* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #448 Date: Sunday 24th September 2006 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. Le Grand David Spectacular Magic Company 3. 10th Annual Superday Weekend Of Magic - Sydney, Australia 4. A Dice Stacking Retrospective, Part 20 5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 28 - Nick Lewin 6. Las Vegas Magic - October, 2006 7. Houdini Returns?.... 8. Steps To Your Success: Successful Minded Thinking - 3 9. Australian Centenary Convention July 2007 10. S.A.M. Convention Dallas 11. Genny The Genie 12. Visiting Noosa QLD Early October 13. Sam Powers Nominated For Entertainer Of The Year 14. Cath Jamison & Glenn Hamilton - The Royal Melbourne Show 15. Amazing Shows In Christchurch New Zealand 16. 28th New Zealand International Magicians Convention 17. The Amazing Orchante Saga 18. e-zine Archives 19. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Last week a large number of AOL subscribers didn't receive their last copy of Magic New Zealand due to AOL blocking their e-mail! This has now been rectified. Last weeks issue of the Magic New Zealand e-zine can be viewed at the web achieves - go to: www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: magic Password: kiwi -------------------------- Congratulations to Trixie Bond and Mark Axford who have just flown into New Zealand to be married on Tuesday 26th September in Nelson. ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Le Grand David Spectacular Magic Company -------------------------------------------- Message from Henry Lewis (UK) MIMC, SAM, Curator Emeritus The Magic Circle. Did you know that the Le Grand David Spectacular Magic Company in Berverly, Massachusetts is now in its 31st consecutive year, performing two completely different shows at their Larcom and Cabot Street theatres? The founder of this magnificent magic company, Cesareo Pelaez MIMC, is known throughout the world both to magicians and the public alike for his one-of-a-kind, opulent productions of classic stage magic in these wonderfully restored theatres. Adding to a long list of honours and awards, Cesareo is now serving as a consultant to the Boston Ballet, working with them to incorporate magic into their forthcoming, holiday production of The Nutcracker. In June this year Cesareo was recognised as 'Distinguished Citizen of The Year' by the Beverly chapter of Rotary International. Any visitor to the Boston area that misses these fantastic productions in Beverly will have missed in my opinion the most wonderful experience of magic, music and colour they will ever see. Personally, it's with great happiness that I mention an invitation extended to me by Cesareo to do a twelve-minute spot in the regular public shows of 'Le Grand David' at the Larcom Theatre on the 1st November and at the Cabot Street Theatre four days later. I am very honoured to accept this invitation. -------------------------------------------- 3. 10th Annual Superday Weekend Of Magic - Sydney, Australia -------------------------------------------- Message from Sean Taylor. (Aust) Sat 14th and Sun 15th October 2006 - Sydney Australia Just 3 weeks to go now to the 10th Annual Superday Weekend of Magic - Australia's only annual magic convention. Our Guest Artists David Williamson, Barry Mitchell and Nicolas Einhorn are all making their first appearances in Australia and we are delighted they are able to join us. A packed weekend in store with 4 shows, 3 lectures, 3 workshops, demonstrations and more magic than you could poke a stick at. If you have not yet booked for the weekend we've got plenty of space for you and have just released another block of good seats for the evening show (more details below). You can register at our website www.taylorsmagicshop.com INTERNATIONAL STARS OF MAGIC - Gala show - Our biggest show ever in a spectacular 800 seat venue. 7.30pm Saturday 14th October Chatswood Civic Centre - Victoria Avenue. Starring The World's Skinniest Magician, Super Hubert, For the first time at any magic convention, The Artistic Magic of Brad Wightman, A very special full performance of Magic To The Max starring superstar illusionist Brendan Montanner, The Madcap Magic of David Williamson, Sleight Of Hand Expert Nicholas Einhorn, Direct from the USA, Barry Mitchell all MC'd by Sean Taylor. Tickets just $30 from www.taylorsmagicshop.com -------------------------------------------- 4. A Dice Stacking Retrospective, Part 20 -------------------------------------------- Message from Tony L. Lewis (US) About my first attempt to get a gig at the Magic Castle #20 in the dice stacking series. At the end of the prior article in this series I described how I was given an audition for the Magic Castle. Before I go on to describe what happened at my tryout, I would like to take a few moments to describe where I stand in the world of magic. During my sixty plus years of