* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #96 Date: Sunday 11th November 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. Civic Award from the Mayor of Christchurch 3. SIEGFRIED & ROY story "THE MAGIC BOX" 4. Annual Canadian Tour - Murray Hatfield 5. Kaymar Magic Companies History. 6. 200th Birthday of Ludwig Doebler - Famous Austrian Conjurer 7. Bad News Over Here in Australia 8. The Magic Circle Club of Victoria 9. Taylors Magic Shop SUPERDAY - Sydney Australia 4th November 10. Sam Spiro Passed Away 11. USD$100 000 challenge to the viewers 12. The Orchante Saga #50 13. Diarise these events 14. MagicNZ e-zine archives 15. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One WELCOME to Dave Upfold and his family who are emigrating from South Africa and due to take up NZ residence from May of next year. Over the last few years professional magicians who have come to live in New Zealand are: Nic Nicolas (UK), Leo Ward (UK), Bill Seagraves (Scotland) and very soon Dave Upfold and his son. ---------------------------------- If any subscribers have a magic links page on there web site, I would really appreciate if the could include a link to the MagicNZ e-zine with a personal recommendation. URL: http://www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html ---------------------------------- Missing Magicana's I am looking to purchase the following three New Zealand Magicana so that I can complete my set: Vol 9 - 1962 - #54 Nov/Dec Vol 12 - 1964 - #68 Mar/April Vol 13 - 1965 - #76 July/Aug Please e-mail if you can help: alan@watson.co.nz ----------------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. Civic Award from the Mayor of Christchurch ---------------------------------- Message from Burns Scandrett (NZ) Three weeks ago, I received a letter from the Christchurch City Council to say that I was being presented with a Civic Award from the Mayor of Christchurch, Gary Moore, in the form of a medal and scroll for charitable work. Tuesday night, 6 November I went to the City Council buildings for cocktails and food, then into the Council Chambers with other recipients, the Town Clerk read out the citations, how I was well known for performing and supporting people with disabilities, how I was a founder member of The Variety Club (South Island), founder member of Lion's Camp Quality (S.I) (for children with life threatening diseases) plus a pile of other stuff, worked for the Child Welfare Dept., Japanese Government doing orphanages in Tokyo, etc. They did a great lot of research on me. The Mayor shook my hand then placed a large bronze medal on a blue ribbon around my neck and presented with a framed scroll. ---------------------------------- 3. SIEGFRIED & ROY story "THE MAGIC BOX" ---------------------------------- Message from Michele Watson Last Sunday Alan and I went along to the IMAX theatre in Auckland to see the SIEGFRIED & ROY story "THE MAGIC BOX". The life story of how two boys from war-torn Germany turned their never-ending dreams into reality. This ultimate story of success is recounted within the virtual realms of the "magic box", a surreal environment where past and present converge into fantastic 3D storybook reflections on their life's journey. THE MAGIC BOX took us on an incredible adventure, following the story of the world's greatest illusionists. Through the magic of IMAX® 3D technology, we came face to face with the world's most famous white tigers and lions as they roam freely in Siegfried & Roy's wildlife sanctuary. The film is narrated by English actor Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs, The Mask of Zorro). Alan and I agreed it is a must see for all magicians and their families and filled in a lot of gaps for us on the background to their life stories. It wasn't too long ago we went with the girls to see Siegfried and Roy's fantastic show at the MIRAGE in Las Vegas and were thrilled to meet them after the show. ------------------------------------- 4. Annual Canadian Tour - Murray Hatfield ------------------------------------- Message from Murray Hatfield (Canada) Just a note to let you know that we head out in a week to open our annual Canadian tour. This year my special guests are Greg Frewin, Murray (the guy with the CD's) and mime/juggler Howard Mincone. In addition I am instituting a new feature of the show where a talented junior magician in each major city will be invited to perform a small spot in the show. Of course Teresa and I and our team of dancers will perform several new illusions including the Assistants Revenge, Dog Washer, and Steinmeyers Pole Levitation plus a few of our favorites from the past. All in all it promises to be a good show and a fun group. Plans are underway to do 100 shows in 38 cities in