* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine
* www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #67
Date: Sunday 1st April 2001
Editor: Alan Watson
www.magician.co.nz
www.alan-watson.com
e-mail alan@watson.co.nz
================================
Hi [first] here is the latest news
================================

1. Editor's Message
2. The legendary John Calvert 2001 Show & Lecture Tour
3. Rare Magic Collection Of The Great Leon For Sale
4. "Australian Dante"
5. A Day with the Duviviers
6. Abracadabra Magic Studio
7. Illusions for sale
8. Second hand magic for sale
9. Fire Sticks
10. `Best Magician' In `Best Of Las Vegas Poll'
11. Needle Through Balloon Effect - Peter Marucci
12. Caesar's Magical Empire
13. The Orchante Saga #23
14. Diarise these events
15. MagicNZ e-zine archives
16. Subscription Management

------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
-------------------------------------
Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One

Please note that the Palmerston North Magicians Convention is for one
day and not 4 day as previously mentioned in the last issue.

Palmerton North Magician's Society will be holding a Mini Convention on
Sunday 3rd June 2001. It will be run along the lines of the old Magicana
Day and IBM Ring 160 Day of Magic. 

For more information contact Norm Twigge - normtwigge@xtra.co.nz

---------------------------
Trying to complete my set of NZ Magicana's so that I can have them
bound. I am missing the following 6 issues:
Vol 9 #54 Nov/Dec 1962

Vol 12 #68 Mar/Apr 1964
Vol 12 #71 Sep/Oct 1964
Vol 12 #72 Nov/Dec 1964

Vol 13 #73 Jan/Feb 1965
Vol 13 #76 July/Aug 1965

Remember [first] if you have any magic news drop me a line:
alan@watson.co.nz

-------------------------------------
2. The legendary John Calvert 2001 Show & Lecture Tour
-------------------------------------
Message from Petrick and Mia (US)
PM MAGIC proudly present the legendary John Calvert

2001 Show & Lecture Tour
Once more members of the magic fraternity worldwide will have an
opportunity to gain knowledge attending the incredible shows and
lectures of one of the world's most famous magicians.

John Calvert's 2001 lecture features
How to become a Magician, To build an act or a big magic show, The
finesse of presentation, Creating and choosing illusions, Selection of
assistants, Financing and operating a world touring production, How to
obtain a sponsor, Create publicity and advertising campaigns also
Publicity stunts that make Headlines, Television and Radio News.

With a long list of Motion Pictures to his credit, John Calvert started
his world tours that have never been equalled, performing to packed
houses and breaking box-office records from Broadway to Tokyo. His was
the first big Magic Show to play Broadway, also the first to play Las
Vegas. His stage production "Magicarama" holds the distinction of being
the longest running world touring Magic Extravaganza in Theatrical
History. During his tour of l960, in Singapore he met Tammy, who is now
his wife and will be with him on this tour. AN EVENING WITH JOHN CALVERT
includes a Show followed by meticulous instructions, teaching the
viewers how to present and perform many of his most amazing miracles.

The whole evening is topped off with a question and answer session
including true stories of John Calvert's fantastic adventures around the
world that spawned a book by William V. Rauscher and thousands of
newspaper and magazine articles.

John Calvert's Theatrical Company was the first to tour in its own
Douglas airliners, the first to cruise the high seas in luxury yachts,
the first through the Berlin Wall and now this great Show & Lecture
comes to you in a Magnificent Monstrous Private Coach.
For a trip around the world with John Calvert in one evening contact

PM Magic 8701 Castle Hill Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89129
Ph: (702) 341-5843 Fax: (702) 254-8026
e-mail: pmmagic@pmmagic.com webpage: http://www.pmmagic.com

----------------------------------
3. Rare Magic Collection Of The Great Leon For Sale
----------------------------------
Message from Paul Ruben (US) paulruben@remotecontrolmagic.com

Paul Ruben owner of Remote Control Magic Company just purchased the lost
collection of memorabilia and apparatus from the ESTATE Of THE GREAT
LEON circa 1900-1952. This includes a handwritten 25 page manuscript
EXPOSOSING THE COMPLETE ACT AND WORKINGS OF THE HARRY BLACKSTONE SR.
SHOW. It was written in person at a show in Los Angeles in 1933 just 2
years after The Great Leon was forced to retire due to illness. He had
asked his friend Harry Blackstone SR. to stop stealing and performing
some of his original and trademarked illusions to no avail.

