* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #252 Date: Sunday 25th April 2004 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com www.alan-watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================   1. Editor’s Message   2. Breaking Las Vegas Magic News   3. 100 Autographs Of Famous Magicians Signed On Playing Cards   4. Ali Bongo Is Home From Hospital   5. Florida State Convention May 28-29-30   6. Free Sneak Peek To Motivational Magic Training   7. Tour Of New Zealand Universities   8. The Footy Show - Phi Cass   9. Phil Cass Australia Keeps Em Laughing   10. The David Groves Lecture – Sydney   11. Wanted: Sword Basket Illusion   12. Illusion Genius Ben Robinson To Open For Hit Band   13. Abbott's Get-together, Aug 4,5,6,7.2004   14. Illusionist Lee Edwards Passed Away   15. Rey Ben 2004 Magic Tour (From Argentine)   16. Closing Of Al Cohen's Magic Shop   17. Magic Act Involving Food   18. The John McNicholas Magician's Round Table   19. Timothy Gorham, Son Of SAM National President Jay Gorham - Critically Ill   20. New Way To Melt A Fork - By Jamie-G   21. The Amazing Orchante Saga   22. e-zine Archives   23. Subscription Management ------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Spam Mail I am currently running a spam control program as I am receiving between 500 to 700 messages daily and 97% would be spam!! If you have tried writing to me and your messages are bouncing please put the word “Magic” in the subject line and then it will pass through my spam filters. ---------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Breaking Las Vegas Magic News ----------------- Message from David Neubauer (US) The World's Greatest Magic Show, currently starring Kevin James, Joseph Gabriel, Billy Fergeson, James Dimmare, The Majestix, Arden James and Jeff McBride will continue their run at the Sahara until May 20th. They will be dark for two days in preparation for their Grand Opening at their new home - the Greek Isle Hotel and Casino (next to the Convention Center) - on May 22nd! This intimate 450 seats theater (formerly the Debbie Reynolds theater) is a jewel box of a place with not a bad seat in the house. It's a much better space to see magic, and they have lots of great ideas for the new space - it will be a terrific show! ----------------- 3. 100 Autographs Of Famous Magicians Signed On Playing Cards ----------------- Message from Bill Seagraves (NZ) A number of years ago I purchased an Autograph book with over 100 autographs of famous magicians signed on playing cards. Most of the signatures were easy to read like . Dante, Goldin, Levante, John Ramsay etc. There were a few I could not decipher but one I could read was a certain Gloria Minoprio but no one could tell me anything about her. What a pleasant surprise to read the article by Michael Chandler (The Boldest Swinger in Town) in the Magic New Zealand e-zine. What an interesting article on someone who had an amazing lifestyle. ----------------- 4. Ali Bongo Is Home From Hospital ----------------- Message from Mandy Davis (UK) Ali Bongo is home from hospital after his heart operation. He had a bypass and a leaky valve replaced. He is doing fine. Rob Cox and I went to visit him on Friday afternoon as we were in the area and thought that, as he had only come home the day before, fifteen minutes would probably be enough so as not to tire him. We found him sitting in his living room resplendent in a Chinese embroidered dressing gown looking much better than he had done for a while. He had more colour in his face and was less drawn. As always he held court and suddenly an hour had passed! He said that the whole experience had been a fascinating one! I am sure it won't be long before he will be back in The Magic Circle club room; after all he tells me that he will only be sitting there as he would in his own home! ----------------- 5. Florida State Convention May 28-29-30 ----------------- Message from George Schindler (US) George Schindler and Nina have been added to the line-up of performers at the Florida State Convention May 28-29-30 In addition to their act, George will lecture, emcee and do close-up. A note added to his contract reads "we do not do windows." The performers booked to date include Mirko, Bob Little, Duane Laflin, Levent, Rachel Wild & Tom Jones, Magic Makers -Gerry & Leonora Frenette, Jay Scott Berry and Tommy Williams. (More to be announced) See