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Arturo Brachetti 'Change' Review
Shows
Written by Dale Shrimpton   
Saturday, 24 October 2009 18:14

Arturo Brachetti Change. Garrick theatre London
Reviewed by Dale Shrimpton

This show, has to be without doubt one of the most magical evenings I have ever spent in the theatre. It starts in darkness; the lights come up, to reveal a huge wooden cube. The cube revolves, and when it comes to a halt, a door opens, and a masked man carrying an umbrella enters. He places the umbrella in the ground, and proceeds to remove his masks. one after another, in a seemingly endless line. The last is removed, and we see the star, Brachetti. However, he is old. And it is here, that the play begins. The story of the life, and influences of Arturo.

The next section, is a whirlwind of changes dedicated to London, starting with a flash transformation into a guardsman, complete with bearskin, a kinky business man, the queen, and a punk rocker, unable to spit at the audience, because of the huge amount of paper in it. The cube now revolves and splits, and we see inside the house of Brachetti, covered in his memories, and memorabilia.

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Henley Fringe Festival Comedy Cruise Headlined by Noel Britten
Shows
Written by Richard Young   
Wednesday, 22 July 2009 16:50

Last year this event was the first Fringe show to sell out in advance. The idea is fantastic, a cruise along the Thames from Henley past all the amazingly extravagant houses of the rich and famous (including Paul Daniels and Debbie’s home) while being entertained in the sunshine by three comedians on the open air deck, and all for only £12! Sounds like a great evening doesn’t it? So I booked four tickets for myself and my partner and two magician friends.

The Comedy Cruise for me was a chance to see if this guy really practices what he preaches. The evening unfortunately was marred by bad weather which resulted in the show being moved inside the boat. There were not enough seats for everyone and it got very hot indeed. In addition to this the audio was not brilliant and the people towards the back were struggling to hear. The first two comedians were unfortunately not very funny. The first being a female primary school teacher from Maidenhead. Although she started well the jokes unfortunately got worse and worse and she lost the audience and panicked and began rambling. By the end of her act no one was laughing and we felt her pain. The second comedienne unfortunately was even worse. She came in from the back of the audience clutching a broom decorated like a horse, she also forgot to use the microphone and unfortunately very little was funny and the silence was deafening. It was the most uncomfortable I have ever been watching any performer. An interval followed and the comments amongst the audience were just terrible. Noel Britten must have felt the pressure to be good, because we all certainly did!

On the way home my friend said it was like watching a superhero work. I couldn’t agree more. Noel Britten literally saved this event and practiced everything he preached in his lecture notes. He was likable, modest, had the most brilliant timing and show structure and he was hilarious. The magic that was presented was just the right amount considering this was advertised as a comedy show. A heckler was dealt with and silenced with the perfect line; “I’d love to chat but I’m a bit busy at the minute”. He was also not afraid or embarrassed to acknowledge that the first half of the show wasn’t great when he commented; “it’s one of those nights where I wish I could swim.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone turn something around is such a spectacular fashion and I really think it would be fantastic to see if we can get Noel to lecture at the HCMS in the near future.
 
Ian Keable - Conjuring Up Comedy with VAT
Shows
Written by Keith Churcher   
Sunday, 31 May 2009 15:55

Conjuring Up Comedy with VAT (Very Amusing Tricks) played to an enthusiastic audience last Saturday evening at The Swallowfield Parish Hall when Ian Keable presented his one man evening of comedy and magic. Sorry that no other members were present to both enjoy and learn from a skilled master of his trade, who performs to a standard that we should be seeking ourselves.

The first half was a well arranged performance of various effects which illustrated the different aspects of the magical art interspersed with the decidedly wicked humour that is Ian’s trade-mark. All without giving any offence due to the slight smile and tongue-in-cheek delivery. Cut and restored rope, torn and restored newspaper, coin pail, a cod cards up the sleeve routine led into Sympathetic Silks (good to see this classic effect) flowing into a combination of audience-thought items which culminated in Ian’s very personal presentation of Confabulation. A Dictionary Test, Add a Number led to a Telephone Directory revelation followed by a baffling Newspaper Headline Prediction to close the first half.


In the interval I was able to talk with other members of the audience and the unanimous verdict was “great baffling entertainment”. Ian opened the second half with the first trick he ever presented, Chinese Sticks (with Value Added) which “made” the effect for me. The 3 card trick with 4 cards followed and lead effortlessly to the Classic Watch, Wallet and Ring, which led easily into the linking finger rings.

The shrinking & growing head illusion was presented at the request of Parish Clerk Celia Adams who had enjoyed this item at the afternoon family entertainment, now enjoyed equally as much by the slightly bemused audience. Moving swiftly on as had the whole show, we enjoyed a burnt & restored (eventually !) note before another Classic, Cards Across with the two volunteers who then became the key players in a pleasingly different version of the Electric Chairs.

The closing effect was a very, very long Salt Pour which brought the evening to a close, from remarks around us (Dorothy was with me) more would have been welcomed. The audience were in the main local and known to each other which gave a good “family feel” to the show. From my seat it was great to see a fellow magician working with an audience of “real people” and to see their reactions to the magic and comedy.

If you have nor yet bought Ian’s book, Stand Up, then make sure you buy a copy when he visits the Society in October. Great to see the author in action, and I’d recorded Britians Got Talent so we didn’t miss that either !

 
Richard Young Reviews, Alex Lodge - Vision, The Haymarket, Basingstoke
Shows
Written by Richard Young   
Friday, 06 March 2009 20:42

Alex Lodge – Vision, The Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke. March 5th 2009 

Alex Lodge took a massive risk on Thursday night. He hired a 400 seat theatre in the centre of Basingstoke and put his name as the headliner above the door. Alex has spent the last few months promoting the show locally in newspapers and local schools in the hope that people would turn up. It was great to see the venue packed and a mainly “lay” enthusiastic audience ready for an evening of magic and illusion, which as we all know is sadly a rare thing in theatres across the UK nowadays. Alex was accompanied by his assistant Haylee and five dancing girls. He was supported by Max Somerset of Max Magic and The Sorcerers Apprentice.

The show opened with a well choreographed dance sequence and great lighting as Alex made his appearance in the smoke chamber, this was followed by the Crystal Casket illusion appearance of Haylee. It was a good opening that had clearly been well rehearsed.

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Keith Churcher Reviews, Alex Lodge - Vision at The Haymarket Theatre
Shows
Written by Keith Churcher   
Friday, 06 March 2009 00:00

Alex Lodge, a former regular at the Reading Junior Days and a winner of the John Hart Trophy presented, 'Vision', his Magic and Illusion Show at The Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke last evening and scored well with the almost fully filled house.

The show was well supported by an attractive team from the Basingstoke Academy of Dancing who, in addition to their own "spots" supported Alex in presenting the illusions.

Midway through the first half there was a guest appearance by Max Somerset (the Sorcerer from the BBC2 Sunday morning show) who did just one item with a "Willing Audience Volunteer" who allowed his watch to be "bagged" and included with the five brought along by Max. By a process of elimination and apparently random choice five envelopes were "well battered" by Max, and audience member and the "W. A. V." who all welded a mighty steel hammer with great gusto. Thankfully the remaining "unbattered" envelope contained the "W.A.V.'s" own watch so all ended well.

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