February 2015

The Official Unofficial Journal Of TheNorth Wales Magic Circle Cylch Hud Gogledd Cymru

GriffinThe

3rd March 2015

Close UpCompetition

Welcome to the February 2015 editionof the Griffin.

Last meeting on the 3rd Februarywas a lecture by Chris Wood, youcan read about it on page 3.

The next meeting (3rd March) willbe the close up competition. If youare not competing please come andsupport those members who haveentered the competition. You can readmore from page 5 onwards.

I actually made it to the Blackpoolmagic convention and had a greattime there. It was nice to see so manyof our members there.

The stand out lectures for me wereLuke Jermay and Michael Weber,they both really had some interestingideas and made me think a lot aboutmy own magic. It was nice to hearaudible gasps from some of themagicians watching Luke’s lecture ashe fried most of the room.

Here is a picture of the dealers hall

Many thanks to Rick, Carol andJemma Tynan for treating me to achinese buffet.Until next time

February 2015

Letter From The

Editor/President

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Last Meeting we were treatedto a lecture by Chris Wood.When I say treated I meantreated, Chris’ lecture wasquite different to many lectureswe have had in the past inthat the lecture was primarilyabout magic theory with theeffects taking more of a backseat.

Many of you may now bethinking, “phew glad I missedthat one” but you couldn’t bemore wrong! Chris gave usa master class and managedto keep what can be quite aheavy subject entertaining.He introduced some importantprinciples and subtleties thatwe should be using in all aspectsof our magic no matter thetype of magic you perform.

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Chris used some classic effectslike the bill switch, coins andwand and some neat ideas likethe drinking game to illustratethe points he was trying to make.

Even though the effects in thelecture are really secondaryto the whole thing and are usedto reinforce the theory, youmight be thinking that they wererun of the mill. Let me tellyou that the effects were absolutekillers. If you didn’t take anythingaway with you from the talksabout theory (which I don’t thinkis possible) then you wouldof easily got your value formoney from the effects.

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I believe that more lectures shouldconcentrate on the how’s, why’s,etc. Too many concentrate on methodalone!

In Conclusion this was one ofthe best lectures we have hadat the NWMC. A professional performerwith skill and knowledge to backup his teachings. If you weren’tthere then you missed a goodone!

On the 3rd March 2015 it will be the North Wales Magic Circle Close Upcompetition. This is an open evening which means guests are welcome toattend. If you wish to enter the close up competition please contact DaveBaker or Steve Ashcroft via

� the contact page http://www.nwalesmagic.co.uk/contact-us/� One of the meetings� Via a committee member� Leaving a message on http://www.facebook.com/NorthWalesMagicCircle

This year the competition will be slightly different due to a rule change madeat the AGM. Usually you had to wait until the dinner to find out the winner ofthe competition but now the winner will be announced on the evening! Thetrophy will still be given out at the dinner. Other places will not beannounced just the winner. It was mentioned that members never knowhow well they have done, so if you would like to know how you did then comeand see me individually after the competition and I will give you your scoresin private.

NWMC Close Up Competition 2015

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2015 - It could be you!!!!2014 - Dave Baker2013 - Nick Marshall2012 - Nick Marshall2011 - Ged Morris2010 - Russ Roberts2009 - Elliot Carty2008 - Russ Roberts2007 - ???2006 - Russ Roberts2005 - Russ Roberts2004 - Paul Edwards2003 - Ged Morris2002 - Paul Ingram2001 - Russ Roberts2000 - Ged Morris1999 - Paul Edwards1998 - Howard Hughes / John Brromhead1997 - Peter Hewsen1996 - Paul Roberts1995 - Paul Edwards1994 - Terry Jones1993 - Paul Ingram1992 - Paul Ingram1991 - Paul Ingram1990 - Robert John1989 - Paul Ingram1988 - Robert John1987 - Noel Massey1986 - Noel Massey1985 - Robert John1984 - Marc Whincup1983 - David Jones1982 - Terry Jones1981 - Marc Whincup1980 - Terry Jones1979 - Dr. Bob King1978 - Terry Jones / Dr. Bob King1977 - Terry Jones

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Most WinsPaul Ingram 5Russ Roberts 5Terry Jones 5Ged Morris 3Paul Edwards 3Robert John 3

7. Competition Rules: -

7.1 General

7.1.1: Entries will only be accepted on the forms provided on requestand must be received within the time specified.

7.1.2: A Competition Organiser shall be appointed at each AGM. NBShould the appointed Organiser wish to enter a competition, then anon-competing Committee Member shall be co-opted to be the OfficialOrganiser for that event.

7.1.3: A draw of all those who have entered will take place twenty minutesbefore the timed commencement of the contest. A competitor not in attendanceimmediately before the previously drawn contestant commences to performwill be disqualified, the vacant position being taken by the next drawncompetitor. If a competitor is drawn No.1 and he/she is not in attendanceat the time of the draw he/she will be disqualified.

7.1.4: Guest Appearances (i.e. non competitive) should be either non-magicalor not the type of magic that particular competition is catering for.

7.1.5: Members in arrears with their subscriptions will not be eligible toenter contests.

