Each year, there is a mass pilgrimage to the northern town of Blackpool. Thousands of magical practitioners including hobbyists, amateurs, professionals, intrigue-ists, wizards, witches, professors and all types of lovers of magic gather for The Blackpool Magic Convention.
The annual extravaganza is organised by the Blackpool Magicians Club and attracts visitors from all over the world who share their love of all things magic. First held in 1953 at the Casino Pleasure Beach as a one day convention, it’s now grown to be the largest magic convention in the world keenly attended by crowds of magic enthusiasts. The packed weekend offers amazing gala shows featuring world class performers, star lectures, late night fringe shows, an extensive Dealers Hall and so much more.
My first experience of the convention was in 1996: I was 17 and got to witness some incredible moments, including Harry Blackstone Junior perform his beautiful floating lightbulb that floated over the audience.
I came away from the weekend with a whole new perspective on the amazing magic acts and magicians out there and the singular aim of performing there as an artist one day.
At the 1997 and 1999 conventions I had the opportunity to compete in the British Magical Championships, which was an invaluable experience. In 2011 I competed at a higher level at the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques or FISM, the European Championships of Magic. FISM hold prestigious contests around the world every few years: they are the Olympics of the magic world and are seen as the highest standard of competitions in the world. In 2012 I competed in the World Magic Championships, also held as part of the convention. Why am I telling you all this? Well, these competition performances were definitely some of the scariest experiences I’ve ever encountered but they instilled a new confidence in me and provided the courage I needed to keep moving forward. In 2015 I had the opportunity of performing my competition act in one of the gala shows at Blackpool – a dream come true.
In 2017, I re-entered the European Championships and was placed 3rd in General Magic. This was one of the best days ever; winning an international award on home turf in Blackpool will live in my happy memories forever!
As part of the packed programme over the convention weekend, there’s a selection of lectures from some of the biggest names in the magic world. These lectures cover a vast range of different disciplines and subjects, from sleight-of-hand card magic to magic on stage, comedy, family entertainment, ventriloquism, unique talks and workshops.
As you know, I believe dreams can come true and at this very moment, I’m currently preparing a new one hour presentation for my first time lecturing at the Blackpool Magic convention.
I’m very, VERY excited! My lecture is titled ‘Openers & Closers’ and will offer some of my favourite magic effects to open and close any type of show, whether it’s a one man, close-up show or a much bigger routine. I’ll also share my thoughts on magic in general. Appropriately, my lecture is on the opening day of the convention…I cannot wait!! I hope to see you there.
Oliver Tabor ‘Openers & Closers’ lecture
Friday 14th February 2pm – Foyer Hall, Blackpool Winter Gardens.
Blackpool Magic Convention
The Blackpool Magic convention 2025 runs from 14-16 February.
Visit their website for more information
https://www.blackpoolmagicconvention.com
