* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #72 Date: Sunday 6th May 2001 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz www.alan-watson.com e-mail AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Phil Cass - Australian Tour Schedule 3. Lounge Wizard in Melbourne 4. Ross Skiffington's 'Lounge Wizard' 5. Making Rough & Smooth Cards 6. Bev is one of the unsung heroes 7. Rough and Smooth formulae 8. World Clown Convention 9. THE GIMMICK 10. In Issue Number #71 Peter Zenner asked: 11. I am in Naples 12. Cards For Lovers 13. 2001 Lecture - Peter Marucci 14. TITANIC MONTE is back! 15. Good articles on ripoffs 16. The passing of Eddie Burkes wife Maureen 17. Magic Computer Cut Signwriting 18. The Orchante Saga #28 19. Diarise these events 20. MagicNZ e-zine archives 21. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Phil Cass appeared on the Paul Holmes TV show on Friday night with signed $20 note that appeared in a purchased packet cigarettes. Very professionally routined as a publicity stunt for the coming Comedy Festival. Phil will be appearing live at the West End Theatre in Auckland NZ from Wed 16th May to Sat 19th May at 9.00pm. Please send ALL messages for the MagicNZ e-zine to AW@Alan-Watson.com as I'm running a mail serve on alan@watson.co.nz which automatically deletes any messages over 100k. Richard Webster received an excellent write-up in this week's "New Idea" magazine in a feature article about his latest book "Soul Mates". Richard was described as "New Zealand's most successful author". The article also said that Richard is "using his interest in all things esoteric, psychic and magical to carve out a big career". Richard's books have sold more than a million copies in the last seven years, and have been translated into nineteen languages. 73 of Richard's books have now been published, and he will reach 75 before the end of the year. Can't wait for the party Richard when you reach 75 published books. I will performing again this week at Botany Downs Town Centre with my daughter, Melanie on centre stage. The Town Centre covers 48 acres of land and is the largest shopping complex in Australasia, so take your walking shoes. ------------------------------ Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ------------------------------------- 2. Phil Cass - Australian Tour Schedule ------------------------------------- Message from Phil Cass (Aust) May Wednesday 23rd May - Goulburn Workers Club Thursday 24th May - Canberra Irish Club Friday 25th May - Queanbeyan Roos Saturday 26th May - Canberra Labor Club Thursday 31st May - Taree RSL Club June Friday 1st June - Forster-Tuhcurry Mem Club Saturday 2nd June - Westport Bowling Club Sunday 3rd June - Nabucca Heads RSL Club Monday 4th June - off Tuesday 5th June - off Wednesday 6th June - Kempsey Macleay RSL Club Thursday 7th June - Grafton Ex-Services Club Friday 8th June - Coffs Harbour Ex-Serv Club Saturday 9th June - Southport RSL Club Sunday 10th June - Lismore Workers Club Wednesday 20th June - Griffith Regional Theatre Thursday 21st June - Temora Ex-Services Club Friday 22nd June - Wagga Leagues Club Saturday 23rd June - Cootamundra Ex-Services Club Sunday 24th June - Young Services Club July Thursday 5th - The Epping Club Friday 6th - Mingara Recreation Club Saturday 7th - Dee Why RSL Club Thursday 12th - KAOS Ramsgate Friday 13th - Randwick Labor Club Saturday 14th - Avalon Beach RSL Tuesday 17th - Molly McGuires Camden Wednesday 18th - Cronulla Sharks Thursday 19th - Balmain Leagues Club Friday 20th - Castle Hill rSL Club Saturday 21st - St Marys Band Club Sunday 22nd - The Galston Club Wednesday 25th - St Johns Park Bowling Club Friday 27th - Revesby Workers Club ---------------------------------- 3. Lounge Wizard in Melbourne ---------------------------------- Message from Ross Skiffington I have just completed a return season of my show, Lounge Wizard, here in Melbourne. It was standing room only on the last night! Next week I am off to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival with the show, which is the only magic act booked for the festival. I have enclosed a review for your perusal. In July I am presenting an illusion show, ELECTRICKS, at the Glen Street Theatre, Sydney for a two-week season. During the day my children's show, Patrick's Hat Trick, will play in the same theatre. A busy time ahead. Looking further again, in 2002 I will be working with the Bell Shakespeare Company as an actor and director creating illusions that will be incorporated into the production. Shakespeare goes Magic! I am looking forward to that. ---------------------------------- 4. Ross Skiffington's 'Lounge Wizard' ---------------------------------- Message from Duck Cameron (Aust) A quick (and rare) note from the mind of Duck Cameron. I was lucky enough last week to arrive in Melbourne from overseas just in time to see the 2nd. last performance of 'lounge wizard', starring Ross Skiffington. Before I continue, please allow me to give some detail to those that don't know me or my history. As a young magician, like so many, I was in awe of four local magicians, Jeff Crozier, Sam Angelico, Doug Tremlett and Ross Skiffington. By fate (and luck) as a teenager, I worked