Magic New Zealand® E-zine

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* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
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Issue Number: #1577
Date: Sunday 5th July 2020
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
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Hi here is the latest news
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1. Editor's Message
2. July Vanish Magic Magazine Edition 72
3. Marvyn Roy, Magician Known As "Mr. Electric," Dies At 95
4. Magic Castle Revisited Part Four
5. Harry Lorayne On The Magic Word Podcast
6. Broken Wand - Brad Jacobs
7. The Rascal Force! - John Carey #86
8. Broken Wand - Louis Falanga
9. Broadway Will Officially Remain Closed Through 2020
10. Ongoing Adventures Of Romany! #15
11. Masters Of Illusion Friday, July 10th
12. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
13. E-zine Archives
14. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice

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1. Editor's Message
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If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML format
go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2020-Jan-to-Dec-2020/1577-Jul05-2020.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

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2. July Vanish Magic Magazine Edition 72
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Message by Paul Romhany - Editor Vanish Magazine

Double Cover Edition
Our double feature includes our 'special' from June Black Lives Matter - where Kevin Bethea, Eric Jones, Darryl V. Harris, Ice McDonald, Kid Ace, Marcus Eddie, Michael Vincent and Jeff & Tessa EBeyoncevason share their own personal stories and experiences about diversity in the world of magic. Our special edition reached record numbers and I felt it was important to include it as the double cover for July as well.

Vanish has been at the forefront of magic publications when it comes to diversity and really opening the eyes of the magic world. Our regular contributor Felicity Fields continues her story and shares her own experiences with diversity and what she has experienced, as well as asking friends from other cultures their own experiences at conventions and magic clubs.

Our double cover also includes a Brit Of Magic with Lady Sarah. This is a wonderful story about an amazing lady whose career has really taken off with her husband Keith Fields in their online and live show Lady Sarah's Magic Soiree. Vanish gets another exclusive story with Lady Sarah and you will want to join them online for one of the funniest shows I've seen.

Another exclusive story with Magic Champion from Germany Julius Frack. The story covers his incredible drive-in performances and not only do we have a great story and photos but if you watch VanishTV on Facebook or YouTube you can see some truly remarkable footage of the set-up and show.

One of the busiest performers with online shows is Jay Mattioli. Jay shares with us how to do a Zoom show for less than $200 as an investment.

This is our hottest story yet - Paul Fidler is the master of the pyro. He has done pyro for the largest concerts in the world including artists like Celine Dion, Beyounce, Burning Man, Jonas Brothers, Lady Gaga, Kiss to name a few. Find out Paul's incredible story AND see some truly amazing photos.

Women In Magic - we take you behind the scenes with Masters Of Illusion and highlight Alexandra Duvivier from France. We also ask Gay Blackstone some questions for those who might consider getting on the show.

Nick Lewin shares a fascinating look in to one of the legends of Magic Comedy John Ferrentino. He also looks at John's move in to Seance shows.

Product Hilights - two amazing effects this month as we take a closer look at split focus by Gregory Wilson and Cubesmith and Peeksmith by Bene Smith.

Magic - effects by Louie Foxx, Kevlin Ng, and Gregory Wilson

Jeff Christensen continues his series on Magic Is Education and looks at online magic.

Our new series "Magical Wisdom" focuses on Abigail McBride and her journey in to magic with great trips for everybody.

Midwest magic series - the final in this series by Thomas L Swieciak features The Rockstar Steve Chezaday.

Product Reviews - Nine of the latest tricks, downloads and books.

