* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New
Zealand)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1532
Date: Sunday 15th September 2019
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================
1. Editor's Message
2. Jeff McBride - "Help Me I'm Drowning!"
3. FISM-North America
4. S.A.M. is Bringing Harrison Greenbaum To Las Vegas
5. The Magic Word Podcast - Greg Gleason
6. Open Prediction Deck - John Carey #53
7. Magical Designs Created for Magicians
8. Congratulations to Nikola Arkane from Belfast
9. Ontario Week of Wonder OWOW Magic Festival
10. Grand Master of Magic Award goes to Paul Bates - New
Zealand
11. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
12. E-zine Archives
13. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
If
you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML
format
go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2019-Jan-to-Dec-2019/1532-Sep15-2019.html
If
you would like to write a regular column for Magic New Zealand
or
have some magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com
-------------------------------
2. Jeff McBride - "Help Me I'm Drowning!"
------------------------------------
Message by Jeff McBride
Greetings
my friends, like many of you, I often feel like I'm drowning
in information. Today, more than ever, we need experienced
guides and mentors to help us navigate the overwhelming
inflow of information. I am so blessed to have some of the
most inspirational friends and teachers!
I
stay away from negative people and many of them seem to
be on YouTube. I find watching magic on YouTube soul-crushing.
I want a quiet place to learn and study great magic old
and new. We have created that place now. It is real. It
is Magicflix. now you can get an idea of the scope of this
project... it is amazing!
"No
great artist, dancer or opera singer has ever learned their
craft from YouTube!
The
great masters of magic are certainly not teaching there.
MagicFlix is collecting material from people who have been
in the business for years, and are not just those seeking
hits and clicks on their YouTube sites. MagicFlix is not
going to be the indiscriminate hatcheting of people's material
that is thrown up on YouTube. I think that is over ... MAGICFLIX
is the antidote to YouTube."
New
School Magic Meets the Old School Masters!
Our
teachers already include Eugene Burger, John Carney, Rich
Ferguson, Franz Harary, Kenton Knepper, Amazing Jonathan,
Justin Miller, Jeff McBride, Rocco, Dan Sperry, Michael
Trixx, Stephane Vanel, Jason Ladayne, Fielding West, Larry
Becker, & Paul Gordon. We have over 500.
MAGICFLIX
also features The Greater Magic Library in entirety!
All
of this is included with your subscription to MAGICFLIX.
MAGICFLIX is featuring such masters as Karrell Fox, Shimada,
Michael Ammar, John Carney, Sylvan, Johnny Paul, Larry Becker,
Charlie Miller, Tom Mullica, Johnny Thompson, J.B. Bobo,
Billy McComb, Mr. Electric and Daryl. This list is an impressive
one, and it is getting bigger and better every day.
YES,
to having all your favorite magic videos in one place you
can access from any device, anywhere in the world! Content
on MagicFlix is presented in carefully structured levels,
including Beginner's Magic, Favorites, Most Popular, New
Releases, Coin Magic, Grand Illusion, Impromptu Magic, History,
Gambling Magic, Ice Breakers, Performance, Philosophy, Interviews
with The Stars, Street Magic, Manipulation, Lectures Etc.
In other words, if you browse the Card Magic category, you
can learn everything from how to do a pinkie count to how
to back palm cards. There is a great deal of magic on the
Internet, but this is a safe and sane place to learn magic
from the great masters of our art.
Here
Is the Secret Code for My Friends
Go
to magicflix.com register and put in the code MCBRIDE and
get a free month on me. Go take a look and tell me what
you think!
Women
in Magic - "The Sisters of Mystery" For many years
the art of magic has been dominated by men. Now, that is
changing!
Abigail
McBride On NBC TV! I am so proud of my wife Abigail for
being featured in the recent TV story covering "Women
in Magic." We are all very impressed with this feature
segment and now it seems the world is opening to the idea
of women in magic...about time!
See the clip here: https://tinyurl.com/y3wl4rvf
Do
You Need Some Help?
When
I'm not touring, I am offering Skype classes, so if you
need some help with your act or career, just drop us an
email, and we'll be happy to help you get started.
