* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #46 Date: Sunday 5th November 2000 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editors Message 2. Caesars is a great one time experience 3. The so called 'Fringe' shows 4. "Bat Out Of Hell" 5. Confusing Crayons - Peter Marucci 6. Magicana questionnaire 7. IT'S MAGIC - 2000 8. My email address book entries...GONE! 9. Platinum (wire) becoming red-hot 10. "Fireflies - Wizards of Magic" 11. A Trick worth a Treat 12. Linking Ring magazine - Tom Craven 13. Two month season here in Singapore 14. The Canterbury Society of Magicians 60th Anniversary 15. Graham Grant passed away peacefully on 2/11/00 16. Grand Master of Magic - Graham Grant 17. Graham Grant's funeral service details 18. Require entertainers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch 19. Radio interview not to be missed 20. Austrian PO issue stamp - Leopold Ludwig Döbler 21. If I Ever Made You Laugh Please Help Me 22. Dick Stoner contacted John settlement being worked out 23. The Bar Stool gag - Mike Rogers 24. Weekly at Angelo's 6:00 to 8:00 25. Israeli convention delayed till things calm down 26. Magic on NZ TV - Edward Hall 27. The Orchante Saga - The Very Early Years 28. Diarise these events 29. News Items 30. MagicNZ e-zine archives 31. Benefit of subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine 32. Subscription Management 33. Contact Information. ------------------------------------- 1. Editors Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One MagicNZ celebrates it's first 1st birthday on Monday November 6th - hard to believe we have been going a full year and our membership has climbed as from today to 1,786 subscribers from 48 different countries. A special thanks to Nigel Kennedy for keeping us informed on Graham Grants passing on 2nd November. Refer item 17 on Graham Grant's funeral service details. Those New Zealand magicians and ex-pat Kiwis who did not receive this special newsflash about Graham please e-mail me so I can include you on the newsflash data base. Congratulations to Leo and Danielle Ward on a new addition to their family Oliver Ward. Weighing in at 2.47kg (5.7pds) Oliver was 3-4 weeks premature. Leo and his wife are originally from the UK and now residents of New Zealand. Leo has been performing magic on cruise ships for many years and is now using Auckland as his base. Christmas holiday season for shows is gearing up earlier this year we are now full on until the end of January. Alan Watson Family Magic Show can be seen at Rainbows End Theme Park every weekend November through to December and also everyday from 26th December through to 14th January on the main stage. From the 15th January to 21st January we will be at the Hunter's Plaza Shopping Mall, Papatoetoe. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: alan@watson.co.nz ---------------------------------- 2. Caesars is a great one time experience ---------------------------------- Message from Susan Lewin (US) << Note to Susan Lewin: $75 too expensive? For a 4 course meal (food is really great), all the nectar of the gods you can consume, 2 shows and the great atmosphere "underground" in Caesars? A great value, really. (Perhaps Nick should increase your allowance so you get out more often. >> Note to Steve Dacri: Our experience at CME was delightful, but I am basing the $ 75 on not as going alone but with let's say a group of 4 to 6. If I'm dropping a minimum of $300 for the evening I'm not going to attend very often. Also, it is very annoying that the exit from the main showroom leads you out into the hotel and not back to the bar, where a drink and discussion of the show would be fun (as well as looking at the fire exhibit one more time.) One feels herded out of the main showroom back into the hotel for gaming in record time. I believe the discussion originated about the local market. Speaking as a local, many of us would consider Lance Burton show is a more affordable alternative. And, in reference to the crack about the allowance.....hmmmmmmm.....what century are you living in? Certainly not the 21st. No, Caesars is a great one time experience, for the tourtist, a fun comp without the meal, but no way is a local going to attend more than once a year full price. ------------------------------------- 3. The so called 'Fringe' shows ------------------------------------- Message from Peter Zenner (UK) Donald Wallace wrote:- >I didn't know the IBM frowned on the Fringe shows. I thought, from what >little I know about it that they actually helped. I can't really understand why Mandy Davis introduced British Ring politics onto a non IBM newsletter, Donald. But, as she has, here goes -- The British Ring has been forced into giving recognition to the so called 'Fringe' shows, even though those shows have nothing whatsoever to do with the British Ring. The organiser/s of these activities have seen fit to take advantage of the fact that there are magicians at an official convention and organised their own events to try to take advantage of that situation. Since when have leeches sought the approval and financial support from that which they leech off? >If the IBM wanted to be nasty, all they would need to do is to write >into performers/lecturers contracts that the IBM have paid for, the >clause that they would perform only for the IBM between certain dates. That would not be 'nasty', Donald, that would be normal show business practice. Exclusion clauses are written into contracts, forbidding performers to work within so many miles of a venue within so many weeks of a performance. I can understand that condition and have signed many contracts on that understanding. I believe that the British Ring have been too 'nice' over this matter and that the Fringe activities should not be publicised within the IBM convention. When certain people walk in on official events and start bellowing about forth coming events on the 'Fringe', I believe that they should be ejected. Since when did the Edinburgh Festival give assistance, financial or otherwise, to the Edinburgh Fringe? >This would often knock out star performers. Exactly. If the organisers of the 'Fringe' want to risk even more of their personal investment, then they should import their own acts. The alternative would be for them to ask performers to pay their own way and promote themselves, as they do at Edinburgh. See how long that lasts... >Also the Fringe show always gets a good write up in the Budget. And guess who writes it up -- and guess who allows it in. I wouldn't! I repeat -- why should an organised event