VanishMagicTV - remember on Sunday July 5th at 4pm (Pacific Time on Vancouver Island) I will be going LIVE with our very first Vanish TV show. A 30 minute fast paced magic magazine style show that will share some insights, prizes, never before seen videos all related to the current edition - plus some of the top 10 tricks from this month. Head over to VanishTV on Facebook and join - or VanishTV on YouTube and join. The shows will remain UP and will be posted to other sites once they are live so you can watch anytime.

www.vanishmagazine.com

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3. Marvyn Roy, Magician Known As "Mr. Electric," Dies At 95
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Article forwarded on by John Peterson

The Hollywood Reporter

Marvyn Roy, Magician Known as "Mr. Electric," Dies at 95

He and his wife Carol, performed on 'The Ed Sullivan Show,' opened for Liberace and played from Radio City Music Hall to Russia.

Marvyn Roy, a magician and illusionist known as "Mr. Electric," died Wednesday in Los Angeles of a cerebral hemorrhage, his publicist announced. He was 95.

Roy and his late wife, Carol, found fame over five decades with a magic act based around light bulbs that became known as Artistry in Light. They opened for the likes of Liberace and Dean Martin and once toured Russia with Ed Sullivan, appearing on his CBS program four times in one year.

They also performed on The Merv Griffin Show, The Hollywood Palace and The Tonight Show and played such showrooms as the Lido de Paris, The London Palladium and Radio City Music Hall as well as Las Vegas venues including the Stardust, the MGM Grand and the Desert Inn.

On stage, Roy somehow could get unplugged bulbs to illuminate at will, and for the act's finale, dozens of tiny, lighted bulbs on a string many, many feet long would be pulled from his mouth. His wife was his assistant, and she pulled the string.

Marvin Levy was born in Los Angeles on April 1, 1925. Mentored by magician Ray Muse, he was named best magician under the age of 21 at a Pacific Coast Association of Magicians convention in San Francisco.

While in the U.S. Army, Roy was among the second wave of soldiers that landed on Normandy in 1944. After he was wounded and received the Purple Heart, he was attached to Special Services and performed in a variety show that entertained the troops.

Following the service, he studied theater at UCLA and began in earnest to develop the act that would propel him to stardom.

At The Conrad hotel in Chicago, he met Carol Williams, an ice skater and rope spinner, and they were married in 1956. They retired in 1997 to La Quinta, where she died in 2009.

He published his memoir, Mr. Electric Unplugged, in 2005.

Survivors include Dale Hindman, an extended family member and the executor of the estate; daughters Tiffany and Michele and their husbands; stepson Larry; granddaughters Mallory and Lindsey and their husbands; and great-granddaughter Blake.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Hollywood-based Dai Vernon Foundation, which supports magicians in need.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/marvyn-roy-dead-magician-known-as-mr-electric-was-95-1301483

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4. Magic Castle Revisited Part Four
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Message by Nick Lewin

Looking back from the current day to the sepia past, I am also amazed at how keenly I remember the blue pungent haze of smoke that surrounded and almost obscured the various bars in the Magic Castle; whether it was, the numerous cigarettes, occasional fragrant cigar, or that grand old pro Johnny Platt puffing away at his pipe. Sometimes it was difficult to see even such substantial bartenders as Jimmy Campbell or Lauren through the curtain of smoke. I seem to remember that some of the younger members smoking less salubrious substances in the parking structure that was later to become the new "wing" of the Castle. I don't have any personal knowledge of this, or then again perhaps my memories are just hazy.

One memorable Magic Castle highlight was the night the Los Angeles Fire Department closed down the Castle from business as usual. Unperturbed the management and magicians moved the shows and action into the parking structure where the magic continued unabated and without missing a beat. I was performing that night and it became a great story to embellish and share over the years. That particular evening is how I best like to remember Bill Larsen. Our President donned a spiffy tuxedo and played the elegant host for the entire evening, while the drab parking structure was transformed into the Magic Castle al fresco. It was a splendid occasion as the potential disaster was somehow miraculously transformed into an improvised triumph. I have always assumed that it was on that extraordinary evening that the idea for the Palace of Mysteries and the subsequent expansion of the clubhouse was born.

