* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #60 Date: Sunday 11th February 2001 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz www.alan-watson.com e-mail alan@watson.co.nz ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editors Message 2. Stage Quotes Never Heard 3. Memento of Lou Derman (1914 - 1976) 4. Maskelyne The War Magician 5. Maskelyne used to fool the enemy forces 6. Met Jasper Maskelyne when I was ten 7. Petrick & Mia - Lecture schedule 8. Annual Groundhog Day Juggling Festival 9. An Invitation To Magic! 10. Passing of Card Mondor 11. Progress At The Magic Web Channel 12. Gold Heart Campaign 2001 13. The Orchante Saga #16 14. Diarise these events 15. MagicNZ e-zine archives 16. Subscription Management ------------------------------------- 1. Editors Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One As from Tuesday 6th February the MagicNZ e-zine subscriber base has reached 2,100. If you are planning a trip to New Zealand and would like to present a professional magic lecture/s please e-mail me and I will be able to help you with your arrangements. Also we have a New Zealand magic web ring go to: www.magic.co.nz Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: alan@watson.co.nz ---------------------------------- 2. Stage Quotes Never Heard ---------------------------------- Message from Gene McCarthy (NZ) By the Stage Manager: "It looks as though there'll be time for a third dress rehearsal." "Take your time getting back from break." "We've been ready for hours." "No, I called that perfectly the first time---Lets move on." "The headsets are working perfectly." "The cue lights are working perfectly." "Wow, the actors have been off book way before they were supposed to!" "Well it looks like we are a full 2 weeks ahead of production schedule." "The whole company is standing by whenever you want them." "Wow...that didn't take long!" "No thanks, I don't drink." By the Producer: "Of course there's enough money to go around." "A slight overcharge by a vendor? Don't worry about it." "We have money left over!" "No thanks, I don't drink." By The Director: "Wow, the designers were right on, weren't they!" "No, today is the tech rehearsal, we'll re-work that scene later." "I think the scene changes are too fast." "Of course I think we'll be ready in time for opening." "The crew? Why they're just wonderful!!" "No thanks, I don't drink." By the designers: "Of course all of my drawings were turned in on time." "Yes, it is absolutely my fault the set looks awful." "You know, you might have a point there." "The director knows best, obviously I wasn't giving him what he wants." "We have too many gel colours in stock, I can't choose." "Of course the shop will have the costumes ready on time." "No thanks, I don't drink." By the technical director "This is the most complete and informative set of drawings I've ever seen." "We built it right the first time." "No problem, I'll deal with that right away." "I love the designers!" "....and our lighting designer is the best." "The actors can trip over the wires, its ok...we can replace them every show." "No thanks, I don't drink." By the actors: "Don't....Let's not talk about me." "Really, I think my big scene should be cut." "This costume is SO comfortable." "I love my shoes." "No problem, I can do that for myself." "I have a fantastic agent." "Let me stand down here with my back to the audience." "I'm sure someone told me there was a wall here, I just forgot." "You can omit my name and bio from the playbill to save on costs if you need to." "Without the crew the show would never run; let's thank them." "No thanks, I don't drink." By the stage crew: "That instrument is not in the way." "There's room for that over here." "We'll get in early tomorrow to do it." "No, no I'm sure that is our job." "Anything I can do to help?." "All the tools are carefully locked away." "Can we do that scene change again please?" "It's a marvellous show." "I don't need this many on the crew." "No thanks, I don't drink." ---------------------------------- 3. Memento of Lou Derman (1914 - 1976) ---------------------------------- Message from Reinhard Mueller (Germany) I own a booklet of Lou Derman, "Add Comedy To Your Act!" (1972). On page 26 you will find "(47) Accordion Deck". "Now the same thing in slow motion", and let the cards hang there in midair. And he mentioned Don Lawton's (1922 -1988) line: "I'll do it again and notice how they look like Niagara Falls". So he does it again, then says, "And now, from the Canadian side", as he turns the deck over and lets them fall again with the backs facing the audience. ---------------------------------- 4. Maskelyne The War Magician ---------------------------------- Message from Timothy Hyde (Aust) "What a great thing history would be," said Tolstoy, "if only it were true". Anyone interested in an in-depth 22 part series delving into the reality of Jasper Maskelyne and his exploits, with some very interesting revelations, should seek out the series by historian Richard Stokes