* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.Alan-Watson.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #646 Date: Sunday 22nd March 2009 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Ali Bongo's Reputation - As A Gentleman 3. Raymond Crowe Performing His New Show 4. Thanking A Writing Legend - Richard Webster 5. Who Is Tom Noddy? Do You Know? 6. Copperfield's Australian Tour 7. Remarkable Magic #86 - Nick Lewin 8. Gearing Up and Gearing Down - #110 - Kyle Peron 9. Cruising With Paul Romhany #61 10. Press Officer For Blackpool 11. Mitcham Magic Is Back Bigger Than Ever 12. Black Saturday Bushfires 13. Southshields 2009 - A Review 14. James Galea's I Hate Rabbits 15. Magic Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed 16. e-zine Archives 17. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Ali Bongo's funeral will take place in the afternoon of Friday 27th March 2009 in Leatherhead, UK. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Ali Bongo's Reputation - As A Gentleman -------------------------------------------- Message by Dale Salwak (US) Ali Bongo's reputation - as a gentleman, as a man with an encyclopedic knowledge of magic and theatre, and as an encourager of the youth - preceded our meeting in January 1973.  I had arrived in London for ten days.  Knowing this was my first trip, Ali promptly took me under his wing and showed me around - including the London Magic Society and the London Magic Circle. Over the next 35 years, whenever our paths crossed in some part of the world, we picked up our conversation where we'd left off. He was kindhearted, enthusiastic, and fully alive to the world. After a day with Ali - on a show together, at a lecture or panel discussion, as judges for a contest, on a train, over dinner - I always came away feeling as if all was right with the world. Dale Salwak, MIMC -------------------------------------------- 3. Raymond Crowe Performing His New Show -------------------------------------------- Message by Ross Skiffington (US) I just got back from Warragul, a small country town in Victoria, where I saw good mate Raymond Crowe performing his new show. He is in the middle of an extensive statewide tour that will culminate with a week at the Melbourne Comedy Festival from April 17th. I work shopped with him earlier in the year and it was good to see the show up and running, well directed by Doug Tremlett. He received a deserved standing ovation at the end and it was so pleasing to see magic performed with such great skill and sincerity. The audience loved him and I wish him every success. Such a great artist and a genuine person. Raymond will also be appearing on the Comedy Festival Gala. Check local papers for tour details. I have recently returned from Sydney where I was magic consultant and coach on a production of Tom Stoppard's classic TRAVESTIES, for the Sydney Theatre Company. The play has received great reviews and already the season at the Opera House extended. I have to say there is nothing like walking to work when work is at the Sydney Opera House. When I was with The Bell Shakespeare Company we played at the Opera House for 8 weeks. Bliss. The next show The Magic Mansion is on Saturday 28th and then a couple of months break as Ken is about to embark on renovations to extend the backstage area so bigger illusions and effects can be staged. The Magic Mansion has been a great success and top marks to Ken Russell for the passion and desire for such a room. The theatre and stage facilities, designed and built by Gordon Arney, are excellent for magic and illusion and more on the revamped and bigger shows later in the year. The break is giving me the opportunity to work on some projects that I have been wanting to do for some time. There is a movie in the offing for the second half of the year and currently a project with a choreographer and dance group. I am magic consultant on both projects. Also something very interesting and different and a complete change from my usual performance style. Nothing like change!! Yours magically Ross http://rossskiffington.com.au http://www.magicmansion.com.au -------------------------------------------- 4. Thanking A Writing Legend - Richard Webster -------------------------------------------- Message by Timothy Hyde Thanking a Writing Legend. Following in the footsteps of New Zealand's most prolific author, Richard Webster, Kiwi, now Australian resident Timothy Hyde, seems to now be carving out his own writing and publishing niche. Recently celebrating publishing his 10th book, "Routines for Rascals," his titles range from magic marketing advice, unique performance material and some creative thinking titles for the general market. All books have been self published and available as printed copies, though are now more popularly sold as downloadable ebooks. The two mentalism titles in particular have been big sellers. With several more books at various stages of research and development he's got a long way to catch up with his good friend Richard, but wishes to publicly thank him. "Richard has been a great source of advice and support and we wouldn't