I couldn't write this memoire without briefly discussing the joys of the numerous other characters who comprised the weave and fabric of the Castle in those joyous evenings back in the mid-seventies. It was always a pleasure to spend an hour in the Owl Bar drinking and listening to the deliciously barbed and acerbic comments of John Schrum. John was the art designer from the Tonight Show and could seemingly drink endlessly throughout the evening without ever appearing one iota inebriated. Perhaps you would spend time sitting at the main bar in the company of the incomparable Ron Wilson, as he sat steadily sipping on glasses of scotch diluted with milk, while he shared his endless magical wisdom.

I always enjoyed joining Billy McComb, who would often be sitting at the Main Bar puffing away on his pipe, spinning a complicated yarn and performing one of his innumerable "Packet Tricks." Billy was one of the many Irishmen who could consistently prove that it was speech and not silence that was golden. In the Hat & Hare Pub, Jules Lenier would amaze and amuse in the most maximum manner utilizing the most minimal of props. Later on as night advanced into morning, Jules could often be found telling tall tales of his early days in New York spent writing comedy with the likes of the great Jackie Mason.

In the Close Up Gallery or dining room Albert Goshman would often be found in a crumpled and greasy tuxedo working his wonders with coins and a saltcellar for astounded audiences. Perhaps later in the evening you could talk Tony Giorgio into reciting items from his repertoire of intriguing and authentic grifter poetry. Some nights you might even get to spend a few minutes chatting with Charlie Miller as he rushed around the Castle. Charlie, unlike most magicians, always seemed to be in a hurry as he passed through the Castle.

Check out my blog www.RemarkableMagic.com for other fun stories about legendary magical people and places. You can also visit www.LewinEnterprises.com to purchase my great new download "Taking A Stab".

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5. Harry Lorayne On The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

Heralded by MAGIC Magazine as one of the top 100 Most Influential Magicians in the 20th Century, the legendary Harry Lorayne joins us this week on the podcast. This extended episode covers a wide swath of Harry's life from childhood through his formative years to where he is now at 94 years of age. He made his international mark in public as the master of memory with his Super Memory courses. But his plethora of magic books and his revolutionary "Apocalypse" periodical marked him as a creator of the highest mark.

This week, Harry tells a lot of stories about how he developed his super memory and tips on how you can do it, too. He also shares stories about some of his celebrity friends like Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft, among others. He relates stories about how he made the "leap" from just card tricks to using his incredible memory skills to create "miracles".

You can listen to this epic episode wherever you get your podcasts. But for more content with videos and photos, then visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/566-harry-lorayne This week we have completed our tenth and final week of the Magicians' Relief Project. I am so happy that we could help at least a few magicians in need and I hope it inspires you to consider helping another fellow "gig worker" who might be in need, too.

We have some incredible guests coming up in future weeks. So be sure to subscribe to our weekly podletter so you don't miss any contests. Plus you will read who is coming up next week and you get suggestions from the archives that you should go back to hear.

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6. Broken Wand - Brad Jacobs
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Message by Joan Caesar (Canada)

Brad Jacobs - Ambassador Of Magic - Dies At 89

One day after his 89th birthday "Mr. S.A.M" Bradley Jacobs died peacefully at his home in Hilton Head South Carolina. Best known for his eighteen years as chairman and treasurer of the Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund, Brad held many important positions in our Society for most of his 69 years as a member.

As a Harvard student our " Ambassador of Magic" was busy performing six shows a month with kid show matinees in Boston Theaters to support himself and earning a BA degree in English. After a few TV shows he finally joined Assembly #9 in Boston in 1952. A year later he served in the army and after his stint found an advertising job at Proctor and Gamble. He moved to Summit, New Jersey where he met Leslie Guest. That meeting changed his life and in 1957 his mentor advised Brad Jacobs to become a member of PA#1 in New York.

