* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #151 Date: 22nd December 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. "More Science Of Magic" 3. Phil Cass Celebrating 20th Year In Show Business 4. Is There Another Paul Green?? 5. Flicking Fingers DVD Info 6. The Original Version Being Riped Off!! 7. I.B.M. Ring 148 Adelaide Dinner 8. Banquets And Lectures And Note From Warren Kaps PNP SAM 9. Gerry McCreanor Presented Life Membership 10. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga - Page 138 11. Magic New Zealand e-zine archives 12. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One A Big Thank You To All Contributors Michele and I would like to sincerely thank all the Magic New Zealand subscribers who sent in news items for the readership over the last twelve months. Without your support there would be no weekly e-zine. We never dreamt that the e-zine would reach 5,500 plus members - it is still growing on a daily basis. ------------------------------------- Chilean magician Pablo Contreras from Santiago who is also a commercial pilot, spent the evening with us showing us the latest props from South American magicians. Pablo will be flying into Auckland on a regular basis. David Nicholson/Flood a young magician from Palmerston North who specialises in childrens and close up magic has moved to Auckland on a permanent basis. ------------------------------------- Visiting New Zealand If you’re planning to visit/or en route to another destination and would like to present a professional lecture down under, please contact me directly. alan@watson.co.nz ----------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. "More Science Of Magic" ---------------------------------- Message from Wayne Bernath - Director of Publicity for Lance Burton Lance Burton will host "More Science of Magic" at 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 on The Discovery Channel. ------------------------------------ 3. Phil Cass Celebrating 20th Year In Show Business ------------------------------------- Message from Sam Powers (Aust) I have been invited to a special dinner in honour of Phil Cass. On the 22nd of December 2002. Phil Cass will be celebrating his 20th year in Show Business. As most of your readers will know he is considered to be this country’s top comedy magician. A special function is being held in Sydney on the 22nd of December where he will be severely roasted by comedians Paul Martell, Steve Walker, Peter Dean, Morgan Kent and Vince Sorrenti in what will be a very funny night. Apparently an entertaining video of some of his career highlights has also been produced and will include funny testimonial send ups from celebrities including Whit Haydn, Billy McComb and Terry Seabrooke. Entertainment will be provided by Russell Morris, the legend himself, funnyman Mike van Acker and an excellent tribute to Tom Waits given by Stewart D'Arrietta. Phil’s not the kind of guy who blows his own trumpet, so you should check out his website where you’ll find the following information. **On four separate occasions during his career, Phil has been voted by his peers in the entertainment industry as one of the top 5 variety entertainers in Australia.** His successes include: 7 'MO' Awards for being 'The Best Speciality Act' in Australia 8 'Wallace' Awards which includes the title, Queensland Entertainer of the Year 6 internal 'Best Magician' Awards At a function held in Melbourne recently, Phil was awarded a trophy for his 'outstanding contribution to comedy magic' here in Australia. (As I recall he was true to form. He was both surprised and humble in accepting the honour.) I just wanted to officially say congratulations to Phil for being at the top of the tree for so long and being an inspiration to so many. ------------------------------------ 4. Congratulations To This Years NZ Winners ------------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Well, another year is almost over and, what a year it has been for 'Kiwi' (New Zealand) magicians. Four awards and a marriage so: CONGRATULATIONS TO - Guy and Cynthia Cater on their marriage Burns Scandrett - 'GRAND MASTER' AWARD Jon Zealando - 'SCROLL of HONOUR' AWARD - for his years of work within the entertainment industry and for his work with the Variety Artists Club, we acknowledge his dedication and professionalism and salute his achievements on behalf or the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc. Tom and Veronica Orchard (The Amazing Orchanté & Kim) Who were honoured with the MAGIC NEW ZEALAND - 'LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD' - - In recognition of a lifetime dedicated to excellence in the magic arts - Alan and Michele Watson Who where highly honoured with the most prestigious 2002 - DRAGON - AWARD From The J. Marberger Stuart Foundation The DRAGON AWARD name is taken from the