that was published in the Geniis Magic Journal (Australia) starting in November 1993. It ran through to November '95. http://www.achieving.com.au/Illusion.htm ------------------------------------- 5. Maskelyne used to fool the enemy forces ------------------------------------- Message from John Wade (England) By a coincidence I was involved with a Maskelyne piece for the American History Channel a week before the news of the possible film project broke. John Salisse and Eddie Dawes did the magic chat and I brought along a friend who had actually seen the dummy destroyer and lorries/tanks that Maskelyne used to fool the enemy forces. Harbin told me years ago never to underestimate the contribution that Maskelyne made to the Middle East campaign. Tom Cruise is not new to magic. Alan Shaxon and I set up the moment in Mission Impossible where the CD vanishes from one of his hands to the other. Nice chap. Maskelyne was about 6'2" while Cruise is about 5'4" but no worry. ------------------------------------- 6. Met Jasper Maskelyne when I was ten ------------------------------------- Message from Clive Court (Canada) Enjoyed the issue. Particularly the piece about the new movie from London. I first met Jasper Maskelyne when I was about ten. He came to the Pleasure Gardens Theatre in Folkestone, my hometown, with Maskelyne's Mysteries, a full evening show. I recall that it was a sparse show--available settings and lighting--with the focus on the illusions and his personality. I'm comparing this with the later shows of Sorcar and Virgil which I saw in the 'fifties. The two illusions which made an impression on me were the Dizzy Limit (or Cargo Net illusion) and Through The Eye of A Needle which he performed with one barrel on top of the other with the assistant passing through the small hole in a heavy metal plate. He also did a coffin escape and I was the kid from the audience who rushed up to help him. And while I was giving the coffin a very thorough examination, Jasper picked my pocket retrieving the ball an vase effect, which he then did to the amusement of the audience. One of those impromptu moments. A year later, I made my first public big stage appearance in the same theatre with a five-minute act. I met Jasper several times after that and he taught me to do a couple of small effects. I think the last time was at an Institute of Magicians dinner in the early fifties where I found myself seated next to Robert Harbin, heady stuff for a young teenage magician. The early fifties was the time of the Mau Mau terrorism of European settlers in Kenya and Jasper went there to become a Chief of Police. (I believe he later owned a car sales business and took up farming). I think David O'Connor may be able to fill in the African side of the story. In the mid fifties I applied for membership of The Magic Circle and was invited to perform in their public show at the St. George's Hall (the second home of Maskelyne and Devant). I remember it well because I was sick that night and Gil Leany and Herbert Collings suggested I sleep in the dressing room for an hour or so before the show. They woke about five minutes before I was due to go on stage. I nearly panicked because I had not set my equipment. But there it was already set out on the table for me ready to walk on stage. Now, how often does that happen in your career? When I looked at the printed program, the billing read," Clive Court--a youngster meddles in Magic." But after my name, were the magic letters "M.M.C." And that was my first confirmation that I had been accepted into this world-famous group. A big thrill for a teenager. I spent many Monday nights at the Circle learning my craft until I left London in the early sixties for Australia and New Zealand. Clive. P.S. I'm getting closer to contacting Don Linden. Does anyone know which hotel he manages, or the address of Pacific Radio? At one point, Don was going to have me open for Louis Armstrong? Then decided to take the job himself. What an Agent! Can't say I blame him for that one. ------------------------------------- 7. Petrick & Mia - Lecture schedule ------------------------------------- Message from Petrick & Mia (US) We are going on a short lecture tour across the Western States. We will present our newest ideas invented by Petrick. The program is: starts with workshop on PM Magic Coins - workshop is $25, which includes FREE PM Magic Coins, silk, cards, and other props needed to perform seven amazing routines (Value $ 50.00) Then we will present a one hour show on stage, parlour and close-up magic. After the show will be the lecture. We start at our magic theatre in: Las Vegas - February 11 at 2 pm Concord - CA - February 14 Carmichael - CA - February 15 Reno - NV- February 18 Salt Lake City - February 19 - show only - Showplace Novelty & Magic Salt Lake City - February 20 magic club ------------------------------------- 8. Annual Groundhog Day Juggling Festival ------------------------------------- Message from Dan Garrett (US) This weekend I attended the Annual