That year Brad Jacobs assisted PA#1 where he stage-managed our Annual Show, bringing Gali-Gali to the New York scene. Brad booked the talent and pulled the curtains at the Brooklyn Academy." In 1959 he produced the Annual Show and after few active committee jobs in 1961 he became youngest President of Assembly #1 since Houdini. His "producer" skills were honed and he became the chairman of the Entertainment Committee for the joint SAM/IBM World's Fair Magic Congress at the Commodore hotel.

His next job took him to Philadelphia at the Advertising and Sales Department of the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company. He became a member of Assembly #4 retaining his PA#1 membership. At #4 he was involved with hosting highly successful S.A.M Conventions.( 1968, 1972 and 1976.) As a National Deputy he had two terms as RVP before becoming our National President in 1970. His work involved traveling and gave him the opportunity the meet magicians in many cities around country.

In 1985 Brad became the Executive Director of the S.A.M National Conventions. He served in that capacity from 1985 to 2002. In 1996 the Magic Circle gave him a Gold Star membership. Three years later he was elected to Honorary Membership in the S.A.M (1999).

In 2008 the Parent Assembly named Bradley Jacobs as "Magician of the Year. Also in 2008 the convention in Louisville, Kentucky drew 1,800 people and made a large profit for both organizations. Brad stepped in there as well. He holds the title of "Executive Director Emeritus". He is an active Life Member and truly our Ambassador of Magic.

My dinner buddy, driver and dinner friend has attended the Abbott's Get-Together where he occasionally vies for winner of their golf outings. He shows up at the FFFF events and has become internationally famous with the FISM magicians. Most recently, he organized "FISM North America" bringing his expertise to the world stage. Little did he realize that he was to become "Mr. S.A.M" where he serves as a giant in every important position in our organization.

Born 6/28/1931-----89 years old.

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7. The Rascal Force! - John Carey #86
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

The Rascal force, so named because that's what a fellow magician friend called me when I tipped it to him is sneaky, strong and fun! It's an improvement on a force I had in my book Minimalistica, called Topping It Off.

Let's say you want to force the Seven of Clubs. Position it second from the top of the deck. Execute an in the hands riffle shuffle retaining your force card second from top. "Shannon, let's try something under test conditions. There's too many cards here, so would you cut off a packet from the top?" By way of demonstration you cut off a small packet with your right hand and extend the left hand and the balance of the deck towards your helper. They cut off a packet and table it. Casually drop your cards on top.

"Still too many! Take some from the middle too." Spread the cards in hand and have them pull out a bunch from the middle and table them onto the other packet. "But there's still too many Shannon! Take some from the bottom and table them." Spread your cards and have them remove a few from the bottom of the packet and table them.

"So you've eliminated cards from the top, middle and bottom. Hold those that remain and lose or burn the top card. Tell you what? Burn the bottom card as well. Now take a peek at the top card and put the thought of that card into your mind."

Suiting actions to your words they hold the remaining cards and burn both top and bottom cards. They then peek the new top card- your force card and then have them assemble the deck and shuffle. Mission accomplished. Now fool em

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8. Broken Wand - Louis Falanga
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Message by Jeff McBride on Facebook (US)

My dear friend Louis Falanga has passed away.

Louis created L&L Publishing and he changed so many people's lives. When we were working on one of our many teaching projects, I said to him, "Louis, I just perform a magic show, but you my friend, create Magicians. you have helped create thousands of magicians with your books and videos!!"

For so over 30 years, Magicians around the world would open their mailbox and there would be a package full of his books and DVDs. Young and old aspiring Magicians spent countless hours studying these training videos attempting to master their art. How many of you learned some of your magic from an L&L teaching video?

Louis created so much magic for so many Magicians!

His many contributions to the world of magic are unmatched. Louis gifted us an astonishing legacy of magic.

Louis and Eugene Burger are the two people who were the turning points in my career as a performer to stepping into my role as a magic teacher.

Blessings on your journey Louis.

Those who are remembered never die.

Louis my brother, your name and Magic will be remembered forever!

