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: #1632
Date: Sunday 15th August 2021
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. Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theatre
3. Wizard Magic Review
4. The Magic Word Podcast
5. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
6. Final Fusion - John Carey #129
7. Diana Zimmerman In One Of France's Leading Magic Magazines
8. Broken Wand - Brian Miller
9. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #24
10. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
11. E-zine Archives
12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice

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1. Editor's Message
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This issue of the Magic New Zealand ezine is being sent to 17, 253 subscribers around the world. Enjoy.

If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML format
go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2021-Jan-to-Dec-2021/1632-Aug15-2021.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. Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theatre
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One of the Premier Magic Theaters in the United States

We guarantee you'll BE AMAZED!

Since we opened our doors in August of 2017, the Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theater has become one of the premier magic theaters in the United States. We have thrilled over 50,000 people with our incredible roster of top performers from around the world. The very best entertainers have beaten a path to our door to perform in the finest conditions they have ever had. That's one of the reasons why we have hundreds and hundreds of five-star reviews!

When the coronavirus limited how many people can attend a live show, we added the ability to watch our shows, streamed live from the theater with an audience watching, so anyone with a phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV can watch and enjoy. You will have an experience that is as close to sitting in the theater as you can imagine.

In addition to our main theater, our Black Box Theater, The Little Theater, doubles as our BYOB lounge and banquet room. This wonderful space has hosted hundreds of private parties and special events.

Can't make it to the theater? We can send our incredible entertainers to you! We host magic events outside the theater, at your location. At our theater, watching online, or adding magic entertainment to your next event, we delight in sharing the best magic performers and we guarantee that you'll be amazed!

https://smokeandmirrorstheater.com/

Our Upcoming Live Shows.... Be Amazed!

Live in Theater ? Streaming ? Video on Demand

https://smokeandmirrorstheater.com/upcoming-magic-shows/

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3. Wizard Magic Review
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Message by David Penn (UK)

The Wizard Magic Review David Penn & Sean Heydon take a look at some magic releases on this week's Wizard Magic Review.

https://fb.watch/7lvYAoFgZZ/

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4. The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

Last week was the first major, in-person, live magic convention in the U.S. Not a virtual event, but a real, live event with nearly 600 magicians from across the country. Abbott's Get Together happened this year in Colon, Michigan. The attendance was limited and, due to COVID restrictions, many from foreign countries were unable to attend. But nearly every celebrity magician living in the U.S. was present. It was said that there was probably $100K of talent just sitting in the audience! Five separate daily reports from the Get Together were posted that is the next best thing to being there. You can see some of the photos and watch candid video plus listen to each episode by following these links:

Prelude: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/624-abbotts-prelude
Day One: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/625-abbotts-day-one
Day Two: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/626-abbotts-day-two
Day Three: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/627-abbotts-day-three
Day Four: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/628-abbotts-day-four

This week's podcast features a chat with one of the performers who has his own stage show in Branson, Missouri. Garry Carson is our guest who tells us about his journey from working cruise ships to Las Vegas casinos to Branson. You can watch some videos, see some photos, read the blog and listen to the podcast at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/629-garry-carson

Next week's episode will be delayed and not dropped at the usual time due to our participation and attendance at the Collectors' Expo in Las Vegas. Once again you can expect daily updates from this exceptional event that will feature tours for attendees of David Copperfield's private museum! And be sure to sign up for our weekly podletter where you will keep up to date on current and upcoming episodes.

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5. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
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Message by Connie Boyd (USA)

Alexandra Duvivier fooled Penn & Teller on Fool Us on the CW network in 2018. She was the first French female magician to do so.

In 2001 she performed with her father Dominique Duvivier and together they won a "Mandrake d'Or" broadcast nation-wide from the Futuroscope in France. In this talk Alexandra delightfully shares her experiences and insight about that win in this Winner's Circle special series.

Alexandra Duvivier is the daughter of beloved and respected French magician, Dominique Duvivier. Growing up in a magic household, Alexandra had "inside access" and full emersion to the elite in the magic community.

She admits, "intensive exposure to all forms of magic from a young age gave me the opportunity to decide for myself what I personally enjoyed and what didn't appeal to me. I did this unconsciously and it reflects my personal taste. I developed and built my own character, magic skills, preferences, artistic choices and knowledge to become a version of myself as an artist."

Her father's performance at FISM in 1988 was the catalyst for fifteen-year-old Alexandra's decision to become a professional magician. She has great love and admiration for her father and looking back she realizes one of the reasons for her decision to become a magician was to be closer to her Dad.