for three and a half years as roadie for Sam Angelico, who became my mentor. I dressed and became friends with Doug Tremlett. While working in wardrobe at channel 9 Melbourne at the time Doug was starring on Oovs (Ozzie Ostrich Video Show), I took advice from Jeff Crozier, but it was Ross, as I sat with my mother at the last laugh theatre restaurant watching 'tricks' that I realised magic as an art-form, not just a hobby, and my career was born. What I loved and still do about Ross is his ability to combine all the elements of theatre... Dance, drama, comedy and staging. He is a consummate professional and is known throughout the entertainment industry to be a stickler for detail. Have you ever known a magician to be so well groomed? His show took me on a journey through his life of magic, from a small child to the slick, white faced character we know so well. Included, of course, was Neville Fontane, the tongue in cheek lounge magician we love to loathe. Selfishly, it was also a journey for me, remembering all the shows I have watched of Ross. The consensus of the other magicians there that night was the same...it was a walk down magicians 'memory lane'. This show is not cutting edge, not bizarre, not 'pushing the limit' as less successful magicians have criticized. It is simply what Ross does best. Slick, polished cabaret done as only others can inspire to. This is not meant so much as a review, as I would not be so arrogant as to attempt to critique someone else's passion, let alone someone with years more experience than I, but as a thank you for inspiring me all those years ago, and still, today. ------------------------------------- 5. Making Rough & Smooth Cards ------------------------------------- Message from Jack Poulter (Canada) Jit from India asked about making rough and smooth cards. Roughing fluid has taken a number of forms over the years. Diachylon was the substance used to make adhesive tape (or plaster). It was made from lead oxide, olive oil and water. I do not know the proportions. I think that different substances are now used to make the tape stick. In "Chemical Magic" by Lippy, a recipe is given: in 8 ounces of grain alcohol and one ounce of liquefied phenol dissolve the following (by weight) one-half ounce gum sandarac, one-half ounce gum mastic. Shake well to dissolve the powders. Allow to stand several hours, and then filter to remove any sediment. There are several other "do-it-yourself" formulas, however, as with the above one, most contain substances which are now considered toxic or hazardous. Obtaining these can be difficult if not impossible. I once read about using mucilage, diluted with alcohol, but never tried it. The commercial roughing spray sold by many North American dealers has been found to be re-labelled "Testors Dull Kote #1260" - a spray for plastic models. Clear fixative spray used by artists, such as "Krylon Clear Matte" has also been used by some, as has "Scotchguard Upholstery Spray". The important thing with all these sprays is to be sure they are matte finish and NOT glossy. ------------------------------------- 6. Bev is one of the unsung heroes ------------------------------------- Message from George Robinson - Viking Mfg. Co. Bev is one of the unsung heroes in the creative field of magic. His contributions to the magic fraternity and especially to the professional side of our business are legion. One of the problems I see in his not getting his due share of credit is that he, like so many others, loves to create and share and isn't really looking for adulation or rewards at the time. Creativity happens! It isn't necessarily planned; although in many cases it stems from necessity. One way to protect your item and get the recognition you deserve is to either build it for the magic fraternity or sell it to a REPUTABLE manufacturer. Make your deal in writing and get what you can up front. If there are royalties, most manufacturers limit this to a certain quantity. That's better than an open-ended deal as it's too hard to control. Get what you can and move on. Flood the market and establish parentage. Then if the bottom feeders come in they won't have much to work with. Most of the creative people out there aren't very good at self-promotion and that's another problem. In hindsight and for future creators I would say that Bev and others could periodically put out a pamphlet or even a book with their ideas to document them. Publishing today can be very simple and inexpensive, yet the rewards can be great, even from a $15.00 pamphlet; and you get the word out. I also know it's easier said than done, but if you work on it on weekends, etc. it can be done. I would also suggest placing a ad in current magazines detailing your new exploits and creations; not an ad selling them necessarily or giving the secret, but just an announcement stating that the "Great Wizo lays claim to the following Wizo creations: The Hippidy Hop Vacuum Cleaners; the Cyberspace Teleportation; The Upside-down Chainsaw Massacre, etc. with a simple description. Yes, it will cost you the price of an ad once in a while, but then you have to decide whether you care enough to set a precedent that can be documented and referred to, or do