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883: Blackpool 2025 - Day One Report

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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
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261: Project Alpha with Mike Edwards

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After viewing the highly acclaimed documentary, "An Honest Liar" about the career of James "The Amazing" Randi, I wanted to talk with Mike Edwards, the "psychic" who was "tested" along with Steve Shaw (Banachek) over a three year period in the late 70;s to the early 80;s. I have discussed Project Alpha with Banachek many times privately, on the podcast and on an L&L Video (Psi Series Volume 4 - Psychokenisis) but I had never met or spoken with, Mike Edwards, his partner on the project.

The stars aligned with my travel plans to Phoenix, Arizona and Mike's availability so we were able to find a relatively quiet corner in an otherwise busy restaurant and record this chat. It is a completely different perspective from the one I have heard from Banachek and the revelation during the last few minutes of our conversation figuratively "bowled me over". I was not expecting that news. You might be surprised and excited once you hear it, too.

Recorded: 5/27/2010 Original Alpha Kid, Michael Edwards pays a visit to the foundation and recalls some of the behind the scenes tricks that he and Steve Shaw (Banachek) did during the MacLab test. From Wikipedia: Project Alpha was an elaborate hoax orchestrated by the stage magician and skeptic James Randi.

Recorded: 5/27/2010 Original Alpha Kid, Michael Edwards pays a visit to the foundation and recalls some of the behind the scenes tricks that he and Steve Shaw (Banachek) did during the MacLab test. From Wikipedia: Project Alpha was an elaborate hoax orchestrated by the stage magician and skeptic James Randi.

View fullsize A very young Steve Shaw, Michael Edwards and James "The Amazing" Randi
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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.

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Tagged with Mike Edwards, Michael Edwards, Alpha Project, Banachek, Steve Shaw, James Randi, The Amazing Randi, An Honiest Liar.

October 29, 2015 by Scott Wells.
  • October 29, 2015
  • Scott Wells
  • Mike Edwards
  • Michael Edwards
  • Alpha Project
  • Banachek
  • Steve Shaw
  • James Randi
  • The Amazing Randi
  • An Honiest Liar
  • 1 Comment
1 Comment

#203: Banachek - The Mentalist on "The Supernaturalists"

As a friend and business partner, The World's Number One Thought Reader, Banachek has joined me on dozens of podcasts over the years on The Magic Word. But I don't think I have ever had him as an exclusive guest. I just never think about recording our conversations; however, I have heard from listeners who have asked for "more Banachek". So, this one is for you.

Criss Angel recently announced the new show "The Supernaturalists" which is slated for a three week debut in June 2015 in Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. The show will feature some of the magicians that filled in for Criss Angel in the "BeLIEve" show earlier this year during his shoulder surgery. This show is supposed to be something completely different and nothing like the other magic touring show, "The Illusionists". This show promises to do for magic shows what Cirque du Soliel did for the circus. They hope and plan to take the show on an international tour after their Foxwoods run.

For those few of you living under a rock who are not familiar with Banachek, here is a short bio from "The Supernaturalists" website:

“THE MENTALIST” BANACHEK (SOUTH AFRICA)
Lifetime Achievement award recipient, two time Entertainer Of The Year, awarded Outstanding Contribution To The World Of Mentalism, Banachek is the only man to fool scientists with the power of his mind, and is known by his peers as the greatest mentalist alive. He has performed all over the world, is an author of eight best selling magic/mentalism books, has appeared in countless TV specials and has been the magic producer of the most successful magic series in television history, MINDFREAK.

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Banachek begins his chat with a short discussion and appeal for magic donations to his favorite charity, The College of Magic in South Africa. He also talks in detail about the upcoming show The Supernaturalists" which will include: "The Illusionist" Brett Daniels (U.S.), "The Mystfier" Cosentino (Australia), "The Mentalist" Banachek (South Africa), "The Street Magician Phenom" Adrian Vega (Spain), “The Femme Fatale Of Legerdemain” Krystyn (U.S.), “The Dog Whisperer Of Magic” Johnny (Columbia), “The Joker” The Great Maestro (Mexico)

He also talks about James Randi, The Amazing Meeting (TAM), The Million Dollar Challenge and his new documentary which trailer you can view below. For more information about "An Honest Liar"" then visit  http://AnHonestLiar.com

Live Q&A Session: November 19th - Banachek - Mentalist (Wednesday 4pm ET 9pm UTC 9pm UK) Hosted by Paul Draper

On this podcast, Banachek also talks about his early years of working hundreds of shows annually the college circuit which he still does a dozen or so dates a year. He then talks about how he first met Criss Angel and started working with him on television. He talks extensively about his TV experiences and work in Las Vegas and his view of the future on what he wants to do and where he wants to go.

