Wednesday, July 23, 2003
A lot of people mustn't like close up as the Van Gogh Hall only seated 800 and was never totally full. It was a good set up with two video screens on either side of the stage, but as it was a raised stage it was hard to see the table surface live, unless you were in the rear section of the audience. The video cameras were useful, but sometimes frustrating as they stayed on the performer's face when you wanted to see the action on the table.
51: PIERRIC - Switzerland - MIC & INV.
Pierric did a clever coins through table routine with a trap door, and a cloning routine with modelling clay which, when rubbed, turned into money. He did the cups and balls (two of each) to music, ending with the balls turning to coloured sand and one cup also turning to sand.
52: ARISTON - Argentina - INV.
Essentially a dealers demonstration with four tricks and explanation. A marked deck using an optical principal, another marked deck, a rising card using a concealed magnet and a named card appearance using a close-up pad as a card index. The last gimmick was really good.
53: SHAWN FARQUHAR - Canada - MIC.
A very funny act. Shawn was brightly attired and had a great personality and stage presence. A selected signed card re-appeared back inside a resealed case. He performed a cups and balls routine where the cups ended up being completely solid. A brilliant performance. Very entertaining.
54: FENDER - Italy - CD.
A blank deck of cards became printed. Four aces appeared. Four aces were shuffled into the deck and reappeared with royal flushes. Cards were dealt in red, black order, then pairs, then triples. Magician used a shuffling machine to show that he was faster than the machine. Finally, a blue deck returned to new deck order and changed to a red deck.
55: ROBERT BLAKE - The Netherlands - MIC.
Cigarette tricks and gags. Robert ate cigarettes and smoked from his mouth. He blew smoke rings and as he grabbed the smoke ring it changed to a solid ring. Lots of laughs with old jokes, but not much magic. More of a Parlour act than close-up. After a touch of Manuel Muerte-like confetti tossing, Robert scaled two cards that were caught in the deck on either side of a card named by the spectator.
56: JOHAN HENDRIKS - The Netherlands - MIC & INV.
Very funny sequence where a scientist introduced us to his robot head. After a bit of comedy he downloaded "intelligence" into his magic robot using an L.E.D. display board. He did everything you could imagine and more to the numbers which moved along the display: stopped them, reversed them, jumbled them, even vaccuumed them off the screen. Other effects included the smoke from the robot's cigar appearing in a glass, and his finale was a D'lite tulip.
57: TONY PRICE - Belgium - CD.
First Tony asked a volunteer to help, promising her she could stay in her seat, after she agreed, he told her to come up on stage. He did a haunted deck isolated on a glass table, and later under a glass dome, finding several cards including the signed selection.
58: MAGOMIGUE - Spain - CD.
He began by placing a card on the table and asking a member of the jury (Obie) to name any card, which was the tabled card. A volunteer was needed on stage so the magician could perform a sequence themed around the four queens. The cards changed from queens to selections, then back. Then, the whole deck became queens, then all became blank. His personality was very Juan Tamariz, and his use of background music very effective.
59: PETI - Hungary - MIC.
A card case was produced from a silk. He did a coins and purse frame routine. Blue double backed cards changed into real cards, then red cards, then four kings to aces. He did a Haunted deck variation to find a signed card. Then, as the yellow light came on (warning he had less than 60 seconds left) he went into a coin trick with jumbo coins to music. Low standard. Went overtime. Disqualified.
60: INAKI - Argentina - CD.
Inaki had two volunteers shuffle a deck, then the four kings were found and manipulated. They then changed into aces and were signed. Coins were produced from the aces. The signed aces were shuffled back into the deck then dealt to a poker hand. A named card was dealt from deck, then any named poker hand was dealt to any position. The deck changed to a blank deck and coins were produced to complete the gambling theme. The audience loved him.
61: NICHOLAS EINHORN - England - MIC.
Nicholas themed his act around "choice". Random volunteers were chosen with a beach ball being thrown into the audience, whoever caught it would determine what trick he would do. Oil and Water was chosen, so he produced large oil and water bottles. Next effect chosen was his finale, so seven cards were signed, and all found. (As the rest of his act was so novel and strong, this felt like the weakest effect). He performed a very clean matrix, and finished with a signed card pushed visibly into upside down water bottle, which he gave away as a souvenir. Very strong finish.
