* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine
* www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #103
Date: Sunday 6th January 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. Partial List Of Acts - S.A.M. Centennial Convention
3. Bernard Reid - Grand Master of Magic
4. Announcement for Close-up and Card Workers
5. The Magic Cafe
6. Delarno's Magic Shops
7. Hypnotised Lady Who Burst Out Of Her Dress
8. IN YOUR EAR!
9. Magic On TV2 - NZ
10. The Geniis Magical Society (Sydney, Australia)
11. A Reminder - Convention Photographs For Magicana
12. Lance Burton At Foxwood's, Trump's Taj Mahal From Feb.15-17
13. The Orchante Saga #57
14. MagicNZ e-zine archives
15. Subscription Management

------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
-------------------------------------
Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One

The 26th New Zealand International Magicians Convention was an
outstanding success.

The three major awards presented at the New Year Eve Banquet were:
The Grand Master Award presented to Bernard Reid - Refer item 3.

MagicNZ Lifetime Achievement Awards:
Peter and Philippa Evans
In recognition of a Lifetime Dedicated to Excellence in the Magical
Arts.

Ron and Eileen Mogridge
For Fostering and Inspiring the Magical Youth of New Zealand.

***The above received a standing ovation on accepting their well
deserved awards from their peers.***

An in-depth report on the Convention including photographs will be
featured in 'Magicana' magazine. If you would like to subscribe to
'Magicana' e-mail Michael Woolf, Editor 'Magicana' michaelw@ihug.co.nz

-------------------------------------
From Monday 8th to 13th January the Alan Watson Family Magic Show will
be on Centrestage at the Hunters Plaza Shopping Mall in Papatoetoe,
Auckland - showtimes 11.00am and 1.30pm.

-----------------------------------------------------
Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line:
AW@Alan-Watson.com

----------------------------------
2. Partial List Of Acts - S.A.M. Centennial Convention
----------------------------------
Message from George Schindler - S.A.M. Public Relations

The Society of American Magicians has released a partial list of acts
who will appear at their "Centennial" convention July 3-4-5-6.

Along with historical exhibits, close-up, lectures, contest and
souvenirs plus as few "surprises" the convention promises to be the
birthday party of the year.

Here is an alphabetical list of performers (many more to follow)

Ardan James
David & Dania
Eugene Burger
George Sateriale
Huthoch Drei
Jay Marshall
Junge Junge
Mac King
Mahka Tendo
Mathias Rausch
Max Maven
Mike Caveney
Puck
Richard Cohn
Shinbone Alley Stilt Band
Shintaro Fujiyama
Slapstick & Lipstick
Stuart MacDonald
Tabary
The Majestix
Tina Lenert
Todd Robbins
Vito Lupo

...and many more to come.

Close- up performers and other act will be announced.
Click on the Apple www.magicsam.com

----------------------------------
3. Bernard Reid - Grand Master of Magic
----------------------------------
Message from Stanley R Goudge (NZ)

Citation given by Stanley R Goudge
President of the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc
At the Presentation Ceremony at the
26th New Zealand Magician's Convention 2001
31 December 2001

Good evening ladies, gentlemen, and magicians all. I am Stan Goudge
President of the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians. The BAM is the
guardian of New Zealand's highest magical honour, the prestigious
Grand Master of Magic Award. It was first presented in 1969 to Edgar,
the Great Benyon, and subsequently to Jack Read, Jon and Janet
Zealando, Jim Reilly, Harold Chandler, Francis Newmarch, Peter and
Phillipa Evans, Tony Wilson, Graham Grant, and Barry Brook. That makes
10 awards in thirty-two years. Four of this elite company are with us
tonight. Please greet our Grand Masters; Jon Zealando, Peter and
Phillipa Evans, Tony Wilson and Barry Brook.

Tonight another name is to be added to that list. He joined the New
Zealand society of Magicians when he was fourteen, but has made his
name as a professional magician overseas. Now in his thirty sixth year
in Show Business, greet Bernard Reid: Grand Master of Magic.

