Sponsored by
Blackpool caught in 'War of Wizards'
A "WAR of Wizards" will not cast a shadow over Blackpool's famous magicians' convention – organisers today vowed.
Concern has been raised ever since a rival event was planned – just three weeks before the Winter Gardens get-together which usually attracts around 3,500 delegates.
But escapologist Derek Lever, the man behind the annual Blackpool Magicians' Convention, said everything was 100 per cent on track for next February.
He said: "All the main magic dealers who come here have already registered and sent e-mails saying they are coming."
A row broke out after illusionist Collin Richardson and Geoff Pescud set up the Southern England Magic Convention and said it would be held at the Lakeside centre in Frimley Green, Surrey, on January 31.
They claimed the Blackpool event, which starts on February 20, was old fashioned.
Mr Lever then activated a barring clause warned exhibitors they could not attend another convention within five weeks of the Blackpool one, prompting accusations that he was attempting to bully the southern event from taking place.
But Mr Lever, 70, today defended his actions.
He said: "This other event has been set up as a spoiler.
"They could hold it any time during the year, so why choose three weeks before our event? Bearing in mind that Showzam is also running, it is an attempt to hit that as well.
"There is a barring clause which has been in place ever since our convention began 56 years ago. It is nothing new, and it is not illegal, it is used by all types of entertainment.
"We're not bullying anyone, just trying to protect our event.
"I have had lots of supportive e-mails from our artists and dealers. They don't want to see our event affected, it is one of the most lucrative in the world for them."
But Mr Richardson, 62, said: "We are two small people who are doing what we felt was something good for magic.
"All we want to do is break even. We are 400 miles from Blackpool and we can only take 1,400 people.
"A lot of the people coming to ours would never go to Blackpool.
"Now it seems there is a war of the wizards going on. As far as we are concerned, one man is terrifying the magic world."
Next year's Blackpool convention will run in conjunction once again with the Showzam festival which was launched for the first time this year to showcase Blackpool's circus, magic and variety traditions.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
