Eastbourne 1st - 4th September 2022
Registration is now open!
Nikola Arkane and Tom Stone - Joint Lecture
What happens when a magic innovator and a magic whirlwind get together to work? A creative storm that will blow the art of magic to newer and higher heights than ever before!
After discovering their styles quite compliment each other, Tom and Nikola joined forces to create this unique back to back lecture filled with close-up, parlour effects and ideas that will hopefully inspire you all to take your routines to another level. Exploring sleight of hand and theatrical techniques this is not just about the tricks. You will get an up close and inside look at what it takes to take a tiny seed of an idea and guide it towards a fully fledged piece of magical art.
Mark James
Mark has worked professionally for almost two decades in over 40 countries worldwide. He combines expert sleight of hand magic with comedy, juggling and other vaudevillian variety skills to create a unique and amazing show. He has provided 'audience warm up' for many of your favourite TV shows from The Xtra Factor and The Voice to A Question Of Sport, Celebrity Tipping Point and Culinary Genius USA.
Mark regularly performs at The World Famous Magic Castle Hollywood, House Of Cards Nashville and Chicago Magic Lounge in the USA. He has also provided magic on board the world renowned Orient Express. In February 2020 he flew to Ohio to give his second lecture for Penguin Magic USA. In early 2021 Mark lectured for the members of the Magic Circle and was awarded promotion to AIMC Silver as a result.
Having performed for all ages, nationalities and demographics around the world, you can be sure you’re in safe hands with Mark.
Dion van Rijt
Dion was born in Delft, in the Netherlands. As a young child, he endlessly bowed in front of the mirror and performed different characters to his family. But one day, he received a magic box from his parents and he immediately fell in love with it. While practicing magic tricks, dancing, jumping and turning, Dion started to take ballet classes. Shortly after studying sleight of hand and turning pirouettes, he participated in various magic competitions.
His versatility paid off, because Dion became grand prix winner at the European Championships of Magic. He was also the youngest participant ever to win 3rd prize at the World Championships of Magic. These victories at such a young age were his stepping stones to performing different short acts all over the world. Performing globally always pushes Dion to deliver new acts of a high artistic and unique form. Almost all of Dion’s creations are designed and built by him.
Dion is the most diverse, creative and theatrical illusionist in the world. His work is a treat for the imagination and if you want to keep updated about Dion’s work make sure to follow him on Instagram: @dionvanrijt
Steve Hewlett
Mark has worked professionally for almost two decades
Over the last 25 years Steve Hewlett has performed at 1000's of venues to millions of people. As well as touring the UK in the Ken Dodd Laughter Show for 3 years, Steve had the Amazing opportunity to tour his show 'Thinking Inside The Box' after his successful appearance on ITV's Britain's Got Talent Final with his Simon Cowell creation.
Steve has also toured with ‘30 Years Of Talking To Myself’, which he then took to Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach for a summer season. In March 2020 he launched and closed his 3rd UK Tour, ‘A Day In The Life Of Arthur Lager’, in the same weekend. He kept busy during Lockdowns 1-3 editing his upcoming Book ‘Ventriloquest’ paying tribute to his peers in the Art of Ventriloquism. Steve also launched his Podcast, ‘Eyes & Teeth’, talking to his Comedy & Variety favourites from TV, Radio, Theatre, Comedy Clubs and Cruises. There are currently over 130 episodes available for free on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Join us at Eastbourne and laugh out loud at one of the UK's Best Loved Comedy Ventriloquists.
Todd Landman
The Academic Magician
Todd Landman is Professor of Political Science, Executive Director of the Rights Lab, and Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham. He is Associate of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star, Founder and Lifetime Honorary Member of the British Society of Mystery Entertainment, Member of the Society of American Magicians, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and Visiting Professor of Performance Magic at the University of Huddersfield. He is creator and author of many books, routines, and effects for the discerning mystery entertainer, including Luna, The Ring of Gyges, Cogito Ergo Sum, The Bequeathment, The Condemned, Macrocosm, The Orne Experiments, Metaphysical Magic, Epistementalogie, The Magiculum, The Magiculum II, Roderick’s Diary, and Hevel.
