* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #412 Date: Sunday 21st May 2006 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. Nicholas Night And Kinga Have Retired From Magic 3. Bob White Seminar 4. Luna Shemada Podcast Interview 5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians #11 - Nick Lewin 6. PLEASE Help Me Win A Bet! 7. Visit To Beijing China May 10-14th 2006 8. Working On Cruise Ships - The Inside Scoop 9. Columbia Stories Continued 10. Eugene Berger Lecture / May 22 11. George Sands - Final Farewell 12. Trying To Trace The History Of Troublewit 13. A Reply To Nick Lewins, Young Sparky Meets Mr. Electric. 14. LVMI Close-up Convention Update 15. Magician Couple, Tim & Jennifer Kole Awarded RM8.75m 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga 17. e-zine Archives 18. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Ron Wilson has just retired as the Entertainment Director in the Magic Castle. He has agreed to stay onboard as Senior Entertainment Consultant to oversee the booking operation, which will now be done by three members on an interim basis until a new permanent Entertainment Director can be located. These are: Dale Salwak booking the Palace and the Lecturers John Lovick (Handsome Jack) and Todd Karr booking the Close-up Gallery, the Parlour and the W.C. Fields Bar. --------------------- Steve Walker sent in the following link on Billy McComb http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-2185140,00.html April 22, 1922 - April 30, 2006 Influential entertainer and world-class magician BILLY McCOMB was one of the world's top cabaret magicians, a brilliant, inventive performer who was known for his stylish presentation and off-beat comedy patter...... ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Nicholas Night And Kinga Have Retired From Magic -------------------------------------------- Message from Mike Caveney (US) During a recent visit with our good friends Nicholas Night and Kinga we were surprised to learn that they have retired from the world of magic. Nick has turned all of his energies toward a number of TV and film projects and can no longer afford to spend time away from Los Angeles. The result of this change in direction is that their world famous act is now for sale. This includes all the props and performing rights to their Spray Paint Production, Gold Fish Painting routine, Compressionism (crushing illusion), original Shadow Box, Spirit Painting & De Kolta Chair routine and the now famous creation of Garbage Guy. I know that it's not inexpensive but this act has a glowing reputation throughout Europe and the Far East and is a ready-made career for the right couple. Interested parties can reach Nick at nn@nicholasnight.com. Mike Caveney mcmagicwords.com -------------------------------------------- 3. Bob White Seminar -------------------------------------------- Message from Eric DeCamps (US) It is with great pleasure that I am announcing that after two years of cajoling on my part, legendary Texas magician Bob White has agreed to do another seminar for us in the North East. His last seminar in Stamford, CT in 2004 was not only a critical success and a sell-out; upon reflection those who attended felt that it was one of the most thought provoking and inspirational magic experiences in their lives. This time Mr. White will be imparting his philosophy and views on the art of magic at an all day seminar in the Big Apple! Bob White has been performing magic for over fifty years and has befriended and learned from the greatest magicians of his day including Charlie Miller and Dai Vernon. He has fashioned a system for presenting the fundamentals of sleight of hand that strictly adhere to the principles of uniformity of action. His methods make these principles more natural and deceptive to any audience and can be easily learned by any serious student of magic. The seminar will be divided into three sections: An overview of Bob White's system of managing sleights and techniques in a natural uniform manner; performance and explanations of the effects in the notes. Discussion and questions on material covered and other subjects Mr. White may be of help. In order to answer questions and provide hands on help to those present, Mr. White is limiting the seminar to fifty people. The price of the seminar is one hundred dollars per person. In addition, attendees will receive an outline of the seminar, a copy of his updated notes, "It's a Matter of  Style", a supplement to the notes with unpublished tricks and techniques and notable excerpts from Expert at the Card Table. Date and location: June 3, 2006 10:00am to 4:00pm Graduate Center The City University of New York 365 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10016-4309 (Between 34th & 35th Streets) For reservations and details please contact: Eric DeCamps: jonramsay@aol.com Thomas Gaudette: tagaudette@snet.net -------------------------------------------- 4. Luna Shemada Podcast Interview -------------------------------------------- Message from Maria Ibáñez Society of American Magicians First National Vice President Great news!!! Luna Shemada is not just a terrific performer or a creative magical force, she is also a featured performer at this year's