9.4 - The Spooner Trophy Competition 2005
As Paul Kitchen walked through the curtains at precisely 4.30 p.m. to announce the start of the 2005 Spooner Trophy Stage Competition there was an air of expectation in the large audience. Six-times winner in successive years, Daniel Hargreaves was now too old to enter and was helping back stage. People knew that there had to be a new name on the trophy this year. Who would it be? Only time, and the judges, would tell.
First on, always a difficult spot, was Joe Harper from Driffield. He soon established good contact with the audience, using one of Brian Wilson’s inventions, which we’ll call the Tambourine of Delight (see Brian if you need an explanation). In fact, this was one of many examples of collaboration and co-operation between H.Y.M. and H.M.C. Joe then did a colourful Blendo effect followed by a version of Backstage with the Magician. Here was some attractive magic, confidently performed, and his running gag with Lota Vase got some good laughs. He finished with his version of a Russian Roulette/Just Chance type of effect using an apple and a sharp knife. The competition was off to a flying start.
Dale Constable made an imposing entrance in his black tails and his magic was as sharp as his appearance. We saw some very clever handling using ropes, cards and CD discs. He finished very strongly with his invisible juggling routine when to gasps of amazement from the audience the balls suddenly and dramatically materialised.
The third competitor was Jack Gleadow, who, like Joe Harper, was making his first Spooner appearance – though you would never have guessed it from his confident and cheeky persona. My mind immediately went back six years to recall the first time that the then diminutive Danny Hargreaves competed. Jack is a natural performer with a genuine feel for comedy and the audience was clearly impressed by his clever opening routine using different magicians’ names and his rope routine using a cored apple.
Next on was Thomas Collinson who performed to music, a very polished act, using a ring and rope routine. Thomas was another grateful beneficiary of the HYM and HMC link. He made very good use of a production box which Brian Wilson had made for him and also received help and advice from Malcolm Bromwich in the presentation of his act.
This high level of performance was maintained when another Spooner debutant, Sam Tasker, took to the stage. He is another one with that feel for comedy which is hard to teach but easy to detect. Sam moved about the stage well and used his volunteers skilfully. His strong magic included Cups and Balls and Rising Card and he finished strongly with the amazing reappearance of a previously-vanished marked coin.
The penultimate performer was Grant Constable, the current close-up competition winner. Grant had a good stage set and looked the part of a magician, wearing a fez and coloured waistcoat. Once again, we saw good magic, humorously presented. His rope tie sequence impressed the audience as did his Linking Ring Routine. His production of a glass of water and his clever handling of jumbo cards produced audible gasps of amazement.
Joe Hunter, the final competitor, did a series of baffling mental effects and this does appear to be his forte. His book tests and predictions baffled the audience and he finished with a very funny rope routine when his underpants appeared!
The show ran like clockwork due to the efficient stage management of Richard Morrell assisted by Brian Wilson, Danny Hargreaves and Tim Cockerill, who religiously followed to the letter Jon Marshall’s excellent stage notes. Paul Kitchen as compere ensured that there were no long gaps or pauses in proceeding with his funny sight gags, quips and ad-libs. He really has developed into a very professional performer.
A short interval gave everyone a chance to reflect on the quality of the competition and the judges, Joe Gray, Debbie Hargreaves and Joan Wadsworth time to add up all the points, under the watchful eye of their Chairman, Rex Stott.
After the break Walt Lees took to the stage and made a very funny, very professional and very baffling contribution to the afternoon’s magic. His Cut and Restored Rope routine and his version of Nap Hand were well appreciated but pride of place went to his rendition of a Joe Smith monologue. Walt had chosen to do it, fully knowing that Arthur Setterington, its originator, would be on the front row. He loved it, along with the rest of the audience.
It was time for HMC President, Eddie Dawes to make the presentation and we had the rare spectacle, in my limited experience, of both the Tadman Trophy and the Spooner Trophy going to the same person, - Grant Constable. All the competitors received certificates, a prize, and the warm congratulations of Eddie and the acclaim of the audience.Humberside Young Magicians’ thanks go to Domanic Li, Rex Stott, Christine Allan, Diane Mendham, Vik Pandolfi, Matthew Whitney, Kara Savage, Dan Taylor and Roni who entertained the audience as they entered the auditorium, to Elsie Setterington, Malcolm Bromwich and Sylvia Harrop who looked after front-of-house and to Mark Ogden, Hull Screen Manager and his helpful staff. On the evidence of this afternoon’s performances the future of magic in the area looks extremely bright. We must keep our fingers crossed that a suitable venue can be found for the 2006 competition. See you there!