support a leech? At trade shows, people who have not paid for an official stand are evicted from the car-park, when they set up their stalls there. The IBM is entitled to protect its interests, especially when it is a non-profit making organisation. It exists for the benefit of all members, not for the advancement of specific individuals. It seems to me that the 'Fringe' is organised as a self-promoting exercise for one individual. That person loses money and then whines to the British Ring about lack of support from the very organisation that the person spends so much time attacking. Maybe the cash would be better spent on psychiatric treatment? http://www.pzenner.freeserve.co.uk ------------------------------------- 4. "Bat Out Of Hell" ------------------------------------- Message from Wayne Rogers (NZ) Halloween at Auckland Shopping Mall Royal Oak, 28th October 2000 featured magic with Count McGrotti (yours truly) in a 45 minute romp through 9 magical effects including 3 illusions. Count McGrotti is a curious combination of Count Dracular and an Eccentric Professor type character. I am sure the accent I begin with is nothing like the one I end up with. But that McGrotti seems to work. Just as I was stepping onto the stage, the organizers asked me to draw the winner of a raffle for a Halloween Cake. This was unexpected, but lead to several minutes of fun and ad-libbing around finding a suitable person to draw the winning ticket. Naturally I couldn't do it myself. Count McGrotti would only cheat! The opening illusion was the Flash Appearance of a bat character "Bat Out Of Hell". leading up to this first illusion a small mechanical bat was released from an upper level balcony and "flew" on a nylon (mono filament) Flying Fox, down to the top of the Appearance "Bat Cave". Because of a "no smoke" restriction in the Mall I rigged an alternative flash system that will now find it's way into other presentations. Basically a slit mylar curtain dropped in front of the Appearance apparatus for a moment, then split down the centre and dropped to reveal the Bat. This used a non electronic "hot wire" system and a rotary switch simple but effective. A full list of show effects were: Bat Appearance, Head Twister, Forgetful Freddie (new effect from Steve Beam) Clatter Box, Monkey Puzzle (cleaver version!) Two Pole Monte (from book Out Of The Pole Vault) Appearing Broom Routine (Rogers/Romhany/McComb) Topsy Turvy Bottles and the Harbin Chair Suspension. All music the cues were worked remotely, along with the electrics, from a central control panel designed to be part of the show. One unexpected running gag came about when some children pulled on the flying fox nylon and pulled the mechanical bat off the roof of the Flash Appearance. At first I did not see what had happened, and wondered why the audience were screaming with laughter and pointing behind me. The bat was tossed back onto the cabinet. This sequence happened three times and was a wonderful impromptu addition to the fun and general chaos! I end the gag by turning off the batteries and stopping the mechanical wings from flapping. Next year I will have to re think the overall presentation. For a one man show the Royal Oak Halloween Show is getting too complicated. ------------------------------------- 5. Confusing Crayons - Peter Marucci ------------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) The trouble with a lot of magic is that, when the routine is over, there seems to be no clear-cut ending. One example is the linking rings. After you have linked the second and third ring, the audience is already ahead of you - they know the rest are going to be linked. And what happens when you finish? Nothing, usually. How many time have you seen a magician standing there with outstretched arms, holding a chain of rings, and grinning vacuously as he waits for the applause that comes more our of sympathy than appreciation? There are a number of tricks like that in magic: Good, solid tricks that only need a little showmanship at the finish to turn them into something - well, magical. One such effect is the Topsy-Turvy Bottles, recently released as Confusing Crayons. If you're not familiar with it, here is the routing in brief. The outfit 9for Topsy-Turvy Bottles) consists of two bottles and two metal tubes. And something else - but it's a dealer item, so I'm not going into that here. The magician holds one tube on his hand over a bottle and the volunteer (who should know better) does the same. Then they go into ado-as-I-do routine, where the magician's bottle is always as it should be but the spectator's bottle is upside down or, at least, pointing in a different direction from the magician's. In the right hands, this can be mildly amusing. In the wrong hands, it can be pure torture for the audience. First, it invariably goes on far too long. And, second, there is no logical ending; nowhere to stop it; nothing different ever happens. That is about to change: Preparation: Obviously, you'll need a set of the bottles (or crayons). Take one of the bottles (the one you will be using) to your local glass and mirror shop where, for a few bucks, they will grind the bottom off the bottle and smooth the edges. You are left with a bottomless bottle that looks like a regular bottle. Then stop off at your favorite magic shop and buy a bunch of spring flowers (the ones you have are getting a little ratty-looking, anyhow). Attack a small key ring to the strings of the flowers and slide them up into the bottomless bottle until the ring is all but out of sight. Presentation: Having lured an unsuspecting volunteer on stage, show him the ungimmicked bottle and tube. Have him hold his bottle in his left hand, by the base, and slide the tube over the top with his right hand. You do the same with the gimmicked bottle. Tell him you are about to give him his first lesson in magic (and ain't THAT the truth!) and all he has to do is follow your moves carefully. Lift your tube to show the bottle in an upright position and have him do the same. You both lower your tubes and put your right hands on the top (left hand are already on the bottom of the tube). Turn the bottle and tube upside down, then upright, then upside down again. The spectator does each move as you do, so make the turns slowly. Lift your tube and show the bottle upright. When he does the same, of course, his bottle will be upside down. Look somewhat disappointed in him and offer to show him again. At this point, ask him to turn his bottle upright so you can both start the same. Again, turn the bottle and tube an