed
by Ken Brooke, such as Pop Eye Pips, Sid Lorraine’s ‘Eyes’ and Absolutely
Impossible Wallet, Paul regaled us with tales of magic legends; Fred Kaps, The
Moretties (frightening and hilarious!), Siegfried and Roy, Norm Nielsen, John
Calvert, Silvan and Lance Burton. The lecture included a detailed teach-in of
Jim Hooper’s Nemo Rising Cards (Ken Brooke again), emphasising the correct
handling to create a true magical effect. Numerous items including effects,
lecture notes, posters and Lance Burton T-Shirts were offered for sale.
Two other lectures, by Morgan and West and Andi Gladwin, I was unable to see.
The ‘Victorian Time Travellers’ I know feature the process for the creation of
‘characters’ and the work involved. Andi Gladwin is skilled in sleight of hand
and clever presentations, but also featured I’m told a neat idea for a Magic
Square.
Saturday pm brought a reasonable mix of children, mums, dads and magicians for
the Children’s Show hosted by clowns Clivo and Jeanie. Brian Lead opened the
show with a string of comedy props, outrageous puns and cheeky puppet dog and
monkey. In striking Merlin outfit Doug Gregg with young volunteer assistants
romped through a colourful, energetic act with a wilting flower, a train, and
Louis Histed’s Who’s Who at the Zoo from Abracadabra magazine.
In the second half Jack Dent was very good, very fast, very loud but highly
entertaining. A small boy left the stage having created spots on silks, conjured
up sweets and caused havoc with multiplying wands. Jack was seen in a recent
edition of TV’s Don’t Tell the Bride.
To close, Destiny, the teenage girls current holders of The Magic Circle Young
Magician of the Year title, with illusions, Linking Rings, flower and snowstorm
productions.
Saturday evening was devoted to the N.M.C. Junior Section. First a competition,
this year only three entrants. Taylor Nicou, very young (11), confident and with
promise, did a miscellaneous set including Chase the Ace, silk productions and –
made a fully costumed Genie appear who was then suspended on a magic carpet!
Joseph Mein, in an older bracket (14), was stylish with card routines including
Cards Across, and vanished bank note discovered in a pen. Sufficient for him to
win the trophy plus cash prize.
The third competitor was Julian Gibson (13) who introduced us to his Uncle
Shreck who did card tricks, and himself spent time not finding a selected card
until the end of the act!
After an interval, N.M.C. Secretary Brian Lead announced awards and President
Danny Hunt made the presentations. The Frank Richmond Award for 33 years
membership, to Phil Hanson (not present) and Brian Lead (who was!). The Eric
Bland Trophy for best contribution to Northern Lights (N.M.C.’s magazine) to Ray
Roberts. The Close-up winner was Paul Sharp for Derby M.C. The special
President’s Award for services to the Northern Magic Circle went to Junior
Section Organiser, former Editor of Northern Lights, Registration Officer and
general dogsbody (!), Su Jayne. Well deserved and well applauded.
The following show by thirteen of the juniors paid homage to comic book Super
Heroes, including Superman, Spiderman, Wonderwoman, Joker and more; Taylor
Nicou’s Incredible Hulk had to be seen! The magic ran the gamut from cards to
rope to illusions, including producing the entire cast in the finale. The show
devised and directed by Su Jayne. Special mention must go to the ‘boys in
black’: stage director Neil Roberts, assisted by ever-willing ‘hand’ Graham
Colven, and sound technician Sheriton Swan. These three active in all stage
shows and some of the lectures.
Under the title Past Junior Entertains, Danny Hunt (the junior!) and Stephanie
Clarke, as Amethyst, delivered excerpts from their full show. Milk in giant
light bulb, colour change LP records, Pavel’s Walking Knot, Jim Steinmeyer’s
puzzling penetration by three steel rings of a girl volunteer’s arm, and the
penetration, vanish and reappearance of Steph in the Conundrum Box. Fast,
stylish magic by two likeable people.
