Any FISM Championship is not without its controversies and problems. People will talk about one thing or another that might have gone wrong with this convention, but one thing that was made crystal clear by Juan Mayoral, one of the contestants from Spain. Basically, he stated in so many words that he would not compete until the contest was brought back to the theater and focused on the competitors and away from the "television broadcast" cameras and lights. His pronouncement brought a 15 minute standing ovation. The Reed Sisters from the U.S. had to follow in the competition and might feel that their performance was compromised; however, the curtain was brought down on them early because they did not meet the minimum standards for a FISM quality act. You can hear his statement at the beginning of this podcast and we talk with Craig Mitchell who helped clarify it a bit.
The evening show was delayed again which kept the delegates waiting in the foyer before we we allowed into for the three hour show without air conditioning. Now THAT harkened back to the olden days of theater when there was no A/C. Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee compered the show that featured Yan Yan Ma, Michael Moschen, Otto Wessley, lLee Eun Gyeol, Cyril Takayama, Henry Evans, Marco Tempest, Vito Lup and Franz Harary. Another strong line-up that would have been better appreciated had it started earlier (or at least on time) and not gone on well past midnight and into the late night session with David Berglas.
Time stamps for this podcast:
00:02:11 - Curtains open, Juan Mayoral sits on a chair, removes his top hat, puts hie magic wand in the hat, then rises to speak to the audience and say that he did not feel comfortable performing in "this TV show: and he refuses to perform at FISM until :magic and FISM returns to the theater.:
00:04:46- Dal Sanders, past National President for the S.A.M.
00:11:04 - Craig Mitchell and Dal Sanders
00:18:48 - Kate Medvedeva, head judge for close-up at FISM
00:35:17 - Bruce Gold
00:52:29 - Andrew Basso, the "Escapist" from "The illusionists" touring group
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