S.A.M. National Convention AND she is also one of the panel members on the Magic With a Femenine Touch Special Session at the convention. Luna is also the latest person to be interviewed for what has now become a weekly happening at the S.A.M., the podcasts. Her interview is now up and available in one of two ways -- copy and paste this link in your browser http://samconvention.blogspot.com, or if you own an iPod, visit http://samconvention.audioblog.com/rss/new.xml. Listen in as Luna traces her expressions of magic through the DNA of her legendary father (Shimada), to world-wide stage experience, study of allied arts, and her own sense of drama. Young magicians will hear encouraging words from Luna as well! Luna will be featured on the innovative "All Gal Gala" stage show at the Whitney Hall Theatre on Friday, July 14, at the S.A.M. Convention in Louisville. -------------------------------------------- 5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 11 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) The Man With The Snake. My earliest mentor in magic was an elderly man with the slightly sinister name of Roy Cowl. Roy was the kind of person that when you first met him you said, "Wow, he's one of a kind!" However after spending more time among magicians I realize that people like Roy are not 'one of a kind', in fact they are rather well represented in the magic world. Roy was heavy set, extremely bald and inevitably dressed in black. He kept a 10-foot python in a glass tank in his living room. I referred to the snake as Monty but Roy never got the joke. I first met Roy at a meeting of the Sussex Magic Circle where he was a member, although it was rumored that he had long since stopped paying any dues. Roy was something of a rogue member in our group and was allowed the luxury of doing pretty much whatever he wanted. This seemed to suit Roy just fine. I had won the junior performers award three years running. Not quite as impressive as it sounds since there were only two junior members in the club. My parents kept those silver plated cups I won on display throughout their lives. No success I achieved in America seemed quite as real to them as those cups because they had seen me win them. After my second win Roy decided to take me under his wing. Nobody in the club ever actually said anything bad about Roy but there was a certain undercurrent of disapproval. Being under Roy's wing didn't amount to much more than spending the occasional evening in his rather dismal flat in Brighton; hoping to God the python hadn't escaped from its glass tank. Roy gave me advice, told me stories and sold me a few tricks he thought would improve my act. Even at my tender age I was aware these were probably tricks that Roy wanted to unload from his own repertoire. One of these props was a Lippencott box, which, according to Roy, was going to be the key to my success as a magician. This small wooden box allows a magician to make predictions about future events by combining snappy carpentry and minimal sleight of hand. I decided to debut this trick at the Mid-Sussex Fair by predicting the headline of our local newspaper two weeks in advance. The box was signed, sealed and placed on display in the window of 'Beaumont's Menswear' on the High Street. The box was to remain there until the Fair's opening ceremony. This left me feeling sick with panic over the upcoming sleight of hand, which seemed less and less minimal as the days progressed. What followed proved to me that timing means everything and luck can be both good and bad simultaneously. My prediction created a sensation. The day before the prediction was to be revealed, Brian Epstein, the Beatles manager was found dead. Suicide or natural causes, no one knew for sure and the media went into overdrive at this unexpected event. Rather cunningly my prediction stated that one of the Beatles or someone close to them would die. It is always more convincing to be a little vague rather than too accurate. I received a great deal of press for my stunt and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I learned a valuable lesson that day. If events work in your favor, then the sky is the limit and if they don't, nothing much really amounts to anything. If the headlines that day had read 'New tax increases' my moment in the sun would have been a lot less bright. The hidden lesson was about time shifting. By setting up my stunt two weeks in advance I was able to reap the dubious benefits of psychic powers. Although I didn't know it at the time I had chanced upon the 'One Ahead Principle' in its most primitive form and to this day I firmly believe that the one ahead principle is too powerful a concept to separate from daily life and reserve for mentalism. I like to refer to it as Thinking Around Corners. Send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------- 6. PLEASE Help Me Win A Bet! -------------------------------------------- Message from Maria Ibáñez Society of American Magicians First National Vice President Let me explain; John Apperson and I have a bet which each of us really wants to win and I need your help to do so. Jay and I will be flying to St. Louis on Tuesday, May 23 and will be at John and Virginia Apperson's home