Home Counties Magical Society

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.

The show had opened with Alex appearing from an empty glass cabinet which slowly filled with smoke and opened to reaveal Alex, who started by presenting part of his act from his competition winning act as a junior. There were some further solo spots inter-mixed with the lillusions which included Shadows (the mysterious cabinet which produced his magical assistant Hayley Louise) -a good "Head Off" - a very slick clear box production of Hayley and a subsequent Metamrphosis style switch to reveal Alex - an Asrah style levitation and vanish - the Origami Box- dove productions and a final cage vanish - a puzzling and effective Prediction from the Box which had been on view throughout the Show - dancing handkerchief - through to the final Snowstorm which brought the show to a close.

Alex was kept busy in the Foyer afterwards, signing autographs, chatting, selling his DVD and posing for photos. From remarks overheard the evening had been a success and it would be a pity if the work put into the Show was not continued in other similar venues. Good to see John and Mary Hart had come along to support Alex.

I was particularly pleased to see that yet another of "our lads" from the Reading Junior Days has made their mark in the wide world of magic. The list seems to grow very regularly.

Well Done Alex. Another rung on your ladder.