* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #333 Date: Sunday 22nd May 2005 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com www.Alan-Watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Aussie Magicians 3. The Merlin Awards 2005 4. Marvyn Roy & Cecil Lyle 5. Craig R Dickson Greeting Married 6. Sussex Close-up Convention. 7. "Its MAGIC" Airing In May 8. June, 2005 - Magic In Las Vegas 9. Chicago Citywide Close-Up Competition! 10. Illusions For Sale - Australia 11. The College Of Magic's 2005 May Newsletter 12. Daytona Beach Festival Of Magic 13. My 40 Years In The Art Of Magic For Sale 14. Scam Targeting Entertainers... Not A Joke 15. Dates For New Zealand Magicians To Remember 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga 17. e-zine Archives 18. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Tim Ellis has an excellent webpage up in an effort to help stamp out piracy and theft within the magic community. Photos show the origins and rip offs! Well done Tim, Magic New Zealand supports your stand on this matter 100%. Go to: http://www.magicunlimited.com/magic_fakers.htm ---------------------------- The missing page 50 of The Amazing Orchante Saga is published in this week's issue. Refer item 16. Page 50 was omitted three weeks ago... ----------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Aussie Magicians ----------------- Message from Tim Ellis (Aust) Nelson, currently in Hong Kong, has kept himself extremely busy with offers from Stephen Chow (director of the new hit movie 'Kung Fu Hustle') and Hong Kong Disneyland. In the end, the money was too good to refuse and he took the Disney job as a one-year contract doing strolling magic. If you'd like to drop him a line ctgalex@yahoo.com.hk Michael Boyd & Cathie Costello end their 16 month run at Jupiter's Casino next month. It'll be great to see them back in Melbourne! Upcoming lecture: Wednesday August 24 - CHUCK HICKOCK from the USA will be lecturing at 8pm at The Swiss Club. Upcoming convention: Aug 27-28 - The Adelaide Magic Convention. http://www.adelaidemagic.com/convention/ with Chuck Hikock and Pavel. Upcoming lecture: Monday August 29 - PAVEL will be lecturing at 8pm at The Swiss Club. Upcoming convention: Sep 17-18 - Taylor's Superday. http://www.taylorsmagicshop.com/webcontent9.htm with Lee Asher, Alan Shaxon and Duane Laflin. ----------------- 3. The Merlin Awards 2005 ----------------- Message from David Neubauer (US) The Merlin Awards are presented each year by the "International Magicians Society", the largest magic organization in the world, with 37,000 members. For more information on the IMS go to www.magicims.com. On May 20th, 2005 there will be a presentation ceremony of the Merlin Awards for 2005 at the World's Greatest Magic Show at the Greek Isle Hotel and Casino on Convention Center Drive in Las Vegas. Show time is at 8:15 pm. Everyone is invited. World's Greatest Magic Show - Show of the Year 2005 Joseph Gabriel - Best Manipulations 2005 Paul Kozak - Entertainer of the Year 2005 The Majestix - Illusionists of the Year 2005 Kevin James - Most Original Magician 2005 ----------------- 4. Marvyn Roy & Cecil Lyle ----------------- Message from Mike Caveney (US) I have been receiving lots of email regarding the publication of our two new books. First is The Great Lyle by Eddie Dawes - the life story of England's last great touring illusionist. 300 pages including 12 in full color and over 100 photos and programs. This is #13 in our award winning series of Magical Pro-Files. Limited to 1,000 numbered copies. Price $65. Second is Mr. Electric - Unplugged the autobiography of Marvyn Roy. 300 pages with over 150 photos that span Marvyn's entire magical life. We have a limited number of Deluxe copies of Marvyn Roy's book that feature leather binding with a matching slipcase, autographed color frontispiece, plus a DVD featuring the Light Bulb act, Jewelry act and a 45 minute interview. Regular edition: $50. Deluxe edition: $160. I am expecting both titles to arrive from the printer on or about May 24. For additional information or to place an order, visit www.mcmagicwords.com I hope to see many of you at the IBM convention in Reno next month where I will be interviewing Marvyn and Carol on Wednesday afternoon. ----------------- 5. Craig R Dickson Greeting Married ----------------- Message from Craig R Dickson (US) Craig R Dickson, Past National President, The Society of American Magicians, AIMC Magic Circle-London, and Joanne M Smigel, member