odd number of times and again remove your tube, showing the bottle upright. When he does the same, of course, his bottle will be upside down. STOP RIGHT HERE. To repeat this would be pointless for you, the magician, and painful for the spectator and the audience. Shake your head sadly and express mock disappointment in your assistant. Then offer to make it as simple as possible for him. With both bottles again upright, cover the tubes with your hands and turn them upside down one and then back again. Tell him that both bottles should be right side up and ask if he can fell is his is that was. He will answer "yes." (If he answers "no," you've probably got another magician on stage with you.) Tell him to remove his tube, showing the bottle upright. As he does this, stick your index finger in the neck of the bottle and pull it and the tube up together, while holding onto the ring attacked to the spring flowers with your left ring finger. This should be timed so that, just as his tube clears his bottle, your tube should reveal the bouquet of lowers in your left hand. Feigns surprise and astonishment at this turn of events and suggest to the spectator and the audience that both of you need more rehearsal for this trick. As for a round of applause for your assistant and send him back to his seat. NOTE: The last bit - turning the surprise on yourself and not the assistant - gets him off the hook and doesn't leave him looking the fool. This keeps him and the audience on your side - and they'll go away remembering having seen a magician and not some smart-ass. That's called entertainment - and that's what magic is supposed to be all about. BIZARRE MAGIC Lecture Notes by award-winning magic Comedian and Linking Ring columnist Peter Marucci. Meet the OTHER side of funny man Peter Marucci as he takes you on a tour of the occult world with seven fully scripted routines of bizarre magic: How are gargoyles born? What is the curse of The Monkey's Paw? What is in the Message from the Titanic? Who is singled out by the Finger of Fate? What is the tragic story of the Witch of Glastonbury? What is the awesome power of Bell, Book, and Candle? Who is the witch finder-general and what is his power? Be prepared to shock the socks off your audience as you're late these supernatural tales from the beyond. These 16 spine-chilling pages are the advance copy of the notes for Peter Marucci's 2001 lecture tour; bookings are now being made for that tour. "If you are looking for ideas on how to use some old (tried and true) simple tricks to weave a spooky story BUY THESE NOTES." - Larry White, magic editor for MUM Magazine. The notes are $8 (U.S.) and that includes postage and handling. Make checks payable to Peter Marucci. Order the notes from: Peter Marucci 270 St. Andrew St. East Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 1R1 Or inquire about booking the tour by e-mailing:showtimecol@aol.com ---------------------------------- 6. Magicana questionnaire ---------------------------------- Message from Michael Woolf - Editor, Magicana Magazine Magicana questionnaire: a reminder to all subscribers to return the questionnaire as soon a possible. "Magicana" will be publishing a breakdown of the results. Comments so far received are most favourable which is very pleasing. Please remember - the deadline for Holiday Greetings and advertising is November 17. Box 38046 Wellington Mail Centre Wellington New Zealand 64 4 587 0045 fax 64 4 587 0042 mobile 25 577774 ---------------------------------- 7. IT'S MAGIC - 2000 ---------------------------------- Message from Jan & Steve Dacri (US) A great night of magic... Jan & I were Milt Larsen's guests for the latest edition of IT'S MAGIC. The show, on Friday October 27th, was truly wonderful, as was expected. First, it was held in the newly re-opened Alex Theatre in downtown Glendale. The grand old former vaudeville house is the perfect spot for It's Magic. Lots of charm, and a perfectly intimate setting. The show opens with emcee Fielding West, who was always charming, and sometimes very funny. My friend Jimmy Dimmare kicks the show off in grand style with his upbeat take on classic magic, with flawless manipulations and truly impressive dove work. Next up is Britain's Roy Davenport, a fourth generation magician, with another manipulation act, different style, and unique costume, actually the act he did in FISM this year for the stage competition. Maybe it was where I was sitting, but his steals seemed overly obvious, as if he was having some sort of back itch that he couldn't reach. Not to be overly critical, the act was enjoyable and fast paced. This was followed by one of my favourite acts, Omar Pasha, who's black art act is one of a kind. I first witnessed this act, by the originator, in New York a zillion years ago at the Felt Forum, and I remember every effect, and have described it to Jan before this evening. I am happy to say, the act I remember is still intact, although it is now performed by another person who bought the act from the originator. It's as close to real magic as you will get, with beheadings, levitations, appearances, disappearances and the finale illusion when the performer vanishes himself. A thrill from beginning to end. After a brief intermission, the non-magic act came on, John Wee and Owen Morse, better known as THE PASSING ZONE perform an amazingly funny and original act, concluding with the actual juggling of audience members who are suspended on cables high above the stage. Hilarious, and as often happens, one of the most memorable acts on a magic show turns out to be the non-magic act. The show is closed with the fantastic Joaquin Ayala and Lilia. Ayala is the most famous Latin American magician in the world today, and his high-energy act is something all magicians should witness. A perfect ending to a fabulous evening of magic. Bravo to Milt Larsen and Terry Hill for staging this incredible evening of magic, featuring top magic acts that rarely appear on the stage together. Pure fun, and family entertainment at it's best. The L.A. Times reviewed the show with a well-deserved rave commentary, which helps to sell tickets and spread the word. I am flying to hometown Boston this week for the opening of a new club called BEANTOWN MADNESS, owned by my old friend and comedy legend Dick Doherty. Dick owns several comedy clubs in Boston area, but this club, located in the Holiday Inn in Government Center, downtown Boston, promises to be unique, offering a vaudeville type entertainment event, with magic, comedy and other acts. The Magic Web Channel will