EVERYONE loves a magic trick and there will be plenty of illusions on display in Blackpool from Thursday to Sunday, when the town hosts the world’s largest magicians’ convention.
Alan Horne of the Blackpool Magicians’ Club told Murray Scougall the Honest Truth about the gathering and why we love magic.
How did your interest in magic begin?
It started many years ago when working as a musician and seeing the various magical cabaret acts on the bill.
I would hang around with them backstage and talking about magic. From there I then went on to perform illusion shows and now I perform family magic shows.
Who set up the Blackpool Magicians’ Club?
On April 4, 1941, a small group of magicians got together and originally called it the North West Magicians’ Club.
One of these members was Paul Clive, who ran joke shops on the piers. It was in one of those shops that Harry Corbett bought the original Sooty puppet.
How many members do you have and when was its peak membership?
To date we have 65 members, which is the most we have ever had. Around 3500 magicians are expected to attend this year’s convention and we’re in the Guinness Book of Records as being the largest magic convention in the world.
How many years has the convention been hosted by Blackpool and what happens at it?
This year will be our 65th convention and it originally started as a one-day event.
We present lots of talks and lectures by artists from all over the world and have gala shows which feature big names in magic, again these performers come from all over the globe. We also have the largest dealer hall at any convention, where around 150 dealers show the latest tricks. And the public are allowed in this year.
Who are some of the famous names to have attended the convention over the years?
In the past we have had several household names from the entertainment world either performing or simply attending.
A fan of magic and good friend of the club is Sir Ken Dodd, who has been attending the convention for more than 30 years.
When was magic first believed to have been performed and by whom?
There are no set ideas on when magic first began, but in some form or other we would anticipate that it goes back centuries.
Why are we still intrigued and entertained by magic after all these years?
Magic has a universal appeal and people have always enjoyed being fooled in one way or another.
What is the most impressive trick you’ve seen?
David Copperfield’s buzz-saw is one of the most dramatic and powerful illusions. It’s so well choreographed that it stands out as an all-time great.
What is your favourite trick to perform?
An illusion called Blades of Opah by Harbin is amazing. The principal of the method is so clever it even fools magicians, so that stands out for me as one of my favourites.
Is there anything new for modern up-and-coming magicians to invent and wow us with or has it all been done before?
There is always something new to see, learn and do and fresh effects are constantly being created.
Who is your favourite magician of all time and why?
My personal favourite is Ed Alonzo, who incorporates comedy and magic. But there are so many styles of magic that it’s really hard to pick an individual. If you ask 100 magicians you will get 101 answers!
Blackpool Magic Convention, Winter Gardens, Feb 16-19, www.blackpoolmagic.com
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