Well what a summer it has been. Beautiful weather, hot and sunny, gorgeous scenery and loads of time to just sit back and relax. But enough of my holidays in Mallorca. What a dismal time we have been having here in England. Rain, rain and more rain. It has been more like an extended autumn than summer. I hope that no Circle members have been affected by the floods, but if you have either at home or on holiday, you have my sincere sympathy. Anyway, we are almost back to normal now after the summer madness and there are one or two things to catch up on. The first is regarding Abra magazine. Roy Davenport has been in touch with the committee about supplying the magazine to the Circle at a wholesale price. If you currently subscribe to Abra, think about buying it from the Circle. It will cost you no more than usual (still £1 and issue); you will be able to collect you mags at the Circle meetings. On top of this the Circle funds are increased by the profit made. It’s almost a way of printing money at no cost to you. Think about it and come and have a chat with me if you are interested. We have not obtained any new books or DVD’s over the summer but a member has donated a couple of videos. These are Basic Close Up Technique Volume One and Volume Two with Simon Lovell. (Running time about one hour each tape). These videos are devoted to all of those objects commonly used in close up magic, other than playing cards. Vol. One includes Basic Coin Palms and Vanishes, Cigarette productions and vanishes and Dice handling together with thimble handling. In addition to the handling section Simon teaches several complete tricks. The final section on Volume 1 is devoted to sponge balls. Vol. Two continues where volume one left off. Simon covers the paddle move, a comprehensive session. Torn and restored, lapping, and the vanishing glass. The second half of this tape comprehensively covers the cups and balls. Everything is covered, loads, vanishes, cup through cup, Jumbo Final Loads, wand through cup. Altogether a simple, but impressive, routine. Simon Lovell is of course a world renowned close up entertainer and he has performed in venues as diverse as the Magic Castle in Hollywood to the London Palladium. He has 350 television credits to his name. He has published 21 books and produced 16 videos. Reviewers have described his trademark straitjacket routine as one of the funniest tricks in the world! When asked in an interview what embarrassing situations had occurred whilst he was performing he is quoted as saying that he had once fallen off a stage into a deep orchestra pit (a friend of his commented later "What a vanish, apart the shout of 'Oh S**t!' it was perfect") The tape’s presentation is very basic and quite dated. The first thing you notice is that Simon wears glasses with lenses the size of patio doors which of course was the fashion a few years ago. But do not be put off by the simple ‘Open University’ type presentation. This guy really knows what he is talking about and gives loads of good advice and ideas for routines. The one thing I would mention is that his so called volunteers and helpers which appear now and again do tend to over act a little bit, well quite a lot actually, but nothing in life is perfect. I have to say it is really refreshing to have a tape in the library which does not include card routines. I happen to like card tricks but I know a lot of members don’t. So these are the tapes for all the ‘close-up without cards’ conjurers. Remember also that these are basic techniques not advanced handling. If you would like to borrow either or both of these videos come and see me by the library table. Anyway, please don’t forget to give the Abra offer a lot of thought and if you are prepared to order from us instead of direct from Goodliffe Publications, come and have a word. It will certainly swell Circle funds. Well that’s about all from me this month. See you next time. | 
