Close-Up Competition

2 May 2004

I always look forward to this event in the SMC calendar, as it holds some great memories over the years. It was something of a surprise that there were so few entrants this year; most of our members, as far as I know are close-up magicians rather than stage workers; is it the rule about only one card trick that puts them off? Or is it the format? (Personally I'd rather see contestants working round a small table, then repeating their acts at another table. I'm sure we have done it successfully in the past using this format.)

If so, perhaps we should look at the rules at an AGM, but I think it is a shame that we cannot persuade more folk to take part.

Anyway, on with the report. First up was Leon. He opened with Sponge Balls. I was a bit hasty in my disappointment at this, as Leon's routine was as entertaining as it was flawless. It was clear that he had performed this for real people hundreds of times, and it was the perfect opener. Leon built his act skilfully with a version of Predict-Tac-Toe, followed by a 4-coin matrix and the very amusing Cannibal Cards (which should be renamed Kings of Leon). The finish was clever, and we were off to a great start.

Because of the fact that we had so few entrants, the next competitor and the final one very kindly stepped in at the last minute. (As you know we need at least 3 to have a competition).

This is very hard to do, as to perform well requires considerable mental preparation, and neither Reg nor Peter had this luxury. Reg went first, performing John Bannon's Twisted Sisters, (one of my favourite packet tricks ever) and a clever and impromptu (and as far as I could tell ungaffed) Coins Across routine. Every time I see a good coin routine I always wish I could do more coin work, as it often plays well.

Third up was the relatively young but very talented Max. Having introduced Max to the world of Magic, I wish I could claim credit for teaching him, but I can't, as the truth is Max is largely self-taught, with hours of practice very evident in his performance. He opened with a snappy cap in deck, then a coin trick (this was a gaffed one but very well performed nevertheless; if I say it used a 1p and a 10p you can probably guess!). A well-timed performance of James Brown s trademark Pot of Jam trick followed, and then a terrific rope routine, full of several classic moves performed with confidence, and a couple of new moves thrown in for good measure. Max finished with the nail in the nose; a clever trick which Max performed very well, but somehow it didn t quite fit with the other tricks he performed. Nevertheless, the audience clearly were impressed by Max's skill!

Finally came Peter, and though he too had had little time to prepare, he showed what an experienced performer he was as he took us through some of the favourites from his repertoire: silk and 20 routine, sponge balls and a cut-and restored rope. Peter was a little unlucky to be last, as we had already seen sponge balls and cut and restored rope, but being a pro he carried both off with confidence, and with well-rehearsed patter as well.

And the winner? Magic. Sorry, just kidding; Max got the audience s vote, and it wasn't hard to see why, as he had obviously put in a lot of work on the sleights and the patter. He may be the youngest ever winner; I'll have to ask the secretary to check the records!

AJ

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