MeMeL Feb 2015

The

L e M e M

New Century New President New Management February 2015

MARCH MEETING STAR LECTURE from USA’s

CODY FISHER! Cody Fisher has been amazing audiences with his skill and charming them with his wit for over 15 years.

He has performed and lectured in the U.S., Canada, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland, Austria and England.

In 1998 he won the prestigious T.A.O.M. award for best close up magic in Texas and in May of 2000, the magic magazine MUM described Cody as “The Hottest Rising Star On The Magic Horizon For The 21st Century”.

As a creator of magical effects, his specialty is “Intimate Magic”.

Cody has the uncanny ability to create magic that is VERY fooling as well as VERY entertaining. In 2005 Cody was awarded the prestigious “Columnist Of The Year” award for his monthly column in MUM. Cody teaches magic for every level, from beginner to the professional. His lectures contain instruction on cards, coins, mind reading, walk around magic, stand up magic, & even children’s entertainment. There is something there for everyone! Cody GUARANTEES that everyone who attends his lecture will learn Easy To Master High-Impact, Commercial Magic.

forget Don’t is that th is g meetin rd the 3 f yo Sunda th! n the Mo

Don’t miss it!

Change of Date!

Sunday 15th March

Welcome to the MeMeL In this Issue:Editorial Presidential Secretarial

Once again there is Magic in the air.

We now have a new Editorial Team looking after the Magazine, bringing you features old and new, hopefully interesting and informative.

Brian Lead is Content Editor with overall responsibility for the features, reviewing, planning and proofreading. Brian’s role is to make your contributions read well and convey your ideas in a balanced away.

Chairman’s Chatter The Session ‘The Monk Sez’ Workshop Junior MeMeL News & Views Lots of other great features: step inside and have a look.

Allan Clarke is Production Editor who will be responsible for layout, typesetting and conversion to the Digital format.

Donald Monk is Artwork Editor advising on design and lending support to production.

We would of course welcome your ideas, comments and suggestions.

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Let us know what you think. mailto:b.lead@btinternet.com Page 1

From the Editor’s desk...

I

t was the American humourist Mark Twain who is reputed to have remarked: "News of my death has been greatly exaggerated."

It's the same with The MeMeL. Despite the sombre tone of Trevor's final editorial and the deliberately funereal cover, our magazine has risen like a phoenix (or maybe a dove) in a bright new format bursting with material which we hope you will enjoy.

I must admit that it feels strange to be back in the Editor's chair once again, but this time as part of a team - or at least a duo. Allan will responsible for the design and production elements, while my brief is to deal with the contents. Please send contributions to me (b.lead@btinternet.com) and i’ll pass them on after checking.

On that note, it is a delight to welcome back some former contributors, to add some more from among our ranks and to greet a couple of guests. We will also be throwing in some original cartoons from Our Donald, and blending in some trick, book and show reviews.

"News of my death has been greatly exaggerated."

This is a mixture we hope to maintain over the coming months and years.

To paraphrase another historic statement: "The MeMeL is dead . . . long live The MeMeL!"

O

n a genuinely sad theme, Sheila and I recently joined with Roger, Trevor, Paul Daniels and hundreds of others to say our farewells to Amy Dawes.

I have neither the eloquence nor the space to do justice to Amy's memory here, but this has been done by many others elsewhere. Amy paid us several visits over the years, performing at my President's and Chairman's days with her delightful, and totally original, 'Magic Rag Time' act, and along with Eddie as Professor Bluffman and Madam Patrice (pictured overleaf). Eddie and Amy, of course, were a double act in every sense of the word, and perfect hosts.

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Following the funeral it was a delight to see Amy's grand-daughters enthralled by seeing on screen her rag act, which they had never seen before, filmed in the Theatre Laboratory of Hull University in 1967, just a few years before I went there.

It was wonderful, also, to witness the support given to Eddie and his family by so many who held Amy in such high regard.

“He once kept an elephant in his back garden”

J

ust two days later we attended another funeral - this time at St. Silas's and accompanied by Richard Houghton and Blackpool Tower ringmaster Norman Barrett, as well as Trevor Malcolm Clay, who lived in Mellor, was a world-renowned expert in the circus and a solicitor specialising in that branch of show business. He once kept an elephant in his back garden, and appeared on the Royal Variety Show in a circus-themed sequence wearing a Demis Roussos costume provided by Freddie Starr!

He was a larger-than-life character and will be greatly missed in the neighbourhood.

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‘Donald the Average’ with his T&R MeMeL effect.

Amy and Eddie Dawes Page 3

Presidential Patter

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he AGM was a constructive and positive meeting and I am pleased to be leading the Society into the next 100 years! Many thanks for electing me President for the third time. I am looking forward to enjoying the year and representing the MML. I would like to reiterate the many votes of thanks passed at the AGM to all those officers and members who have served the Society for many years. Trevor stepped down from the offices of Treasurer and Editor of The Memel and was genuinely surprised to learn that he had won the Les Brooks Memorial Shield. Joe also retired as Webmaster; we must thank him for setting up and maintaining the web site in its current format. Ron Baron also retired from the committee. We have been appreciative of his wise counsel for many years, so thank you Ron. It is hard to believe it is forty years since Ron and I passed our initiation shows to become members of this august body!

