* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #138 Date: Sunday 15th September 2002 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz www.alan-watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor’s Message 2. The Amazing ‘ORCHANTÉ’ Saga - Page 123 3. Information On The DRAGON Award 4. Top 10 Magical Solutions 5. GIGANTIC Second Hand Book And Magic Sale 6. Death On Friday 13th September Of Peter Laing 7. Lance Burton Plans Benefit Show 8. Looking For A Volunteer 9. "Magic 4 Morons." 10. Achille Lauro Cruise Ship 11. Bob & Lynne Steffen Comedy Magic Award 12. John Taylor – Dream World 13. Canada's World Champion To Be Honored By The Society Of Americans 14. The 1st Turkish Magic Convention 15. Nick Lewin - lecture/performance In Vienna 16. Dondrake Opens Ebay Store 17. Tom Orchante Said In His Last Segment: 18. In Reply To Steve Walker’s ‘Pendantic Bit’ 19. Magic New Zealand e-zine archives 20. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Really enjoyed catching up with Robert Gallup in person this week - he certainly has a vision and knows where he is going. Robert Gallup's Extreme Magic & Deadly Escapes - performing in Auckland at the Sky City Casino Theatre from 19th September 2002. A show not to be missed. Tickets available now from Ticketek. Shows will be performed throughout the season Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. There will also be matinee performances Saturday's at 4pm and special school holiday matinees Wednesday 25 September and 2 October at 2pm. Adult tickets will cost $59.95 each and children 14 and under, $29.95 each. Students, senior citizens, adult matinee tickets and groups of ten or more, cost $49.95 each. For further information on Robert Gallup go to: www.GallupExtreme.com ----------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. The Amazing ‘ORCHANTÉ’ Saga – Page 123 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) SEPTEMER 11TH 2002 9/11 The Day America Changed Today is Wednesday September 11th 2002 – it is Mary’s birthday (my sister in law), and, in two days time, Friday 13th, it will be mine - I’ll be, oh dear, 59. Once again, it will be difficult to ‘raise a glass’ to celebrate, as the memories of last year’s horrendous acts of terror which unfolded before my eyes (I just happened to be watching the Fox news channel when the second airplane struck), and the world, perpetrated by murderous, fanatical men of evil, wrought such appalling destruction in New York, annihilating the lives of - 2,801 innocent people, a further 180 lives at the Pentagon where the third aircraft crashed and 44 brave Hero’s who attacked the terrorists on the fourth aircraft – it crashed at Shanksville – Pennsylvania. A total of 3,025 souls! My heart is heavy and the tears fall as I watch via satellite, the various live, television broadcasts of remembrance from London and New York. TO THE AMERICAN READERS OF MY SAGA - TO ALL THE CITIZEN'S OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THOSE FROM 119 OTHER COUNTRIES WHO ALSO LOST HUSBANDS, WIVES, CHILDREN, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN THE ‘TWIN TOWERS’ NEW YORK, FLIGHT 93 - SHANKSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA AND THE PENTAGON; MY THOUGHTS, ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD’S, ARE WITH YOU ON THIS, YOUR DAY OF SADNESS AND REMEMBRANCE! ------------------------------------ 3. Information On The DRAGON Award ------------------------------------- Message from Jane Stuart - President of the J.Marberger Stuart Foundation: If you want like more information on the DRAGON Award and answer the following questions: What is the Stuart Foundation? How can I see pictures of the 2002 DRAGON Award? What is the DRAGON AWARD? Who are the winners? What is the DRAGON's magic tip of the day? Who was J.Marberger Stuart? What was the philosophy of J.Marberger Stuart? How Can I Win the Dragon Award? How to contact the Stuart Foundation? We feature special magic tips each day from Magicjane or a well known Magician. In the past we've had tips from Alan Watson, Paul Daniels, Ed Keener, Zaney Blaney, Mark Wilson, Jan Jones, John Daniel and others. Check out: www.dragonaward.org If you have a magic website, please link to dragonaward.org and we will return a link to you on our new magic links page --------------------------------- 4. Top 10 Magical Solutions ---------------------------------- Message from © 2002 By Steve Pradell (Alaska) I live in Alaska. Last week a bear broke into my bunny hutches and ate two of my assistants! Luckily, I have three rabbits and was able to pull one out of the hat at the next show. Here are ten tips for the modern magi to deal with the following