* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #87 Date: Sunday 26th August 2001 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz www.alan-watson.com e-mail AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Joe Labero - The Audience Loved It 3. It's Cool To Be Kind - It's Uncool To Be Cruel Shows 4. Australian Illusionists Magic2 - Review 5. Alarms Do Not Stop This Type Of Thief 6. Farewell Pat (Order of Merlin) 7. Counterfeit Copies Being Sold On Ebay 8. Street Performer Average Fee 10 Rupees = 55cents NZ 9. Looking For Jumbo Old U.K. Or Australian Old Penny 10. Lance Burton & Friends' Present Benefit Show For The Shriners 11. Joshua Jay Lecture In Halifax 12. 7th Annual Magic On The Beach 13. College of Magic - South Africa 14. Diarise these events 15. MagicNZ e-zine archives 16. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Over the weekend my ISP had trouble connecting to the outside world, due to a Telecom fault. It seems that a large number of MagicNZ subscribers did not receive the latest e-zine! Rather than reply individually to the 300+ e-mail messages I have received with regards to this matter, I have resent Sunday 26th August Issue Number: #87 ------------------------------------- Tommy Orchard (Orchante) - out of Hospital This week's saga has had to be postponed, because Tom has just come out of hospital, after having a double hernia operation, and is now recovering. He is fine, but of course a bit sore. He reckons the hernias were caused by all the weight he has had on him while on the bed of nails, over the years. I'm sure he will be back on the writing bit again next week. ------------------------------------- Update on The 26th NZ Magician's Convention Auckland 28th December 2001 Confirming that Tom Jones and Rachel Wild will be attending the 26th International Convention presenting "Kiddies Korporate", Close-up to Stage, Presentation Skills to Comedy. Comprehensive lecture notes and various related props will be available for purchase. Tom Jones and Rachel Wild are full time professional entertainers with more than 40 years combined experience. Tom is native of Upstate New York USA and Rachel hails from Manchester, England. Tom Jones Tom's magic career began under the guiding eyes of Gene Gordon (co-founder of the IBM) and Eddie Fechter (4F Close-up Convention), in Buffalo, NY. He was a part-time professional for many years while pursuing a career in corporate communications. He is a keynote speaker. Tom uses the art of magic as a visual aid, delivering programs on Creative Thinking, Communication Skills and Managing Change. Tom draws on his vast experience as both a stage and close-up entertainer as well as his extensive corporate business expertise. Rachel Wild With magic as a life long hobby, following her career with one of the largest corporate organizations in Britain, Rachel established a magic shop in Manchester, England in 1993. It supplied a vast array of magical apparatus, catering for every level of performer but specialising in quality handcrafter wooden effects. She spent the next 5 years displaying and lecturing on magic at various conventions and magical societies before moving to the States. Rachel is also an accomplished, full time performer in both stage and close-up magic and corporate events. This convention is going to be a SELL OUT. If you would like to register go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention3.html ------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. Joe Labero - The Audience Loved It ---------------------------------- Message from Leo Ward (NZ) Have just returned from the sunny climbs of Alaska where I have been cruising for 5 weeks presenting the full Illusion show. It was the first time for months that I have had to do all the big stuff as most of my recent jobs have been just doing the small stuff, but they say a change is as good as the rest. Back off at the end of this week for another 5 weeks before I come back to Auckland. I am opening the Leo Sayer tour at the Aotea Centre on Friday 5th. Oct. Doing the Manipulation act then into the stand up comedy. Managed to catch Joe Labero at Sky City while I was home talk about working hard! When you think if he is not onstage he is off changing. The audience loved it. It has to be good for magic in New Zealand. ---------------------------------- 3. It's Cool To Be Kind - It's Uncool To Be Cruel Shows ---------------------------------- Message from Tony Wilson (NZ) It's cool to be kind shows are currently reaching thousands of Auckland school students. This week I joined four hundred students at Botany Downs Primary School (in my capacity as an educational psychologist) as El Gregoe the Magician (Greg Britt) from Christchurch presented his 70-minute anti bullying show. It was all part of a ten day tour involving 20 school shows. The show was fast paced fun and well received by both the students and staff having been fine tuned with over 200 appearances in the South Island over the past year. Magic-Ventriloquism stories a theme song and a special guest appearance of the Cookie Muncher (sponsor) all helped reinforce over and over again the anti bullying message. Not only does the Show challenge bullies to change but also gives simple strategies to help those being bullied. El Gregoe has arranged for fellow Magician, Tony Collis, to cover the lower North Island area and on 27 August Tony Collis will commence a week in Wellington. 