Meeting Bill Malone - and I KNOW we look alike!
Thursday, for me, started with rehearsing for the Close Up Competition. I had made a conscious decision that I would miss David Williamson's lecture, scheduled for the Thursday morning, in order to be able to practice a little more. I just wanted to make sure that all was OK. When I finally did venture out of the hotel, it was to head to the Convention Centre for the Competition. I had to perform my act 4 times in total – one in each of 4 performance rooms, allowing spectators as good a view as possible of the acts. The acts all seemed to go OK. There were a couple of minor errors, but nothing that I couldn’t get out of – thank goodness. Even though I came nowhere in the competition (the eventual winner being former Young Magician of the Year, Steve Dela), I was really appreciative of the very kind comments that people made to me about what I had done, especially people who went a little out their way to walk over and give me their thoughts. Thank you all.
One thing that had been arranged for the week were “Late Night Magic” shows in the Southport Arts Centre. These were in place of Fay Presto’s “Fringe” that had become a staple of recent IBM Conventions. This year’s shows were lots of fun with the likes of David Williamson, Bob Sheets, John Fealey and Tim Gabrielson all causing mayhem on a nightly basis. A few highlights included:-
Seeing Gaeton Bloom performing his world-famous card manipulations – with boxing gloves on!
Lennart Green being ambushed during his act by Williamson and Gabrielson so that it was definite that he couldn’t see what cards were where.
A funny skit that I was involved in with French magician Boris Wild in which he asked me to think of “anything” I liked, and him predicting that I was thinking of the France v Scotland football result.
Johnny and Pam Thompson’s stories about dog smuggling and Dai Vernon (with Mr Thompson as Vernon)
Lennart Greet attempts to contact the Mothership
after being blindfolded by Williamson and Gabrielson
Friday night saw the 4th running of the IBM Poker Championships, this year sponsored by Redtooth Poker. This year, 16 players took part with Mark Elsdon beating Noel Britten for the title and the trophy at just before 5am.
The Close Up Gala was one of the strongest Close Up shows I’ve ever seen! The conditions were great with good views of all the performers. Since my great friend Julie was a runner, or “Mobile Executive”, making sure the performers were where they should be for their shows, I decided that I would stay in the room that she was based in. This turned out to be the smallest room of the 3 in use and it was the perfect place to watch 6 of the best magicians on the planet – Michael Vincent, Boris Wild, Gaeton Bloom, Lennart Green, Bill Malone and Rocco. All the performers were excellent but there was, for me, a bit of a revelation. Last year, during the FISM World Championships, I had not “connected” with Rocco’s act. I didn’t seem to “get it”. This time, however, I really did enjoy it. I “got it”. It came across a lot better in the live room than it did when I was watching it in the video room last year. Of course, my favourite was Lennart – but then what else would you expect when I’m such a big fan!
The 6 performers in the Close Up Gala - (l to r) Lennart Green, Boris Wild,
Gaeton Bloom, Rocco, Bill Malone and Michael Vincent
Table for lots! Saturday night dinner with (l to r) Noel Britten, Romany,
Paul and Mhairi Nardini, JJ, John Archer and Dave Jones
The Saturday night stage Gala Show was pretty good. Highlights included Paul Zenon's constant one-liners (and taking a few risks with a pint of beer, a snooker triangle and a dog lead - you'll need to see him to know what I'm talking about) and Vik and Fabrini's wonderful act.
Three of my best friends - John Archer and Paul and Mhairi Nardini
Ain't I a lucky guy? Me with Julie and Ali -
friends I wish I could see more often!
It was a fun convention this year with tons of stuff going on and the opportunity to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in too long, as well as making new ones. The line up for next year has already been announce and it is so good that I fully intend being there already!
Speak soon
The Cardman :-)
