BBC Radio Four today featured a program on the changing face of Magic, with performers creating bigger and better tricks to impress us. Times have changed since a magician produced a startled rabbit out of top hat with a puff of smoke.

The programme visited the 58th Blackpool Magic Convention, attended by 3500 magicians, and spoke to the organizers and the performers, as well as featuring discussions with the late Ali Bongo, the late Pat Page, current President of The Magic Circle, Jack Delvin, along with other prominent faces from the magic world, including Paul Daniels, and Alan Alan.

Listen to the program at BBC iPlayer

The Blackpool Magic Convention takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday 18th, 19th & 20th February 2011 at the Opera House and Winter Gardens and Grand Theatre, Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Full details can be found at www.blackpoolmagic.com, and follow all our updates, interviews and extra information here

You can also check out our Blackpool Guide and our Hotel Guide for Blackpool, which we’ll update during the run up to next year.