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9. Broadway Will Officially Remain Closed Through 2020
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Article forwarded on by Phillip Foster

Playbill

Productions have remained shuttered since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As performing arts organizations across the country announce plans to forgo their fall programming, Broadway is following suit. The Broadway League has announced that all productions will remain closed through at least January 3, 2021.

While it is now official, the decision does not come as a surprise. The League stated in May that while shows would be dark through September 6, this date serves more as a determination of how late productions would offer refunds and exchanges than as a look into when the curtain will rise again.

Once that is able to happen, audiences can expect shows to return on a rolling basis, rather than on one specific date. Details concerning this scheduling and ticketing will be announced in the coming weeks.

Some productions had already made such calls prior to the industry-wide announcement. The revival of The Music Man, starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, moved its fall opening to May 2021 last week. Both Lincoln Center Theater and Roundabout Theatre Company announced new spring dates for their upcoming titles……
For more information go to:

https://www.playbill.com/article/broadway-will-officially-remain-closed-through-2020?fbclid=IwAR3FFiZq-yrrRidrNt0H9ghK6xTEo9AsZeLAjmE8lNZIjCExlngqxQKhjSU

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10. Ongoing Adventures Of Romany! #15
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Message by Romany Romany (UK)

Hello from The Magic Cottage!

July 2nd and yet, it could be February or March. 15 degrees, grey clouds, frequent rain. In the monastery, the new lawn I sowed a month back is a luscious long bright green. In a couple of weeks when the grounds are open to the public again, no-one will know that it is a magic lawn, conjured from my imagination with the help of a 2 kilo bag of seed.

This week, still on our 'magician's pause', I have been relishing the feeling of having 'all the time in the world'. About fifteen years ago when I felt under huge pressure to get my act together, get gigs, earn money, I used to do morning manifestation exercises to create precisely what this 'corona pause' has given me, abundant time.

Broadway shut until 2021, Cirque declared bankrupt, here, the UK government has banned live performances. Apart from zoom shows, theatre and magic are dark and will be for months.

And so, I have all the time in the world.

I started reading again. I mean, really reading. Becoming one with the sofa reading. I'm reading The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion today. Perfect to make you count your blessings and understand that life can change at any moment.

I bought a chainsaw. Yes, a chainsaw. The Buddhist monastery has huge forest grounds with abundant fallen logs. I've spent a concentrated couple of hours creating a happy pile of wood for a daily winter fire in the cottage. This winter, I'm going to be a hermit, cosy by my fire, walking out on dry days for more kindling, reading, exploring magic again and zooming about on country lanes on a bike. A very different kind of life from the showbiz travelling past years.

And this weekend, we are finally allowed to go to the shops. I'm going to buy a huge bit of wood and create a workbench in my new magic studio. Within two weeks max, it will be functional, sewing machine and printer back in use. I will be back in use. I have a glorious six months to go through ALL the magic I've been putting by for years and finally create new material with precisely NO pressure.

Such a blessing.

In these times, I've ramped up my appreciation practice. This is the key I think to a happy life. The moment thoughts of 'I have no work, no income, everything aches, my friends are far away…' set in, I stop and count at least ten things on my fingers that I appreciate. My cottage, health, beautiful countryside, a kind husband, fingers, a fire, a cottage (twice, but I LOVE The Magic Cottage!), a kettle, coffee, the ability to drink, air, clean water, abundant firewood, feet, shoes, toes to twiddle…

And this Wednesday the dress rehearsal run for my first zoom magic show and hosted event!

I'll tell you how it goes next week!

With best wishes and friendship,

Romany

You can read more about Romany's magical adventures in her inspiring memoir Spun Into Gold - The Secret Life of a Female Magician, available worldwide and as an audiobook.
Book Depository Free Shipping bit.ly/2ONMFvB
Amazon UK bit.ly/2kqB4G6
Amazon USA amzn.to/2m3XT2J
Audible adbl.co/2qROlu5
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/romanydivaofmagic Please subscribe!