be doing this today without his trailblazing efforts in niche markets!" Timothy's books are available direct via his website http://www.magiccoach.com -------------------------------------------- 5. Who Is Tom Noddy? Do You Know? -------------------------------------------- Message by Lee Asher (US) Today's featured performer (in the media section / vintage magic video blog) is Tom Noddy. His type of magic transcends language barriers. As a young child, I was fortunate enough to see him perform live on stage. It was one of the most magical experiences of my life. To this day, I still speak about him, and continue to believe his work is an inspiration. He simply performs with some liquid soap and a cigarette. If you're not familiar with Tom Noddy (or even if you are), take a few minutes to suspend your disbelief: http://www.leeasher.com/cgi-bin/arp3/arp3-t.pl?l=32&c=2246 (cut and paste if not clickable) One of the best parts about maintaining this vintage magic video blog is the opportunity to leave 'quality breadcrumbs' to heroes of the past. Enjoy! Cheers, Lee Asher Ps. If I've introduced you to Mr. Noddy, then my plan is working. -------------------------------------------- 6. Copperfield's Australian Tour -------------------------------------------- Message by Kristina.(Aust) Bernard's Magic Shop Here's an update on Copperfield's 'Intimate Evening Of Grand Illusion' Australian tour. Brisbane Brisbane Entertainment Centre Thursday 6th August 2009 9:30pm Sydney Acer Arena Saturday 8th August 2009 8:00pm Adelaide Adelaide Entertainment Centre Wednesday 12th August 2009 8:15pm Melbourne Rod Laver Arena Melbourne Park Saturday 15th August 2009 8:00pm Gold Reserve: Pricing from $319.90 Silver Reserve: Pricing from $248.50 -------------------------------------------- 7. Remarkable Magic #86 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message by Nick Lewin (US) The Amazing Kozak. When I started working the comedy circuit back in the '80s there were two names you heard about all the time. Club owners and customers alike couldn't wait to tell you about Amazing Johnathan and Kozak. It is just the way it was. As is almost always the case with performers who work the same circuits as you do, it took a while to meet Paul Kozak in person. I first met Paul after a show he had performed at 'Catch a Rising Star' in Reno, Nevada. He certainly lived up to everything I had heard about him. To put the matter simply, and in a nutshell, Paul has the most exciting opening and closing of any comedy performer. There are more fireballs, flashes and flames than you would be able to conceive of in a comedy show. If George W. had found Kozak's working case in the outskirts of Baghdad he would have declared it the missing weapons of mass destruction. Sandwiched between the awe and shock of his opening and closing is some really skilled magic that has been thought out very carefully and meticulously. Paul's salt pour routine is a true classic that can stand proudly beside any other past or present version of this classic. Leaving aside the magic and mayhem in Kozak's show there is his complete mastery as a showman. Audiences really have no option but to settle back and admire his work. He is somewhere between Rock 'n Roll and a force of nature! When I introduced myself to Paul after watching him perform that night in Reno, he looked at me and said: "We've never met before and you've never seen my show-how come I always hear you are saying nice things about me?" I replied that it was because in every room I worked that Paul had played he had left a great legacy for future magicians. There were many magicians at that time that thought they could handle a full-fledged comedy room but ended up closing the venue for other magicians. With Kozak comedy magic went up a notch or two in any bookers opinion. Recently Kozak was the glue that held together 'The World's Greatest Magic Show' in Las Vegas. Paul was there seven nights a week for most of the run. He added considerable style and substance while hosting the show. My only grumble was how tough it became to find flash paper in the local magic stores! Paul has recently begun a long-term engagement in Atlantic City with his one-man show and I am sure it will be a huge success. Catch it if you can, I am sure you will be delighted by this accomplished and powerful magician. Paul never throws away the strength of his magic and never fails to deliver the laughs. He is required viewing you have for all comedy magicians and magic lovers. Check out my website at www.nicklewin.com and drop me a note at nicklewin1@me.com I have a very limited edition of a new DVD available called '20-2-10s.' It is a very strong piece of magic that achieves a double punch to any sized audience. I am not going to be advertising it, describing it, or trying to sell a million. It is just for the select few who want to risk 20 bucks. A bargain. -------------------------------------------- 8. Gearing Up and Gearing Down - #110 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message by Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com Performing as a family