until the 27th. The bet? I bet John that I could get 30 people to register for the convention during the time that I am visiting with them and John says I can't but he can. The loser? The loser has to pay for an expensive dinner for the winner and the spouse. We're keeping a tally to see which one of us registers their 30 people the soonest. This goes a little further though, anyone who registers for the convention during the time frame of May 23-27th will have their registration packet marked so we know who they are, and I will include a special gift in the registration packet which they will receive when they check in at the convention in Louisville. Can't let the cat out of the bag on what the gift is but you will not be disappointed. Yes, if you are bringing your spouse and children, they will get one also if they are registering with you. So, PLEASE, will you help me beat John Apperson on this bet? Call me directly on my cell 786-258-8762 and I will register you instead of calling John and Virginia at 618-451-9749 and letting them register you or going on the web at www.magicsam.com and registering on line. Lets you and I work as a team to beat John at the bet!!!! Talk to you soon and I'll let you know what John buys us for dinner - personally, I'm holding out for Maine Lobster, claws and all. -------------------------------------------- 6. Visit To Beijing China May 10-14th 2006 -------------------------------------------- Message from Tony Wilson (NZ) Mary and I have just returned from a fantastic five day visit to this wonderful city, host to the 2008 Olympic Games. We were invited earlier this year (with eighteen other magicians) to visit Beijing by Lin Jian, FISM Delegate for the China Magic Art Society. Lin and his staff made sure we were well looked after (in all respects) while we visited the planned venue for the FISM 2009 World Championships of Magic and nearby hotels that will be able to provide a high standard of accommodation at reasonable rates for 2500 plus magicians who would be expected to attend if Beijing is successful in their bid in Stockholm this coming August. Eric Eswin, Secretary General of FISM and Lin Jian involved us all in a joint briefing regarding the current planning for Beijing to host the 2009 Congress. The range of social activities included a welcome dinner as well as a farewell dinner, numerous sightseeing tours, cultural performances and shopping expeditions all facilitated by five charming interpreters who went out of their way to make our five nights in Beijing such a memorable "magic" occasion. The invitation that we all accepted was for all of the invitees to physically experience what Beijing can offer to host a successful FISM Congress. The organisers wanted us all to make a decision on the basis of personal experience instead of hearsay or on the basis of biased opinion. From our own experience I am well aware that all of the invitees now have a far better knowledge of what Beijing can offer in 2009 as a suitable venue if they are successful in their bid at Stockholm this year. Thank you Lin Jian for the opportunity to experience first hand your amazing city and for your wonderful hospitality. -------------------------------------------- 8. Working On Cruise Ships - The Inside Scoop -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Romhany (NZ) Just returned home for a week before flying out again. The response from my posting in the e-zine about being held up in Columbia triggered some personal emails from other cruise ship entertainers who also experienced similar stories!! After getting endless emails from magicians all over the world about how to get on cruise ships I am pleased to finally announce the book I have been working on for 2 years is now ready and it comes complete with a DVD. It is a 240 page book of information about EVERYTHING you will need to get in to the cruise ship market including current contacts, how to put a video together, what to expect, types of ships, audiences etc. PLUS bonus effects and routines from myself and a few professional magicians who are working on ships!! PLUS a DVD with some insights in to what to expect on a cruise ship. This really is the ultimate package and it's selling for ONLY $79.95!! ANYBODY who has ever thought about wanting to work on a cruise ship cannot miss this opportunity. The reviews coming in are excellent and I am very pleased with the final product. If anybody is interested in this then please either email me or check out the website I have set up at www.magicmasterclass.com or paul@chaplinmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 9. Columbia Stories Continued -------------------------------------------- Message from Duck Cameron (Aust) The scary story told last week by Paul about having a gun at his head reminded me of when I was in Columbia many years ago on a cruise with Tom Ogden and I walked into a small shop to buy a coke. Looking up at the fridge behind the counter (containing Pepsi) I pointed and asked for a Coke. The owner of this small Milk Bar (convenience store) then shuffled out the back and returned some moments later with a beautiful leather scroll which he proceeded to unroll.....revealing many small and different grades of cocaine! In