HMC at FISM 2003
Jon Marshall, Richard Morrell, Rex and Jan Stott from Hull Magicians’ Circle made the trip to The Hague and had a great time.
There isn’t room for a complete review of all the FISM events in Oracle but here are Eddie, Jon, Rex and Richard’s highlights.
From Rex:-
Seeing perform - Bob Sheets – hilarious, Greg Wilson - brilliant card work, David Williamson - Tulips Across - say no more! And Norbert Ferré - a very stylish stage winner.
Talking to Richard Kaufmann - Editor of Genii, Jay Sankey - he remembered me!, Simon Aronson - he remembered Richard! Sebastien Clergue – From France, remember him? He was with us in Hull for a year, Danny Archer - he’s looking forward to coming to Hull in October (remember it’s on a Friday).
Sitting next to - Juan Tamariz. Seeing lecture - Boris Wild - a stunning lecture/performance, Jay Sankey - some new stuff and very funny, Johnny Thompson - his impersonations of Slydini and Dai Vernon were hilarious and his egg bag routine with Jan as a volunteer was terrific.
Proudest moment as a Brit – seeing The Great Nardini win the FISM Comedy Award. Favourite impromptu moment - having Brian Sefton perform for me and Jan his very stylish version of Dan Harlan’s Starcle in the grounds of the Science Museum Gardens.(This museum which was next to the Convention complex had on display Wittus Witt’s superb collection of magic sets from 1850 onwards. There was even the Ernest Sewell set which I had as a Christmas present about 100 years ago). Final impression - This was our first convention outside the UK and the feeling of being part of a worldwide fraternity was truly magical!
From Eddie:-
The overall highlight for me was the pleasure of seeing so much originality displayed by magicians from around the world in the construction of stage and close-up acts they hoped would bring them the title of ‘World Champion’. Specific delights were the close-up ingenuity and skill of winner Jason Latimer with his Cups and Balls using transparent tumblers and the remarkable gamblers plot of the Swiss act of Pat Perry and Archibald that had the players and their table at right angles to the audience. Outwith the competitions, the sheer professionalism and mystery of Johnny Thompson’s version of the Charlie Miller Egg Bag routine and the fun generated by the new pastime of Magic Sports, devised by Australians Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster, were memorable. But at the opposite end of the pleasure scale it was a relief to see the curtain closed on a dreadful Belgian double act and on an appalling Brazilian act that featured a drug addict. Finally, full marks to the Dutch organisers for a superbly-run Convention.
From Jon:-
I first attended a FISM convention in 1988, also at The Hague, I was bowled over, and this 2003 convention was no exception. The stage and close-up competition went on non-stop, there were brilliant acts, and some stinkers! The jury were equipped with a red button and if seventy percent of the jury felt that, after three minutes, the act hadn’t reached FISM standard then the curtains were closed. At least three acts got the hook! Not Norbert Ferre, an excellent manipulator with an artistic act, a worthy Grand Prix winner
Nocturnal Trio - Eugene Burger, Max Maven and Tina Lenert were brilliant, a quality show, well written and well performed. Hans Klok, star of one of the gala shows, performing on home ground, was as over-the-top as expected. With bare chest and hair blowing in the wind machine he presented his act at breakneck speed, leaving us breathless with hardly time to applaud. Johnny Thompson shared his years of performing experience in a memorable and amusing lecture. No convention in Holland could take place without a mention of Fred Kaps and in a seminar led by Dick Koornwinder with contributions from Pete Biro and Mike Caveney we saw rare video clips of Kaps.
David Berglas also presented a lecture featuring video excerpts of his early television appearances. Armando Lucero, sensational close-up performer, booked at the last minute, wowed the crowds in late-night sessions. Shankar Jnr, from India, reprised the Hindu Cups and Balls routine, in Indian dialect, that he performed as a youngster on TV’s Best of Magic years ago, as an encore he pushed a needle into his eye socket and reproduced it from the other eye!
From Richard:-
Bar Magic every night, spotted were Bob Sheets doing his Card Stab and Three Shell routine, Doc Eason with his multiple selection routine, Juan Tamariz performing a short spot. George Parker’s workshop ‘Turn your Magic into Gold’ a three hour session about focusing on the outcome of your magic and not just on the tricks. Manuel Muerte and the Flicking Fingers for the most hilarious lecture explanations I have ever witnessed. In the Gala Show Topas was an excellent compere and original performer... and see my emagic article for details of a full FISM report.