The Liam Montier DVDs look very good; Mo usually knows when something is worth having!

Lorenzo also spoke well at the AGM thanking the Society for supporting the Juniors so much. The Juniors are a credit to the MML so many thanks to Allan and Donald for looking after them so well.

I am sure you will give the new officers and committee members all your support to ensure that the MML continues to grow from strength to strength in the coming years.

Quite a number of members were absent from the AGM due to illness and other commitments. There do appear to have been many ‘bugs’ about over the Christmas and New Year period. I do hope you are all now feeling much better and invigorated as we start the year.

I am very pleased to say that The Centenary History of The Modern Mystic League (Blackburn & District Society of Magicians) 1914 – 2014 has now been published. It is available on Lulu.com in different versions. The paperback version costs £30 (plus £2.99 postage and Congratulations too to Adam for packing) and the e book version (pdf) winning the Maurice Howarth Juniors costs £5.

‘Tyro’ trophy and prize.

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I am particularly thrilled with the hardback version which although more expensive I was determined should be made available; it costs £45 (plus £3.99 postage and packing). I will bring along my inspection copies at the next meeting. I am very happy with the outcome. I hope you will all agree that the book is a fitting tribute to the MML.

I

have also published Chris Van Bern: The Busy ‘B’; The original British Magician and Variety Performer as a paperback on Lulu.com priced £12 (plus £2.99 postage and packing). It is also available as an e book on Lybrary.com for £8.26 (i.e. $12). This is a biography of Chris Van Bern who was an Honorary Vice President of the MML and a great ‘character’ of magic.

A

t the next meeting I will be presenting PowerPoint slide shows on the history of the MML and about Chris Van Bern. Brian will also add some further information about Bill Elvey, a former Secretary and Treasurer of the Society in the 1930s who did much to reinvigorate the MML at that time.

“Sometimes it is good to look back in order to go forward.”

Best regards to you all,

It is exciting to see projects of this kind come to fruition. I chose Lulu.com to publish these books because they have a print on demand service so only produce as many copies as are actually ordered.

This is good for magic publications because of the limited market. Now if only I could write a best-selling blockbuster!

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LEN BELCHER To most people this name may not mean anything, but to Bert Slater it means a lot.

Bert tells me when he was young he couldn’t wait for his copy of Abracadabra to see if there was a trick by Len Belcher which he could make up.

Len died at the age of 94 in 2007 and appears to have lived most of his life in the Cannock area. His magical hero was James Orrin of Vade Mecum book fame, and like him he was an inventor and busy part-time professional with adult and children’s shows.

It is thought he was a headmaster and joined the Wolverhampton Magic Circle in 1948. From 1950 onwards he was a prolific creator of tricks, a high proportion of which you could make up yourself. From the 1950s he was fortnightly in Abra for many years with over 600 effects, along with about 150 in The Gen plus many contributions to the Max Andrews Magic Magazine and The Magic Wand.

His great forte was his ability to devise simply-built apparatus and describe it in an interesting and straightforward way. His interest was kindled at the age of ten when his brother brought home a magic book bought from a market stall in Cannock. Later he and his brother Ron had a two-person mental act which they took all over the area and it was very successful. Len’s solo shows were equally popular and always used a mixture of manipulation and original apparatus magic.

Len marketed many tricks through Harry Stanley of Unique and later Edwin of Supreme. Many were marketed in America through Louis Tannen of New York. One of his best sellers was WUN FANG AND HIS CHINESE COIN involving a Giant Golden Coin. There was controversy over this because Stanley added his name to the effect. Always devious. Other best sellers were JOURNEY INTO SPACE involving a rocket space ship and THE MAGIC LOLLIPOPS. In 1980 Supreme published BEST OF BELCHER, a hardbound book of 152 pages with 140 effects. Many would be dated today but some have stood the test of time. Len Belcher – a remarkable man.

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‘Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn’ – John Wesley

Greetings!

I

don’t know what the weather’s like for you in beautiful Blackburn, but we’re in the depths of winter here. Yes, even in Las Vegas it is freezing!

BUT . . .

You see, I wore the white face for many years. It was an excuse not to have to talk on stage. It gave me a reason not to push my comfort zone.

But I did it. It took over 30 years, but I did it! You can, too.

I encourage you, and empower you, to make some radical changes this year. Try out a branch of magic you have never attempted before . . . or adopt a whole new approach to tried and tested material.

Take the leap!

Remember the words of H.J. Brown:

It’s time to catch on fire, my friends.

This year holds great potential, especially as the Modern Mystic League enters its second century.

What steps will you take as a Society, and individuals, to burn even brighter than before?

Don’t be afraid to take risks. I took a risk a few months ago by offering my professional performance pieces to a few select students. This was a major step in my evolution. It was time for me to ‘walk my walk’. I did it. I feared it for all my life, but then I took the risk.

20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than the things you did do.

So, throw off the bow-lines. Sail away from the harbour. Feel the trade winds in your sails. Explore.

Dream. Develop.

Your friend in Magic Jeff McBride [Ed: Jeff is currently touring in the States with the Masters of Illusion Show, prior to an international tour. Segments are also being filmed for future broadcasting]

Just a few days ago I did something else I’d never dared before. I put on my old whiteface character and let him talk on stage. The audience loved it. That was a major breakthrough for me.