following the mystic art, my standing would best be described as semi-professional with the emphasis on "semi." For the most part I get about eight to ten paid gigs a year in addition to several pro bono engagements. I generally perform for small audiences. Most of my appearances are at social gatherings such as parties. Over the years I have developed a children's show as well as one for adults. I prefer doing close-up magic, but am also comfortable doing a stand up show. I have made several good friends in the magic community. One of these is Palmer Tilden, AKA The Wizard. Palmer is the former CEO and owner of Sterling Magic, the coin magic company. Today he works full time designing data bases for computers, mostly MACs. He still owns a small mail order magic company, Palmer Magic. If you take the time to look at WWW.Palmermagic.com, you will find some very nice close-up magic created by such notables as Slydini, Michael Ammar, and Paul Harris. I highly recommend Palmer Magic's "Omni Deck," an ambitious card routine where the deck is transformed into a solid block of plastic for the finale. This occurs in the spectator's hand! Palmer was one of Slydini's favorite proteges. One time when Slydini was in California, Palmer invited me to accompany him and the maestro to a local magic club meeting where Slydini was the featured performer. After the meeting I performed the dice stack for Slydini. When I finished, Slydini said that he had enjoyed my performance. He also commented that I seemed a little nervous. What an understatement! Who wouldn't be nervous doing close-up magic for one of the greatest close-up performers of all times?! I brought along with me my treasured edition of "The World of Slydini." After I performed for him, Slydini was kind enough to write a very warm personal inscription in the first volume of the two book publication. I was introduced to Palmer by Steve Dusheck. When Steve created a new effect with coins that required some expert machining, he invariably had the job done by the capable coin cutters who worked for Sterling Magic. Sterling Magic had started out as a manufacturer of coin jewelry. When the popularity of that line of products faded, Palmer switched over to coin magic. Palmer and I have always had a friendly rivalry that has resulted in some small side bets on various matter relating to magic. When I told Palmer that I thought that I could bring my act up to the standards of The Magic Castle, he emphatically told me that I was dreaming. This resulted in our making a small wager as to whether or not I could pull it off. This was an additional strong incentive for my making the grade. I had recently won another bet with Palmer so he was eager to even things up. I was just as anxious to make the score two to nothing. Who won The Castle bet? I will disclose all in the next article. Regards, Tony L. Lewis Tonylew1@SBCglobal.net -------------------------------------------- 5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 28 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) An evening of being fooled by Slydini. The closest thing I have ever seen to perfection in magic was sitting next to Slydini and watching him perform his unbelievable sleight of hand. I was about eighteen years old and had absolutely no idea who Tony Slydini was other than he had inventED the 'paper balls over head' and that was enough to capture my interest right there! As was the case in so much of my early years in magic it was Ken Brooke who introduced me to this milestone in magic. "Nicky" he said, " I've got a little teaching session going on next Wednesday night. It will cost you twenty quid but you will never regret it." I immediately agreed and started to quiz him about what it was all about. When he answered, "Slydini is in town." I nodded like I knew what he was talking about. The next Wednesday evening I was sitting in Ken's studio on Wardour Street. Ken had put together a couple of card tables and arranged chairs around them. Gradually the other participants arrived for the teaching session and took their places around the table; to my delight I was seated next to Pat Page. Eventually the great man arrived and the evening began and what an evening it turned out to be. While it was nominally a teaching experience I have never been so badly fooled in my life. I will merely say, Slydini was, and still is, the greatest single close up performer I've ever seen. At the very end of the session he said, "Try it one more time." As he slid a stack of coins across the table to me I reached for the coins and discovered they were not there. Once again I had been fooled by the best. Now, if you weren't lucky enough to have seen Slydini perform there isn't much I can say about him that can give you a taste of what he did. The amazing thing about Tony Slydini was that almost everything he did revolved around the art of lapping. The