www.floridamagic.org ----------------- 6. Free Sneak Peek To Motivational Magic Training ----------------- Message from Steve Hart (US) Free Sneak Peek to Motivational Magic Training You can have a free Sneak Peek to the magic2motivate On-Line (password protected) training area. This is the only training program of its kind created for magicians who want to understand the business and work as a 'Motivational Magician.' Motivational Magicians are some of the highest paid magicians, find out why? Announcement: magic2motivate will be holding a one day Live Workshop for those interested in using their magic in public speaking, training or sales. It will be held opening day of the I.B.M. convention at a near-by Residence Inn By Marriott-Downtown in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday, June 29th, from 1 to 5 p.m. For details visit www.magic2motivate.com/workshops.htm. Email me and ask for the free Password. steve@magic2motivate.com ----------------- 7. Tour Of New Zealand Universities ----------------- Message from Guy Cater (NZ) I recently completed a tour of New Zealand Universities performing my Hypnotism Shows as a part of their Orientation celebrations. This is an amazing couple of weeks when the first year students become familiar with their new surroundings and then promptly forget everything as most are not sober for more than a few hours over the length of the festivities. I performed two shows at Otago Uni in Dunedin, three shows at Canterbury Uni in Christchurch, two at Victoria Uni in Wellington and one at Massey Uni in Palmerston North and then four Tech Unis in Auckland. Each University Students Union runs their own Orientation (although you are booked by a combined committee) and it is made up of popular bands, comedians and the hypnotism show (I've done this tour for the past ten years)along with DJ Dance Parties and the ever popular Toga Party. I am constantly surprised however that there are never any magicians playing. If anyone is interested there is a great potential for someone to have a ball and earn nicely. You do need to have an act that is a little different and perhaps a more outrageous show than you would perform for your local church group.comedy would be an important element, remember you are playing to young adults many of whom are away from home for the first time and they are loud, excitable and looking for 'different' entertainment. The Chinese Rings and a Dice Box just won't make it! Every Uni has all the production taken care of . staging, lighting, sound and with competent operators. Some of the halls you play are large . for example . at Otago University I had one show of 2000 kids and the next was just over 2500. Here's a tip . any magic act with a Vampire Theme is bound to do well and forget the nice orchestrations you have . belt out some mindless, monotonous rap-type sounds and they will love you.(listen to what your kids are listening to and when you hear something you just can't stand . tape it and use it). True!! Another tip . your audience will seem like louts but most are fairly intelligent (they are at University after all) so don't treat them as you would the guys at the local Rugby Club!! Mind you it is frightening sometimes to look down from the stage and realise that the future leaders of our country are down there acting as badly as . well . politicians during Question and Answer time!! My Hypno shows are each two hours but you would probably only need a 60 minute act. You have time to prepare as the Orientation Committee (who decides which acts will play) don’t meet until late September early October. If anyone would like any further information can email me at guy@hypnotist.co.nz ----------------- 8. The Footy Show - Phil Cass ----------------- Message from Burns Scandett – DeLarno (NZ) Phi Cass was guest performer of "The Footy Show" (Channel 9, Sydney, Australia) screened on our Prime TV. ('Footy' refers to Rugby League) He used one of the hosts, Paul "Fatty" Vautin as a perfect foil with the McCombical deck, followed by a mental item, where Phil asked Paul to imagine going into a supermarket and selecting an imaginary item, with an imaginary price. Paul said that he had, the product being condoms, the price as $16. Phil removed his prediction, a large bar code and stated that it was for that product so the prediction was correct. Laughs, but no great reaction from the audience, until he removed a second