* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #27 Date: Sunday 25th June 2000 Editor: Alan Watson www.alan-watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editors Message 2. Update from Bert and Noeline Lyster 3. Full evening show called "Believe in Magic" 4. Congratulations to Ross Skiffington and Graham Etherington 5. Franquin is fit and well 6. Barry Govan's thoughts on the Melbourne convention 7. Looking to purchase coloured flash paper 8. The Funny Side of Mentalism 9. Any other antipodal magi attending IBM International Convention? 10. TV2 International Laugh Festival 11. Card Mondor in Tasmania who worked with Franquin 12. Im in Osaka and its HOT!!!! 13. Businesses hit by computer virus 14. Franquin is alive & well 15. Las Vegas news - from Gabrielle Lyster 16. 'Opener' for the 'Knit Magic Conference' 17. Weber Circus travelling throughout New Zealand 18. Roy's mother (Siegfried & Roy) passed away 19. Message from Harvey Berg 20. Magicana Credit Card system a success 21. Diarise these events 22. News Items 23. MagicNZ e-zine archives 24. Benefit of subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine 25. Subscription Management 26. Contact Information. ------------------------------------- 1. Editors Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One REMEMBER the Harvey Berg lectures are this week. **AUCKLAND LECTURE TONIGHT** Sunday 25th June Auckland - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Start time: 7.30pm Venue: Kd Car Park Training Room, Mercury Lane, Auckland (Opposite the Mercury Theatre) Phone 493 9274 Mobile 025 95 7070 Lecture fee: $15.00 Tuesday 27th June Wellington - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Contact: Michael Woolf - michaelw@ihug.co.nz Start time: 7.30pm Venue: 277 Horokiwi Road, Horokiwi, Wellington Phone 64 4 587 0045 mobile 25 577774 Thursday 29th June Christchurch - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Contact: Greg Britt - elgregoe@inet.net.nz Start time: 7.30pm Venue, 23 Halswell Junction Road, Christchurch Franquin is a live and well. Thank you Noelene Lyster who spoke to him in person read Contents Item Number 5. Check out Sean Taylor's new website: www.taylorsmagicshop.com.au Fully operational from 15th July. I know Sean would love any feedback or comments about his new website. Circus Venues - 'ILLUSIONS' Michele and I really enjoyed Duck Cameron's performance in his portrayal as Zorg read Contents Item Number 17. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: alan@watson.co.nz ------------------------------------- 2. Update from Bert and Noeline Lyster ---------------------------------- Message from Bert Lyster Just a note to let our friends in NZ know how we are getting on. I am sorry to say that Rena has given up magic and is living here on the Gold Coast working in a pathology department and is training to go further. She met up with a boyfriend, which took her away from magic. He finally broke up with her but Rena never went back to performing after that. We see her quite a lot and she said to be remembered to all her friends in magic. I am still involved in magic but am on a carers benefit to look after my wife Noeline who has cancer. She has responded to treatment so is doing well. We went to Las Vegas last Christmas to see Gabrielle who works for Lance Burton so had a wonderful month catching up on all the shows and meeting the magicians there. We are going to NZ in July for a brief visit and hope to catch up with everyone. I am still performing over here occasionally but have joined up with a former New Zealander Adrian Mowat who has a regular spot performing in Surfers Paradise at a nightclub. He was a body builder and a former "Mr New Zealand" winner and is now performing as an escape artist and fire-eater and magician. I am helping him with his shows and making his props. His web site is www.ajs.entertainment.fsn.net If any magician is coming to the Gold Coast for a visit please give us a ring on 553 27076 as I would like to catch up with then. Regards to all Bert and Noeline Lyster and family. e-mail blyster@tpg.com.au ---------------------------------- 3. Full evening show called "Believe in Magic" ---------------------------------- Petrick & Mia - pmmagic@earthlink.net We will be going on short tour across the California state and then we are finishing our full evening show called "Believe in Magic". It is ready now, but you know Petrick he always wants to improve it and make it better. ---------------------------------- 4. Congratulations to Ross Skiffington and Graham Etherington ---------------------------------- Message from Jann Wherry Goodsell I wish to add my congratulations to Ross Skiffington and Graham Etherington for the award (Lifetime Achievement in Magic) at the Australian International Magic Convention. We up here are also proud of them. I will wait to congratulate Wayne Rogers until the S.A.M. convention, as I will be in attendance there. ---------------------------------- 5. Franquin is fit and well ---------------------------------- Message from Bert Lyster Noeline rang to enquire about Franquin who lives near us and spoke to him on the phone and he said he is fit and well. Last year I went to see him and got him to sign his book for us. He told Noeline that he didn't get to carry the Olympic torch or is not playing in the league team but he can assure everyone he is fit and well and just on his way out to someone else's