Content

00:00 - 00:22 - Introduction
0:22 - 0:45 - Alexandra's Personal Magical Women trick
0:45 - 2:02 - the Mandrake d'Or Award
2:02 - 4:07 - Creating Double Fond TV during a Covid Pandemic
4:07 - 4:20 - Call to Action
4:20 - 5:17 - Look on the Bright Side of Life
5:17 - 7:17 - Being Inspired by Lisa Menna
7:17 - 8:04 - Joy of Inspiring Others
8:04 - 9:17 - Clips from "Secrets de Fabrication"
9:17 - 10:06 - Last thoughts & message
10:06 - 10:29 - Call to Action

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6. Final Fusion - John Carey #129
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

The classic signature fusion effect has always fascinated me. Such a strong premise and you leave a spectator with a gift of the moment created. Powerful stuff indeed...

This latest fix requires zero manipulation of the cards, which means you can fully focus on presenting it and getting every ounce of impact in the process. You will require a double blank deck of cards. Ahead of time write your initials big and bold on one of the cards. Drop this card face down on top of your double blank deck and you are ready to party! I like to introduce the effect by saying I'd like to show the audience something with nothing. A moment later I bring out the double blank deck and remove it from its box. Spread the deck showing blanks and then turn it over and spread again showing blanks once more being careful not to expose the pre written on card. Turn the deck over and table it.

"Together we are going to try something special with our names." Ask a spectator to cut the deck into halves. Take out a marker and write your initials big and bold on the top card of the lower half. Hand the marker to your helper and request they put their initials on the top card of their
packet. Once done both of you pick up your packets and give them a cut and complete the cut. Cut your card near the bottom of its packet. Then both of you turn your packets over and table them. Riffle shuffle the two packets together and square up.

"The following requires a great imagination! Imagine just by waving my hand over the deck causes my card to turn over. Further imagine my card moving up and down inside the deck in search of you!" Ribbon spread the deck widely across the table exposing your initials. Remove this card and the card above and below it from the spread. "Wouldn't it be great if my card was next to yours?" Remove the lower card of the three in hand and turn it over showing a double blank. Repeat with the top card and discard both cards. Pause a beat, look down at the card you hold and then slowly turn it over revealing their initials have magically fused onto your card and
your work is done.

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7. Diana Zimmerman In One Of France's Leading Magic Magazines
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Message by Diana Zimmerman (US)

This just came out about me in one of France's leading magic magazines,

Such a nice tribute.

https://artefake.fr/diana-s-zimmerman/

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8. Broken Wand - Brian Miller
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Message by Joe M. Turner

I'm saddened to learn of the passing of Brian Miller, a former president of the British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and a member of The Magic Circle (MIMC*). He and his wife Audrey welcomed Rosemary and me to the British Ring Convention in Southport in 2011 and were just amazing hosts to us then and again during my IBM International Presidency.

My heart goes out to Audrey as we mark the passing of another pillar of the British.

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9. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #23
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

I was going through some old magic photos a couple of weeks ago and found two excellent ones of my good friend and well known British magician Brian Miller taken during a trip to an IBM Convention in USA supporting Tony Shelley's Presidential year.

I emailed them to Brian and received a nice note from his wife Audrey telling me that they were both fine, although the pandemic had prevented them from taking their annual trip over to Canada to visit family.

So, it came as a great shock this week to hear that Brian had died suddenly having suffered a massive heart attack from which he sadly never recovered.

I first met Brian more than forty years ago. Together with Audrey he performed a very colourful and entertaining dove act. Brian was an extremely talented dove worker and very knowledgeable about all matters dove related.

Brian Miller & Audrey were a very popular and much sought after Cabaret act, and appeared at numerous magic conventions.

Brian was also a huge supporter of both the Magic Circle and the IBM British Ring. He and Audrey played a major role in the administration of the Magic Circle Centenary in 2005 and worked for months on making this event such a memorable one.

Brian also successfully produced the IBM British Ring Convention for five years with Keith Cooper.

I had the pleasure of travelling to several magic conventions overseas with Brian and he was great company and a good friend. My condolences go to Audrey and their two sons Dave and Andy. Brian will be greatly missed by his many friends in magic. RIP.

Any readers who are familiar with the Variety shows that I have produced over the past thirty years will know that I am a big fan of jugglers, and I have been fortunate to book most of the world's best over the years.

These include artists like Anthony Gatto, Michael Holly, Charlie Frye, Michael Goudeau, Wally Eastwood and the one and only Kris Kremo.

They all have their own distinctive styles but share one common bond, they are all very talented and skillful performers. As a lot of magicians will know, it is invariably the juggler that steals the show, particularly at magic conventions.

The reason I'm mentioning jugglers this week is that I just received an email from Switzerland, from my good friend Kris Kremo. I've known Kris for several years and he has appeared in many shows that I've produced.