3 September sees El Gregoe taking the Show to Invercargill and Central Otago then back to more shows in Canterbury. October back in Auckland and November down South again. At the end of each Show every student gets a Cookie Time Cookie and souvenir bookmark as 'Cool to be Kind' rewards. El Gregoe when home (in Christchurch) also performs three nights a week doing close up Magic and Theme Shows in Shopping Malls and tourist attractions. His most recent was at the International Antarctic Centre last school holidays. At the 26th NZ International Magicians Convention in Auckland at the end of this year, El Gregoe will be leading a workshop on marketing and magic and guarantees to deliver new ideas on how to market your magic and get more shows. ------------------------------------- 4. Australian Illusionists Magic2 - Review ------------------------------------- Message from Tim Ellis (Aust) Sue-Anne and I saw the latest show at the Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns last week. Called 'Carnivale' it is the second consecutive show at the Reef for Australian illusionists Magic2 (Michael Boyd and Cathie Costello). Last year we saw their show 'Tropical Fantasy' which featured many of their well known illusions including the Sword Suspension, Bo Staff, and Head Box. 'Carnivale' sees one or two illusions carried over from last year's show, but the majority of pieces are new to The Reef, and one or two are new for Magic2 as well. The show begins with Michael entering and performing a nicely executed Miser's Dream which climaxes with a huge box (The Big Box Illusion as Michael calls it) being wheeled out to centre stage. Using a high power torch, Michael produces Cathie from the shadows and, after the box is repeatedly shown empty, four dancers are produced... and Michael vanishes. Next, the box is wheeled off stage and Cathie is wrapped in fabric and transformed into the Ricky Martin style singer of the show. Magic2's next segment involves Michael doing what many (including himself) thought he'd never be doing. Talking. Not only does he talk but, on the night we were there, he can also do it switching back and forth between English and Japanese! This segment involved Michael and an audience volunteer doing the Collector's Workshop 'Khyber Cobra' as "Sandra the Psychic Snake". It has a few Magic2 improvements and touches, got good laughs, and is becoming a popular favourite with the Japanese in particular. The Head Box follows and, if you've ever seen the Dagger Head Chest before, you haven't seen Magic2's version. This was Michael's very first "big trick" and he has spent so much time on it, built so many different versions of it, that it's almost unrecognisable from the original. Touches like sparks when he clashes the swords together, and the front panel burning away to reveal Cathie's head has vanished, all combine to make this an exciting and unique presentation. "Tube Stretch", another carry over from 'Tropical Fantasy' follows and Michael and Cathie really get the most out of this illusion despite having to use music selected by the producer of the show. Why producers seem to think they know better than the magicians when it comes to magic is beyond me. The illusion looks great! But it suffers being performed to inappropriate music. Another casualty in this regard is their version of Sub Trunk. It looks spectacular as a huge cape lowers down from the ceiling and envelopes Cathie, only to be lifted again to reveal Michael. But the moment of transposition is wasted by the monotonous background music selected by the producer to replace Magic2's usual exciting choice. Michael again returns with another audience participation piece with "Paper Balls Over The Head", which climaxes with the surprise appearance of a bottle of wine from the last paper ball which is presented to the bewildered volunteer. Once again, my only criticism of this piece is the music. Michael explained that the piece he has to perform to is around two minutes which is simply too short for him to choose a volunteer and get good mileage out of the routine. A new illusion for Magic2 is "Impaled". Michael and Cathie do it very well, however once again the producer's influence works against them. The number preceding Impaled is a dance number with five girls in white lingerie doing 'Voulez Vous" from Moulin Rouge... try following this with a dark sombre Impaled... not hard enough, well Magic2 also have to do it while the dancers stay on stage. They simply shouldn't be there. The dancers aren't "dressing the stage" but instead distract from the illusion and take the focus off the action. Magic2's final piece is another new