62: YOSHIO KITHARA - Japan - CD.
Looked very nervous, but was very funny. He began with two volunteers choosing and signing cards. The volunteers forgot the cards. A series of card effects that were hard to follow ended with the deck back in new deck order. He found the signed cards in a glass on table. The funniest moment was when, in the middle of a trick, he knocked his lapel mic off and just picked it up and held it between his teeth as he continued talking.
63: EMIEL LENSEN - The Netherlands - MIC.
Emiel began with a glass and bottle production, four aces were produced, turned into a deck and returned to the case. Seven volunteers brought up to select cards. 1 - at any number, 2 - cut to, 3 - jumps out, 4 - backhand production, 5 - reversed in deck, 6 - under glass, 7 - Float into hand. Then, the cards changed back into a box.
64: WILHELM BEETZ - Germany - MIC.
Wilhelm was impeccably themed as an 1890's German policeman. His whistle turned to confetti, a medal appeared on his uniform, and he showed us his latest crime stopping technology, a new "notebook" (a book) with "firewall protection" (fire book). He borrowed an I.D. card from the audience and cut it up, vanished the pieces, produced a "cell-o-phone" (a full-sized antique phone), and visibly restored the pieces. He also played Chinese Sticks with his uniform buttons. He exited with a flagpole production. Very entertaining. Great costume and character.
65: PEDRO LACERDA - Portugal - CD.
Pedro began with two signed cards changing place in his hands. He did a three card monte with lots of hand washing. He did an ambitious card routine which concluded as he tore the corner off the ambitious card, which rose from the deck and was restored, but now all the other cards in the deck ended up with missing corners.
66: CHRISTIAN ENGBLOM - Finland - CD.
Four cards were signed as he gave a demonstration of the "invisible palm". Cards vanished and reappeared on the close-up pad. Unfortunately, he exposed the method, which was a pity as, up until that moment he had been fooling most of the crowd. Two signed cards were returned to the deck and then they vanished, the first card going to his rear pants pocket, the second to his buttoned shirt pocket. Then, both of his pockets disappeared!
67: XU - China - MIC.
Xu was an elegantly attired lady magician performing a very nice classic magic act to music. All of her props were designed in the Chinese style. She presented the cups and balls with a final load of rice (a la rice bowls). She vanished a glass bowl under a cloth, then reproduced it full of water. A second bowl was produced, this one with goldfish.
LUNCH BREAK
After lunch, a lot of people headed off to lectures including: Jean Pierre Vallarino on music and magic, John Carney on presentation, Jon Allen on close up and stand up,
68: YAMAGAMI BROTHERS - Japan - SI.
Two impossibly cute 7 year old Japanese boys who burst onto the stage like Siegfried & Roy in their prime. The danced about and grinned like two cheshire cats as they performed a blade box, a wringer illusion (complete with bicycle pump re-inflation), and a combination sword box/sub trunk. Wow!
69: MARK TAYLOR - England - GM.
Mark had a Peter Marvey look and Greg Frewin's music as he produced umbrellas and moulded lots of blue D'lites into one floating ball of light.
70: MURRAY - USA - MAN.
With a great fanfare Murray presented his CD production act. Lots of CDs were produced, changed size, broke and were restored… but the audience just didn't seem interested. His costume change at the start was good, he even vanished his ghetto blaster at the end. He just didn't seem to connect with the audience.
71: FUJIMOTO - Japan - GM.
Fujimoto did an opening sequence with cigarettes, lots of smoke, but with only average technique. She blew smoke filled bubbles that changed into billiard balls, and did a bubble snow storm. The act was okay, but he had a few technical errors.
72: DAVID - Hungary - MAN.
This was another cigarette themed act, but with a lot of style and character. David played the "classic" magician, as he encountered a cigarette girl and produced cigarettes, pipes, and lots of smoke. It was a well executed act with a real "magician" feel to it, culminating in the production of a cigarette box castle.