Groundhog Day Juggling Festival in Atlanta. It's always a fun event sponsored by the AJA (Atlanta Jugglers Association). Although I'm not a juggler (just a hobby juggler), I support the AJA by being a member. Jugglers are delightful people, just as much fun as magicians. They have similar interests, truly. I saw, in particular, a wonderful act of 3 people who were formerly from Russia (circus folk) and now go by the name of "The Original Jugglers." They had such an exciting and professional act that I am going to recommend them to some of the magic convention talent bookers. I'm sure they would be a sensation at any magic convention. Their names are Roma, Ivan and Natasha. (Two men and a woman.) ------------------------------------- 9. An Invitation To Magic! ------------------------------------- Message from Danny Archer (US) The new Millennium yields a brand new magic convention. Announcing the inaugural "LAS VEGAS MAGIC INVITATIONAL." The first LVMI will be held September13th -15th, 2001, at the San Remo Hotel & Casino, in the magical capital of the world Las Vegas, Nevada. Already booked are a great line-up of lecturers including Daryl, Gregory Wilson, John T. Sheets, Balthazar Fuentes, Troy Hooser, Paul David, Bob Kohler and Chad Long. This brand-new convention will be "invitation only", and hands-on in that the focus is on close-up and stand-up magic in an intimate setting. Along with the great lectures there will be close-up and cabaret shows, workshops, dealers and more! Our special guest of honour wills the legendary Gary Darwin. This promises to be one of the most talked about close-up conventions of the year. Great performers and a great location; the magic capital of the world, fabulous Las Vegas. The convention hosts are Danny Archer (magic@dannyarcher.com) and Robert Allen. Registration is $135.00 For complete information on receiving an invitation, call or e-mail Robert Allen at 702-434-2210 (raprod@juno.com), or visit the LVMI website at: http://mymajik.freeyellow.com/newfile.html ------------------------------------- 10. Passing of Card Mondor ------------------------------------- Message from Robert L. Bluemle I was saddened to learn recently of the passing of Card Mondor. In 1950 I had the pleasure of travelling as an assistant to Card and the gorgeous Donna in their "Dr. Dracula's Den of Living Nightmares" spook show as they toured Arizona. Many fond backstage memories of that tour are contained in the article "Haunting Memories" in the January, 1999 issue of The Linking Ring. It was a memorable show and an unforgettable experience. Card will be missed. ---------------------------------- 11. Progress At The Magic Web Channel ---------------------------------- Message from Steve Dacri (US) PROGRESS AT THE MAGIC WEB CHANNEL We are almost ready to throw the switch on the Magic Web Channel. Hats and Rabbits has been the beta site since July, and will remain as one of the many sites connected to the Magic Web Channel. Among the many features we will have, such as a cartoon strip, guest columnists and some regular contributors with thought provoking and interesting news and views, we are proud to welcome Bev Bergeron, who is also a member of our esteemed panel of magic advisors. Bev promises to "shake things up" with his material. Bev is one of the true "greats" in this business, and his knowledge and opinions are important. I'm sure there will be lots of reactions from his words. Look for "Ask Bev" starting March 1 on the magic web channel. As I mentioned to Bev, I personally find it wildly hypocritical when I read the various ring reports and assembly reports in Linking Ring and MUM, and read flowery puff, without the critical, honest assessment of the performers. Is it just for mutual backslapping without regard for what constitutes entertainment? I have been to some meetings where the performances were ludicrous, and nobody offered suggestions for the improvement,(instead they applaud wildly)...then I read the report of the same meeting and I wonder what gives. The writer obviously was at a DIFFERENT meeting! I believe this simply breeds bad magic, and hurts our art. What benefit is there to those newer practitioners who read such puffery and assume that's what real entertainment is? When was the last time you read one of those meeting reports and saw something like: "Newcomer Jerry Smith showed us a work in progress with 4 coins and 2 cards. It was a marked improvement over his previous presentation, and the members offered advice to further improve his act." Hundreds of years ago, I remember sitting down in front of Dai Vernon, in his apartment one day to demonstrate a coin routine I had been working on for about a year. When I proudly finished, he puffed on his cigar and looked up at me with a smile and said, "That was the worst damn routine I ever saw." Crushed, I began to work with him to retool the routine and simplify the approach. That routine is a feature of my close up act, all because Vernon was honest, and therefore helpful in my development. I