funeral. Noeline also rang and left a message with Arthur Coghlan in case someone else rang him. His book 'Franquin Master Showman' by Jennie Rowley Lees details his whole life story. Hope this helps. ---------------------------------- 6. Barry Govan's thoughts on the Melbourne convention ---------------------------------- Message from Barry Govan The Melbourne convention was good but as always it was the after midnight sessions in the bar that were the best. Steve Walker and Nigel McCullugh kept throwing cards onto the ceiling of The Centra Hotel until the stressed out barman agreed to keep the bar open. He then gave everyone a cut off the beer price, a case of if you can't beat them, join them. The Restaurant Magic set up was very good with a table, some spectators, a giant screen and the usual things such as plates, cutlery, napkins etc that generally get in the way of a performance. Rene Levand probably a waste of money as they didn't use him to his full extent and had the ludicrous situation of advertising his intensive for the price of $400 and not getting a bite then dropped it to $200 but still only a couple of bites and finally bringing it down to $150 where they got some people along. Why the extra charge when you pay full fare for the convention and don't expect an extra very expensive lecture on top of it. Rene and wife probably a waste of money along with Tina Lenert as nearly everybody has seen her act before and Michael Finney didn't even turn up. Don't we have contracts for this sort of thing? Do we get a refund from the Finney airfare? Also with less than 250 registrants all the rooms were not needed which would have saved money. Here's a true story... I rang the Centra for the room rate and was told it was $170. I said how much if you are coming for the convention, the girl said $180. Using a voucher of Steves we ended up getting it for $120. Moral....Don't mention the convention!!!! As I had to work a few nights I couldn't make it to all events but some were very well run and others a bit slack. Convention hint for the future. Hire a hotel in the suburbs for a fraction of the cost. You can also negotiate with different hotels which isn't the case if you have to use the World Congress Centre. My USA tour went very well and had to reprint my new notes several times. They are available for $20 (Australian) or whatever the equivalent in NZ dollars. That's postage paid. My address..PO Box 64 Sebastopol Vic 3356 Australia. The notes also contain my greatest close up effect "Ring Link" including all new photos. ------------------------------------- 7. Looking to purchase coloured flash paper ------------------------------------- Message from Ross Harlick - ross@ak.planet.gen.nz I'm looking to purchase coloured flash paper, preferably green and red. I have tried local and overseas dealers with no results. Any ideas? ------------------------------------- 8. The Funny Side of Mentalism ------------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci - showtimecol@aol.com It's just a week now since the end of my current lecture tour that started in Buffalo, New York, on through Ohio, and then back into Canada at Windsor. This was my sixth lecture and is entitled Psychicomedy: The Funny Side of Mentalism. This was composed of material that I have never published in my Showtime column in the Linking Ring. There was a terrific response at every club and it was great to meet so many people "in the flesh" instead of over the internet.The Psychicomedy notes are still available at $6 (U.S.) and that includes postage to anywhere in the world (well, maybe not Antarctica). The address is: Peter Marucci 270 St. Andrew St. East Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 1R1 For a review of the notes, check the February edition of MUM or the March edition of the Linking Ring. ------------------------------------- 9. Any other antipodal magi attending IBM International Convention? ------------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci They must be gluttons for magic in Buffalo, since the IBM international convention is there next month, so I'll be back in town. I'm looking forward to seeing Tony Wilson, who I know will be there, and any other antipodal magi who can make the long hike to North America. A final note: Congratulations to Graham Etherington for his lifetime achievement award. Although I've never met Graham personally we have corresponded and Graham generously agreed to market one of my ideas down under -- Jack and the Beans Talk. It's great when someone you know -- even from a distance -- is so honored by his peers. ------------------------------------- 10. TV2 International Laugh Festival ------------------------------------- Message from Guy Cater Have had a huge response to the Hypno Shows I did for the TV2 International Laugh Festival. Loads of bookings coming in directly from those shows. The New Idea printed a page of photos of the Shortland Street Stars with a nice writeup about me and the PowerStation has booked me for another week commencing 4th of July which works in well as I fly to Singapore on the 28th of this month and return on the 2nd July. ------------------------------------- 11. Card Mondor in Tasmania who worked with Franquin ------------------------------------- Message from Bev Bergeron Dropped an email to Card Mondor in Tasmania who worked with Franquin in the 1950s. Have not heard back from him about the possible death