be using the club as it's New England base for contests, talent searches and filming for our weekly web cast show, MAGIC SPOTLIGHT. ---------------------------------- 8. My email address book entries...GONE! ---------------------------------- Message from Jan & Steve Dacri (US) As all of us in the computer world know too well, crashes of hard drives is a common problem we all deal with at one time or another. We recently had to send my iBook back to Apple for service (they have a great program, the "iBook Rescue Program", whereby they send you via overnight courier, a special shipping container, foam lined and ready for the iBook. You pack it up, the shipper takes it overnight back to Apple, and they fix it, and overnight it back, all at no cost to the owner! However, in the process, my hard drive was completely recovered EXCEPT for some key files. One of those files...my email address book entries...GONE! Jan says it's a good way to flush those addresses that we don't need, but all I can think of is the ones we will miss. Please tell your readers to help us out...send us an email so we may reconstruct our address book. Send to steve@hatsandrabbits.com if you would like to be put into our database of magicians, friends and magic lovers. We do not, by the way, share our addresses with any company or marketer, which is why we have NO RECORD of our original address book file. Thank you, fellow magic nuts. ------------------------------------- 9. Platinum (wire) becoming red-hot ------------------------------------- Message from Bob Loomis (UK) In issue #45, Larry White wrote: >.... Even very quiet solenoids sound like a loud THWACK >in a room that is perfectly quiet. What to do? What to do? The problem >has been keeping me awake. Then I read your post. One line... > >"Wayne Rogers uses a hot wire which cuts through nylon cord to release >what ever..." Larry, believe it or not Robert-Houdin must have been kept awake with the same problem. Although he certainly used relays in some of his effects, he did not use one to release the coins in his Crystal Cash Box. What did he do? Well, as Hoffmann says: "At the moment of completing the circuit, the platinum (wire) becoming red-hot, instantly severs the cotton, and down falls the flap..." Somehow that technique sounds familiar; -D http://www.loomis.dircon.co.uk ---------------------------------- 10. "Fireflies - Wizards of Magic" ---------------------------------- Message from Frances Willard (US) Our theatre piece, "Fireflies - Wizards of Magic" has been extended through Nov. 29th, and Glenn and I (and the spirits) have truly enjoyed the 16 week run in Hollywood at "Actors Forum Theatre". Just last week, President of Universal Studios, Ron Meyers showed up for the Spirit Cabinet. (He volunteered to go into the cabinet, but he dressed casually in Bermuda shorts, and the Spirits disapproved...because it limits their pranks. While I slept, one of the Spirits whispered in my ear and said...."Why don't you select volunteers that know how to dress for the theatre?!!) MAGIC mag. sent us their Nov. issue and a feature they did on "Fireflies". A show such as this can be a "work in progress" and an opportunity to grow, and slip in new effects. It is a challenge this far along in life, to search for ways to stretch one's repertoire, or to insert things that can only be done in a long run when one has free hand in creative decisions. What a delight..not to worry about how you will be introduced, or whether the act in front will run overtime...or do questionable material. There is something very comfortable about coming each weekend to our little domain where everything is untouched and just as we left it from the previous weekend. Now I understand more fully why "Willard the Wizard" dared to take his tent into the tornado and hurricane belts of Louisianna and Texas. Why he persisted on remaining in the backwoods eras with his canvas theatre. Because..jumps were short between towns, the lots were flat, the down home folks were more naive, appreciative, but most of all he had complete and total control of his magic domain. As newsman, Glenn Tucker, wrote in my father's eulogy: "In that world Willard was transformed. He seemed to grow in stature, his eyes glistened, his conversation flowed like quicksilver, and his hands took on the delicacy and expertise of a surgeon." (Baby Ammar is due in December, maybe on the 12th, which is my birthday as well as my father's. If that happens, I'm sure she will make her entrance into the world waving a wand!) We must have told you that one our show guests played opposite Tyrone Power in the 1940's film "Nightmare Alley". Colleen Grey performed the two way act in that film, and it was a delight to meet her. She presented us with one of her posters. The theatre is intimate, but every now and then we see a movie star in our audience like Virginia Mayo or Joe Campanella. Joe Campanella was very gracious and volunteered for the Gypsy Mystery. Part of the joy of performing magic in Hollywood, is to look down in the audience and actually see film legends seated there. In Spirit, Frances Willard ---------------------------------- 11. A Trick worth a Treat ---------------------------------- Message from Tara Okan (NZ) Last Night was Halloween , the anniversary of the death of Houdini. As a professional magician I have always taken note of this day. In later years however Halloween has become a transplant of an American festival. "Trick or Treat" What is this festival? I have to say that much as I do not like Halloween as a marketing exercise I also personally cannot understand why you would feel that you had the right to go up to someone 's house and demand something and if the person does not comply then you play a trick on them. However I have children, they have experienced Halloween as a festival overseas. They are in contact with the marketing that promotes Halloween as a festival in New Zealand. Am I going to allow my several small girls and boys to run around the streets at night on their own..? NO. So I do my best I dress as Merlin ( About as much to do with Halloween as plastic skulls from the local shop. ) and I travel the streets with the children The first seven houses were hard. People told us to "bugger off", "not today!", "not interested", and generally were quite rude and unkind in their interaction with the children. People laughed at us. People jeered. My beautiful, gentle, kind, son . Could not take it he wanted to go home. He felt that what he was doing was wrong. He felt foolish . He felt unhappy and he could not see