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(No – not the Uther Side of Accrington!)

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Secretarial

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would like to start his month by congratulating Harrison Houghton on his successful initiation show which he performed prior to our AGM. I'm sure Harrison will continue to learn, improve and progress through his continued membership and can count on your continued support. It does mean, unfortunately for Harrison, that he will now have to pay the full subscription rates.

Just one of the joys of growing older, money disappears quicker!

The AGM was a light hearted affair with all matters dealt with in a jovial and constructive manner. A full record of the minutes will be distributed with a future issue of the MeMeL. May I take this opportunity to welcome Roger Woods as our 2015 President and wish him well as he takes the league forward into its next century.

A welcome also to Brian Lead into the role as Editor, Allan Clarke into Production Editor and Web master,

Ian Brown into the position of Treasurer and a welcome return to the committee for Paul Guy. I would also like to thank Trevor for his continued support of the league as he resigns from his positions and also too to Ron Baron and Anne Walmsley who have stepped down from the committee after many years service.

Committee meetings will now be held bimonthly with the next meeting preceding the March Workshop.

I will try to give an overview of any pressing issues within this column in future months.

Roger receives his Chain of Office from Trevor Dawson.

A

fter the AGM on Sunday, Ricky and I went for some tea at a local pub. We were sitting there as any normal magicians, finger flicking, ripping up cards and discussing aspects of magic when one of the locals asked if I would show his parents some magic.

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It has been some time due to one reason and another that I have performed any magic. I tried to pass on this performance to Ricky who was not obliging. Have you ever been put on the spot in front of your mentor and had to perform! It is a daunting fact knowing that afterwards you will receive criticism albeit constructive.

“ You only get better with practice.”

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ou'd think by now with my mind reading skills that I would have known he wouldn't show them and get me to do it! I have been in this position a number of times where Ricky has been an onlooker.

You will find enclosed in this issue a membership details form. Please can you check your details and let me know of any corrections e.g. address, telephone numbers, email addresses etc. At some point in the future we will be producing an up to date members list.

I need to think of a witty tag line to sign off my secretarial, but as of yet, like Houdini, one escapes me!

Although I say it‘s daunting , I know he does it with my best interests at heart as the constructive criticism has only helped me improve my performances and techniques. You only get better with practice and what better way to practise than in front of your peers. If you get an opportunity like this, then I would encourage you to take it and not retreat as is the easiest option. I suppose these comments are mainly aimed towards our junior members, however we all of us are never too old to learn.

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Harrison at his Initiation Show, pictured here with Ricky Reidy.

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Chairman’s Chatter I

t feels strange to find myself in the 'hot seat' once again - but this time only for a year to enable Roger to assume the role of President.

Our AGM in January fulfilled its prime purpose - to invoke the ghosts of MML Past, MML Present and MML Yet To Come and to honour and thank those who needed to be honoured and thanked. Trevor passed on the chain of office and other bits and pieces to Roger, while yours truly slipped into the Chairman's seat as well as retaining the job of Concert Secretary. The post of 'real' Secretary was taken over by David Moss, following a very impressive spell as Acting Sec. The bloke in charge of the money is now Ian Brown, who we welcome as part of the new-look team. The MeMeL came under new management too, that team now comprising BL (who?) and Allan Clarke, with Donald (the Average) Monk contributing to the visuals. Allan also takes over as Master of the Web, while Donald stays as Librarian. Paul Guy re-joins the committee as Anne Walmsley and Ron Baron step down The meeting was enhanced by a touch of magic as Harrison Houghton presented his initiation show.

Very well he did, too; testament to all of the work put in by the Junior team of Allan and Donald plus assorted guests. Adam Hussain (raffle-ticket-seller extraordinaire) was the worthy winner of the Mo Howarth Junior Trophy, while the Les Brooks MeMeL Award went to retiring Editor Trevor Dawson.

And so we look forward to the future . . .

D

o try to be with us this Sunday as we round off our festive year in great style. February is the 101st birthday of the League, and Roger will be looking back over the MML's history as well as invoking memories of the past twelve months. As detailed on the back cover, Roger has recently produced two books of interest to members, which you will be able to see at the meeting, and part of the afternoon will focus upon Chris Van Bern and his associations with the League. I'll also be bringing you up to date with my researches into another prominent former member, Bill Elvey (aka the Young Houdini) and we hope to conclude with the on-screen performance of Rick Green, who closed our Centenary Show at the Thwaites theatre last March.

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ou will also be able to purchase special MML memorabilia in the form of bookmarks and coasters, as well as receiving your complimentary centenary badges. This will be an open meeting, so bring along anyone who may be interested. It would be great to assemble once again the same gang who kicked off our celebrations this time last year.

See you there.

Messages From Around The Globe…

MESSAGE FROM A VICE PRESIDENT Greetings to all our friends in MeMel-land.

AND ANOTHER FROM ANOTHER:It was good to catch up with many of you at our wonderful Centenary dinner in October. Marilyn, Chris and I spent a fabulous evening chatting with members old and new and it brought back many memories of the great times I enjoyed with the League.

We really enjoyed being with you in October to help you celebrate your centenary, and all our best wishes go with you as you enter your next century. I doubt we will be able to join you for your bicentenary, but you never know. It's in the diary!