just over 7 weeks. It's a tough grind at times but definitely worth it. ------------------------------------- 5. Kaymar Magic Companies History ------------------------------------- Message from Morley The Kaymar Magic Co (UK) To add to previous comments since Andy Fairbairn originally raised this matter (in your Newsletter), you might like to note the following. It has been already mentioned that Joe Stuthard and Harry Baron set up The Kaymar Magic Company in the UK. This was in the very late 1940s (not a lot of people know that "Kaymar" was derived from their wives' first names: "Kay" and "Mary"). Shortly after Harry left Gamages, he took over sole proprietorship and ran the business until his sad death in May 1991, following which I took over the business which continues to trade. Amongst the various "rights" purchased with the business was that to the Trilby Deck, which Harry had produced for many years (in fact, Harry's publishing company, Penshaw Press, published the accompanying instruction booklet), but which we are currently not producing (but "watch this space", though "don't hold your breath" as we currently have other priorities.). However, I have no trace of any reference in our copious files, to the "How About A Drink" item which seems to have attracted much comment. Unusually, I have no copy of the instructions, no copies of any press items, nothing at all. So I can throw no light on its origins, nor on its current ownership..it certainly isn't Kaymar Magic. I would also add that I miss Ken Ward's friendship and his regular "odd" phone calls (often from the darkest regions of Russia, or somewhere equally mysterious as he tested phone line installations!), but we have replaced it with the pleasure of regular visits from his young son, Peter, of whom Ken was justly proud. Peter currently lives in Ken's old UK home, some 10 minutes from our Studio by car and, believe me, Ken's pride is fully justified as Peter is a young man any father would be proud of. Plus, in his dad's memory, he is currently continuing to distribute Fantasio and some Peter Kersten products in the UK. ---------------------------------- 6. 200th Birthday of Ludwig Doebler - Famous Austrian Conjurer ---------------------------------- Message from Magic Christian (Austria) October 3th 2001 the 200th birthday of Ludwig Doebler, the famous Austrian conjurer of the Biedermeier, was celebrated in the Vienna City Hall with a big reception which was sponsored by the Mayor of Vienna. Doebler was born on Oct. 5th in Vienna as son of Berhard Doebler, a goldsmith who came to Vienna some years before from Schwaebisch Gmuend in Germany. Doebler started his career be forming magic on the street and was discovered by the then chancellor Prince Metternich by chance. He travelled all over Europe with his shows, first presenting magic tricks and physical projections with a gas-microscope. He opened his shows later with his famous "shot" lightening 200 candles with one shot out of a pistol and became famous producing hundreds of flower bouquetts out of an empty hat. 1839 in Vienna he was sold out 61 time in a row in the Josephstaedter Theater, a famous theater in Vienna. 1842 in London he presented 30 times his show in front of a sold out house. He performed in St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Berlin, Amsterdam and all major Cities of Europe except Paris as he did not speak French. Doebler was so well known that a fashion started after him. Cakes, torts, shawls, perfumes and other merchandise were called and given his name. From London he brought back a large "Dissolving View" projector and rebuilt it in Austria combining it with a strong light (Drummond's Light) which enabled him to project his slides in a big theater as well. His inventive genius let him think about the first moving pictures which were achieved the first time only by the optical illusion and no mechanical methods any more, running twelve projections on the same spot on the screen showing jugglers, dancers and jumping china man through a ring as well as others using a stroposkope disc already. He was and is called the father of the moving pictures. He got many royal decorations and gifts from all over Europe for his work. Doebler retired in 1848 and was elected Mayor in two little towns near Vienna in 1850 for eight years, where he owned a huge country seat as well as a villa. Doebler died on April 17th 1864 in his home and was buried in Tuernitz, 60km outside of Vienna. He deserves a huge celebration. The event was organized by Magic Christian, the Magische Klub Wien and the Vienna City Library. Beside the presentation of a new book on Doebler written by one of his grand-grand-grand nephews Werner Debler (400 pages, many illustrations and in German) a wonderful stamp was presented by the Austrian Post Company. Value 7.