• The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

The Magic Word The Magic Word

  • The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

883: Blackpool 2025 - Day One Report

View fullsize Scott Wells at the Winter Garden
View fullsize Paul Stone
View fullsize Paul Stone
View fullsize Mumdo Mouzaki
View fullsize Rodney James and Harry Piper
View fullsize 20250214_105518.jpg
View fullsize 20250214_102355.jpg
View fullsize 20250214_101228.jpg
View fullsize 20250214_095829.jpg
View fullsize 20250214_095910.jpg
View fullsize 20250214_112506.jpg
View fullsize Tim Trono
View fullsize Dave Magee
View fullsize Christian Schenk
View fullsize 20250214_103436.jpg
View fullsize Uwe Schperlich
View fullsize 20250214_112506.jpg
View fullsize Jay Mattioli
View fullsize 20250214_201550.jpg
View fullsize Peter MacLanachan
View fullsize Dan Sperry

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:17 – We arrive in Heathrow Airport in London while awaiting other friends to arrive.

00:05:53 - Paul Stone was our host in LIverpool and rides with us on the train to Blackpool. He will be a presenter at the convention as he talks about Siegfried and Roy. You can learn more about Paul from our chat in Episode #715.

00:13:07 - Mumfo Marzouki is a listener to the podcast and resides in Saudi Arabia. He tells us what he is anxious to see here and why he came all this way just for the convention.

00:16:14 - Harry Merlin Piper, the 14 year old who won the Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year, and his father, Rodney James reside in Spain where he operates the House of Illusion. He offers a special deal to listeners of this podcast, so be sure to listen to this episode.

00:22:25 - Dave Magee, from Cancun, complains about the long line in the cold while waiting to get his registration packet. David is an accomplished mentalist and performer who worked closely with Johnny Thompson. You can hear more from David in our chat in Episode #593.

00:24:37 - David Plant is one of the members of the Blackpool Magic Club who organized this convention and is the first booth (stand) you see when you register for this convention. David gives us some history about this event during our chat.

00:30:54 - Tim Trono is a creator, consultant, and dealer who is now with Penguin Magic for the past 12 years and was with Murphy’s Magic for about 14 years.

00:36:18 - Roger Nicot recently passed away (just before the convention) and he was a dealer who was often seen at conventions around the world. He worked with Christian Schenk at Card Shark for almost 18 years. During that time, the two grew to be as close as brothers. In this conversation, Christian tells us about his last few days they were together and reliving memories of some of their happier moments.

00:42:27 - Uwe Schperlich, from Munich, Germany, tells us that regularly attends Blackpool. He gives his perspective of the convention and is not overly happy with having to choose between events to attend while missing others he wanted to see.

00:50:19 - Hugh Irwin is attending his first Blackpool convention and gives us a “first timer’s” perspective.

00:57:27 - Jay Mattioli is another of the presenters this year at Blackpool and tells us perspective of what he’s doing and what is in his lecture.

01:05:55 - My friend from Glasgow, Scotland, Peter McLanachan has been attending this convention and gives us his perspective of the Dan Sperry / Klek Ectos show. To hear more about Peter, please visit our conversation on Episode #152.

01:13:30 - Dan Sperry is one of the performers and lecturers and talks about his experience of getting booked for this convention. Dan was just heading out for the U.S. where he will be working at the Magic Castle and at Jeff Hobson’s place.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with Blackpool Magic Convention, Rodney James, Harry Piper, Mumdo Marzouki, Paul Stone, Tim Trono, Christian Schenk, Jay Mattioli, Peter MacLanachan, Dan Sperry, Dave Magee.

February 14, 2025 by Scott Wells.
  • February 14, 2025
  • Scott Wells
  • Blackpool Magic Convention
  • Rodney James
  • Harry Piper
  • Mumdo Marzouki
  • Paul Stone
  • Tim Trono
  • Christian Schenk
  • Jay Mattioli
  • Peter MacLanachan
  • Dan Sperry
  • Dave Magee
  • Convention Report
  • Post a comment
Comment

231: FISM Italy - Prelude

The 26th World Championships of Magic is about to get underway...tomorrow. But first, let's learn a little about FISM and how it's judged and more about the point system and more, plus hear from a few friends I met while waiting to check in at the registration desk.

View fullsize Scott & Craig Mitchell
View fullsize Scott, Shawn Farquhar & Craig Mitchell
View fullsize Raymond Crow, Peter Rogers & Scott
View fullsize Aaron Crow & Scott
View fullsize Paul Daniels & Scott
View fullsize Boris Wild & Scott
View fullsize Registration Frustration
View fullsize Some of the 2,000+ magicians trying to get their registration packets

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:59 - Craig Mitchell is joined late in our chat by Shawn Farquhar.