A tremendous milestone was achieved last year and it gave me great heart that the Society continued to flourish not just in this century but, with a bit of luck, on into the next.

What is certain is that a group of guys just like you will still be around doing magic, and may well be looking back at these historic pages, wondering just what you were like!

I miss not being able to join you on the 2ⁿ� Sunday of each month, but I do manage to keep up with things through the MeMeL and really look forward to reading it every month, I hope it continues.

We look forward to seeing you all again - maybe on the Debbie’s Shoe Fund Tour!

Magically yours -

Good wishes for your next Century and rest assured I will be raising a glass to your continued health this weekend.

Paul and Debbie

John Tattersall

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Oh what a tangled WEB we weave...

Scary stories from Cyberspace.

I

’m flattered that you have accepted my offer to maintain our website, but I am also aware of what a daunting task it’s going to be. I know how much effort Joe Gilmour put in to making it so attractive and appealing. We owe Joe a great debt of gratitude for the work he has put in over the last few years and he should be applauded for his efforts. That said, I hope he doesn’t do a runner just yet as there’s a lot of (jargon alert!) ‘knowledge transfer’ required if I am to pick up where he left off.

Having given thanks, I now should offer an apology. The site has a great deal of content and has been constructed in a programming language I do not have a great deal of skill with. The upshot (and the reason for my apology) is that it will take me a few months to redesign it using the tools I am more familiar with and bring it up to date.

I hope you can be patient with me.

One of the reasons for the change is that Joe too struggled to get the content looking as good as he would have liked. Some of the new tools might just help me realise Joe’s ambitions for the site so we should come out the other end with a site to be proud of.

I’m sure you are all more than familiar with the web address but in case you have been in an Amazon rain forest for a couple of years, you’ll find it here:-

www.memel.org.uk This said, over the next couple of months don’t be too surprised if you find a message that the site is down for maintenance. I’ll try and get the basics up there but the full content may prove to be on a longer term timeline.

You can help however by letting me have your ideas and suggestions for content and navigation. I intend to set up the home page with news updates and reminders of upcoming events.

I do need to get some new photos of you all! Some look like they are from the sixties and wouldn’t look out of place in a police mugshot file! If you have any other photos you want me to use, let me have them. If you want a bright shiny new one, then I can do that too, just catch me at the meeting when I have my camera with me.

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The Session Convention

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he Session Convention celebrated its 10th Birthday this year.

The Convention is unashamedly Close-up orientated although in recent years there has been plenty for non-‘close-uppers’ to get excited about. It’s held in Gloucestershire and in recent years has moved to the Thistle Hotel in Cheltenham to be able to sustain its growth. It always sells out and in the last couple of years even with the increased capacity there have been long reserve lists.

“Brought to you by that dynamic duo of Magic, Andi Gladwin and Josh Jay”

I

have been going for 5 years now and each year have been impressed with the line-up and wonder how they are ever going to equal it, let alone do better the following year but each following year they somehow manage it!

The ‘They’ in this case are that ‘Dynamic Duo’ of Magic, Andi Gladwin and Josh Jay. Andi is a former computer programmer turned full time Corporate Magician and Co-founder of Vanishing Inc. a publishing company for Magic. Josh, the other co-founder, is a full time New York Magician who has a long and impressive CV having worked the Magic Castle, lectured around the world and made numerous TV appearances as well as being a very inventive writer and creator of magic.

What sets the Session Convention apart is the structure. They seem to have broken down the traditional ‘pile it high, sell it cheap’ approach and made it a lot more personal. There’s plenty of time between lectures, no overlap and due to the intimate nature, many lecturers I spoke to feel comfortable joining the attendees in the bars and lobbies without it feeling overwhelming.

They also had the foresight to engage Bob and Sue Hamilton to run the technical side and I have to say that they together with cotechnical wizard James Went, produce a really good atmosphere where everyone can see and hear what’s going on.

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ver the last three years they also enlisted the help of a set designer and builder who constructed a stage that has all the appearance of a TV studio giving the whole thing a really professional feel.

As well as the conventional 1 - 2 hour lectures they also fit in some short ‘Ted’ style 20 minute events. They’re short and punchy which adds interest and keeps the energy high, especially after the ubiquitous ‘late night session’ in the lobby! There are also the evening shows which, given the talent available, are stunning in content and presentation. There have been ‘variety’ type shows, showcasing the different styles of performance, a zany ‘ask the panel’ quiz show, an ‘interview’ style evening and latterly an ‘In concert with’ type which allowed the performer to present a show just as they would in their professional roles.

This clearly generates interest from other high profile names in the industry so we regularly see Steve Frayne (Dynamo), David Blaine, Troy and this year, Ben Hanlin from ‘Tricked’ and ‘Breaking Magic’ join the excited attendees for a very special weekend of magic.

Over the next couple of issues, I will talk about the 2015 event, but just to give you an idea of the content, have a look at this years line-up:-

It’s this mix of style together with the line-up of ‘underground’ or ‘under the radar’ magicians that gives it so much appeal. Of course they also have some ‘Big Names’ too. Such is the pulling power that we have seen the likes of David Berglas, Chris Kenner, Simon Aronson, Guy Hollingworth and this year Derren Brown and Juan Tamariz accept the invitations.

