April 4 - Annual Dinner 2003
Around one hundred and seventy members and guests gathered for this year’s Annual Dinner and the verdict was another winner!
Amy Dawes produced the magical motif table decorations and supervised the menu selection the highlight of which was Breast of Pheasant in Red Wine Sauce.
Our Toastmaster, Alan Johnston, was taken in to hospital just a few days before the Dinner; Jon Marshall stepped in to cover his duties inviting Eddie Dawes to propose the Loyal Toast.
Speeches followed from the principal guests - Michael Bailey, President of The Magic Circle and Angela Bailey, his President’s Lady. Michael was eloquent, witty and charming as he proposed the toast to the Hull Magicians’ Circle. Eddie Dawes reviewed the Circle’s year so far and Vice-President, Brian Wilson was
amusing as he welcomed and toasted the guests. Angela Bailey responded on behalf of the guests with a string of funny stories about her days in Rep, a wonderful training ground for actors, and technicians, now long gone.
Then followed the presentation of awards by Angela Bailey. The Spooner Trophy to Daniel Hargreaves, The Simpson Shield to Richard Morrell, The Shirley Watts Trophy to Ray Burrell and The Connolly Shield to Kevin and Beau Ward (accepted for them by Rex Stott). Finally the Bob Moore Memorial Trophy for Comedy Magic was awarded to Paul Kitchen.
Arthur Setterington, our longest serving member, and Elsie had just celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary and Eddie Dawes paid tribute to both for the support they have given over many years. He presented them with a Carriage Clock from the members.
Members entertained with close-up magic during the change over of venue.
Abra Editor, Don Bevan, a regular guest, was missed at the Dinner. Good wishes were sent to Donald and his family. Sue De Courcy took his place as a Judge for the Jasper Maskelyne Award joining Ken De Courcy and Michael Bailey in adjudicating the contest. Rex Stott compered introducing the three contestants. Jonathan Gaines, making his debut in the Maskelyne, presented a prediction effect using a mathematical principle. Arthur Setterington penetrated a clock face and Brian Wilson stopped and started a clock. The winner was Brian Wilson.
This year’s entertainment maintained the high standards set at previous Dinners. Our compere, actor and magician, Daniel Nelson, now resident in London, was funny, kept the show moving and was a hit in his own spot with T/R Newspaper and a comedy prediction. Tim Cockerill opened recreating Jon Gresham’s fire-eating act, first seen at the last British Ring Convention in Eastbourne. Tim’s timing and showmanship were spot-on. Rousseau followed with his themed act with superb misdirection and acting. He is constantly surprised as magical things happen to him.
Closing the show was The Great Nardini – a brilliantly funny act from the botched dove productions to
their final comedy, costume exchange. This was an excellent closer.
The show was stage-managed by Alan Hudson and John Archer.
Amy Dawes produced the magical motif table decorations and supervised the menu selection the highlight of which was Breast of Pheasant in Red Wine Sauce.
Our Toastmaster, Alan Johnston, was taken in to hospital just a few days before the Dinner; Jon Marshall stepped in to cover his duties inviting Eddie Dawes to propose the Loyal Toast.
Speeches followed from the principal guests - Michael Bailey, President of The Magic Circle and Angela Bailey, his President’s Lady. Michael was eloquent, witty and charming as he proposed the toast to the Hull Magicians’ Circle. Eddie Dawes reviewed the Circle’s year so far and Vice-President, Brian Wilson was
amusing as he welcomed and toasted the guests. Angela Bailey responded on behalf of the guests with a string of funny stories about her days in Rep, a wonderful training ground for actors, and technicians, now long gone.
Then followed the presentation of awards by Angela Bailey. The Spooner Trophy to Daniel Hargreaves, The Simpson Shield to Richard Morrell, The Shirley Watts Trophy to Ray Burrell and The Connolly Shield to Kevin and Beau Ward (accepted for them by Rex Stott). Finally the Bob Moore Memorial Trophy for Comedy Magic was awarded to Paul Kitchen.
Arthur Setterington, our longest serving member, and Elsie had just celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary and Eddie Dawes paid tribute to both for the support they have given over many years. He presented them with a Carriage Clock from the members.
Members entertained with close-up magic during the change over of venue.
Abra Editor, Don Bevan, a regular guest, was missed at the Dinner. Good wishes were sent to Donald and his family. Sue De Courcy took his place as a Judge for the Jasper Maskelyne Award joining Ken De Courcy and Michael Bailey in adjudicating the contest. Rex Stott compered introducing the three contestants. Jonathan Gaines, making his debut in the Maskelyne, presented a prediction effect using a mathematical principle. Arthur Setterington penetrated a clock face and Brian Wilson stopped and started a clock. The winner was Brian Wilson.
This year’s entertainment maintained the high standards set at previous Dinners. Our compere, actor and magician, Daniel Nelson, now resident in London, was funny, kept the show moving and was a hit in his own spot with T/R Newspaper and a comedy prediction. Tim Cockerill opened recreating Jon Gresham’s fire-eating act, first seen at the last British Ring Convention in Eastbourne. Tim’s timing and showmanship were spot-on. Rousseau followed with his themed act with superb misdirection and acting. He is constantly surprised as magical things happen to him.
Closing the show was The Great Nardini – a brilliantly funny act from the botched dove productions to
their final comedy, costume exchange. This was an excellent closer.
The show was stage-managed by Alan Hudson and John Archer.
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