illusion "Death Chamber". Michael will be chained up and placed inside a box which, in about 30 seconds, will have large blades come crashing down though it. Unfortunately the mood is ruined by dancers being splayed out on the chamber as it is wheeled to centre stage, then echoing Michael's movemements as he is being chained... which looks more like mockery than choreography. To rob the moment of any remaining drama, the girls then rotate the chamber while the rope is burning ready to release the blades... but the girls heads are directly in the path of the blades! Again, take the girls out of the illusion and put the focus back on Michael and Cathie. Since we saw them last in 'Tropical Fantasy' Magic2 have improved out of sight. Performing 6 nights a week have made them sharper, more precise, and much more exciting to watch. Unfortunately, the other elements in 'Carnivale' (singing, dancing etc) are not as good as we saw in last year's show. To make things worse, Magic2 are not pictured or even mentioned on the posters or PR flyers for 'Carnivale'... even though they are without a doubt the best thing in the show! Hopefully the next time we see Magic2 they'll be given more free reign (as they were in 'Tropical Fantasy') in their selection of music and, with any luck, in the staging and construction of the entire show. 'Carnivale' is a good example of how an excellent act can be lessened by poor production decisions. By the way: The same producers put together 'Hidden Palace' at Jupiters on the Gold Coast. A bigger budget doesn't really change anything, the lesson is the same: Focus. Visit Our Amazing World On The Web At http://www.MagicUnlimited.com ---------------------------------- 5. Alarms Do Not Stop This Type Of Thief ---------------------------------- Message from Bill & Mandy Reid (NZ) Mandy and I have covered a great part of the North Island in the last week and half, with shows at Masterton Library on Wednesday 15th August, Hamilton Pet Expo Sat 18th- Sun 19th August (4 show per day) Auckland Sky City Casino Alto Bar Tues 21st August. We had had a great time until loading out at the Casino to find that the van had been broken into and Mandy's handbag stolen. Even with all the cameras around at the casino car park, and the van being alarmed, the self-helper decided that seeing Mandy's bag on the front floor of the van, that it was a good risk. It would have taken all of 5 seconds to wrench the door lock with a screwdriver open the door and help themselves, then generously closed the door again. It is amasing what the wife carried in that bag, cell phone, cash ($300), driver's license etc. Total value $2200. And around $400 damage to the LH front door & Lock. Hopefully insurance will cover a good percentage of the lost property, but doesn't help replace the sentimental things lost. We were fortunate that they only took the bag for the cash, as we still had a great deal of magic props & sound equipment in the van. Lesson Never leave bag in van, covered up or not. Alarms do not stop this type of thief Also makes you wonder about having the van signwritten so boldly The highlight of our trip to Auckland was spending time with Ross Skiffington, Alan and Michele Watson watching Ross's video on his latest production 'Electricks' which Mandy and I thought was AWESOME. ------------------------------------- 6. Farewell Pat (Order of Merlin) ------------------------------------- Tony Wilson (NZ) Hon Sec/Treasurer Ring 160 You have been a longstanding financial member of IBM Ring 160 since 1957. Your contribution to magic and magicians is well recognised and we thank you for your contribution not only to our organisation but to magic worldwide. Your knowledge of magic has been invaluable to numerous magicians of all ages and competence and you will be sadly missed. Rest in peace Pat and thank you for your valuable contribution to our art of magic. ---------------------------------- 7. Counterfeit Copies Being Sold On Ebay ---------------------------------- Message from Lee Jacobs (US) Counterfeit copies of our publications are being sold on Ebay. If you purchase a book or booklet that is represented as one of our publications and that looks as though it is a photocopy or other counterfeit, I would hope that you would contact us about the matter immediately. And I'm certain that other publishers feel the same. We are just trying to get by, and some of this stuff really hurts everyone. If we can't make a living, we can't produce new product for you. There is an aspect of counterfeiting that really worries me and that you would probably never think of on your own. Suppose you have never seen one of our publications and purchase a shoddy rip-off. I always greatly fear that you will assume that this is the sort of product we produce and that you will be turned off from buying anything of ours because you think we produce crummy work. http://www.LeeJacobsProductions.com ---------------------------------- 8. Street Performer Average Fee 10 Rupees = 55cents NZ ---------------------------------- Message