things affected by Murphy's law (i.e. if anything can go wrong, it will): 1. Broken Items: A small case should contain all of the stuff you need to repair your equipment and clothing, depending on the needs of your act, such as needle, thread, tape, Velcro, scissors, leatherman, lint remover, extra bow tie, etc. in case there are any problems. Keep it in the car like an emergency car kit so you always have it. 2. Unexpected Audiences: Bring enough material to cover the act which you did not contract for in case the show turns out to be different than you expect, i.e. some things for mixed audiences if there are a lot of adults at your children's birthday party, some stage stuff if the close up show has too many participants, etc. 3. Unsolicited Information Requests: Keep marketing materials on you or available at all times, in the car, jacket pockets, at the office, etc. You never know when you'll make a contact for another performance. 4. Request for Impromptu Performance: Never leave home without being able to perform when asked. Learn magic that can be done anywhere, any time, under any conditions, with easily available ungaffed items. That way you're always prepared. 5. Dead Animals: Have a back up bunny rabbit, dove, etc. on hand in case the animal essential to the act dies. 6. Noisy Rooms: A good sound system isn't always provided. Even a kid show can be in a huge room with bad acoustics. Their sound system may crash. Bring a portable mike and amplifier just in case. 7. Lost Luggage: Adaptability is the key. If the airplane loses your luggage or you get robbed the show must go on. Have a back up act that relies on easily available products: rope, coins, cards, paper towels, etc. Your personality alone should be able to get you through almost anything. 8. Too Much Time: You never know what may be expected of you. If the power goes out or the next act doesn't show up you may have to entertain for much longer than you agreed. Have extra "filler" materials just in case you have to hold them there until the problem is solved. 9. Show Screw Ups: We all make mistakes. Have jokes ready to insert into the show so that you can use them if and when problems occur. Humor is a great way to get through a catastrophe. And a smile goes much further than a frown in front of a large audience when mistakes occur. 10. Illnesses & Injuries: There will be days when you feel awful due to illness, injury, lack of sleep, and stress. Despite your own personal problems, if you decide to perform the show, do it with a smile. The body has a way of giving you energy when you need it, although you may crash later. Fool the audience so that they have no idea that you're ill. The day after I found out I had cancer I still performed two successful shows. During the performances I completely forgot about my problems. It was then that I realized that Magic is the best way for us to focus on the "here and now." Entertaining others is the greatest gift we give to ourselves. ---------------------------------- 5. GIGANTIC Second Hand Book And Magic Sale ---------------------------------- Message from Paul Diamond (USA) I am selling all this Magic and Books for other people at no charge to them. Being Retired for me was no fun this has put some life in these old bones. If you have a bunch of magic for sale let me know I'll sell it for you at no cost to you. Would you like a GIGANTIC list of Magic No charge Would you like a Gigantic list of BOOKS No charge Reserve what you want to buy, let me know. I'll get back to you with the total including Post... I must know your Zip Code..!! Or Country e-mail: mrhumble@prodigy.net ---------------------------------- 6. Death On Friday 13th September Of Peter Laing ---------------------------------- Message from Bill Seagraves, Taupo New Zealand I have just heard the sad news of the death on Friday 13th September of Peter Laing, President Elect of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, British Ring No 25. Peter was to have taken over as President in 2 weeks time at the annual convention in Eastbourne. Marlene and I was with Peter and Betty at the IBM convention in San Diego at the beginning of July and they were looking forward to a very busy year. Being resident in NZ over 2 years now, it was great to meet up with them and get all the news from our home town of Aberdeen. Peter and Betty and 4 young children settled in the Granite City where Peter was chosen by his company to open and manage the ABC Ten Pin Bowling complete with Bar & Restaurant. Quite a challenge for a young man. Across the road from the 'Bowl' (as it became known) was the famous Aberdeen Joke Factory where every Saturday morning Magicians