criteria for winning. Recipients must demonstrate outstanding talent in the categories of: Drama, Romance, Artistry, Glamour, Originality and Necromancy (Magic) Alan and Michele, you have magically shown the entire world that our country, 'God's Own' - NEW ZEALAND, although small, with a population of only 3.6 million, has the 'Biggest Talent'; you have placed New Zealand firmly on the Magic Map. N.Z. magicians have much to thank you for. As New Zealanders, Veronica and I are very proud of you! Once again, I say "Thank you", for the invaluable input and contributions from our dear friends, Sally and Derek Metzger, Burns Scandrett (Delarno), John Sullivan, Jon Zealando (Trevor Hodson), Mike Brittenden and Richard Webster. Alan and Michele, again I thank you for allowing me the space in your 'Magic New Zealand e - zine', so that I can write my memoirs in my 'Saga' - stories of my life and the people who have touched it. Some well known, others who are not but, interesting characters all! TO ALL OUR ‘MAGICAL’FRIENDS, THE READERS OF ALAN AND MICHELE'S 'MAGIC NEW ZEALAND E-ZINE' - AND MY SAGA, WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY, VERY MERRY NEW YEAR! TOM AND VERONICA ORCHARD  (The Amazing Orchanté and Kim) --------------------------------- 5. Is There Another Paul Green?? ---------------------------------- Message from Paul Green (US) In the recent news, the story about the Convention in Granada, Spain, mentioned: Paul Green was great too. Brilliant spellbound routine. I was not there! Is there another Paul Green in the community of Magic? Hmmmmmm, twins separated at birth??? ---------------------------------- 6. Flicking Fingers DVD Info ---------------------------------- Message from Thomas Fraps The Fingers will appear in April in Sydney and Melbourne, I know this is Australia, not New Zealand, but still there might be some remote interest in our DVD? ;-) ------------- Flicking Fingers DVD Info ------------------------ 'Die Fertigen Finger' ("The Flicking Fingers") are currently in the post-production of their upcoming DVD to be released in Spring 2003. For those interested in a sneak-preview, the first three DVD-trailers can be found online at the english version of our website: http://www.diefertigenfinger.com  (---> "FF-News") The footage was shot with the help of a professional video-crew "on the road" during a 10-day trip throughout Germany and Sweden with performances in front of live audiences in 4 different cities. The rather unusual and theatrical explanations of the routines were shot on 'special' locations, like university lecture halls, gas stations, sports-fields, joke-shops and will probably be unlike anything you've seen before on a magic-lecture DVD... The material contains over 20 routines, tricks and moves by Pit Hartling, Jorg Alexander, Manuel Muerte, Helge Thun, Thomas Fraps, Gaston, and many more (4 to be exact ;-). ---------------------------------- 7. The Original Version Being Riped Off!! ---------------------------------- Message from Wayne Rogers (NZ) IT HAD TO HAPPEN After six years of manufacturing my original creation the Appearing Garden Shovel I am disappointed to find that another magic manufacturer has decided to produce his own version of an Appearing Shovel. The most frustrating part is the other manufacturer says on his website," From the only authorized company to use the appearing pole concept ." John Ferrentino and Joe Silkie were making the Original Pole From Box (the rights now owned by George Schindler of Show-Biz Services) long before the Jester's 10 ft Pole came on the market. So the "only authorized company" claim seems to me rather exaggerated. (I am not knocking Dan Sylvester's Appearing Pole, just placing it in its historic context.) I guess I will just have to live with the reality that magicians now have two different Appearing Shovels to choose from. The original version that rolls up into a small bundle carried in a paper bag, and one that doesn't. On a more positive note, I am introducing two NEW Appearing Products for magicians. Details and pictures will be up on my site in a couple of days. Visit  http://www.nzmagic.com/productpg.html (join the mailing list) The first new item is an "Appearing Spotted Pole". This is a 5 ft pole of clear plastic covered in a random pattern of coloured spots. Great for magicians and clowns. I also make a Rainbow Appearing Pole. Over the last few weeks I switched to the Spotted Pole for my Christmas Shows and the kids love it. Because the base tube is clear you get the added visual effect of seeing the spots from both sides through the tube. The second new effect is the "Opinion Pole". This production pole appears looking like a roll of newspaper. Unlike regular newsprint this newsprint covering does not come off on the hands. Available in 5ft or 8 ft. Comedy magicians and emcees will