phenomenal fact is that you never realized it when he performed. Why? The answer is simple Tony had a larger than life personality, with a style and delivery that was so perfectly integrated that the performer and the performed became one. Very Zen. The very strength of Slydini's work was what made it so difficult to emulate. The large, expressive movements that seemed so natural when Tony made them only looked natural when he performed them. There was plenty to learn about timing, misdirection and other skills, however the real lesson was about creating a performing persona that allowed you to conceal the hidden with the obvious. Years later when I saw Dai Vernon perform I immediately spotted why his work had inspired and influenced so many magicians. With Dai the magic had a life of its own. The moves didn't need to be covered since they were embedded in the fabric of the trick itself. I guess that is why he was the professor and the rest of us students! But.to this day I have never experienced such visceral magic as I watched that night in Ken's studio. Please send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------- 6. Las Vegas Magic - October, 2006 -------------------------------------------- Compiled by David Neubauer (www.dnmagic.com) Production Shows: Amazing Johnathan 10 pm, (Dark Thurs.), Sahara. http://www.saharavegas.com/shows/amazingjohnathon.html Beacher's Madhouse Tyas Frantz, Chris Karpiak & Seth Grabel - 10 pm - Hard Rock. Check www.beachersmadhouse.com for dates. Bite (Vampire Strip Revue) Antonio Restivo 10:30 pm (dark Thurs.) Stratosphere www.bitelasvegas.com David Copperfield 7:30 & 10 pm, 4:30 Sat. & some Sun. MGM Grand. Nov 9-29, Dec 21-31: http://mgm.admission.com/cgi/guide.cgi?l=EN Gerry McCambridge - The Mentalist Stardust Theater Mon-Sat, 9:00 pm The Stardust will close forever on November 1st. http://www.stardustlv.com/site/entertainment/ Haunted Vegas Tour & Show Robert Allen, Jac Hayden & Zamora - Greek Isle. 9:00 pm tour and show (Dark Fri.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponhauntedvegas.html Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas 2 & 4 pm, Stardust. (Dark Wed.) http://www.stardustlv.com/site/entertainment/index.cfm?Page=Artist&ArtistID=27 Jason Bird The Shops in Desert Passage - Aladdin. Main stage, near the "V" Theater, Thursday - Monday Various times from 1:15 pm. - 8:15 pm. - Free. La Femme Stephan Vanel 8 & 10:30 pm, (Dark Tues.), MGM Grand. http://www.mgmgrand.com/pages_html/entertainment_lafemme_lafemme.asp Lance Burton, Master Magician 7 pm Tues-Sat & 10 pm Tues. & Sat. Monte Carlo. http://www.montecarlo.com/entertainment/lance.aspx Mac King Comedy Magic Show 1 & 3 pm, (Dark Sun. & Mon.) Harrah's Clint Holmes Theater. www.mackingshow.com Nathan Burton Comedy Magic Show 2 pm, (Dark Fri. & Sun.) V Theater in the Desert Passage - Aladdin. Penn & Teller 9 pm, (Dark Tues.), Rio. http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/rlv/entertainment/entertainment_detail_00.html The Ultimate Variety Showcase 8 pm - Midnight every Tuesday. Free. A different live show every week. Check the website for performance details. http://www.samstownlv.com/entertainment/event.cfm?EventID=332 Roxy's Live - Sam's Town V, The Ultimate Variety Show Jeff Hobson, Nathan & Sarah - www.vtheshow.com 7 & 9 pm, Aladdin. 2 for 1 coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponvshow.html World's Greatest Magic Show Kevin James, Kozak and guest stars. Billy Fergueson (pre-show). 6 pm Sat. - Thurs., 8:15 Fri., Greek Isle. www.greatestmagicshow.com Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur Tiffany Theatre, Tropicana 2 and 4 pm. (Dark Fri.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/Coupontropicana_dirk.html Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show Sat @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230. Restaurants: Eric Allan Outback Steakhouse (Green Valley), Fri. & Sat. Jayden LaCross TGI Fridays, Wed. & Sun. Las Vegas Magic Organizations I.B.M. #257: 7 pm 1st Monday of each month. www.ring257.com Darwin's Magic Club meets every Wednesday. Both meet at: Boomers, 3200 Sirius Ave. September, 2006 September 24-30: Losander, Mike Micheals, Shimshi. World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. October, 2006 October 1-2: Second Annual Las Vegas Paranormal Conference, Palace Station. www.TLVPC.com October 1-14: Losander, Mike Micheals, Shimshi. World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. October 5-8: Mickey's Magic Show - Orleans October 15-31: Losander, Mike Micheals, Roy Shank. World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. October 25-28: Magic & Meaning Conference; MAGIC AND THE ART OF STORYTELLING, McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, George Parker, Special Guest: Robert Neale. www.magicalwisdom.com October 27: Jeff McBride - Witches & Wizards Ball. NOVEMBER, 2006 November 1-5: Losander, Roy Shank, Shimshi. World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. November 2-5: Magic for the Medical Professional. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Special Guest: Jay Ungar, author of "Bringing Magic to Life." www.magicalwisdom.com November 5-7: MINDVENTION 2006 - Palace Station Casino www.MindVention.com John Riggs, Christopher Carter, Francis Menotti, Greg Arce, Docc Hilford, Dennis Laub, Rick Maue, Anton Zelman, Robert Allen, Danny Archer. November 6-26: Losander, Roy Shank, Mike Micheals. World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. November 8-10: Master Class for Mentalists. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Special Guest: Ross Johnson. www.magicalwisdom. November 9-29: David Copperfield, MGM Grand. November 27-30: Mike Micheals, Roy Shank, Shimshi. World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. December, 2006 December 1-17: Mike Michaels, Roy Shank, Shimshi. World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. December 12-25: Holiday show added (7 pm). Xtreme Magic, Tropicana. December 18-31: Mike Micheals, Roy Shank, Shimshi, Losander. World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. December 21-31: David Copperfield, MGM Grand. January, 2007 January 26-28: Master Class. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.magicalwisdom.com February, 2007 February 18-21: The World Magic Seminar - 30th Anniversary Blowout. Orleans Hotel. www.worldmagicseminar.com February 23-25: Master Class. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.magicalwisdom.com March, 2007 March 20-22: Worker's Mid-Week Master Class. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.magicalwisdom.com April, 2007 April 23-29: Extended Master Class. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.magicalwisdom.com June, 2007 June 10-12: The Las Vegas Magic Invitational - Palace Station www.LVMI.net July, 2007 July 16-22: Extended Master Class. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.magicalwisdom.com August, 2007 August 16-22: Extended Master Class. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.magicalwisdom.com August 19-22: MAGIC Live! - The Orleans. www.magicmagazine.com September, 2007 September 14-16: Master Class. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.magicalwisdom.com October, 2007 October 23-26: Magic & Meaning Conference; MAGIC AND THE ART OF STORYTELLING, McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, George Parker, Special Guest: Robert Neale. www.magicalwisdom.com -------------------------------------------- 7. Houdini Returns?.... -------------------------------------------- Message from Maria Ibáńez Society of American Magicians National President Elect Greetings That is the title of the poster attached to the email from James Nelson who is a volunteer at The American Museum of Magic in Marshall, Michigan. They are planning some very special events during the weekend of October 28th to correspond with National Magic Week. Mr. Nelson will be sending us photos and publicity received and has already sent me a copy of the poster they are using for inclusion in the 2006 National Magic Week CD. Here is some of what is being planned: Jim Fitzsimmons of Michigan will do an upside down straight jacket escape in the middle of the main street suspended from the city firetruck aerial ladder. Danielle Nelson and Josh Knotts both of West Virginia will do some escapes and the metamorphosis Nate the Great of Indiana will be doing street magic in front of the museum Inside the museum tours will be conducted and close up magicians entertaining throughout. If you are interested in more details, James asks that you feel free to contact him at maginel@yahoo.com or visit the museum webpage at americanmuseumofmagic.org. Until next time, keep a dream in the making. -------------------------------------------- 8. Steps To Your Success: Taking Action - 3 -------------------------------------------- Message from Kyle Peron (US) E-Mail: Magic4u02@aol.com Active vs. Passive Marketing - 3 A lot of folks think of marketing for their shows only through the process of word of mouth advertising. Word of mouth is certainly something you want to have working for you and it is an essential part of seeking success. However most folks stop there when it comes to their own marketing endeavors. Now it is great that you may be getting the work and that the gigs you have gets you word of mouth. However, there is so much more that you could be doing to make things work more effectively for you and even get you more work or even to climb up to a different and better paying market should you decide to do so. The great part about effective marketing is that the principles cost you nothing and you really can apply them without breaking your budget. In a lot of ways it is just a change in your overall way of thinking