prediction, printed on a large card indeed named the product and price. Phil is a regular performer on "The Footy Show", worth flicking channels to catch him. Last night, I (DeLarno) had the pleasure of watching live, the master of magic, Phil (Trust me) Cass entertain the diners in the Grand Banquet Hall on the 14th floor of the hotel Grand Chancello, Christchurch for over one hour. Phil quickly had the audience beguiled by his magic and comedy, aided by the lovely Phillipa, providing a lot of interaction with the audience. As an opener, he produced a massive metal urn from a very thin briefcase and proceeded to fill the urn with a never-ending supply of water from his Lota bowl. He moved with a comfortable pace, cutting a spectator's tie and then experiencing trouble to restore it. After many attempts, and a lot of comedy, he succeeded in a surprising manner which brought solid applause from the audience. The helper was invited to relax of a wooden folding chair, but kept leaping up, each time claiming that he received an electric shock. The audience loved it, and the spectator a perfect foil for Phil's wit. Phil borrowed a ladies ring, then a watch, accidentally smashing them, then having the mis-fortune of losing each to the frustration of the lady, before restoring them for the owner. He then performed a spectacular rope routine with some very clever 'moves' bringing further applause as he performed each segment. He produced a dove, then a large white duck, and performed so many other items, too numerous to mention, in his own inimitable style to the delight of the audience. He was a total success. After the performance I spent a most delightful and entertaining period backstage, along with Greg Britt, Sue and their son. I left at 2.15 a.m. very exhausted, the evening passing so very quickly. In the audience was Auckland magician, Sean Dougherty who thoroughly enjoyed himself. Sunday morning, Phil, Phillipa and I, returned the duck to it's rightful owner, then collected Sean, and had a most delightful lunch at a winery in the country, good company, good food and good wine. Phil, we hope to see you return in the not-too distant future. Good luck Cobber! ----------------- 9. Phil Cass Australia Keeps Em Laughing ----------------- Message from Greg Britt - Elgregoe Saturday 17th April, Miles of Smiles Dinner Show, Grand Chanceller Hotel Christchurch, New Zealand Charity, Ronald McDonald House. Hi its Elgregoe here and last Saturday I had the privilege of being booked as part of the above show. My Job was to perform table magic amongst the guests as a warm up to a guest appearance of Phil Cass (And assistant Phillipa) award winning act from Sydney. As I began working the tables the crowd were so responsive to the tricks and willing to play along I knew when Phil came on he would have the crowd with him all the way and I was right. Although I have seen Phil several times I always enjoy his comedy and watching the way he involves his audience, the crowd quickly settles down and remains completely focused for his entire performance, not an easy task with adults who have been partying for a few hours before you get on stage. Phil uses the title Phil Trust Me Cass as he disappears a volunteers $100 bill, cuts up a volunteers necktie, Breaks a watch, makes an expensive ring disappear, continues to give his assistant an electric shock on his chair and throws a flowing list of one liners at his audience. Just when you made up your mind this is the last guy you would trust a duck appears wearing the tie, the ring is retrieved from a gumball machine, the $100 bill appears in a most unsuspecting place, the watch is restored and the guy getting the shocks leaves the stage laughing. Phil held the audience in the palm of his hand performing strong magic and great comedy and from comments from people I knew in the audience Phil will be back. Chris Carrow (Of Carrot & Pickle) with great makeup and mime worked the crowd during the evening. I chatted to Phil and Phillipa for some hours after the event and left proud to have been part of an event that gave magic & magicians a huge amount of respect. I will look forward to seeing them perform again when attending the Australian Magicians Convention in June. (Go to www.MagicUnlimited.com for more details) Congratulations to Dwayne Franks (Comedian) and Karina his hard working assistant and wife who coordinated and compeered the