Bernard you will be aware that this award is not made lightly. It
honours those magicians whom their peers acknowledge to be master of
the art and craft of magic. The first and most important criteria is
that they must be magical performers of a high standard. They may be
originators of magical effects, or administrators giving time and
expertise to running societies and conventions. They could be
consistent competition winners, or have an international reputation,
or be known only in New Zealand. But above all they are people who
have served magic well, have graced our art, and made a special
contribution over many years.

Bernard's interest in magic goes back many years. With Jon Zealando,
and Tony Wilson he joined the NZSM when they were all about 14 years
old, and were the young guns active in the local scene. He helped
write and edit the NZSM's Newsletter with the late Ross Hill, and
sharpened his skills at club meetings and conventions. In 1953 while
he was watching the grand illusions of 'Virgil" at His Majesty's
Theatre, Auckland, Bernard Reid resolved to become a Professional
Magician. Not for him the tyranny of the "kids shows" the bread and
butter for New Zealand magicians, Bernard had his eyes set on becoming
a professional world touring illusionist.

His first venture was a tour of the Pacific Islands, followed by a
couple of years on the Australian club circuit. In 1968 he was in
Vietnam entertaining the American Troops. "R and R" for the G.I.'s
(rest and recreation) was big business, so working out of Hong Kong
Bernard performed in Okinawa, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand,
Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia. In 1971-72 he tackled the
Eastern Mediterranean: Beirut, then Cyprus, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Egypt,
Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. By 1973 he was touring Europe, France,
Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands.

I would not have you think that it has all been easy pickings for
Bernard Reid in these years. Many times he was broke, and he has
learnt the hard way that the second part of "show business" is
"business". It was a school of hard knocks, and he was a quick
learner.

Devaluation of the Philippines peso; civil war in Beirut; Turks and
Cypriots fighting in Cyprus; they were certainly not good times to be
there Bernard. Exorbitant charges for airfreight of illusions; the
responsibility for the welfare and wages for assistants, dancers, and
back stage crew; restrictive contacts and grotty venues - Bernard Reid
has experienced it all.

Bad breaks, misfortune, bankruptcy, ill luck; but it has never
dampened his spirit or deflected him from his goal.

Some people are afraid of the "little green men", but not Bernard. It
was his friendship with "Johnny Green and the Green Men" that has been
most critical in his professional magic career. They first met up in
Vietnam, and Bernard was to tour with them in Europe in 1972 -73. With
Johnny Green he learnt how to regulate the cost of touring; the amount
of gear to carry; the financial side of the business; and above all
the development of the Pickpocketing Act that is Bernard Reid's
specialty. Then in 1974 he opened with "The Green Men" at the "Aladdin
Hotel" in Las Vegas, USA. This was the turning point of Bernard's
career and since 1974 he says he "has never looked back".

In the USA he began to work on Cruise Ships, and for the first four or
five years he was working 50% of the time in nightclubs ashore and 50%
at sea. Nowadays he works almost exclusively on cruise ships and has
become the master of magic afloat. The QE2, The Cunard Princess, and
the world's most luxurious floating palaces, have seen Bernard enterta
ined on them all. He travels light, and with only 100 lbs of luggage
he can give three one-hour shows. Entertaining on Cruise Ships is not
easy, as the passengers demand the very best. At the end of each
cruise the passengers rate each performer, and those with low scores
are never seen again. But Bernard gets rebooked, year after year.

Bernard, while we acknowledge the importance of the 'Green Men" in
your life, we ought also to acknowledge the contribution of your
Personal Manager, Ephram Abramson of Broadway, New York. He has kept
you in work all these years, and I reckon you have also kept his bank
manager happy.

While I have been emphasising Bernard Reid's International magic
career, we must not forget that he has also contributed much to the
New Zealand magical scene. His generous financial support has been
crucial for the survival of Magicana our New Zealand magical journal.
He has written many articles for it, and shared some of his favourite
effects with us. Portraits of magicians he has met on his travels
grace its pages. The last edition (December 2001) featured his 41st
"Portrait of International Magicians" in "A Day in the (Magical) Life
of Barcelona". Through the Bernard Reid Magical Arts Trust individuals
and especially Convention Committees have been assisted. We also have
the magnificent "Bernard Reid Comedy Magic Challenge Trophy which he
donated to be contested at each convention. One of his greatest
contributions has been his financing of top professional magicians who
have come to New Zealand to lecture and perform at our Conventions.
This has helped to raise our standards and to expose us to magical
excellence.