First on, always a difficult spot, was Joe Harper from Driffield. He soon established good contact with the audience, using one of Brian Wilson’s inventions, which we’ll call the Tambourine of Delight (see Brian if you need an explanation). In fact, this was one of many examples of collaboration and co-operation between H.Y.M. and H.M.C. Joe then did a colourful Blendo effect followed by a version of Backstage with the Magician. Here was some attractive magic, confidently performed, and his running gag with Lota Vase got some good laughs. He finished with his version of a Russian Roulette/Just Chance type of effect using an apple and a sharp knife. The competition was off to a flying start.
Dale Constable made an imposing entrance in his black tails and his magic was as sharp as his appearance. We saw some very clever handling using ropes, cards and CD discs. He finished very strongly with his invisible juggling routine when to gasps of amazement from the audience the balls suddenly and dramatically materialised.
The third competitor was Jack Gleadow, who, like Joe Harper, was making his first Spooner appearance – though you would never have guessed it from his confident and cheeky persona. My mind immediately went back six years to recall the first time that the then diminutive Danny Hargreaves competed. Jack is a natural performer with a genuine feel for comedy and the audience was clearly impressed by his clever opening routine using different magicians’ names and his rope routine using a cored apple.
Next on was Thomas Collinson who performed to music, a very polished act, using a ring and rope routine. Thomas was another grateful beneficiary of the HYM and HMC link. He made very good use of a production box which Brian Wilson had made for him and also received help and advice from Malcolm Bromwich in the presentation of his act.
This high level of performance was maintained when another Spooner debutant, Sam Tasker, took to the stage. He is another one with that feel for comedy which is hard to teach but easy to detect. Sam moved about the stage well and used his volunteers skilfully. His strong magic included Cups and Balls and Rising Card and he finished strongly with the amazing reappearance of a previously-vanished marked coin.
The penultimate performer was Grant Constable, the current close-up competition winner. Grant had a good stage set and looked the part of a magician, wearing a fez and coloured waistcoat. Once again, we saw good magic, humorously presented. His rope tie sequence impressed the audience as did his Linking Ring Routine. His production of a glass of water and his clever handling of jumbo cards produced audible gasps of amazement.
Joe Hunter, the final competitor, did a series of baffling mental effects and this does appear to be his forte. His book tests and predictions baffled the audience and he finished with a very funny rope routine when his underpants appeared!
The show ran like clockwork due to the efficient stage management of Richard Morrell assisted by Brian Wilson, Danny Hargreaves and Tim Cockerill, who religiously followed to the letter Jon Marshall’s excellent stage notes. Paul Kitchen as compere ensured that there were no long gaps or pauses in proceeding with his funny sight gags, quips and ad-libs. He really has developed into a very professional performer.
A short interval gave everyone a chance to reflect on the quality of the competition and the judges, Joe Gray, Debbie Hargreaves and Joan Wadsworth time to add up all the points, under the watchful eye of their Chairman, Rex Stott.
After the break Walt Lees took to the stage and made a very funny, very professional and very baffling contribution to the afternoon’s magic. His Cut and Restored Rope routine and his version of Nap Hand were well appreciated but pride of place went to his rendition of a Joe Smith monologue. Walt had chosen to do it, fully knowing that Arthur Setterington, its originator, would be on the front row. He loved it, along with the rest of the audience.
It was time for HMC President, Eddie Dawes to make the presentation and we had the rare spectacle, in my limited experience, of both the Tadman Trophy and the Spooner Trophy going to the same person, - Grant Constable. All the competitors received certificates, a prize, and the warm congratulations of Eddie and the acclaim of the audience.Humberside Young Magicians’ thanks go to Domanic Li, Rex Stott, Christine Allan, Diane Mendham, Vik Pandolfi, Matthew Whitney, Kara Savage, Dan Taylor and Roni who entertained the audience as they entered the auditorium, to Elsie Setterington, Malcolm Bromwich and Sylvia Harrop who looked after front-of-house and to Mark Ogden, Hull Screen Manager and his helpful staff. On the evidence of this afternoon’s performances the future of magic in the area looks extremely bright. We must keep our fingers crossed that a suitable venue can be found for the 2006 competition. See you there!
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