Society of American Magicians will be wed at Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland on the 18th of July, 2005. It was a dream of both to do something very special, and both having a Scottish heritage, found the idea of going to Scotland and being married in their most famous landmark and castle, just a dream come true. The wedding will be a traditional Scottish wedding, complete with Piper and the proper Scottish attire. The wedding will take place in St Margaret's Chapel, Edinburgh Castle which is the oldest part of the castle, being built in the 12th century and until very recently was reserved for Royal and Military weddings. After the wedding they will return to London for the 100th Anniversary of the Magic Circle. This will be a magical wedding followed by a historic magical event. Both love magic and live it, and could not think of a better beginning to their union. What is also a wild coincidence it that the latest Harry Potter book will also be officially released with a midnight reading by JK Rowling at Edinburgh Castle that weekend. The castle will have many wizards in attendance for a very magical weekend. ----------------- 6. Sussex Close-up Convention ----------------- Message from Martin Breese (UK) "The Close-Up Magic in Sussex Convention organised by Paul Gordon and Mark Worgan on Saturday May 14th was a total success. Everything ran so efficiently that it is hard to believe that this was the first convention of this nature run by these two guys (assisted by their wives Judy and Alison). The doors opened at 10.am, registration lasted but a few seconds and the dealer hall was the first venue. A good selection of dealers including one long distance attendee Trevor Duffy from South Africa provided a fine balance of magic for sale. Those who took time out to demonstrate their wares found crowds willing to watch and buy. Al Smith provided workshops for small groups and Mandy Davis did the same for the Young Magicians. I was not able to see either at work but they received excellent reports from those who attended. The lectures, which were projected on to a large screen by Bob Hamilton were well organised and started on time. Mark Mason gave a stunning lecture and tipped and taught some of his classic effects including his highlight no force classic force. At the end there was a big run on his lecture notes and DVDs. A great lecture and my first time to see the man with a big reputation doing his stuff. After lunch it was Stephen Tucker's turn. He had a wide range of material to offer and there was the usual variety of off-the-wall material from the zany Stephen who is a regular and highly popular fixture at every convention I attend. He has one of the most inventive and fertile minds in magic and his output are prolific as can be seen by his countless contributions to magic magazines. Another great lecture. The day closed with close up from Paul Gordon, Mark Mason, Stephen Tucker, Andrew Murray, Mark Worgan and Mark Shortland. The entire close up session was on time and all the performers had excellent material and professional skills. I don't really want to single out any performer as all were good but new to me was Andrew Murray and his skill with cards and coins was something to be seen. I cannot imagine that there was a single registrant who is not looking forward to the next convention from Paul Gordon and Mark Worgan. Top marks for a wonderful day of magic." - Martin Breese ----------------- 7. "Its MAGIC" Airing In May ----------------- Message from Darlene Bull forwarded on by David Schleich Note: This is ONLY available in the Cities listed since it is on Comcast Cable TV. If you need to see it, ask a friend in one of the listed cities to tape it for you. The "It's MAGIC" cable show is shown on Thursdays at 5:30 PM in the cities listed below. Each month "It's MAGIC" features different magicians from the Chicagoland area. The May show features a performance by Don Bothwell. Air dates for this show are: May 26, June 2 and June 9 Arlington Heights, Ch. 35 Glendale Heights, Ch. 19 Palatine, Ch. 19 Bartlett, Ch. 35 Glenview, Ch. 35 Park Ridge, Ch. 35 Bedford Park, Ch. 19 Golf, Ch. 35 Prospect Heights, Ch. 35 Bensenville, Ch. 19 Hanover Park, Ch. 35 River Forest, Ch. 19 Berkeley, Ch. 19 Hillside, Ch. 19 River Grove, Ch. 19 Bloomingdale, Ch. 19 Hinsdale, Ch. 19 Rolling Meadows, Ch. 19 Bridgeview, Ch. 19 Hodgkins, Ch. 19 Roselle, Ch. 19 Broadview, Ch. 19 Hoffman Estates, Ch. 19 Rosemont, Ch. 19 Buffalo Grove, Ch. 