gathered to collect their Abras. It was here that the owner Gordon Thom, introduced me to this genial giant Peter, who had set up home in our city. This was the start of Peter's long association with The Aberdeen Magical Society, The International Brotherhood of Magicians and The Magic Circle. For many years he was a stalwart of SAMS (The Scottish Association of Magical Societies) of which he was a Past President. Peter had many other interests outside Magic, but his main interest was his wife and family. When we last met he spoke enthusiastically about his grandchildren. To his wife Betty, and family we send our sincere condolences. ---------------------------------- 7. Lance Burton Plans Benefit Show ---------------------------------- Message from Wayne Bernath - Director of Publicity Lance Burton Plans Benefit Show For Hebrew Academy & City Of Hope Master Magician Lance Burton will present "The Magic of Hope" in The Lance Burton Theatre of the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6 as a fundraiser to support the Hebrew Academy for scholarship funding and The City of Hope going for pediatric care to help chronically ill children in the Las Vegas community with his critically acclaimed show. The benefit for children, "The Magic of Hope" is a collaborative effort between the non-profit agencies, The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy and City of Hope Pediatric Care. The scholarship money will allow children of all cultures to attend the Hebrew Academy. The Hebrew Academy fosters a sense of responsibility, family values, moral discipline and self-respect. The funds for the City of Hope will aid children with life-threatening illnesses. The City of Hope funding will also help to improve care and screening techniques, provide for more research, give more access to treatments and provide more psychological support to children and their families. Lance Burton, who has long been recognized as a supporter of children's causes and through his philanthropic heart, has agreed to be part of this exceptional benefit through a donated family-oriented performance. The event will include a private VIP reception following the show for all $100-$250 ticket holders, as well as all corporate sponsors. Please stay seated! Michael Konik of The Robb Report says, "Lance Burton's show at the Monte Carlo offers a compelling mix of glamour, danger and old-fashioned mystery. Burton is witty and charming, a tremendously skilled sleight-of-hand artist as well as a world-class escape artist. His show is astonishing even without white tigers. (Burton uses white ducks instead). "You will always remember… (Lance Burton). There are moments in the show that are unforgettable. The prestidigitator invites some of the young children from the audience on-stage for an experience that they will never forget nor will their parents. The Lance Burton Theatre has been voted "Best Theatre" in Las Vegas and was the first legitimate theatre built when it opened in 1996. He's appeared 16 times on "The Tonight Show." Lance has been voted "Best Magician" over and over. One may purchase tickets in person at the Hebrew Academy or by calling (702) 255-4500. The Monte Carlo also has tickets available at the box-office by calling 730-7160. The best seats are $250 and include a photo opportunity with Lance Burton at the VIP reception. The $100 seats include the VIP reception. There are still plenty of $50, $25 and $20 seats available. The show presented will be his regular evening show for a matinee performance and runs about 90 minutes. Special guest star comedian-juggler Michael Goudeau will perform midway through the show. Seating charts are available for review at the school, online at the Hebrew Academy website www.LVHEBREWACADEMY.com or on the Monte Carlo website www.MONTECARLO.com ---------------------------------- 8. Looking For A Volunteer ---------------------------------- Message from Bruce W. Graham (NZ) Looking for a volunteer to do a freebie show for 'Camp Quality' The date and time being for Tuesday 7th January 2003 at 7pm? The Camp is run by volunteers for children from 4yrs to about 16yrs old all of whom have cancer. The Camp, I think, is being held out at Wesley College near Pukekohe because they are amongst the few premises that can handle the numbers. * Bruce W. Graham * bruce@graham.name ---------------------------------- 9. "Magic 4 Morons." ---------------------------------- Message from Joseph Cruz – (USA) The Pamplin Film Company at Universal Studios Florida has released their newest video entitled Magic 4 Morons worldwide on www.libraryvideo.com Full time corporate comedy magician, Lyndel from the United States stars in this award