New Tricks and Problems

7 February 2006

This was our first session of 2006, and indeed our first meeting since November.

Stuart opened the meeting with the usual notices, including the sad news that Bob Pennell had passed away over Christmas. For those who did not know them, Bob and his wife Pat had been staunch supporters of the club for many years before retiring to Wales to be near family members. Although they did not perform, they loved magic, loved magicians, and rarely missed a meeting, either with us or with the ACES club which they also attended regularly. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pat and the family.

Stuart then enquired about Dan Harlan's paper-tearing trick, 'STARCLE'. Stuart had thoughtfully brought several serviettes left over from Christmas, and we spent a happy few minutes with literally everyone having a go at the trick, with mixed, but on the whole, successful results.

Various patter stories were discussed. Most people agreed with Stevie P's tactful observation that the originator's somewhat schmaltzy patter was not perhaps the trick's strongest feature, and certainly would not go down too well east of the Atlantic Ocean. No argument from me, Pratty (other than about how long to spend at a table, obviously).

AJ offered his own variation of the well-known 'chairs' plot. Some useful feedback at coffee time was much appreciated. Someone who said they had been baffled by the effect when it had its debut at the Komedia last December saw it work somewhat differently this time really sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Parr!

Felix arrived during the interval and talked to a few of us about his TV appearances on 'Dick and Dom', a live children's TV show (in which he successfully performed the levitation of an object over his belly button).

After coffee, we moved into small groups, and performed, enjoyed, and even learnt a wide range of close-up stuff, mostly with cards. These impromptu sessions often surprise; perhaps we over-regulate our programme sometimes; I for one enjoyed watching a 'Giles' card routine from afar, which its small audience were clearly loving, talking mentalism with

Andy (just for a change!), talking about Derren Brown books with Phil, and discussing Kriss Angel's Coin in Soda with Mark, Matt and others. What I really should have been doing was learning a decent side-steal. Ho-hum.

For those who have forgotten, there were of course 11 teas and 5 coffees.
AJ

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