event. You can catch Elgregoe every Friday night performing at the Christchurch Casino. ----------------- 10. The David Groves Lecture - Sydney ----------------- Message from Steve Walker (Aust) The Geniis Magical Society and IBM Ring 102 Sydney is proud to present The David Groves Lecture Monday May 10th commencing at 8-00PM At the Holroyd Community Centre, Lane St, Wentworthville .NSW Free to financial members of the Geniis and IBM Ring 102 All others $15 payable at the door Bio: David Groves In August, 1998, David burst onto the magic scene with his 8-page spread in Magic magazine titled, "Street Magic." That was the first public mention of his little-known lecture notes, Be a Street Magician. The article was so popular that David re-published the lecture notes in a gorgeous book format in December, 1998, titled, Be a Street Magician: A How-To Guide (Aha! Press, Santa Monica, CA, $40). David has been a full-time magician since 1990. He appears several times a year at the world-famous the Magic Castle in Hollywood. In addition, he has appeared regularly on Amtrak's Coast Starlight run (Los Angeles to Seattle), a gig consisting of four solid days of magic performance. In four years, he logged 65 four-day trips, until it ended in 1998. In the mid '90s, David performed for three years on the street, polishing the act that he eventually took to the Magic Castle. In 2003, he started his own weekly magic cabaret, Magic in the 'Burbs, for which he is cohost and weekly performer. David's current specialties are standup-comedy magic and close-up, although in the early '90s, he performed 200+ kids' birthday-party shows per year. Be a Street Magician The success of Be a Street Magician has been astounding. Over 350 were sold in lecture note format. Once it was published in book format, the rave reviews started pouring in: (PARA). Billy McComb: "This is now the definitive book on street magic. It is the beginning, the end, and everything in between." (PARA). Michael Close, Magic magazine: "Highly recommended.$40 is way too cheap for this (book)." Johnny Ace Palmer: "David has become the expert on all matters street. A world-class book." Jamy Ian Swiss, Genii magazine: "Armed with this guide, anyone intending to brave the streets will have learned about as much as conceivably possible in the way of advance preparation, short of the ultimate teacher, the actual doing itself." David Goodsell, MUM magazine: "Excellent.fluid, interesting, and informative.Everything is covered." Phil Willmarth, The Linking Ring magazine: "Worth every penny.Highly recommended." Gazzo: "Why the hell are giving all our secrets away?!" David's lecture David has delivered his lecture from Los Angeles to New York City, from San Francisco to Hong Kong. David's lecture uses his new book, Be a Street Magician, as a starting point. But the lecture's main feature is its diversity. David covers tricks from the street to the parlour, from close-up to stage, from kids' tricks to highly adult miracles. The Street Three street tricks 3-card monte: When you think street, you gotta think monte. David's 3-card monte routine is nongaffed and comprehensive. Knife through the Coat: This is a sleight-of-hand, nongaffed method. Flash $100: This flash production of a $100 bill is stunning and draws gasps. How to attract a crowd Where the street can take you Cards * Dirty Cards: When you borrow a deck of cards, you have a huge built-in advantage. David will explain what it is. * Signed Card Through Window: The classic David Blaine trick is the perfect trick to perform in a restaurant situation. * The Man with the Artistic Eyes: This is the trick that David is most proud of. It was influenced by Darwin Ortiz's "Dream Card," but makes a leap far beyond that. Mentalism * The Wishing Bottle: This is the most charming and memorable trick that one can perform in walkaround. It has heart. * The War & Peace Book Test: This is a magician fooler and a crowd pleaser, a book test performed with Tolstoy's classic tome. * Prediction in the Shoe: This billet routine has a grand finale with a burst of flame that fools the best of them. David has many other tricks in his lecture notes that he can perform, but time may not permit their performance. Some of tricks include: * Any Card Under Plate: This is a favorite at restaurants. * Ketchup Bottle: This version of the Vanishing Ketchup Bottle trick is for those audiences who know about the gimmick. It