winning video along with actor, comedian and sound effects genius, Michael Winslow, who you may remember as the verbal sound effects guy from the "Police Academy" movies. The video, which has been previously available exclusively in the United States on the Home Shopping Network, is a one hour instructional video. The comedy-magic video teaches the viewer ten amazing tricks including a floating finger ring, turning water to ice - instantly, and magically turning a glass of dirty motor oil into a glass of clear water containing live goldfish! The Library Video Company is the leading distributor of mainstream educational video, CD-ROM, audiobook and DVD in the United States. The company stocks over 14,000 titles covering a diverse range of topics for all ages and grade levels. Founded in 1985 by Andrew Schlessinger, The Library Video Company has set the standard for professional customer service and outstanding value. The company continues to be the forerunner in educational media distribution through its commitment to providing new titles and new services. Universal Studios Florida based and award winning Director, Rick Pamplin, producer of the video, say's "Lyndel is one of the most professional, dedicated and talented performers I have ever worked with. His remarkable skills and timing are impeccable." To check out the newly released video, go to www.library.com video.com and search keyword, "Magic 4 Morons." --------------------------------- 10. Achille Lauro Cruise Ship ---------------------------------- Message from Robin Boltman (South Africa) I spent two memorial birthdays in your country one in Milford Sound and the second one in Auckland. I was pleasantly surprised when some guys came on board the Achille Lauro Cruise Ship and took me around and left Mags for me to read. (Thank Guys)Then after cruising your waters I joined another ship called the Oceanos. Unfortunately we sank, but I received loads of letters of congrats from Kiwi and Oz compatriots for my deeds. (I was the Magish that led the rescue and took over the Bridge when the Greek crew left) Then a bit later I rejoined the Achille Lauro and sank again!! I was her Cruise Director and it was a sad sight to see her in flames - I had spent some of my best 5 years on board. After all this it was no wonder that your Bernard Reid wanted to meet me when he was here recently on the QE2 and a very late evening we enjoyed. Now I'm off on Fri 13th (!!!) on the RMS St.Helena and Iv'e got 4 shows on the Island, a Golf Tournament all coincluding with their 500 year celebrations. Let’s hope this one makes it. Will keep in touch and I'll let you know how it goes... I'm also starting to write all the anecdotes and short stories etc. "What time is the Midnight Buffet?" One of our Late entertainers gave me the title for the book "Rebel without applause" I might use it ---------------------------------- 11. Bob & Lynne Steffen Comedy Magic Award ---------------------------------- Message from Geoff Williams (USA) Great news!! We won the first place Bob & Lynne Steffen Comedy Magic Award over the Labor Day weekend at the Houdini Convention in Appleton, WI (Houdini's boyhood home town). My magic buddy Scott Franz and I miniaturized the famous "Bullet Catch" stunt. It's a zany and wild routine where I attempt to shoot a small craft bead from of a McDonald's drinking straw (equipped with a laser sight) and into Scott's mouth...except I miss and it smashes through his protective goggles and goes into his EYE (hence the name of the routine: "Eye Caught It!"). The whole mess includes (among other things) a trash can lid as a chest protector complete with a swing-down athletic cup attachment, a clear balloon, a silver dollar, a household match that shoots a 2-ft. long flame, a cardboard box, a roll of DANGER! tape, a fake piece of granite, a giant red Box of Death (with "Death" crossed out and the word "Safety" written in), a ZipLoc bag, a miniature trophy, an empty pie pan, a Sharpie pen, talcum powder, a Polaroid camera, matching bowling shirts and geek glasses (for the volunteer, too!), a first aid kit, a video camera, a boom box with special "game show" sound effects, a "Hazardous Waste" bag, a box of safety goggles, a pear, fake hillbilly teeth, fake REAL teeth and a severely torched Barbie doll ("Charbie") whose leg is in a cast, her head falls off on cue and who has an arm that ends in a hook while the other can extend to twice her body length. You know, fairly standard Chavez stuff. Marlo probably had a couple of variations on this, too. To see photos of us and of our trophy in various and sundry settings (which we kept stopping to take these strange pictures all the way home), go to