- ATS (First day stamps can be obtained by the briefmarkengilg@aon.at). For the historical interested magicians: Ludwig Doebler was probably related to Johann N. Hofzinser, probably a cousin. His mother's maiden name was Anna Sigmund. The grand mother of Hofzinser was also born as a Thersia Sigmund. These facts I found out making research for Mr. Debler in Vienna. I also found the original music sheets which were composed by Anton E. Titl for Doebler in 1843. Homepage: http://www. redrival.com/magicchristian with new English edition too. ---------------------------------- 7. Bad News Over Here in Australia ---------------------------------- Message from Timothy Hyde (Aust) Bad news over here in Australia, is that the Show room at the Cairns Casino that has been featuring Australian magic stars in specifically produced shows for the last five years is closing in March. If any of your readers would like Australian specific Magic news, they can subscribe to our Mozzie newsletter via: www.achieving.com.au/Mozzie.htm MagicCoach, our weekly Magic Marketing newsletter continues to grow in leaps and bounds. We've just published a new Masterclass "Magically Speaking" a resource guide to accelerate magicians entry into the world of Professional Speaking. It's our third industry specific publication, so we have a long way before we catch up with NZ buddy Richard Webster. www.magiccoach.com We were also thrilled to be part of the Marketing machine that launched "Secrets of a Millionaire Magician" two weeks ago. Randy Charach's E-book has created a storm of publicity around the world using cutting edge marketing techniques and is being studied by many who would like to emulate his success, both in making $$$ with his Magic and in marketing a Magic Book. As we had advised Randy on certain aspects of the marketing, we were given exclusive associate promotion for the first week and were glad so many people grabbed the information on offer. The success of the launch has made Randy Charach's book the fastest selling E-book in magic publishing history. Full details still available here http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?mc111/milmag ---------------------------------- 8. The Magic Circle Club of Victoria ---------------------------------- Message from Bill Oldham (Aust) The Magic Circle Club of Victoria is pleased to announce that Bill Oldham was the recent winner of the Librarians Trophy contest. In doing this, he follows in the footsteps of several well known Melbourne magicians that have gone on to become international performers such as Tim Ellis. Bill did a version of the Professor's nightmare and was voted as the winner by the other club members. Bill said that he would like to thank his Dad for all his encouragement and support over the last ten years. ---------------------------------- 9. Taylors Magic Shop SUPERDAY - Sydney Australia 4th November ---------------------------------- Message from Greg Britt (NZ) Four Kiwis made it across the Tasman to Seans Superday, Tony Wilson Auckland, Wayne McEwan and fiancée Caroline from Invercargill, and myself from Christchurch. The Superday was actually made up of two days as on the Saturday were extra workshops to attend. Terry Herbert from the (UK) did a workshop starting with a live kids show , showed how to really work those kids as only years of experience can, he got a lot out of the rising wand, his routine with the flower pot was worth my trip over alone and in fact I've already tried it out at a kids party with huge results, Paul Cummins , (Florida USA), did the afternoon workshop and although I didn't attend, those that did said it was awesome and appreciated the one on one help with the effects. A number of us had dinner at the Star City Casino before making our way to Durrel where the Superday was to be held, this is an hour out but took us an hour and a half due to peak traffic, as visitors the venue although excellent was difficult to access and returning to Sydney was also difficult. SUPERDAY started with a close up show with 4 magicians rotating, Alan Carmichel Aust, Tony Wilson (N Z), Terry Herbert (UK) and Paul Cummins (USA). each performed with a completely different style providing an hour's solid entertainment. I particularly liked Terry Herbert's Linking Ring & Flight combination. Sean was up next with his Dealer demonstration and as per usual flowed through a number of strong effects many of which I now own. Sean has launched a number of his own effects, his Crazy Mans Marked Deck although got a moderate review in Magic surprisingly was the best item I brought and will go straight into my close-up act and I suspect be very strong for the lay audience. Paul Cummins performed and lectured after lunch and managed to find 20 chosen cards all in a different way getting a well deserved applause. Terry Herbert lectured next on comedy and of course got many laughs, the faces he manages to pull really gets you going, he reminds me of Benny Hill. His comedy act called the Great Fiasco has been performed around the world and featured some years ago on Paul Daniels show. Time for a break and I must say everyone agreed there was something for every type of performer at this Superday. 