73: PAT PERRY & ARCHIBALD - Switzerland - GM.
After a really weak start where two guys did weak cigarette manipulation and over-acted really badly, the men went behind a screen for what seemed like was going to be the slowest costume change ever. When the screen fell away it revealed a bird's eye view of two men playing poker… but it was live! They were actually attached to the wall! Some argued that this was about as magical as the black art acts, but they used a lot of magical techniques cleverly concealed to achieve simple things like: dealing out cards, having a glass of liquid sit on the table without spilling, tossing a silk on to the floor, etc. They even did real tricks like a blooming bouquet and card productions under the pretext of the cards being shot out of the guy's hands. A tremendously original idea, very well executed. They got a full house standing ovation!
75: MASATAKA MAEDA - Japan - MAN.
Masataka was well dressed, had an infectious smile, and did billiard ball manipulation. He did it very well, but it became quite monotonous.
76: DUO BASTRAKOV - Russia - GM.
This was a very Russian act where the "Babushka" encounters the street vendor. From his tray he produces an endless variety of objects, including silks, and boxes of silks, until at the end the woman is presented with his heart, a new dress, a trophy, and a necklace of donuts.
77: SAORI - Japan - GM.
Saori began with a dancing cane, then did two dancing canes at the same time. She did lots of spring flower productions and a costume change. She had a traditional Japanese look, was very nice, but poor technique let her down.
78: SASCHA PROCHAZKA - Germany - MAN.
Sascha, dressed in leather, came out to the song "It's Raining Men"… if you use music with lyrics, be careful, it may give people the wrong idea… He produced optic fibre lamps, a nice change from CDs… he produced D'lites, coins, more lamps, thimbles, balls, and another lamp. His music chopped and changed throughout his act, I'm sure everyone heard at least one song they liked, and there was LOTS of confetti at the end.
79: YURIE NOSE- Japan - GM.
A very young Japanese woman who presented a routine of sympathetic silks and instant knots. This must be very difficult as the audience seemed very impressed. After that she did a very loooong billiard ball routine.
80: PHILIPPE BEAU & DAVID COVEN - France - GM.
Philippe and David presented a dynamic spirit cabinet well choreographed to music without saying a single word. I don't know if silence lessens the impact of the trick or enhances it. At the very end they did an amazing switch where the presenter ended up changing places with the person tied in the chair in a matter of seconds.
81: PETER YORK - Austria - MAN.
Peter themed his act around astronomy. He did nice card work using zodiac symbols, and ball manipulation using little planets. He had a few drops and fumbles, and a nothing finish, but there were some really nice productions and he dressed the stage beautifully.
After dinner it was time for the Gala Show. This was hosted by The Napoleons from Japan who did a series of very corny "tricks" which the audience really didn't respond to. Rafael presented a great illusion act as a vampire.
After the gala we headed back for the Bar Magic where the Dutch magicians had also organised an "open stage".
At midnight, many went off to see Max Maven, Tina Lenert, and Eugene Berger perform as 'The Nocturnal Trio'
Those who didn't want to watch the close-up attended lectures including: Twister with advanced balloons, Jay Sankey on comedy, Richard Sanders on close up, Boris Wild on close up and a workshop on Impromptu Magic hosted by Adam Fields.
A lot of people mustn't like close up as the Van Gogh Hall only seated 800 and was never totally full. It was a good set up with two video screens on either side of the stage, but as it was a raised stage it was hard to see the table surface live, unless you were in the rear section of the audience. The video cameras were useful, but sometimes frustrating as they stayed on the performer's face when you wanted to see the action on the table.
51: PIERRIC - Switzerland - MIC & INV.
Pierric did a clever coins through table routine with a trap door, and a cloning routine with modelling clay which, when rubbed, turned into money. He did the cups and balls (two of each) to music, ending with the balls turning to coloured sand and one cup also turning to sand.
52: ARISTON - Argentina - INV.
Essentially a dealers demonstration with four tricks and explanation. A marked deck using an optical principal, another marked deck, a rising card using a concealed magnet and a named card appearance using a close-up pad as a card index. The last gimmick was really good.