The next FISM is in 2006 - July 31 to August 5 in Stockholm - start saving now, registrations are open! http://www.fism.com
There isn’t room for a complete review of all the FISM events in Oracle but here are Eddie, Jon, Rex and Richard’s highlights.
From Rex:-
Seeing perform - Bob Sheets – hilarious, Greg Wilson - brilliant card work, David Williamson - Tulips Across - say no more! And Norbert Ferré - a very stylish stage winner.
Talking to Richard Kaufmann - Editor of Genii, Jay Sankey - he remembered me!, Simon Aronson - he remembered Richard! Sebastien Clergue – From France, remember him? He was with us in Hull for a year, Danny Archer - he’s looking forward to coming to Hull in October (remember it’s on a Friday).
Sitting next to - Juan Tamariz. Seeing lecture - Boris Wild - a stunning lecture/performance, Jay Sankey - some new stuff and very funny, Johnny Thompson - his impersonations of Slydini and Dai Vernon were hilarious and his egg bag routine with Jan as a volunteer was terrific.
Proudest moment as a Brit – seeing The Great Nardini win the FISM Comedy Award. Favourite impromptu moment - having Brian Sefton perform for me and Jan his very stylish version of Dan Harlan’s Starcle in the grounds of the Science Museum Gardens.(This museum which was next to the Convention complex had on display Wittus Witt’s superb collection of magic sets from 1850 onwards. There was even the Ernest Sewell set which I had as a Christmas present about 100 years ago). Final impression - This was our first convention outside the UK and the feeling of being part of a worldwide fraternity was truly magical!
From Eddie:-
The overall highlight for me was the pleasure of seeing so much originality displayed by magicians from around the world in the construction of stage and close-up acts they hoped would bring them the title of ‘World Champion’. Specific delights were the close-up ingenuity and skill of winner Jason Latimer with his Cups and Balls using transparent tumblers and the remarkable gamblers plot of the Swiss act of Pat Perry and Archibald that had the players and their table at right angles to the audience. Outwith the competitions, the sheer professionalism and mystery of Johnny Thompson’s version of the Charlie Miller Egg Bag routine and the fun generated by the new pastime of Magic Sports, devised by Australians Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster, were memorable. But at the opposite end of the pleasure scale it was a relief to see the curtain closed on a dreadful Belgian double act and on an appalling Brazilian act that featured a drug addict. Finally, full marks to the Dutch organisers for a superbly-run Convention.
From Jon:-
I first attended a FISM convention in 1988, also at The Hague, I was bowled over, and this 2003 convention was no exception. The stage and close-up competition went on non-stop, there were brilliant acts, and some stinkers! The jury were equipped with a red button and if seventy percent of the jury felt that, after three minutes, the act hadn’t reached FISM standard then the curtains were closed. At least three acts got the hook! Not Norbert Ferre, an excellent manipulator with an artistic act, a worthy Grand Prix winner
Nocturnal Trio - Eugene Burger, Max Maven and Tina Lenert were brilliant, a quality show, well written and well performed. Hans Klok, star of one of the gala shows, performing on home ground, was as over-the-top as expected. With bare chest and hair blowing in the wind machine he presented his act at breakneck speed, leaving us breathless with hardly time to applaud. Johnny Thompson shared his years of performing experience in a memorable and amusing lecture. No convention in Holland could take place without a mention of Fred Kaps and in a seminar led by Dick Koornwinder with contributions from Pete Biro and Mike Caveney we saw rare video clips of Kaps.
David Berglas also presented a lecture featuring video excerpts of his early television appearances. Armando Lucero, sensational close-up performer, booked at the last minute, wowed the crowds in late-night sessions. Shankar Jnr, from India, reprised the Hindu Cups and Balls routine, in Indian dialect, that he performed as a youngster on TV’s Best of Magic years ago, as an encore he pushed a needle into his eye socket and reproduced it from the other eye!
From Richard:-
Bar Magic every night, spotted were Bob Sheets doing his Card Stab and Three Shell routine, Doc Eason with his multiple selection routine, Juan Tamariz performing a short spot. George Parker’s workshop ‘Turn your Magic into Gold’ a three hour session about focusing on the outcome of your magic and not just on the tricks. Manuel Muerte and the Flicking Fingers for the most hilarious lecture explanations I have ever witnessed. In the Gala Show Topas was an excellent compere and original performer... and see my emagic article for details of a full FISM report.
The next FISM is in 2006 - July 31 to August 5 in Stockholm - start saving now, registrations are open! http://www.fism.com
Comments
No comments yet