7pm was the International Stars Of Magic And Dinner Show! After dinner it was time to sit back and be entertained, Host and Compeer Johnny Pace was true to his name and kept a fastpaced and humorous banter during the evening. First up as New on the Block was Demis Christo & K T, Starting with difficulties with his floating glasses then exposing the torn & restored paper was not a good start to the show, Terry Herbert then delivered a slick bit of comedy , Powerful Magic with Sam Powersand his assistant Misdirection who may have got more attention than him at points of his appearance, then Sean Taylor presented a lovely comedy routine with Jumbo Rising Cards, The Amazing Nigel up next showed he was truly amazing by remembering over 200 names of those attending the dinner, And the show finished with Magic To The Max, Brendon Montanna a slick routine with Razor Blades, illusions, dancers and finished off shrinking in size before leaving the stage. It might be said the Brisbane Superdays illusionist Peter May finished his act with a bang, a just chance illusion with exploding toilets, well the one he sat on exploded at which point his act finished and he was off to hospital for a check! Congratulations Sean & Dianna, Well Done, We will be back!! ---------------------------------- 10. Sam Spiro Passed Away ---------------------------------- Message from Robert & Evie Gareb (Aust) Many of you will already have heard the sad news that Sam Spiro passed away yesterday. The funeral was today. ---------------------------------- 11. USD$100 000 challenge to the viewers ---------------------------------- Message from Wolfgang Riebe (South Africa) I presently live in Cape Town South Africa. Currently I am the most popular (only) Television magician in the country with over 40 appearances this year already, including many of my own mini series. I have been asked to do a TV documentary on the history of levitation and magicians famous for it. Do you have any information to share, especially historical references to levitation which I could use? This would be really appreciated. I also want to put a USD$100 000 challenge to the viewers - The program will be factual with examples of levitations and the fact that everything is an illusion - no matter how real it seems. Hence I would like to offer USD $100 000 to anyone who can levitate under my conditions - in other words in a manner that cannot be explained or done by another magician - i.e. outdoors in a parking lot, no extra equipment, wearing a bathing suit, with magicians all around and reaching a height of at least 2 metres without any visible support. Basically I am looking for a minimum of 10 magicians world wide who would be prepared to risk USD$10 000 (what risk?). You would get name and pic on the program as part of an international team of magicians who are seeking for the truth. The more magicians I get, the less the risk. Naturally I am looking for sceptics (realists) such as myself who would genuinely like to see 'real' levitation and be given proof that it really exists. The way I see it, you and I know, it is impossible to really float in the air. So, the money is safe, the exposure is great - and at the end of the day - imagine someone really could levitate without using tricks and I caught it on camera. It would be worth the USD$ as just the TV rights on that footage alone would give a brilliant return on investment! So for now, if you are prepared to go with the challenge, I just need your name, details and a good quality pic. The program will be aired before Xmas and I am hoping lots of publicity will derive from it, which I will post on my webpage. If someone really does take up the challenge and truly float - it will be captured by live camera crews and be broadcast internationally - and if you have taken part in the challenge, you will be given the opportunity to give your theories as to how it was done. Only if no other magician can do what has been filmed by a so called (genuine) act, will I give in to the challenge. So how about it? Again, I must stress that the program will be factual, entertaining and done in a documentary style. At the end of the show the viewer will have to decide for him/herself whether