www.cupboardsbear.com/houdini and follow the Houdini 2002 link. BTW, the guy in the middle of the three of us (Sean Berning) was the hapless, random spectator who assisted us in the routine (so we had him share the limelight with us and the trophy). ---------------------------------- 12. John Taylor – Dream World ---------------------------------- Message from John Taylor (Aust) Will be appearing on the Gold Coast at Dreamworld between the 23rd of Sept till the 4th of Oct 2002. In an Illusion and Dance spectacular. The promotion will be called The Mystery Has Begun. And will be the biggest magic show ever to hit Dreamworld. JOHN TAYLOR'S new original illusion 'SUSPENDED ANIMATION' is really making waves in the magic world. Already this illusion is being performed by top name illusionists in Canada, Japan, Italy, Australia, to name a few - and is starting to be called the most startling and innovative version of the metamorphosis illusion ever created. This illusion is available exclusively from Bill Smith's Magic Ventures 3518 W. Post Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89118 Phone (702) 897-1224 Fax (702) 897-0833 www.magicventures.com ---------------------------------- 13. Canada's World Champion To Be Honored By The Society Of Americans ---------------------------------- Message from Clive Court (Canada) LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7 /CNW/ - Canada's world champion magician, Juliana Chen, will be honored in Hollywood, Sept.29, when she receives the rarely- awarded Chavez Memorial Trophy from the Society of American Magicians. The citation reads "The Chavez committee of the Society of American Magicians' Hall of Fame announces that the recipient of the prestigious Chavez Memorial Trophy for the year 2002 is Ms. Juliana Chen of Vancouver, Canada. In her professional work she exemplifies the very high standard in manipulation magic -- a standard set in 1941 by the founders of the Chavez Studio of Magic, Ben and Marian Chavez." Chen, who became the first woman to win a world title in 1997, will be in Los Angeles to appear in the forty-sixth annual It's Magic! show at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Sept.13-15. She will also return to Los Angeles, Sept.22-29, to play Hollywood's world-famous and exclusive nightclub, The Magic Castle. They will be celebrating Women in Magic. The Society of American Magicians marked its centenary in July when the U.S. Postal Service issued a new stamp celebrating the life of the society's first president, Harry Houdini. The Chavez Studio of Magic became recognized as one of the world's finest training courses for magicians. It continues today under its current director, Dale Salwak. Juliana Chen undertakes a six-city tour of India in October and then flies to Germany for the winter cabaret season at the Apollo nightclub in Dusseldorf. ---------------------------------- 14. The 1st Turkish Magic Convention ---------------------------------- Message from Gudrun und Wolfgang Messelken (Germany) I would like to let you know that we have been in Turkey for a week. Below there is a short review of this event. On our page http://manipulix.com you will find under events and details some pictures of the event. From our Event - site you are able to get an impression of this 1st convention. Here you get a short review: Uluslararasi Illüzyon Festivali - International Magic Festival. We proudly present Manipulix, from Lalling, Germany. With these words Tora, Showmaster of the Gala and Head manager of the event introduced Manipulix aka Wolfgang Messelken, August 27th, 2002, besides 15 Türkish and 3 American Magicians. Manipulix performed a ten minute show in the sold out Amphitheater of the City of Izmir. During our stay we had to explain over and over again, where this unknown City of Lalling was. The organisations, Türkish Magicians, the Management of the Izmir Convention and the Major of Izmir City invited Manipulix to the first International Magic Festival in Izmir with a lecture, a performance and a booth at the Magic Convention. The location of the Lecture and the booth appeared to be a little strange: being outdoors next to pool. For one week Manipulix and his wife stayed in Turkey, got acquainted with the hospitality and the binding elements of wizardry. A lingual helter - skelter of Turkish, German and English made communications possible. With a heart warming tesekür ederim, see you next year, we were bid farewell. Knowing that we at least helped a tiny bit in the understanding of the peoples and cultures. With magical regards Manipulix ---------------------------------- 15. Nick Lewin - lecture/performance In Vienna ---------------------------------- Comedian