entertainer for as long as I have, you start to realize things as you always continue to learn. Every performance I do I am growing as an entertainer. There is often times things that we do as performers that happen automatically without us really thinking about it. You learn, adapt and apply. I want to take some time and talk to you about one of those that have had me thinking a lot lately. I think it is safe to say that most children's entertainers know that age is NOT a good indicator on how a child will act or respond to what it is that you present. Although it is important to know what the age you are performing for, this is only a starting point for me. Simply stated, ages of children are not always indicators of exactly how a show should go or how you should act. I think it may be helpful to first state that I see several categories or levels of children's magic. These levels could be defined like this: 1) Day Care Age: 3-5 years 2) Young Child Age: 5-7 years 3) Older Child Age: 8-10 years 4) Teen Age: 11-13 years Please keep in mind that this is a very rough and generalized list. Certainly the ages in each category can and sometimes do change. It is listed here to simply prove a point I want to make. As an entertainer, what you perform and routine for a day care age will be entirely different then how you do a show for the teen age. The way you talk and the way you interact changes. This is pretty common sense that most magicians should know. But it is helpful to see and generate this list. Defining the different groups can really help one to establish the shows that work best for each. But what is this about "gearing up and gearing down"? Good question and allow me to explain. When you are getting details on a show, it is a common question to ask not only the age of the birthday child but also the average age of the kids in attendance. You write this information down on your booking sheet and then may plan your show according to the list mentioned above. However, the more you perform for children the more you come to realize that age alone is not the best indicator for how they will or may react. In many ways certain ages can be more mature for their age or less mature. It is safe to say that a 6 year old could be very mature for their age and act much more like a 7 or 8 year old. In the same fashion, a 6 year old could also be less mature and have a younger mindset. Because of this you can learn to Gear Up or Gear Down your routines accordingly. You may realize that a mature 6 year old may need a different touch in the way of your patter or how you approach it. In the same notion, a younger 6 year old, may allow you to gear down the show and add in a little more silliness and humor. So as you can see the term gearing up and gearing down really means being aware of the mental age of the children in the audience and not so much their real age. It is about getting a sense before and at the beginning of your show of what the audience mental age is and then acting accordingly. Gearing up or gearing down does not always mean changing a trick or effect you do. It can sometimes just mean changing your approach in the way you present it. Many of my tricks I do can and are performed in many different ways according to the age I am performing for. A simple change of patter or interactivity can be all that is needed at times. I think this is a very important lesson to learn and then apply. One cannot assume that a 6 year old means a standard trick with standard patter. A seasoned children's performer will learn how to quickly "read" the audience and then choose to gear up or gear down accordingly as needed. As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. So if you have any thoughts on my articles or suggestions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me directly at magic4u02@aol.com. I would love to hear from you. - "Encore! Creativity in the Art of Magic" Ebook. Order online now at: http://www.magicenhancer.com /Encore.html - "Tips and Techniques on the Chair Suspension" Ebook. Order online now at: http://www.magicenhancer.com/ChairSuspension.html -------------------------------------------- 9. Cruising With Paul Romhany #61 -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Romhany (NZ) I just arrived home exhausted from the most incredible convention I've ever been to. It was held in the UK at South Tyneside in New Castle and organised by Martin Duffy and the city council. Without a doubt, one of the most professionally run, and enjoyable conventions out there. One of the reasons I think this was so well run, is simply because the organisers were professional event's people from the council. There wasn't a committee of magicians making decisions (I have flash backs of being on a convention committee where they spent two hours arguing about if the organisers should wear red or blue name tags!). This team of professionals knew exactly what they were doing. Even leading up to the event they were in touch with me about what I needed, run down of shows, what others were performing on the gala shows etc. It was certainly a very tightly run