53: SHAWN FARQUHAR - Canada - MIC.
A very funny act. Shawn was brightly attired and had a great personality and stage presence. A selected signed card re-appeared back inside a resealed case. He performed a cups and balls routine where the cups ended up being completely solid. A brilliant performance. Very entertaining.
54: FENDER - Italy - CD.
A blank deck of cards became printed. Four aces appeared. Four aces were shuffled into the deck and reappeared with royal flushes. Cards were dealt in red, black order, then pairs, then triples. Magician used a shuffling machine to show that he was faster than the machine. Finally, a blue deck returned to new deck order and changed to a red deck.
55: ROBERT BLAKE - The Netherlands - MIC.
Cigarette tricks and gags. Robert ate cigarettes and smoked from his mouth. He blew smoke rings and as he grabbed the smoke ring it changed to a solid ring. Lots of laughs with old jokes, but not much magic. More of a Parlour act than close-up. After a touch of Manuel Muerte-like confetti tossing, Robert scaled two cards that were caught in the deck on either side of a card named by the spectator.
56: JOHAN HENDRIKS - The Netherlands - MIC & INV.
Very funny sequence where a scientist introduced us to his robot head. After a bit of comedy he downloaded "intelligence" into his magic robot using an L.E.D. display board. He did everything you could imagine and more to the numbers which moved along the display: stopped them, reversed them, jumbled them, even vaccuumed them off the screen. Other effects included the smoke from the robot's cigar appearing in a glass, and his finale was a D'lite tulip.
57: TONY PRICE - Belgium - CD.
First Tony asked a volunteer to help, promising her she could stay in her seat, after she agreed, he told her to come up on stage. He did a haunted deck isolated on a glass table, and later under a glass dome, finding several cards including the signed selection.
58: MAGOMIGUE - Spain - CD.
He began by placing a card on the table and asking a member of the jury (Obie) to name any card, which was the tabled card. A volunteer was needed on stage so the magician could perform a sequence themed around the four queens. The cards changed from queens to selections, then back. Then, the whole deck became queens, then all became blank. His personality was very Juan Tamariz, and his use of background music very effective.
59: PETI - Hungary - MIC.
A card case was produced from a silk. He did a coins and purse frame routine. Blue double backed cards changed into real cards, then red cards, then four kings to aces. He did a Haunted deck variation to find a signed card. Then, as the yellow light came on (warning he had less than 60 seconds left) he went into a coin trick with jumbo coins to music. Low standard. Went overtime. Disqualified.
60: INAKI - Argentina - CD.
Inaki had two volunteers shuffle a deck, then the four kings were found and manipulated. They then changed into aces and were signed. Coins were produced from the aces. The signed aces were shuffled back into the deck then dealt to a poker hand. A named card was dealt from deck, then any named poker hand was dealt to any position. The deck changed to a blank deck and coins were produced to complete the gambling theme. The audience loved him.
61: NICHOLAS EINHORN - England - MIC.
Nicholas themed his act around "choice". Random volunteers were chosen with a beach ball being thrown into the audience, whoever caught it would determine what trick he would do. Oil and Water was chosen, so he produced large oil and water bottles. Next effect chosen was his finale, so seven cards were signed, and all found. (As the rest of his act was so novel and strong, this felt like the weakest effect). He performed a very clean matrix, and finished with a signed card pushed visibly into upside down water bottle, which he gave away as a souvenir. Very strong finish.
62: YOSHIO KITHARA - Japan - CD.
Looked very nervous, but was very funny. He began with two volunteers choosing and signing cards. The volunteers forgot the cards. A series of card effects that were hard to follow ended with the deck back in new deck order. He found the signed cards in a glass on table. The funniest moment was when, in the middle of a trick, he knocked his lapel mic off and just picked it up and held it between his teeth as he continued talking.
63: EMIEL LENSEN - The Netherlands - MIC.