from Graham Bennett (NZ) Have just returned from travelling through India on behalf of Singapore Airlines Enroute managed to meet a few practitioners of our art magic in Delhi met and watched a local fakir entertaining with fire and close-up magic based on cups and balls. As a street performer his average fee 10 rupees = 55cents NZ Bombay (Mumbai) - visited Tayades Magic Shop, Dadar Mumbai for 2 hours. Magic shop displays magic equipment - Lotus Vase, Rice bowls etc. All produced in brass and other metals beautifully made. Local magicians entertain with magic, ventriloquism and hypnotism Vinay Kumar, Prem Anand, & Chandresh Magician Chandu the Great - concentrates on Illusions. ---------------------------------- 9. Looking For Jumbo Old U.K. Or Australian Old Penny ---------------------------------- Message from Michael Chandler I am looking for jumbo old U.K. or Australian old penny (the copper in most copper/silver routines) 1D coin. I am not certain if New Zealand had these. In Australia they had a Kangaroo on the reverse. I am working on a Roth routine where he ends up with a jumbo half dollar. I am trying to do the routine with old pennies. At present I am using a jumbo U.S. one cent and I say, "I have changed the size and the currency!" But I would prefer a large 1D. ---------------------------------- 10. Lance Burton & Friends' Present Benefit Show For The Shriners ---------------------------------- Message from Wayne Bernath - Director of Publicity "Lance Burton & Friends" will perform in a benefit magic show at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19th at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in The Lance Burton Theatre. Tickets are $22.50 and can be purchased in front of The Lance Burton Theatre from 8 a.m. thru 5 p.m. Sunday prior to the show. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Zelzah Shrine Temple so that the non-profit organization is financially able to continue helping Las Vegas area children who are in need of medical care. Lance Burton's special guest stars will include comedy-magician Fielding West, MacKing and a magician from Canada who is visiting for the magic convention at The Orleans. The benefit show has become an annual event for "Lance Burton & Friends." ---------------------------------- 11. Joshua Jay Lecture In Halifax ---------------------------------- Message from Esther & Bill VanGorder Joshua Jay will lecture in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada on Fri Aug 31st. The lecture is scheduled for August 31st, 2001, 6:30 for 7:00 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion # 25 on Cunard Street. Halifax.(check out the Ring 316 Calendar page: http://www.conjurerscourt.cjb.net for complete details), Fees: Members $25 Guests $35 ---------------------------------- 12. 7th Annual Magic On The Beach ---------------------------------- Message from Rick Del Vecchio - Convention Chairman International Brotherhood of Magicians Syd Bergson Ring 45 - Miami, Florida Presents the 7th Annual Magic on the Beach November 2, 3 & 4, 2001 Featuring: IBM Gold Medal & FISM Winner: Greg Frewin World's Greatest Card Manipulator: Darwin Ortiz Las Vegas Performer, Jay Scott Berry From Argentina; Stage Manipulator Michel & Shadowgraphy by Greco Comedy Magic; Stephan Bargatze . Ireland's Funniest Magician Pat-trick England's Legendary Magician Ali Bongo . P & A Silk's Peter White Convention Chairman Rick Del Vecchio 305.385.0102 (Phone) 305.385.8020 (Fax) rickydee@aol.com (email) www.Ring45.com (Website) ---------------------------------- 13. College of Magic - South Africa ---------------------------------- Message from Craig Mitchell (South Africa) I'm sure the world at large has read or heard about the many social and economic ills besetting South Africa. You may, however, not have heard about an innovative educational development initiated by the College of Magic. Known as the "Magic in the Community" project, the programme has taken a group of disadvantaged children ( aged10 and up )from the townships and sponsored their tuition in the magical arts - giving them the self-confidence that poverty so often destroys. This College of Magic funded project covers the 4 year Course period, notes in their mother-tongue, equipment as well as the implementation of a transport system for students living in marginalised areas. The "Magic in the Community" programme, supported by legendary illusionists, Siegfried & Roy, has shown not only the amazing benefits that magic can offer in improving the lives of others, but proves that unique problems often require magical solutions ... Learn more about the College of Magic's Outreach Programme and how you can make a difference at www.magic.org.za ------------------------------------- 14. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- Jay Scott Berry Lecture Tour Auckland 9th October 2001 Wellington 10th October Christchurch 11th October ------------------------------------- 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 << © Copyright 2001 Alan Watson