* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #50 Date: Sunday 3rd December 2000 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz e-mail alan@watson.co.nz ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editors Message 2. Reed Michael Lewis (us) lecturer 3. Lance Burton, to celebrate 2000th show 4. Magic Circle Awards Banquet 18th Nov 2000 5. Invisible Lodge 6. Pardon my density 7. Can supply 18inch u shaped fluorescent tube 8. Handing out your card on fire! 9. Terri Roger's, THE KEY, book test 10. Pride & Joy Cards 11. Canadian Magician - Joe Stuthard 12. Data base of Australian & New Zealand magicians 13. Hello from Bulgaria 14. in Singapore NOBODY wants to volunteer 15. The Orchante Saga # 7 16. Diarise these events 17. MagicNZ e-zine archives 18. Subscription Management ------------------------------------- 1. Editors Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One This week see Item 13 - Hristo Kazakov, magician who lives in Bulgaria - if everyone reading this e-zine sent him just one copy of a magazine or magic notes, or effect that is of no further use I sure he would be thrilled with your generosity. The Magic e-zine subscription total stands at 1,911 spread over 49 different countries and continues to grow. NZ "World Festival Of Magic" Tour 2000 - featuring Chuck Jones & Company, Victor and Diamond, and Skip Banks. Tuesday 5 Palmerston Nth 1.30pm - 4pm - 7pm Regent On Broadway or College of Education Wednesday 6 New Plymouth 5pm - 7.30pm TSB Show Place Thursday 7 Wanganui 2.30pm - 5pm - 7.30pm Wanganui Collegiate School Saturday 9 Auckland 11am - 5pm - 7pm Sunday 10 Auckland 11am - 5pm - 7pm Logan Campbell Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: alan@watson.co.nz ------------------------------------- 2. Reed Michael Lewis (us) lecturer ------------------------------------- Message from Michael Woolf (NZ) Editor "Magicana" Magazine Friday night last the Hutt Valley Magicians' Society entertained Reed Michael Lewis as guest lecturer. This was the only lecture given in New Zealand by this talented young performer who is touring as Propmaster with the World Festival of Magic. Reed's area is close-up, and he kept the group both entertained and informed with cards and coins. He has clearly studied his subject in depth. Although well skilled in manipulation and most knowledgeable about the classical sources of moves and effects, Reed puts entertainment value first. Of particular note were his remarks about audience involvement and rapport. His advice to anticipate audience questions shows a real understanding of what magic is about. Present as guests were Victor and Diamond, Tour Manager Martine and Barry, also from the World Festival of Magic. "Magicana" for December-January will be in the mail this week. ------------------------------------- 3. Lance Burton, to celebrate 2000th show ------------------------------------- Message from Wayne Bernath, (US) Director of Publicity Master magician, Lance Burton, will make a special appearance at Planet Hollywood on Sunday, December 3. Celebrating his 2000th show at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, Lance Burton will mark the occasion with a cake cutting at Planet Hollywood Wall of Fame. Afterwards, Lance Burton will celebrate the holidays with a private party for his cast and crew. Lance Burton performs nightly, Tuesday through Saturday, at the Lance Burton Theatre at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino. WHERE: Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, The Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 S. Las Vegas Blvd. WHEN: Sunday, December 3, 6:00pm CONTACT: Michael Coldwell, Planet Hollywood Public Relations (702) 791-7827 Wayne Bernath, Director of Publicity (702) 435-7636 Media Attendance Is Requested For 5:45 pm ---------------------------------- 4. Magic Circle Awards Banquet 18th Nov 2000 ---------------------------------- Message from Chris Pratt (UK) Devant Award International Personality - Channing Pollock who was present and who on Sunday, 19th November was interviewed by John Fisher at Headquarters - an absorbing and thoroughly entertaining event. The Maskelyne for Services to British Magic - Billy McComb Gold Medal for Services to the Society - Derrick Speight Silver wand for services to the Society - Richard Stupple Carlton Award for Comedy - Graham P. Jolley John Nevil Maskleyne Prize for literature in magic - Val Andrews Cecil Lyle Award for Best Trick in the Magic Circular - John Archer Stage Magician of the Year - Scott Penrose Close-Up Magician of the Year - Etienne Pradier ------------------------------------- 5. Invisible Lodge ------------------------------------- Message from John Miller (US) I am looking for Magicians who are also Master Masons who would be eligible for membership in the Invisible Lodge. It is composed of the afore mentioned and the requirements to join can be obtained from the Invisible Lodge, 2102 Addington, Irving, Texas, 75062 or invislodg@aol.com. As an International organization we are looking for members all over the World who can help us