19 Itasca, Ch. 19 Schaumburg, Ch. 35 Burbank, Ch. 19 Justice, Ch. 19 Schiller Park, Ch. 19 Burr Ridge, Ch. 19 Lincolnwood, Ch. 19 Skokie, Ch. 35 Carol Stream, Ch. 19 Lombard, Ch. 19 Stone Park, Ch. 19 Cicero, Ch. 19 Lyons, Ch. 19 Streamwood, Ch. 35 Clarendon Hills, Ch. 19 Maywood, Ch. 19 Summit, Ch. 19 Countryside, Ch. 19 McCook, Ch. 19 Villa Park, Ch. 43 Darien, Ch. 19 Medinah, Ch. 19 Westchester, Ch. 19 Des Plaines, Ch. 35 Morton Grove, Ch. 19 Westmont, Ch. 19 Downers Grove, Ch. 19 Mt. Prospect, Ch. 35 Wheeling, Ch. 35 Elk Grove Village, Ch. 19 Niles, Ch. 19 Willow Springs, Ch. 19 Elmhurst, Ch. 19 North Riverside, Ch.19 Willowbrook, Ch. 19 Elmwood Park, Ch. 19 Northbrook, Ch. 35 Wilmette, Ch. 19 Forest Park, Ch. 19 Oak Brook, Ch. 19 Wood Dale, Ch. 19 Forest View, Ch. 19 Oak Park, Ch. 19 Woodridge, Ch. 19 Franklin Park, Ch. 19 Oakbrook Terrace, Ch. 19 ----------------- 8. June, 2005 - Magic In Las Vegas ----------------- Message from David Neubauer (www.dnmagic.com) Production Shows: Amazing Johnathan 10 pm, (Dark Thurs.), Sahara. Collin Foster -Quicker than the Eye 2 & 4 pm daily, 4 & 6 pm Friday, (Dark Mon.), Comedy Zone, Plaza. The Free Magic Show 4 pm (Dark Fri. & Mon.) -Bourbon Street Haunted Vegas Tour & Show Robert Allen & Jac Hayden 9:00 pm tour and show (Dark Tues. -Thurs.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponhauntedvegas.html Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas 2 & 4 pm, Stardust. (Dark Wed.) Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show Sat @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230. Jason Bird The Shops in Desert Passage -Aladdin. Main stage, near the "V" Theater, Thursday -Monday Various times from 1:15 pm. -8:15 pm. -Free. La Femme Stephan Vanel 8 & 10:30 pm, (Dark Tues.), MGM Grand. Lance Burton, Master Magician 7 pm Tues-Sat & 10 pm Tues. & Sat. Monte Carlo. Mac King Comedy Magic Show 1 & 3 pm, (Dark Sun. & Mon.) Harrah's Clint Holmes Theater. Magic and Mirth Tony Blanco -www.tonyblanco.com Thurs.-Mon. evenings, various times, Excalibur. Magic in the Desert Nick Coleman 4 pm, (free) (Dark Mon., Fri.) Bourbon Street. The Vinnie Favorito Show Apollo Robbins (Opening Act) Tues. -Thurs 8 p.m., Fri. -Sat. 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. (Dark Sun. -Mon.) -Binion's Ovations Fielding West, Jason Byrne 7 & 9 pm, Lady Luck. (Dark Tues.) Penn & Teller 9 pm, (Dark Tues.), Rio. Showgirls of Magic www.showgirlsofmagic.com 8 & 10:30 (Dark Mon.) (Adults only 2nd show), San Remo. 2 for 1 coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponshowgirlsofmagic.html Spotlight -**Last show June 30th** Will Roya -www.spotlightshow.com 7 pm, (Dark Fri.), Bourbon Street. 50% off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponspotlight.html V, The Ultimate Variety Show Jeff Hobson, Nathan & Sarah -www.vtheshow.com 7 & 9 pm, Aladdin. 2 for 1 coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponvshow.html World's Greatest Magic Show Kevin James, Joseph Gabriel, The Majestix, Kozak. Derek Roberts, Billy Fergueson & Chris Randall (pre-show). 6 pm Sat. -Thurs., 8:15 Fri., Greek Isle. June Guest Stars: June 1-8: Arden James; 9-30: Gaetan Bloom. July Guest Stars: 1-10: Gaetan Bloom; 4-10: Fukai; 11-17: Juliana Chen; 18-24: Valerie (from France); 25-31: Arden James. August Guest Star: Arden James. Sept. Guest Stars: 1-4: Arden James; 5-11: Scott & Muriel (from Holland); 12-25: Danny Cole; 26-30: Mr. Mysto. Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur Tiffany Theatre, Tropicana 2 and 4 pm. (Dark Fri.) RESTAURANTS: Eric Allan Outback Steakhouse (Green Valley), Fri. & Sat. Jayden LaCross TGI Fridays, Wed. & Sun. NEWS: "Spotlight" the Variety Show to Celebrate One Year Anniversary "Spotlight" the variety show will be celebrating its one year anniversary with a special performance for friends, family, guests and media on Saturday, May 28th. A limited number of tickets for purchase will also be open to the public. The show will be filmed that night as part of a TV pilot based on the characters and circumstances surrounding the show, a project that is in the works. This just in: Will Roya has decided to close Spotlight on June 30th to honor other commitments this summer. Producer David Saxe is opening up a second, 300 seat showroom at the Dessert Passage shops at the Aladdin. Look for "Showgirls Of Magic" to relocate from the San Remo. Another name that's being mentioned is impressionist Gordie Brown whose final performance at the Golden Nugget is May 