from a passive form that many take, to a more active form where you are going out there and actively taking part in the sales process and actively involved in not just being the magic product to your client, but getting them to see you as a solutions provider for them. You are the one they go to, to have their problems solved. As soon as you change your way of thinking (from perhaps a passive form to an active one), your perceived value to your clients change and this is a very powerful tool that can mean the client coming back to you year after year because to them you are worth more then any other magician they could hire. They do not care so much about your price or fee because they now know your worth to them. So how do you get your prospects to notice you more effectively? How do you change your marketing approach from a passive form to a more active style? Good question and I would like to dive a bit further into it if I can. The first step is realizing there is a difference between a passive form of marketing and an active one. In the passive approach, a marketer might do things such as hand out a business card, post up a flyer or place an ad in a magazine or newspaper. Now there is nothing wrong with doing any of these and a good marketer is one who will realize that a healthy combination of both active and passive can yield great results. One thing to point out here is that posting a flyer or cards at any place is a very "passive" form of marketing. This is fine to do, but it means that you place something (ad, card, and flyer) in the hopes that others will act upon it and take initiative to contact you. You lose control after the initial posting of the ad or handing out of the flyer. Your intentions are that a prospect will react positively to your ad etc. and then take action to seek you out. Passive forms of marketing can be done successfully and should be used. However I find that "active" forms of marketing get me much better results and a bigger return on my investment of money and time. In an active style, the marketer is always in control of the sales process. Instead of waiting for people to call, he or she goes out there and makes the calls and gets people to know who he or she is and the services they can provide. They take an active role in their marketing and getting the shows THEY want. They are always in control of the sales process every step of the way. An analogy here would be a person going to a civic luncheon to network. - A passive marketer would network, talk to folks and offer or give a business card to someone or as many as he or she can. They might even place an ad in the program or post a flyer at a table. They then go home and hope the person acts upon this action that they took. - An active marketer is one who goes to the same meeting and also passes out a card to someone. However, they in return ask for a card back. This immediately puts them back in direct control of the sales process. An active marketer might even have a raffle to raffle off their free product to someone or something of value. This active marketer now can enter the data they receive from the business cards or the raffle forms into a database. They then would send the person an e-mail or letter thanking them for their time in talking with them at the event and offering to send them additional information. This is only one small example, but I hope it shows the difference between the two ways of thinking. Passive and active forms of marketing are very different in their approach. Many do know about only passive forms as passive forms are the easiest and most common to do. There is nothing wrong with passive marketing. However, it is my intention to let people know that there exists an even powerful form called active style marketing. Use this active approach in your marketing and your thinking. There is great power in active style marketing because you take a much greater control and responsibility over the control of the sales process. You are much more in control of your business and its success. It is a way of thinking that takes some time to get used to. But like any good habit, the more you do it, the better you get at it and soon you are doing it naturally. It is sometimes hard to think in active terms. I know it took me a while to remember to ask for business cards from people or to think of active forms when I am doing my theater shows or public performances. It takes time, but you can achieve a greater control over your marketing that you may not have had before. So use a combination of both passive and active forms of marketing and use them to your best advantage. This gives you more control over your own success that you are seeking. Kyle Peron Magician and Illusionist Graphic Designer and Illustrator (Specializing in Logo creation) www.kyleandkellymagic.com -------------------------------------------- 9. Australian