February in Blackpool with David Blaine | Whitespace blog

Shazam!

Nick Birch
25 Feb 09, 16:37 PM

It’s that time of year again when anybody who’s nobody (me included) heads to the capital of c*@! that is Blackpool for a weekend of dodgy sequined outfits, even dodgier comb overs and magic – lots of magic. Yes, it’s the international magic convention at the Winter Gardens and I’m loving every minute of it.

For me it all started when I was 12 and a thumb tip and red silk handkerchief, courtesy of Ellisdon's, the now defunct High Holborn novelty company. From the original 1950’s illustration, to the slick hand lettered type with the promise of a miracle inside the waxy 35p packet, I was hooked and have been ever since. Thirty-three years and hundreds of pounds later and I’m here pushing my way through all the other wannabe street performers looking for the next ‘undetectable gimmick’ or card routine that just may be the holy grail that most magicians seek, ‘the perfect trick’.

This year’s different though, word has spread that this is the biggest and best convention of its kind and a smattering of stateside performers have made the trip including David Blaine, the guy I’m now standing right next to trying to see what he’s buying whilst remaining cool and pretending to act like a peer - not a gooey eyed fan. I can’t believe that I haven’t plucked up the courage to ask him about his Ambitious Card routine or the time he was frozen in ice. But why? Because I still can’t quite get my head around the fact that he’s actually here, in Blackpool of all places! What on earth did his agent tell him? “Yeah Dave, I’ve heard it’s a bit like Vegas”, which bit? The Dunroamin bed and breakfast? Pound land? Still, if it’s good enough for Blaine it’ll do for me.

So what is it about the black art that fascinates and makes grown men get excited at the thought of spending a freezing February weekend in Blackpool, alone?

The truth is, cheesiness aside, there’s an addictive charm about magic – it requires skill, transcends age and culture and in the hands of highly skilled performers, is very entertaining, it also has its fair share of legends some of which are true characters. But for me it’s not just the lure of retro packaging and beautifully illustrated posters, it’s about the performance - the ingenious misdirection and slight of hand and, assuming you don’t cock it up, the admiration and recognition that comes from performing something so unbelievable complete strangers want to have your children.

It’s pure marketing and exactly the same principles apply in business – especially ours. The creative pitch, for example, is pure theatre - it’s a performance, one you must execute to perfection giving your all if you’re to win it and show your passion for the project.

If I’m honest, I’m not a natural presenter – it’s my Achilles heel! That’s not to say I stutter all the way through presentations like some inarticulate oaf, but performing close up magic and mentalism (that’s mind magic to the rest of you) has helped me become a much more confident presenter and I have a 1975 Ellisdon’s advert in the Exchange and Mart to thank for that.

Nick Birch
Creative Director