7.1.6: Any disqualification will be announced before the commencementof the next act.

7.1.7: Provision will be made on the Entry Form for the inclusion of theeffects to be performed. The Competition Organiser may at their discretion,ask for an effect to be replaced if they consider that it is not applicableto that particular type of competition. In the event of disagreement betweenthe Competition Organiser and a performer as to suitability, the President(or President Elect in the former’s absence or if the President is acompetitor in that particular competition) shall have the final say on thematter. Once a competitor’s act has been accepted it must not be substantiallyaltered.

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7.1.8: It is recommended that a winner one year will not be excludedfrom competing in that contest the following year (subject to the rulesof that particular contest).

7.1.9: Where the Stage Competition and Comedy Competition are runin the same show, a competitor attaining highest marks in both competitions,in accordance with rules of both the competitions, shall be awardedeach competition trophy.

7.1.10: The Circle Representative in Inter Society-Competitions will bethe winner(s) of the appropriate category competition held within the Circle,should such winner(s) be available to represent the Circle at the timeof the Inter-Society Competition.

7.1.11: Competition Judges and the official Time Keeper are to be identifiedand/or named to competitors before the commencement of the competition.

7.1.12: Each competitor shall be responsible for setting up their ownstage/table/props etc. Under no circumstances may a competitor requestthe help of the Competition Organiser, President or any of the judgesin preparation or performance of his/her act.

7.1.13: The competitor’s titles, qualifications or achievements, of any kind,must not be announced either before performance or when introducingthe competitor.

7.1.14: Where there is a tie for first place in any Circle competition,the names of such winners in that Competition will be inscribed on theTrophy and each of the joint winners to hold it for an equal length oftime.

7.1.15: The announcement of winner will take place on the evening andpresentation of Trophies shall take place at the Annual Dinner Dance.The winner(s) shall be responsible for the safe-keeping of trophies andmay be requested to cover the cost of any loss or damage. Trophiesmust be returned in a clean/polished condition prior to the following AnnualDinner Dance.

7.1.16: The decision of the Competition Organiser is final except as statedunder Rule 7.1.7

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7.1.17: If the Magic Judge(s) of a competition feel that the standard ofacts is too low to be awarded the trophy, two other committee membersshould be consulted and a decision made as to whether to award thetrophy for the competition or not.

7.1.18: The minimum times are recommended times only, however actswill be informed that a shorter act may not be marked as highly as alonger one.

7.1.19: A warning bell will be sounded two minutes before the maximumtime, and any act who is over the maximum time will be disqualified.

7.4 Competition Rules: Close Up

7.4.1: The Judging Panel will consist of lay people to the ratio of Oneto each Close Up Table; who will mark on entertainment only, i.e., howmuch he/she was entertained by the contestant. There shall be at leastone magical judge at each Close-Up Table who shall mark under threeheadings:

(a) Skill and Technique,(b) Strength of magical effect upon the Audience.(c) Originality in method of presentation

Magical Judges may use their discretion as to whether or not an effectis suitable. If not suitable, the Judges will not mark that effect (see also7.4.5).

7.4.2: The performance shall be not less than 8 minutes and not morethan 12 minutes. An audible warning shall be given after 10 minuteshave elapsed. Any over-run shall be penalised as follows:-

• 1 point to be deducted for each 30 seconds or part thereof.• After 3 minutes the competitor shall be disqualified

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7.4.3: Tables will be provided for competitors but may be supplementedby competitors' own mats, close up cases or other aids with a maximumheight of twelve inches.

7.4.4: Competitors may be required to perform their act at each tablein turn. There will be a maximum of fourtables.

7.4.5: Competitors are required to perform seated at or standing behindthe table or directly to a spectator adjacent to the table. Effects andproperties used must be those primarily intended for Close Up work.Large apparatus or tricks which are essentially for platform use are excluded,and the use of such will result in disqualification.

7.4.6: In fairness to other Competitors, where more than one is competingat the same time, music accompaniment or other loud distractions arenot permitted during the performance.

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All dates correct at time of going to press and may be subject to change

January 5th Cheese and Wine

February 3rd Chris Wood Lecture

March 3rd Close Up Competition

April 7th Wayne Goodman Lecture

May 5th Mentalism Competition

June 2nd Holywell Social

July 7th John Carey Lecture

August 4th Stage Competition

September 1st To be announced

October 6th Presidents Night

November 3rd AGM

December 1st Photo Night / Walk downmemory lane

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President Dave BakerPresident Elect Albert HarrisonTreasurer Robert ScottSecretary Janet Newman-CartyAssistant Secretary Chris O’BrienWelfare Janet Newman-CartyWebsite Dave BakerGriffin Editor Dave BakerCompetition Organiser Steve Ashcroft &

Dave BakerLibrarian Eddie Hughes (Paul

Hughes as assistant)Multimedia Peter Hewson (Paul

Hughes as assistant)Trophies Peter HewsonEntertainments Noel Massey &

Mark ThuroldDinner Debbie Ratcliffe &

Noel MasseyFacebook Editor Chris O’BrienPhotographer Ben RatcliffeCommittee Member Paul EdsCommittee Member Graham Land