Yesterday I attended the funeral of Harold Webster. For the last 40 years or so, Harold was a well known magician in Melbourne, though his health failed him and he rarely got out in recent years.
The funeral was well attended with representatives from many different areas of Harold’s life. Not only was Harold a magician, but he was a butcher, a bouncer, a ballroom dancer, a bonsai grower, a leatherworker, a spruiker, a boater, a magic dealer, a salesman and the face of Slurpex. He packed a lot into his life.
Magicians present included John and Caryl Bowen, Paul and Leanne Bowen (Paul produced a dove during the service that was later set free by Harold’s wife), Loris Purcell (who I haven’t seen in 20 years!), Alan Sloggett (President of the Magic Circle of Victoria), and a group called ‘Webster’s Wizards’. Because Harold was too sick to get out to any magic clubs, Geoff, Rex, John, Tom and Richard got together with Harold every month since the year 2000 to session and share secrets. (I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house when Geoff Conrau said that they would continue their monthly meetings in Harld’s memory, setting out six chairs each month, one for each of them and one for Harold).
Geoff Conrau was one of the many people who spoke about Harold during the service, and he told some wonderful stories before performing the ‘Broken Wand Ceremony’.
What struck me is how sad it was that Harold wasn’t there to hear people say how much he meant to them, and to share in the memories with us all. Why can’t we do this kind of tribute to people while they are still with us? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to start up a series of "roasts", where we can do just that and celebrate our fellow performers while they are still with us? They get to know how much they are loved and we get to learn about their life outside of magic. Something to consider…
The most unique part of yesterday was the music. The service began with ‘March of the Gladiators’ and ‘There’s No People Like Show People’. Later we heard ‘We must believe in Magic’ and ‘It’s Magic’, and the coffin left the building to ‘Liberty Bell’ (the theme song from Monty Python’s Flying Circus’). I must admit I had to restrain myself from clapping at the end… I just felt the urge to give him one final round of applause.
Some of you may have seen this clip of 11 year old Bianca Ryan belting out an unbelievable song from a talent show in the USA. That show is ‘America’s Got Talent’, created by ‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell.
Channel Seven has gotten really creative and purchased the rights of Simon’s show and is now producing ‘Australia’s Got Talent’.
Fast Jimmy has sent me the following info for those who might be bold enough to consider going on this latest jazzed up version of ‘New Faces’.
Are you the hottest undiscovered talent on the planet?
Do you want the chance to do your thing on national TV?
We are looking for unique, original, unusual and outstanding performers for …
THE GREATEST AUSSIE TALENT QUEST EVER
The Seven Network is searching for the very best undiscovered entertainers across the country ? and we?re offering a GRAND PRIZE!
We?re looking for individuals and groups, circus acts, animal acts, novelty acts, ventriloquists, magicians, comedians, all kinds of dancers from ballet to belly, all styles of singers from yodelers to opera … all ages … the wild, wacky and the wonderful!
If you?re the BEST, the worst, the youngest, the oldest, the funniest or the ONLY person who does what you do, get ready! Auditions will be held in
Adelaide
- Sat 22nd July – Adelaide Masonic Centre, 254 Nth Terrace, Adelaide
Perth
– Sat 22nd July – Channel 7 Studios, off Dianella Dr, Dianella
Sydney
-Sat 29th July –
Crystal Palace,
Luna Park
Melbourne
– Sat 29th July – Channel Seven Studios, 119 Wells St, Sth Melbourne
Brisbane
-Sat 29th July – Mercure Hotel, 85-87 North Quay, Brisbane
www.australiasgottalent.com.au / info line (02) 99902003
AUSTRALIA?S GOT TALENT Audition information as follows:
Registration from 8am
Sydney – ASK FOR KATE
Sat 29th July, Crystal Palace, Luna Park
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1. Email your details to kate.finsterer@crackerjack.com.auwith your name, age, contact email and what act you will be performing at the audition.
2. Download the Registration Form and Release Form ? (this will be available by Monday 10 July) ? from
3. Fill them out and bring them to the audition . You don?t HAVE to bring these forms, you can do it on the day but it will save time to have them done beforehand
4. Auditions are throughout the daywith registration starting from 8am.
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY ASK FORKATE(SYDNEY Casting)
Audition Process on the day:After registering you will be sent to a waiting area, where you will be called when it is your turn to audition.There will be two stages to the audition.You must get through stage 1 to proceed to stage 2. Please note:There will be a PA formusical accompaniment for your audition.Bring your CD if you need music. All recorded music will need to be detailed on your registration form ? Title, Composer, Artist & Recording Label.