He was obviously fed up. This is documented as to authenticity with
Certificate Of Authenticity and further viewed by the authority on the
subject, Mike Caveney the writer and publisher of the book, The GREAT
LEON. There are aprox. 100 other pieces including a ROTERBERG FIRE
GLOBE, from The Great Leon Show and collection, circa 1905-1910 in
magnificent condition and stands 12" tall. Most rare and
collectible!!!!!

----------------------------------
4. "Australian Dante"
----------------------------------
Message from Kent Blackmore (Aust)

I have an article about Jack Angus, the "Australian Dante", newly
published on Gary Hunt's Magical Past-Times site, at:-
http://www.uelectric.com/pastimes/

-------------------------------------
5. A Day with the Duviviers
-------------------------------------
Message from Mandy Davis (UK)

This may be of interest to anyone who might be in London on the
appropriate weekend.

If you know of or have seen the Duvivier father and daughter team
working, you know that the day will be wonderful and a rare treat. If
you have never seen them - you will be in for a treat. Alexandra also
supplies the English translation to everything that Domiinique says that
you don't have to worry about the language barriers.

>A Day with the Duviviers
>
>Dominique and Alexandra Duvivier are hosting a special one-day seminar
at
>The Magic Circle in London.
>
>Date:- Sunday 8th April 2001
>
>Time:- 11am - 5.30pm
>
>Content:- 2 hr Lecture + 2 hr Workshop + 2 x1 hr Shows
>
>Cost:- £25 for the whole day (£5 discount for Magic Circle members and
>Associates; £10 discount to YMC members)
>
>This is going to be an incredible day of tuition and magic. If you saw
the
>Duviviers at the last IBM convention at Eastbourne you will need no
>further encouragement to book your tickets.
>
>Tickets:- Send your money (cheques payable to The Magic Circle) to
>Richard Pinner, Duvivier Day, 12 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2HD
>or email: richard@bespokemagic.co.uk

-------------------------------------
6. Abracadabra Magic Studio
-------------------------------------
Message from David & Sandra Brown

We would just like to advise our customers in New Zealand, Australia and
everywhere else, that Abracadabra Magic Studio has moved from Camberwell
to 28 Simon St. Blackburn North 3130 Tel. 613 98786211 from out side
Australia or (03) 98786511 Fax (03) 98786522

We can be contacted by E-mail abracadabramagic.com.au@bigpond.com We
look forward to a visit from old and new customers at our Studio. If
stock is required outside of our usual business hours, please ring for
an appointment. Our Web site is under construction as is an up to date
price list.

-------------------------------------
7. Illusions for sale
-------------------------------------
Message from Wayne McEwan (NZ) magicguy@xtra.co.nz

Lester Lake Guillotine -brand new, cuts a cabbage in the rack first well
below cost at $1200-00NZ plus freight

Dolls House Illusion - 2nd hand, needs a little work on the inside but
not hard to repaint etc, cheap at $350-00NZ plus freight

-------------------------------------
8. Second hand magic for sale
-------------------------------------
Message from Sefton Pryce (NZ) rpryce@xtra.co.nz

I have a list of magic items I would like to sell could you please past
this message onto your viewers if they are interest please get in
contact via e-mail

-------------------------------------
9. Fire Sticks
-------------------------------------
Message from Michael Chandler CHANDMAGIC@aol.com

Although I have made up fire sticks, from "The Classical Technique of
Fire Eating" by Gerald Taylor, I would like to purchase more showy ones.
Does anyone know a supplier of this type of equipment?

I would be grateful for any assistance.

-------------------------------------
10. `Best Magician' In `Best Of Las Vegas Poll'
-------------------------------------
Message from Wayne Bernath (US)

Lance Burton Is Reader's Pick For `Best Magician' In `Best Of Las Vegas
Poll'

Lance Burton with his "Master Magician" show at the Monte Carlo Resort
and Casino pulled a double coup in "The R-J's Best of Las Vegas" poll in
being awarded "Best Magician" in the Reader's Pick and "Best Theatre" in
the Editor's Pick.

The R-J editors said: "The kings are dead, long live the king. The king
of Las Vegas magic, that is - and who else but Lance Burton, who returns
to the top by dethroning last year's winners Siegfried & Roy, more than
tripling the vote total of the second place masters of illusion in the
process. Burton may not have the white tigers - or the white-knuckle
ticket prices - of Siegfried & Roy, but the Monte Carlo's master
resident magician offer a folksy family-friendly show that spot lights
his superior sleight-of-hands skills, along with bigger, splashier
illusions that match his showroom-headliner status."