Abigail@mcbridemagic.com
or Jeff@McBridemagic.com
VEGAS
BUZZ Tim Wise is happy to announce that his Hollywood Stars
of Magic has a new home at The Las Vegas Magic Theater.
The
show runs at 2pm and 4 pm every Saturday. Recent headliners
included, Paul Vigil, Allan Ackerman, Joan DuKore and FISM
winner Johnny Ace Palmer.
https://www.facebook.com/starsofmagic/
Rocco,
Hans Klok and Criss Angel seen sharing magic ideas and talking
about Shin Lim's new show, at the recent Wonderground. Hans
has a new show at the Excalibur hotel. Shin Lim has a new
show with Colin Cloud at the MIRAGE We all wish Hans, and
Shin Lim the best of luck with their new shows.
Masters
of Illusion star, Tommy Wind has a 1-year contract at the
OYO Hotel and Casino (formerly Hooters). Tommy is creating
a new show that will fit the showroom and will feature many
of his best loved pieces as well as new creations.
See you on tour, or on MAGICFLIX!
Be
inspired, Jeff
--------------------------------------------
3. FISM-North America
--------------------------------------------
Message by Joan Caesar (Canada)
Register
at www.fismna2020.com for FISM North America before September
30 to get the best rate of $275.00 USD, if you're a FISM
member. If you're interested in competing at FISM in 2021,
FISM North America is the only way to gain a spot.
This
is once again a Combined Convention with the Festival de
Magie de Quebec and the Canadian Association of Magicians.
Competing members of these groups will qualify for additional
awards.
25
contestants in each of stage and close up will be selected
to compete. When your act is ready, submit the video of
your act when you register online or as soon as it is ready
and no later than February 16, 2020 at 10:00 pm EST. Five
preliminary judges will view your act and decide the qualifying
contestants.
-------------------------------------------
4. S.A.M. Is Bringing Harrison Greenbaum To Las Vegas
-------------------------------------------
Message by Dal Sanders (US)
Harrison
Greenbaum is shaking up magic. His cutting-edge act combines
stand-up comedy and magic and the result is incredible.
He was a hit at MAGIC-Live, The Magic Castle and at many
other venues and conventions. The Society of American Magicians
will have him onstage TWICE at the 2020 S.A.M. Convention
in Las Vegas. He will be part of the Family Friendly Comedy
Cabaret along with Scott Alexander, Eric Buss, Michael Holly
and Stephen Bargatze. He will also perform his 60-minute
one-man ADULT show at the convention. The Harrison Greenbaum
Late Night Comedy show will be for audiences that are 21
years old and up. It will be at the Troy Liquor Bar inside
The Las Vegas Golden Nugget on Fremont Street (where the
convention is being held).
Harrison
Greenbaum is both a comic and a magician. He began performing
stand-up comedy while at Harvard and was the co-founder
of the Harvard College Stand-Up Comic Society (or "Harvard
College SUCS") which is still popular on campus today.
Now he lives in Manhattan where he has become one of the
most in-demand New York comedians, performing in more than
600 shows a year and has earned the title "The Hardest
Working Man in Comedy" from both Time Out New York
and the NY Daily News.
Harrison
was one of Comedy Central's "Comics to Watch"
and winner of the Andy Kaufman Award. On television, Harrison
has been featured on AXS.TV's Gotham Comedy and was a regular
panelist on CurrentTV's Viewpoint, and has appeared on MTV,
SPIKE TV, the Discovery Channel, and the Science Channel
and was featured on NBC's Last Comic Standing. He also appeared
on season 12 of America's Got Talent.
As
a magician, Harrison was named one of "today's best"
by Newsday and has appeared on the CW's Masters of Illusion
as well as Brain Games on the National Geographic Channel.
He is the most requested performer at New York's Monday
Night Magic and has also performed at the Magic Castle in
Hollywood and the Mystery Lounge in Boston. Harrison was
one of only 30 magicians chosen to perform at the International
Festival of Magic, Illusion, and the Unusual in Louisville,
Kentucky. If this isn't enough, he is also a counselor at
Tannen's Magic Camp. How he deals with uncooperative audience
members is legendary.