use the great masters as motivation and try my best when lecturing to provide those same honest critiques and help when instructing others. We need more people speaking the truth and offering candid, positive critique for the eventual improvement of the quality of magic. And we need to point out those who should be given credit for laying the groundwork for the foundation of the art that we all grow from. And point out those who have unjustly taken others ideas and routines, sometimes word for word, without permission, and presented them without acknowledgment of the true artists and creators before them. This will only help all of us, and will serve as a lesson to all, that stealing is stealing, and unethical. It is our intention to make the magic web channel a place where people can speak freely about magic and further the art by fostering ethics and encouraging learning. ---------------------------------- 12. Gold Heart Campaign 2001 ---------------------------------- Message from Wayne Bernath (US) Sponsored by Technicolor Entertainment Services Contact: 702.838-8466 Richelle R. Bryant, Executive Director Robert R. White, Programs Director www.touch-a-heart.com Find a spot in your heart for a child Visit one of our sponsor locations or come support our children volunteers at Borders Books & Records located at North Rainbow Blvd this Saturday the 10th or the following Saturday the 17th. Help Variety of Southern Nevada "The Children's Charity" raise money for our local children in need by donating $10for a Dalmatian Puppy with Gold Heart Collar Pin or $2 for the Commemorative Heart Pin. From 11 AM to 3 PM the girls' from "Dance Attack" will greet your donation with information about Variety and depending on your donation, reward you a Dalmatian Puppy or a Commemorative Heart Pin. Come down to Borders Books & Records this Saturday, but feel free to return on the 17th so the Boy Scouts of America can greet your friends, family, and neighbors too. Together we can join efforts to help our local children. Variety of Southern Nevada's, 2001 National Gold Heart Campaign is sponsored by all Century, Regal, United Artist Theaters, Lance Burton's Magic Shop in the Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino, Nevada Commerce Bank on Valley View Blvd., Village East Drugs locations at South Eastern and East Sunset, the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Gift Shop, Flower Fair locations at Jones & Oakey and Eastern & Warm Springs, The Jewelry Place currently in Nashville Tennessee for the Jewelry Convention, and soon four (4) gift shops located at the Las Vegas Airport. All proceeds earned stay in Southern Nevada and help Variety serve over 17,500children with our own programs such as, The Sunshine Coach, Bikes for Kids, Variety School for Special Education, and Variety Day Home to name just a few. So, make a special effort to donate and wear a heart for those less fortunate. Make this Valentine's Day one to remember by challenging your friends, family, and neighbors to wear a Variety Heart so together we can make a difference in a child's life. On behalf of the Staff, Board Members, Volunteers, and Friends of Variety that continually sponsor our local children we wish a happy heart to all those that TOUCH-A-HEART in Clark County. ---------------------------------- 13. The Orchante Saga #16 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) 1961/62 It's a Time Warp! - I'm stuck in the '60s - (well, I was, for 10 years). I have a very large aluminium trunk - stuffed full of programmes, newspaper clippings, magazines, write-ups, posters, etc., from 1960 to 1996 (if I hadn't contracted Emphysema, I'd still be stuffing them in). Charles Hikana, 'The Voice of the Pacific' (he had won the Canterbury heat of Joe Brown' s Talent Quest 1960) teamed up with Trevor King of Christchurch, and put a show together, featuring some of the Artists from Joe Brown's show. They called it 'TALENT TOPPERS - RADIO AND STAGE SHOW - on Tour'. This hit the road around March 1961. I found the original programme (in 'the trunk'), but unfortunately it doesn't show the touring dates. The following, from the programme, are the brief descriptions (not by me) of myself; in the first half - Quote: 'Act Three - The Amazing Mr Orchard, versatile teen-age magician who created a sensation in his previous tour through the Islands, and New Zealand' Unquote. The second half - Quote; 'Act Eleven - The Amazing Mr Orchanti (spelled with an I instead on an e) sensational teen-age Fire-eater of the Mysterious Orient' Unquote. (The Mysterious Orient?!! Gawd almighty! I ask you!) Looking in the mirror, a reflection of silver hair, goatee, been there, done that, seen-it-all, craggy face, stares back, and I think 'Dear God - it's 2001 - was that sixteen years old teenager really me, all those years ago?!!! There is one incident from that tour (forty years ago) which I have never been allowed to forget, to this day. I decided how clever it would be to 'show off' my juggling skill, using 3 