levitation is real or not. It will be totally objective. However, to add the challenge to the program from an international bunch of magicians - would be plain good publicity! Also note that no levitations will be exposed at all. This is not an expose program, but a factual documentary on the history of levitation, with a challenge at the end for anyone who claims they can do it for real. So, please email me on entertrainer@wolfgangriebe.com. ---------------------------------- 12. The Orchante Saga #50 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) of - world records, cartoons and a Minister of Finance! It all started when (the late) Lew Pryme, pop singer, television personality, M.C. and the proprietor of 'Fullers Entertainment Bureau' put a family show together, touring the holiday beach resorts over the 1970/71 Christmas/New Year period. He called it 'Carnival Capers' and the artists featured were, 'Crunchy'- New Zealand's famous television clown - with Sally-Anne, (Crunchy was actually Peter Newberry, Sally Anne was Sally Phillips, Peters assistant.) Lew Pryme himself, and yours truly! 12 months previously I had set a new world record - sleeping on my bed of nails for two hours and nine minutes, but it didn't stand for long - it was beaten by a Scotsman only six weeks later. I decided to have another 'crack' at it! Lew arranged my new attempt outside a major supermarket at Mount Maunganui for Tuesday 29th December 1970 (we were already at the 'Mount' for a short season with 'Carnival Capers'). There were several reviews - but the one from the Auckland based 'New Zealand Herald', which was written up the day after my successful record attempt - is the report which is relevant to this particular episode in my life. The New Zealand Herald, (Wednesday 30th December) headed it's review with -"records new mark after lying on bed of nails; An Auckland entertainer, ORCHANTE, has regained his lying -on-a -bed-of-nails world championship. Resting quietly on a bed of five-inch nails yesterday, he broke by three minutes, the mark set earlier this year in England. Originally planning to lie on the nails for three hours, ORCHANTE was forced to give up the attempt after two hours and 20 minutes when he suffered cramp in his back. Mr Lew Pryme, of Auckland, The organiser of the Mt.Maunganui 5000 Club, said that the only training ORCHANTE had done for the bid was that he had been in Rotorua performing on Monday night and had not got to bed until 3a.m yesterday! Refusing breakfast, ORCHANTE drank only cups of coffee and when the attempt was over, a jug of beer awaited him at the local hotel. Crowds clustered around the bed during the attempt, fingering the nails to prove that they really were sharp!" The following morning (Thursday the31st), the New Zealand Herald's cartoonist- 'Minhinnick', drew a cartoon (I bought the original!) depicting (the late Sir Robert Muldoon) Mr Muldoon, the then Minister of Finance, in bathing trunks, lying on a bed of nails labelled, "spending pressures". The caption quoted Mr Muldoon, on holiday at Orewa, as saying: "I just get here and sit. Sometimes I cut the grass. For me that as a holiday." This is followed by another caption which reads, "Auckland entertainer breaks record for lying on a bed of nails" - News. As luck would have it, a few days later (Tuesday January the 5th 1971), I was at the 'Puriri Motor Camp' at Orewa. I had been booked some time earlier by the proprietor, Johnny Maire, who just happened to be a personal friend of- Robert Muldoon! Don't you just love it when, for a change, 'fate' decides to deal you a 'winning hand'! What happened next is probably best described by quoting the caption underneath the large photograph and write-up that appeared on the front page of the New Zealand Herald the following morning. (Wednesday, January 6th, 1971- section one) The caption reads -"Mr Muldoon, standing on a board studded underneath with nails while the entertainer ORCHANTE, lies on a similar bed of nails at a performance at the Puriri Motor Camp, Orewa, last night. Mr Muldoon is assisted by Karina , Orchante's assistant. The review (slightly edited) reads as follows -"The entertainer ORCHANTE lay prostrate on a bed of five-inch nails, and standing on his chest was the Minister of Finance, Mr Muldoon. The children watching the spectacle were fascinated and horrified. They writhed in deck chairs or buried their faces in mum's dress. Fathers also, writhed in sympathetic agony. Five seconds. . . 10 seconds. Mr Muldoon looked down from his wobbly perch at the prostrate entertainer. His Face was like a neon sign. Smiles flashed and vanished as forced pleasure was overcome by concern. 