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MAGIC Live! – Live Onstage!

August 18th, 2009 by Rob James

The first show of the convention was held tonight with two sittings as the showroom holds only half the registrants. Seats were unallocated and we were sat in four different groups. My initial concerns about this turned out to be true as everyone who had entered previously had dotted themselves all over the room meaning that by the time myself and my friends entered, finding 2 or 3 seats together had become very difficult. Stan Allen said yesterday this was something they were trialling but it would seem that unless you registered in the first 48 hours of tickets going on sale then you were destined to be in group B, C or D.

The show started with a superb short piece from Marco Tempest involving manipulation with lights and a television screen. There was an audible gasp as one of the lights levitated over the heads of the audience. Marco’s second spot in the show featured more of his trademark TV interaction as well as a good routine with multiple Rubik’s Cubes.

Elliott Zimet performed his hip-hop dove act, complete with the production of a parrot as the finale. After this we were introduced to the compere Bruce Gold.

Malin Nilsson from Sweden performed a charming linking rings and cut and restored rope with backing from a live pianist.

Aaron Crow from Belgium poured hot candle wax onto his eyelids and wrapped tin foil around his head before using various weapons to pierce, slice and chop objects held by slighly-concerned looking audience members on stage. He later shot an arrow through an apple held on a lady’s head. I can’t imagine he had an easy time getting through customs.

Tom Burgoon had some good in jokes and a very tight and funny act using metal cups, toilet roll, a fly swatter and perhaps the smartest use of mouth coils I have seen.

I first saw Christopher Hart in the early Nineties when he was on the Paul Daniels and Brian Conley shows. In the 15 or so years that have elapsed I am pleased to say that both his physical appearance and his act haven’t changed at all. Always a very classy act he produced cards, did his torn and restored music sheet and finished with his animated glove. Unfortunately the end of the act was spoiled by the fire alarm sounding for the last two minutes of the performance.

The show closed with a set from multiple Magic Castle award-winner (and of course “Saved by the Bell” cast member) Ed Alonzo. Billed as the “Misfit of Magic” Ed’s act is offbeat and very entertaining. A novel sword basket, a very funny routine with a brick and a cannon and an excellent self-levitation illusion using a fan all made for a great close to the show.

Rob James is a close up magician from the UK. He co-founded The Session convention and has performed all over the UK and Europe, Dubai and on two occasions at the Magic Castle.