you just make claims without back up. I refer to the previous article by Fantasio and about Werry. Fantasio has dated documentation. Without those early ads and notices he might not be able to make as strong a claim as he has. I doubt if the cane and candle parentage can be disputed now. Besides yourselves, it's also up to the historians and manufacturers to keep the origin alive; to research and verify. As an example, a few years ago a clear acrylic tube came on the market from Belgium with a claim of originality. The effect was that you would shake the tube and a silk would appear, or that you displayed a red silk in the tube and with a shake it would change to a green silk. Well, this trick was actually invented and DOCUMENTED by Fredrick DeMuth in 1925 as noted in a description of said effect in a 1925 Sphinx issue! If this person who recently resurrected the effect wanted to make it, why change the name of the inventor? Give credit where credit is due. Certainly, using DeMuth's name wouldn't hurt the sales, and history would be preserved. Ah, but then there's the ego and greed to contend with. Such is the shallowness of those that can do nothing more than steal. I have no problem in resurrecting an effect, I do it all the time at Viking, but I do give credit. Every instruction sheet has the name of the inventor, when known, as well as the name(s) of anyone who has contributed to the present effect. Hey, so I didn't invent the Bill Tube, but do I care? The Brema Bill Tube has history, and I get what I want out of the deal by making the best Bill Tube on the market. People don't say, 'Hey that Brema was some craftsman' when they buy my tube,....No.. They say, 'Wow, Viking sure make some great stuff'. Brema gets credit by me keeping history straight and I get credit for producing a great product. Using his name hasn't hurt me a bit... and guess what? I'm secure because I know who I am and what I give to the magic community. I'm not taking from anyone; I'm sharing history with everyone, giving each his due. Owen Bros. has a similar tack. If you read their catalog, they list the inventor etc. next to the name of the item or effect. I'll admit, they may not be 100% correct on some of their claims, but hey, maybe they haven't found real proof, but at least they try. So, creators everywhere, don't hide your light under that bushel. If you sell your effect to a manufacturer, make sure you insist that your name be placed on all the ads, etc. as the creator. Get it in writing. Send your ideas to the various magazines and share them, but get your claim down for all to see. Don't be afraid of rip-offs because you sent your item into the L.R. or M.U.M or Genii or what have you. Get the credit first. If you have a good idea, work with a reputable dealer and get the thing out so you can receive some financial and personal reward. The thieves will do what they do regardless, so at least protect yourself to some extent. If you don't expect to share your secret, then don't. Keep it to yourself, but remember, a good idea is fodder for anyone who sees your show or presentation. We don't live in a vacuum so if we play in this arena we have to be prepared for the consequences and work around them in a smart way. Copyrights and patent infringements are costly to protect and fight. The thieves know this and in this small market it just doesn't pay. But if you have early claim and put pressure on the dealers and the Magic Fraternity, maybe, just maybe, you'll get some small satisfaction. Maybe it's enough just to see it in print and know that you were the first, regardless. Thanks for the listen. I promise if I write again, I'll make it shorter. ------------------------------------- 7. Rough and Smooth formulae ------------------------------------- George Robinson - Viking Mfg. Co About the Rough and Smooth formulae, you'll find that there are some commercial items available that will do the trick as well as simply purchasing a spray-on chemical from just about any magic dealer in the US. The old formulae are just a lot of bother and most don't work all that well. I have found that certain cheaper hairsprays work well, as well as certain flat and satin clear spray finishes available for sealing chalk and pencil drawings. Look for these in art supply stores. You'll have to experiment in the application. Some products such as hair spray will have to be sprayed from a height of 18-20" and just let the spray mist down on the cards. Others will have to be applied liberally, wetting the paper, and then allowing it to dry completely before touching, etc. If you purchase R&S from a dealer, make sure you apply it wet, but don't soak the card. Just apply until you see the paper 'flash' or turn wet and no more. If you have to apply a second coat, always wait until the first coat is thoroughly dry. ------------------------------------- 8. World Clown Convention ------------------------------------- Message from Bev Bergeron (US) Just finished working the World Clown Convention here in Orlando where over 500 gathered. Their opening night began with a poolside party that had everyone jumping for hours. The next night show had Jimmy Jack as M.C. with Bruce Johnson doing his Charlie the