why he was doing this. His last experience of Halloween was in Kathmandu where the American embassy took the children around the houses of the American's stationed there. It was a wonderful night everybody dressed up and had parties. His introduction to ' A real Halloween Celebration' was a magnificent experience. Now alone as a motley but colourful group on our local street he felt saddened by the whole process. "I mean its not like I am helping anybody. I don't have anything to give . I don't know why we do this. I feel stupid." His sister was by this time streaking up the street . She loved it. People say no to Laurelin, it is water off a ducks back. She gathers up her courage and on she goes.... "Quick! Gareth This house gives lollies"... Gareth would not go up the drive. His sister banged on the door. Collected her loot and moved on always stopping at the gate to give half of what ever she received into her brothers bag. I stepped into play .. Whenever a treat was forth coming to the children I performed for the house. People laughed, people clapped, Cars stopped and people got out with video cameras to record the event. Others with nothing prepared still came from their houses to cross the street and congratulate us on our perseverance, on our beautiful costumes and on our magical entertainment. Then, the Laurelin struck pay dirt. A house that had prepared for, and welcomed the children. Individual bags of lollies made as gifts. Older people, an elderly couple meeting and laughing with the children. We gave and received . One night a year the children of the neighbourhood come calling and this couple wanted it. They were ready to have some fun. This event was repeated at the houses of several other elderly people. By now other groups were on the street. It was getting darker. We felt not so alone. A group of teenagers came on their bikes to laugh at us. We gathered and had magic together. There was a stunned silence. They were most surprised. Later that night I saw the same group had gone home and brought their little sisters all dressed as a clowns out onto the street, to try their luck with the gathering of treats. The teenagers escorted the little girls and took nothing for themselves. " My sister likes you man. You are cool!" Gareth's found his courage. Now he had a game. His purpose, to find people who were kind and would like entertaining. He didn't accept the sweets when offered. He came to give of himself, not take for himself. Meanwhile his sister took strides and visited house after house . She was into this event. At home Laurelin had spent days , and her pocket money, making cakes, biscuits and sweets to give away. Little icing spiders, bugs eyes from smarties. High on sugar and high on experience Laurelin also wanted to be at home to give to those that visited, because that was also fun. Merlin tagged along learning much. We headed for home. When the night started, I hated this event . Now as I witnessed the lessons in courage the children were having, saw happiness in the elderly, the fun from the little children, the time and effort in some of the costuming, the social event that our street was enjoying, my attitudes softened. I decided to visit the same houses and others next year and give of myself again, to help my children to help my son understand he is not alone. The last house. I hear a large shout. A man, beer in hand, just scared the kids - it is allowed of course. I step forward.. "My god! Margaret come and look at this" Merlin performed magic right on their door step . They loved it, neighbours gathered around. When complete, I heard, "Now that's a trick worth a treat. Wait a minute I will go and find something." A first refusal became a support - Gareth felt good. He did not want to take, he wanted to give. I had a hard time because I felt the same. Like father like son. Why would I demand something when I had plenty. My belly is more like Santa Claus than those who are hungry. I have money and food and clothing and shelter. I live in the paradise that is New Zealand. Fathers we teach courage to our sons'. I told storeys to Gareth about how it was good to learn to have the courage to ask for what you want in life. If the answer is no, you have lost nothing , do not be attached. If the answer is yes as often enough and there will always be yeses as well, then you have gained. There is nothing to loose. Except perhaps some pride. I remembered my honeymoon. With no money and an old car my partner and I travelled South island. Stopping asking at hotels to swap a magic show for somewhere to spend the night. Anywhere. Busking the bar crowds at night to get money to drive on tomorrow. We had an amazing time. I hated that first step. The asking for help. But now I was married. Before, I could go hungry, now I had my new wife and family to support. Sometimes you need courage. Trick or treat became a wonderful lesson. Today I read that Hooligans in Christchurch threw a smoke bomb into an elderly ladies house and set a chair on fire. People threw eggs at someone who had nothing to give. How sad. I am out on the streets attempting to mould something I do not agree with into a wonderful experience. To share happiness as experienced in another society. Others are out to display their ignorance and to hurt other people. The police asked the question. "What are we doing this for anyway? It is an American thing". Well we have Hanukkah for the Hebrews, Chinese New Year, Diwali for the Hindus, Tibetan festivals, Ramadan, Easter, Christmas, Saint Patrick's Day. It is all from somewhere else. We are a multicultural society every celebration in this country has come from somewhere else. Even our so called 'indigenous' peoples have actually come from somewhere else. That is part of what makes New Zealand unique we are a 'rainbow people' and a rainbow society. We must support each other in tolerance and celebrate each others cultures. So what is the secret? The secret is 'Have a trick worth a treat'. Enjoy the game with those who choose to play. Do not disturb those who do not. Next year I will entertain again. I can only take this as another opportunity to give of myself. Not to take or to persecute others. To my beautiful kind son and loving daughter. Enjoy the game, spread the good will and be considerate Perhaps the marketing people will come up with a Halloween sign next year for the houses in which reveller's are welcome. That way refusals may not be so common and they can extend their grab for our dollar. By the way. What is all the witch and ghost thing