Stage Competition

11 April 2025

We started the evening by giving out the trophies for last year's competitions, again, this time they were the smaller 'to keep' engraved versions. Another congratulations to the winners.

Next, we started the stage competition and we were spoilt for choice with 7 entrants:

Kenny O'Reilly (Eddie Summers):
Kenny started by sharing his famous unforgettable catchphrase, then we on to have a card freely chosen which after some by-play and the quickest downing of a pint of Guinness I've seen for a long time, the card was discovered to be hiding in the glass the whole time.

Paul Wingham:
Some great comedy and magic, including a novel new use of the 'stiff rope' with a sock (you had to be there). There were some great comic lines about the numbers chosen. Paul then went on to show he had predicted 2 movies that were chosen by the audience.

Freddie Harley:
Or should I say, Harley, Freddie Harley? As this was a James Bond styled routine, first a famous Bond vehicle was chosen and shown to have been predicted months before as it was made of lego, he then went on to have one of 8 Bond movie postcards chosen attached to a sting with clips, the string was held across the stage by Freddie and his helper Gordon and all the cards except the chosen one fell to the floor. Freddie finished with a bullet catch, as a gun wasn't allowed he used a lighter to heat the gunpowder in the bullet.

Stanley Hodge:
A great a novel act featuring some lovely magic and ball manipulation. Even included a bespoke song. Whilst I know Stanley wasn't fully happy with his performance, it was thoroughly entertaining and has huge potential.

Kevin Peel:
With a 100% record of competition participation, Kevin is a legend, always a new act each time. Mainly a mentalism-styled routine featuring predicted books and page numbers.

David Croucher:
As usual David arrived with a case full of stuff, no one knows what he'll do next, least of all him. You can earlier tell that David is out gigging all the time as his 'character' may be manic and out of control, you know he is always in full control.

George Smith:
George was the most energetic competitor, he leapt from the stage giving high fives (thankfully no crowd surfing). You need to be brave to try the ring and glass routine and George was not only brave but also showed he has put in the hours of practice, a stunning routine.

Winners: David, Freddie, Eddie

With thanks to Kevin Cunliffe who donated the prizes, and will be lecturing for us in June.

• << NEXT
• ALL ARTICLES...
• GALLERY...
• PREVIOUS >>