magic event, and I can say everybody had a wonderful time. I was fortunate to be asked to perform on both gala shows, so got to be backstage with the likes of David Williamson, Banachek, Bob Sheets and the headline for the first night, Paul Daniels. There were many memorable and funny moments, including having dinner with Bob Sheets and David Williamson at an Indian restaurant where a drunk lady sitting on the table in front of us kept coming over to our table convinced one of us was Irish! I enjoyed hanging out at night with the many magicians in the bar of the hotel, watching them all astound each other with card tricks. David Penn held court one night with his amazing toppit work - if it was on the table you can rest assured he'd vanish it! Kennedy, a fantastic young mentalist, astounded us all with the ability to tell what a card was without looking at it, using a borrowed deck. The list goes on and on of wonderful and magical moments. As well as the two gala shows, I did a lecture and a private workshop. The workshop was fantastic and gave me the opportunity to share with those that attended some of my personal favorite magic including card routines, my linking hanger routine and heart on string routine. Another highlight for me was to see Steve Axtell perform with his hilarious ventriloquist work in a morning session for school kids. We all know the high quality of his puppets, and it was great to see him perform and talk about his work at his lecture. I am taking the next two weeks off as I need to recover from this amazing event, plus prepare myself for the variety tour I have coming up in Australia in April. I will also be bringing my lecture to various parts of Australia - will give more details next week. Hope to see all my Australian friends at the lecture. Regards Paul Romhany www.paulromhany.com -------------------------------------------- 10. Press Officer For Blackpool -------------------------------------------- Message by Peter Eldin (UK) Blackpool Magicians' Club have appointed Peter Eldin as their Press Officer. Peter is a successful freelance writer and the author of numerous books, some of which have been on magic. He was the founder editor of Watford Association of Magicians' magazine, edited The Magic Circular (the magazine of The Magic Circle) for eight years, and also acted as editor of Abracadabra (the world's only magical weekly) when the editor was indisposed. Peter says: "I am excited to be associated with Blackpool Magicians' Club and their annual convention, the biggest magic convention in the world, which takes place in February every year at the magnificent Opera House and Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England." Bookings for the 58th Blackpool Convention, from 19th to 21st February 2010, are already flooding in, with numerous magicians registering even before this year's convention had finished. A downloadable registration form will shortly be available from www.blackpoolmagic.com and it is advisable to book as soon as possible. -------------------------------------------- 11. Mitcham Magic Is Back Bigger Than Ever -------------------------------------------- Message by Nick Norton (Aust) Mitcham Magic is back bigger than ever in March! After our special Bushfire Relief show in Feb we are now back to our normal schedule of the fourth Monday of every month. So, next Monday, March 23rd get yourself down to Mitcham RSL for some fantastic magic and variety entertainment. This month we answer the question "How many cool, young magicians can you get in one magic show?" Opening the show this month is David McLeod, a regular behind the counter of Melbourne's "Magic Store", Dave steps into the limelight at Mitcham for the first time with his incredible stand up act. Completing the Magic Store double act is Kamal Bhushan, who returns this month with his cool and suave brand of magic. Our old friend Anthony DeMassi is back, with his crazy magical act in full flight - who knows what Anthony will produce on the night? Rounding out the bill is a return performance by Luke Hocking. Luke has only performed at Mitcham once before and those that saw him been begging for his return. Luke's amazing act is not to be missed. I'll be holding all this craziness together (and trying to tip the age scales back in the other direction!) "Wow, I hear you say, "it's impossible to get better value for money than that!" Wrong! I'm happy to announce that our new stage has arrived, so every seat at Mitcham Magic now has improved views. "Wow", I hear you say, "how much extra are you charging for that?" NOTHING! - Mitcham Magic remains at the ludicrously cheap price of Adults: $10, Kids: $5. How do we do it for the price? I don't know, but come along, buy some tickets, help pay off the stage and give my credit card a breather! As usual, you can book tickets by calling Helen on 0414 626 358 or you can buy them at the door - subject to availability. (Please note, anyone pre-booking ticket receives priority seating on the night). We are on at the Mitcham RSL, 26 McDowall St, Mitcham. Doors open at 7.00pm and show starts at 7.30pm. To make a