Todd brings his performance of The Lost of History to Eastbourne, and will deliver his lecture Tales from the Magiculum.
Lectures
We have lectures to suit every taste, but arranged so you don’t have to miss a single one. Take a look at our Artistes page to see the array of talent we have lined up for you
Competitions
We have the Annual Stage Competition – for the winner of the British Ring Shield an additional prize is an appearance in the West End of London. On a smaller scale, we have the Close up competition with a cash prize. And we host the annual Ali Bongo Micro Magic Marathon – a close up competition in real world conditions. We’d love to see you – as a competitor or in our audience – join us to be part of the fun!
Shows
From the international stars of the magic gala on the Saturday to the stars of international close up and the best of children’s magic, our shows are sure to please. AND a full registration gets you access to nearly all of them (the Childrens show is a small extra charge)
Programme of Events
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Thursday 6th September |
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| 9 am | Dealer access (Dealers open at 12.30 pm ) |
| 9.30 am | Registration opens |
| 10 am | Outside Stunt – Danny Hunt |
| 11 am | Official Opening |
| 11.15 am | Opening Show – Alexander Wells |
| 1.30 – 2.30 pm | Lecture – Darren Mac |
| 1.30 – 2.30 pm | Balloon Workshop with Graham Lee |
| 3 – 4 pm | Lecture – Quentin Reynolds |
| 4.30 – 5.30 pm | Lecture - Jon Marshall |
| 4.30 – 5.30 pm | Workshop - Puppets/Black Light with Stuart & Libby |
| 7.30 pm | Stage Competition in Floral Hall |
| Followed by the Awards | |
| 11 pm | Late night event in Peaky Blinders |
Friday 7th September |
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| 9 am | AGM in Studio |
| 10.15 am | Jeff Atkins Memorial Lecture – Anthony Owen |
| 11.45 am – 12.45 pm | Stars of Close Up |
| 11.45 am – 12.45 pm | Workshop – Juggling with Michael |
| 1.45 – 3.45 pm | History of Mystery |
| 2 – 3 pm | Dealers Showcase |
| 4 – 5 pm | Lecture – Andi Gladwin |
| 4 pm | Flea Circus |
| 4.30 pm | Flea Circus |
| 7 – 8.30 pm | Ali Bongo Micro Marathon in Victoria |
| 9 – 10 pm | Aaron Calvert Show in Floral Hall |
| 10.30 pm | Late night event in Peaky Blinders |
Saturday 8th September |
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| 9.45 – 10.45 am | Lecture – Fifth Dimension |
| 10.30 – 12.15 | Sooty Show in Southport Theatre |
| 11.15– 12.30 | Close-Up Competition and Awards |
| 1.30 – 2.30 pm | Lecture – Wayne Dobson |
| 3 – 4 pm | Lecture – Alexander Wells |
| 3 – 4 pm | Balloon Workshop with Graham Lee |
| 4.30 – 5.30 pm | Nostalgia in Studio |
| 7.30 pm | Gala Show in Southport Theatre |
| 10.30 pm | Late Night event in Peaky Blinders |
Sunday 9th September |
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| 9.30 am | Convention Service in Pod |
| 10.15 – 11.15 am | Lecture – Michael Finney |
| 11.45 – 12.30 | Youth Show |
| 1.30 – 2.30 pm | Lecture – Aaron Calvert & Sam Fitton |
| 2.45 – 3.45 pm | Lecture – Dion |
| 4 pm | Dealers close |
| 4 – 5 pm | Closing Show in Floral Hall – High Jinx |
| 5.15 pm | Installation, with Raffle and draw for free registration and close of convention |
Dealers
The list of dealers shown may change as we get closer to the convention - it is the confirmed list as it stands at the moment - the dealers hall is open throughout most of the convention.