my amazement I stammered on about how I wanted Cola.....and he said sorry, as he only had Pepsi in the store and on display, so presumed I wanted the other type of Coke! -------------------------------------------- 10. Eugene Berger Lecture / May 22 -------------------------------------------- Message from Jeff Brandon forwarded on by Sam Martin (US) Monday, May 22, 2006 7:00 P.M. Conjuror's Corner Magic Club Four Seasons Golf Center 1350 Lake Street Roselle, Il He's amazed and delighted audiences from Las Vegas to Tokyo. As Stagebill magazine proclaimed, Eugene Burger is "universally recognized as perhaps the finest close-up magician in the world." "Close-up magic" is just that: magic performed right under your nose, where everyone becomes part of the show. And with Eugene Burger it is an unforgettable experience, for as the Chicago Reader noted in an unprecedented eleven-page cover story about him, "Burger adds something extra." His warmth and humor are captivating and his magic is simply amazing. By definition, magicians are pretty special people, but Eugene Burger is considered exceptional even by other magicians. He has written fifteen best-selling books for the trade, starred in eight instructional videos, lectured extensively to magicians' groups in over a dozen countries, and his writings have been translated into several languages. His deep understanding of the psychology and philosophy behind the magic have won him international accolades, cover stories in conjuring magazines, and four awards from the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood. But as much as he loves discussing magic with fellow performers, Eugene's true passion is bringing mystery and enchantment to the public and at this he is unparalleled. His special presence has led to numerous television appearances in Great Britain, Canada, Belgium, Finland and Japan and on such highly acclaimed shows as The Art of Magic on PBS and Mysteries of Magic on The Learning Channel. He's been profiled twice on CNN. During the past several years, Eugene has been a featured speaker for top executives of such major companies as Coca-Cola, Williams-Sonoma, Unisys and Pottery Barn, as well as top business schools including Wharton, and the graduate schools of business at the Universities of Chicago and Maryland. His talk, "How Magicians Think," applies his special understanding of deception and perception to the corporate world. When the leading international trade journal Magic magazine compiled its list of the one hundred most influential magicians of the twentieth century, Eugene Burger was included for his ability to "arouse feelings of astonishment, as well as a host of other indescribable sensations." Find out why this engaging entertainer is in constant demand for private parties, corporate functions and special events. Discover for yourself what the Chicago Tribune hailed as the "delightful excitement" that is uniquely Eugene Burger. Members are free and guests are $15.00 at the door. -------------------------------------------- 11. George Sands - Final Farewell -------------------------------------------- Message from Jay Alexander Born - February 27, 1920, New London, CT. Passed - May 16, 2006, 9:15 A.M. 2001 Wesley Ave #109 Janesville WI 53545-2680 Another great creative master of magic has left us, and so we say our final farewells to George "Sandsational" Sands. George began practicing magic at the age of 17 and was an active member of NY City's fraternity before he entered World War II. Most noted for developing the classic, SandSational Ropes and RopeSational routines. These signature routines have been performed by thousands of magicians including many of the luminaries in the magic world including David Copperfield and Dick Cavett who performed it on the Johnny Carson Show. In his early years, George worked for Tannen's, Al Flosso and Morris Fox (Royal Magic). He was the most used entertainer by Grossinger's Hotel in the Catskills ('78 & '79) He was a prolific writer of 17 booklets explaining his amazing collection of original effects and George was the first person to publish a book on balloon sculpture that was more than an 8-page pamphlet, The Encyclopedic Balloon Modeling Courses, Volumes 1 & 2 ('72 & '73) George had two primary loves in his life. He was a magician and a master chess player. However, his diverse interests also included puppetry, balloon art, mathematics, writing, illustrating, story telling, and comedy. He was a scoutmaster, and was well aware he was an absent-minded professor. He was the father of six children, a grandfather, and a husband to Arlene Sands for the last 26 years. George was a non-stop creator and a true magical renaissance man. George loved to participate in anything. He was a doer, developing everything from children's routines, dozens of balloon sculptures to original mentalist routines. He did hypnosis and card cheating exposes. He was a practical joker and a lover of life. George loved people. Many of his greatest qualities included the fact he was race and ethnically blind. He treated all people - the wealthy and the less fortunate, white and black - equally. George loved to give and give. His son quotes him as saying, "Let me teach you everything I know