Centenary Convention July 2007 -------------------------------------------- Message from Charles Gauci (Aust) Australian Centenary Convention July 2007 The ASM Centenary Convention will be held in Melbourne beginning Sat 7th through to Monday 9th July 2007. This will be the biggest convention ever to be held in southern hemisphere. Every club in Australia and New Zealand is being invited to participate. International guests are currently being contracted to perform at our public show, lecture and perform close-up. This is a historic occasion for Australian magic and Brian McCullagh has been commissioned to write a limited edition of "History of Australian Magic" which will be included in each convention kit. The entire convention will be held in a centre that contains a modern theatre with tiered seating and a large stage which is ideally suited for performing illusions. There will be Stage and Close-up competitions and the winner of each competition will be declared "Australian Centenary Convention Champion Magician 2007" for each category. This will be a very prestigious addition to any magician's CV. "We look forward to welcoming delegates, competitors and performers, from all over the world. Full details and registration forms will be available on our website beginning 1st July, at http://www.magicians.org.au Initial inquiries can be made to: Charles Gauci ASM President E-mail. Charlesg37@hotmail.com Phone Int. +61 3 9431 2900 -------------------------------------------- 10. Genny The Genie -------------------------------------------- Message from Leroy Goodenough (US) On August 9th Genny the Genie as "Miss Te Fi Yeng" won the yearly IMB/SAM interclub standup competition in the adult division (She's 14). She won the Golden Wizards award and a hundred dollar gift certificate from Murphays Magic Supply. She also appeared on Sacramento's KPIX TV channel 10, and just was honored by being placed on Jeff McBrides winners circle. On July 30th she won top spot in the Marin County Fair Jr. Magic competition. -------------------------------------------- 11. Visiting Noosa QLD Early October -------------------------------------------- Message from Garry Davis (Aust) I am going for a holiday in Noosa QLD (early October) can you tell me if there are any magicians on the Sunshine Coast. I live in a small country Town in NSW (Forbes) and rarely get the opportunity to meet or see other magicians. daviscc@westserv.net.au -------------------------------------------- 12. Sam Powers Nominated For Entertainer Of The Year -------------------------------------------- Message from Kellee Cruse (Aust) Sam Powers has been nominated for Entertainer of the Year in the Site Act category at the 9th Annual ACE Awards. With the many entertainment categories Sam is in great company, with the likes of Eskimo Joe, Thirsty Mirc and the Wiggles. Specifically in Powers category the "Sight Act" Powers is up against four other top Australian Performers. The winner will be revealed at a Black-tie dinner at Sydney's Starlight Auditorium on Wednesday 25th October. For more info on Sam Powers visit www.sampowers.com.au -------------------------------------------- 13. Cath Jamison & Glenn Hamilton - The Royal Melbourne Show -------------------------------------------- Message from Cath Jamison (Aust) Cath Jamison & Glenn Hamilton will be performing 3 exciting magic shows including Rocky the mind reading ferret. Royal Melbourne Show Melbourne.Australia 27th Oct. 2- 5pm -------------------------------------------- 14. Amazing Shows In Christchurch New Zealand -------------------------------------------- Message from Greg Britt (NZ) Those Amazing Animals! Elgregoe & Nickleby the Magicians bring there most popular show Those Amazing Animals to The Hub Hornby. 14 free shows starting Sunday 24th to Saturday 30th September. Shows 11.30 & 1pm. Exotic birds include Zazu the Great Macaw and there's chinchillas, a rabbit, and of course the traditional doves also Ollie the 6 foot Ostrich Puppet makes a guest appearance. International Stars Of Magic International Magicians Duane and Mary Laflin from Troy, USA and Elgregoe & Nickleby (Greg & Nick Britt) of Christchurch combine for 14 free shows at the South City Centre, Christchurch Central s tarting Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th October with shows daily at 11.30am & 1.30pm. The Laflins well known for their many guest appearances at Magic conventions around the world and busy schedule of shows in the USA perform one of the best Silk acts you will see and with Elgregoes & Nickleby's fast paced and amazing illusions this show will be simply magic! The Laflins will also have the following appearances while in New Zealand: Spreydon Baptist Church, Lyttleton St Christchurch. Sunday 1st October at both the 9am and 11am Family Services. Duane presents Escaping Illusion & Finding Truth. The 28th New Zealand International Magicians Convention in Palmerston North -------------------------------------------- 15. 