anyway? ------------------------------------- 12. Linking Ring magazine - Tom Craven ------------------------------------- Message from Tom Craven (US) If any of your readers have an item they'd like to see appear in my column in the Linking Ring magazine, please e-mail me at: vipmagic@aol.com. ------------------------------------- 13. Two month season here in Singapore ------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) I've started my two month season here in Singapore. Had my first show last night and all went well. There was a crowd of about two thousand people! So different than working in New Zealand ... the majority of the crowd last night didn't speak English. I've started to grow a real Chaplin moustache, although Guy Cater thinks I could also impersonate Hilter!! Not the look I'm after of course:( I don't know how long the moustache is going to last. Today, we met up with Richard Webster who was on his way home from the Germany Book Fair. We decided to go in to Borders Book shop and low and behold, there were several of Richards books (in foreign languages as well as English including Spanish), and also the book Ken Ring and I wrote, Pawmistry ... it was the American version. What a lovely surprise. It was just fantastic to spend the day with Richard and Guy, three kiwis let loose in Singapore:) ------------------------------------- 14. The Canterbury Society of Magicians 60th Anniversary ------------------------------------- Message from John Ross (NZ) The Canterbury Society of Magicians Inc. has great pleasure in extending an invitation to all Members, Honorary Members, Competition Judges and Friends of the Society, both present and past, together with their partners, to attend a Dinner celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Society. The dinner will be held on Saturday, November 25th 2000 at the Avon River Centra, 356 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch. The evening will commence with socialising from about 6.45 pm and will be followed by the meal commencing at about 7.45 pm The cost per person is $30, which includes the buffet meal and wine and non-alcoholic beverages on the table. The Society looks forward to this informal function as a very welcome opportunity to renew the many friendships and acquaintances that have developed over the years. RSVP by November 12th using the enclosed reply-paid envelope The Society's invitation is accepted with pleasure is declined with regret Names____________________________ Number attending____________ Phone Number_______________ Enquiry's and messages may be addressed to John Ross, 16 Patmos Place, Mt Pleasant, Christchurch or at Phone / Fax 03-384-4294, E-Mail : j_ross@ihug.co.nz ------------------------------------- 15. Graham Grant passed away peacefully on 2/11/00 ------------------------------------- Message from George Schindler (US) SAM - Public Relations and Publicity A brief note from New Zealand to let you know that Graham Grant passed away at 9.00 p.m. this evening. peacefully in the presence of Edith South at Mary Poatter Hospice where he had been for the last week Graham has been caring for and helped to restore the grave of Kudarz (Robert Driver) which is owned by the Society of American Magicians and is Wellington, New Zealand. ------------------------------------- 16. Grand Master of Magic - Graham Grant ------------------------------------- Part of the citation read by Stan Goudge when Graham was presented the Grand Master of Magic by the BAM and Wellington Society of Magicians: Graham Grant's association with the art and craft of magic began as a teenager when he joined the New Zealand Fellowship of Magicians in Wellington. Later in 1957 he was accepted into the Wellington Society of Magicians where he has been a staunch and a loyal member ever since. He has been a regular office holder in the society including President in 1962 - 64 and 1996 - 98. The society hosted an extremely successful National Convention under Graham's presidency in 1964. Any tribute to Graham should mention his late wife and stage partner, Val. They were a team, and in magic a graceful and polished team. Together they held many long term magical engagement contracts in the Wellington area venues. This double act was one of considerable sophistication and skill, featuring the production of doves and their transformation to a couple of live poodles. Graham's particular skill was manipulative magic and his skill with billiard balls, cards and cigarettes was, and is, a delight to behold. The Grant's eye-catching publicity stated, " My job's a Mystery - What's yours?" Graham Grant has also been a magical dealer, known for encouraging customers to join the ranks of the magic fraternity. His Wellington retail shop was a meeting place for most magical visitors to the city. Circumstances beyond his control lead to the closure of this business, but friendships made over the counter are still strong to this day. He maintains contact with many magicians throughout New Zealand and overseas and is respected by all who know him. The high standard of Graham Grant's personal performance can be seen in his numerous successes in competitions both in New Zealand and Australia. An examination of cups and trophies awarded at magician's conventions will find the name of Graham Grant engraved many times, especially for the Stage Act, Cabaret Act, and manipulation categories. Any appreciation of Graham Grant's life and its impact on his magic, should also mention the difficulties associated with Val's illness and the dissolving of such a long-term magic partnership. For him it meant starting again, designing a solo magic performance that did not rely on the input of a stage partner, and refining and perfecting a new act. We saw that come together with success at the Wanganui Convention in 1995. ------------------------------------- 17. Graham Grant's funeral service details ------------------------------------- Message from Nigel Kennedy (NZ) Graham Grant's funeral service is being held on... Tuesday 7th November at 11.00 a.m. The service will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home 375 Adelaide Road, Newtown followed by a private cremation. If anybody wishes to send a card address it to Mrs Edith South, 6a Arizona Grove, Brooklyn Wellington. Any questions can be directed to me phone 04 471 0733 Regards Nigel Kennedy ------------------------------------- 18. Require magicians in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch ------------------------------------- Message from Stuart Robertson (NZ) I require performers, entertainers