Told You So...

There we go...Opus correctly predicted the first three places in this year's Close Up contest in Eastbourne. First Marc Oberon, second, the boy Chris Power and third Steve Dela. Well done to you all...wait for the first video post on this site which we plan to be Chris Power performing his famous coins in silk routine. The fact that it is now out on the DVD version of the Laid Back Too, Rough Cut Lecture has nothing to do with it.

John Calvert doing the Jeff Atkins Memorial Lecture.

If I was going to try to get a laugh after seeing this lecture I would say something like...

"I didn't realise that the lecture had to be as boring as Jeff Atkins's presentations of "Magic of the Masters."

John Calvert is a legend. He knows more about performing magic than I will ever know. He has done shows that I would kill to have been able to do. He is a star.

However, he is now 95 years old...

I was uncomfortable watching a legend doing a show that was frankly boring and which included hours and hours of dead time while spectators were got up on stage...some effects took minutes to arrange and seconds to perform.

I wish John Calvert had let me live with the memory of his greatness...not this.

He got a standing ovation at the end (from the people still there).

Wi Fi Hotspots in Eastbourne.

September 22 2006.

We have made it to Eastbourne but not posted anything up until now because it has been difficult to find a wi-fi internet connection around here.

I was hoping that the theatre would have one but no...

So I am in the foyer of Chris's hotel and am paying a small fortune for a coupole of hours online...

I've left the picture of yesterday's breakfast in the Wagon...maybe it will be up later. No picture of today's breakfast 'cos I haven't had it yet

This year's IBM convention has been very good and the acts have been really enjoyable. The close up competition was of an incrediblibly high standard with several possible winners. Obviously being Opus and having "sources" everywhere I am able to make a "prediction."

I predict that Marc Oberon will win the Trophy and Chris Power will come in second. Third place is slightly more tricky but I would give it to Steve Dela.

I am a steward for the very first time this year, its a laugh...after being on duty for five minutes I got my first blagger attempting illegal entry but had no difficulty in refusing him entry...his story was so crap it was laughable and then, in a last ditch attempt to change my mind, he told me he had a BBC press pass. That was the kiss of death for him. Standing on the door of the theatre you get to meet all the people here...its fun...

Last night's show featured John Lenahan, Graham P Jolley, Charlie Fry, John Carney and Noel Britten...what can I say? Excellent...