00:09:19 - Peter Rogers and Raymond Crow

00:20:40 - Aaron Crow

00:23:27 - Paul Daniels

00:31:14 - Boris Wild

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Posted in Convention Report and tagged with FISM, FISM Italy, craig Mitchell, Aaron Crow, Peter Rogers, Raymond Crow, Paul Daniels, Boris Wild, Shawn Farquhar.

July 5, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • July 5, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • FISM
  • FISM Italy
  • craig Mitchell
  • Aaron Crow
  • Peter Rogers
  • Raymond Crow
  • Paul Daniels
  • Boris Wild
  • Shawn Farquhar
  • Convention Report
  • Post a comment
Comment
Illusionists banner.jpg

228: The Illusionists - Hearing the Impossible

Illusionists banner.jpg

Almost everyone has heard of "The Illusionists" touring troupe of magicians, and, over the past year or so, I suspect many of you have had an opportunity to actually see their live show when it came through your area. They have traveled around the world from Sydney, Australia to New York City and many lands and States in between. If you haven't seen them, don't fret. After proving to be box office titans, they are contracted to continue their show for years to come. And there is a television project in the works, too, that may give them even wider recognition.

When I saw their show in Houston, Texas, I was not only fascinated with their skills but also with the audience reaction. As a magician who attends a lot of magic conventions, I have seen thousands of performances over the years. The main difference between magician audiences and lay audiences is what it is that each reacts to and how they react. I loved watching the expressions on people's faces in the theater who had never seen a live magic show. Certainly there are a lot of magic shows on television currently, but this live show is nothing like what people see on the small (or large) screen at home. I loved seeing people sit on the edge of their seats when Andrew Basso was in the water torture tank, and the quizzical expressions when they were trying to figure out who Dan Sperry was and what kind of magician he is, and the gasps from the audience when Aaron Crow shot an arrow through an apple on a volunteer's head. Marvelous@ I loved every minute of it.

And one of the interesting things that I didn't even think of until later during our conversation was that there were no large "box" illusions like zig-zags, sub trunks and Origami. Yet their skills and personalities reached and resonated to the highest seat in the back of the balcony.

If you haven't yet seen "The Illusionists" or even if you have, then you will enjoy this podcast with some of the cast and crew.

http://www.magicsam.com/ Direct from Broadway , the world's best-selling magic show is touring the United States! This amazing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of seven of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage.

View fullsize Kevin James and Antonio Hoyos as "Charlie Chaplin"
View fullsize Adam Trent and Kevin James
View fullsize Aaron Crow, Kevin James, Jeff Hobson, Scott Wells, David Williamson and Adam Trent
View fullsize Jeff Hobson and Aaron Crow
View fullsize Antonio Hoyos and Scott Wells
View fullsize David Williamson and Jeff Hobson
View fullsize Aaron Crow as "The Warrior" and Scott Wells as "the Audience Member"

Trying to get the whole cast together is darn near impossible. I tried but was only able to wrangle a few of the guys. But as a bonus, we get to hear from David Williamson who showed up mid-way into the podcast. Jeff Hobson had a prior commitment to travel back home for his son's high school graduation ceremony, but he arranged to have David Williamson fill in for him on Saturday. This was a unique opportunity because it is rare when any of the cast have to miss a show. The hilarity that ensued was spontaneous and fun. But what else would you expect when you have both Jeff and David in the same room?

After we finished recording the podcast, we retired to the lobby for a light lunch when several of the crew were heading over to the theater for rehearsal and to prepare for that evening's Friday night show. As Antonio Hoyos walked by, Jeff suggested that I corner him for a few quick stories which I did. Antonio used to work with Siegfried and Roy but for the past several years has performed as Charlie Chaplin "living  doll" (little person) with Kevin James. He did have some great stories that, if we had the time, could make for a separate and complete podcast.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

The Magic Compass brings you Breaking Magic News, Viral Videos, Exclusive Offers and Specials, Magic in the Media, Links to Hot Topic Blogs, Podcasts, Regular Webcasts Contests and Polls. You can follow this page at http://www.magic-compass.com or c…

The Magic Compass brings you Breaking Magic News, Viral Videos, Exclusive Offers and Specials, Magic in the Media, Links to Hot Topic Blogs, Podcasts, Regular Webcasts Contests and Polls. You can follow this page at http://www.magic-compass.com or clicking on the banner above.

Tagged with Jeff Hobson, Kevin James, Aaron Crow, Adam Trent, Antonio Hoyos, David Williamson.