The
Magic and Comedy of Harrison Greenbaum is just another one
of the reasons you want to register for the 2020 S.A.M.
National Convention in Las Vegas. Do it NOW before the next
price increase on October 1, 2019. Go to www.SAMconvention
.com for details.
-------------------------------------------
5. The Magic Word Podcast - Greg Gleason
-------------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star
Greg
Gleason is an entrepreneur from whom we can all learn a
lesson. He owned, managed and operated many dance and rock
clubs and for a while was even the General Manager of Houston's
Magic Island in its early days. He then moved to Las Vegas
where he was unrelenting until he had a regular illusion
show at Caesar's Magical Kingdom. From there he went on
to work on cruise ships for decades and amass warehouses
of illusions. At one time Greg had the largest magic show
on the high seas with amazing illusions. Today you can watch
him on "Masters of Illusion? Television show in the
U.S. (with clips on YouTube) and he is returning to his
nightclub roots as he seeks opportunities to open a magic-themed
nightclub (or two) in the U.S.
You
can watch the videos, see some candid photos, read the blog,
listen to the podcast online and download the MP3 file at:
https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/517-greg-gleason
And be sure to subscribe to our weekly pod-letter for updates
on who will be coming next week, suggestions from the archives
and announcements about contests.
-------------------------------------------
6. Open Prediction Deck - John Carey #53
-------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
https://carey-scene.com/jc-main
David
Gemmell
Effect
A
cased deck is tossed on the table before the magician even
says a word. The
spectator thinks of any card in the deck. You write an Open
Prediction for all to
see.
They
take the deck out of its case. They shuffle it. Now holding
the deck face up
they deal the cards into a face down pile. As they deal
it is obvious that on the
backs of the cards are the names of cards in permanent ink.
They
are different to the cards on the faces.
The
spectator looks for their thought of card on the backs.
When the face of the
Open Prediction comes into view it is placed (still face
up) to one side and the
deal continues. The spectator never sees their thought of
card on the backs of
any of the cards.
Now
for the first time they are asked what card they are thinking
of (?) the
Open Prediction card is turned over (by the spectator) and
on its back is written
the spectators thought of card!
Modus
Operandi
This
handling of the OP plot really turns things on their head.
You will need to
make this deck up.
It's
quite an easy thing to do, should only take about half an
hour or so. The whole
thing is based on the idea that if you know the thought
of card then you would
due to a very special coded stack be able to instantly make
an Open Prediction.
The good thing about this is that you don't even have to
learn the stack at all, just
the special relationships between the various cards. This
idea belongs to a good
friend of mine, Barry Ray and is taken from his e-book "Barry's
Stacked Decks".
(1)
I have his permission to teach part of it here. (enough
to make this effect work)
Whilst I have made some (very) minor changes it remains
the same as Barry's
Quick Stack. The idea is to have a logical pairing of cards.
It looks like this.
A-7 2-Q 3-8 4-J 5-10 6-9
Let
me explain
The 1 (ace) looks like a 7
The
2 in some print faces (can) look just like the curly bit
on the end of Q
3
is half of 8
4-Jacks........come on, every magician has heard of the
4 robbers trick!
5
is half of 10
and
finally
6
is a 9 either way up or down.
There
you go, only six pieces of information to remember. Hold
on, I know what
you are thinking, what about the Kings? Well Barry just
pairs them up like for
like. I see no reason to argue with him.
Ah,
but what about the colours I hear you say (?), this is the
very small change I
have made, because I have spent a life-time working with
the ChaSeD order, that
is how I pair the cards up, Clubs and Hearts, Spades and
Diamonds.
Some
examples
Ace
of Clubs - Seven of Hearts
Four of Diamonds - Jack of Spades
Five of Spades - Ten of Diamonds
So,
go grab a deck of cards and a good (thick nibbed) marker
pen. Go through the
deck and whatever the card is on the face mark its stack
card on the back. Once
that's done the Open Prediction deck is ready to use.