Kris is the consummate professional, and even though he is getting on in years, a fact that he would of course dispute, he is still as enthusiastic about performing as ever, and can't wait for show business to fully open up again.

Kris has always worked constantly throughout his career and has regularly been booked 18 months in advance. He is not only a great role model but proof that if you are talented enough, you will always work. I'd book him in any show. And you won't find a nicer man in show business!

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

The Palace Tavern, Rotorua. We last worked at the Palace 13,14 and 15th of May 1976, two months prior to leaving for Fiji / Australia; it was also the last time I worked with or saw Simon Mehana, who was doing a couple of spots between our shows on the night. Simon was the 'Funny Man' half of the famous 'Lou and Simon' duo. They'd split up (apart from reunions) by that time, but Simon carried on performing solo in hotels etc. around the country. Sadly, Simon passed away in October, 2001.

The Trees Tavern, Tokoroa; I remember this one because of a most amusing incident that occurred during the 'Psychic Surgery' (String Thing), the finale of the fakir show. The Trees Tavern was/is, a major drinking hole for hundreds of employees working in the nearby forests, for the forestry commission. They sure were a tough lot - burly, rough and tumble men who worked, drank and, played hard. Our stage, which we had set up in a corner of the long bar, was comprised of empty beer crates with two wooden boards on top; they normally covered and protected the snooker tables when not in use. The conditions were pretty rough, as was the tavern's clientele, but when you are a professional N.Z. entertainer, good old 'kiwi' ingenuity comes to the fore when needs must. It is well-known ('legend'?) that we New Zealanders
can fix damn near anything with a length of barbwire and a bit of flax!

The long bar which stretched away from us on our right, was packed (as was the entire room) with a solid line of sceptical forestry workers as we entertained on our minuscule stage. The
'Fire act' really got their attention, and our 'Human Sandwich/Beds of Nails' routine, with two, hefty, twenty stone volunteers lending their weight to the act, really shook them up! The 'Sword Swallowing' didn't faze them at all - those guys were tough! Then I performed the 'Psychic Surgery'. Swallowing the string was okay until I hauled out my rather lethal 'Kukri Knife',
and stabbed myself in the stomach! Several suntanned faces turned markedly white, then several shades of yellowish/green as I dug into the wound with surgical clamps and began extracting the bloodied string - inch by inch, from out of my stomach.

It was all too much for one 'giant' of a man, who was standing at the bar several few feet away from us - HE FAINTED! As he toppled over sideways, his dead, solid weight hit the man next to him, who also fell sideways; he in turn…One by one men fell over like ninepins in a bowling alley! The entire bar was in an uproar of hysterical laughter at the incongruous sight of big, tough, 'HE-MEN' lying collapsed on the floor! The poor sods must have copped 'heaps' afterwards - as far as the rest of the blokes were concerned, they had ALL fainted in fright! They must have enjoyed the show though, as we had many repeat bookings at the Trees Tavern - it was a great little earner!

And so the list goes on. The Masonic Hotel, Opotiki: The Matamata Hotel, Matamata: The Angus Inn, Hastings: The Jubilee Hotel, Otaki: The Central Hotel, Hawera: The Waikanae Hotel, Waikanae: The Paraparaumu Hotel: The DB Fitzherbert Motor Inn, Palmerston North: The Awapuni Motor Hotel, Palmerston North: The New Leopard Inn, Napier: The Bay View Hotel, Napier: The Sandown Park Hotel, Gisborne: The Commercial Hotel, Whakatane: The Bell Block Hotel, New Plymouth: The Fitzroy Hotel, New Plymouth: The Clyde Hotel, Wairoa: The County Hotel, Stratford: The Castle Cliff Hotel, Wanganui: The Ellerslie Motor Inn, Auckland: The Great Northern Hotel, Auckland: The Milford Marina Hotel, Auckland: The Eastside
Tavern, Hamilton: The Grand Hotel, Whangarei: The Kameo hotel, Whangarei: The Kawerau Hotel, Kawerau: The Mangakino Hotel, Mangakino.

The Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel, Okoroire; holds a special place in my heart; I do hope it is still there, as it's one place I'd enjoy revisiting, if or when we return home. It is situated north of Tirau, off H/way 27 or, south of Matamata, again H/way 27, or take a right off H/way 24 onto H/way 29 and go through Te Poi. Alluring Okoroire is not known to many; it's secreted off the
tourist track. I worked there for three consecutive Xmases, from Christmas day to after New Year's Eve from 1969 -71. The then hosts/owners, Bill Taylor and his wife were most gracious; they even gave me a master key to the thermal hot pools - I had access to them whenever I wished, especially after they had been closed to the hotel patrons. After a show, it was quite something to wander down the track long after midnight, on a beautiful, crystal-clear starry night, to luxuriate in the soothing waters of the tepid open-air pool. The only sounds were the gentle rustling of leaves, the haunting 'mo-pork' cries of an owl and the distant thundering of the Waihou river falls. Experiencing that entrancing, tranquil setting throughout the wee small hours, on numerous balmy New Zealand summer nights - really was quite 'MAGICAL'!