Juggling Clown. Jim and Bruce did excellence jobs and set the audience up for me. It is nice to have good acts working in front of you. The clown group let me work. They let me do something that I've only had the opportunity to do on rare occasions. They gave me the stage with no time or material restrictions. At first I was apprehensive about doing some of the things that I had planned since the performance was not on a real stage, but a hotel platform with passable lighting (no follow spot) but very good sound. The only stage operator available was Arlene Feen on sound who did the job right. My bit went just over an hour and got a standing ovation after Red Skelton's "Guzzler's Gin" and when the finish came with me making up as Rebo and doing "Rebo and his Balloon" routine, it brought the strongest and longest standing ovation I have ever had the pleasure to receive. I was beat, but as my wife said it best when a clown member commented that the convention really needed my act: "No, Bev needed this more then the clowns." The next two days was even more successful with two more lectures on clowning, magic, and comedy. ------------------------------------- 9. THE GIMMICK ------------------------------------- Message from Salil Kumar Kundu THE GIMMICK is a quarterly Magi-zette for the magic-lunatics. It is now its 17th year of publication ... well, it ran for continuous 16 years till 1998, then had an untimely death. But now it's back like a legendary Phoenix. Issue no.1. Volume 17 is ready for mailing. Chock full with News, Views, Tips and Ideas, Magical effects and articles from International contributors from India and abroad it is a 'must' reading. An interesting article by Don Wieberg, Ex. International President of IBM (USA) is a feature item of this issue. Please contact solylkundu@yahoo.com for details. ---------------------------------- 10. In Issue Number #71 Peter Zenner asked: ---------------------------------- Message from Bob Loomis (UK) >I have a book which was published in 1898, called 'Mystery Unveiled' by >Dr Ormonde ...Has anybody ever seen another copy? Eddie Dawes didn't >know it and a search of the British Library Public Catalogue proved fruitless. > >Have I got a unique book? Peter, you should also have searched the 1952 edition of The Magic Circle Library Catalogue. Ormonde's book is listed there. You will also find an entry for Doctor Ormonde himself in Bart Whaley's Who's Who. It gives many details about him, such as his real name, and his dates of birth and death. As to whether you have a unique book, I can categorically say you have! Why? Well, you said "Eddie Dawes didn't know it." Guess who submitted the entry for Ormonde to Whaley? That's right! A certain Professor Dawes, in 1989. Yes, you've got the book that shows Eddie is finally beginning to lose it!!! (I'm really kidding. If I knew just a fraction of what he has forgotten, I'd be an extremely happy man.) ;-D ---------------------------------- 11. I am in Naples ---------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) Well, here I am in Naples on an incredibly hot sunny day. What a trip it has been so far. This city is absolutely amazing, with what seems like thousands of crazy people on motorbikes, all speaking Italian which is a lovely language, and some of the most beautiful clothes in the world ... everywhere. Imagine when I awoke this morning having left my port yesterday to open my cabin curtain and see a huge castle in the background as we had arrived in Naples ... it took my breath away. I have spent a few hours today walking around the city with my camera snapping away, I can see I am going to have a wonderful album of places I have been. Being on the ship you do not really know you are on the sea, well at least if you close your eyes and do not look at the ocean. There is 24 hour food on board which might not be a good thing after three months, at least they have a gym so I have been able to go this morning, and found a piano to practice on. I have a 50 minute show coming up on the 4th May, and as Ricki Dunn told me, Paul, you have to be your own opening act. What a great bit of advice that was, because tr ying to do 50 minutes just as Charlie would be far too long. I am finishing the act by playing Smile and Limelight from the Chaplin movies and doing a few comedy bits on the piano. I have hooked up with a wonderful couple that are from England and they are comedians. Lovely people, but more about that in another email. I have my updated schedule, which I will email soon, but all is well here in Rome, I am off to grab a bite to eat, a pizza perhaps and lap up this amazing scenery. ---------------------------------- 12. Cards For Lovers ---------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) The following is a - gasp! - card trick that works especially well in table hopping, where you are performing for couples. Effect: A man and a woman both select a card and sign it, the woman on the front, and the man on the back. When one of the cards is found in the deck, with the signature on it, it is turned over and the other signature is on the other side. Working: You'll need a deck of cards and a felt-tip marking pen. You'll also need a couple, preferably