October 2011 - Matthew Garrett – Magic At The Dining Table

Matthew Garrett from Luton was the visiting lecturer at our October meeting when we had a good turnout of members and some very welcome prospective young members.The main part of Matthew’s lecture was concerned with his approach to table hopping and he opened with a nice sequence for the Ninja Four Ring Routine. Matthew’s version of the Ambitious Card was next with a multiple signed card, card in mouth, the WOW card changing wallet and finally the Omni Deck.Matthew then gave advice on getting applause, demonstrated a multiple shift before showing us a Card At Any Number routine which involved some clever thumb counting (too clever for me!). This was followed by a very fast Magic Square based on a Roy Johnson published effect using the Out To Lunch principle.Balloon models used at weddings and children’s shows were then demonstrated followed by a good Finger Chopper routine.Matthew then went on to show us many of the sequences that are possible with his Ninja Plus effect which is the incredible linking and unlinking of a five inch ring and a finger ring. His amusing Monty the Spiv stacked deck routine was then demonstrated and explained.Matthew brought his entertaining and informative lecture to a close with card manipulations performed silently to music that he uses in his stand up act and, at the end, he retired to a very well deserved round of applause. PETER EVERETT

January 2011

The Chester Guild of Magicians held its New Year Social Night on Friday 14th January when seventy-six members and guests enjoyed a buffet and some excellent magic. Well received close up magic at the start and end of the evening was provided by Guild members Graham Leech, Simon Southerin, John McDonald, Paul Shanley, Phil Fairclough, Steve Cooil and Peter Everett. Following the very tasty buffet, our secretary Steve Cooil introduced the evening's cabaret act, the award winning Paul Dabek. Paul's act contained strong magic performed with some very sharp and funny comedy. He opened with the Sucker Colour Change Silk and went on to perform an entertaining Rope Routine, the little seen these days Aerial Fishing and an 'Up the Garden Path' type Signed Treasury Note to Sealed Envelope in Wallet. He finished his magic section with a hilarious pipe cleaner Thumb Tie routine involving a spectator and the microphone cable and stand. He concluded his very entertaining act with a superb demonstration of Shadowgraphy which, I'm sure, was completely new to the majority of the audience and which received spontaneous applause throughout. At the end of Paul's masterly performance the audience responded with prolonged, enthusiastic and thoroughly deserved applause. PETER EVERETT

November 2010

Our November meeting was New Members Night and Youv'e Been Framed Part 2.

The first recently joined member to perform was Steve Carr who performed a series of card effects including a Four Ace Assembly, Invisible Deck, a Knife Stab and a Colour Changing Deck.

The second performer was Ted Longman who was a member a few years ago and who recently made a welcome return to the club. Ted performed a Magic Washing routine that he uses to entertain children.

The final new member was Matthew Parrott. Matthew specialises in card effects as was demonstrated when he took part in Stephen's filming session at our October meeting.This time Matthew performed the rather gruesome Nail Up The Nose with, happily, no apparent injury!

The major part of the evening was taken up with Steve showing the video resulting from his filming at the previous meeting. The results of his editing and titleing produced a very professional DVD which was most interesting to watch, especially for those members who had taken part. Afterwards, Steve took orders for copies of the DVD, the proceeds going to the club funds. Thanks go to the three new members who performed for us and, once again, to Stephen for his film making. PETER EVERETT

October 2010

Our October meeting was entitled 'Youv'e Been Framed', which caused some puzzlement for quite a few of our members. Stephen remembered that many years ago (when he was a lad!) someone used a 8mm cine camera to make silent films of those members who wanted to be filmed performing. He thought it would be a good idea to repeat the experiment using the modern technology of a video camera. So, on the night, he arrived armed with his camera and a tripod ready to film those brave souls who were prepared to be filmed. His intention is to produce a DVD to sell to members, the proceeds going to the club's funds.

Eleven members were willing to take part in the evening's proceedings. These were John McDonald, Frank Rowland, Ben Booth, Simon Southerin, Paul Shanley, John Turner, Matthew Parrot, Essy Hoosen, Phil Fairclough, Peter Everett and the cameraman himself Stephen Cooil.

Playing cards featured prominently, variations on the Ambitious Card being particularly popular. In addition to the many card effects, there were routines featuring Sponge Balls, Dice, Coins, Cup and Ball, Fire, Razor Blades and the Finger Chopper. It certainly proved to be a varied and entertaining evening and thanks go to everyone who participated and especially to Stephen for all his hard work in putting the evening together. It will be very interesting to view the resulting video. PETER EVERETT