* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #127 Date: Sunday 21st July 2002 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. The Bell Shakespeare Company - Sydney 3. Shopping For A Troublewit 4. Irish-American Festivals In August 5. Magic Shop In Boston And New York?? 6. RE: Franquin The Hypnotist 7. The Las Vegas Magic Invitational 8. Largest Magic Flea Market/Magic Auction 9. Blue Rooster Restaurant – Christchurch NZ 10. TAOM 2002 Convention 11. Domino's Pizza TV Commercial - Tokyo, Japan 12. Magic Elvis Has Left The Building 13. Guy Cater Getting Married On 29th September 14. e-mail Address Of The Magic Hands?? 15. Re Info Tex Morton And Franquin 16. The Orchante Saga #112 & 113 17. MagicNZ e-zine archives 18. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Jane Stuart, President of The J. Marberger Stuart Foundation, Inc. has set up a new website for the DRAGON Award to answer the following questions: What is the Stuart Foundation? What is the DRAGON AWARD? Who are the winners? What does the DRAGON have to say? Who was J.Marberger Stuart? What was the philosophy of J.Marberger Stuart? How Can I Win the Dragon Award? How to contact the Stuart Foundation? Go to: www.dragonaward.org If you have a magic links webpage Jane would really appreciate it if you could include a URL link to the DRAGON Award website. ------------------------------------ Peter Pinner (UK) was rushed off to Northwick Park Hospital after having a mild heart attack after beginning a round of golf. Get well messages can be sent to c/o Richard Pinner: peter@peterpinnerents.com ---------------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. The Bell Shakespeare Company - Sydney ---------------------------------- Message from Ross Skiffington (Aust) Just a note to say that I am in Sydney for The Bell Shakespeare Company working on The Comedy of Errors. I am actually in the play and this is now the fourth week of rehearsals. I was thrown into the deep end with all that SERIOUS ACTOR stuff resurfacing and although the work has been really hard I am also having a great time... I think it is going to be good......Modesty prevents me from being more effusive. There is magic in the play as well!!! So it’s the best of both worlds for me. A lovely company of people who are only there to help and support and the fact that there are five weeks of rehearsal time is so fantastic. I do get back to the house with the eyeballs hanging out and brain scrambled and have been going to bed really early for me. My insomnia has been cured!!! We open in Canberra and then tour to Geelong, Melbourne arriving back to play the Sydney Opera House for 6 weeks in September October finishing the tour in Orange, Wolloongong and Paramatta. By the way the house where I am staying once belonged to The Great Levante and it was wonderful to be able to invite Steve Walker and Kent Blackmore over for the afternoon. After a tour of the property and house we watched Raymond Crowe's show from the Adelaide Cabaret Festival (Good on yah Ray). Steve had actually had afternoon tea with Les on the lawn of the house (some years ago) but never been inside and Kent, who has written a very good biography of Les had never travelled the inclinator to the house. It was so good to be able to share this with two very fine gentlemen of magic.......... Rehearsals have been going so well here I can’t believe it and tonight we had a sponsors night. I was the last item on the agenda doing some magic schtick with regards to the play and I can't tell you the response. Amazing........When magic is placed into a context that has intellect and appreciation how much better it is perceived and received.... Regional Arts Victoria want to tour my cabaret show Lounge Wizard next year and I am also working on a big project with a very dramatic finish....producing out of nowhere, Michael Schumaccer's Ferrari......with him......!!! Weather here in Sydney amazing.....it already feels like spring but I suppose that will be snapped out of us when we get to Canberra........ --------------------------------- 3. Shopping For A Troublewit ---------------------------------- Message from Owen Anderson (Canada) owena@interlynx.net I went shopping for a Troublewit recently and it quickly turned into something of a quest! Dealers variously told me that the NZ chap, who makes them, Mr. Jim Reilly, has retired and/or can no longer find the correct paper required to make the prop. I finally found one but wondered if someone from antipodes might post a few words on Troublewit to the list. ---------------------------------- 4. Irish-American Festivals In August ---------------------------------- Message from Tom & Debbie O'Carroll Massachusetts Magician Debbie O'Carroll will be performing at four Irish-American festivals in August. She will be at the Dublin (Ohio) Irish Festival www.dublinirishfestival.org on August 2, 3 & 4, at the Irish Fair of Minnesota www.irishfair.com on August 10 & 11, The Milwaukee Irish Festival