uses two real ketchup bottles, and in the end, you can tear the bag to pieces. * Sticky Coins: This routine utilizes magician's wax in an entirely different way. In its current form, the lecture lasts 2 to 21/2 hours. Afterwards, he sells an array of products-mostly manuscripts-based on what he has lectured on. For Lecture dates in other states check with your local Magical Society ----------------- 11. Wanted: Sword Basket Illusion ----------------- Message from Xavier Moody (Aust) I am on a mission to find a "wicker" style sword basket for an upcoming film that is being shot on the Gold Coast. If anyone has one that they would consider parting with 'I'd love to hear from you! xavierm@opusaustralia.com ----------------- 12. Illusion Genius Ben Robinson To Open For Hit Band ----------------- Message from Ben Robinson (US) Illusion Genius Ben Robinson To Open For Hit Band October Project April 30 & May 1 Special Guests include Julian Coryell and Dana Pomfret Illusion Genius Ben Robinson first came to national attention by producing a rabbit from his college mortar board in 1982. Since that time he has caught a bullet in his teeth at Niagara Falls and trekked to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest to entertain members of the American Everest Team. At 8pm Friday April 30 and Saturday May 1 the illusionist will open the LIVE AT THE LOFT concerts in So Ho before the acclaimed singing group October Project (formerly of Epic records with 3 million sold world wide) takes the stage. LIVE AT THE LOFT takes place at a private loft on Spring Street, between Mercer and Wooster, therefore street address is given to ticket buyers only. Robinson is known for his comedic style of magic including such odd feats as putting a knife in his arm, skewering his tongue and chopping his arm in three pieces, all without blood and gore! He will open each performance by presenting an illusion 15-years in the making. Friday night's guest is singer/songwriter/guitarist extraordinaire Julian Coryell, who first joined OP onstage 1995. The son of legendary jazz pioneer Larry Coryell, Julian will perform songs from his new album, "Rock Star," released on Aimee Mann's label, United Musicians, as well as his favorite ballad from FFI. Saturday night's guest is soulful songstress/guitarist Dana Pomfret, lauded by David Crosby as "one of the best singer/songwriters in America." Crosby & Nash appear on her last solo release, "Real Time," one of three original albums Dana has written, arranged and produced. She will appear with renowned jazz recording artist Francois Moutin on upright bass, and singer Deborah Newallo. For further information please go to: www.illusiongenius.com Tickets are $50 each and include a light dinner of hors d1oeuvres and a free wine bar. Seating is limited to 75 and tickets can be purchased through PAYPAL by going to the official October Project website: www.octoberproject.net. ----------------- 13. Abbott's Get-together, Aug 4,5,6,7.2004 ----------------- Message from Hank Moorehouse (US) 67th Abbott's Magic Get Together. Talent line-up. Wed. Aug 4th, Gordon Miller, Jason Reberski, Joe Diamond, Reed Sisters, Eli Portala and Jay Mattioli. Thurs. Aug 5th Terry Seabrooke, Sean Bogunia, Dale Hindman, Jason Latimer and John Bundy. Fri. Aug 6th, Gay Blackstone, Dan Sperry, Andrew Martin, Nels Cremean, Danny Cole, Jay Marshall and the Magic of Fairchild. Sat, Aug. 7th. Hank Moorehouse, Al Belmont, Michael Finney, From Germany Nils Bennett and Jorgos Katsaros. From Japan, Hikari Furiyama. All this plus Close Up, lectures, Contest with $1,100 cash prizes. Matinee, 2 Vent o Rama's and Magic Minister's Session. Abbott's Magic, Colon, MI. 269 432 3235. ----------------- 14. Illusionist Lee Edwards Passed Away ----------------- Message from Gary Frank (US) A bit of sad news in case you haven't been told as of this date. Illusionist Lee Edwards passed away on April 4, 2004. He wasn't at his best for the past several months and he passed away quietly in his sleep. ----------------- 15. Rey Ben 2004 Magic Tour (From Argentine) ----------------- Message from Rey Ben April 2004: * He starts his lecture tour giving his inventions lecture in Kitcherner - Canada * Then he takes part in the famous FFFF congress in Buffalo again * From FFFF directly to Magic Castle where he’ll perform to magicians and lay people during week April 27 - May 2 2002. * Finally he’ll give his inventions