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11. Masters Of Illusion Friday, July 10th
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Message by Steve Moyer (US)
Masters of Illusion returns for week eight of seventh anniversary season on the CW Network Hosted by Dean Cain, The series returns Friday, July 10th with two 30-minute episodes airing back to back, starting at 8/7C

8:00 - 8:30 p.m.: "Cell Phone Hack, Water Torture, and Alonzo's Shop of Horrors"
Starring Naathan Phan, Anna DeGuzman, Richard Turner, Ed Alonzo, Eric Jones and Titou
And
8:30 - 9:00 p.m. Encore: "Video Magic And The Magical Murder Mystery Tour"
Starring Trigg Watson, Naathan Phan, Paige Thompson, Shaun Jay and The Sacred Riana

Hollywood, CA (June 29, 2020) - Masters of Illusion, produced by Associated Television International and hosted by Dean Cain, will return for Week Eight of their seventh anniversary season on The CW with two 30-minute episodes airing back to back on Friday, July 10, 2020 at 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central, one Original episode followed by one Encore episode. Masters of Illusion features amazing magic performed by 45 acts, including 46 diverse national and international cutting-edge illusionists, escape artists and performers, 10 of which are women.

And, as an added bonus, from 9:00 - 10:00 p.m./8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Central on Friday, July 10, 2020, Masters of Illusion - Impossible Escapes will air as an Encore performance.

This week's episodes will include:
Masters of Illusion
"Cell Phone Hack, Water Torture, and Alonzo's Shop of Horrors" - (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET)
(Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

A Lesson In Sleight Of Hand - Hosted by Dean Cain, MASTERS OF ILLUSION features amazing magic performed by cutting-edge illusionists, escape artists and performers displaying skills ranging from perplexing interactive mind magic to hilarious comedy routines - all in front of a studio audience. Magicians featured in this episode include: Naathan Phan (Magic is Hard), Anna DeGuzman (Phone Password), Richard Turner (Dealing Seconds), Ed Alonzo (Man Eating Plant),
Eric Jones (Oxyclean) and Titou (Water Tank Escape). (709) Original Airdate 7/10/20.

To view performance highlights of the July 10th episode airing from 8:00 - 8:30 p.m., please visit:
(Highlight Clip of Ed Alonzo) https://vimeo.com/425699839/44e5ba8a58

Masters of Illusion
"Video Magic And The Magical Murder Mystery Tour" - (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET)
(Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

Magic Heels - Hosted by Dean Cain, Masters of Illusion features amazing magic performed by cutting-edge illusionists, escape artists and performers displaying skills ranging from perplexing interactive mind magic to hilarious comedy routines - all in front of a studio audience. Magicians featured in this episode include: Trigg Watson (Video Magic), Naathan Phan (Cell Phone in a Bottle), Paige Thompson (Magic Heels), Shaun Jay (Time Is Money) and The Sacred Riana (Psychic Murder Mystery). (#707) (Encore Presentation) (Original Airdate 6/19/20).

To view performance highlights of the July 10th Encore episode airing from 8:30 - 9:00 p.m., please visit:
(Highlight Clip of The Sacred Riana) https://vimeo.com/421281473/864b25313e

Masters of Illusion is produced by Associated Television International (ATI) with returning Executive Producers David McKenzie, Gay Blackstone, David Martin, and Al Schwartz, along with Co-Executive Producer Jim Romanovich. For more information about ATI, please visit www.associatedtelevision.com

For more information on Masters of Illusion, please visit:
Website: http://www.cwtv.com/shows/masters-of-illusion/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwmastersofillusion and https://www.facebook.com/MastersofIllusion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cw_illusion and https://twitter.com/Mastersofillus
.@cw_illusion
#MastersOfIllusion

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12. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
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Written by the late Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)

