Every February, magicians from all over the world take over Blackpool for one weekend, for the World’s largest magic convention. It seems to get bigger every time, with close to 5,000 magicians this year!
This one was special. As soon as Lance Burton was announced, I booked my ticket! Seeing Lance on TV when I was a kid was the moment everything changed for me. Doves appeared from nowhere and flew to him on command, flashes of fire, all performed to music… and I knew that’s what I had to do. I was lucky to see him live in his Las Vegas show many times, including his last ever performance there in September 2010.
When the curtain went up in Blackpool on the opening day of the convention, the warmth from the audience was so welcoming and we enjoyed an evening with Lance and his friends. It was lovely to see him back on stage with all of the class and charm he become so well known for.
Mac King is Lance’s best friend since childhood, and one of the funniest and most talented magicians in his own right. Mac performed his show to a packed audience with the most incredible energy I’ve ever felt. The love for Mac in that room was overwhelming! He almost couldn’t be heard over the cheers and it made for an extremely memorable performance.
With Lance Burton
Lance Burton & Mac King
Arturo Brachetti’s full evening show was another event I was really excited about. I first saw Arturo in London’s West End back in 2009 and have been a huge fan ever since. A true artist in every sense of the word, Arturo is in a league of his own in the world of ‘quick-change’, with his character, personality and set changing together with his costumes. His new show ‘Solo’ combines spectacular quick-change with other variety skills, including shadowgraphy, sand art and of course magic interwoven throughout. Arturo needs to be seen live to be believed, and I hear he may be returning to the UK soon for a run of public performances, so if you have an opportunity to see him, go! Here’s a taste of what you’ll experience:
Richard Wiseman gave a brilliant ‘talk’ on séances. After a handful of unsuspecting volunteers were sent to participate in a live séance, we were taken behind the scenes thanks to a live, infrared camera feed. The psychic (played brilliantly by Danny Buckler) was wearing a secret earpiece so Richard could communicate with him! Hilarity ensued and it was fascinating to see some ‘genuine’ psychic tricks used and the impact they had on the participants.
Marko Karvo, the best animal act, closed the convention. There is a lot of love from magicians for Marko and his immaculate act, and another first for me was hearing the audience clapping along in time with the music after his first dove appeared! Finishing with a well-deserved standing ovation, it was great to see Marko back on stage at the theatre where he became World Champion back in 2012.
My highlight however, was what happened just before Marko’s performance: a surprise introduction from Lance Burton. Two of my biggest inspirations and a theatre full of respect, it’s a moment I will never forget. Together with another great magician, Phil Hitchcock, we managed to all get together for the first time, just before that final performance of the convention. I still can’t believe that these heroes have become friends :)
Edward Hilsum, Lance Burton, Marko Karvo & Phil Hitchcock.