celebrate our 50th in 2003 and become eligible for our newsletter. J.K.Miller PfD, International President XI ------------------------------------- 6. Pardon my density ------------------------------------- Message from Jim Fish (US) Pardon my density, but I wonder, instead of doubling the tube into a u-shape, wouldn't it be much easier to just run the wires for the bottom end down the side of the tube, and insulate the heck out of the part that goes into you gullet? ------------------------------------- 7. Can supply 18inch u shaped fluorescent tube ------------------------------------- Message from Peter J. Levins (US) With reference to a u shaped fluorescent tube I can supply an 18inch type if required, ---------------------------------- 8. Handing out your card on fire! ---------------------------------- Message from Jim Pace (US) I once saw a kid take his business card out of his flaming wallet (executive style) and as he handed it out he struck the wheel that lit his wallet on fire as well as his card then he handed me his card...of course he blew the card out before he handed it to me. I have never forgotten this. I am sure that his client will long remember him as well. I asked him if I might develop this further and that I would send him my product when finished, unfortunately one of us became distracted and we never got each others names or address. If my young friend reads this. Thank you! I have developed a business card wallet that will hold 10 cards and lite them on fire as you pull them out. I will be showing it for the first time to the magic public at this years World Magic Summit held in Las Vegas. Nothing will make them remember you more than handing out your card on fire! ------------------------------------- 9. Terri Roger's, THE KEY, book test ------------------------------------- Message from Wolfgang Riebe (Germany) I am looking for the original Terri Roger's, THE KEY, book test. Any one with a new or good second hand version, please contact me with price on entertrainer@wolfgangriebe.com. ---------------------------------- 10. Pride & Joy Cards ---------------------------------- Message from Lee Jacobs (US) I certainly do thank Peter Marucci for plugging our PRIDE & JOY CARDS. If your readers would like to see if our PRIDE & JOY CARDS would work in their part of the world, they can see the cards at... http://www.frognet.net/~ljacobs/picturecards.html#anchor158657 Also, we publish a book totally devoted to comedy, magical, mental, and other effects using business cards that practically guarantees that the card will be kept and used after it is given out. The book is CARDS THAT MEAN BUSINESS by Ernie Heldman, and more information about it can be found at...http://www.frognet.net/~ljacobs/magicbooks4.html ---------------------------------- 11. Canadian Magician - Joe Stuthard ---------------------------------- Message from Jack Poulter (Canada) A>From: The Orchante Saga # 6 A>THE CANADIAN MAGICIAN - real name Joe Stuthard - A>Joe invented the Trilby deck (the name Trilby was the lady who A>was hypnotised by Svengali in Daphne DuMaurier's book) which was A>a tapered Svengali deck. A number of years ago, I read Tommy Windsor's "Pitch Act Book" in which he stated that Joe Stuthard "forgot more about the Svengali than you or I will ever know". Joe wrote "Stuthard's Svengali Subtleties" which was first printed in 1938 in Canada, and was subsequently revised in 1948 and printed in England. It is very difficult to find now, although I believe a copy resides in the library of the British Ring. Stuthard's Trilby Deck, was also produced around 1948, I understand. It was a (one) end stripped Svengali which allowed handling which fooled those familiar with the regular Svengali. A copy of it's instructions are in the British Ring library (Item 479). ------------------------------------- 12. Database of Australian & New Zealand magicians ------------------------------------- Message from Dave Boyd (Aust) At the time of writing I am rebuilding my web site, it is available at http://mountainmagicaustralia.homestead.com It is published but still very much incomplete. As a part of the web site will be a database of Australian & New Zealand magician available for bookings. This will be a free service. Even those who do not have a web page or even an email address are welcome to email or snail mail me their details for inclusion in the database. Those who do have their own web page we will supply a link as part of the database. It happens to me all the time bookers asking for a booking that either I cannot take owing to prior bookings or out side of the area that would be cost effective for me to travel. With the database it will be simple to refer those prospective clients other more suitable magicians. It will also act as a source for people looking for a magician with Australia or New Zealand I will need details of the type of market they perform for, and of course contact details etc. The more information up to a point the better. Once the data base is published it will contain a link button with a form on which can give details, but