30 seconds, then Mr Muldoon sprang off and ORCHANTE leapt to his feet, chest heaving. It happened at the Puriri Motor Camp last night before about 200 holidaymakers. Mr Muldoon's appearance as guest 'performer' in Orchante's act was prompted by Minhinnick's cartoon, which appeared in the Herald on December 31st. The camp proprietor, Mr J.Maire, who is a friend of Mr Muldoon, said he thought the cartoon was very funny. He suggested that Mr Muldoon could get "his own back" on the cartoonist by co-starring with ORCHANTE." MINHINNICK, was not about to be out done! The following morning he came up with yet another cartoon. Once again he showed Mr Muldoon but this time he was lying in between my bed of nails, on top of him was a caricature of Norman Kirk and perched right on top of all he had -' SID', the sea elephant from Marine land, Orewa!(unfortunately, I don't have this cartoon and I can't remember the caption) What a clever man - it was not so clever to play 'silly buggers' with New Zealand's top cartoonist! Me, I was 'over the moon' - you can't buy that sort of publicity for love or money. (SIR GORDON EDWARD GEORGE MINHINNICK- DIED IN 1992) I stayed in Orewa for two or three days after the fun and games and Johnny Maire, the man who had instigated the publicity and got all the newspaper reporters up to his Motor Camp for that night, took me up to 'properly meet Bob' Muldoon and his wife at their holiday home; on a two or three different occasions. We had a great time and in fact it was Bob Muldoon who first introduced me to the -'delights' of whisky! Years later, when Veronica and I were living in Sydney Australia, I would always give Sir Robert Muldoon, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, as he was by then, a call at 'Kiribilli House' (the Australian Government's private residence in Sydney for visiting dignitaries) whenever he was in Sydney. Don't ask how I acquired that carefully guarded, unlisted telephone number! Bob said that getting my hands on that telephone number was the best trick I ever did. I was 'tickled pink' when Sir Robert (Bob) Muldoon included the photograph from the New Zealand Herald in his autobiography - 'The Life And Times Of A Young Turk'; I was rather amused at his wry sense of humour - The caption under the photograph said something like, 'Gathering Tax from the Great ORCHANTE' - I asked him if he had a problem spelling 'nails'. "No Tom" he said, " TAX" sounded more appropriate". Well it would wouldn't it, to the - ' Minister of Finance!' Incidentally, my assistant for that night at Orewa, the beautiful red-haired 'Karina'- (her real name is Colleen) is an artiste in her own right - she was /is an amazing exotic dancer who spent a fair amount of time working overseas - Bali, Japan etc. Yet another talented New Zealander, I haven't seen Colleen for many, many years. I 'll bet she is still- a 'knock out!' There was a follow-up to my world record, which was also reported by the New Zealand Herald. Come to think of it, when it came to publicity, the New Zealand Herald did me proud over the early years. This one was headed - "ARGUE THE POINT ON MY BED: ORCHANTE" ORCHANTE, the Auckland entertainer who regained his lying- on- a- bed- of- nails world championship in December, has had his record questioned by several readers of the Herald. In an attempt to clear up this understanding about his claim, ORCHANTE has issued a challenge to these people - to try to break his new record of two hours and 20 minutes, using his bed of nails. The misunderstanding has arisen over the length of the nails used in the bed and the spacing of them on the base, he says. According to ORCHANTE, his record stands because he used five inch sharpened nails, spaced not less than two-and-a-half inches apart (in actual fact, they're spaced three inches apart). The theory is that the shorter the nail the sharper they are (this is not theory, it is actual fact) and the wider apart the more difficult. One claim to a record made in the Herald yesterday by I.H. Barnett concerned a bed of nails 1 1/2 inches apart, says ORCHANTE. Other record claimers used six inch nails which, when compared to five-inch nails, are quite blunt. Anybody who wishes to press the point with the entertainer must be prepared to use ORCHANTE'S - OWN BED OF NAILS! NOBODY DID! ------------------------------------- 13. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- The 26th NZ Magician's Convention in Auckland, Friday 28th to Monday 31st December 2001. For the registration form, Convention programme and The Official Competition Form go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention2.html ------------------------------------- 14. 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 ------------------------------------- 15. 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