so you'll get the hell out of my price bracket" and anyone that saw his magic lectures in the 70's, 80's and 90's would see him go for four to five hours. George Sands developed multiple acts, complete routines, original moves - both complex and simple. George Sands was well recognized by his generation but like many great artists, George may be most appreciated now after he has passed. A memorial service will be held in Janesville, WI at the home of Arlene Sands on Sunday, May 21st from 2:00-4:00 PM. Magicians and friends are welcome to attend. For more information email George's son, Alan Sands at alan@alansands.com. If you can't attend the memorial, but have stories and memories you'd like to share, please forward your emails to Alan. Cards can be mailed to his wife Arlene Sands in Janesville, WI. -------------------------------------------- 12. Trying To Trace The History Of Troublewit -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Biddle Along with David Lister, the historian of the British Origami Society (first president being Robert Harbin), I am trying to trace the history of Troublewit. I have discovered it first (possible) appearance in Sports and Pastimes, published in 1676. The performances of Trewey, Devant, Stanyon and Jay Marshall. During my research the name of Pere Mathieu, a priest who brought the fold back from China at the beginning of the 18th century, keeps on popping up. But I can not discover anything on him further. Hence any help, leads or other information that readers of your e-magazine might have on Pere Mathieu and Troublewit would be most welcome. Yours truly, Steve Biddle www.paper-magic.net -------------------------------------------- 13. A Reply To Nick Lewins Young Sparky Meets Mr. Electric. -------------------------------------------- Message from Sandy Singer Nick -- your dilemma reminds me of the night Senator Crandall filled the Magic Castle's Close-Up Gallery with a group of non-English speaking Chinese folks. The good Senator was known for these type pranks. He knew my opening bit involved a giant fortune cookie, and stayed to see the 'fun'. All went well, though -- I had the last laugh! www.SandySinger.com -------------------------------------------- 14. LVMI Close-up Convention Update -------------------------------------------- Message from Danny Archer (US) For our 6th convention we are thrilled that joining us as our Guest of Honor will be the one and only J.C. Wagner . J.C. will also be lecturing and performing at the convention, and I suspect that a lot of people will be looking forward to seeing some of his classic effects, along with some of his killer new material. Joining J.C. will be a world class group of magicians that will provide you with all the close-up and cabaret magic you can handle. Lee Asher - Lee is one of the undisputed best card men. His sleight of hand with cards is sheer poetry and hangin' and jammin' with Lee is always a convention highlight. Mark Mason - Mark hails from England, and his combination of clever patter and devastating sleight of hand will make many people sit up and take notice. Bob Sheets - What can you say about Bob that hasn't been said before? A zany performing character and the ability to select and do great magic makes him a perennial favorite. The J Team - A 2 man lecture starring John Born and Jason Dean . this dynamic duo will be featuring some of their cutting edge brand of close-up magic with cards and coins. John Carney - The only magician ever to be named Magician of the Year by the Magic Castle in every possible category; Close-Up, Parlor, Stage and Lecture. A true modern master. Rick Maue - A great lecture by a fantastic thinker and performer, discussing how mentalism can be effectively used by magicians and close-up performers. Plus more great surprises and great guest performers!!! 2005 was our first convention at the Palace Station and the new home of the LVMI was a perfect fit. The hotel rooms are reasonably priced ($41 a night and up) and the hotel features an array of restaurants from fast food to fine dining choices. One of the things that makes this convention so special, is what I call the Las Vegas factor. You never know who you will bump into at the LVMI. Vegas is where many of the stars of magic live, work and play; and most of them drop in sometime during the three days, and we are always happy to see them. Here are a few of the great people who have been at the LVMI in the past; Penn & Teller, Bob Kohler, Gregory Wilson, Allan Ackerman, Doug Brewer, Dan and Dave Buck, Eugene Burger, Joey Burton, Michael Close, Gary Darwin, Daryl, Dean Dill, Steve Fearson, Aaron Fisher, Bob Fitch, Michael Forbes, Bill Goodwin, Paul Harris, Brad Henderson, Scott Hitchcock, John Kennedy, Chris Kenner, Mac King, Roger Klause, Bob Kohler, Nathan Kranzo, Chris Korn, Homer Liwag, Martin Nash, Doug Malloy, Jeff McBride, Eric Mead, John Moehring, Gary Norsigian, Shoot Ogawa, Chris Randall, Apollo Robbins, Peter Studebaker, Howie Schwartzman, Garrett Thomas, Torkova, Steve Bedwell, Dan Watkins, Stan Allen, Thomas Wayne, Paul Wilson, Frank Zak, Rick Wilcox (my apologies if I left off your name). Even though the LVMI is a close-up convention, we use five large screen monitors and two video