Variety Stage Show at-'The Wellington Opera House'

The last time I had graced that 'Mighty Stage' was on Joe Brown's - 'Search for Stars - Grand New Zealand Tour,' in 1960 - I was then just 16 years old - now, 12 years later, I was back. The Opera House was available for three nights in July - Thursday the 13th, Friday the 14th, and Saturday the 15th (I will explain the significance of the dates later). The cost of hiring the Opera House was, oh dear God, a $1,000 per night! That did not include the extra expenses for staff - lights and sound men, usherettes, front of house, etc., etc. and to top it off, my 'angels' also wanted other artists on the show - that was not my idea at all, I've always been a -'One Man Show'!

Against my wishes, I set about getting support acts and a band together. My first choice was Sylvia Sevanna, an exceptionally beautiful young blonde, originally from Germany, who had a fabulous fire dancing routine. I can't remember how we first met, but she was still going to school at the time. She would often come up to my flat after school, still in her gym dress, and before everybody starts jumping to conclusions (you dirty-minded buggers), she was always accompanied by her (late) father Harry, who guarded her like a demon.

That didn't stop a certain, very charming Welsh magician (who had quite a way with 'birds'- the feathered kind) from 'poking' his 'magic wand' at? her a few years later, the 'dirty, filthy, lucky bastard'; which not surprisingly, resulted in the bringing down of - 'Harry's Germanic wrath' upon his head! I do remember my mate, Murray Hobson, and the rest of the guys I was flatting with, 'drooling' all over the place, as did most of the male population, whenever she turned up! I have a rather large record collection of Hawaiian/Island/'Exotic' style music, and I was taping a collection of tunes for Sylvia's fire - dancing act. Dear oh dear - that was so long ago, I'm beginning to feel positively ancient!

My next choice was a young magician from Napier whom I had met somewhere along the line. His name was John Denning - he did illusions and some escapology. Next was a pop singer/guitarist - Brian Swanson; he had his own band with a female singer, Anne Michelle. I'd known Brian for a long time - he used to be with a band from Hastings
called, ' The Shaddracks'. Brian had two slight problems, he thought he was God's gift - to everything, and compared to him, Stirling Moss was a rank amateur.

Veronica and I were on some tour down in the South Island. We were in the back seat of the car and Brian was driving-as usual, like a bloody maniac! We were out in the country - miles from anywhere, going down this narrow, steep and dusty road, when a sheep wandered out into the middle of the roadway. We all yelled and screamed but Brian was going so fast (there was no way he could've stopped in time), that when we hit the sheep, we hardly felt the bump. The force of the impact upon the sheep however, was so great it was cut completely in half! When he finally did pull up, we all piled out of the car and refused to get back in again until Brian agreed to let somebody else do the driving. What A 'Nutter!'

The first half of the 'International Stage Show' was all variety and music, with myself closing, before the intermission, performing the 'Fakir' act. During the intermission it was all -'go - go-go'. I had to have a fast body wash after performing the Fireeating etc. and
then get 'dressed up' ready for the hypnotism show, which took up the entire second half - approximately 90 minutes. The opening night - (Thursday the 13th) had been well 'Papered' so although 'The House' was almost full the actual 'door take' was pretty thin, none the less - the show was well received.

When I called for volunteers for the hypnotism show there was, as usual, a mad stampede for the stage, with over one hundred excited people, enthusiastically 'panting at the bit'- willing to 'go to sleep ' the 'Orchante' way! I set about sorting the 'wheat from the chaff, with various 'hypnotic tests' and some amusing 'Waking Hypnosis' stunts. I finished up with around 70 subjects on stage, of various age groups, with several university students among them. One chap was over sixty years old! He was an exceptionally good subject and talking to him after the show, it turns out that he was one of Franquin's 'Super Subjects', and that he, along with several other 'Super Subjects', had toured the world with - The Fabulous Franquin - Show!

Continues -.

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13. 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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