Bernard we salute you for who and what you are. A consummate
professional magician and entertainer, with an international
reputation second to none, yet proud to be a New Zealander, and
supportive and encouraging of magicians in your native land. We are
pleased that your family members are here tonight to share in this
occasion and to know that we hold you in such high esteem.

I now call upon Graham Bennett the Secretary of the Brotherhood of
Auckland Magicians to present the Grand Master of Magic Award. It is
simply inscribed.

Presented to Bernard Reid
by the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc
and the Magicians of New Zealand
31.12.2001

----------------------------------
4. Announcement for Close-up and Card Workers
----------------------------------
Message from Jon Racherbaumer (US)

This is more along the lines of a "heads up" announcement than an
advertisement. I'm inviting serious students of the pasteboards to
check out my Website, which is dedicated to magicians primarily
interested in close-up and card magic. During the past 14 months, this
Website has given me a timely, steady outlet to share tricks, essays,
opinions, and various underground articles that otherwise are unlikely
to see the "light of day" or be published in hardcover books. Part of
the allure of "insider magic" of course lies in its exclusivity and
relative secrecy. This is why my Website is password protected,
keeping casual, curious surfers and non-magicians out of the loop.
www.jonracherbaumer.com

If you are interested in checking out what my exclusive Website
offers, you can check out the Homepage and free trick section
(FREEBIE). If you want to investigate the in-depth sections, you can
try it out for a month's trial for only $5. If you find it
stimulating, useful, and worth your investment of time and money, you
are able to choose three levels of membership:

Month-to-Month $5.00
6-Month $20.00
12-Month $36.00 (Renewing 12-Month Members will thereafter be charged
$25 yearly)

Members signing on at the yearly rate also qualify for a 10% discount
of all books listed in our catalogue.

All members have access to the MEMBERS ONLY sections: ESSAYS, TRICKS,
and ARCHIVES. The ARCHIVES will store all previous tricks, essays, and
articles

The free zone permits visitors to check out the HOMEPAGE, UPDATES,
RE:VIEWS, and explains one FREEBIE trick.

We have decided to create a robust database composed of sleights and
subtleties (Prime Moves) as an abecedarian listing, along with
e-books, rare manuscripts, and other premium items for magicians
wishing to join as PREMIUM MEMBERS. Because of the value of this
membership, including a 15% discount on all books listed in the
Catalogue, the rates are higher.

PREMIUM MEMBERS ONLY RATES

6-Month $30.00
12-Month $50.00

Premium Members also get 2 free e-books and several manuscripts
yearly. Many of these manuscripts will NOT be sold as books or
booklets in other media.

To join contact:

Joncards@aol.com

You may also join on-line by indicating your preferred type of
membership, including the trial $5 rate, and then use the convenient
Pay Pal system.

If you prefer to use snail-mail, state your preferred type of
membership and send cash, a personal check, or a money order to:

JON RACHERBAUMER
P.O. BOX 741302
New Orleans, LA 70174-1302

This Website has been and will continue to be a vital nexus and
textual "hive" of shared ideas; a speedy way for us to mutually share
what we profess to love and value. Here is what is being posted next
month.

The ESSAY Section features a long piece called "Simultaneity, Turning
Up, Turns, And Twisting In the Wind" In recent years, given the
popularity and currency of the "Asher Twist," diligent students of
pasteboard lore have tried to sort out the various mechanics of count
or spread reversals, and there are many:

There is the so-called "Elmsley Count-Reversal," which Roy Walton
alludes to it in "Smokescreen," explained in Cardboard Charades and
reprinted in The Complete Walton - Volume One (1981), pp. 56-60. There
is another, similar move explained by Paul Harris in "Interlaced
Vanish" from Las Vegas Close-up (1978), which has been reprinted in
The Art of Astonishment - Volume One (1996), pp. 219-222. There is
also Ed Marlo's "Count Reverse" as explained The Linking Ring from
notes dated September 16, 1955. Let's not overlook Jay Sankey's
"Collect Me Not" from Sankey Pankey (1986), pp. 87-91, and Jay's
explanation of "The Revolution Count." David Williamson's "Interlaced
Swindle" in Williamson's Wonders (1989), p. 58, adds more stuff to the
mix. And for the record, "The Asher Twist" was initially explained in
Gary Ouellet's The Pass (1994), p. 109-115.