24. JUNE, 2005 June 1-8: Arden James, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. June 9-30: Gaetan Bloom, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. June 12-14: The Las Vegas Magic Invitational - Palace Station. Guest of honor is Paul Harris. Performers include Gaetan Bloom, Michael Ammar, Gazzo, Allan Ackerman, David Solomon, Chris Randall, Earl Nelson, John Bannon & Daryl. Registration is $150. www.lvmi.net June 30: Spotlight closes - Bourbon Street. June 30-July 13: David Copperfield, 7:30 & 10 p.m. 4:30 Sat. and some Sun. $97 - MGM Grand. JULY, 2005 Through July 13: David Copperfield, MGM Grand. July 1-10: Gaetan Bloom, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. July 4-10: Fukai; World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. July 11-17: Juliana Chen, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. July 12-17: Special Extended Master Class. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.MagicalWisdom.com July 18-24: Valerie (from France), World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. July 25-31: Arden James, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. July 28-Aug. 10: David Copperfield, 7:30 & 10 p.m. 4:30 Sat. and some Sun. $97 - MGM Grand. AUGUST, 2005 August 1-31: Arden James, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. August 9-14: Special Extended Master Class. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.MagicalWisdom.com Aug. 25-Sep. 21: David Copperfield, 7:30 & 10 p.m. 4:30 Sat. and some Sun. $97 -MGM Grand. SEPTEMBER, 2005 Sept. 1-4: Arden James, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. Sept. 5-11: Scott & Muriel (from Holland), World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. Sept. 12-25: Danny Cole, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. Sept. 26-30: Mr. Mysto, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. September 9-11: Master Class. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.MagicalWisdom.com September 29-October 2: Beyond Bizarre Weekend. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. NOVEMBER, 2005 November 4-6: Magic for Medical Professionals. Details to follow. November 11-13: Master Class. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.MagicalWisdom.com November 13-15: Mindvention, The second annual all Mentalism convention -Palace Station. www.mindvention.com Please email any Las Vegas magic (or related arts) updates or news to: David Neubauer vegasmagic@dnmagic.com www.dnmagic.com ----------------- 9. Chicago Citywide Close-Up Competition! ----------------- Message from Neil Tobin President, Chicago Assembly #3 Society of American Magicians Save The Date: The Second Annual Chicago Citywide Close-Up Competition is expected to take place on Thursday, July 14 at Navy Pier! "High profile" doesn't begin to describe this opportunity. Depending on the number of competitors, preliminaries may take place throughout the day, leading to a Finalists' Show that evening, presided over by several Chicago-area celebrity judges. The public will be swarming, the media exposure will be outstanding (as you can expect whenever Navy Pier is involved), and the opportunity to educate the public about magic in Chicago is unparalleled. Details will be coming within the next week (so please, no phone calls right now). Until then, tell all your magical colleagues, practice your finest 10-minute close-up act, and mark your calendar for Thursday, July 14! ----------------- 10. Illusions For Sale - Australia ----------------- Message from Matt Hollywood (Aust) Matt Hollywood has a number of illusions for sale including a Smoke Chamber, Origami, Tip over Trunk, Levitation and a whole lot more. You can email him at matt@matthollywood.com for prices and more information. Everything is in brand new excellent condition. ----------------- 11. The College Of Magic's 2005 May Newsletter ----------------- Message from Craig Mitchell (South Africa) The College of Magic's 2005 May Newsletter is now available for download on the web ! *Get the inside story on South Africa's biggest magic event ever ... *See all the pics from the 25 Years of Magic celebrations featuring Nick Einhorn, Shawn Farquhar, Pit Hartling ... *Find out how the College team went for Gold at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas Plus so much more ... Visit www.collegeofmagic.com/newsletter.htm now ... Enjoy ! ----------------- 12. Daytona Beach Festival Of Magic ----------------- Message from Harry Allen (US) Come to Daytona Beach November 4-5-6 2005 ( Daytona Beach Festival Of Magic) Who will be there? Max Maven Jay Sanky Dan Harlan Alan Ackerman Steve Bargatze Gene Anderson Bob Blounk Plus More.... Details on www.daytonamagic.com ----------------- 13. My 40 Years In The Art Of Magic For Sale ----------------- Message from Bob Chua (Singapore) Through my 40 years in the Art Of Magic. I have acquired quite a substantial number of props and books which I like to sell them due to my age. Most of my props are very new and some are not even been used. I would be deeply appreciated if you can help me by posting my request in your weekly emagazine for interested buyers. My email: bob@conjurer.net ----------------- 14. Scam Targeting Entertainers... Not A Joke ----------------- Message from Art Thomas Attention Magicians and Other Variety Entertainers. I encourage you to read the message from Tim Scarbrough (a/k/a Lyndel) below. This is not a joke. It is a serious warning about a scam that is targeting entertainers. Art Thomas IBM Ring 170 Orlando, FL (407) 397-3782 pager 800-632-8493 / fax 407-397-3736 Greetings fellow entertainers, I recently received an e-mail from a steven_pale@yahoo.com who found me through my website. He inquired about my services for a magic show in New Orleans. Things began to not set well with me and I became suspicious. ...And that is why I am contacting you with this word of warning. He indicated in his initial e-mail that his name was Mark Craig, yet his e-mail address was steven_Pale@yahoo.com? (Red Flag #1) I quoted this guy a price which he didn't argue with at all (Red Flag #2) and through a series of e-mails he told me that the cashiers check was enroute. He later told me in another e-mail that there was an "overpayment" on the check and wanted me to forward the extra money back to his client via Western Union. (Red Flag #3) As a former police officer turned professional magician, I was suspicious of the e-mailers intent from the get-go. After checking around, I found out that there is an internet scam circulating that could cost us thousands of dollars if we fall victim to it. In effect, the way the scam works is this: They agree to a price, send you a check for substantially more than you agreed upon, and then request you to return the overage to them via Western Union. After you do this, your bank notifies you that the check is no good and then debits your account for the full amount. See the following web sites for additional information on how the scam works: http://launch.net/scam.shtml http://www.hoax-slayer.com/overpayment-scam.html If you are currently negotiating with or receive an e-mail from this individual, I encourage you to be extremely cautious in your business dealings with him. He is a criminal. Keep in mind that he or someone perpetrating the same scam can easily change their e-mail address. As it turned out, I received the cashiers check which I learned after contacting the bank that it was drawn on - was a fraudulent document. I was a cop as most of you know for thirteen years and this was one of the best looking counterfeit cashiers checks that I have ever seen. The company it was drawn on was also contacted. Their account rep personally told me that another entertainer in Arizona had also contacted them with their own suspicions after being booked by the same individual for the same gig in New Orleans. I have turned the e-mails and the check over to law enforcement and have filed an official complaint with the FBI regarding the matter. Although I didn't fall for the scam and lose any money, it has cost me time in dealing with it (i.e. the e-mails, filing the FBI complaint, going to the sheriff's office with the evidence, etc.) If you receive an internet inquiry from this or any other individual, use caution and let your fellow entertainers know about this situation so that nobody will fall victim to it. Most folks are trusting individuals and could easily fall prey to this scam if they are unfamiliar with it. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to speak with you personally at the phone number below or via e-mail. Regards, Tim Scarbrough Lyndel Productions P.O. Box 593215 Orlando, FL 32859 Phone: (863) 325-8588 web site: www.lyndel.net ---------------- 15. Dates For New Zealand Magicians To Remember ------------------ Friday 2nd September 2005 Chuck Hickok's Lecture - Auckland Time: 7.30pm Sunday 23 October 2005 Kiwi Magic Day Venue: Dolphin Theatre, Onehunga Auckland Registration form - go to: www.watson.co.nz/magic.html 20-23 October 2006 28th International New Zealand Convention of Magicians Palmerston North Convention website - go to: www.joel.co.nz/convention.htm ----------------- 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 50 Dr. Robert (Tex) "The Great" MORTON And Orchanté Before I relate my experiences with 'Tex', here are a few more facts about this fascinating man. Robert Morton was best known overseas (apart from Australia), as the 'Great Morton'; - one of the greatest attractions ever to tour the World's legitimate Theatres, including Carnegie Hall, New York. Throughout the Universities of Canada and the U.S., he was well known as a learned research worker, and lecturer in the field of psychosomatic and Hypnotic Therapy. Because of his lifetime hobby of collecting Folk songs, he is still fondly remembered by older New Zealanders and Australians, under his nickname 'Tex', entertainer extraordinaire. Since 1934, he was an Entrepreneur and Producer/Promoter of some of the most successful radio and stage productions Australasia has ever seen. In the middle/late thirties, no stage Hypnotist was complete without a beard - Tex was no exception. At one stage, he shaved his off, but when he later did a return tour to French Canada, he was obliged to grow it again, as the Canadians stubbornly refused to believe he was the original 'Le Grande Morton - Hypnotiseur'! The late Walter Braemer of Auckland, New Zealand, was one of his early tutors who, in later years, claimed to have also taught other well-known hypnotists of the time, Franquin, 'Van Loewe'and 'Dormia' (she was billed as 'The World's First Lady Hypnotist'). Franquin denies, however, ever having taken any lessons from 'the Old Master'. PHEW! And there's more! The 'TEX MORTON SHOW' with Orchanté - Opening Night - Mon.13th November 1967, Kaitaia, 8.30 p.m. The show consisted of, first half, Tex singing, reciting monologues, sharp shooting, and his Memory act, interspersed with my Yoga, and Magic acts. The second half was all Hypnotism! Tex liked a drink. Always, backstage, was a bottle of whisky, from which he would imbibe when I was on stage. How did I know that? Well, the very first night, he caught me right off guard - knowing that I was also a Hypnotist in my own right; he took full advantage of that fact. Having got his volunteers on stage - performed his various 'tests', 'popped them off', and got his show going, he then, out of the blue, stops and announces to the audience that 'The Great Orchanté, whom they saw performing his marvellous feats in the first half, was also a Hypnotist! Would they please welcome back, on stage, the aforementioned Great.?' I nearly fell over! In a mad scramble, I threw on the suit I used for my Magic act, and nonchalantly strolled on stage, as if this was the 'norm'. Tex shook my hand, leaned into my ear, and whispered 'Good on ya, Mate - I'm off for a drink.' He then tells his subjects 'From now on, you will obey any and all instructions from the Great Orchanté, until he tells you different'. Then he left the stage. I carried on, using segments from my own Hypnotic show. After he had 'Wet His Whistle', he waved to me from the wings. I then told his subjects that Tex was again in control, welcomed him back on stage, and the Great Tex Morton finished off the show in style, with standing ovations, as befits a world famous entertainer. I'll wager that was the first, (and probably the last), Two-Man Hypnotism show in history. In an old newspaper dated 1967, I dug out from my bottomless aluminium trunk, there is an advert in the Entertainment pages. On the left hand side of the Advert, it shows a block of the smiling Tex, wearing his famous hat, and is headed 'TEX MORTON plus THE GREAT ORCHANTÉ - RETURN VISIT TONIGHT - TONIGHT - FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17TH, AT 8.30 PM, WHANGAREI TOWN HALL - ONE NIGHT ONLY! BOX PLANS COMPLETELY SOLD OUT - AGAIN! There are a few door sales left - these will be on sale from 7.30 pm. SATURDAY 18TH - DARGAVILLE' Tex's shows ALWAYS packed out! Page 53 Prelude In case you are wondering, why page headings read "Tex Morton plus The 'Great' Orchanté, and not The 'Amazing' Orchanté, which has been my stage name since the sixties, Tex billed me as 'The Great' in his advertising, so for the sake of completeness, I've kept it the same. Tex's first recordings were made in New Zealand in 1932 when he was 16 years old. They were aluminium and were played with a thorn/bamboo