Sunday Lectures and Gala Show
First event early Sunday morning was the N.M.C. AGM, which cannot be reported
except that Robert Temple, young, energetic and personable hypnotist and
magician was confirmed as president for 2016/17, with Rick Tynan as
President-Elect.
In the History of Mystery slot, first lecture of the day was by Donald Bevan!
For this I meandered through the life of Goodliffe the Magician and Abracadabra,
the World’s Only Magical Weekly, running for 63 years. If reaction and comments
are anything to go by, this was well received. My thanks to John Russell, Neil
Roberts and Sheriton Swan for technical assistance.
Mike Shepherd next conducted a lively auction, proceeds to the Northern Magic
Circle Juniors. Some excellent items of offer here, some bringing good prices,
others almost given away. I noted one character successfully bidding for an
attaché case filled to bursting with magazines; then trying later to give it
away!
A lecture by Oliver Tabor followed. This was for stage performers and included
valuable advice, techniques and methods for producing and manipulating bubbles.
Oliver’s handling of doves was exceptional, including how to train birds, how to
house them and the tip to always try to use the same bird in the same effect
every time. This was top rate information from an all-round professional.
After lunch Luke Jermay lectured – and what a lecture! This guy is well known to
be at the top of mentalism, and he showed why. His ideas on riffle forces,
Tossed Out Deck, Living and Dead Test, Flapless Window Envelope with excellent
body movement to assist glimpses, an incredible book test and explanation of
Touchings, where three people swear they were touched by Luke – but were they? –
were off the planet! We were reminded that many effects used by mentalists came
not from magicians but from spiritualists. An excellent session which deserved a
larger audience.
Wayne Goodman compèred the Gala Show. Fast-talking and speedy work kept the
mixed audience of lay people and magicians entertained. Wayne had odd tricks and
comic banter, also featuring last year’s hilarious ‘special’, his version of
Jumbo Sharp Shooter (that’s a bullet hole through the chosen card!).
The first of six acts was 2 Minds Combined, into a pleasing and entertaining
shadow routine featuring numerous animals and characters including Donald Trump
and Simon Cowell, with a final rabbit from hat production.
Katie Trickett, young and glamorous, produced varied drinks from water and
cocktail shaker, to be sampled and approved by some of the audience, including
the Mayor of Harrogate. For some of us ‘oldies’, memories of Milton Woodward and
Kalanag!
Morgan and West closed first half as ‘Victorian Time Travellers’, suitably
dressed. To clever cross patter, a chosen card passed from one packet of ten to
another (just one, not three!), a borrowed ring vanished, to reappear on a
length of ribbon threaded through a paper bag, and Morgan, his back to West and
an audience volunteer, successfully divined selected coins dropped into a glass
tumbler, purely by sound. Believe that and . . . ! Clever and novel.
Second half opener was Oliver Tabor, a ‘musician’ to whom magical things
happened. His violin shrank, musical notes appeared at his fingertips, music
score revealed a dove and other birds unexpectedly and magically appeared.
Placed into a cage, this vanished to reveal a large, white cello! A stunning
finale. This act has class, humour, novelty and skill.
The Destiny girls returned with different illusions. First a cage of fire
quickly covered revealed 15-year old Sara Jade reclining, as any ‘big cat’
would. Later she ‘sank’ into a closed pyramid to be impaled (assuming she was
actually still there) with fire rods at impossible angles. Luckily the girl
emerged unscathed.
To close the show, John Archer ‘danced’ on stage to beguile the audience with
fast patter lines. All accompanying an intriguing Do As I Do card routine and
his outrageous tale of a balloon, two little girls, dressed the same, living in
identical cottages, leading (eventually!) to the revelation of a prediction. Oh
yes, finishing with pathos as John sang and played his ukulele to tears!
Entertainment all the way.
So ended the 60th anniversary convention of the Northern Magic Circle. The
Circle welcomes new members (www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk). Check out eventual
details of next year’s convention and aim to be there.
© Donald Bevan, April 2016.