two that have been enjoying the company of each other (you could use a couple who have been fighting all night - but that's another trick!). Prattle on to the happy couple about the strong and deep emotional connection some people have with a significant other, as you take out the pen and the deck of cards. Have the man select a card from the facedown deck and sign the back without looking at the face. The card is returned to the deck and the deck shuffled. Control the signed card to the bottom. Turn to the woman and have her "freely" select a card, using the Hindu Shuffle force, so that she selects the bottom card. Turn the deck face up, to her selected card, and have her sign the face. Shuffle the deck, rambling on about how a bond of love is able to overcome all odds and, no matter how the deck is shuffled - or how mixed up life may become - if that bond is strong enough, two people will always find each other. With the deck face down, go through and find the man's signed card; place it face down on the table. Turn the deck face up and look for the woman's signed card. It is, of course, not to be found. Look through the deck a couple of times to underscore the point that the woman's card is not there. Again hammer home the point that, while they may have selected separate cards (okay, they didn't; but they don't know that!), the bond between them is so strong that it drew them together. Turn over the man's signed card on the table to show the signed selection of the woman on the other side. Second Thoughts: This is a great use of those practice cards that you have drawers full of, since you destroy a card ever time. Simply replace the used card with any card from another deck (with the same back). It doesn't matter what the face is, since the couple only see the face of one card. You could slap a sticker on the card, giving your name and other pertinent business information - although some may consider this a bit tacky. In any case, leave the card with the couple as a souvenir. They will love you for it; you will have a warm feeling inside; everybody goes away happy. Who could ask for anything more? ---------------------------------- 13. 2001 Lecture - Peter Marucci ---------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) For each of the past seven years, I have given a new lecture to magic clubs, and conventions in Canada and the United States. In February next year (2002) I will be in Florida on a lecture tour of several magic clubs with my newest lecture, Bizarre Magic. And I will be at the South Eastern Association of Magicians' (SEAM) convention in North Carolina in July of this year, as lecturer and performer. In the meantime, if you are looking for a "name" experienced lecturer, then look no further! In addition, for the past 11 years I have written the Showtime column in the Linking Ring magazine -- and those who know that will be familiar with my work (which is mainly in comedy magic, so the bizarre format is a bit of a departure, although it has met with considerable success where I have delivered it so far!). So, if you're interested, please e-mail me at the address below and we will work out the details. cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com And, if you are interested in my e-mail catalog of lecture notes, booklets, and original effects, just e-mail me at the following address and I'll send it right back to you. Cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com ---------------------------------- 14. TITANIC MONTE is back! ---------------------------------- Message from Eric Henning (US) Hi gang: Well it was sold out. Or so I thought. But I was cleaning up my magic area in preparation for the local IBM Ring 50 magic auction, and I found several sets of TITANIC MONTE. What is TITANIC MONTE? It's a stage-size "Three Card Monte" routine, with HUGE 18" x 12.5" cards that are visible in a stadium, yet small enough to fit in a standard carry-on suitcase! Imagine always having a KILLER stage routine, even if your luggage gets lost. Fred Becker is using this in his cruise ship act. Both Fred Becker and Mike Rogers supply nice alternate handlings. It comes with a full script, 6 pages of instructions and a special stiff protective envelope for travel. You can get full details, along with demo photos, at http://members.home.com/erichenning/webpage.html Sooooo... Here's the deal. it's only $60, with free shipping in the US for those who pay by PayPal.com. I can even accept VISA and Master Card orders, both in the US and outside the US. For a list of countries, click on http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/approved_countries-outside PLEASE look at the Web site first. If you still have questions, THEN e-mail me directly and I'll be happy to answer your questions. Thanks, Eric Henning http://members.home.com/erichenning/webpage.html PS Nearly every WORKING PRO who has seen this has offered me twice or three times my price for it. It's especially good as a Compere bit or a second act opener. ---------------------------------- 15. Good articles on ripoffs ---------------------------------- Message from Ben D. Stone (US) Both George Robinson wrote good articles on ripoffs. I have also been the