Bistro Booking please call 9873 1792. The bistro will be open from 5.00pm and bookings are strongly recommended. Come along, have a great night, and help keep live variety alive in the suburbs. See you all there! Nick Morton www.nickmorton.com/mitcham.html -------------------------------------------- 12. Black Saturday Bushfires -------------------------------------------- Message by Sue-Anne Webster President - Australian Institute of Magic Congratulations and many thanks to everyone who donated their time, talents and facilities to the AIM Bushfire Appeal. Many people were affected by the Black Saturday bushfires and felt helpless to aid the survivors. So, magicians from the Australian Institute of Magic wanted to perform magic for the public to raise money, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. None of this could have been possible without the incredible co-operation and comraderie of the AIM magicians and various organisations willing to have a go at helping out in our state crisis. Two evening shows were initially planned to raise $5000, and quickly sold out. So, an afternoon show was added to the schedule to accommodate the overwhelming response from the public - creating a new goal to raise $7500. The staff at the Northcote Townhall, home of the Melbourne Magic Festival, were quick to respond to AIM's enquiries for a venue to hold the Bushfire Appeal shows. They were extremely generous in donating their fabulous venue, lights, sound and time, as well as the ticketing service. We are grateful for their generosity and kind hearts. Nothing was a problem for them. A big thankyou to Jeanette, Rob, Brent, Annie and the team. Radio station 89.9 Light FM - Melbourne's Positive Alternative - were generous to advertise the shows in the preceding weeks. It's an amazing radio station, with employees dedicted to helping people in our community. Also a big thankyou to ABC Radio for giving us air time, Melbourne's Child for an amazing ad, as well as the Northcote leader, Herald Sun and The Age newspapers. A big thankyou to David and Chris who very generously offered and donated their time and two cameras to videotape the shows. Very big thanks to Ron Ellis and Tim You for handling the tickets at the venue, taking away the stress of handling the crowds at the door. The show could not have been such a success without the fabulous show crew, who worked tirelessly (even through sickness) to accommodate all performers requirements for sound, lights and backstage. You were incredible! A very big thankyou to Brendan Croft, Daniel Schuller and Michael Sullivan. Very special thanks goes to Tim Ellis. I only had to mention that AIM magicians might like to get together to perform for a Bushfire Appeal, and by the end of the day Tim had arranged everything. I don't know how he does it! He has a very caring heart. Also many thanks go to Nicholas J Johnson, Lee Cohen, Tim You and Tim Ellis for arranging advertising... and to Peter Prevos for promoting the Bushfire Appeal to the ASM. And thankyou to Tony Laffan who, although was out of the country, donated to the Bushfire Appeal by buying tickets for bushfire survivors to see the shows. Also, thank you to the big hearted American professional clown team - Jan and Kathy Ruby, aka Jelly Bean and KupKake - who were also moved to buy tickets to the shows for bushfire survivors. We were also given money for the Appeal from the public who couldn't be at the shows. Very generous! Thank you! AIM would like to thank Chuck Fayne for performing on the show and everyone from the magic community who came to the shows in support of the Bushfire Appeal. We very much appreciate your attendance. Finally, no amount of words can express my pride in the AIM magicians. They jumped at the chance to help out in any way they could. Many had work commitments on the day of the shows, but gave their time whenever they could manage throughout the day - some travelling great distances to do so. The co-operation, happiness and support for each other were incredibly inspiring and something to be greatly admired. It's incredibly satisfying to watch magicians work as a team. No wonder the public loved the shows! Very big thanks go to Rex Reeve, Les Cohen, Michael Sullivan and David Jones who all performed close-up magic in the foyer before the shows. The crowds loved them! And to Tim You for his help and support throughout the day. And very big thanks to the lineup of magicians who performed their fabulous acts during the shows - the host and performer, Nicholas J Johnson; performers Lee Cohen, Dominic Chambers, Cosentino, A.C., Jason Varga, Brendan Croft, Simon Coronel, Ashley Barnett (aka Dwayne Robbins), Enzo Ficco, Michael Sullivan, Tom Stevens, Les Cohen, Tim Ellis, Sue-Anne Webster. We had a lot of wonderful, positive feedback after the shows. The project was a huge success. AIM raised approximately $7500 for the Bushfire Appeal (the final figure will be noted on the AIM website as soon as we're given notification by the Northcote Townhall). Well Done!! -------------------------------------------- 13. Southshields 2009 - A Review -------------------------------------------- Message by Dale Shrimpton (UK) I didn't get up to see the children's show, but made it for the excellent lunch provided by the customs house. Following this we had the pleasure of watching Steve Axtell, give what was his first ever lecture in the UK. His fantastic puppets taking centre stage, including his utterly incredible, (and expensive) robotic chimp, toucan, and smoke belching baby dragon. Also, as an extra treat, we had a sneak preview of his latest ideas, a fantastic ventriloquial rocky raccoon, and a life-sized Paul Daniels. A great moment, and very funny. He's told us all to go to his stand and have a play.... I just might have to take him up on the offer. Banacheck lecture: Banacheck gave enormous value in his lecture, covering all kinds of mental subjects, including his now famous pk touches. The Friday night gala was quite simply one of the best gala shows I have ever seen and that's saying something. First act opened with Paul Dabek, over the last few years, I've seen Paul's act grow into something that's darn near perfect. He has some superb silk and dove productions, This act is FISM standard.  Brilliant! Second act, Patrick Redford, had some great ideas, and has created a fast paced mentalist act that involved many audience members. I'm looking forward to his lecture today Paul Romhany closed the first act, with some wonderfully choreographed moments of magic, including linking coat hangers. Brilliant! The second act saw Paul Dabek return, this time performing his shadow act, "circle of life" the lay public almost gave him a standing ovation. Americas Bob Sheets then gave us a taste of things to come, with an excellent slow rope thru body, and a card stab. Finally the one, and only... Paul Daniels, alongside his famous chop cup, bill/nut/egg/lemon/hot chair routine we all know and love, he performed his new neck chopper effect.    Bloody hell... it's a real fooler, I have no idea!   Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Oh, lest I forget.. Compeer for the evening was our dear old friend John Archer. He has a fine pair of nipples on him you know ( don't ask)! The evening was rounded off with a midnight show, with the multi character act of Jasper Blakely. I can tell that he has a great talent for creating characters, sorry, but I just didn't like the material. So I retired to the bar, where I remained until 4am.... thanks to the good company, and great conversation.. Today's lectures have something for everybody.  But first, some great close up.  In my sessions, Dave Williamson, Bob Sheets, Banachek, and Patrick Redford, performed a range of magic.  Bob Sheets included his shell and pea routine, Patrick Redford did a kind of act, which I have to be honest and say, it lost me.  And David Williamson... well, he's been handicapped by losing his luggage, so made up an act on the spot, ad libbing some really funny stuff. After a somewhat late and rushed lunch, Patrick Redford gave his lecture on his act from the night before and the beer finally caught up with me, as I started to droop. Paul Romhany, in his lecture, managed to cram in a gigantic range of magic.. brilliant stuff! After the triumph of the Friday night gala show, I was all prepared for a bit of a letdown.  I mean, two almost perfect gala shows... it never happens does it? Well yes it does! This evening's gala show started, in fine style, with the sickeningly talented 14 year old Simon Williams.  Simon, whom I spent time chatting with till the wee small hours on Friday, gave an outstanding performance, consisting of two fine dove productions, a number of slick candle and cane manipulations, and the Losander floating table. Mark my words in a few years time, this lad will be headlining at the Lido, in Paris, or the Crazy Horse Saloon. Second on the bill, was Dave Williamson. Lets face it, everybody knows how hilarious Dave can be when he's on top form and tonight, despite having none of his props or costumes around, he was still on top form, with two of the most charming children I've seen on stage for quite a while. Needle swallowing, card magic, and Rocky, kept the laypeople and the magicians rolling in the isles. To close the first act, Paul Romhany, gave us his now famous Charlie Chaplin act, complete with a stunning floating broom, to the tune of smile. After a brief break, the one and only Banacheck wowed the audience, with the flashback book test, some clean mind reading, and his dramatic version of the smash and stab.  This version using a number of very real daggers.  This is not for the faint hearted. Finally, Russ Stevens tore the place apart with a series of pacey illusions, and some fine, fine sleight of hand. With that tonight's MC, Tim Vine, of not going out fame, wrapped up the evening and we retired to the bar.  However, not for me I'm afraid the weekend has started to catch up. Last day, and the long journey home.  Today started with an excellent breakfast, full English naturally, with loads of hot toast and tea.  