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● Roberto Giobbi - who hasn’t got at least one of his ‘Card College’ books? ● Juan Tamariz. Probably the best card magician in the world. ● Michael Weber. The thinking magician’s magician. ● Asi Wind. An Israeli born magician working in New York. ● Boris Wild. ‘Kiss count’ creator and FISM winner. ● Luke Jermay. One of the most creative mentalists around. ● Daniel Madison. ‘Gamblers kop’ king with 57 ways of palming a card.

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ver the next month or so, we will need to bring forward submission dates for contributions to the magazine. We will be getting the magazine printed locally but this will mean that the final copy has to be with the printer seven working days prior to publication.

Given the magazine will need to be loaded into envelopes and be posted out so that you get your copies before the meeting, you can see that the new process will put some time constraints on the production.

You can help by getting any copy to the editor as early as possible in the monthly cycle, preferably on or before the 24th of the month.

(Sorry!) With a bit of forward planning this should be achievable for all but the most topical of articles. Might be difficult but we should at least give it a try.

Please also try and take advantage of the new media available to us with the Digital Edition. Include photos and links to videos where you can. Longer articles are very welcome but for space reasons they may well be split into two - but be assured it will only be done after consultation.

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ou should be aware of some of the features, particularly in the Digital Edition. Links to external content can look a little confusing in print, so to overcome this you will now see a ‘star’ you can click that will take you to the site.

There are also several ‘hotspots’, again configured so as to make it easier to click and follow. Why not explore the content with your mouse again and see how many you can find !

‘It’s been said that there won’t be any more MeMeLs in printed format.

What is the plan?’

We will be carrying out a review of the production of the Magazine.

We realise that many still prefer the paper copy and we have no intention of dropping it. You will however realise that it’s a very costly process and we have been fortunate to have enjoyed the subsidy afforded to us by Trevor Dawson & Co. Clearly it cannot continue so we must make things more affordable otherwise subscriptions would become prohibitive. We plan to discuss options at the next committee meeting so please contact us and let us have your views.

The Editorial Team

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‘ ‘ “Well, wad'yuknow . . we're at the start of a new century!”

An MML century that is.

I wonder if we'll still be around doin' our stuff for another hundred years?

I

'm not talking about thee and me personally of course - although something our new President Roger said at our AGM gave me some hope. I quote(ish), 'The way the medical profession is progressing who knows?!'

I wonder what effects we'll be doing then? A while ago it wouldn't have been envisaged that we wouldn't be doing cigarette magic any more, but now it ain’t PC (Politically Correct).

Even a real PC (Personal Computer) is becoming a thing of the past, giving way to iphones and tablets (I take a few of those these days too). . . Sorry gang I tend to write as I think and, as you can see, my thinking, as my magic, does tend to get a bit out of hand at times.

Where was I, - oh yes, I was wondering what effects we would be doing in the future.

My favourite effects have always been levitations - indeed I did think that maybe when it came my time to leave this world it would be amazing for people to be there at my funeral when me in my shroud rose up from the coffin to a decent height, then all of a sudden the cloth fluttered down (a-la Asrah) minus me.

But then again, if I did do that (and hey, it could be arranged) it would probably end up with some of the congregation going to the great beyond there and then with the shock.

Don't worry - I won't do that to you, so please don't ignore the invitation.

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see lots of magic effects advertised these days, but when you analyse them they usually turn out to be 'one hit wonders', or as they are referred to today 'street magic' a-la David Bland and Domino type stuff. This is where they do one trick and then leg it, leaving us the TV viewer to watch the reaction of the spectators when Mr Magic has disappeared over the horizon.

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n reality of course those of us in front of real people, without the cameras to edit us away, are still there and either have to explain more, or do more to entertain the punters.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not knocking the TV magicians. They are somewhat responsible for keeping magic alive. Indeed, presenting magic to real people still gets a good reaction 'cause a lot of people figure that if it's on TV then it must be a fix.

Seeing it in real life is not in everyone's experience and that's where we win.

All the best for the New Century!

Please note that our show at Padiham planned for 20�� March has been put back a week until the 27�� due to a mix up on behalf of the organisers. Do please try and support us with this as the old team seems to have been a bit depleted of late.

BL

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Workshop 27th January 2015

T

hirteen lucky members enjoyed the first Workshop meeting of the New Year. Apologies were received from Paul who has recently suffered bereavement; we hope to see you soon Paul. Now that Harrison has joined the senior ranks it was good to see him joining in.

I had copies of the new books referred to in my Presidential Patter for everyone to have a look at.

The main theme for the evening was wallets and a very interesting, lively and informative discussion took place about all kinds of magical wallets. There were wallets of every type: Kaps, Mullica, Himber, Jerry O’Connell, Stephen Tucker, Yigal Mesika, Harry Robson, Peter Scarlett, El Duco, Paul Stone etc. When we counted up we discovered 25 different wallets between us! Trevor (G) wryly pointed out that none had any money in them!

The merits of various card in wallet effects were gone through and whether to use an envelope or not. Mo showed us an effect using a photograph of your hand in a Z Wallet which changed to one with the chosen card on it. He also described Ken Green’s very simple version using a double back card. Ricky showed how he combined a Mercury card fold with the Mesika wallet. Allan had a couple of interesting switch wallets. All in all it was a great evening; I think it works best when we have a theme.