www.irishfest.com on August 16, 17 & 18 and The Newport (Rhode Island) Irish Festival www.newportfestivals.com on August 30 & 31. Debbie's Irish-themed magic performances feature music, tales, poetry, and dance. This past May, she performed with Jeff McBride and Royal Sorell, Jr. in an afternoon of magic for children in Salem, Massachusetts. For more information visit www.debbieocarroll.com ---------------------------------- 5. Magic Shop In Boston And New York?? ---------------------------------- Message from Davide Scaramuzza davsca@inwind.it My name is Davide and I am a young Italian magician who will be in Boston for the whole month of August. Because it is the first time I've gone to the United States, I wish you could provide me any address of magic shop or any magic event present in Boston and New York, but above all in Boston, where I'll stay during all this period. ---------------------------------- 6. RE: Franquin The Hypnotist ---------------------------------- Message from Andre andrethehypnotist@isat.co.za (South Africa) RE: Franquin the hypnotist - I ordered his life story approx 2 weeks ago from Australia - and according to the book he is also still alive and living in Queensland - The author of the e-mail can contact me should he need more details. ---------------------------------- 7. The Las Vegas Magic Invitational ---------------------------------- Message from Danny Archer (USA) Join Robert Allen and Danny Archer in Las Vegas for this year's wildest magical party! Close-up and cabaret magic performed by Bob Fitch, Chris Korn, Nathan Kranzo, Eric Mead, Aaron Fisher, Bob Kohler, Gary Norsigian, Apollo Robbins, Gary Darwin and introducing magic's newest sensation . . . Garrett Thomas plus many more surprise guest stars! All attendees are encouraged to perform in our jam session shows, so bring your best trick! The Las Vegas Magic Invitational San Remo Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, NV * September 15-17, 2002 For more information on how you can attend this incredible 3 days of Fun In The Sun visit our web site at www.LVMI.net REGISTRATION IS VERY LIMITED SO DON'T DELAY! The San Remo Hotel has special room rates for LVMI attendees but you must reserve before August 1st If you are already registered for LVMI 2002 or can not attend please pass this on to a friend! ---------------------------------- 8. Largest Magic Flea Market/Magic Auction ---------------------------------- Message from Seth Ossinsky Seaside Magicians Ring 251 Daytona Beach Present 2nd Annual Largest Magic Flea Market/Magic Auction 2002 September 21, 2002 Location: Peabody Auditorium 600 Auditorium Bvld, Daytona Beach across the street from The Adams Mark You Don’t Want To Miss This One A Day Filled With Lots Of Magic Items For Sale Top Magic Lectures Already Booked. Your Magic Auctioneer for the Evening Bill Rosenthal *********************************************** MAGIC-IAN he's Back with his Brand new MAGIC Lecture *********************************************** Michael Edwards Juggling Lecture Learn how to juggle in 10 MINUTES *********************************************** Balloon Artistry Lecture By CJ Lerman And Mike Pearson Learn how to do the TWIST. *********************************************** Plus More Magic door prizes and a great magic auction with great one of a kind items. For auction rules click the button clean out your closets and make money. Tables available for you to sell your stuff. And make lots of money reserve now, so you'll be sure too have a table. Also the great magic auction and bargains. ADMISSION IS $15.00 per person IN ADVANCE Reserve Now $20.00 AT THE DOOR If you want to sell at the Fleamarket. TABLES ARE $10.00 PER TABLE and Tables are Limited and going fast. Don’t wait to reserve GET ONE NOW. To Pre Register And Save $5.00 Click This Wand Now The Daytona Beach ADAMS MARK which is right across the street has given us a Special offer if you want to come the night before or Stay the weekend, and you don’t want to drive all the way home OR you just want to leave your family to have fun on the beach. They will extend a special rate of $79.00 for Sunset Rooms and $95.00 for Oceanfront Rooms on Friday, 9/20 and Saturday, 9/21 and 9/22. The Phone Number to the Daytona Beach ADAMS MARK IS (386) 254 8200 Be sure to mention that your Reservation is for the "Daytona Seaside Magician's" that will get you the special rate. .....Stay at the Adams Mark........ TO PRE REGISTER Please Make Checks Payable to “SEASIDE MAGICIANS IBM RING 251" Send It To The Address Below. Contact Info: Ring 251 President Seth Ossinsky P.O.Box 9312 Daytona Beach, 32120-9312 Voice (386) 676 - 2442 FAX (815) 352 - 2127 E-mail: magicnerd@earthlink.net ---------------------------------- 9. Blue Rooster Restaurant – Christchurch NZ ---------------------------------- Message from Kyle Southam (NZ) I will be performing bar magic at the Blue Rooster Restaurant, 90 High St, Rangiora (next to the RSA) which is just outside of Christchurch. 