and magicians in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for a large event on Sunday, November 19th. I also have many other events I require entertainers at so if you are keen for work please contact Stu at The Hilarious Experience Company email stu@hilarious.co.nz or ph 09 525 2594. ------------------------------------- 19. Radio interview not to be missed ------------------------------------- Message from Ken Ring (NZ) Ken Ring, the weatherman, just back from his trip to the UK, will lock horns with Kim Hill on National Radio Friday, 10th November at 11am. ------------------------------------- 20. Austrian PO issue stamp - Leopold Ludwig Döbler ------------------------------------- Message from Roger Thompson The Austrian Post Office is planning to issue a stamp commemorating Leopold Ludwig Döbler (1801-1864) the renowned magician from Austria on 5th Oct.2001. Grenada, Nevis, Dominica and St Vincent also issued stamps on 30th Sept.2000 in honor of David Copperfield, Houdini, Howard Thurston, and Harry Kellar. ------------------------------------- 21. If I Ever Made You Laugh Please Help Me ------------------------------------- Message from Mike Randazzo (US) "My Friends, I am sending this out to all members as a favor of one of our other members John Ferrentino. For detailed information contact John Directly at spookstufff@aol.com. Here is what John has to say on the subject. --------------- IF I EVER MADE YOU LAUGH PLEASE HELP ME! As you know I have I have performed the "Barstool" in my act for over 24 years. I have performed it at: The MAGIC CASTLE in 1978 60 national TV shows (in front of millions of people) IBM and SAM The WORD SUMMIT of Magic in NY and Ca. The "Collectors Workshop" conventions Twice The Tannen's Magic Jubilee 3 times About 50 other Magic Conventions The Stars Of Magic 2 Times In Las Vegas at the MGM, Tropicana and Balley's Over 5000 shows world wide. It was has been featured in photos in all the Magic magazines in cover stories about me many times. In 1980 it was in my book "Comedy Clubs for Magicians" and in all of my lectures for years. In November "Linking Ring" Dick Stoner is selling a rip off of my stool for $1495.00. I have tried to Fax him, phone him and e-mail he has not responded. The fact that he would willingly market a trademark piece from somebody's act is an outrage and totally unethical. It is unforgivable. He has given me no choice but to turn this matter over to my lawyers and to go to the Ethics Committee of the SAM and IBM. I feel my action is appropriate. This is a TOTAL RIP OFF and I will not let it go unnoticed. I hope I will have the support of the entire Magic Community on this matter. I will take all actions that I feel necessary to stop this kind of blatant stealing and unethical behavior in Magic. It is time to stop people like him from making money off other peoples acts. It is a disgrace to the art of magic and he should be ashamed to call himself a professional. I cannot do this alone I need your help. Write him, call him. fax him or e-mail him. That you think this is wrong. I have never put the BARSTOOL on the market because I always felt it was not right to sell my trade mark. I f I have to I will put mine on the market. If that is what you want, I will make it cheaper and it will come apart for travel. Thank you for your help and I promise to keep you laughing for years to come ...........JOHN J FERRENTINO Dick Stoner e-mail dickstonner@dickstoner.com fax (219) 426-1101 712 S. Harrington st. Fort Wayne IN. 46802 Hm (219) 426-1100 Please forward this e-mail to everybody you know in magic. Thank you for your time. Mike Randazzo ------------------------------------- 22. Dick Stoner contacted John settlement being worked out ------------------------------------- Message from Michael Randazzo (US) Since this first went out, Dick Stoner has contacted John and a settlement is being worked out. Stoner has admitted he wants to put this behind him and would love to work out something to bring an end to this. I got this information from John directly. Thanks Michael P. Randazzo ------------------------------------- 23. The Bar Stool gag - Mike Rogers ------------------------------------- Message from Mike Rogers (US) A day or so ago I scanned the many posts on the Cess Pool of magic, Alt.magic, and was surprised to see many many post regarding the Bar Stool gag. I'm not involved in this in any manner, but there is something that should be pointed out. As I understand the story a popular magician makes the bar stool gag his signature effect having performed it thousands of times over the years in every venue. Another magician, a dealer, is now offering the item for sale. The barbs have been hot and heavy. Ethics have been questioned. Price structure has been questioned. Many have tossed in their thoughts. For those who may not know the bar stool gag is simply this. The performer sits on a standard type bar stool. The seat gives out falling about 8 inches. The performer jumps up and sticking up from the seat of the bar stool is an 8 inch section of pipe. The idea being the seat gave out ramming the pipe up the area proctologists normally insert the Silver Stallion. Again let me stress, I'm in no way involved in this in any manner. However, sadly, not one single post mentions the creator of this wonderful sight gag. It was the late Howard Bamman, past editor or Linking Ring. Howard used it as far back as 1963, maybe even more. He closed his act with it and it was one of the funniest things ever seen in magic. While sitting on the stool the seat gave out, Howard jumped up and without looking at the stool made his exit walking stiff legged, leaning back, with a terrible grimace on his face. At first you almost thought it was for real. I have seldom seen such laughter once everyone caught on. One of the greatest sight gags ever. Those who might have known Howard, and we all loved him dearly, might want to check out the many posts on the Cess Pool. Be ready to lose your lunch. ------------------------------------- 24. Weekly at Angelo's 6:00 to 8:00 ------------------------------------- Message from Michael Bairefoot (US) Hello this is Michael Bairefoot from Myrtle Beach, SC. If anyone is coming to the beach they can see my close-up shows at Angelo's and Seafare and Wed. nights I am at the world famous "Doll House" doing walk around and my manipulation act. Weekly at Angelo's 6:00 to 8:00 Tuesday thru Sat. Seafare Friday and Sate 4 to 6:00 and Wednesday at the Doll House 9:30 to 11:30. If anyone is coming to the beach look me