“Safe to say, it wasn’t a Losander version!”

Peter Dean had brought along a floating table which we had fun putting together; save to say it was not a Losander version!

There were further discussions about Darcy Oake’s TV show (you couldn’t miss Trevor (G) in the audience!), Dynamo’s forthcoming O2 Arena show and some impossible puzzles (which we hope to see at a future meeting). With refreshments and much good natured “banter” it was a very pleasant evening.

The next meeting is on Tuesday 24�� February just after the Blackpool Convention and the theme is microphone technique so bring along your amplifier systems and microphones if you wish; I am sure it will be another interesting evening.

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OVER TO YOU The following sort of chain-letter or ‘snowball’, based on a magic and fairground theme, was set in motion by Tarbell editor Steve Burton many years ago in the Repro magazine The Magician, edited by Walt Lees. I’ve added a few more ideas of my own, but I won’t say which ones they are!

How about taking up the challenge and suggesting a few more?

Marcel Marceau and his friends weren’t talking, The magicians said it was a secret, The jugglers were up in the air about it, The clowns said it was no laughing matter, Derren Brown didn’t give it a second thought, The hypnotist refused to lose sleep over it, The puppeteers said they had no hand in it, but there were no strings attached, The balloon modeller admitted he had popped the question, but thought it was being blown up out of all proportion, The plate spinners were having a smashing time, The sword swallower couldn’t see the point, The vents kept their mouths shut, The comedians had been gagged, The illusionist just zig-zagged around the issue, The knife thrower went for the juggler, The pharaoh shuffled off, OVER TO YOU

The tiles, A,E,I,O,and U were discovered in the stomach of a dead scrabble player, police suspect vowel play!!

Volume 78 Issue 2

Page 19

The Junior MeMeL

A monthly round up of goings on with our less grey haired members

C

ongratulations to Adam Hussain on winning the Mo Howarth ‘Tyro’ Trophy.

Adam was present at every meeting during the year, wrote two articles for the MeMeL and got the Society mentioned in some newspaper articles about his success in a talent competition. He also supported the MML at two fundraising shows as well as running the raffle at most meetings.

Way to go Adam!

Allan For those of you who weren’t at the AGM, Adam is pictured here receiving his Trophy and certificate And this from Donald:from Roger Woods. nly three juniors turned up last month for our A.G.M.,- but in fairness it’s not the most exciting magic meeting for most people . . . even the oldsters!

O

However the three that did grace us with their presence were first and foremost Harrison who started us all off with his initiation spot before the business of the A.G.M. began. He has certainly blossomed since I last saw him perform. He was confident, had great patter to accompany his presentation which was technically spot on. He even managed to slow down somewhat (!) and even inserted a gag where he actually spoke extra fast at one point, intentionally, which left people thinking ‘What?!!!’ Quite a good ‘in’ gag playing on what he knows is what earned him the nickname from me of Hurricane Harrison.

He certainly earned his place as a ‘senior’ member of our club - well done HHH! Volume 78 Issue 2

Page 20

D

uring the part of the A.G.M. in which the juniors were present, the first half, Maurice’s Trophy was presented to the lad who had earned the most credit points, which determined who won this coveted award for the year 2014. This was Adam Hussain who, I think, hasn’t missed a meeting and is always one of the first, if not the first to arrive and one of the last to leave.

When I looked in, after our meeting had finished, I discovered that the lads were just as good at something us oldsters do well . . . having a natter.

Lorenzo, had returned the Maurice Howarth Trophy that he won for his efforts in 2013. But what he did after Adam had received his award actually brought a tear to my eye - I kid you not.

2014 has been and gone and so we have a new clean slate to start collecting those credit points for Maurice’s Trophy for 2015. Go for it gang!

"Brought a tear to my eye..," We were all about to carry on the proceedings when Lorenzo, completely unprompted, took to the floor and spoke in praise of all that had been done for him and the other juniors at our club and finished off by congratulating a worthy winner (his words). His words were unexpected and very welcome and I’m sure they meant a lot to other magicians as well as myself - thanks Lorenzo.

I’ve no idea what they’d been rabbiting on about all that time, but I guess ‘magic’ was in there somewhere.

Don’t forget the 1:00PM start!

Donald the Average PS Allan will be back with us all, so we’ll both see you then then.

an

For the second half of our meeting I banished them to the back room to do whatever took their fancy.

Volume 78 Issue 2

Page 21

LS !

R I dG

Whether this is a correct spelling or translation remains to be seen…

The Art of the Magicienne Some time ago Anne Walmsley noted that there was very little in the way of articles celebrating Female magicians and that the Juniors were unlikely to be able to name any of them.

We thought we would correct that oversight.

Romany - Diva of Magic Romany, the Diva of Magic was featured on the cover of The Linking Ring magazine. She was mentored by professional magician and teacher Jeff McBride. (See earlier article) After university, Romany worked as a manager for BT, but after four years in the office, she decided to run away with the circus instead. She studied magic and circus skills and performed on the street as ‘The Cobble Comedy Company’.

Later she became a member of The Magic Circle. She has gone on to win awards such as the Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year, the Siegfried & Roy Gold Lion Award in Las Vegas, and the IBM Stage Magician of the Year. She was chosen to perform for Queen Elizabeth II and her family at the Queen's 80th birthday celebration.

