FISM 2000 - INTRODUCTION

FISM 2000
July 3 - 8, 2000
Portugal, Lisbon
By Sue-Anne Webster & Tim Ellis
(Reproduced from the pages of AMM2000, July Issue)

Lisbon, Portugal was the destination for over 2100 magicians from all over the world attending the 21st FISM World Magic Congress July 3-8, 2000.

Australian representatives were Sean Taylor and Diana Taylor from Taylor's Magic Shop in Sydney, Steven Penson (an employee of Taylor's Magic Shop) and his father Kevin, Sam Powers (President IBM, Sydney), Phil Cass and Philippa, Robert Todd, Timothy Hyde and The Amazing Linda, Charles Gaucci and his wife, David Jones, Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster.

Arriving in Portugal started us on an adventure into the unknown, with some registrants having difficulties getting through immigration and then on to the hotels. No information had been given to hotel receptions regarding times for FISM buses that were to take us to the Belem Cultural Centre the following day. Hotels were located up to 40 minutes bus ride from the event centre, which proved to be a little problem through the week. We all went to bed believing it would be sorted out... it was, so we set off early the next morning for the world magic event.

It was exciting to know we would find some fabulous talent in the competitions and catch up with some wonderful people. The FISM venue was fantastic. Set in historic Belem, Lisbon, we were treated to a riverside spectacle overlooking a grandiose park, Portuguese Cathedral and Convent. The venue was clean and bright, the theatre superb... every seat had a clear view of the stage with two huge screens to enhance the smaller effects performed during the acts. Balconies provided private viewing boxes... perfect for taking notes on the acts. The theatre and close up room was not large enough to hold 2100 registrants, so the Gala Stage Shows had to be held twice each, while the Gala Close up Show was repeated five times.

A big congratulations must go to the most incredible technical staff we've ever seen working on a convention. Delays and power cuts interfered with some of the events, but it took no time at all for the lighting crew and stage crew to have the ball rolling in a flash.

The close up room was quite small and, although a video screen was available, the camera angle, focus and white balancing were not adequate to see close up magic in detail... so there were long lines waiting well in advance to acquire good seats for the performances. Again, the crew whizzed the acts through quite diligently despite the fact that extra contestants were added at the last minute and competition sessions ran way overtime. All said and done, the work was accomplished and some wonderful performances were displayed.

People on the whole had a wonderful time, although about a thousand people were left stranded one night when the FISM buses took the audience from the Close up Gala back to their hotels at 11.40pm without waiting for the Stage Gala audience to come out (the show ran late) at 12.05am. It was cold, there were elderly people without adequate covering and some in wheelchairs, left to fend for themselves in a foreign city without transport of any kind... foreigners who couldn't speak English or Portuguese had no idea what to do. There were no FISM staff to look after us and taxis were virtually non existent. Some of the unlucky walked back to their hotels and arriving well after 2:00am. The only other mishap of the week was the disaster called the Closing Dinner and Gala Show... held in an outdoor rock concert venue with 3 barbecues and a few plates of salad to feed 2100 people. Most went hungry... others dialed Pizza Hut or visited the nearby McDonald's. There weren't even enough tables and chairs for everyone. The wind was blowing and technical faults abounded. A very difficult situation for all concerned... but again, we were all in it together and will never forget this adventure as long as we all shall live!

Overall, it was a fantastic experience to be with such friendly, supportive, professional people... grateful at the opportunity to see the experts in action. Guy Hollingworth, Topas, The Flicking Fingers, Eugene Berger, Juan Tamariz, Nicolas Night and Kinga, Paul Daniels, and Ali Bongo to name just a few.

And who will ever forget the Gala #2 show when the unfortunate accident occurred. Mago Anton's water tank exploded on stage. The sides shattered as Mago, tied to a weight that hit the sides, dived for a selected card. The water raced towards the front rows of the audience like a mini tidal wave, splashed over the edge and wet the first couple of rows. A rare sight, indeed. Thankfully Mago was out of his handcuffs in a flash and wasn't hurt, save for his broken heart at losing his $10,000 illusion. The theatre had to deal with the stench of wet carpet over the next day or two as well.

A shock for me was discovering that Australia is not registered with FISM. New Zealand is, but not Australia. I think we'll have to go about fixing this situation pretty quickly.