and magician Nick Lewin will be performing his lecture/performance for the magic club in Vienna, Austria on September 21. If you are interested in attending, please contact Magic Christian in Vienna. Lewin, who now resides in Las Vegas, is in Budapest performing a corporate show. Christian, who has been a friend of Lewin's since they worked together at the Electronica Convention many years ago, arranged this magic event around Nick's schedule. This will be Lewin's first appearance in Vienna. ---------------------------------- 16. Dondrake Opens Ebay Store ---------------------------------- Message from Don Drake (USA) If you are a magician and are on ebay, please check out my new ebay store. I haven't got it fully stocked yet, but there are some choice items. I will be carrying the Floating Diamond again, the worlds only 3 D card trick, by Mark Emery, and my new book HOW TO MAKE MONEY WITH A SVENGALI will be available there by the end of the month. Thanks, and I hope to see you at one of the following: I'll be at all 3. The Las Vegas Magic Invitational (at the San Remo in September 15-17) The World Desert Magic Seminar (at the Riviera in January) The SAM National Convention in Las Vegas (in July, early) I hope to see all of you there, have a magical day. DONDRAKE ---------------------------------- 17. Tom Orchante Said In His Last Segment: ---------------------------------- Message from Steve Walker (Aust) Tom Orchante said in his last segment: "as well as performing 'close-up' sleight of hand magic (the MOST difficult branch of magic to perform), in Sydney's most exclusive restaurant, the 'Manor House ' - which opened up that particular market for other magicians, in Sydney." Sorry Tom old mate, there comes a time when even you exaggerate a little too much. The market had already been opened by Allan Carmichael at another "most exclusive restaurant" the "Copper Canyon' and it was from Allan that you got the idea (plus a great ring and string routine) which lead to you approaching the Manor House and later the Castle Hill RSL. You can certainly claim to have developed the market but "open" suggests you started the whole thing which is being a little too economical with the truth. (Barry Govan and Rooklyn had both worked close-up in Sydney restaurants) I have enjoyed your Saga and am waiting for the Australian segment and while we’re at it from an earlier segment .NO ,I am not against good sound equipment but when you have a driver dressed like one of the Dukes of Hazzard going like a bat out of hell with one hand on the steering wheel and the other adjusting the graphic equalizer for 95% of every track its time to get a little concerned when you're the passenger, as I was on an uneventful (well that's what we told our wives) country trip to Gri ffith. ---------------------------------- 18. In Reply To Steve Walker’s ‘Pendantic Bit’ ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) In reply to Steve Walker’s ‘PENDANTIC BIT’ last week – maybe I did use the word ‘open’ incorrectly, but at the time I started working Restaurants in Sydney in 1976 (as well as the Clubs), there were no other magicians working them, as far as I am aware. I know that other magicians had done so, Maurie Rooklyn for example (he had retired when we met him), but not for such long periods, or in so many restaurants, but, if Steve prefers, I will change the word ‘open’ to ‘develop’. I also know that since then, many other magicians have worked in Sydney Restaurants. It may come as a surprise to you Steve, but I had developed my Sleight of Hand - Close Up Magic skills and marketing techniques and, earned my living from it – Close Up Magic that is (as well as my Fakir/Hypnotism/Mime and Stage Magic Shows), in restaurants and Hotels in New Zealand - YEARS before we arrived in Australia, which was - Sunday 1st of August 1976. Do you really think that I just ‘ SAT ON MY ARSE’ IN SYDNEY FOR THREE YEARS, until I met you and the rest of the ‘Boys’? I did have to earn a living! How? ‘Table’ Magic, of course! It was on Wed. 24th of January 1979, when Maurie and Konnie Rooklyn introduced themselves to us, after seeing my Magic Act at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Hornsby. I joined Ring 102, at Maurie’s insistence, later that year. The ‘ring and string’ routine –I vaguely remember Alan Carmichael doing this at the Club, and I think he ‘showed’ me some moves – it is all so long ago – It’s not something that had an ‘Earth Shattering’ effect in my life (as it so obviously has in yours); I actually learned the routine from a video (probably the same one that Alan got it from), and as Alan didn’t actually invented the trick, or any of the