cameras along with a video switcher, so you can see all the action all the time. We also have several jam shows, where the attendees (and usually some special guest magic celebrities) are invited to perform and show their stuff. That's what the "I" stands for in LVMI. The LVMI convention has always featured panel discussion. This year we have a great topic Magic and the Internet and Lee Asher has rounded up a panel of experts that is second to none. We also feature a well-stocked dealer's room with all the latest and greatest magic effects, books and DVD's you could ever want. Tom Jorgenson will be on hand offering drawing of magicians hands and Magic Broadcast will be broadcasting live interviews and commentary on the internet for all three days! Usually we add in a surprise event or guest (at this year's 2005 convention, the surprise was a 3 man teach-in by Rune Klan, Gregory Wilson and Joshua Jay), so you never know what to expect. For more info please check our web site lvmi.net Peace, Danny Archer For info on the upcoming LVMI close-up convention (June 11th-13th) and the 1 day coin convention CoinCon 2006 June 14th please visit LVMI Danny Archer Magic 1911 Yosemite Street Denver, CO 80220-2254 303-321-6267 www.dannyarcher.com -------------------------------------------- 15. Magician Couple, Tim & Jennifer Kole Awarded RM8.75m -------------------------------------------- Message from Barry Khoo Magician couple awarded RM8.75m By Simon Khoo KUANTAN: Magic may not change their future. But a Sessions Court award of RM8.75mil will help a magician couple from the United States make up for lost earnings. In one of the highest court awards for an accident claim in the country, Tim Joel Gurtler and Jennifer Lynn Gurtler will receive the amount for injuries that resulted from a road accident here eight years ago. The couple were on their way to Kuala Lumpur on Aug 28, 1998, when a lorry rammed into their taxi at the 16th kilometre of the Karak Highway. The Gurtlers, who performed as "Kole and Lynn," were once rated as "one of 10 world-class acts" before the accident cut short their promising career. Judge Sarimah Hashim, in her judgment yesterday, said the award was for loss of earnings, reduction in future earnings and injuries suffered by the couple. "The court finds the defendants 100% liable for the accident. "Therefore, the court is awarding the said sum, excluding interest and cost, to the plaintiffs," she said yesterday. The Gurtlers, who filed the suit in the Raub Sessions Court in 2001, had sought compensation from lorry driver Saing Lammisi, the first defendant, and Econolines (M) Sdn Bhd, the firm he was working for. The court, however, absolved the third party, taxi driver Lee Ah Kiw of Genting Highlands Taxi Services Sdn Bhd, of any liability. Due to limb injuries, Tim and Jennifer could no longer perform their  "robust" stunts, such as riding a motorcycle off a ramp. They had previously performed all over the world, including at the prestigious Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas. Renowned magician David Copperfield had reportedly described them as unique talents dedicated to "upholding the best traditions of the magical society." Met outside the courtroom, Tim described the award as "just" and expressed relief that the case was finally over. "I can now get on with my life although the award is not enough to compensate for the pain and sufferings my wife and I went through. "We were at the peak of our career then and the accident has left a major scar on our lives," Tim told The Star. "It's about time we reconstruct our lives, which will never be the same again," he said, adding that he returned to Malaysia six times just to check on the progress of the case. Jennifer, he said, could no longer perform alongside him and he was now presenting simple solo acts around the world to make a living. "Jennifer had been a dancer since the age of seven and was a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dance, London," he added. Prior to the incident, Tim said, they had signed a year-long contract with a popular hill resort in Pahang with a salary of US$7,500 (RM27,000) a week. S.G. Lingam and Lui Soon Oon appeared for the Gurtlers, while the defendants were represented by Reuben Netto. Ooi Aik Lim acted for the third parties. ----------------- 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 101 Goodbye Timaru -Home - the N.Z. hotel circuit - Adventures Without going into a whole swathe of details, Eddie Brooks and Galaxy Enterprises went 'BUST'! So Veronica and I packed up our Super Snipe, and the colour matched, sign written lock-up trailer we towed behind it, which some 'Wit' knick-named - 'The Queen Mary'- because at night, with all the running lights on, it resembled a cruise liner sailing down the H/way; said goodbye to Timaru and the 'Haunted House', and headed for home. Although I call Whakatane - a town on the East Coast of the North Island, in the Bay of Plenty, 'Home', I was actually born in Auckland city. When Veronica's parents left Scotland for New Zealand, (Veronica was only two and a half/three years old) they settled in Whakatane. My grandparents from my mother's side, came from the Te Teko -Edgecume area, which is only 13/20 miles