lecture in the Magic Castle. ----------------- 16. Closing Of Al Cohen's Magic Shop ----------------- Message from Maria Ibanez There was an article in the Washington Post this past April 22nd with regards to the closing of Al Cohen's Magic Shop. The shop actually closed on the 12th of April. Visitors were greeted by a sign on the door that says "Thank you, many times over for your friendship and support". The sign was attached to a broken wand. John Kelly was the columnist that wrote the article. ----------------- 17. Magic Act Involving Food ----------------- Message from Brenton Foale (Aust) Brenton Foale is putting together a magic act involving food, such as egg bag, juggling fruit, producing nest of tinned food from square circle, etc. If anyone has any ideas for loads, productions, any magic at all involving food, please email Brenton at the email address below. Also, Brenton is looking for help with an article he is trying to write for his club, "The Monash Young Magicians Club" for inclusion in their newsletters. The article is the DO'S AND DON'TS OF PERFORMANCES. This can include stage work, close up, back stage, cameras, lighting, etc. Anything to do with performing. (eg. "Don't whistle back stage" "Don't chew gum on stage", etc.) Guidelines, and a brief explanation why, are most welcome. Full credit of those who submit ideas will be given in the magazine. Anyone with articles, news, tricks they'd like to share, please send submissions to Brenton Aswell. Again, full credit will be given in his newsletters. Email Brenton at Monash_Young_Magicians_Club@hotmail.com ----------------- 18. The John McNicholas Magician's Round Table ----------------- Message from Eric Appel Proudly Presents on Wednesday May 12th, 2004 To help kick off our 51st year, we have the pleasure to announce that he has agreed to come and spend a night with his friends at JMMRT and share with us some of the many things that make this gentleman such a great treasure to the magic community. Come spend an intimate evening with a legend in this JMMRT EXCLUSIVE. "An Evening with Herb Zarrow" That’s right, Herb has graciously agreed to help send us off on another fifty years and share with our members some of his precious gems of wisdom. This is a FREE night to our members, but we will be charging $20 admission for guests, so take advantage of this great opportunity and come see the master at work. And on Wednesday May 19th, 2004 Joe Mogar will be bringing us his wonderful magic and props for us to see , learn and acquire. Joe has been written up in the Linking Ring as well as other magic periodicals as having the best thimble magic around, and his knives need no introduction to those in the know. You just can’t find better anywhere. These are two evenings you will NOT want to miss. Doors open @ 7pm. Lectures starts @ 8pm. Cost is $10 for members, and $15 for non-members VFW Hall is @ 20 Pennsylvania RR Ave, Linden, N.J. (two blocks from the Linden RR Station) ----------------- 19. Timothy Gorham, Son Of SAM National President Jay Gorham - Critically Ill ----------------- Message from Maria Ibanez Timothy Gorham, son of S.A.M. National President Jay Gorham, is fighting for his life in a hospital in Baltimore. He was incoherent and disoriented so he was taken to the VA hospital. The doctors suspected either an aneurysm or a tumor and were to operate this past Monday morning. On Sunday morning the medical team informed the Gorhams that there was bleeding in the brain and they were going to have to operate immediately. The bleeding was stopped, however, in checking the pupils they discovered that one pupil was very dilated, as a consequence of this, they performed a cat scan and discovered a blood clot. Timothy never regained consciousness and is now in a coma. The outlook is not too promising. My family and I send our best wishes and prayers to Jay, Pat and the rest of the family and we will pray for a recovery for Tim. Jay is in touch with me almost daily so feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Of course, all messages sent to me will be printed and sent to the Gorham family. ----------------- 20. The Silver Penny - By Jamie-G ----------------- Message from Jamie-G (Canada) Effect: The magician takes a normal penny from a spectator and the magician makes a magical wave over his hand and turns a copper penny into a magic silver one. Then the magician turns the penny back to