The R-J picked The Lance Burton Theatre as "Best Showroom" saying, "Las
Vegas may be a long way from London's West End theatrical district. But
that luxurious ambience is as close as the Monte Carlo, where master
magician Lance Burton holds down the fort in a custom $27 million
showroom reminiscent of a lavish Victorian playhouse, complete with
theatre-style seating, crystal chandeliers, a burgundy-and-gold color
scheme and tassels, tassels everywhere. (We're talking about the ones in
the theatres not the ones on the dancers).

For information on Lance Burton: Master Magician call (702) 730-7160 or
(877) 386-8224 at the Monte Carlo. Show times are 7 and 10 nightly from
Tuesday thru Saturday. Reserved seating tickets are $59.95including tax
for main floor/mezzanine and $54.95 for balcony seating. The theatre
seats 1,274 and doors open one hour prior to show time. A bar is located
in the theatre lobby. Check out Lance Burton's web site at:
www.lanceburton.com. The price includes a full-color souvenir program
with each ticket.

-------------------------------------
11. Needle Through Balloon Effect - Peter Marucci
-------------------------------------
Message from Peter Marucci (Canada)

While watching television the other day, I saw a magician doing the
Needle Through Balloon effect. Unfortunately for him, the balloon popped
as he began to put the needle in. So, I thought, let's see how well he
can recover.

Not very well. In fact, he didn't at all. Our magi stammered a bit, as
he looked at his expectant young audience, and said something like, "No,
I think I'll do something else." I'm sure he did -- but I stopped
watching, mainly out of embarrassment for him (even though it was a TV
show). Then I got to thinking about the number of times I had seen the
needled balloon and the number of times I had seen it well done. The
second list was a whole lot shorter than the first! And that's a pity,
because I have been doing the trick -- in children and adults' shows --
for years now and it never fails to get a solid reaction.

So what's the problem? It's probably one of the easiest -- and yet most
startling -- tricks in magic. But most magicians just show the balloon,
show the needle, stick the needle through the balloon, take it out, pop
the balloon and go on to something else (assuming they manage to get
that far). B-o-r-i-n-g! There's a whole range of theatre here in this
one trick: Drama, conflict, surprise, victory, denouement, climax.
Here's what I mean:

NEEDLE THROUGH BALLOON
Presentation: "When I was just a little, tiny magician, there was one
thing I really liked and one thing I really hated. The thing I really
liked was balloons."
You bring out a clear, 11-inch balloon and inflate it.
"The thing I really hated was getting a needle."
Bring out the needle from the basic routine, but this is attached to a
large, plastic hypodermic syringe. These can be found in most gag and
joke shops:
It looks like a real hypodermic needle but the needle part is on a
spring so that it only appears that it's going into your arm.

Pull out the needle point and enlarge the hole with a drill until the
blunt end of the needle from the balloon trick fits snugly in it. Remove
the needle again and squirt glue down the hole in the hypo; then shove
the blunt end of the needle in again and wait for the glue to harden.
When it does, you have what looks like a hypodermic needle with a point
on it almost two feet long. So, you stand there with the balloon in one
hand and the giant needle in the other: "I figured if I didn't like
needles, then balloons must really, really hate them. Remember -- I was
very little at the time. So I thought that, if I said a magic word when
a balloon had to get a needle, then maybe it would hurt -- or even go
'pop'."

In children's shows, I get all the kids to shout the magic word at this
point. And, occasionally, I do this at adult shows -- although you have
to read the audience carefully.

After they shout the magic word, insert the needle into the balloon --
and do it slowly; this is a terrific effect and you should let your
audience savor it. After all, there's no trickery or gimmick to hide
from them! At this point the needle is through both sides of the
balloon; let the audience members closest to you get a good look at the
whole thing. I've had kids say it was done with a patch of Scotch tape
where the needle goes in and, when they actually get to see the
ungimmicked balloon, they are even more amazed.
Once the punctured but still inflated balloon has been show around,
removed the needle -- again, slowly.

As you stand there with the balloon in one hand and the needle in the
other, you say: "Of course, I knew that if I (we) didn't say the magic
words, then terrible things would happen. At this point, shove the
needle into the balloon, popping it. Take your applause and drop the
remainder of the punctured balloon on the floor, or hand it to one of
the youngsters in the front row. Believe me, they desperately want to
examine it and, after all, there's nothing to find.

