27 August 2011

International Magic Close Up Competition


Hi folks

Always a high spot of The International Magic Convention, the Close Up Competition has now reached it's allocated number of entrants. If you wish to be added to the waiting list, for a spot in the event of drop outs, please contact georgia@internationalmagic.com.

The winning performer, picked by the international panel of judges which includes many foreign Convention organisers, wins the Kevin Reay Trophy, an invitation to the FFFF Convention in America and £1000 cash. In the year leading up to each FISM Convention the Competition has traditionally had a very high standard and MacMillan family hope that you'll be able to join them this year for another exciting event.

If you do not believe me about how strong the competition can be, get in touch with the gang at International and buy yourself the DVDs of the 2005 International Close Up Competition. The calibre that year was the best I had seen in any competition outwith FISM.

As always, registration details for the whole Convention and other extra magical events in the same week can be found on the International Magic website.

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)
Posted by The Cardman at 6:00 pm
0 comments Labels: ,

17 August 2011

International Magic Gala Show

Hi folks

The Gala Show (19 & 20 November) at this years International Magic Convention - known affectionately known as “Ron’s” - once again promises to be a wonderful evening’s entertainment of magic and variety including three completely new-to-the-UK acts. These include a phenomenal Korean manipulator, a German act packed with unbelievable magic and surprises and an act based on one of the oldest principles in magic but brought bang up to date with a contemporary twist. We’d tell you their names but in this day of You Tube we’d much prefer you to experience their magic for the first time live and in person in the comfort of The Mermaid Theatre rather than alone on a computer screen!

Alongside these acts premièring in Great Britain, are some old favourites from previous Gala Shows including David Williamson, Simmons and Simmons, and London’s first stage appearance of Sweden’s Tom Stone. A great evening of magic, laughter and speciality acts that you can be proud to bring your friend and families to.

Tickets are available for Saturday and Sunday night – but remember if you’re planning to attend the one-off Saturday Night performance of Max Maven’s one man show Thinking in Person: An Evening of Knowing and Not Knowing at The Bridewell Theatre you will definitely need to book Gala Show tickets for the Sunday. Tickets for all shows, the Convention and specialist seminars in London’s Festival of Magic are available on the International Magic website.

If you have been reading my blog over the last wee while, you will know how much I enjoy the International Magic Convention. The Gala Show is always one of the many highlights and this year looks no different. Book your tickets before it's too late!

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)
Posted by The Cardman at 10:29 pm
0 comments Labels: ,

16 August 2011

2011 Edinburgh Fringe

Hi folks

Last weekend, I had a couple of days at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe where I managed to catch 6 shows - 3 each day. I thought you might be interested in my thoughts on them. I am going to try not to quote gags or tell you which tricks are performed during these "reviews". I have also given a "star" rating which is out of 5.

If you've seen the "Police Academy" movies, you've seen Michael Winslow. If you've seen "Spaceballs", you've seen Michael Winslow. If you've seen "Gremlins" and some episodes of "Family Guy", you've heard Michael Winslow. This is the guy that can make all sorts of vocal noises, from a machine gun to, with the help of some reverb in his microphone, Jimi Hendrix's guitar. He provided us with those and a whole lot more in his hour on stage. I'll be honest, I was wondering what he would do to fill an hour but from the moment he walked on stage, those thoughts were out of my head as he owned The Underbelly stage from the moment he walked on stage until he walked off after his wonderful Louis Armstrong finale. Normal, mundane, everyday tasks took on a whole new life with Winslow acting them out on stage while providing his own self-produced sound effects. If you can get a ticket, get one. It is a great hour.
Rating - *****

It looks like Ali has been busy in the last year learning a host of new magic for this year's show with everything from intricate sleight of hand with coins to some big stage illusions being displayed. He also displays his ever-growing skill as a stand up comic with some funny, and sometimes dark, pieces. As a magician, it was the magic that I was there to see and he made excellent use of a large screen at the back of the stage, not only to allow the whole audience to enjoy some of the smaller pieces that he performed but to illustrate things that he was talking about in the build up to a routine. He also fooled me with a number of his magical in the show - I am almost embarrassed to admit that his card routine caught me completely - and it all made for a very enjoyable hour. If you like magic, you'll like Ali.
Rating - ****

For me, listening to comedy in a darkened room is not a new thing. My best mate introduced me to the concept many years ago when he was introducing me to the work of a certain Bill Hicks. What was new to me was listening to comedy being performed live, right in front of me, in an auditorium in the company of over 100 other people. It makes for an interesting experience. Of the 3 performers that were on the night I went, Mark Olver and Patrick Monahan were both enjoyable but it was Terry Alderton who made full use of the darkness by performing a number of excellent impressions of other comedians and then sneaking Tim Vine and Milton Jones onto and off of the stage during his set. An enjoyable late night show.
Rating - ***