normal again then gives the penny back. Props: Silver foil and a normal penny plus an extra penny for the change of the gimmick one. Set-Up: First you must totally cover the one penny with the silver foil by rubbing the foil with some thing the foil will bond with the penny and when you’re done the coin will look like a silver one. Note: You can also use the gold foil and put it on a silver dollar and get this same effect. Or you can change a silver dollar into a gold dollar and if you ask me that’s pretty cool. Children are used to seeing penny’s and when they see you change one silver they just are in shock and don't no what to say. Method: You must take your time when you cover the penny with the foil make it nice and neat this is the trick when you are working with this special foil. I hold the gimmick penny in the right hand in a thumb pinch with the normal penny in the left hand. Method #2: This is the easier way to make the coin exchange. The gimmick penny is in the left hand hidden under the last two fingers. In your left hand with the two top fingers and thumb holds the normal penny. You show the normal penny and then you take the normal penny with your right hand still showing it like the coin is on display. (While the left two bottom fingers hide and palm the gimmick penny.) Now you are going to make it look like you are going to put the penny in from your right hand to your left but this time the normal penny goes into the right hand in a thumb pinch and your left hand will open releasing the gimmick coin. Bring your to hand up to your mouth and make it look like your blowing heat into your hand. Open your hand to show that the coin is now silver. To change the coin back reverse this method and do it again. Or just do the coin exchange the way you know best. www.windsormagiccircle.homestead.com (I.B.M. ring 116) ----------------- 21. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 19 During the 70s, the majority of my work was in hotels. The show was in three segments, the first being ‘MAGIC’ - pure sleight of hand - the second was the ‘FAKIR’ act, which consisted in sequence of ‘Fire Eating’ – ‘Sword Swallowing’ – ‘Beds of Nails’, and the famed ‘PSYCHIC SURGERY’. The third segment was the ‘MIME’ act, which by that time, was a far cry from the innocent 1960/61 Mount. Maunganui Sound Shell days. It had been ‘Spiced-Up’ and tended to be just a little naughty! The Fakir act always got fantastic response, but it was the Mime act, which ‘blew’ the audiences away! Mind you, the Pub crowd was pretty well ‘liquored up’ by the third segment, so a ‘slightly’ naughty mime act was just what the crowd was ready for. I should mention for non New Zealanders, that Lounge Bars in New Zealand hotels, are large - most that we performed in held at least 500 people, some, 1000 or more. Another thing, most people thought that the ‘Fakir’ and the ‘Mime’ artist were two different people! I guess the outfits had a lot to do with it; as ‘The Fakir’, I was dressed in a royal blue turban and matching Ali Baba style pantaloons, silver cummerbund and again, matching curly toed silver slippers. 4” wide copper armbands, and, as most genies are depicted - I was bare-chested - which finished the ‘LOOK’. Years later, while performing in Mexico, I had armbands custom-made in copper and silver -expensive, but beautiful. When you have spent years developing a ‘class’ act, everything must spell ‘Quality’. ‘Shoddy’ is not acceptable on the World Stage scene. As the ‘Mime artist’, I was dressed in a very slick, ‘Shimmery’ Suit. ‘TOMMY’S MILLION DOLLAR SUIT’ is how my dear friend, TREVOR KING always described it. Trevor is, in Show Biz’ Circles around the world - a much loved New Zealander, he was Tour Manager for just about every major imported International show to come to New Zealand ’s shores - from the Beatles, to the Vienna Boys Choir. I’ve done it again, haven’t I - ‘Time-Tunnelled’ into the future. I’ ll throw the lever into reverse, and will meet you back in the past. Page 20 The Early Sixties 1960 – the first six months – I’m sixteen (666 - Oh You Devil, You) and on a steep learning curve. Trying to swallow a sword, practising sleight of hand, ventriloquism, and miming, sneaking into the shed to practice – without instructions - fire-eating (using the 2-stroke lawnmower fuel mix – yuck!) Hypnotising anybody I could lay my hands – or eyes on – (including myself – preparation for the