The list of hotels where we entertained with our shows for years, and made our living throughout New Zealand, continues. We were never stuck for a free bed and meals, so long as we could 'Play Magic' etc. for a reasonable fee!

The Kinloch Nite Club, which was situated within the Trans Hotel, Queenstown, was run by Brian Swainson, who had his own band there. Brian was originally with the 'Shaddracks' Show Band, together with Big Abe Phillips; they were established at the now defunct Mayfair Hotel in Hastings. The Gladstone Hotel, Fairlie: The Sheraton Motor Hotel, Dunedin: The Golden Central Hotel, Alexandria: The Maheno Hotel, Maheno (south of Oamaru): The Oamaru Licensing Trust.

The Twizel Inn (previously Pukaki Inn).We last worked there on January 25th 1974 - 29 years ago! Reading the back of the dinner menu (I do collect the strangest things e.g. swizzle sticks -
hundreds of 'em) it states that: 'Twizel is the fastest growing town in New Zealand, and has been established as the headquarters for the massive Upper Waitaki Hydro-electric Scheme. This
involves the construction of 15 miles of canals, 3 dams and 4 powerhouses. The project is expected to take from 15 to 20 years to complete'. Considering that I am writing this episode, on this day of Wed. 19th February, 2003, the job should have been finished at least 9 years ago; now that doesn't sound nearly as bad as - 29 years ago! (It's now Thursday, 26th April 2007 - this is a repeat of my Saga so, it's now 33 years ago!)

The Wanaka Hotel, Wanaka. A little bit of history; Breathtaking Wanaka, a major tourist spot, was originally called 'Pembroke', until 1940. Pembroke was the family name of the British Colonial Secretary when the first arrivals - mainly sheepmen (who were commonly called 'runholders'), moved into the area around 1858. Wanaka has a particularly early spring, a high percentage of sunny days and a low annual rainfall of 25 inches. This, and the abundant sporting and scenic attractions, account for it being a favoured tourist and holiday area.

Lake Wanaka, which is 35 miles long and known to be a 1,000ft deep in parts, abounds in salmon as well as brown and rainbow trout. I've had the pleasure of pulling a fish or two from out of that lake. For me, that was one of the 'perks' of being an entertainer touring around New Zealand; buying your fishing licences and stopping off at alluring (excuse the pun, lure - get it?) fishing spots, on any one of the magnificent rivers or lakes, most with spectacular views, on both the North and South Islands, to try your luck for an hour or …? Te Anau, another major tourist
destination and gateway to Fiordland, is south east of Queenstown (yet another top tourist attraction), was another favoured fishing spot.

The DB (Dominion Breweries) Criterion Hotel, Blenheim: The DB Westport Hotel, Westport: The DB Sandridge Hotel, Christchurch. In fact, we worked a string of Dominion Breweries Hotels, when we were engaged by Richard H., who was the first and last (he only survived about a year) newly appointed 'Entertainments Director' for the brewery. He sure took his 'job' seriously, to the extent that throughout the entertainment industry he was given the title of - GOD!

Hitler, would have been more appropriate, he certainly acted like he was, and he had absolutely no respect for entertainers, be they artistes, bands or singers, and because he had so much
'power', he would screw everybody's fees right down (if they wanted to work the DB circuit on a regular basis), to basic actors equity and musician union rates, which were/are pitiful -
nobody worked at those rates. As far as Mr Richard Hxxxxn was concerned, All Entertainers were the lowest of the low, and should be paid accordingly. Whenever his name was mentioned, a middle name was always inserted, none of them very complimentary -'A%$#@', was probably the kindest of them all! His eventual departure from the hotel entertainment scene was akin to opening a door to let a bad smell out; 'GOD' had gone!

So many hotels - it's becoming a huge task trying to list them all, so I'll finish with just a few more then draw a close on my reminiscent, nostalgic memory trip; there's The Solway Park Hotel in Masterton: The Cabana Hotel in Napier: The Riverside Tavern in Wanganui: The Empire Hotel in Otorohanga: The Caravel in Rotorua: The Te Rapa Motor Hotel in Hamilton, and The Devon Motor Lodge in New Plymouth, and I'll finish with the last place we worked in New Zealand prior to departing for Fiji/ Australia: The Tudor Towers in Rotorua.

To be continued….
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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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