6:30-8:30pm, Friday 16th August. The food is wonderful and early table bookings will be essential. Or, just come for a drink and watch the magic which is geared more so for the adult set. Phone bookings can be made directly at the Blue Rooster by calling (03) 313 3493 Part of the Blue Rooster includes a Pizza bar called "The Coop" which makes authentic wood fired pizzas. If you need more information about the event, please drop me an email at kyle_southam@paradise.net.nz ---------------------------------- 10. TAOM 2002 Convention ---------------------------------- Message from John Miller (USA) The TAOM 2002 Convention is coming up in Fort Worth, Texas, August 30 thru September 2nd. Sunday Morning, 7:00am The Invisible Lodge will hold its annual stated meeting for all members and eligible members at a Continental Breakfast. You won't want to miss this get together with election of Officers and other important business. For additional information: J.K.Miller, rel9lim@aol.com ---------------------------------- 11. Domino's Pizza TV Commercial - Tokyo, Japan ---------------------------------- Message from Dan Birch (USA) I will be appearing on a Domino's Pizza TV Commercial in Tokyo, Japan. The shoot dates will be 7/8 - 7/12. The Commercial will have a magical theme to them. The menus will smell like pizza if the home viewer scratches it. Also, I will be filming a National TV show, 30 seconds to Fame on July 17, doing some Dove Magic. ---------------------------------- 12. Magic Elvis Has Left The Building ---------------------------------- Message from Steve Dacri (USA) July 8, 2002 - SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA: The last magicians have packed up their thumb tips and scarves and headed out the door. The City of San Diego reports that thousands of playing cards have been spotted in the streets of downtown. All over the streets. And in the restaurants. Many of the cards are reported to be folded in strange shapes, and many of them have signatures on them. At the Town & Country Hotel, the housekeeping department has reported hundreds of round pellets have been discovered in many of the rooms. This can only mean one thing: The IBM Convention was here, and now it's gone. Jan & I have remained for a few days to catch our breath and work with the incredible photos that Magic George shot. He captured some remarkable images, and we will be sharing many of them with you here exclusively. The first batch is now ready. I understand my daily reports did not all appear, but you can read them all right now in the Conventions and Events pages. The best part of any magic gathering is the chance to meet old friends and make new ones. We met so many people whom we have not seen in years. We had many opportunities to renew acquaintences and catch up on the activities of our magic pals from around the world. Now we need some much needed sleep, but I'm afraid that will have to wait another week, until we return from the next road trip.. This is the first part of my latest column on magicwebchannel.com. To read the rest of this article and read our report from the IBM San Diego convention and see four pages of great photos, log on to www.magicwebchannel.com now. Oh, and Terry Seabrooke has a new column this week as well. Enjoy and visit often to check out our progress. ---------------------------------- 13. Guy Cater Getting Married On 29th September ---------------------------------- Message from Guy Cater (NZ) Just returned from a wonderful six weeks in the USA. My fiancé Cynthia and I performed Hypnotism Shows for Graduation Night parties on the Californian High School circuit and had an absolute ball. (Cynthia is now an important part of my act .. lighting and sound technician as well as adding a touch of beauty and humour to the shows with a couple of great costume changes). Our shows were very well received and we have many bookings for next year already. Spent some time in Cynthia's native Wyoming and in Montana. Performed Comedy Magic shows for several Elks Lodges and made bookings for many more next year. Very special thanks to our new friend Barry Jones for all his kindness to us in aquiring gigs and giving us a base to work from. Barry is a Hypnotist from Encinitas, California. The only sad note to our trip was that as we picked up extra work in Wyoming and Montana we were unable to visit editor Alan Watson to catch his act at The Magic Castle. Sorry Alan but Cynthia and I would like to join the thousands in congratulating you and Michele on your presentation of the Dragon Award. Well done and well deserved. Cynthia and I became engaged in Casper, Wyoming and are to be married here in Auckland on 29th September at Kiwi Valley on Henderson Valley Road, Henderson. Wedding will be at 6pm .. a short service followed by the party of the year. All Kiwi magicians are invited. We don't want any presents ... just buy your own drinks. The evening will be a wonderful display of most top kiwi performers and all magis