victim of several things that they mention. Read Chapter 11 of Mike Rose's "Joe Karson...After Zombie" to see the story of what I originated about 1949 and which became, in later years, the Delben Two Hole Wrist Chopper. In recent years at least two ripoff artists have made copies of this item. One of them told Danny Gurganus, present owner of Delben Company and rights to its items that he had "improved" the Chopper. When asked to point out the changes he said that he had left off the "flaps" (which were painted as a clown's eyes on the first Chopper) and which are vital to its proper presentation. I heard that the "side blinds " were also omitted. The "Milk Appearance" plastic glass and the insert glass were protected for longer than I expected by my extra work in removing the identity from the bottoms of the glasses. Delben Rope Gimmicks became generic. One dealer who discovered my trade secret of hell to make them profitable proceeded to rip them off. I was told that the ripoffs were marketed as Delben Rope Gimmicks. My Delben Magic Blotter was reproduced in a terrible version made of brass by an English craftsman I am told. I do know that a German dealer sold the ripoffs because I saw them in his booth at a magic convention. The Delben Quarter Penetration, which greatly helped in paying the rent on my shop for a number of years, became popular and I received a request for 15,000 from a dealer in England. He wanted them made to fit English coinage, which I could not afford to do. A company in the U.S. accepted his request and "bought" the rights for a small amount after advising that he could have them made without any payment as they were not patented. A promised royalty was never received. Who protects the originators and craftsmen of magic. No one except thereselves. Keep your trade secrets instead of bragging about how clever you are (For example, the swirled finish on the Chopper blade). Make a better product than other do and get in on the market in sufficient volume to completely saturate the initial demand. Remember, the first big volume of sales will be the stocking of dealer's shelves. Sorry, I cannot tell you how to make a lot of money as I would slow production of a successful item to go chasing moonbeams, that is thinking of new magic to build and the fun of engineering it for production. Against my own advice, I never made magic in sufficient volume. Maybe that is why Delben magic is commanding premium prices now, In fact, I would certain like to buy back some of my items at twice what I sold them for. George Robinson and Bev Bergeron are good craftsmen and good friends. I thank them for their postings. Bev, if you read this, please send me your e-mail address. ---------------------------------- 16. The passing of Eddie Burkes wife Maureen ---------------------------------- Message from David and Barbi Ormandy Did you read in Abra of the passing of Eddie Burkes wife Maureen. Some will I am sure remember Eddie - who owned and ran Magictric for many years. He lost his first wife Pauline, if my memory serves me right, through a heart attack, and some time later married Maureen. Although Eddie no longer runs Magictrix- having handed over to his daughter Denise and her husband Ian Davis many years ago - Eddie is still active, I understand, doing magic, mentalism, and hypnotism. Have not heard the cause of death of Maurren but as I remember being told soon after meeting her that she was 'a health food nut' and remembering her telling us that she would only let Eddie eat what was good for him - her passing was a surprise. I will try to find out cause of death. Our hearts must go out to Eddie in his loss. ---------------------------------- 17. Magic Computer Cut Signwriting ---------------------------------- Message from Ross Harlick (NZ) I am now in the business of computer cut signwriting. If there are other magicians out there requiring signage then give me a call. Cheaper rates for magicians. Specialising in smaller signs up to about 1metre x 1 metre. rossco@quicksilver.net.nz Telephone / fax: (09) 5213327 Mobile 021 1483172 ---------------------------------- 18. The Orchante Saga #28 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Memories Continued - Friends, Past and Present Peter Taylor worked with Newbs (Peter Newberry) for 2/3 years. He and Sally Phillips got engaged, and all was well. Then Peter decided to go solo once again, with his own act, 'Delmere', and left the Demonos/Movados. Peter Newberry took on a girl, (Gaye) who worked with him for about 3 months. Peter Taylor decided that Australia was the place to be - but Sally didn 't want to go. Peter practically begged me to go with him, but, as with Sally, I didn't want to leave New Zealand. I loved travelling, but NZ was my birthplace, and very much my home. I can still recall, vividly, going with Peter to his bank, where he withdrew a large bundle of cash, still pleading with me to go to 'Aussie' with him. He even offered to pay my airfare. I stayed. I must have been bloody mad! (It wasn't until Veronica and I emigrated to Australia in 1976, that I realised that I should have gone with Peter, 10 years earlier.) Sally broke off the engagement, and Peter left New Zealand's