of the man. I sold tickets and saw the hyp show in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1951 or 52. He was booked by Krogger Babbs who produced the movie "Mun and Dad." I was in the Air Force and was asked by Krogger to help with ticket sells at the air base. I brought in over 1,000 airmen per night for a week. The show was one of the best I have ever seen. His psychometry routine using about ten envelopes for items to be put into was the best --- I "borrowed" it. Last year when Jon Zealando was rushing my wife and me to the Auckland Airport, he handed me a copy of one of Franquin's book. Read it on the way back to the States. If he died, then N.Z. and Australia have both lost a great showman. ------------------------------------- 12. Im in Osaka and its HOT!!!! ------------------------------------- Message from Jonathon Acorn I'm in Osaka and its HOT!!!! The rainy season is happening here at present but I am still working the street so it can't be too bad. I have been doing the cups and balls and thanks to my magician friend here David Gelman (The Mechanical Magician) I am getting the show into some sort of good order! I work at night during the week on a lovely bridge (Japanese version of Kings Bridge in Prague!) and also during the daytime on weekends. The hardest thing is to get the people to stop once that happens things just go like clockwork almost! Well I hope that all is well there and every one is well and dandy! Here is a festival site in Holland for you to check out! uitinvlissingen.nl I'll be in touch again soon Best wishes to all....Acorn ------------------------------------- 13. Businesses hit by computer virus ------------------------------------- Message from Kris Kardo Some Australian businesses have been hit by a new computer virus disguised as a joke about male and female relationships. However, US security experts said it was spreading relatively slowly today. The virus does not permanently damage computer files but can clog e-mail systems. It began appearing in Australia and Asia over the weekend after earlier hitting companies in the United States, said David Perry of Trend Micro Inc, a maker of anti-virus software. The virus was spreading more slowly than the Love Bug, which crippled computer systems around the world in a matter of hours when it struck in early May. Like Love Bug, the latest virus automatically sends copies to everyone listed in the Microsoft Outlook program's address book. Both viruses can also spread through chat rooms. But unlike Love Bug, the new virus uses a Windows feature called Shell Scrap Object to activate. The virus carries an ".shs" suffix, but Windows computers are generally configured to hide the suffix, making the file appear to contain only text. The e-mail message contains "funny," "life stages" or "jokes" in the subject line. The text of the message reads "the male and female stages of life," with an attachment, "life- stages.txt" or "life-stages.txt.shs". Anti-virus companies have issued software updates to catch the new virus and are encouraging businesses to filter incoming mail and delete attachments with the ".shs" suffix. ------------------------------------- 14. Franquin is alive & well ------------------------------------- Message from John Williams I am pleased to report that Franquin is alive & well. Off the record; this confirmation came indirectly from Arthur Coughlan in Queensland. ------------------------------------- 15. Las Vegas news - from Gabrielle Lyster ------------------------------------- Message from Gabrielle Lyster Johanna Horn, the mother of Las Vegas illusionist Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy and a 30-year resident of Las Vegas, died Saturday. She was 86. The German-born Horn was instrumental in helping her son and Siegfried Fischbacher during the early years of the magic act that went on to become the most successful long-running show in Las Vegas. She was "intricately involved in the entire Siegfried & Roy organization, from the costuming to the raising of the animals." Said Bernie Yuman, the duo's longtime manager. "Her spirit and her leadership qualities and the kind of dignity this woman exhibited are awe-inspiring." Roy Horn, 55, said through a prepared statement that he is "thankful for every day we had together and for the great spirit Johanna has left me to carry on." The Hamburg, Germany native moved to Las Vegas in 1970 when it became apparent the duo would settle on the Strip long-term rather than tour, Yuman said. She lived on the grounds of the duo's "Jungle Palace" off Vegas Drive. She is survived by two other sons, Alfred Fink of Scotland and Werner Horn, a Las Vegas landscaper, along with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services will be at 4pm Wednesday at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church. ------------------------------------- 16. 