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. (please note: this RSS Feed subscription system may not work with Android systems). Remember, you can download it through iTunes. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

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Tagged with college circuit, Million Dollar Challenge, The Amazing Randi, The Supernaturalits, Criss Angel, Banachek, JREF.

December 25, 2014 by Scott Wells.
  • December 25, 2014
  • Scott Wells
  • college circuit
  • Million Dollar Challenge
  • The Amazing Randi
  • The Supernaturalits
  • Criss Angel
  • Banachek
  • JREF
  • 1 Comment
1 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.

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Thanks to all of you listeners, The Magic Word Podcast and our newsletter (or “podletter” as I call it) has been recognized by FISM and received nominations in two categories. Please click on one of the graphics above and cast your vote to help push us on to victory in Turin, Italy, this summer! Thank you!

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This week on The Magic Word Podcast, "The Good Liar" Brian Curry from the Washington, D.C. area. #comedy #washingtondc #magicduel
Joe Monti was one of the creative minds and producers behind the early seasons of “Mind Freak with Criss Angel” and he has also fooled Penn & Teller. Listen to this week’s podcast episode at: https://themagicwordpodcast.com/909-
This week on The Magic Word Podcast, a chat with Christian & Katalina who have been performing their Mind Tripping Show in Indianapolis for 16 years.  https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/908-christian-and-katalina
#indianapolis #m
This week we feature an episode about two magicians 🎩 🎩 who share ideas on how to find your own theatre to perform in, plus learn how to work with a magic partner on stage. Visit the website for more information:  https://www.themagicwordpodcast.co
What a great, action-packed, adrenaline-laced, fast-paced movie. I recommend watching part one (Dead Reckoning) to catch up from where we left off two years ago. Best to see this on the big screen. Recommended!
Eric Leclerc joins us from Canada this week to talk about comedy and his experience being the compere (emcee) at the Blackpool convention 2025. #ericleclerc #canadianmagician #comedymagic #mikehammer https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagi
My son, Nick, received stem cells today for his leukemia. That means that today is his new "birthday." Let's hope and pray that this treatment works this time. 🤞
And then this happened! I was surprised at AbraCORNdabra with this award. Thank you for recognizing and appreciating my efforts. #abracorndabra2025 #tinybubbles
This week on The Magic Word Podcast, "The Good Liar" Brian Curry from the Washington, D.C. area. #comedy #washingtondc #magicduel Joe Monti was one of the creative minds and producers behind the early seasons of “Mind Freak with Criss Angel” and he has also fooled Penn & Teller. Listen to this week’s podcast episode at: https://themagicwordpodcast.com/909- This week on The Magic Word Podcast, a chat with Christian & Katalina who have been performing their Mind Tripping Show in Indianapolis for 16 years.  https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/908-christian-and-katalina
#indianapolis #m This week we feature an episode about two magicians 🎩 🎩 who share ideas on how to find your own theatre to perform in, plus learn how to work with a magic partner on stage. Visit the website for more information:  https://www.themagicwordpodcast.co What a great, action-packed, adrenaline-laced, fast-paced movie. I recommend watching part one (Dead Reckoning) to catch up from where we left off two years ago. Best to see this on the big screen. Recommended! Eric Leclerc joins us from Canada this week to talk about comedy and his experience being the compere (emcee) at the Blackpool convention 2025. #ericleclerc #canadianmagician #comedymagic #mikehammer https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagi My son, Nick, received stem cells today for his leukemia. That means that today is his new "birthday." Let's hope and pray that this treatment works this time. 🤞 And then this happened! I was surprised at AbraCORNdabra with this award. Thank you for recognizing and appreciating my efforts. #abracorndabra2025 #tinybubbles

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.

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