A
Thought of Card
The
easiest way to determine the thought of card is to use a
peek wallet. I use the
Jaks style peek wallet. This is almost like a business card
holder and is perfect for
this effect. I take out two business cards and ask them
to think of any card in the
deck (except the Joker) and have them print the name of
it on the card.
This
is then returned to the wallet and the peek is made.
After
some suitable patter I make the Open Prediction on the other
business card
leaving it for all to see. Now have them remove the deck,
try to guide them to
remove it face up. Have them shuffle it lay-person style
then square up. Explain
to them this is a special deck, that it is marked on the
back with different cards to
what they see on the faces.
Have
a spectator deal through the deck, dealing the cards from
a face up deck
into a face down pile.
Everyone
looks for the Open Prediction card (face up) except the
spectator who
is thinking of a card. They look for their card written
on the backs of the cards as
they are dealt face down into a pile.
When
the OP card appears on the face of the dealing pile (in
the hands of the
spectator) have them stop the deal. They are instructed
to deal this card still face
up to one side. They now continue the deal. At the end of
the deal they will not
have seen the thought of card.
Have
someone turn over the OP card as the spectator reveals their
thought of
card.
There
is no need to even go back to the wallet, if you have presented
this well they
will be in too much shock!
Although
I have opted for a peek wallet, any peek from a centre tear
or billet will
suffice. Failing that another deck in play stacked will
do the job as well. Indeed
the classic reversal of one card using a stack will work
very well as a two-deck
combo, think about it.
So,
there you have it, my crazy off-the-wall approach to the
Open Prediction
matched with Barry's Quick-Stack from the outer-rim.
Thanks
to Barry for permission to re-print and teach his work.
N.B
- All Commercial rights reserved 2015. David Gemmell.
-------------------------------------------
7. Magical Designs Created for Magicians
-------------------------------------------
Message by James R Laudermilk
I'm
creating different special cards designed by hand.
Magical designs created for magicians by a magician! "The
Magician" Spanish and English versions posted so far.
http://magicdesigns.shop
-----------------------------------
8. Congratulations to Nikola Arkane from Belfast
------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
"Congratulations
to Nikola Arkane from Belfast in winning the close-up magic
competition at the International Brotherhood of Magician's
Convention in Eastbourne!
A
beautifully performed act full of wonder enchanted the whole
audience and judges. In addition, Nikola was also awarded
the prestigious Ali Bongo award for micro magic. A very
worthy recipient!
Convention
and Society organizers can contact Nikola at her website:
www.arkanemagic.com for performance and lecture enquiries
worldwide.
--------------------------------------------
9. Ontario Week of Wonder OWOW Magic Festival
--------------------------------------------
Message by Joan Caesar (Canada)
24th
to 27th October 2019
Ontario
Week of Wonder OWOW Magic Festival is a seven-day celebration
of magic and illusion held in downtown Fergus Ontario. Magic
flows along the Grand River with events happening for magicians
and the general public.
Featuring:
Paul Romhany, Jay Sankey, Stephen Bergatze, Rick Merrill,
Carisa Hendrix (Lucy Darling), Michael Close, Nick Wallace,
Owen Anderson, and Peter Mennie.
During
the three-day magic convention, events for magicians include
magic instruction, lectures, and sessions. In the evening,
magic takes over the city. Magicians performing at restaurants
around town and the big star-studded lineup taking centre-stage
at the Fergus Grand Theatre.
You won't want to miss the Canadian Champion show on Friday
or the International Show on Saturday.
Fergus
Ontario is located in the Township of Centre Wellington.
The area is a year-round festival and tourist destination
1 hour from Toronto and 2 hours from Buffalo, NY.
You'll
find hotels and bed & breakfasts located in and around
Elora and Fergus. The Best Western has offered a convention
discount. Mention "Magic Festival" and get the
rate for $152.99 a night. (Reg $189.99) There are many Airbnb
rooms for well under $100.
Registration
is $125 until August 31. Register now and save!