Second Thoughts:
Before I made up the hypodermic needle, I use a giant safety pin (again
from most joke or gag shops) and filed down the end to a point. This
does not work as smoothly as the real needle from the trick but it
served its purpose well.

The routine then was about being a tiny magician and only having one
thing to play with -- a balloon. "Well, two, actually; I also had a
diaper pin." Show the giant pin and wait for the chuckles. "Well, that's
how big it looked to me at the time."

You can dress this up as much as you want -- draw a face on the balloon
for kids' shows -- or some other part of the anatomy for adult shows, if
you're into that kind of thing.

If you are going to do this -- or any other version of the needle
through balloon -- then definitely get the lubricating, carrying wand
that's available from most dealers. It protects the point of the needle
and keeps it ready for use at any time.

Finally, back to the beginning: The young magi I referred probably made
one of two mistakes -- the needle point had been blunted (thus the need
of a protective carrying case) or the balloon was over-inflated. This is
a common mistake in the trick; most magicians feel it is more
spectacular if the balloon is blown up to its maximum. It isn't, and
your chance of failure skyrockets.

If it's an 11-inch balloon, blow it up to about nine inches. This makes
it easier to hold and reduces the chance of premature popping to almost
zero. Lastly, if -- after all those precautions -- the balloon still
pops too soon, look around the audience as if you were trying to find a
particular person and say: "Someone didn't say the magic word!"
Get out another balloon (and always carry back-ups; some magicians have
so much faith that they only pack one balloon), inflate it and say:
"We'll try again -- and this time I'll be watching to see that everyone
says the magic word."

If it fails again, you may want to take the easy way out; after all, you
are standing there with two feet of sharpened steel in your hand!

-------------------------------------
12. Caesar's Magical Empire
-------------------------------------
Message from Dr Nancy Steely (US)

Just thought I would give you a brief update on what I know about what
is happening with Caesars Magical Empire.

My first visit to the venue was in October of last year, when I heard
that Park Place Entertainment was scheduling the demise of the 'Empire'
and its replacement with a Latin Dance Club. Shortly after this, I
contacted you, along with many others regarding this state of affairs.

My husband and I just relocated to the Las Vegas area in the end of
February, and had heard prior to this that the Empire was scheduled to
close in the end of March (of 2001). We took my parents and uncle who
was visiting us here to Caesars to see this wonderful dinner show and
event, thinking it may be the last time we, or anyone, would have the
opportunity.

Once again, a marvelous show and a wonderful dinner that even the
finickiest of eaters, my mother, enjoyed tremendously. My father, being
somewhat 'stodgy'...was also overjoyed with the dinner and
entertainment. These are people that are often impossible to please, and
Caesars Magical Empire won their hearts!

On the conclusion of the show, we went through the gift shop, and talked
with the service representative there, who told us that the closing of
the Empire had been postponed until late June of 2001. She also laughed
a little and told us that this had been going on for years...with the
threat of the Empire being closed, then the extension of the closing
date, then the threat of closure, then an extension, then a threat...etc
etc.

Several days later, my husband read me an article from the newspaper,
stating indeed that the Empire had been going through this threat of
closure for some time now. The ideas being tossed around right now
include keeping the venue as the Empire for the afternoons and early
evenings, and switch over to a dance club in the late evenings and
nights.

On a bright note, then, this impending closure seems to constantly be
extended. However, it would seem that there is always a shadow threat
hanging over the Empire and its employees.

If I have any additional information I will certainly let you know.

----------------------------------
13. The Orchante Saga #23
----------------------------------
Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi)

Exotic Islands of the South Seas

"SHE WORE RED FEATHERS AND A 'HULI-HULI' SKIRT" is how the old song
goes. The only Red Feathers I observed were the ones on Parrots and
Cockatoos, but, the grass Hula skirts - 'MM-mmm' - I raced out and
bought a lawn mower, and hedge clippers!!

I got my first passport May 28th 1964. Two weeks previously (around the
11th May) my then agent in Auckland, the late George Tollerton,
telephoned. "Tom, got a booking for you - New Caledonia, on to Tahiti,
then back to Noumea. Want it?" "YES, PLEASE!" Panic Stations - TWO
WEEKS!! Visa needed, and a passport. Strings were pulled, passport
sorted in record time, but no Visa - yet.