'Fire-balls' approximately 3" in diameter, during my fire-eating act. I can tell you, it looked quite spectacular as the Theatre lights were faded to 'black-out' during the fire performance. One night, in the Invercargill Town Hall (Invercargill - the most Southerly City of the South Island of N.Z) I dropped a fire-ball. It ambled across the stage, and bounced off the front upstage side curtain. Now, curtains in old theatres become quite dusty, (dust is extremely flammable) and these were no exception. When the ball 'hit', the dust (not the curtains) caught fire. It ran continuously, like a child's sparkler, right up the curtain, 20 feet above the stage, to the pelmet curtain, then uninterrupted, took off on that, across the 30 foot wide stage to the other side front curtain, sparked and spat all the way down again - then just petered out! The packed auditorium had gone 'WOOOAAAHHHHH' at the start, then fell into a hushed silence during this rather startling episode, spontaneously bursting into wild applause at the finish!! As far as they were concerned, it was all part of the act. The late Frank Stapp, then Theatre manager ('The Master' - another New Zealand legend among entertainers far and wide) was in hysterics - he nearly had a fit!!! All these years, Trevor King has never stopped reminding me of 'that' incident - it's become our 'running joke'. Let me quote, word for word, from his latest letter received last week, where he is telling me about Mary Throll (a retired Auckland agent) who is writing a book about New Zealand 'Stars and Entertainers'. Quote; 'I will tell her of the fire-eater (Tommy Orchard - Orchante) who set fire to stage curtains in Invercargill - Council sent A/c to promoter (Mr King) in Christchurch. Both late Charles Hikana and Max Merritt (H.M.V. recording Star, now resident and still working in L.A) are still laughing over this 'accident'. Poor Mr King, he is still paying $20 a week to Council at Invercargill - (ha, ha!)' Unquote. Do you see what I mean? Come on Trev., old mate - $20 per week since 1961 - 40 years - that's $41.600 - so far! The whiff of manure is as strong today, as it was yesterday! The Mime Act I stopped using a record player off stage, switching to a Cassette Deck. Bought a semi-Professional, 4-track, stereo Tape recorder of near Broadcast quality. Also, a Technics Direct drive variable speed turntable - you could alter the speed with total precision. Using editing, dubbing, and 'sound on sound' facilities, plus various sound effects (commercially available from BBC and others, specially produced, with just about any sound or noise you could want) then splicing in other recordings you could turn the original into something very funny. The finished recordings were then transferred onto a high quality cassette tape. Example; - 'Mule Train' (as sung by Frankie Laine). There is one part on the record where he sings 'clippety clop, clippety clop, through the hills and rain'. By using the editing facilities, I had this 'clippety clop' repeat itself over and over, creating the impression that the 'needle was stuck 'in the groove'. This always got a big laugh. By using 'sound on sound' I 'clomped' off stage' to the 'sound effect' of footsteps thudding across the floor - once I got into the 'wings' the audience heard a loud 'thump' like a kick, then, the sound of a needle 'screeching' across a record - I 'clomped' back on stage with 'clippety clop' still repeating, leapt into the air, and THUMPED down onto the stage - and the needle came 'out of the groove'- apparently! It was very funny. My 'whip' was a short stick, about 12" long, with a 2 foot length of red ribbon tied to it.. When the 'CRACK' of the whip sounded on the tape, (enhanced by adding more volume during the recording). I would twitch the stick slightly, so the end of the ribbon curled up a few inches, then dropped straight down at the precise moment of the 'Whipcracks'. The incongruous sight of this little piece of ribbon apparently producing the sound of enormous 'Whipcracks', would have audiences in stitches! You would not believe what I did to Jerry Lee Lewis's 'Great Balls of Fire', or Charlie Drake's 'My Boomerang won't Come Back' Stan Freberg's 'John and Marsha', or Spike Jones's 'Beedlebomb' 'Tea for Two', or the 'Hawaiian War Chant'!, among many others. Nothing - no recording - as far as my Mime act was concerned - was sacred! Next Week - Fire-eating and Bed of Nails -'I did it my way' ------------------------------------- 14. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- The 26th NZ Magician's Convention will be held at the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand from Thursday 27 December 2001, and concluding with a New Year's Eve Celebration on Monday 31 December 2001 ------------------------------------- 15. 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 ------------------------------------- 16. 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, on Sunday. 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 2001 Alan Watson