John Archer compered the show using hardly any magic, only a well executed presentation of six-card-repeat, instead he talked and joked and gently ribbed the audience which kept the show moving along and was a great interlude between the acts. Paul Dabek opened both halves, his first spot was sensational, a very polished and slick manipulation act featuring colour changing canes, silk fountain, dove productions, ball manipulation, card shooting and bouncing a-la Jeff McBride, and finally a dove cage vanish with a rip apart cloth that was a nice touch.

Patrick Redford was on next, he started with some warm up audience participation where he showed us how easily we can be influenced. Next four coloured envelopes with roman numerals on where distributed to four spectators who randomly shuffled themselves on stage. The outcome was predicted by Patrick including a mine/your envelope kicker ending. He then played a game of psychic charades and finished by predicting the contents of a box, the attributes of which were decided on by the audience, and it turned out to be a correct prediction of a small teddy bear wearing the exact things named.

Paul Romhany followed with a slick act, first he performed a very good rope routine with a multiple ends phase. A linking coat hangers routine made a nice change from the usual rings that normally overload a convention, and he finished with an in-exhaustible glass trick, where the spectator drank a drink and it seemingly then came back out of their mouth or ear, or other body parts!

The second half Paul Dabek opened with Shadowgraphy set to Circle of Life he made all sorts of shadows in a well choreographed routine. Bob Sheets followed with a 3 coin trick where he produced and vanished the coins. His rope through body was enhanced by two great child volunteers and he closed with his card stab routine.

Finally to close the show the master himself Paul Daniels. I dont like to write act as known, but Paul didnt dissapoint, his classic chop cup routine was followed by card to wallet, a very nice perspex guillotine, electric chairs and finally the Lemon, Egg and Walnut trick. Paul is just the epitomy of the working professional, so at ease on stage chatting to the audience, his experience shines through in spades, and is a lesson in itself of showmanship and presentation, a great way to finish a superb first night gala.