If you analyze the mechanics of Asher's secret reversal (which makes
his version of "Twisting the Aces" sing and zing), it is definitely
ancestrally linked to pre-existing reversal mechanics. A card is
secretly reversed as the cards are spread.

Considering the references, dates, and persons, you will want to study
this excursus. At its conclusion, it draws six conclusions.

The RE:VIEWS section features a short essay called "Tracker's Travail:
Seeking Roots of the Roll-up Move." The technique here is the one used
in small ball routines. In fact, David Roth uses it in his three-ball
routine. Several years ago, a short-lived controversy ruffled a few
feathers. The primary crediting issue that was the basis of this flap
remains unresolved and my essay merely provides additional details.
Students familiar with Ed Marlo's "The Silver Spheres." published in
The Linking Ring (June-1957 and Oscar Pladek's "A Modern Chinese
Marvel" from The Pallbearers Review (Vol. 8 - No. 6: April, 1973 may
find this piece worth studying and filing.

The latest effect in the TRICK section is called "Annotated
Uncontrolled Prediction," an interesting approach that permits you to
predict a card without knowing its location in a shuffled deck.
Also-and this is an important aspect-the prediction billet is not
switched or touched after it is written. This Marlo handling was
originally based on a trick Neal Elias sent to Marlo. The initial
version was devised by Frank Csuri in 1948

The latest FREEBIE is a combinatorial effort called "Simplex Physical
And Mental" using two selections-one randomly selected in a physical
way, the other, mentally selected. Yet both cards are found.

I placed Grifty Business and Psi Tri in the MANUSCRIPTS section of the
Premium Membership section. After the first of the year I'll be
placing Good Turns II and Annotated Ascanio Spread as two e-books.
Counthesaurus will be next, following by the first entries in the
Prime Moves Archive. Later, with the addition of hyperlinks,
subscribers will find navigation and study easier and more convenient.
My goal of course is to provide "content" uncontaminated by
advertising and not laced with topical fluff. In a year's time, I hope
to provide "content" equivalent to several books and much more than
standard print journals can deliver.

I would like to have you on board. If not..
Happy New Year!

-------------------------------------------------------
5. The Magic Cafe
-------------------------------------------------------
I would like to invite my fellow magicians to visit our very unique
forum The Magic Cafe. www.themagiccafe.com

Started on September 7th, we now have over 400 members posting more
than 8000 messages in 38 unique magic forums.

The cafe is well moderated to keep out the nonsense, and we have a
magic family here that caters to all magicians regardless of
experience or interest.

I started this forum after becoming frustrated with magic boards
filled with bickering and fighting and subjects that had nothing to do
with the wonderful art we call magic.

Please join us as we welcome special guest 'Doc Eason' who will be
available for questions and magical topics starting January 13th thru
the 19th!

With over 20 years of performing behind the bar at John Denver's Tower
in Colorado, lectures, original effects, and videos from L&L
publishing, doc is sure to have a magical prescription just right for
you!
I do hope that you will join us!

----------------------------------
6. Delarno's Magic Shops
----------------------------------
Message from Ron Lee (Aust)

Thanks for that article on Delarno's Magic shops. It brought back
memories of my many childhood visits to Weirdo's in the Piccadilly
Arcade and later to DeLarno's in Sydney.

Whatever happened to Bruce and Alfred?

----------------------------------
7. Hypnotised Lady Who Burst Out Of Her Dress
----------------------------------
Message from Walter Zaney Blaney (US)

I enjoyed Tommy Orchard's story of the hypnotised lady who burst out
of her dress (or rather BUSTed out of her dress) on stage in all her
glory. Tommy asked if that would be considered "titillating".

It reminded me of my friend George Bush's (former president of the
United States) favorite joke: "How do you titillate an ocelot?
.......You oscillate its tit a lot."

