The last event from the Friday scheduled events was the comedy show. Compared by Phil Butler who had just returned from entertaining the troops in Afghanistan, we had heard that his comedy was quite “strong”, so it was going to be interesting to see if he toned it down for the London audience. Surprisingly he wasn’t what I expected an started with a signed borrowed note that was burnt.. And just burnt and not restored, before introducing John Lovick as “handsome jack”.

John started with a good bottle production, before involving an audience member in a bet for a birthday surprise, a drawing of a cake, was supposed to have a hand drawn “handsome jack” rise out of it on the paper, although when John looked at the audience and announced “my prop broke”, it didn’t matter as the situation and come back where probably more funny than the original effect. John did a good comedy linking rings routine “just because it was compulsory” and finished with a chosen card to trousers, removed from his fly.

Next on was David Kaplan, the juggling sensation from the combined IBM/SAM, although I was expecting much more from him given the write ups previously.

He did perform some exellent routines, including a nice Bowling ball juggle/balance and club juggle, but the performance left me feeling slighlty flat. The juggling was good, but the performance appeared as if something was missing. This might have been down to his slot, and I’m hoping that his Gala Show appearance will be closer to the quality and entertainment we’ve heard him giving before.

Last on was for me the highlight of the show, recent podcast interviewee, Rafael.

Rafael really understood the audience, and played an excellent comedy slot, starting with a reappearing suit tag label, that was a running item through the slot. A wonderful cut and restored rope routine, with lots of magician in jokes and moments that you had to be a magician to understand, as well as some well placed jokes at the expense of some famous magicians, that seemed to strike a cord with the audience. The routine finished with a neck tie and rope transposition before Rafael set up his own encore!

Returning to the stage to a shout of ‘we want more’, Rafael did a excellent chapography act, folding the chapeau into a number of hats and head pieces in time to some music and sound effects, finishing with a disappearing radio.

The whole routine was funny, and really picked up the show.

Last one was the return of Phil Butler, who warned that his last piece was somewhat ‘risque’ and might offend.. Urged on, and claiming it what Noel Brittens fault, Phil performed his comedy club closing routine. What could be offensive about a number of childrens “touch and say” toys..?

Phil Brought on a number of childrens toys that, when buttons were pushed, sounds, or words corresponding to that picture or letter were made. You had to be there to appreciate the comedy of it, even if that was seeing the face of some as Phil coaxed numerous expletives, and phrases from the toys by pushing buttons in quick succession..

For some it may have been too much, for me it was along with Rafael, the best of the show, and fitted a late evening comedy show.