are asked to 'put something in your pocket'. There will be top kiwi rock and country singers and two special guest performers .. friends coming over from the USA. A supper will be provided courtesy of The Mad Butcher. Join us on this happy day. ---------------------------------- 14. e-mail Address Of The Magic Hands?? ---------------------------------- Message from Ricki Gray (South Africa) magic@global.co.za Perhaps you can help.......I am trying to find the e-mail address of the Magic Hands company in Germany, if not that, then a telephone number. Thank you for the regular magic magazine that you continue to send me, I have used the info in there many times, and it has always been things that I would otherwise never have known about. My new show opens in SUN CITY on September 12th for a projected run of 18 months, do you collect magic programmes? if so I will gladly forward you one, when they become available. ---------------------------------- 14. Re Info Tex Morton And Franquin ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) About Tex Morton – suggest you read pages 32, 33, 34, and 35 of my saga on Alan’s magic N Z – e zine. Also if you go to www.nzedge.com you will find a very extensive article on Tex. This is an amazing site regarding famous ‘Kiwis’ and all things NZ. Regarding Franquin – I have ‘Tons’ of memorabilia, it is quite rare and here it stays – however, may I suggest that you go to a Major library and see if you can get a copy of: ‘OPEN YOUR MIND’ – a course on hypnotism, written by Franquin – Robyn Publications Pty. Ltd 1st edition April 1956, 2nd ed. July 1950 and 3rd ed. Sept. 1954 – NO ISBN NUMBER. Also, ‘THE EYES HAVE IT’ by Franquin, first published 1957 by Angus and Robertson – NO ISBN NUMBER and finally, The LATEST – ‘FRANQUIN - MASTER SHOWMAN’, by Jennie Rowley – Lees, first published 1997 –ISBN number: 0 868 195 197 .I have all these books, personally signed by Pat Quin (Franquin), himself, the last is also signed by both the authoress, Jennie, who is now a good friend and the GREAT MAN HIMSELF – FRANQUIN! ---------------------------------- 15. The Orchante Saga #112 & 113 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) - SPECIAL EDITION - Congratulations Alan and Michele for your fantastic DRAGON AWARD - of 2002 Demonstrating outstanding talents in the categories of: Drama, Romance, Artistry, Glamour, Originality, and Necromancy! (MAGIC) You have joined the ranks of other famous New Zealanders; Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Edgar Benyon, Sir Edmund Hillary, Tex Morton, John Rowles, Ngaire Marsh and Franquin. These, to name just a few, famous New Zealanders have, in their particular fields of endeavour, proved to the world that our country - New Zealand, with a population of only 3.6 Million, produces an amazing array of internationally recognised skills and talents. I'm very proud that I am a (part Maori) ‘Kiwi’, and they have all made it very easy for me, over the years, to pronounce to the world that: “I am a ‘Magical’ New Zealander”. Now I can say that with even more pride: DUE TO YOUR OUTSTANDING EFFORTS! THANK YOU ALAN AND MICHELE WATSON. TOM AND VERONICA ORCHARD (‘The Amazing Orchanté’ & Kim – retired) Alan Watson and I first met when he flew over from New Zealand to Australia (where Veronica and I was living at the time), to attend the 18th Australian Convention Of Magicians, that was held in Sydney at the ‘Shore Inn’ Artarmon, from April 9th to the 12th 1982 - presented by the ‘International Brotherhood of Magicians’, Maurice Rooklyn (late Int’l Vice President) Ring 102, with special International guest artistes: Dick and Diana ‘The Enchantress’ Zimmerman; I don't suppose ‘the Amazing Orchanté and Kim’ counted (because we were residing in Aussie) - although we are New Zealanders therefore International, and performed on the Public ‘International’ Wonder Show Of Magic’, Dick, Diana, Veronica and I were the only four International artistes on the show! Alan scored some great publicity for himself while in Sydney. On his return to Auckland New Zealand he sent me ‘The 8 o'clock’ newspaper dated Sat.20th 1982, with an interview – complete with two photographs, one of himself seated at a table with E S P (ZENER) CARDS in front of him. The other shows myself eating a wine glass! You can ‘MARK THE MEASURE OF THE MAN’ for yourself, by his unselfish generosity when he, Alan, made sure that I got the headline! ‘ IT’S MAGIC! HE SWALLOWED A WINE GLASS TO SILENCE A SCEPTIC’! Fire Eater, sword Swallower and expatriate Kiwi magician extraordinary Orchanté rocked a sceptic in a flash Sydney restaurant by calmly eating his wine glass. His critic was momentarily speechless. Orchanté merely smiled as the critic recovered his poise and said: “Mate - you must be the best magician in the world…. or the biggest fool”! Orchanté had simply reached across to his detractor’s wine glass, picked it up, popped it in his mouth and, started chewing! It was real glass, too”, reports Auckland