*** NB Please let us know if you need any special consideration or if your act involves any dangerous activity, especially fire, smoke, etc.
We saw ‘Pirates of the Caribbean II’ last Thursday and, despite the Herald-Sun giving it only one star out of five, we thought it was a really good, highly entertaining sequel. We just read in the paper this morning that it’s been an absolutely huge box-office hit so, if you haven’t seen it yet, get to the cinmema and check it out! (I do strongly recommend that you watch the first film a day or so before seeing the second though, it will enhance your enjoyment of the sequel).
Most news stories are filled with angst, injustice,
salacious details of scandal, or just plain shock-stock. We find it refreshing to read this wonderful
article about Mr. King absent any hint of dirt or prurient intrigue.
The article would be considered a "puff-piece" if
it wasn't all true. The truth seems to
be Mr. King is a good guy who worked and continues to work hard to perform the
craft he loves and share that interest with others.
Granted, this isn't as newsworthy as a building fire or a
sting-operation, but fortunately the Courier-Journal still considers it worthy
of our attention. Kudos to them.
The article traces Mr. King's development in magic from his
introduction to the art through his grandfathers, his education from some of
the great "older" magicians in the Louisville
area, his friendship with Master Magician Lance Burton, through the comedy
clubs and television success, all the way to his current long-term contract
with Harrah's in Las Vegas.
It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
The correspondent lists the praise and awards as testament
to his ability. Penn & Teller called
him "a god." He was named Magician of the Year at the Magic Castle
and the only magician to appear on each of the seven NBC World's Greatest Magic
specials.
Mr. King's response is telling.
"It's just nice to have a job."
It is also nice to be back home for the Society of American
Magicians Convention. Mr. King will
perform Saturday night in Mac King &
Friends All-Star Homecoming Celebration.
The article mentions Mr. King's allied ventures in marketing
including his book Tricks with Your Head:
Hilarious Magic Tricks and Stunts to Disgust and Delight (currently in its
fifth edition).; his weekly comic strip, and the Mac King's Super-Duper
Suitcase-O-Magic — for Barnes & Noble.
We've seen hundreds of magic kits over the years. Unfortunately, most are horrible and unworthy
of the professional for whom they are named.
Mr. King's Super-Duper Suitcase-O-Magic breaks the mold,
goes against the current, pushes the envelope, and re-invents the genre. Unlike almost every other magic kit ever
made, this one looks like someone thought about its contents, the instruction,
the quality, and the presentation. The
props are not slum versions of already hackneyed tricks. The instruction booklet bares no resemblance
to the typical collection of "60 Tricks and Puzzles" better described
as "58 Puzzles and Two Versions of Making a Pencil Appear to be Stuck to
Your Hand."
Mr. King returns to Louisville
often to visit his mother and his sister Elizabeth.. His brother, John King works
as a classical organist in New York
and his sister teaches in elementary school.
"My mom is happy because all of her kids are doing
something they enjoy," he said.
We're happy that Mr. King has shared his enjoyment of magic
with us over so many years and always with originality and care.
This morning's edition of The
Chronicle-Tribune (IN) provides front-and-center treatment for
Christian Magicians Duane Ott and Eldon Shaw.
The entertainers were in Marion, Indiana
for the Fellowship of Christian Magicians convention.
Magicians, ventriloquists, clowns, and artists committed to
spreading The Gospel with their particular talent descended on Indiana Wesleyan University.
The convention will offer more than 150 teaching seminars
during the week-long conclave. The performers
will also put on free nightly shows for the public.
We would have enjoyed seeing Sunday's opening show. Bev Bowling a/k/a Grateful the Clown teamed
with Mr. Ott in the kick-off event.
Mr. Bowling (pictured) performs plate-spinning and perhaps it is a
character flaw we suffer, but we love plate-spinning.
Mr. Ott performed a straight-jacket escape "to signify
how tied up people's lives feel without God. "Do you ever feel like you're in a
straight jacket?" he asked. "You don't know what is going on or what
to do? You don't know if you're in control or God is in control?"
Check out the
article for more information about the other acts and offerings.
This morning's edition of 
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