shores, forever. Peter was right! Sydney, Australia was in the early sixties, regarded by entertainers as being second only to Las Vegas. It was a Mecca for hundreds of artists, from acrobats to xylophonists, (and dozens of '£10 Pommie' comics), who could work their art(s), and make a very good living as full time professional entertainers. It was said you could 'play' a different club every night of the week (if you wanted to), for 10 years, without going to the same one twice. May be a slight exaggeration, but not far off it. Making small fortunes were the hundreds of 'Mr 10%' theatrical agents. Each one would handle a group of clubs, supplying all the entertainment with the acts on his books. Each agent would swap his acts with those of other agents, which meant that you always worked. If you were a good act, with a great agent (should that not be the other way round?) you, as an artist, were practically set for life. For those who don't know what a '£10 Pommie' is - back in the '50s, Australia was encouraging professional and skilled people to emigrate to Australia, and were offering the British passage by ship, to Australia for only £10. 'Pommie' is slang 'down under' for an English person. There were so many different clubs - most lavishly decored, many, with full-size gymnasiums, restaurants, full size swimming pools, auditoriums with full stage, sound, lighting, and dressing room facilities -- all from the proceeds of hundreds of wall to wall, aisle after aisle, Poker machines - which also paid for the entertainment - bands, dancers, singers, sight-acts, and big international 'names'. Some clubs even had special parking facilities - 'for Artists only' - oh, the luxury. The 'Pokies' were/are gold mines - they paid - or rather, the punters did - for everything. Back to New Zealand - One night, Gaye (Peter Newberry's new assistant) couldn't work, so Sally stepped in, to help out. They did three shows that night, and 10 years later, Sally was still working with Newbs. When Sally finally left the act, Marie (Peter Newberry's daughter) took over. During all this time, the act was known as 'Peter and Gaye'. For a brief time, Kim Hegan (the son of Elaine and the late Eddie Hegan, well known Auckland Theatrical agents, at the time) also worked with Newbs. In Australia , Peter (Taylor) met and married Rosa. They worked together as 'Delmere and Rosa' for years , spending 6 months doing the Sydney clubs, and the other six, touring Europe- sending all their money back to Australia, building up a nice nest-egg. When Veronica and I finally got to 'Aussie', we met up with Peter and Rosa - they had bought a house at Menai - a suburb south of Sydney, and were doing very well. They then moved up to Southport on the Gold Coast, and bought a lovely home there. Veronica and I visited them a couple of times when we were in Queensland doing shows - and then just lost touch, sometime in the 80's - as you do. That was the last time I saw Peter. He was a very strong, fit man, who never smoked, and I was shocked to learn from Sally last year, that Peter had died of Cancer, on the 5th August 1997. Isn't it strange how, even though you haven't seen or heard from a good friend for a lot of years, there is still a 'hollow' in your life when you get the news that they have left this world! What I remember most about Peter is, when asked 'how's it going?' he would cock his head cheekily, just so, and with a huge grin, a 'million' white teeth flashing, say, 'it's better than working for a living!' I miss you, old mate! I am greatly indebted to Sally for most of the foregoing (nothing like getting it straight from the horse's mouth, as it were). Thank you, my very dear friend. I'm sure that I'll be delving into your encyclopaedic memory again - and again - and again ........... I need cheering up - how about you? Here are two impossible scenarios. Two Magicians meet up - one says to the other "Let me show you the latest, mind-boggling, utterly fantastic, blow your audience away, magical stunner". "NO!!!" Or; having shown a mind-boggling etc. stunner, the other magi says "Wow! I hope you NEVER tell me how that was done!" ---------Bollocks!! I've just received a nice e-mail from Jon Zealando. Among other things, Jon states, Quote; 'Keep it up, Tom, it (the Saga) brings back some great memories of people also precious to me...' Unquote. Thank you Jon - I'm pleased that I'm stirring up memories for many of us New Zealand show-biz old timers - and letting the younger generation in New Zealand - and the rest of the world, know of how it was for us, then, 'down under' in Kiwi-land. Coming up - Al Horobin & Fiji. ------------------------------------- 19. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- 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 The 26th NZ Magician's Convention Thursday 27th to Monday 31st December 2001. The registration form and information is now available on the web go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention1.html ------------------------------------- 20. 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 ------------------------------------- 21. 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 << © Copyright 2001 Alan Watson