'Opener' for the 'Knit Magic Conference' ------------------------------------- Message from Nicole Watson Really enjoyed performing my stage act as the 'Opener' for the 'Knit Magic Conference' at Waipuna Lodge, delegates came from all over New Zealand and some from overseas. ------------------------------------- 17. Weber Circus travelling throughout New Zealand ------------------------------------- Message from Michele Watson Duck Cameron (professional magician from Melbourne, Australia) has a role as Zorg the Magician appearing in 'Illusions' Weber Circus travelling throughout New Zealand. Alan and I caught his show in Whangaparaoa. Themed heavily geared towards "theatre" rather than a traditional circus as we used to see and had a great story line right through the two hour show. Costuming, music and lighting was professionally put together and we were treated to dancing ponies, strutting dogs, amusing dwarfs, clever clowns and a group of up tempo acrobats kept us glued to the circus arena. Showing great promise for his 17 years and when we were told he had only been performing for 2 years we were really impressed, was a very inventive young juggler, Johnny Freeman. Also in the show were experienced High flyers performing the legendary triple somersault and beautiful trapeze artists, even a comedy routine upside down on the ceiling. Duck filled his role in a very professional manner and generated a great rapport with the audience right from the start. His magic was broken into many segments throughout the show and his effects included: Fan productions, rose production and float, Snowstorm in China, Interlude (girl through body), linking rings, floating crystal ball (Zombie), sawing in half, fire-eating, razor blade swallowing, vanishing lady (DeColta) Lions Cage (Duck to pony). 7th - 25th June Whangaparaoa 28th -16th July Ellerslie 19th - 30th July Pukekohe 2nd - 30th August Papatoetoe Duck says he finishes his six month contract with the Circus 1st September in Mt Roskill, to take a up corporate contract in Singapore - so don't miss him! ------------------------------------- 18. Roy's mother (Siegfried & Roy) passed away ------------------------------------- Message from Bernard Reid Last Sunday night Roy's mother (Siegfried & Roy) passed away peacefully in her sleep. A very private family funeral was held today (Wednesday 21st in the U.S.) at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic) church in Las Vegas. As it was a very private family funeral, the representatives of the magical community that attended were Peter Reveen and Irene Larsen. ------------------------------------- 19. Message from Harvey Berg ------------------------------------- I just arrived in New Zealand after having a most wonderful time in Australia. I have three lectures scheduled: Auckland (June 25), Wellington (June 27), and Christchurch (June 29). I sell 5 different sets of notes at $25.00NZ each. If you buy any four, the fifth is free, or all 5 sets for $100.00NZ cash only. I'm really looking forward to meeting all you Kiwi Magicians and continue a terrific exchange of ideas that started in Australia. ------------------------------------- 20. Magicana Credit Card system a success ------------------------------------- Message from Michael Woolf - michaelw@ihug.co.nz People in New Zealand and overseas are enjoying the convenience of subscribing to "Magicana" Magazine by credit cards. Thanks to Robert and Liz of the Castle of Magic in Christchurch, subscribing is now greatly simplified. Just send your card details to michaelw@ihug.co.nz - and that's it! We have people in England, the USA and Australia using the system as well as New Zealand subscribers. The next issue will have a full report with photos of the Melbourne Convention. ------------------------------------- 21. Diarise these events Tuesday 27th June Wellington - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Thursday 29th June Christchurch - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Sunday 22nd October - IBM Ring 160 Day of magic Thursday 12th - 16th April (Easter) 2001 - 26th New Zealand Magicians' Convention If you require more information about the above events go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive to research for more information. ------------------------------------- 22. News Items ------------------------------------- If you have any news items that you feel the majority of our subscribers would be interested in please e-mail me so I can include them in the next e-zine. The magician who e-mails me a particular news item FIRST will receive full credit at the top of that item. If the news is of major importance I will send them out immediately as a Newsflash. ------------------------------------- 23. MagicNZ e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: ezine Password: magicwand When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001nov6.txt first three numbers denote issue number then the date. ------------------------------------- 24. Benefit of subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine ------------------------------------- You will now be informed well in advance of coming events and kept right up to date with the latest news. MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, late on Sunday night. ------------------------------------- 25. Subscription Management ------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the MagicNZ e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors. Neither MagicNZ nor Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via MagicNZ e-zine. We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions as we see fit. >> This publication may be freely redistributed to other magicians if copied in its ENTIRETY << (c) Copyright 2000 Alan Watson ------------------------------------- 26. Contact Information ------------------------------------- Alan Watson Ph. (9) 483-9274 Fax. (09) 483-9274 Mobile 025 95-7070 e-mail alan@watson.co.nz www.magician.co.nz www.magicianz.com