----------------------------------
8. IN YOUR EAR!
----------------------------------
Message from Peter Marucci (Canada)

It may be frustrating for a lot of magicians but, sometimes, the
simplest things have the strongest impact on a lay audience.

You can work for six months on a second deal, and the audience goes
away thinking, "Hmm, he did something with the cards and then found
mine."

Yawn.

On the other hand, you can blow the audience away with the French
Drop, that was probably the first sleight you ever learned -- and
hardly ever use anymore.

Surprise.
The following is a simple quickie that I use mostly for children who
are with adults. After doing my stuff for the grown-ups, I do
something for the younger set, leaving them with a souvenir.

And, believe me, the adults as well as the kids will remember this
long after they've forgotten anything else you might have done.

IN YOUR EAR!
Effect: The magician shows both sides of a little wooden paddle, waves
it behind a youngster's ear and bring the paddle back with a penny
sitting on it. The magician then dumps the penny in his hand, does
some magic business and, when he open his hand, the penny has changed
to a nickel, which he gives to the youngster.

Preparation: A wooden paddle (naturally), a penny, glued to the
paddle, a nickel, and the ability to do a paddle move.

The best thing I found for making the paddle is one of those stir
sticks you can get at paint stores. The paddle should be about six
inches long, half of that the broad end and the other half the handle.
With a coping saw, make the handle as wide as it is thick (about a
quarter of an inch). Sand it down but keep the edges of the handle
sharp, for ease in doing the paddle move. What you end up with should
look exactly like a small boat paddle. (Hence the name, I betcha.)

The paddle move is a basic sleight found in almost very magic book
but, in brief: Hold the paddle by the handle, between the thumb and
forefinger, showing one blank side of the broad end. The paddle should
be parallel to the floor.

As you (apparently) show the other side, turn your wrist 180 degrees
toward yourself and, at the same time, roll the paddle 180 degrees
between your thumb and forefinger. The paddle is now pointing toward
you, showing the (apparently) other blank side. What you have done, in
fact, is show the same side twice. But, done smoothly, to the audience
it looks as if they have seen both sides.

Glue the penny to the paddle, slightly off-centre to make it look more
natural. Conceal the nickel in your left hand; just hold it there and
don't be obvious about it. You're ready to begin.

Presentation: Turning your attention to a youngster in the group, take
out the paddle and refer to it as your "magic paddle" or some such.
Show both sides (paddle move) in a casual manner, gesturing with the
paddle as you talk. DO NOT make a big deal of this, saying something
like, "Nothing on this side -- and nothing on that side." (Or, if you
insist on doing something like that, I don't want to hear about it!)

Reach behind the youngster's head and lightly tap his ear with the
paddle, turning it over before you bring it back in view. Look amazed
as you say, "Gee, I found a penny in your ear." Let the audience have
a clear view of the penny sitting on the paddle. (Handle the paddle
gingerly; remember, the penny is supposed to be sitting on it, not
glued to it.)

Turn the paddle over your left hand as if you are dumping the penny
into that hand. Casually gesturing with the paddle to (apparently)
show both sides blank again, say, "Even though I found the penny, it
did come out of your ear, so I suppose you should be the one who gets
to keep it."

Put the paddle away and continue: "But a penny isn't very much money,
so let's work a little magic." Wave your right hand over the left fist
(hence the justification for putting the paddle away), mutter your
favorite magic words (currently kids get a big kick out of "Hocus
Pocahontas") and open your hand to show the nickel. "Hey," you say,
"the magic worked again." And give the nickel to the child.

Second Thoughts: If you are a real purist, you can have a duplicate,
blank paddle in your pocket should anyone ask about it -- although I
have never had anyone do so.

If you prefer, you can have the penny change into a giant penny. Good
visual stuff. But then point out that it is still a penny, put it in
your pocket, and give the youngster a nickel or -- better still, in
that case -- a quarter (since you, not the magic is deciding the
value).

I also do this with adults, where the penny changes into a wooden
nickel with my name and phone number on the back. These are just
wooden discs about an inch and a half across and I rubber stamp my
personal info on the back and "5 cents" on the front. I comment about
not taking any wooden nickels "but this one's okay because it's
magic."