don't wait for that, as the data base will be listed as received, so go to the head of the list by getting in early. ---------------------------------- 13. Hello from Bulgaria ---------------------------------- Message from Hristo Kazakov (Bulgaria) My name is Hristo Kazakov and I am a young and enthusiastic Bulgarian magician. I became interested in magic 14 years ago and since then I learned many things about the beautiful Art of Magic! I have been practicing magic for nearly 14 years and I am now 20. During that time I have participated in many Bulgarian TV shows and at one time I used to be the youngest Bulgarian magician. In 1995 I was invited for several performances in Vienna, Austria. This year I graduated from the American College of Sofia which is the most prestigious high school in my home country Bulgaria and I am now first year student at the University of Sofia, Bulgaria. As for my interest in magic it is mostly about Rope, Silk, Close-up and general Stage Magic I have one very earnest request! In Bulgaria it is very hard to get magic related information. That is why I will be very grateful to you if you could send me any magic information and materials which you don't need. This could be old "Genii" and "Magic" issues, other magic magazines and books, magic tricks, video tapes and anything you could possibly give for free because I do not have the money to afford it! I would appreciate it! Most of the time I even do not eat enough to save money for a new trick That could sound strange but in my home country Bulgaria the economic situation is very bad and the average monthly salary is $75 and I am not an exception. I work at 2 jobs and having in mind that I am a university student and p ay my tuition by myself, it becomes even harder. I apologize if I am a bit impertinent but you know how curious for magic information we magicians are and it becomes even worse if you are not able to afford this information because of financial problems as in my case! Even though I am not able to pay for the magic materials I am sure I will find a way to return you the favor for your kindness and understanding! This is my mailing address: Hristo Kazakov American College of Sofia P.O.BOX 873 Sofia 1000 BULGARIA ---------------------------------- 14. In Singapore NOBODY wants to volunteer ---------------------------------- Message from Guy Cater (NZ) So many have asked me about conditions here ... answer is it is very difficult. The staging, lights and sound etc are excellent the problem is with the audience. Now before anyone starts yelling that the entertainers job is to entertain and the audience will only be as good as he or her ... let me explain a little more. Paul and I are working for corporate bodies and most audiences are between 1500 and 3000. They run a 9, 15 or 20 course meal all through the night so you have no choice but to perform while they are eating. 2ndly is the fact that so many do not totally understand English and in Singapore NOBODY wants to volunteer to come up on to the stage. So you have to be very very good to gain and hold the audiences attention here. The rooms are so large that enormous television screens are placed around the walls so that those a long way from the stage can see the action. I had an extremely pleasant evening recently with American magician Russ Merlin. Russ has been working Asia for the past ten years and is highly skilled in performing to the audiences here. Whether they speak English or not he can communicate with all nationalities. Paul Romhany has now learned this skill. We do not see each other work often but two nights ago we were both booked for another huge gig at Suntec City..just over 3000 people .. and Paul performed brilliantly. His Charlie Chaplin act is outstanding but his Comedy Magic Show has reached the standard where he can now perform that anywhere in the world as well.. Speaking of Paul .. just as a matter of interest ... he leaves Singapore on 2nd Jan (I'm here until 31st .. have a couple of shows in Jahour Baru in Malaysia) and when he leaves, with the time we flatted together this year and last year .. I will have spent more time living with him than BOTH of his wives did after they were married. Not sure what that proves .. maybe that I am very tolerant (BG). Dispite all I said above, I love it here in Singapore, I seem to have Over come most of difficulties and manage to hypnotise a few folk each night and have a slant now on the Asian sense of humour. A few highlights for me have been performing for the Singapore CID, The Singapore Airforce, sitting in Starbucks Coffe House in Orchard Road with Paul and Richard Webster and working with a troup of dancing girls from Russia last night!! They spoke no English but made clear what they meant when they said 'Neyt'! ---------------------------------- 15. The Orchante Saga # 7 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Major Marshall and Bus, Wairoa College, The Great Benyon and Hypnotism Major Marshall, one of nature's gentlemen and his wonderful wife, Mary, lived in little cottage up the Putere Lakes road. Surrounded