magician Alan Watson in telling how Orchanté astounded onlookers with his act. - Page 113 - Orchanté, the stage name for former Aucklander Tom Orchard, is a top artist on the magicians’ circuit in Sydney, specialising in sleight-of-hand, swallowing objects, and “psychic surgery” on himself. He certainly won the attention, and admiration of Alan Watson who, as president of the New Zealand Society of Magicians, recently attended an international congress in Sydney for magicians. “He’s the highest paid magician in Sydney. His standards are high”, says Watson, of Orchanté. Alan Watson was also impressed by Dick and Dianna Zimmerman of the ‘Magic Castle’ in Hollywood – recognised as “two of the finest magicians around”. Magicians, he says, have updated their acts and the old top hat and tails are out. These days, the tricksters wear mod gear. And they’re talking of doing away with traditional magic dice for the popular Rubik cubes. . Watson himself says he specialises in psychokinesis – moving objects by thought alone. He scored a personal success with the Sunday Telegraph newspaper in Sydney by communicating telepathically with his wife in Auckland. The newspaper reported that it tested him with six cards he produced with symbols specially designed by psychic researchers. Watson asked a reporter to point at one, at will. Meanwhile, another reporter in another office was on the phone to his wife, 2100km away in Auckland. On a hand signal, he asked her which image Alan was “broadcasting”. She was right each time on four attempts. The newspaper assured its readers there was no way he could have made any signal she could have heard. The feat helped Watson earn the Peter J. Shield Award at the congress for an outstanding contribution to the Art of Mentalism. Watson’s explanation of mentalism; “I assume the role of a psychic, but do not accomplish feats through supernatural powers but through the powers of magic.” He says some people have psychic gifts and abilities he doesn’t understand, but agrees many charlatans are inflicting themselves on the gullible. ---------------------------------- The ‘flash’ restaurant in Sydney that was referred to in the write - up was the ‘Spice Islands’ owned and operated by Tom Hughes, also a New Zealander. I had contacted him when he first opened and ‘sold’ him the idea of close - up sleight of hand table magic. It was very successful. At Tom Hugh’s invitation, Dick & Diana Zimmerman as well as Alan came for a meal and, to watch me work my ‘magic’. Again, typical New Zealand hospitality! It was through that meeting that Alan eventually ‘worked’ for Tom Hughes himself, at his other very popular restaurant, situated under the Harbour Bridge in Auckland City, back in New Zealand. Alan performed his ‘magic’ there for a total of: 5 YEARS - 1423 NIGHTS: NO WONDER HE GOT GOOD AT IT! I’M rather proud that Alan calls me, ‘HIS MENTOR’! I AM VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOU, ALAN. Dear me, that was - 22 YEARS AGO! I’m looking at the photographs in the newspaper and Alan and I both look like ‘kids’, I have black hair and Alan is a slim, good looking young man. Oh dear me Alan, just look at what the ravages of time and those 22 years have done to both, well - all of us. ONCE AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS ‘D – R – A – G – O – N’S’ ------------------------------------- 16. 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: magic Password: kiwi 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 ------------------------------------- 17. 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 Magic New Zealand e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Magic New Zealand e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday. The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors and not those of Magic New Zealand. Neither Magic New Zealand or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand e-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree that they will not hold Magic New Zealand and/or Alan Watson liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed herein. We reserve the right to edit, correct or, in our discretion, choose not to publish any submissions provided to Magic New Zealand for potential publication. Magic New Zealand welcomes readers to submit timely articles or news items which appear to be of interest to our readers. Those submitting to this e-zine agree that we have permission to publish their submissions and that they have the full copyright to the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand are fully protected by international copyright as provided by law, and articles cannot be published for profit by anyone other than the individual author without the written permission of Magic New Zealand. >> This publication may be freely redistributed (but not sold) to other magicians if copied in its ENTIRETY including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer.<< © Copyright 2002 Alan Watson