immediately see the opportunities for gags with the Opinion Pole. Flick through a newspaper then produce from the folds the Opinion Pole. Or how about a new twist on the classic Torn and Restored Newspaper. Tear newspaper into strips, drop the strips into a paper bag or newspaper cone and restore them into a 5 or 8 ft newspaper pole. Did you know that the President has a minder whose job each morning is to check the newspapers for Opinion poles . . .? (produce the pole) I first made one of these newspaper covered poles for a special trade presentation a few years back and it got a great reception. Later an Appearing Ladder was covered in newsprint and used by Paul Romhany in his Charlie Chaplin act. At an American convention Mark Horowitz suggested the name "Opinion Pole" without knowing of my existing newspaper pole, and I immediately saw it was a great title for the trick. ---------------------------------- 8. I.B.M. Ring 148 Adelaide Dinner ---------------------------------- On Wednesday 4th December, magicians, wives, partners and friends (50 in all) enjoyed a pleasant dinner at the Oriental Hotel in Norwood, South Australia to mark the end of another successful year of magic in Adelaide. The president and secretary of the local chapter of the Australian Society of Magicians together with several members shared with us. It was a great thrill to have both Gene Raymond and Ray Crowe present.  We had 6 performers who entertained us during the evening and the program was ably led by Gary Edwards. ---------------------------------- 9. Banquets And Lectures And Note From Warren Kaps PNP SAM ---------------------------------- Message from Maria Ibanez (US) Banquets Saturday - January 4th, 2003 - 7:00 P.M. Magic City Conjurers Contact:   Maria Ibanez (Merlina17@aol.com) if you are planning on attending ___________________________ Sunday - January 12, 2003 Ft. Lauderdale Magic Society Contact:   Joe Perlmutter (JPerlm2642@aol.com) if you are planning on attending _______________________________ Sunday - January 19, 2003 IBM Ring 45 Contact:   Rick Del Vecchio (Rickydee@aol.com) If you are planning on attending _________________________________ Lectures Monday, January 6, 2003 Dave Cresey Boca Raton - Assembly 274 Free to members $10 charge to non-members Contact Harold Greenbaum (magicharold@aol.com) Wednesday, January 8, 2003 Dave Cresey Miami - Magic City Conjurers Free to members $10 charge to non-members free lecture notes to all who attend Contact Maria Ibanez (Merlina17@aol.com) February 3 - Boca Raton, FL (Assembly 274) Danny Archer Boca Raton - Assembly 274 Free to members - $10 to non-members Contact Harold Greenbaum (magicharold@aol.com) Hosted by the Boca Raton Club and sponsored by The Society of American Magicians February 12 - Boca Raton, FL (Assembly 274) Michael Ammar Boca Raton - Assembly 274 Free to any member of the Society of American Magicians Non SAM Members WILL NOT be able to attend due to contractual agreement with SAM National No guest or spouses unless they are SAM members as well Contact Harold Greenbaum (magicharold@aol.com) An additional note from Warren Kaps, Immediate Past National President - SAM If a non-SAM magician wants to attend the Ammar lecture they can fill out an application and join that night.    Also all magicians are invited to a pre-lecture show by Ammar (performance only). If they do not want to join, they have to leave and can not attend the lecture.  But if they want to attend the lecture, they can join that night. ---------------------------------- 10. Gerry McCreanor Presented Life Membership ---------------------------------- Message from Gerry McCreanor (Aust) We had our Christmas dinner for both the clubs last week -Magic was performed by various members Ray Crowe surprised everyone by performing his "Flea Circus" act that he has developed -- it went down really well-- Ray is very ingenious always comes up with something different. I tried out one of my new ones that I have put together for my kids shows 'The Beads of Prussia" I built a castle - a tower - & have lots of kids putting the "Beads" into the tube & tower etc etc . If you know the trick the beads become all joined together again after they are broken. Good trick bits of byplay. The ASM surprised me as well on the night I got called up to the mike and the President Gary Dunn presented me with Life Membership for the years of service. I was told that I have been a member since 1956 -- where have all the years gone!!! Anyway it blew me away for once I didn’t know what to say!!!!!Very nice surprise I forget how many magicians I have and still do help in some ways that’s just me -- we are only on this world a short time really, so lets all enjoy it together. --------------------------------- 11. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga – Page 139 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) - RICHARD WEBSTER - ‘N. Z. ’s Most Successful & Best-selling Author!’ On page 129 of my Saga, I wrote that on the 18th October 2002, we had a surprise visit from fellow New Zealander Richard Webster, whom I hadn't seen for 18 years - 1984 to be exact. Richard had travelled all the way From New Zealand to our home here in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. The purpose of Richard's visit was to present my wife and I with the prestigious : ‘MAGIC NEW ZEALAND’ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – ‘IN RECOGNITION OF A LIFETIME DEDICATED TO EXCELLENCE IN THE MAGIC ARTS’. The ‘Magic New Zealand’ Awards Committee and their sponsors, Alan and Michele Watson, could not have chosen a more ideal personage than Richard to personally present and honour us with this award, on their behalf. I had also stated on page.129: “For those of you who don't know who Richard Webster is, you should be ashamed of yourselves – I’ll enlighten you in a future episode”; Well, I'm about to put you in the picture and, for the millions of you around the world who do know Richard’s book writing/ work, the following stories of his life, up to the present day will, I’m sure, be of great interest to you as well. Richard Webster was born in Auckland, New Zealand on December 9th 1946 and became interested in magic when he was about eight or nine years of age, after seeing a magician’s performance, much the same as how the rest of us ‘magic makers’ were introduced into the wondrous world of the magic and other associated art's. After procuring a book of magic tricks from the local library, he stuck a sign on the front fence, offering his services. “Fortunately” he says, “No one took up the offer!” As a child he was also interested in ventriloquism, marionettes and music, and later, over the ensuing years, managed to make his living from each of these interests. It was while he still going to school that Richard became interested in hypnotism after seeing - The Fabulous ‘FRANQUIN’ Show several times. In those pre- television days, Franquin would spend six weeks at His Majesty’s Theatre in Auckland (I have both of Franquin’s 1959 & 1968 souvenir programmes from that theatre), and because Franquin (Pat Quinn) and Richard’s father were friends they received free tickets. Richard says: “One day at school I thought ‘I could do that ’, you know, hypnotise, and to my amazement it worked. I used to hypnotise the other kids on the train going to and from school. This was great fun until one of the other passengers complained to the principal, and I was almost expelled!” (Richard's early hypnotic experiments at school sounds rather familiar to me, especially in the ‘almost getting expelled’ department! Take a peek at pages eight, nine and ten of my Saga) Richard says, “I went to a school reunion a few years ago, and was remembered solely because of this. NOT ONE OF MY 79 PUBLISHED BOOKS WAS IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY!” Richard was educated at King's School and King's College, thanks to the generosity of a maiden aunt in Australia whom he has never met, and he was also fortunate in that his parents were interested in the ‘psychic world’, and he grew up among like - minded people, which kinda’ put him in the ballpark, as it were, at a very early age. It’ s not much wonder then that he eventually became the worlds foremost authority and writer on the various ‘New Age’ subjects and disciplines! There was a fascinating bookshop in Auckland that, in the early sixties, I used to haunt on a regular basis. It was called: Goodey’s ‘New Age’ Bookshop; the address was, 14 the Strand Arcade. Walking in, you could ‘feel’ the strange musty atmosphere that seemed to enfold you; it was quite eerie. I can still recall the anticipation of reaching up to a shelf that was almost out of reach, and pulling down dusty old tomes that would send shivers running up and down my spine, as I opened the heavy covers to discover what ancient, mysterious secrets would be revealed to me. I still have various books that I bought there – e.g. hypnosis books by Melvin Powers; and William Walker Atkinson, who wrote many New Age books when Richard and I were still wearing nappies! It’s a wonder that Richard and I didn’t rub shoulders in that wonderful, curious little bookshop full of mystical treasure troves. Maybe we did, but didn’t know it! It was most convenient when in 1965, Mary Throll, my very first agent, opened her new booking office, ‘Throll Entertainment Agency’, upstairs in the same arcade, five years after she sold out her ‘Fullers Entertainment Bureau’ to George Tollerton. Continues next week. ------------------------------------- 12. 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. ------------------------------------- 13. 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