2010 Summary
May 2010
Off to Belfast this month as magic consultant on up and coming documentary about the Titanic. Not many people know this but cruise liners of that period were stuffed full of confidence men taking the first class passengers for a ride. I was asked to try and recreate the same scenario but this time on the Lord Provst of Belfast. Did I succeed? Look out for the Titanic documentary this autumn.
June 2010
The Edinburgh International Film Festival’s big film this year was “The Illusionist” by Sylvain Chomet. A beautiful animation showing the fabulous city of Edinburgh at it’s best. The launch party was all about the magic and was attended by Sean Connery, Patrick Stewart, America Ferrera (Ugly Betty herself) and many other famous names. I was fortunate enough to be asked to organise the entertainment and perform for all the high profile VIPs at the Gilded Balloon (Teviot) venue in Edinburgh. The magic cabaret show was a massive success and a big thanks to Matthew J Dowden, Missy Malone and the amazing Norvill. It was a delight to compère such a high profile event.
July 2010
Scotland’s largest Magic Event, The Edinburgh International Magic Festival had it’s first ever year this July. As founder and Artistic Director I had the privilege of working with the finest magicians in the UK and Europe to create an event that attracted over 2500 people. Paul Wilson (BBC ‘The Real Hustle’) performed a fabulous lecture. French man Xavier Mortimer performed one of the most beautiful magic acts I have ever seen. Drew McAdam (the Human Lie Detector) stormed his show, along with Colin McLeod, The hilarious John Archer and Ben Woodward, closeup maestros Lewis Barlow and Paul Nardini, and classic magic performer Matthew Dowden headed the bill.
During the day top children’s magician and president of the Edinburgh Magic Circle ‘Gary James’ ran magic school along with magician Luke Eaton and magic enthusiast/primary teacher ‘The Amazing Lorna’. Magic School was very well received, featuring on BBC radio 4, the Guardianand on STV.
See me here on Scottish Television talking about the festival
Kevin McMahon Interview
Find out all about magic school here from the Scottish Television
Magic School on STV
The Finale of the Festival took place on the 11th July in the Royal Lyceum theatre in Edinburgh. The most magical venue in the whole city. A whole of world renown acts took to the stage to wow an audience 400 strong.
See our four star review in the Evening News here
Four Star Evening News Review
See our Five Star review in the Edinburgh Spotlight here
Five Star Gala Show Review
Big thanks to all who attended/performed/volunteered/worked on the Festival. It was a massive success. Roll on 2011!!
August 2010
It’s always a great privilege as a magician to perform alongside the very best in the industry. Well this month I had that honour when I had the opportunity to work alongside Derren Brown at the Johnny Walker Golf Championships up at Gleneagles. He truly is one of the best performers in the magic world. He wowed a room full of VIPs from the world of Golf, including Colin Montgomery and many others.
As well as performing at the event I also had the role of consulting on the acts used for the entertainment. I’m delighted to say that Xavier Mortimer (MagicFest July 2010) returned to Edinburgh for the second month in a row alongside fabulous Gentleman Juggler Jeton. It was great to catch up with these amazing world class acts and have the chance to bring them back to Edinburgh. Pickpocket James Brown also worked the room, managing to steal an amazing 10 ties in one hour! That must be a record!!
October 2010
One of the most heart warming moments of my career when a client asked me to produce an engagement ring for his (now) fiance. They had been ‘dating’ for 20 years and he had decided to pop the question on his wives 50th birthday. A really beautiful moment. The ring appeared on a necklace in a flash of light. It was then promptly removed and placed onto Bab’s fingers. She accepted the proposal – Good luck to you both!
Also met a lovely couple Alan and Kim, who got married overseas, but decided to have a big knees up for all their mates back home here in the UK! Kim has a fab flower show called Little Botanica. Check it out!