Don't overlook the impact of this just because it's simple and brief;
the Gettysburg Address was simple and brief, too.

Peter Marucci
270 St. Andrew St. East
Fergus, Ontario, Canada
N1M 1R1
e-mail: showtimecol@aol.com

----------------------------------
9. Magic On TV2 - NZ
----------------------------------
Message from Edward Hall (NZ)

Sunday 6th January 2002.
5:00pm, TV2.
Gallup Extreme Magic: Live On Tour.

Edward Hall Magician - Making Life magic.
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~edhall/magic

----------------------------------
10. The Geniis Magical Society (Sydney, Australia)
----------------------------------
Message from Kent Blackmore (Aust)

The Geniis Magical Society (Sydney, Australia) syllabus for 2002 has
been added to its website at:-
http://www.users.bigpond.com/kblackmore/ and we welcome visits from
prospective members, interstate or overseas travellers, and anyone who
is already a member! Each night will have a main theme from 8pm,
followed by an open workshop from around 9:30pm.

We start up on February 11, and from February 25 to April 8 will be
meeting at Merlin's Comedy Cellar (Wentworthville Hotel, Station St.)
while our regular clubrooms at the Wentworthville Community Centre are
refurbished for the pleasure of our members!

----------------------------------
11. A Reminder - Convention Photographs For Magicana
----------------------------------
Message from Michael Woolf (NZ) - Editor Magicana Magazine

Please send .jpg copies of all Convention photographs to:
michaelw@ihug.co.nz

The more photos on hand, the better will be the coverage in the next
issue.

You are also invited to send reports, comments and any other material.
It is needed this week.

----------------------------------
12. Lance Burton At Foxwood's, Trump's Taj Mahal From Feb.15-17
----------------------------------
Lance Burton At Foxwood's, Trump's Taj Mahal From Feb.15-17

"Lance Burton: Master Magician" who stars at the Monte Carlo Resort &
Casino will be performing at Foxwood's Casino (the world's largest
casino) and Trump's Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

This is the first time Lance Burton will be performing his full stage
production show in the Northeast region of the United States. He said,
"We will perform two shows nightly at Foxwoods Casino on Thursday 
and Friday, Feb. 14 and 15 and than appear at Trump's Taj Mahal in 
Atlantic City on Sunday, Feb. 17. He returns to The Lance Burton 
Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Lance Burton will be featured on "Celebrity Secrets of Las Vegas" on
The Travel Channel on Friday, January 18th (check TV listings for time).

"Lance Burton: Master Magician" is offering a $15 off discount coupon
may be redeemed for up to four persons each. Vegas Visitor, Las Vegas
Style, Tourguide, Las Vegas Today and What's On Magazine. The ad's 
coupon will be valid thru March 31, 2002. The free Las Vegas tourist 
publications can be picked up at numerous locations in Southern California 
and Las Vegas.


Restaurants and service stations along I-15 carry the magazines as
well as many casinos and hotel rooms in Las Vegas. The regular ticket 
price of $59.95 including tax will be $44.95 for the lower level and $39.95 
for balcony seating with the coupon. The coupon must be presented at the 
time of purchase at the Monte Carlo Box Office or at the Tickets and Tours 
Booth in the hotel lobby. Lance Burton said, "We must all do our part to 
stimulate the economy after the 9/11 tragedy. Las Vegas was built on good 
values. We can't change what happened but we can support the healing of 
America by returning to our activities."

Show times are 7 and 10 p.m. Tuesday thru Wednesday. For information
on "Lance Burton: Master Magician" call (702) 730-7160 or (877) 386-8224.
The price includes a full-color souvenir book.

----------------------------------
13. The Orchante Saga #57
----------------------------------
Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi)

MORE MISHAPS!

An awful lot of years ago I went to at a party somewhere in Auckland.
As the night and my alcohol intake progressed, my common sense and
judgment became somewhat impaired, to say the least. The relevance of
my happy, self-induced 'brain box' deficiency will become clear
shortly. It turns out that the party host was a butcher plying his
trade at the Westfield freezing works. Somebody mentioned to him that
I was a sword swallower to which he, with typical New Zealand
down-to-earth, straight to the point, bluntness said - "BULLSHIT!"
Rather appropriate I thought, considering where he worked.