For
more information visit: https://magicfestival.ca
-------------------------------------
10. Grand Master Of Magic Award Goes To Paul Bates - New
Zealand
-------------------------------------
Message by Stan Goudge (New Zealand)
Brotherhood
of Auckland Magicians
The story of the Grand Master of Magic
GMM Award to Paul Bates
Good
evening, it has been suggested that I should give an account
of our Grand Master of Magic Award, its beginnings and its
history. Why? Because Stan Goudge has been intimately associated
with the awards over the past fifty years and probably won't
be around much longer to bore you with all the details.
The
year of its beginning was 1969. Edgar, The Great Benyon
after 62 years of magical performance around the world was
retiring to Auckland, and was made an Honorary Member of
the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians (BAM). There were
rumours that the Variety Artists Club was to launch an "Oscar"
like award for the best Variety Artist performer. This is
to be presented annually as the premier show business award
in New Zealand.
We
knew the rumours were true because Jon Zealando had already
designed and made the first "Bennie Award" Trophy.
There was embarrassment among the BAM members that the Variety
Artists of New Zealand were honouring an international acclaimed
magician, one of our own and yet New Zealand magicians had
failed to publicly recognise him.
This
was the impetus for the creation of the Grand Master of
Magic Award. Conceived, made and presented in some haste
in October 1969. Designed as a silver medallion on a red
ribbon by Auckland sculptor Greig Barnett it features on
the obverse a rabbit in a hat joined by a rope coming out
of an Indian basket, a fan of playing cards and the words
"Grand Master of Magic". The reverse to be engraved
with the recipient's name, the date of presentation, and
the magical society making the presentation. The early awards
were made in solid silver but later they were made in metal
and silver coated.
I
have been associated with all the presentations to date.
Having researched the recipients, and their magical history.
Their story is told in the Citation that accompanies each
award. The Grand Master of Magic title, medallion and certificate
are protected by the New Zealand Trade Mark No. 847437,
registered to the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Incorporated.
There
have been eighteen Grand Master Awards in the past fifty
years. Of the eighteen magicians nine are still with us
and nine have passed on. Eight have been awarded to magicians
living in Auckland, (after all the BAM is the premium club)
and ten to magicians in other centres. Two to Hamilton,
one In New Plymouth, two in Palmerston North/Wanganui. Wellington
has one, two went to the South Island, and a couple to New
Zealanders domiciled overseas.
All
have been measured against the award's criteria which states:
"Its purpose is to honour those magicians who are acknowledged
by their fellow magicians to be masters of the art and craft
of magic. The recipients first and foremost must be performers
of a high standard. In addition, they might be originators
of magical effects, or administrators giving time and expertise
to running societies and conventions. They could be consistent
competition winners, or have an international standing,
or be known only in the New Zealand setting. But above all
they are people who have served magic well, have graced
our art, and made a special contribution over many years."
Why
am I telling you all this ancient stuff? Because I am pleased
to announce that another award is to be made. Stand up Paul
Bates, Grand Master of Magic.
(Brotherhood
of Auckland Magicians President Alan Watson makes the presentation
of the Grand Master of Magic Medallion and the Certificate.)
Paul
Bates has a life time interest in magic, it is in his heritage
and in his genes. The son of Mr Wonderful, Grand Master
of Magic, Ken Bates and the frustrated beautiful Assistant
Shirley, he has been nurtured in a magical environment.
(Please
acknowledge Ken and Shirley Bates)
Paul
Bates has been performing as a boy and the by the age of
twelve Grandad Fred (a magician also) was driving him to
magic shows until Paul got his driver's license at fifteen.
Ken and Paul both joined the Wanganui Magic Circle in 1974
and Paul was known as "Radar the Magician". He
was Secretary for several years and a regular performer
winning the Rothmans Cup for Junior stage magic. In 1978
Paul was sponsored by Bob Loader from Wanganui Magic Circle
and appeared on the television programme "Opportunity
Knocks".
Flight
Attendant Paul Bates joined Air New Zealand in his early
twenties and flew the magic skies for fifteen years. He
continued with his magic performances, including entertaining
on flights as well as doing a variety of shows for Air New
Zealand Koru Care raising money for children with special
needs.
