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The Nottingham Guild of Magicians
Annual Stage and Close-up Competition 2013
16th June 2013
Reviewed by Graham Harper
This established event in the Nottingham magic calendar took place on
Sunday 16th of June and proved as popular as ever with over 100 paying guests
enjoying a whole evening of close up and stage magic. The Guild have always held
these competitions in house until it was opened up to the public who were
already supporters of shows produced by them. Such was the demand for tickets
that three years ago it was moved to The John Godber centre in Hucknall where it
remains and thrives. The range of routines during the close-up was extensive
with no overlapping routines which is always a danger. Strict time limits made
the task all the more exacting.
Participants were: Charley Horthorne-Bales, David Hurst and Daniel Dores in the
junior section. The seniors comprised of Marcel Burn, Dean Grimshaw, Jo Birch,
Rob Nekros, Carl Wilkinson and Shane Morrison. All acquitted themselves in a
professional manner and were shown appreciation by the audience.
The winner of the junior close–up was Daniel Dores, the senior trophy being won
by relative newcomer Dean Grimshaw. Deans level of composure and engagement
especially with young members of his audience was immense.
The stage competition was keenly fought by Rhys Smith, Rob Nenekros, Charley
Horthorne–Bales, Clive Fishlock, Daniel Dores aka Sherlock, and Mathew
Arwen-Langam.
Rhys treated the audience to a madcap signed card to sealed deck provided by an
able volunteer who was subjected to metal rod through neck throughout the
routine. Rob Nekros played his alter ego Professor Klaus who was more than
slightly effeminate and had the mystical power of being able to smell and taste
a secreted chosen sweetie much to the amusement of the audience – a major
departure from the norm.
Charley performed an extremely polished act of magic classics including dancing
cane and dagger through arm culminating in a fine snow storm, all accompanied by
a relentless stream of dead pan one-liners.
Clive Fishlock skillfully performed a silent act
for the first part using classic magic including ropes and rings. The gags then
started to flow but facial expressions in the first half more than adequately
entertained and carried the audience along. Solid traditionalism delightful
expressionism.
Matt Arwen-Langam produced a series of eliminations using volunteers and
eventually, using loaded staple guns avoided causing himself serious harm by
demonstrating the last out of the four would have done just that – a tense
performance.
Daniel Dores was Sherlock and performed
essentially a themed magic square through a convoluted series of mathematically
based eliminations and astonishing coincidences. The final number by sequential
reasoning spelt out Sherlock a fitting and surprising final revelation.
The victor in the junior stage section was Charley Horthorne Bales and the
senior award went to Rhys Smith.
The evening was linked by Barrie Perkins and a performance whilst votes were
counted was presented by John Dornan a comedic magician. The awards were
presented by President Andrew Morrison and the votes collated by Dawn
(Vorderman) May. A great deal of gratitude must go to other Guild members and
associates who made the event the success that it was and The Guild also extend
their thanks to Doug Gregg and Peter Wall for judging the magic content of the
competitor's performances.
www.thenottinghamguildofmagicians.co.uk
© Graham Harper, June 2013