bed of nails, among other things) and reading anything to do with magic, hypnotism, psychology and yoga techniques. ‘The New Zealand Society of Magicians’ club in Auckland; it’s the first time I’ve met a group of other magicians up to then, I’ve been a self-taught ‘lone wolf’ non-conformist and a law unto myself. I felt rather out of place for a while - everybody’s magical knowledge was far more advanced than mine. Having being brought up in ‘the back of beyond’ (Raupunga), I just didn’t know about, or have access to, the huge range of Magic literature, dealers, or the lectures available to the ‘city boys’. If I were just starting out, I would procure everything that the late DAI VERNON has ever written, said, or had filmed! Applying his teachings with the same diligence as you would a University degree, you WILL BE a ‘master magician’ – not just someone who does tricks and puzzles! JOE BROWN’S NATIONWIDE SEARCH FOR STARS – TALENT QUEST - £1000 FIRST PRIZE – I didn’t win, a singer, Joe Nathan, did; singers always do. I’ve never heard of a magician/novelty act winning a major talent quest – promoters love them, as they add variety and interest to an otherwise boring programme! If eventually you decide to become a full time professional, more than likely you will have the personal satisfaction, years later, to still be performing when most of the ‘flash in the pan’, so-called ‘singing stars’ have long gone (digging a ditch somewhere) and you will have earned a damn sight more than a £1000! (N.Z $3000). Phew! I have have been wanting to say that for years! My pal Sal, in Las Vegas, could get me five times that for a five-minute stint on Television - anywhere in the world - all expenses paid! Shame I couldn’t make that sort of money EVERY five minutes –that would take a miracle – not magic! After the Talent Quest finished, the Joe Brown organisation picked the ‘best’ and put a show on the road – the ‘SEARCH FOR STARS GRAND NEW ZEALAND TOUR’. It ran from July 5th to August 9th 1960. From Invercargill to Whangarei, to packed -out houses. (The promoters must have made a small fortune). It was a punishing schedule, but what an experience; - finding out how things should be done, discovering WHAT NOT TO DO – ON AND OFF STAGE! Theatre craft – stage deportment – entrances and exits –how to speak, not just to the people in the front rows, but also those in the back, and up in the circles. So much to learn – I came home a much wiser person. For young magicians out there, who may be reading this – performing your magic well is not enough. In my library of magic books, I have two about Stagecraft. There is a trilogy written by Dariel Fitzkee; - the first is ‘SHOWMANSHIP FOR MAGICIANS’. Although published in 1943, the principles and conventions there in are as true today as they were then. The other is; - ‘MAGIC AND SHOWMANSHIP – a Handbook for Conjurors’, published 1969 by Henning Nelms. Read these, put their principles into practice, and your magic (or any other type of entertainment) will benefit enormously. When the Search for Stars tour finished, I was left high and dry, so for the remaining 4 months of 1960, I got a job at the local newspaper in Papakura (doing Weddings, 21sts, etc, just wasn’t enough to live on), but I sure gained valuable knowledge about advertising, layouts, and publicity. Also met the diminutive ‘Rookie ’ news reporter, Wendy Munro - she was very attractive and the size of a ‘Pixie’ - weighed practically nothing. The reason I mention Wendy, is because a few months later, in 1961, I started doing the bed of nails, and came up with the ‘great idea’ of having a razor-sharp blade set into a vice, and placed under my neck while laying on the nails! Wendy would walk sideways up my body, until she was standing right on my throat. Because she weighed so little, I could still breathe. Very dangerous though, the slightest movement of my head or neck and…! Works on the same principle as walking up the - ‘Walking Up A ladder of swords’; keep your feet flat – AND DON ’T SLIDE! The slightest infinitesimal movement sideways, and it’s - ‘HELLO, HOPPY’! ------------------ 22. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives ------------------ Back issues of the Magic New Zealand 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: magic Password: kiwi When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. 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