But
the lure of full-time magic called and in 1994 after extensive
research and planning he re-emerged as "Zappo The Magician".
Since then he has worked professionally in Wellington and
the lower North Island over the last twenty years. From
his base in Greytown Paul performs extensively in schools
and libraries with themed presentations including music
and singing as well as ventriloquism with a variety of puppets.
An expert at children's birthday parties he is regarded
as the Capital City's premier children's entertainer and
is a regular performer at Shopping Malls around his area.
His highly decorated Zappo Car draws attention to his magic
and advertises "Zappoland" where magic begins.
The Pirate Show takes to the high seas and entertains on
the Interislander Cook Strait Ferry. He is an expert Face
Painter as well.
Paul
released a CD in 2009 titled "Magicadabra" featuring
twenty-three magic themed songs including his theme song
of "Wibbly Wobbily" and has also released 2 DVDs
of his magic shows. In 1997 he wrote a children's column
about teaching magic, titled "Presto" for 12 months
that was published in the Wellington Evening Post newspaper.
Although
Paul specializes in Children's entertainment and Birthday
Parties are his stock in trade, he is also an effective
Close Up Performer at restaurants and private functions
and a Cabaret Entertainer with high manipulative skills
and witty patter. He is an expert Balloon Sculptor and winning
awards and lecturing at balloon conventions in Australia.
In
2017 Paul went on a three-week tour of Australia teaching
magic and presentation skills, in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide,
Tasmania and the Gold Coast in his lecture called "Adding
the Magic".
Throughout
his magical career Paul has helped to raise money for many
Charities, including Child Cancer, Camp Quality, Fundraising
for Kindergartens. He has travelled to Vanuatu and performed
at the local children's hospital, schools and kindergartens.
Paul
Bates is a good communicator using all the technology available
to inform the public of his services. You can check his
Website, Facebook, YouTube, and Blog and be impressed by
his use of social media.
Zappo
has spent time and energy over many years assisting and
promoting magic clubs, belonging to the Palmerston North
and Wellington Magic Societies and has mentored junior members
down the years. He has also been an IBM (International Brotherhood
of Magician's) member for the past 21 years.
The
first Magic Convention he attended was in 1976, a Mini Convention
hosted by the Wanganui Magic Circle. Since then Paul has
assisted with many magic conventions, and more recently
was a committee member for the Wellington Magic Convention
held in October 2015 where he also performed at the Wellington
State Opera House.
Over
the years Paul has won many awards at magic gatherings in
New Zealand and Australia with the most recent being:
*
2010 - "Best Children's Entertainer" at the 30th
New Zealand Magic Convention,
* 2012 - "Best Stage Act Competition" a the 31st
New Zealand Magic Convention, and especially
* 2015 - "Best Children's Entertainer" as voted
by the Variety Artist Club, New Zealand.
To
sum it all up, Paul Bates has been a consistent high achiever
as a magician over many years, both as a competent, skilled
and successful performer and as a magical enthusiast contributing
to magic societies, conventions and magical functions. He
has served magic well, graced our art, and made a special
contribution over many years.
Well
done Paul Bates - Grand Master of Magic.
Citation
presented by Stan Goudge, 10 September 2019
-------------------------------------
10. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
-------------------------------------
Written by the late Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)
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, practicing 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, as 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 - they
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! (circa N.Z
$3000). Phew! I've wanted to say that lot, 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 of 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 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 in 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, lay-outs, and publicity Also
met the diminutive 'rookie' news reporter, Wendy - she was
like a pixie, and 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 in a vice, 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 'ladder of
swords' - keep your feet flat, DON'T SLIDE - you'll be okay,
but, the most infinitesimal movement sideways and 'HELLO,
HOPPY'.
Next
week, the 'swinging (tricky) sixties' continues!
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11. E-zine Archives
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Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e- zine go to:
www.magicnewzealand.com click on the red button centre right
"Archives"
When you enter the archive the e- zines are in issue order
in folders for each year and are Coded, e.g. 001 Nov06 1999.txt
first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the
date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999)
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