The Session 2020

The Session is the best close-up magic convention in the UK. Full stop. It was started thirteen years ago, in Gloucestershire, back when it was just a bunch of friends trying to make the sort of convention they wanted to go to. One that wasn’t too big. One that actively encouraged sessioning. One where the performers actually wanted to hang with the attendees.

How often would you be able to just chat with Chris Kenner and get his help on your Three Fly in the bar? Where else could you get a selfie with Tamariz, Dynamo, or Derren Brown? How amazing would it be to be able to talk about comedy timing with Mac King over breakfast?

That’s what happens at The Session. You’ll be encouraged to hang with your heroes and be blown away by people you’ve not heard of.

We sell out every single year. With guests like Juan Tamariz, Derren Brown, David Blaine, Troy, Ben Hanlin, Daniel Madison, and Roberto Giobbi it’s easy to see why. Secure your seat at the table. Book for The Session now.

New for 2020: The Session is now a three-day event! Starting on Friday lunchtime, and finishing Sunday night, you'll be blown away by the line up we have arranged for our first ever three-day convention!

Performers & Speakers

We'll be announcing even more performing for The Session 2020 in the coming months. Here's just a few:

David Regal

Having written four seminal books on close-up and parlor magic, David Regal is a creative force in our industry. And for the last five years he has been the producer of Michael Carbonaro's hit television show, The Carbonaro Effect. He rarely appears at conventions anymore, and so we're delighted to welcome David for a mixture of all-new material and old favorites.

Laura London

Laura London is an acclaimed performer, but we're featuring a different side of Ms. London. She will talk on her groundbreaking research into the great Talma, one of the most acclaimed female magicians of her time.

Mike Pisciotta

Mike Pisciotta is fresh off of a win for Parlor Magician of the Year from the Academy of Magical Arts. Mike is also the ONLY magician who performs weekly at the Magic Castle on retainer. His specialty is bar magic, and he will lecture and present on the original material that has made him one of the hottest names in our industry.

Michael Vincent

We've had the pleasure of welcoming Michael Vincent to our stage on several occasions, but this time he's here specifically to present his signature touches on Darwin Ortiz's "The Sting." This blockbuster card effect could be the closing piece of your show, and Michael will deliver a candid examination of the routine and how he has altered it for his own performances.

Denis Behr

One of the finest technicians in the world of card magic, Denis will lecture on the material he uses to astound German audiences in his acclaimed one-man show. Las year his Magic on Tap DVD was a sellout hit. Now you'll see the magic live and in person!

Peter Clifford

A consultant for magicians such as David Blaine, Derren Brown, and many fine theatrical productions, Peter Clifford is an expert in stagecraft and original presentations. Clifford will speak to us on the power of adding theatrical tools into your arsenal, and he will perform a one-man show for us.

David Williamson

Regarded as both one of the most skillful and hilarious living magicians, David Williamson embodies everything we value in an artist. His original output includes neo-classics like "51 Cards to Pocket," The Striking Vanish, and "Funner Color Stunner." He is an IBM Gold Cups winner, and he has performed on stages all over the world, most recently as the star ringleader in the touring show Circus 1903. Williamson's superb sleight of hand is sometimes overshadowed by his larger-than-life stage persona, but we'll honor David and explore all aspects of his career and creative output.

Andrew Goldenhersh

Los Angeles native Andrew Goldenhersh has one of the most crowd-pleasing, astounding parlor acts in our industry. A favorite at Hollywood's Magic Castle, he was twice awarded Parlor Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts.

Gustav Kuhn

A professor at Goldsmiths University, London, Dr. Kuhn bridges the gap between magic and neuroscience. He will speak to us on this intersection of magic and brain science, and talk about the fascinating findings of his studies, as well as insights from his recent book, Experiencing the Impossible.

Harrison Greenbaum

Direct from New York City, Harrison Greenbaum's unique blend of comedy and magic are sure to astound. Every year we invite a guest who you may not be familiar with, but one who you'll never forget. That's Harrison. He stormed our other event, the Magifest, last year, and we are thrilled to present him at The Session. Harrison will host a "State of the Magic Union," a late-night, anything-goes event in which he'll roast the current magic scene.

Henry Harrius

Hong Kong's Henry Harrius is, perhaps, the most forward-thinking Rubik's cube creator in magic. He has developed and released some of the most stunning magic with a Rubik's Cube in our industry. But few realse Henry is also one of the busiest corporate magicians in Asia. He performs his visual style of magic on stages all over the world, and we're thrilled to welcome him to our convention.

Andi Gladwin

Andi Gladwin has performed on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Next Great Magician, and is a regular featured performer on Masters of Illusion. But after organising thirteen conventions, Andi has never given a full lecture at The Session. That changes this year, with an all new card magic lecture!

Howard Hamburg

Howard Hamburg makes his Session Debut this year. An American card magic legend, Howard was a student of Dai Vernon and Charlie Miller, and his lecture is a wonderful combination of stories, anecdotes, and potent card magic. Howard's strength is sitting at a table and absolutely FLOORING magicians with his impossible brand of magic. Known in particular for his Thought-of Speller, ask him to see this trick...with YOUR deck, and you'll have a lifetime memory.

Dominic Twose

Dominic was a student of the late, great Fred Robinson, and a confidante of underground legends such as Eric Mason and Gordon Bruce. He’s had material published in The Crimp, Best of Friends 3, as well as The Magic Circular, which said, ‘His evident skill with a pack of cards is matched by his ability to entertain an audience.’

Will Houstoun

Dr. Will Houstoun is an accomplished performer, lecturer, and author. He is the Magic Circle Magician of the Year from 2015 and the author of two books on the history of magic, Hellis in Wonderland and The Notebook. He consults on stage and on screen, most notably for the Royal Shakespeare Company and for the film Hugo. We're delighted to feature Dr. Houstoun's outstanding sleight-of-hand magic on our stages. .

Rory Adams

Rory was the lead consultant for ITV1's ‘The Next Great Magician’, has written magic for shows like Netflix’s ‘Magic For Humans’, JSBC's 'The Amazing Magicians’ plus a ton more Theatre and TV across the globe – even one show on ice. At 24-years-old, Rory published the best selling magic book “Only Ideas” and co-founded Nobody Knows - the company that brought you the “Trick of The Year”.

Paul Wilson

Paul Wilson is a star of both stage and screen, and one of the most knowledgeable card magicians in the UK to boot. An expert on gambling scams, he starred in the hit show The Real Hustle and has directed several feature films and documentaries. Paul will lecture on his superb card and coin material, and we're thrilled to have him at The Session.

Park Inn, Heathrow, London

Bath Road, Heathrow, Middlesex, UB7 0DU, London Heathrow
+44 0208 759 6628 (request Meetings & Events team)

To book, call the hotel directly on between 9am and 5pm Mon to Fri only – you must mention the code VINC2020 and call during office hours to get our special rates. Booking on their website will not give you our discounted rate.

Latest updates for The Session:

Who runs the Vanishing Inc. Magic Store?

Professional magicians Joshua Jay and Andi Gladwin are the cofounders of Vanishing Inc. Magic shop. But, every single member of the team is a skilled magician.

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There’s even some free magic downloads you can grab right now.

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The Session

January 10-12th 2020

The Session 2020