The 2nd Commercial Close-Up Forum

A report of the event in Northwich, Cheshire, November 2006 by

JAN CULSHAW

On Sunday November 11 2006 the day began with each of the lecturers performing a fifteen-minute show, presented by Mark Leveridge, Martin Sanderson and Nicholas Einhorn. These were as they would have been presented to a lay audience in terms of content, but the presence of a magical audience was acknowledged during the presentation of some items.

Mark was on first. A selected card was divined and then extracted from the closed card box as it was spun in the air. A borrowed ring was vanished and cloned, finally reappearing in a box. This was followed by a coin and handkerchief sequence and finally an envelope effect. Who would have thought Mark Leveridge would use an envelope trick? .

Then it was Martin's turn. An excellent Think-a-Card with sucker ending was followed by his Ambitious Card routine, ending with Card to Sealed Envelope in Wallet and the Omni Deck transformation. Next a selected card appeared in Martin's hands on his photograph on a laminated ID Card, followed by the appearance of a coin beneath the spectator's watch strap. He finished with the signature Bill in Kiwi.

Nick began his show with the cleanest Oil & Water I can remember, including a face up final phase. Coins appeared from a ribbon-spread for use in a very direct Matrix routine. Ring Flight (using a carabiner-type keyring) led into a ring and string routine (borrowing ever so slightly from Mark Leveridge). The four Aces were used to locate three selected cards, the Aces vanishing one by one from the top of the deck to sandwich the selections in the centre. This led to a four Ace location and a multiple card revelation to finish.

The day continued with lectures by each of the three to small groups: Mark on Tableside magic, Nick on Mix & Mingle and Martin on the business side of the profession. They were uniformly excellent, each presenting a wealth of valuable advice, guidance and practical information, all more than generous with explanation, demonstration and useful information. There were products on sale, of course, but the lectures were not sales pitches. I have attended many lectures at conventions and never felt that I was getting personal tuition. Here, I had that feeling in spades.

The day finished with a one-hour Q & A session. I cannot praise this event highly enough. The format provides exactly what is missing at conventions i.e. the chance to talk to the lecturers both in small groups and on a one-to-one basis in the bar, or over a coffee. Also, resisting the temptation to cram ever more into the event results in a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to absorb the information on offer. If this event takes place again, my advice is - don't miss it!

Just a quick note to thank you for arranging the Forum last Sunday. Moira and I thoroughly enjoyed it . Three great lecturers with a wealth of advice for the attendees and generous with their time to answer questions and provide solutions to all queries thrown at them- even outside their allotted times! Congratulations on a fantastic event - and a much needed one in the north!!!! Howard Hughes

A note of thanks for yesterdays Forum. While I like attending Conventions and club meetings, I found this event to be the most informative and helpful situation. I am on the 'verge' of taking the leap from full time, secure employment, and turning "professional". Meeting other like minded people was encouraging and I found the open and honest approach from yourself and Martin and Nicholas refreshing and inspiring. Peter McCook

Thank you for organising a great day today. Your time & effort was very much appreciated. Philip Partridge

This is just a quick note to thank you for organising the Close Up Forum day. I don't think I have ever attended a more useful event. The opportunity to work in such small groups with a lecturer is so valuable, and so impossible at "conventional conventions". Everyone I spoke to was of the same opinion. I've attended many lectures at conventions, but never felt that I was getting personal tuition. I did get that feeling on Sunday. Oh, and the breaks were almost as useful as the actual sessions! Thanks again for your hard work. Jan Culshaw

Click HERE for a report on the 1st event

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