The digs paid, we headed off to the customs house, for the last chance to part with some cash at the dealers, and 2 lectures. First up, Bob Sheets: with the aid of three members of the audience, (Including room mate Darren) Bob shared with us his thoughts on the performance of close up magic in the real world. naturally, as well as his take on Vernon's 3 balls across, and a number of card effects, he gave us his handling of the scachs dice effect, and the shell and pea and the time just flew by. Then, a loooooong wait, for the next lecture, thanks to a screw up at airports with the luggage belonging to David Williamson - it never arrived but you would never know. David is just magical, and spent over 2 hours, sharing personal stories, linked with many of his signature effects. Like all the best acts, it's so packed full of laughter and fun, you have a hard time remembering everything. what I do remember is that it was great!!! And so ended the convention but not the weekend's excitement. Lord it took a long time to get back home. And as I type, Darren's still on the road having dropped me off.   It's taken the best part of 7 hours, thanks to an overturned lorry on the M1, and incorrect traffic advice from Mrs TomTom. Still, it did mean I got to share a few more hours with one of my best mates, Darren, which isn't a bad thing. Which brings me to the long list of thank yous.  A huge thanks should go out to Martin Duffy, the Magic box boys, the customs house, and South Tyneside Council. In particular one very special Lady Karri Prinn, who genuinely makes the whole thing happen. She is a true wonder!!!! -------------------------------------------- 14. James Galea's I Hate Rabbits -------------------------------------------- Message by Christopher Pratt (Aust) James Galea's I Hate Rabbits is now playing at the Adelaide Fringe Festival before moving on to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival where James will join the best of the best of comedy for the Comedy Festival Opening Night Gala which will air prime-time on Network Ten April 1st. James will be playing at the Forum for 25 nights Read the latest reviews from the Adelaide Fringe season. http://www.expressmedia.org.au/buzzcuts.php?buzz_review_id=279 -------------------------------------------- 15. Magic Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed -------------------------------------------- Message by Wanda Clines Hey there to all my magic friends, There are several of you that weren't at the magic meeting. I did new business about the masked magic man on T.V. on Monday nights. I am asking everyone to write a letter to all the sponsors that are supporting this show. It is better if you could write and mail the letters to them instead of e-mail. But if you can't send them an e-mail. If you go to the site of the sponsors there is the info to send them the letter. We as a large Magic group need to STOP this man. Please forward this on to all your magic friend and groups to get this going. We need to do this soon. Below is the sponsors and the letter that I wrote. Please do not copy and paste it change it so they don't get the same letters. Thank You Wanda Clines Magic Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed My Network TV Walmart Olay Centrum Airwick Glucerna David Bridal Zyrtec Advil Tylenol Cancer Treatments Center of America Mucinex Lubriderm Robitussin Sears Crest Ostling & Associates National Rent to Own Lysol Geico Slim Quick Humira Greetings, I am writing because of a show on national T.V. aired on Monday nights called "Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed". The show appears on My Network TV. The magician, and I use that term loosely, shows how magic tricks are performed. I am a magician and perform mainly at children birthday parties. The great enjoyment that the children and their parents have during my performances could be ruined if they knew how the tricks were being performed, and this show gives them that opportunity. I find it very upsetting that you are sponsoring this show, and therefore, promoting ruining the fascination that children and adults have for magic. I am asking for you, as a responsible company, to take action and stop your support of "Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed" Thank you Wanda Clines -------------------------------------------- 16. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives -------------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.Alan-Watson.com 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) -------------------------------------------- 17. 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. You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at www.Alan-Watson.com Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday. The opinions expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand® E-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed therein. Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted. Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e-zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely redistributed, but not sold, to other magicians if copied in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer. © Copyright 2009 Alan Watson