by tall trees and bush - a lovely spot, but boy, was it spooky at night, especially after Mary had spun one of her Maori ghost yarns. Outside, the wind rustling in the trees, the 'mo-pork' cries of an owl, and the strangling screams of possums - all contributing to massive goose bumps, and hairs bristling on the back of your neck. Major owned and operated the only bus service - Raupunga - Wairoa return, 5 days a week. He knew every twist, turn, boulder and pot-hole on 'the road from hell'. I still applaud his fortitude, enduring for years that tortuous return expedition. It was on this bus, travelling on that awful road where every pot-hole bounced the bus and all aboard, to Kingdom Come and back, that I practised 'the Coin Roll', deliberately sitting on the back seat; and spent a lot of time hanging on for dear life, scrabbling around the length and breadth of the bus, underneath seats, looking for my precious penny. Why on the back seat? Because there, you really bounce! A Tommy philosophy - practise and perfect under difficult circumstances - everything else then becomes easy. If you're just starting out on the 'sleight of hand' road, learn to palm a coin that has no milled edges. Got a pack of cards? - chuck in sink; add water, soil and some booze, let soak, then throw outside and let dry in the sun; NOW learn your stuff! You will meet jokers who will throw such packs at you, sneering 'Okay, smart arse - put your fancy marked cards away' (even if they're not) 'and use these'!! Sorry, skidded off the runway a bit - I'll get back on the flight line! I left Raupunga school to attend Wairoa College. Major would pick me up in his bus, from the Police Station at Raupunga. The last 5 feet at the back of the bus was partitioned off, only accessible from the outside, to accommodate all the milk-cans that Major would pick up from the farms, (I'd help Major load the milk cans on board, and a full milk can isn't exactly light, but it sure did wonders for my physique) and deliver them to the Wairoa Dairy milk processing plant. Consequently, when Major picked me up at around 7 a.m. I wouldn't get to College until around 10 a.m. A three hour trip. I'd leave again at 3 p.m. sharp, and would get home around 6 - 7 p.m. A long day, with not much schooling, (okay by me, but not the college, or Mum and Dad). The decision was made; I boarded in Wairoa, and came home for the weekends. Didn't like it much - two things made it bearable, and one major incident which got my name in print - (for the first time - certainly not the last). The first, was meeting (I have no memory of how) a chap named Willie Crarer -an amateur magician. I vaguely remember that he lived in a large home down a long drive-way.. I think he either owned or managed a large store in Wairoa - Dalgety's rings a bell - don' t really know. Ken Boreham - who was at Wairoa College at the same time as I was, would know. Ken was 'into' Magic as well. (Met Ken again years later in 1972 when I was doing a show in a Wairoa Hotel). There was a Magic club, but I don't remember attending. I have a book - 'Magical Ways and Means' by Al Baker which Willie Crarer signed and gave to me. It's stamped 'Wairoa Magician's Society' - quite an advanced book for an 11 - 12 year old. Perhaps he had some precognition as to what road I was on; wherever you are, Willie, thank you - you were right! I still perform 'The Magical Filtration of Four Half Dollars' from that book - it's perfect. The second thing was -The Great Benyon hits town. To any young Magic mad kid to see The Great Benyon was, well, Magic, with a capital 'M'. It's all so long ago, like a dream - the quick changes - I can still hear him saying 'Same man, different clothes' (did notice that he lost a lot of weight as the show progressed). The Linking rings, Substitution trunk, and, the one that really sticks in my mind, was 'The Ghost House'. Then there was the pseudo-Hypnotism segment - 'pseudo' because I found out much later that it was a sham, but I was sold, big time. I just had to find out how to develop this 'power'. The name 'Franquin' is also floating about - rumours that he can make anyone do anything just by looking at them; The local bookshop had two books - 'Hypnotism and Self Hypnosis' by Ralph Slater, an English Hypnotist, (circa 1952) and 'Open Your Mind - a Course on Hypnotism', by Franquin, 1954. These two books became my 'bibles'. So began my 'journey' studying the intricacies of the human mind, hypnotism, psychology, self hypnosis, yoga; and practising the hypnotism lessons at College. More of this next week, - the 'MAJOR INCIDENT'.- BIG trouble! ------------------------------------- 16. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- New Zealand National Magicians Convention - 27th 2001 to January 1st 2002 ------------------------------------- 17. 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 ------------------------------------- 18. 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 MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, late on Sunday night. 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