other myriads of ‘ring and string’ tricks, I see no reason for me not to have used it and refined it to my own way of working. Incidentally, if this particular ‘ring and string’ trick was my only – or even my main – ‘effect’, I doubt very much that I would have been given work anywhere! Just for the record, I ‘sold’ my ‘Close – Up’ at the ‘Manor House’ with a sponge ball routine and a ‘thing’ I was doing with miniature ‘Coke’ cans and bottles. What really clinched the deal was the old, hoary ‘Vanishing Lit Cigarette In The Coat’ – four times in succession! The ‘ring and string’ WAS NOT included! I’m sorry Steve old mate (?), you really should get your facts right – I worked ‘Close-Up’ Magic at the Castle Hill RSL from March 1980 to October 1980 – the Manor House came later, and there were many other restaurants before and in between. You don’t know everything Steve. Also what you didn’t know, is that the Manager of the Castle Hill RSL was at the time, Bruce Cameron, a New Zealander, who had been managing a hotel called the ‘Tainui’ in Whakatane, N.Z. - Veronica’s home town, where we lived for two years before going to Australia. I worked my show many times for Bruce at the hotel, including my ‘close-up’ in the dining room, let alone in the bar – what a surprise! Bruce was a natural ‘target’ for me when we reached Australia. We were working at the Castle Hill RSL years before I met any of you at Maurie and Konnie’s home. In actual fact, there would be very few RSL/ leagues Clubs etc in NSW that we didn’t work at least twice over the years that we resided in Australia, and that’s NOT including various tours with the likes of: ‘The Platters’, ‘Judy Stone’ etc, etc. Regarding the ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ ‘crack’/segment of your ‘complaint – surely the time to criticise my dress/hair/driving was during the trip to or from Griffith – NOT 22 YEARS LATER! If you’d had said something at the time I would quite happily have stopped and let you walk! Obviously, I got you there and home again quite safely. Incidentally – Veronica says that if anything did happen on that ‘UNEVENTFUL’ trip, she doesn’t really care – that also was 22 bloody years ago! But she would like to know if YOUR WIFE is NOW also aware, that ‘Something’ happened that – ‘THE WIVES SHOULDN’T KNOW ABOUT’, which doesn’t leave much room for NOT imagining the worst…! Now, I wish that I had stayed away from Ring 102 and most other Magic Clubs in general, as most Pro’ Magicians do. All this ‘grief’ is yet even more proof that ‘amateurs’ bring you nothing but heartache, EVEN AFTER TWENTYTWO YEARS!!! (Except the Scots in Edinburgh – they are just like us ‘Kiwis’, a really friendly lot) “TIME IS TOO DAMN SHORT, NOW, AND I’M TOO TIRED TO ‘FIGHT’ ANY MORE AND, QUITE FRANKLY MY MAN, I DON’T GIVE A DAMN!” I have much better things to do with my life, what’s left of it, than to sit here and argue the toss over insignificant, stupid bloody statements, with someone who quite obviously has scant regard for the feelings of others, Particularly Wives! ------------------------------------- 19. Magic New Zealand e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: magic Password: kiwi When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. ------------------------------------- 20. Subscription Management ------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Magic New Zealand e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday. The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors and not those of Magic New Zealand. Neither Magic New Zealand or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand e-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree that they will not hold Magic New Zealand and/or Alan Watson liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed herein. We reserve the right to edit, correct or, in our discretion, choose not to publish any submissions provided to Magic New Zealand for potential publication. Magic New Zealand welcomes readers to submit timely articles or news items which appear to be of interest to our readers. Those submitting to this e-zine agree that we have permission to publish their submissions and that they have the full copyright to the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand are fully protected by international copyright as provided by law, and articles cannot be published for profit by anyone other than the individual author without the written permission of Magic New Zealand. >>This publication may be freely redistributed (but not sold) to other magicians if copied in its ENTIRETY including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer.<< © Copyright 2002 Alan Watson