Richard Webster has had a career as a magician, mentalist, hypnotherapist, speaker and author. His books have been translated into thirty-one languages and have sold more than eleven million copies around the world. He is a recipient of a VAC Scroll of Honour and in 2013 was presented with the Grand Master of Magic medallion and is an active member of the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians. What are your special memories of Ponsonby growing up? Until I was nine-years-old, we lived in Meadowbank, and every Sunday morning my father took my three siblings and I to visit his parents in Jervois Road. My grandfather was a carpenter and my grandmother sewed dresses and wedding gowns. My happiest memories of Ponsonby were when our grandmother took my brother and I to see movies at the Britannia Theatre in Ponsonby Road. Afterwards, we always had a large ice cream from a milk bar that was next door to the theatre. I can’t remember what films we saw, but am pretty sure one of them was ‘The Court Jester’ starring Danny Kaye. Tell us about your Grand Master of Magic award how did that come about? This was probably the biggest surprise of my life. I’ve been involved in magic for most of my life and have been fortunate enough to work as a magician in several countries. I’ve also written dozens of books for magicians over the years and appeared on television on the Great Kiwi Magic Show in 1996. Despite this, I had little contact with local magicians, except for Alan Watson and Ken Ring, both good friends. When visiting professional magicians from overseas visited New Zealand I frequently booked them to do a private show for my mainly non-magic friends. I must have done about thirty of these over a period of fifteen years. At one of them, when I was introducing the guest performer, a group of local magicians burst into the room and, in front of sixty friends, presented me with the Grand Master of Magic Award. I’d never considered the possibility of receiving this award, as I intentionally didn’t tell magicians what I was doing. Consequently, I didn’t think the local magicians knew anything about what I’d done over the years. Much to my surprise, they did, and I felt incredibly honoured to receive the award. It was made even better because it was presented to me in front of my friends. Tell me, what is the difference between a clairvoyant and a mentalist? The word clairvoyant means someone who ‘sees clearly’. Clairvoyance is the ability to pick up information using extrasensory perception. It covers everything from hunches to mind reading.
Photography: Catherine Hickland
LOCAL NEWS
DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD WEBSTER
What was your childhood like? I had a happy childhood with plenty of freedom. There was a large park across the road where all the neighbourhood children gathered and we played there almost every day. My mother blew a whistle when it was time to return home for dinner. You will die happy if ... I die laughing. What is your favourite TV series? ‘Would I Lie To You?’ I watch very little TV, but love this show, and ‘QI’, as they let me see well-known UK entertainers performing apparently impromptu. What is the most Kiwi thing about you? I love rugby. Racing and beer – not so much. Tell me something you really disapprove of. People who are ‘born again’ anything. What motivates you? Opportunities to do anything that are different or new. At the grand old age of 74, I’m returning to corporate speaking with a new talk on a subject that’s always fascinated me. What do you think happens when we die? Last time I believed in reincarnation, but this time around I’m not so sure. What is your favourite movie? ‘Gloomy Sunday’. I enjoyed it because of the story and atmosphere, but especially for the theme song, which the whole film was about.
A mentalist is an entertainer who demonstrates mental or intuitive abilities, such as hypnotism, feats of memory, and clairvoyance, using natural means, such as body language, psychology, and magic.
How do you relax and chill out? Walking, reading, watching stand-up comedians, playing with a deck of cards or Rubik’s Cube, drinking red wine, coffees and lunches with friends.
Did you come from a show business background? No. My parents were encouraging, even though some relatives thought my interest in entertaining brought shame on the family.
What superpower would you like to have? Teleportation. I could then travel anywhere without any airport hassles. (DAVID HARTNELL MNZM) PN
10 PONSONBY NEWS+ July 2021
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