Magic Has Charms

New Zealand Listener, Volume 8, Issue 193, 5 March 1943, Page 7

Magic Has Charms

IME was when it was the magician who was the big man.

The witch-doctor in his village could cast spells to make the fields fertile, to secure good hunting for the village braves, to heal the sick, to remove the evil eye. He had to guard his secrets closely to keep his. prestige. He had always to keep a step or so ahead of his

flock --and did, until science began to make better magic than the wildest dreams of old-time sorcerers. . All the same, the days of magic are not over. Theatres are still thronged when professional magicians come along. We scoff, but we go. And if we sit at home we listen. Well, here is news. On Wednesday evenings at 8.45, 2ZB is putting on a programme called This is Magic, and it should work like magic among the younger portion of the community. This is Magic tells the story of some of the tricks by which conjurors, Indian magicians, gilly-gilly men, Yogis, Maskelynes, or our own Uncle Jims have from time to time befuddled us, But this time we are not going to be left gaping. Major Cedric Talisman is taking listeners on an extended tour of all the well-known tricks, big and small, and he is also going to explain how they are done, In

each programme one big trick will be dramatised, as well as one smaller trick such as you, with the aid of a pack of cards, a _ toothpick, and an audience, can yourself perform,

Here are some of the big tricks that you may hear about-the mango tree (have you ever seen the Indian street conjuror make a mango tree grow under your eyes?); the Indian rope trick, in which a rope is thrown into the air and a boy climbs it; the magic chest; the sword swallower, and we think also the fire-eater. There are also sketches on such old Egyptian moneymakers as the Magic Hand of Tutankhamen, Those are tricks we shall enjoy hearing about but which we can never hope to do ourselves. The "Home Tricks" ate within everybody’s reach, and each week, followers of this session will be told to bring along some stage ryt with them to assist their listening: a glass of water, a pack of cards, a watch-glass, or a penny, and the ever useful handkerchief. If you want to know How to entertain the children, How to fili in that sticky moment at the party, How to pass a long night on the Main Trunk, or What to Do while you are waiting for a seat at your favourite lunchplace, this series should be valuable. -?