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This years competition took place at Ipswich's
Gusford Primary School and was perhaps one of
the best organised Children's competitions we
have put on so far. So before I start the
review, thank you to Alan Edwards for that.
I would also like to thank Keith Norman for stepping in at the last minute and comparing the evening. He did a superb job and frankly I am not sure what we would have done if he wasn't there. Anyone who can entertain for five minutes simply by putting up an umbrella proves he understands exactly what children's entertainment is about. I personally think if he had have entered he would have been a contender. |
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Paul Pleasants.
I have never seen Paul perform before so I didn't really know what to expect. I have to say I was extremely impressed. The first slot in a competition is always going to be a difficult one but Paul really got the kids going. The sheer energy in his 15 minute performance coupled with the laughter and screams from the kids was a real joy to watch. It would not have surprised me in the least if Paul had walked away with one of the prizes. It is easy to see why he such a popular performer. |
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Potty Harry.
Following on from the human dynamo of Paul Pleasants was Peter Holloway who is another magician that is always fun to watch. It is great to see that he effortlessly switches between Children's magic and magic for Grown ups and in many respects he makes performing look simple. Not something that is easy when you have 30 or so children sitting in front of you. |
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David J. Marks
Next up was young David Johnson who really put in a first class performance. It is always difficult to guess whether it would be an advantage or disadvantage for a younger magician in a competition like this, but David most definitely turned it to his advantage by demonstrating that he had a real affinity with the children. Perhaps one of the most entertaining aspects of David's act was the beautifully timed comedy routine with his mother whereby the sound effects were always just that little bit late. This may or may not have been a rehearsed moment. If it was then I congratulate him for the beautiful scripting. If it wasn't then I congratulate him for how well he handled a moment that could actually have been his down fall. A mark of a true professional. |
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Ken Brown.
Ken was first up after the break and I have to say he had perhaps the most difficult
slot of the whole evening. After the break and I would guess too many fizzy drinks
and balloon swords he was always going to have an up hill struggle to get the kids back in line.
It also didn't help that by this time two of his effects had already been done (something which the kids were quite happy to point out, bless the little rascals!) He did end on up on a high though as his final piece was the classic Sucker Die Box. It is a classic for a very good reason and it is always great to see this performed well. |
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Ted Lumby. (Uncle Ted)
Ted Lumby was arguably the most experienced performer of the evening and it showed. He really was on fire that night (By which I don’t mean it in the Terry Sanger sense of the word). His first task was to get the kids quietened down and to sit still. No easy task for most mortals but Ted soon had their attention and they really couldn’t peel their eyes away for one second. Simply put they were mesmerised by his personality and his routines. I can not praise Ted or his act highly enough and I think with this Cup it was never a matter of if he will ever win it, just when. |
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Nick Chapman
The last act if the night was Nick Chapman. I have never seen Nick perform for kids before and I didn't really know what to expect. We all know how good he is as an adult performer (and I don’t mean that in a Debbie Does Dallas way), but could he do the same for the little people? Well the answer to that ridiculous question is "Duh! Of course he can". Nick was actually (in my eyes) both brilliant and original and in fact he seemed to bring back the energy in the kids that was seen way back when Paul did his performance at the beginning. I sincerely hope we see Nick in future children’s competitions as he was great fun to watch even for me (although I did stop myself from yelling that the cheeky monkey was being naughty). I think if the prize was purely for who got the kids most excited, it could well have been Nick’s night. |
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The Results.
Although last years winner, Bill Burch couldn't enter this years competition he did manage to get back from his gig just in time to hand over the Trophy to this years winner, who was Ted Lumby. The Ally Masques was awarded to David J. Marks. From what Alan told me though the whole competition was extremely close so well done to all that took part, and thanks again to Alan Edwards for organising it, and for Keith Norman for being the compere. He really did do a sterling job (you should do that for a living mate).
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Reviewed by Simon Shaw
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