The Whizz Show, an annual show of magical entertainment organised by the Associated Wizards of the South. We hold it every year, normally in March, and the performers are almost always all members of the Society. Not only is this a way of fund-raising, but it's also an ideal time for members to put their magical abilities into practice on stage in front of a real live audience, not one made up of magicians! The Whizz Show is held in a large hall in the Woolston area of Southampton.
The Whizz Show has been running for many, many years now. The next is set to take place in 2007 - keep an eye out for the posters!
Report on Whizz Show 2005
This year we decided to put on two Whizz Shows, one at the usual Woolston venue, the United Reform Church and, in deference to Mike Pinder our President, another at Warsash.
Unfortunately, due to two different occurrences we lost two acts a few days before the shows, so some hasty reprogramming had to be undertaken.
The cast was Mike Pinder as compere and opening act as a barman struggling to serve drinks from various misbehaving bottles and glasses etc., much to the amusement of the audience. Geoff Gould followed with his brilliant children's act, followed by Peter Killworth with some excellent magic that truly amazed the audience. The first half was closed by Alan Judd masquerading as a cleaner who performed a trick with three of his buckets, one of which was seen to be filled with water and a spectator had to select one to be thrown over Alan's head. Needless to say nobody got wet!
Geoff opened the second half with his Punch and Judy which was enjoyed by both children and adults. Ian Marriott followed with a new act, this time without a glamorous assistant but still managed to amaze and amuse the audience. Denis Goodwin closed the show in fine style with his special brand of mayhem.
Report on Whizz Show 2004
Despite the inclement weather a good crowd attended the annual Whizz Show, held once again at the United Reformed Church Hall, Woolston.
Dick Bardini opened the show with a fast moving act after which, in his role of organiser/compère, Richard introduced Penny who entertained the children of all ages with a mixture of funny business and song. David Hawton followed with an amusing display of his magical skills. At the conclusion of a demonstration of magic cooking by Richard, Ian Marriott wandered onto the stage looking for his assistant Jane who had gone missing. Richard couldn't help but suggested the use of magic which with the aid of the children produced Jane from a cardboard box previously shown to be empty. Harold Straker brought the first half to a close with a colourful act with some old favourites. The second half was opened by Ian and Jane (resplendent in a new dress) with belly dancing and illusions. The Grate Leslie had the audience laughing with his usual mayhem and Peter Killworth provided a contrast with a baffling display of magical skills. Illusionist Chris Johnson, with his assistant Claudine, brought the show to a fitting close.
Thanks are due to all those who appeared in the show or helped with the organisation; in particular to Chris Johnson's team who provided the lighting and sound system and Andy Austin who managed the curtains. As usual the show proceeds were divided between the AWS and the Church. We were asked to come again next year.
Report on Whizz Show 2003
Sorry, no report available.
Report on Whizz Show 2002
The Whizz Show, held on Saturday 9th February, was once again a success despite the inclement weather and having to compete with the final of Pop Idol which probably explained the slightly smaller audience than those for the last two years.
It was intended to open the show with belly dancers, Turkish Delight, but due to a series of what can only be described as unfortunate technical hitches they arrived too late so Plan B was actioned and the show was very competently opened by Mark Cooper. Top children’s entertainer Geoff Gould really got the children going along with most of the adults. Then came our new introduction, belly dancers Turkish Delight whose athletic writhing to music was appreciated by young and old, male and female alike, although at least one member of the cast remarked that he was very near having a heart attack due I think to the brevity of the costumes! J.N. brought the first half to a close with his inimitable style of magic including an arm chopper illusion and the passing of water through the body of a volunteer from the audience.
Turkish Delight opened the second half, this time with some audience participation followed by the hilarious Grate Leslie who seemed to be having trouble making a glass and bottle exchange places when placed under two tubes. However, after telephoning Davenports for some instruction there was no stopping him and he had to be dragged from the stage by the dancing girls!
Peter Masters then delighted everybody with his colourful silk magic and Denis Goodwin brought the show to a successful close with the aid of his highly trained vulture and dog.
Report on Whizz Show 2001
Departing from the pattern of recent years the Whizz Show was held this year in February and proved to be very successful.
Hermann Dahler opened the show with his usual colourful and very visual act. This was followed by one of three dance routines by the Mavis Daniels dancers who operate from the United Reform Church Hall in Woolston, which has been the venue for the Whizz Show for several years.
Geoff Gould wowed the children with his ever popular Punch and Judy show. Alex Lodge, a young magician from Basingstoke demonstrated his great potential with a lively act to music. The dancers brought the first half to a close and also opened the second half, charming the audience with their delightful routines.
A junior member of the AWS, Mark Cooper, successfully showed his abilities and was followed by AWS President Ian Marriott who, after a couple of warm up effects, demonstrated the chair suspension and the use of a head chopper on unsuspecting members of the audience. A very entertaining evening was rounded off by a fine performance from Joan and Alan Wright from Bournemouth who bemused and amused the audience with their colourful production act. An unintentional touch of drama was added by a young child knocking a magically produced cup of tea from Alan’s hands as he was passing it to a member of the audience!
A capacity crowd ensured a good contribution to both the Church and AWS funds and the Society has been asked to put on another show at the same time next year.
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