Emiel began with a glass and bottle production, four aces were produced, turned into a deck and returned to the case. Seven volunteers brought up to select cards. 1 - at any number, 2 - cut to, 3 - jumps out, 4 - backhand production, 5 - reversed in deck, 6 - under glass, 7 - Float into hand. Then, the cards changed back into a box.
64: WILHELM BEETZ - Germany - MIC.
Wilhelm was impeccably themed as an 1890's German policeman. His whistle turned to confetti, a medal appeared on his uniform, and he showed us his latest crime stopping technology, a new "notebook" (a book) with "firewall protection" (fire book). He borrowed an I.D. card from the audience and cut it up, vanished the pieces, produced a "cell-o-phone" (a full-sized antique phone), and visibly restored the pieces. He also played Chinese Sticks with his uniform buttons. He exited with a flagpole production. Very entertaining. Great costume and character.
65: PEDRO LACERDA - Portugal - CD.
Pedro began with two signed cards changing place in his hands. He did a three card monte with lots of hand washing. He did an ambitious card routine which concluded as he tore the corner off the ambitious card, which rose from the deck and was restored, but now all the other cards in the deck ended up with missing corners.
66: CHRISTIAN ENGBLOM - Finland - CD.
Four cards were signed as he gave a demonstration of the "invisible palm". Cards vanished and reappeared on the close-up pad. Unfortunately, he exposed the method, which was a pity as, up until that moment he had been fooling most of the crowd. Two signed cards were returned to the deck and then they vanished, the first card going to his rear pants pocket, the second to his buttoned shirt pocket. Then, both of his pockets disappeared!
67: XU - China - MIC.
Xu was an elegantly attired lady magician performing a very nice classic magic act to music. All of her props were designed in the Chinese style. She presented the cups and balls with a final load of rice (a la rice bowls). She vanished a glass bowl under a cloth, then reproduced it full of water. A second bowl was produced, this one with goldfish.
LUNCH BREAK
After lunch, a lot of people headed off to lectures including: Jean Pierre Vallarino on music and magic, John Carney on presentation, Jon Allen on close up and stand up,
or one of two MagicSports Workshops hosted by Gaston with Sue-Anne Webster and Thilo. Others stayed to watch the stage competition (and here is their report - thanks John!):
68: YAMAGAMI BROTHERS - Japan - SI.
Two impossibly cute 7 year old Japanese boys who burst onto the stage like Siegfried & Roy in their prime. The danced about and grinned like two cheshire cats as they performed a blade box, a wringer illusion (complete with bicycle pump re-inflation), and a combination sword box/sub trunk. Wow!
69: MARK TAYLOR - England - GM.
Mark had a Peter Marvey look and Greg Frewin's music as he produced umbrellas and moulded lots of blue D'lites into one floating ball of light.
70: MURRAY - USA - MAN.
With a great fanfare Murray presented his CD production act. Lots of CDs were produced, changed size, broke and were restored… but the audience just didn't seem interested. His costume change at the start was good, he even vanished his ghetto blaster at the end. He just didn't seem to connect with the audience.
71: FUJIMOTO - Japan - GM.
Fujimoto did an opening sequence with cigarettes, lots of smoke, but with only average technique. She blew smoke filled bubbles that changed into billiard balls, and did a bubble snow storm. The act was okay, but he had a few technical errors.
72: DAVID - Hungary - MAN.
This was another cigarette themed act, but with a lot of style and character. David played the "classic" magician, as he encountered a cigarette girl and produced cigarettes, pipes, and lots of smoke. It was a well executed act with a real "magician" feel to it, culminating in the production of a cigarette box castle.
73: PAT PERRY & ARCHIBALD - Switzerland - GM.
After a really weak start where two guys did weak cigarette manipulation and over-acted really badly, the men went behind a screen for what seemed like was going to be the slowest costume change ever. When the screen fell away it revealed a bird's eye view of two men playing poker… but it was live! They were actually attached to the wall! Some argued that this was about as magical as the black art acts, but they used a lot of magical techniques cleverly concealed to achieve simple things like: dealing out cards, having a glass of liquid sit on the table without spilling, tossing a silk on to the floor, etc. They even did real tricks like a blooming bouquet and card productions under the pretext of the cards being shot out of the guy's hands. A tremendously original idea, very well executed. They got a full house standing ovation!