June 18, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • June 18, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • Jeff Hobson
  • Kevin James
  • Aaron Crow
  • Adam Trent
  • Antonio Hoyos
  • David Williamson
  • Post a comment
Comment

The Magic Word The Magic Word

A Podcast for Magicians, About Magicians, Hosted by a Full Time Professional Magician, Scott Wells

This podcast is totally free for everyone to enjoy. This is provided to you out of love and respect for our art of magic. If you enjoy the podcasts and other material on The Magic Word, then your financial support will be greatly appreciated and help offset the monthly hosting service fee as well as the hardware and software to produce this podcast. Just click on the "Donate " button at the top of this page to make a one time donation through PayPal.

You can become a sustaining member by pledging a monthly donation of any amount through "Patreon" and receive some pretty cool perks for membershiip, too. Just Click Here for more information on how you can help.

By donating to The Magic Word, you will become a "Friend of The Magic Word" and receive a certificate (suitable for framing) indicating your membership plus your name will join your other friends and be posted on our "Wall of Fame". If you prefer to order something from the Store, then that will help support The Magic Word, too. Thank you.

  • The Magic Word
  • Become a Friend of The Magic Word
  • Subscribe to The Magic Word
  • At The Table Lectures
  • Scott Wells Lecture Items
  • The Magic Word Podcast T-Shirt
  • Amazon.com Store to Support The Magic Word
  • The Magic Word Merchandise
  • Magic Convention Guide
  • Magic Theaters
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact

In May 2024, Scott Wells had the distinguished honor of receiving a “Special Fellowship” from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) for the Magic Word Podcast which promotes “not only personal stories of fascinating individuals, but also fellowship amongst our extended family of artists and entertainers everywhere.”

Do you have a comment or suggestion for The Magic Word Podcast? Click on the SpeakPipe logo and leave a short audio message for Scott. It’s fast, easy and fun. Send a “shout out” today and who knows? Your message may be heard on an upcoming podcast!

Mark Phillips - "Duel" Reality - Mark Phillips is more than just a long-time, successful trade show magician. He also co-hosts one of the most popular two-person comedy shows in Washington, D.C. #washingtondc #magiccomedy #comedy #tradeshow
MAGIC Live! 2025 Daily Reports It's a wrap! - All four days of reports from MAGIC Live! in Las Vegas have been posted on The Magic Word Podcast and available for your listening pleasure. What another great convention! 15 years and counting. #magicliv
Abbott's 87th Get Together 2025 Daily Reports - Daily reports from "Camp Colon" featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. It's the next best thing to being there!
Travel Breather in the Eye of the Storm - We are between two (actually three) major events: FISM, Abbott's Get Together and MAGIC Live! Last week was a full week of FISM reports. Next week we travel to Colon, Michigan for Abbott's Get Together then i
Mark Phillips - "Duel" Reality - Mark Phillips is more than just a long-time, successful trade show magician. He also co-hosts one of the most popular two-person comedy shows in Washington, D.C. #washingtondc #magiccomedy #comedy #tradeshow MAGIC Live! 2025 Daily Reports It's a wrap! - All four days of reports from MAGIC Live! in Las Vegas have been posted on The Magic Word Podcast and available for your listening pleasure. What another great convention! 15 years and counting. #magicliv Abbott's 87th Get Together 2025 Daily Reports - Daily reports from "Camp Colon" featuring chats with registrants, talent, organizers, dealers, and more. It's the next best thing to being there!
Rome may not have been built in a day, but we tried to see as much of it as we could in an afternoon.
Another beautiful day in Umbria visiting #Assissi and #Perugia #Italy
More time near the Tuscan sun. But this time we traveled south to Umbria where we visited #Bevagna #Montefalco and #Spello
More time under the beautiful Tuscan sun with a visit to Montalcino and Montepulciano for wine tasting and exploring. Now staying in a monestary. #italy
Travel Breather in the Eye of the Storm - We are between two (actually three) major events: FISM, Abbott's Get Together and MAGIC Live! Last week was a full week of FISM reports. Next week we travel to Colon, Michigan for Abbott's Get Together then i

The Magic Word Has been recognized by FeedSpot as the # 1 magician podcast in the world. Thank you all for your support and for listening throughout the years.

The Magic Word Podcast was selected by MillionPodcasts as one of the Top 25 Magician Podcasts on the web. In fact, it is currently listed as the Number 2 magician podcast!

tumblr
linkedin
twitter-unauth
facebook-unauth
instagram-unauth
x-formerly-twitter-unauth
pinterest-unauth
facebook-unauth
Amazon Affiliate 2020 graphic.jpg