Romany now headlines with her own theatre show on luxury cruise ships and is the most sought after flamboyant 'Mistress of Ceremonies' around the world.

Many, many shows later, Romany became the first and only woman ever to be named Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year, was awarded the International Brotherhood of Magician British Shield for Most Entertaining Stage Act and received the highest honour, the degree of ‘Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star for Performance’.

In 2011, she appeared in the TV show Penn & Teller: Fool Us where she performed a classic rope escape trick with assistance from host Jonathan Ross.

Also in 2011, Romany competed in Las Vegas against international magic champions in the World Magic Championships, watched by 1000 top magicians.

She was voted the winner by a 1000 strong audience and won the prestigious Golden Lion Award presented by Siegfried & Roy. To find out more go to .

Volume 78 Issue 2

Page 22

s ’ c i g a M W

e thought we might try and broaden your magical education and through the Junior MeMeL each month we will try to bring to your attention many of the ‘Greats’ of magic from the years gone by.

Hans Moretti Born in Berkersdorf, East Galicia, his family moved to Germany where he began performing at the age of sixteen, first as a juggler before becoming a magician and escapologist.

"Europe's greatest Illusionist," Magic didn’t start with Blaine or Dynamo but way back before the dawn of Twitter and Facebook, even before the internet! Yes, it might be difficult to imagine, but there was a time when the internet wasn’t even an idea... Magicians were thin on the ground and they only learned from each other or from books. This month we thought we would take a brief look at the life and times of

HANS MORETTI. Johannes Crewe, more widely known by his stage name Hans Moretti (24 July 1928 – 13 March 2013) was an illusionist and escapologist.

During the course of his career he won many awards, including the Grand Illusions award of the FISM (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques) in 1976 for a routine in

which he escaped, unharmed and having changed into a clown costume, from a box through which swords had been thrust by members of the audience, and the Mentalism Award of the FISM in 1979, for a routine in which he played Russian roulette with two loaded revolvers.

He was a Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, and was appointed to the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in recognition of his achievements.

Volume 78 Issue 2

Page 23

Often assisted by his wife Helga, he appeared as a guest on the Paul Daniels Magic Show many times during the 1980s, more times than any other performer, and was billed as "Europe's Greatest Illusionist" when performing in Las Vegas.

T

hroughout his career he broke eighteen world records. Larger than life, Hans was a supreme showman whose performances mixed high octane energy and edge-of the-seat danger – with a splash of glitz and a dash of tension-relieving humour – to create routines like his blindfold crossbow effect that were not so much memorable, as unforgettable!

He retired in 2006 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. His wife Helga predeceased him. They had three children: Hans, Peter and Nicole Moretti, all of whom are also professional magicians.

There are many clips of his performances around the Internet but this one captures his showmanship perfectly. Watch the illusion. You should notice that the sword penetrations are carried out by the spectator! There’s clearly nowhere for him to go and so you wonder how the effect was accomplished.

The costume change at the end seems even more impossible !

The second video broadcast after his death in 2013 is a brilliant tribute to this terrific showman, given by Paul Daniels no less!

That’s all for this months edition of the Junior MeMeL don’t forget let us have your ideas for the coming programme.

Allan Volume 78 Issue 2

Page 24

I

f you want to hear more about how Ben started out, you can find his wise words on the ‘Magicians Podcast’ created by Richard Young.

T

here was an interesting episode on the BBC’s ‘Infinite Monkey Cage’ programme on BBC Radio 4.

Professor Brian Cox co-hosts a lively (and very funny) radio programme debating issues of our time. Some scientific, some philosophical, some just plain crazy, but it’s always an interesting listen.

Last week’s edition discussed the ‘science of deception’ and amongst the guest speakers was magician and writer Richard Wiseman. It’s still available on the BBC Radio iPlayer or can be downloaded. It’s certainly worth 30 minutes of your time. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes /b04yfsst (or click image above).

W

hile we have your attention, whatever you think about ‘Tricked’, ITV2’s attempt at a magic programme, it seems that the public want more and a second series is about to start production. Once again it stars UK Magician Ben Hanlin, also of ‘Breaking Magic’.

http://magicianspodcast.podbean.c om/e/ep-17-ben-hanlin1421949855/ Bit of a mouthful but click on the link and go straight there!

B

y the time you read this it will all be over bar the shouting but on Monday 26�� January The Magic Circle will be hosting the Close-up magician of the year competition. It looks an interesting line-up with Andi Gladwin, Will Houston, Noel Qualter and three others will be trying to wrestle the Devano Trophy from the sticky grip of last year’s winner, James Freedman.

L

ast and certainly not least, our friends at the Northern Magic Circle have announced the first names for the 2015 Convention.

They are none other than renowned mentalist Kennedy (Ken Dyne) and Illusionist Andrew Green. 11�� -12�� April - Harrogate.

Volume 78 Issue 2

Page 25

▪ Wayne Houchin - With his new lecture ‘Strange Ideas’. Fylde Mystics, South Shore Tennis Club, Blackpool.

Monday 16th Feb. ▪ Showzam! Featuring Circolombia, the high energy Colombian Circus Company.