74: BRANDO Y SILVA - Argentina - GM.
Another beautifully constructed scene. Staged in shades of grey, like an old silent movie, the story involved a flower seller encountering a pea and shell hustler (although he was using cups and balls). Very well acted as the two pick pocketed each other, the flower seller levitated and, as a finale, the whole scene changed to colour for the romantic conclusion.
Another beautifully constructed scene. Staged in shades of grey, like an old silent movie, the story involved a flower seller encountering a pea and shell hustler (although he was using cups and balls). Very well acted as the two pick pocketed each other, the flower seller levitated and, as a finale, the whole scene changed to colour for the romantic conclusion.
75: MASATAKA MAEDA - Japan - MAN.
Masataka was well dressed, had an infectious smile, and did billiard ball manipulation. He did it very well, but it became quite monotonous.
76: DUO BASTRAKOV - Russia - GM.
This was a very Russian act where the "Babushka" encounters the street vendor. From his tray he produces an endless variety of objects, including silks, and boxes of silks, until at the end the woman is presented with his heart, a new dress, a trophy, and a necklace of donuts.
77: SAORI - Japan - GM.
Saori began with a dancing cane, then did two dancing canes at the same time. She did lots of spring flower productions and a costume change. She had a traditional Japanese look, was very nice, but poor technique let her down.
78: SASCHA PROCHAZKA - Germany - MAN.
Sascha, dressed in leather, came out to the song "It's Raining Men"… if you use music with lyrics, be careful, it may give people the wrong idea… He produced optic fibre lamps, a nice change from CDs… he produced D'lites, coins, more lamps, thimbles, balls, and another lamp. His music chopped and changed throughout his act, I'm sure everyone heard at least one song they liked, and there was LOTS of confetti at the end.
79: YURIE NOSE- Japan - GM.
A very young Japanese woman who presented a routine of sympathetic silks and instant knots. This must be very difficult as the audience seemed very impressed. After that she did a very loooong billiard ball routine.
80: PHILIPPE BEAU & DAVID COVEN - France - GM.
Philippe and David presented a dynamic spirit cabinet well choreographed to music without saying a single word. I don't know if silence lessens the impact of the trick or enhances it. At the very end they did an amazing switch where the presenter ended up changing places with the person tied in the chair in a matter of seconds.
81: PETER YORK - Austria - MAN.
Peter themed his act around astronomy. He did nice card work using zodiac symbols, and ball manipulation using little planets. He had a few drops and fumbles, and a nothing finish, but there were some really nice productions and he dressed the stage beautifully.
After dinner it was time for the Gala Show. This was hosted by The Napoleons from Japan who did a series of very corny "tricks" which the audience really didn't respond to. Rafael presented a great illusion act as a vampire.
Ellis & Webster did the Six Card Rap (and Tim dropped a card in the middle of the routine! D'oh!), Yumi performed her extremely elegant card routine (possibly the best female magic act around!). Jonas Zeller did an incredible juggling routine with diablos. Scott & Miss Muriel absolutely killed with the Grand Prix act (with the addition of one new illusion). Love & Magic from Singapore performed their flower act. Wayne Dobson came out in a wheelchair and did his funny voices routine to a heartfelt standing ovation. Amos Levkovitch did his dove act. Yunke closed the show with his horror movie styled act that also got a great reaction. At the very end, during the curtain call, Scott & Muriel joined us in pulling an impromptu gag on the audience:
They took our bows dressed as us, and we came on as them.
Apparently, virtually no-one spotted it until Scott & Muriel took off our Rap outfits and ran across the stage to confront the "impostors". It was a delightful slow burn gag with 2000 people slowly realising there were now two Scotts and two Miss Muriels. Stan Allen said it was the best trick he'd seen at the convention so far!
After the gala we headed back for the Bar Magic where the Dutch magicians had also organised an "open stage".
At midnight, many went off to see Max Maven, Tina Lenert, and Eugene Berger perform as 'The Nocturnal Trio'
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