needle. They were the forerunners of the half dozen wax recordings of 78s he made in Australia, 3 or 4 years later, at the old Homebush studios in Sydney. Tex, being a great storyteller, delighted in telling me the story of his life, as we travelled from town to town. Here is one of the dozens of tales he related to me - I just wish there had been such a thing as a battery cassette recorder, but they hadn't yet been invented, at that time. Quote: "I made my first records for a flat fee, around Ł10 or something like that, but that didn't make any difference, I'm a big recording star one day, and a couple of weeks later, if you looked real hard around the back alleys of Kings Cross, you would have found me Street singing, and passing the hat around. I can always remember making a trip home to New Zealand to see my parents. I'd made these records and forgotten all about them, had my picture on a couple of issues of Sheet music at the time, and that was about as far as I thought I would ever get. So, when I got near to Nelson, my hometown, I found that I was once again broke, so I pulled out the old guitar and went Street singing again. I was singing in this town, New Plymouth, or whatever it was, and I'm working my way along the main street, and going into the shops, as was the custom in those days - asking "anything for the street singer" - and I found myself outside this music shop. While I'm singing, I looked in the window, and there was a huge cut-out figure of some bloke in a country and western shirt, cowboy hat on, with his guitar, his mouth wide open, showing his tonsils; and I looked at him, and I thought 'he's a lucky bloke - he's a big recording star'. And in six-inch letters across the bottom, it said TEX MORTON - THE YODELLING BOUNDARY RIDER - AUSTRALIA'S LATEST SINGING SENSATION. And here I was, singing outside the record shop, passing the hat around, trying to get my fare down to Nelson." Unquote. After the Tex Morton tour had finished, and I'm back home, in Auckland City, Tex gives me a call asking if I'd meet up with him in this little pub in Vulcan Lane, which just happened to be the favourite watering hole for all the newspaper reporters etc. So I turn up, and there's Tex, wearing his famous hat, holding the place entranced with his humorous tales. The place was in a total uproar of laughter. Tex introduces me to the crowd, and gets me started on my Close up magic (which didn't take much prompting, really). Also present was a very famous New Zealand writer/raconteur, BARRY CRUMP! He wrote the books "Bastards I Have Met", with the sequel "More Bastards I Have Met". Apart from Barry telling funny stories, his main party piece for that afternoon, was the telling of the Complete, Unabridged, utterly filthy, 'Ballad of Eskimo Nell and Deadeye Dick'. It must have gone on for at least half an hour, all totally from memory. It was one of the funniest, most hilarious and entertaining afternoon I have ever had in my life! Jump now to 1983 - Veronica and I are living in Sydney, Australia (since 1976). It's July, and we, as are thousands of others, are watching a new series that has just started on T.V., called 'Goodbye Paradise', in which Tex Morton has a major part, playing a crooked politician. I have a cutting from the 'Sunday Telegraph', dated July 24th 1983. It is headed: "TEX MORTON DIES AT 67. COUNTRY MUSIC KING RULED FOR 50 YEARS. One of Australia's greatest showmen, Tex Morton, died yesterday in Sydney's Royal North Shore hospital. He was admitted last Monday suffering from pneumonia and pleurisy and lapsed into a coma soon after. Hospital officials confirmed his death shortly after 3pm yesterday. ---------------- 17. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives ------------------ Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/fezine.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 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) ------------------- 18. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice ------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html. Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday. The opinions expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson 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 they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed therein. Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted. Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e-zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 2005 Alan Watson