Disappearing for a moment he returned with a large black sheath. You
can see the same type sheath strapped around your butcher's waist when
you go to his shop, it's filled with the various knives of his trade
including a 'steel' for sharpening. Anyhow, my party host reached into
his holster and with a flourish whipped out a gleaming, very sharp,
very lethal knife saying - " let's see you swallow this bugger"!
Instead of explaining to him that I couldn't swallow anything with
razor-sharp edges as it would slice open the oesophagus as you pushed
it down (a needle sharp point is okay so long as you don't pierce the
lining of your stomach), I stupidly/drunkenly said "don't you have
anything bigger"!

Grinning like a Cheshire cat he again reached into his 'bag of tricks'
and like a magician, produced an enormous steel, that was far bigger
and thicker than the one most have at home. From a sword swallower's
point of view, the size was not a problem so I quite happily took it
from him and pushed it down my throat. He was gobsmacked! I on the
other hand, was becoming aware, through my alcoholic haze, that my
throat wasn't - didn't feel at all like it should. Rough would be a
good description. Then I started to pull it out. BLOODY HELL! I had
forgotten that although a butcher's steel doesn't have sharp straight
edges like a knife, it does have a sharp raised edge that spirals from
the top of the steel to the very tip. I very slowly, gingerly, eased
it up, revolving the steel as I did so. It didn't help. I was raw for
a bloody month! Serves me right. I never did that again.

Another incident happened (this also was many, many moons ago, during
the Christmas/New year beach resort circuit) after a show at the
Rotorua Sound Shell. At the conclusion of the concert the various
artists myself included headed off to a coffee lounge for midnight
snacks - the usual entertainers healthy fare - toasted sandwiches,
hamburgers, coffee of course and any other junk that was on offer. We
were all sitting at various tables, minding our own business, when a
small group of people came into the coffee lounge. It became obvious
that they had been at the open - air concert when one of them singled
me out, loudly proclaimed to one of all that I was a fake because -
'everybody knows that the swords fold-up when you press the secret
button'.

Well, I wasn't about to take that sitting down so I stood up - and
headed for the counter. I had noticed earlier whilst dishing out cream
for my coffee that the spoon had quite a long handle. Just the thing
to prove a point! Holding the bowl of the spoon with the tips of my
fingers I flung my head back and slowly pushed the handle down my
throat - no problem, it was like a small entree compared to the 22
inch sword that normally followed the same path. For a moment all was
well, the loudmouth sceptic, in stunned disbelief, was silent while
others ooohed and aaahed then, it happened.

My fingers holding the bowl of the spoon, which was covered in cream,
squeezed a little bit too tight with the result that the spoon shot,
with lightning speed, out of my fingers like a pip! The handle
finished up halfway down my oesophagus and the bowl was lodged
somewhere behind my adams apple. It took the best part of half-an-hour
to get that spoon out - forcing two fingers down my throat to get a
grip on the bowl. Bent over double, a large pool of blood was
developing on the floor as my fingernails ripped, tore and lacerated
the tender skin down my throat. At one point I just managed to got a
grip on it when some body slapped me on the back, obviously thinking
that it might help to dislodge the spoon - it did, out of my fingers
and straight back down my throat again! The worst part about it was
trying to stay calm, so that I could breathe - it wasn't easy. It took
an awful lot of mental pain control to carry on performing night after
night, swallowing swords, eating fire etc - thank God my sleight of
hand magic act worked to music, no patter. I never did that again,
either!

It is amazing what trials, tribulations and pain we go through, for
the sake of our art!

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14. MagicNZ e-zine archives
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Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html

Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain
access.
User Name: ezine
Password: newzealand

When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are
coded. Eg 001nov0699.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue
number,
then the date (nov06) and the last next two numbers the year (99)

If you want to print copies of MagicNZ e-zine go to:
www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive

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15. Subscription Management
-------------------------------------
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MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday.

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Neither MagicNZ or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or
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© Copyright 2001 Alan Watson