I went to this show for 2 reasons. First, on the memory of seeing James Kirk performing the night after he won last year's So You Think You're Funny competition. Second, because it was part of PBH's Free Fringe. The show was compered by Gus Lymburn who did an excellent job of getting the crowd warmed up before introducing the first performer, Matt Winning, who performed an OK set. There were a few bits that missed the mark, but it wasn't too bad. James Kirk was introduced next and was excellent with a good amount of new material complimenting the one piece that he performed that I could remember from his set last year. The last act was Richard Gadd who, I have to admit, I did not find terribly funny. His style of comedy had me, and a number of others in the audience, sitting in silence. There were a few good gags in his set but I found his material too weird too much of the time. The trio returned afterwards with a very funny musical piece which had everyone leaving with a smile on their face and a catchy song in their heads.
Rating - ***

Young And Strange recently appeared on ITV's Penn & Teller: Fool Us performing a fairly large scale illusion. This show sees them performing a number of smaller pieces in a nightclub that is being used as a venue on the PBH Free Fringe. The performance I saw was their first of the Fringe and, as is usual at such events, there were some teething problems (had I seen a later performance I may have awarded an extra star but I can only go on what I saw). However, most of these were not apparent until Rich and Sam told me afterwards. I think that alone tells you how hard they have worked to put this show together. It is an enjoyable hour with some excellent magic in it - as was apparent by the reactions from the full house that had turned up to see the show. I think you will enjoy it too.

Edit - Rich and Sam have added extra shows for next week. You can catch their illusion show from 21st to 26th August at Princes Mall (space L8) at 14:15. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Rating - ***

I have been to see Jarlath over the last few years at the Fringe and have found his laid back, friendly style to be a bit of a welcome break from the in-your-face style of comedy that seems to be so prevalent these days. Sure, there are a number of f-bombs and a c-bomb in the show but he does them with such style that you don't really mind. Your mum might, but you don't. This year's show concentrates upon his time in Irish children's television. Not only what he was doing and stories about what went on, but the reasons why he was doing it. He also has a wonderful piece about watching the Eurovision Song Contest which I will not spoil. This is, by far, Regan's most personal show but do not allow that to put you off. Personal? Yes. Moving? Very! Funny? Extremely! Do yourself a favour - go get a ticket and enjoy a brilliant stand up comedian in this intimate setting before he starts having to perform in huge arenas which, if there was any justice in this world, he will be in the not too distant future!
Rating - *****

So there you go. Six shows in a couple of days. The only down side to my visit through to Edinburgh was the weather. It rained constantly from Saturday afternoon until I left on Sunday afternoon. Still, I enjoyed what I saw. If you get a chance, I hope you find shows that you enjoy.

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)
Posted by The Cardman at 6:50 pm
0 comments Labels: ,

03 August 2011

The 40th International Magic Convention and The London Festival of Magic

Hi folks

The gang at International Magic have been really busy over the last few weeks, not only putting the 40th edition of the International Magic Convention (18th to 20th November) but also organising the first London Festival of Magic which will take place the week leading up to the Convention itself.

The Festival will feature Workshops and Seminars during the day and performances at night, all taking place at the Bridewell Theatre, Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London. The daytime events are 10:30am for an 11am start and the evening events are 7pm for a 7:30pm start. Here is the schedule of what has been organised:-

Monday 14th November
Daytime: Marketing For Magicians with Bob Yelland
Evening: Monday Night Magic - a varied bill of top class magical and comedy performers.

Tuesday 15th November
Daytime: Advanced Card Techniques with Guy Hollingworth, Jason England, Ben Earl and Paul Wilson
Evening: Hustle! - Double bill of performances. Combined show of Guy Hollingworth, Jason England and Paul Wilson followed by Pete Wardell's One Man Show

Wednesday 16th November
Daytime: Mentalism with Andy Nyman, Paul Stockman, Mark Elsdon and Luke Jermay
Evening: Mentalism with Quentin Reynolds and Todd Landman

Thursday 17th November
Daytime: Making Magic Meaningful with Eugene Burger and Larry Hass
Evening: An Audience With David Berglas - A chance to spend an evening with the International Man of Mystery in an intimate setting as he answers questions and looks back at his incredible career.

Friday 18th November
Daytime: Creativity with Tom Stone, Mark Setteducati, Angelo Carbone

Saturday 19th November
Evening: Max Maven Thinking in Person: An Evening of Knowing and Not Knowing

The schedule for the Convention itself has also been announced. As it has the last couple of years, the convention is taking place at the Mermaid Theatre, Puddle Dock, London - in my opinion, a brilliant venue. Here is what has been organised:-

Friday 18th November
Evening (doors open 6:30pm for 7pm start):
Harry Anderson Show

Saturday 19th November
Daytime (doors open 9:30am, first event 10am):
Dealers - open all day
28th International Close Up Competition and Kevin Reay Trophy
Eugene Burger Lecture
David Williamson Event
Jason England Lecture

Evening (doors open 6pm for 7:30pm start):
International Magic and Variety Show (first performance)

Saturday 19th November
Daytime (doors open 10am, first event 10:30am):
Dealers - open all day
Larry Hass Lecture
Close Up Gala with Eugene Burger Lecture, Larry Hass, David Williamson, Tom Stone, Jason England
Max Maven Lecture
Tom Stone Lecture
David Berglas Award to ????

Evening (doors open 6pm for 7:30pm start):
International Magic and Variety Show (second performance)

So there you have it folks. Now we know what's happening when and I, for one, cannot wait. Just remember, it's only 3½ months away!

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)
Posted by The Cardman at 12:04 am
0 comments Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)