up. www.bairefootmagic.com ------------------------------------- 25. Israeli convention delayed till things calm down ------------------------------------- Message from Guy Bavli (Israel) No special; magic news here ... the real news is ARAFAT AND BARAK :-) Our magic convention was delayed for a few months till things will calm down. Although here in YTel-aviv and center all is same and not problems. ------------------------------------- 26. Magic on NZ TV - Edward Hall ------------------------------------- Message from Edward Hall (NZ) Thursday 16th November, TV2, 1:55am World's Greatest Magic IV. Has been previously shown, includes Carl Cloutier, Lennart Green, Hamners, Tabary, and Raymond Crowe. Not quite magic, but some may be interested in; Sunday 12th November, TV1, 2:30pm Cirque du Soleil - Saltimbanco. http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~edhall/magic/ ------------------------------------- 27. The Orchante Saga - The Very Early Years ------------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) E-mail address: Veronica@tvorchard.freeserve.co.uk Chapter Three Hi, Alan, and a special 'hello' to Burns (De Larno) Scandrett. Thanks everyone for all e-mails, and for suggestions re writing a book - this could be it! The Fun Doctor (Norman Tate) Magician, juggler, balancer, nose pianist etc. He travelled all over New Zealand, entertaining school kids, in a class room during the lunch hour. It cost the exorbitant price of 3d. to see him. Many years later, he was honoured with the M.B.E. for services rendered. Little was I to know that 5 or 6 years later in Manurewa, Auckland, my Dad was to receive a phone call asking if his son could "fill in" at a local Ladies and Kids 'do' as the night before, the Fun Doctor , this wonderful man, who had been booked to do the show, had left us for another magical place. I'll bet he's still entertaining - playing harps with his nose, juggling clouds, balancing 'golden gates' and performing his 'magic tricks'. Oh God - the nostalgia. I have tears in my eyes writing this - that was 47 years ago!. The only trick of his that I remember was the little ball or block of wood on a string - for those who are unaware of this effect - a ball with a hole drilled 'straight' through - a length of string about 2 ft. long is threaded through it - the string is held vertically at each end, the ball held by the fingers in the top hand. Still holding the string, release the ball and it drops straight down - naturally! The Magician reverses his hands and repeats the exercise. Again he reverses, but this time he commands the ball to stop half way down, releases - lo and behold - the ball stops, halfway - MAGIC! How? Well, the hole drilled through the ball 'aint' straight - it's curved. If the string is held loosely, the ball will drop. Add a little tension, and the ball will slide, slowly, quickly, or stop, depending on the amount of tension. Simple but effective, but then all great tricks are. I can still hear him (the Fun Doctor) saying "halfway down please. Stop. Slow down now - a little more now - Stop. All the way now". Etc. etc. Every so often, Dad braved the tortuous route to the 'Big Smoke' (Wairoa), for meetings with the Chief of Police - Chris McRae a giant of a man, who had to bend almost double to get through a doorway. Dad came home from Wairoa one day with my first book of Magic, bought in Woolworth's, titled 'Magic Made Easy' written by Carl March of London. It cost the princely sum of 2/6d - looks and feels like blotting paper - I've still got it - minus the covers. This was closely followed by 'Teach Yourself Conjuring' written by J. Elsden Tuffs (member of the Magic Circle, London) 1st Edition 1954. I guess the 'blotting paper' book is of the same vintage. From these, I got my basics. From the Woolworth's book, among other things I learned the coin roll. I wound up practising this, deliberately sitting in the back of a bus which bounced you six feet in the air with every pothole. More about this later. From the 'Teach Yourself' book, the first trick I learned was how to burn a banknote in an envelope and restore it from the ashes. This was also the first trick I ever performed in public, probably at around 11 years of age. Next to the Police station in Raupunga was a one stop shop - Post Office, Groceries, Hardware, Clothing etc. Next to that again was a long corrugated iron barn-sized shed which served as the local Picture theatre come dance hall - come anything! It was owned and run by the Adsetts- a very entrepreneurial family (theirs was the other home NOT made from corrugated iron) Every Saturday was Picture Night, and the Adsett parents made popcorn and candy floss while the sons ran the box office, and the projection machine which sat at the back of the shed, and the girls were ushers and sold tickets and home made soft drinks. The Adsetts decided, along with the local school, to run a fancy dress party and talent quest. I remember mine being an American Cavalry type or something like that. It was in the Talent Quest that I performed the 'burned and restored bank note'. I still think about that poor soul who loaned his Ł5 note to an 11/12 year old, who promptly shoved it into an envelope, held a lit candle behind the envelope to prove the note was still inside, and then 'accidentally' set fire to it. My years in Raupunga were very happy, and I'll tell you more about them next week - if you can stand the pace! ------------------------------------- 28. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- New Zealand National Magicians Convention - December 2001/January 2002 If you require more information about the above events go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html to research for more information. ------------------------------------- 29. 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. ------------------------------------- 30. MagicNZ e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: ezine Password: newzealand When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001nov0699.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (nov06) and the last next two numbers the year (99) If you want to print copies of MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive ------------------------------------- 31. 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. ------------------------------------- 32. 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 or 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 ------------------------------------- 33. 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