I also needed Vaccinations - Typhoid, Hepatitis A, etc. Doctor says
"Good God, man, you should of have had these at least a month ago". He
'bangs' them in, and saying "Come back on Monday" (the 1st June) still
no Visa for Tahiti - bloody French Embassy! Monday - "I don't think they
're going to 'take'," says the Doc. "I'd better give you another shot".
"Thanks a lot," I said. Visa finally arrives on the 3rd June - I arrived
in Noumea, the Capital City of New Caledonia, on the 5th June. Now that
was really pushing it!

I was on the phone to Jon Zealando a couple of months ago. He said "Don'
t forget to tell the 'bit' about the injections". "How," I said, "did
you know about that?" "George Tollerton told me". "Blabbermouth!"

The 'Doc' was wrong! Woefully wrong! Not only did the first batch of
inoculations take, God help me - so did the second! Bloody Hell, I
copped the lot. A full blown fever - Christ, I was so ill! GILBERT THONG
(pronounced Joollbear Tong) - famous entrepreneur /promoter throughout
Polynesia, was a worried man. HE was worried? I should have been
hospitalised. At the Hotel, I couldn't walk, I practically had to crawl
up the stairs to my room!

Gilbert owned a nightclub, the 'CABARET TAHITI'. Situated just off the
beach, all on one level, it was designed like a Tahitian Beach hut, and
the atmosphere was fantastic - an entertainer's paradise, in Paradise.
There was a small flat attached to the Club, where MARITA, the Club
Manageress - a most beautiful young woman of Chinese/French-Tahitian
mix, lived. Gilbert installed me there, with Marita playing nurse. What
a nurse - I wanted to be 'sick' (well, not that sick) forever! C'mon - I
was a virile 20 year old, still 'feeling' his way in life (excuse the
pun) - with a name like Tom (cat) - what do you expect?

Thankfully, the shows, to be held at the 'Au Rex Theatre' in Noumea's
main street, were not due to start for a week. Gilbert had brought me
over early so that we could rehearse the Hypnotism show. French is the
official language, (I can only speak two - English and swearing). I'll
expound further later on.

NEW CALEDONIA is in the tropical South Pacific, the average temperature
fluctuates around a balmy 30 deg. C. There I was, fluctuating between
uncontrollable shaking and shivering, to 'burning up' with the seething
heat of a fiery furnace! Gilbert was panic stricken. He had brought
over, apart from myself, a band that played like the Beatles (wore wigs,
etc.), and a New Zealand singer, JOY YATES.

After 4 or 5 days I've settled down a bit - just a little bit - still
shaking with 'cold', then breaking out into a steamy sweat. However, I
got to the Theatre where the Band and Joy Yates were rehearsing. Behind
the stage's main back-drop was a mountain of black velvet curtaining,
piled up against the back wall - it must have weighed a ton! Just what I
needed. In my shaking, freezing cold cycles I'd bury myself under the
world's biggest velvety duvet (nothing but the best), trying to get warm
in 85 Plus deg. F heat. How incongruous! Ten minutes later I'd 'explode'
out as the heat furnace cycle once again hit me! Bloody Doctor! He wasn'
t exactly in my good books, and that had to be the understatement of the
year!

The concerts' programme was much the same as Johnny Cooper's - first
half, the Band, Singer, and myself performing the Magic - Yoga acts.
Second half, all Hypnotism. Gilbert had booked six shows into the Rex
Theatre, afterwards flying us out to Tahiti for shows in Papeete, the
Capital. Then back to New Caledonia for shows at his Night Club. THE
SHOW JUST HAD TO GO ON!! (To be continued)

-------------------------------------
14. Diarise these events
-------------------------------------
The 26th NZ Magician's Convention Thursday 27th to Monday 31st December
2001

Palmerton North Magician's Mini Convention Sunday 3rd June 2001

Joshua Jay (US) NZ Lectures:
Auckland Friday 10th August 2001
Christchurch Monday 13th August 2001

-------------------------------------
15. MagicNZ e-zine archives
-------------------------------------
Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html

Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain
access.
User Name: ezine
Password: newzealand

When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are
coded. Eg 001nov0699.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number,
then the date (nov06) and the last next two numbers the year (99)

If you want to print copies of MagicNZ e-zine go to:
www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive

-------------------------------------
16. Subscription Management
-------------------------------------
Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or
individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy.

To subscribe or unsubscribe from the MagicNZ e-zine:
www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html

MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday.

The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual
contributors.

Neither MagicNZ or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or
reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information
reported via MagicNZ e-zine.

We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions as we see fit.

>> This publication may be freely redistributed to other magicians
if copied in its ENTIRETY <<

(c) Copyright 2001 Alan Watson