from Whakatane, consequently when I met Veronica and eventually her parents, I felt very much at home, geographically as well as personally. After years of temporary planting 'grass roots' all over the place, we eventually settled in Whakatane - home base from which to carry on 'stampeding' around the country with our shows. It was a nice place to come home to - trout fishing in the lakes and rivers - from Whakatane to Rotorua (just one of the many sports for which New Zealand is internationally famous), deep sea fishing as well pig shooting and deer stalking in the bush, or just plain 'Chilling Out' at home. Moreover, there was the swimming/sunbathing on the pristine, glistening white sands of Ohope beach just over the hill. Then we emigrated, via Fiji, to Australia. Ooops, I've gotten way ahead of myself, that's a whole new book! Working the hotel circuit from one end of N.Z. to the other was fun; I met all sorts of interesting people, like the two helicopter pilots at the 'Haast Pass' motor hotel one night. The Haast Pass is on the West coast of the South Island, 370km (230mls) H/way 6, south of Greymouth or, around five hours driving NW on State H/way 6a/ 6 - unsealed, from Queenstown. How do I know all this? Because I travelled those roads so often, I could have done a GENUINE 'Blind Fold Drive', backwards, with my eyes shut! Sounds Irish! We spent a lot of time in Ireland - it rubs off. Where was I, oh yes - the helicopter pilots. I met them at the bar after the show, during my usual close-up magic session - while having a few drinks with the local 'natives'. Nobody ever accused me of being a snob. They were deer culling around the area and invited me to spend the following day with them, warning me that it most definitely was not the usual - 'Tourists Scenic Sightseeing' scenario. These guys were today's modern-day version of the 'Old Wild West' cowboys - the helicopter was, metaphorically speaking, their horse! The whole sky was their 'riding range' and they could throw that tiny 'bird' around with total, 'apparent' abandonment, in reality, it was absolute, controlled precision, you were left gasping at their amazing 'daredevil' flying skills and the sheer excitement of it all! To them, it was 'just part of the job'. Both doors had been removed from the helicopter to facilitate shooting their rifles, and they took turns flying while the other shot the deer. It got rather 'hairy' at times when the pilot had to hover on alpine slopes while the other jumped off to secure the deer by a length of rope underneath the helicopter. They would pick up three at a time - which was all the mosquito sized helicopter could handle, fly back to base camp to drop them off then straight back out again. Talking about mosquitoes, the ones down the West coast have their own landing strips - there're the biggest buggers I have ever seen, not to mention the sand flies! When the day's business was over (some business) I said, "What the hell do you guys do for fun?" They laughed and one of them said, "Come on", leaping into the helicopter, "I'll show you". Flying over dense natural forest, he suddenly dropped down below the treetops; the next second we were racing flat out along a river, inches above the water. Straight ahead a wall of green was rushing up towards us - I'm thinking, 'my God, can't he see that where're about to crash' then, at what seemed to me to be the last moment, he threw the 'chopper' into a steep turn, whipping around a bend in the river! He did this several times, following the natural curves of the river - okay, he's done this god knows how many times before, for kicks, I hadn't, and I was now sitting a little higher in my seat - just as well the doors weren't fitted! Page 102 Now he starts to climb out of the river, skimming across the tops of the impenetrable forest of the 'Mount Aspiring' National Park. 'Mount Alba' looms up ahead of us and he starts climbing up through the canyon like valleys, over snow covered slopes and ridges, diving straight down into rugged passes; black, solid rock only feet away on either side. Ducking, swerving, diving, and climbing up towards the peak, which is 2355 metres - damn near 8,000 ft above sea level; and it was freezing! When these guys told me that what they did was - 'NOT FOR SIGHT SEEING TOURISTS', they weren't kidding! The Theme/Leisure Park Ride has yet to be invented, and never will be, that could even come close to what these young New Zealand pilots called, for sheer exhilarating thrills, - FUN!!! Did you know that most, if not all of the WACKIEST fun games/sports that have hit the world - stage, originated from the inventive minds of New Zealanders! To name just a few -'Bungee Jumping', 'Bar Fly', where you wear a Velcro 'Suit' and run the full pelt at a large board, that is also covered in Velcro, and take a 'flying' leap at it so that you stick to it! I remember this particular one was all the rage at various universities in the U.K. we performed at. The controversial 'Dwarf Throwing', was another one. And people think I'm mad! Well, I AM A 'KIWI'! -------------------------------------------- 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/fezine.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 2006 Alan Watson