Blackpool Tower Circus. 13th - 18th Feb. ▪ Blackpool Magic Convention - as if you needed telling! 20th 22nd Feb. Winter Gardens Blackpool.

▪ Luke Jermay - ‘Sixth Sense’ at Blackburn King Georges Hall.

Thurs. 26th Feb.

What’s On? Luke Jermay is the most incredible man you’ve probably never heard of.

He can read your mind. No really; he can read your mind. He doesn’t use mind games or psychological tricks; he is not a trickster, there are no smoke and mirrors. He can simply read your mind. His awe inspiring intuitive abilities have gained him high profile fans such as Derren Brown, Dynamo and Uri Geller who all agree Jermay is astonishing.

‘Luke Jermay’s – Sixth Sense’ has gained critical acclaim with 5 Star reviews from Edinburgh to London’s West End. You’ll be amazed at Jermay’s incredible powers; he knows your past, present and future, sometimes better than you do. From your favourite schoolteacher, childhood pet even the colour of your underwear, Jermay impossibly knows all, sees all and tells (almost) all in an expert display of telepathy developed to amazing razor sharp accuracy.

“My jaw dropped repeatedly… Jermay

puts us in a state where we can wonder whether life has more possibilities than we thought it did an hour before”- The Times

“Jermay is different…to gain power like his he must be in league with the Devil.

Utterly astonishing in the extreme.”Edinburgh Evening News “Jermay is the Devil, pure and simple…he is spookily accurate, which left us wondering whether to applaud or run screaming in terror…anyone interested in mind reading, mysticism or simply a bloody fun bit of theatre should see Sixth Sense right now.”

- The Void

Volume 78 Issue 2

Page 26

And finally‌

101st birthday Offer for MML members!

O

ur good friend Alan Mylceraine from the Fylde Mystics has a web based magic business. He has very kindly offered a discount to MML members for any products bought from his online shop.

To take advantage of this offer, go to www.ajtmagic.co.uk find what you want and when you check out, enter MML10 at the checkout to receive this generous discount.

T

he MML bank account is currently being transferred from the Natwest in Horwich to Lloyds in Clitheroe. This is much more convenient for me and the account offers some facilities which we do not currently have.

Of particular note will be BACS facility whereby members can pay subscriptions, banquet tickets etc., on-line. If lecturers wish it, we can pay them and other monies due in the same way.

In the meantime, monies received since the AGM, cash and cheques for subscriptions, are being held until the new account is up and running.

Details of how to pay your subscriptions by BACS will be advised to you as soon as possible. Members will of course be able to continue paying by cash/cheque should they so prefer.

Ian Brown Treasurer Volume 78 Issue 2

Page 27

Officers of the MML PRESIDENT:

Roger Woods

woods.roger1953@gmail.com

CHAIRMAN:

Brian Lead

b.lead@btinternet.com

Hon Secretary:

Dave Moss

dwmoss@hotmail.com

Hon Treasurer:

Ian Brown

ianbrownmagic@aol.com

Hon Librarian:

Donald Monk

magicmonk@hotmail.co.uk

MeMeL Editor

Brian Lead

b.lead@btinternet.com

Concert Secretary: Brian Lead

b.lead@btinternet.com

President Elect:

To Be Appointed

Webmaster:

Allan Clarke

allan.clarke@tiscali.co.uk

Committee Members:

Trevor Greenwood

tgmagic@btinternet.com

Ricky Reidy

rickyreidy@yahoo.co.uk

Paul Guy

p6uys@yahoo.com

Hon Vice Presidents:

John Tattersall

Paul Daniels Volume 78 Issue 2

Maurice Howarth Page 28

CONJURERS CALENDAR FEB

Centenary Retrospective 8th

by Roger Woods Blackpool Convention.

20th 20th - 22nd Feb

Ricky Reidy

JUNIORS - 1:00PM MEETINGS - 2:00PM Denotes OPEN MEETING

WORKSHOP

24th

COMMITTEE WORKSHOP

24th

WORKSHOP

28th

Peter Eggink (Netherlands)

17th Trevor Dawson COMMITTEE

24th

JUN

Chairman’s Day with Brian Lead

14th

WORKSHOP

23rd

JUL

Juniors Vs Seniors Battle of the Ages..

12th Allan Clarke

COMMITTEE WORKSHOP

28th

AUG

David Hemingway vs the Audience.

WORKSHOP

25th

SEP

Dealers Day with Mission Magic

13th Bert Slater

COMMITTEE WORKSHOP

22nd

Annual Banquet at Mytton Fold.

10th

Oliver Tabor Lecture.

11th Martin Seed

WORKSHOP

27th

COMMITTEE WORKSHOP

24th

MAR

APR

Cody Fisher. USA

15th Ron Baron

FUNDRAISING SHOW Padiham

27th

Northern Magic Circle Covention - Harrogate

11th

The Magic of Alan Shaxon. 19th Ian Brown with Steve Short.

Visit to the Barrow Boys. 13th

MAY

OCT

WORKSHOP

9th Donald Monk

NOV

President’s Day with Roger Woods.

8th

DEC

Christmas Party.

6th

NOTE* - Name = Refreshments COMMITTEE - 7:00PM

WORKSHOP - 8:00PM

Two New Books By Roger Woods

The MeMeL is the Journal of The Modern Mystic League.