28th New Zealand International Magicians Convention -------------------------------------------- Hosted by Palmerston North Magic Circle (Inc) Palmerston North, New Zealand. 20th to 23rd October 2006 For the registration html form to print off Go to: http://www.joel.co.nz/convention/reg_form.htm Information on the convention Go to: http://www.watson.co.nz/convention.html The Schedule of events Go to: http://www.joel.co.nz/convention/timetable.htm Convention headliners: David Williamson (USA) Lisa Menna (USA) Duane and Mary Laflin (USA) Joel Howlett (Aus) Alan Martell (UK) If you are planning to attend and have not booked - BOOK NOW - as seats are NOW VERY limited. ----------------- 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 121 Trevor King - Q S M - 'The Amazing Mr Rooklyn' & various other hypnotists Trevor did two New Zealand tours with 'Dormia'. She drew good crowds. The first half of the show featured CHRISTINE - 'The Lady with the Million Dollar Mind! She worked with her husband Jimmy Vaughan, doing a mind reading act using a code system that must have taken years to perfect - very, very fast! Unfortunately, Jimmy had a drink problem. He would 'hit the booze' and go missing from the show for 4 days! They had performed their act all over Europe and at the London Palladium, finishing up working in a tent in sideshows and carnivals all over N. Z. All the years I've known them, I will swear that, no matter what the weather, or time of day or night - the suit that Jimmy always wore, WAS THE SAME SUIT! It must have been made of the same indestructible material as 'Superman's' costume! Burns Scandrett will back me up on that, I'm sure, and he knows them far better than I do. (Knew them; my very dear friend Burns, passed away 9th April 2006) Dormia, says Trevor, got too carried away with staging a 'Scientific Show' to prove how good hypnosis is in the treatment of various ailments, and forgetting that the audience where there to enjoy themselves. After the show she would complain about the audience laughing etc. so Trevor told her: "Look Dormia - if you want to get mixed up in the medical side of hypnosis, hire the bloody Auckland Concert Chamber. give away 400 Free tickets to Medical Students".. "YOU are here to provide ENTERTAINMENT! As I say in MY Publicity; 'A RIOT OF LAUGHS'.'IF THIS IS NOT THE FUNNIEST SHOW YOU'VE EVER SEEN - YOUR LAUGHS WILL BE REFUNDED"! Dormia has her own Hypnotherapies Clinic in Princess Street,. Auckland and has been successfully practicing Medical Hypnosis for over 22 years! (She is more than likely retired by now) HYPNOTISTS: The first hypnotist to visit N.Z. was 'CECCARELLI' (date unknown to this writer), 'VAN LOEWE' (N.Z hypnotist), he went to Australia with George Tollerton. Van Loewe eventually to return to N.Z., AND PACKED OUT! During the Fifties, he teamed up for a tour with: 'THE AMAZING MR ROOKLYN' (from Australia) Magician/Illusionist (also a Hypnotist in his own right) - first half of the show was Van Lowe with Maurie Rooklyn doing the second half. The poster reads: FIRST TIME in NEW ZEALAND THEATRICAL HISTORY. 2 WORLD Famous Personalities Together! The Amazing Mr ROOKLYN - MAGIC of the MINDS and HANDS.. The Eminent VAN LOEWE - HIGHLIGHTS of HYPNOTISM. The (late) Amazing Mr Rooklyn toured the world with his big illusion show (often using a train to carry all his equipment and staff), including N.Z. several times. He performed his own hypnotic show during the first half of his stage show (When we were living in Sydney Australia, Veronica and I became close friends with Maurie and his wife Connie, he became like a father to me - I do miss him). Maurie personally signed and gifted to me, a 'LIMITED DELUXE EDITION' of his wonderful book - entitled: 'SPHERICAL SORCERY & RECOLLECTIONS OF A PRO' - A treatise of Advanced Manipulations With Billiards Balls and Memoirs Of A Magician'. In it, he describes in great detail, his famous billiards ball routine complete with photographs. Also in the book, as the title suggests, are many, many stories gleaned from his many years at as a Professional, International Magician and entertainer. One in particular, titled: 'AMNESIA', involves Van Loewe. This is the story, exactly as Maurie wrote it. "Sometime during the Fifties I toured New Zealand with a hypnotist named Van Loewe. I worked one half the show - my billing read, 'Magic of the Mind and Hands' and Van Loewe was billed as a hypnotist. It was opening night at the Grand Opera House, Wellington. Van Lowe had hypnotised a number of people and left them seated in semi-circle while he walked to a microphone at the footlights. The house was packed. Addressing the audience, Lowe said he would induce a state of amnesia in one of his subjects, so that they would have a complete loss of memory".  "Lowe walked back to his subjects, took the hand of a young lady, and returned with her to the microphone. He then said to her, "You will go into a state of amnesia. Your memory will go. I will count to three and snap my fingers. You will then open your eyes, but you will remember nothing"! Page 122 When Loewe snapped his fingers, the young lady opened her eyes, whereupon he asked her, "What is your name?" The girl replied, "I don't know". Loewe then asked, "Where are you?" and again she replied, "I don't know". Finally, he asked, "What are you doing here?" and the reply was the same, "I don't know". Loewe then told the girl to close her eyes and, turning to the microphone, told the audience that he would now command the girl to open her eyes, and that, immediately she did so, her memory would be completely restored. At this, Loewe turned to the young lady and said, "I will now count to three, and snap my fingers. You will then open your eyes, and your memory will be restored". Loewe counted to three, snapped his fingers, and the young lady opened her eyes. Loewe paused for a moment then asked, "What's your name?" The girl replied, "Elsie". Loewe then asked, "Where are you? She replied, "At the Grand Opera House". Van Loewe turned to the audience, smiled, and, turning back to the young lady, enquired, "What are you doing here?" She replied, "I CAME TO SEE MR ROOKLYN". The audience roared with laughter, Van Loewe did too. There is a great deal about my dear, late friend Maurie Rooklyn that I wish to write. I will do so when I begin the TEN WONDERFUL YEARS OF MY/OUR LIFE IN AUSTRALIA; but in the meantime, and for the benefit of those who are unaware of this great Australian Magician, here is an ABBREVIATED INTRODUCTION to his book, written by LEWIS GANSON in 1973. "In Britain, Maurice Rooklyn is best known for his superb manipulative skill with billiards balls; in 1936 to 1939 he toured our best variety theatres with his entertaining act in which his 'Spherical Sorcery' was featured. I first met him at the Portsmouth Hippodrome (blitzed during the war), and spent most of that week in his company. At that time he was preparing a book on billiards balls manipulation and I was eager to secure the first copy. Photographs had been taken and sheaves of notes written for what were to be: 'The Most Complete Work on the Subject Ever produced'. He allowed me to study everything to my heart's content, and publication was eagerly awaited. With war imminent, it did not get to the printing stage, but now, over 30 years later (Remember, this abbreviated intro' was written in 1973 - Tom), I am delighted that the book is to be published. Since 1939, Maurice has revised and altered the text, new photographs have been taken to augment those few saved from a fire that destroyed most of the original manuscript, and the whole project has been brought up to date. So now we have not only a record of Maurice's work and experience in the manipulation of billiards balls, but also a volume which will become 'The Standard Book Of Reference', on this branch of the art of 'Manipulative Magic'."  "At the International Brotherhood Of Magicians (British ring) convention at Eastbourne in 1958, he topped the bill on the Gala Show and his act was just as thrilling to see then, as it was twenty - two years earlier. Maurice himself had not seemed to age one bit and the act was as fresh and effective as ever. He has visited this country several times since then, and appeared at many of our conventions, so a new generation of magicians has been able to appreciate the performance of this fine magician! After his successful tour of Britain, Maurice Rooklyn returned to Australia, and we next heard of him touring with a 'LAVISH AND SPECTACULAR FULL EVENING SHOW OF MAGIC'. He received excellent reviews and the show was a financial success. Being a keen businessman, he sensed that with the ever - increasing transportation costs, wages and the decreasing number of theatres to play, the time had come to close down the big show. Accordingly he went back to his manipulation act, and that's the act we have seen in Britain." "Now, Maurice tells me he is living a rather quiet life and has disposed of most of the show, but I guess those billiards balls are carefully preserved. This book too will enable future generations of magicians to appreciate the work of one of magic's great personalities - certainly a name which will live for ever, in 'Magic's Hall of Fame'!" CONTINUES NEXT WEEK! -------------------------------------------- 17. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives -------------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/fezine.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. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) -------------------------------------------- 18. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. 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