VANISH - International Magic Magazine - Vanish Magic Magazine June #107

GUY CATER

A LIFETIME OF ENTERTAINING

CONTENTS // JUNE 2023

A Lifetime of Entertainment

An exclusive interview with New Zealand's legendary entertainer Guy Cater.

08-19

Aloha Milt Larsen

Nick Lewin pays tribute to his friend of 49 years Milt Larsen.

24-29

Thumper V.2

The latest remote device gets reviewed in a product highlight.

32-34

THIS MONTH ISSUE

A FEW WORDS FROM THE CHIEF EDITOR

As I was about to upload this edition of VANISH word came in that Milt Larsen had passed away. I reached out to Nick Lewin, who had known Milt for over forty years and asked him to write a tribute. Nick has penned a fitting tribute to his dear friend and thank you to those who supplied wonderful photos. I stayed up late to get this done for the June edition but felt it important to include.

Guy Cater is a mentor and close friend from New Zealand. He taught me more about show-business than anybody else, and it is an honor to finally feature him and celebrate his lifetime of performing.

Jeanette Andrews is another featured artist this month and is breaking grounds in magic not seen before. She first appeared in our Science special and I felt a follow up was needed. She is one of the new stars of our business.

Finally, I'd like to welcome Jordana Borensztajn to the Vanish team. She is one of the most dynamic and articulate people I've met, and as a stand-up comedian, journalist, podcaster, key-note speaker and magician she will be bringing A LOT to the magazine. I'm so excited to have her in VANISH.

by Paul Romhany

Magic Business

Daniel Chan shares two important tips on marketing for magicians.

36-37

Experience Magic

Jordana Borensztajn shares her journey and discovery of magic. A fresh and uplifting new

38-45

Jeanette Andrews

Jeanette Andrews uses sensory anomalies, art and scientific anecdotes to present the impossible in her magic and academic work.

46-55

FFFF convention

A glimpse in to an invite-only magic convention for close-up magicians.

56-60

WHY YOU NEED A WEBSITE

SEO expert Cris Johnson looks at the importance of a strong web presence.

62-65

FEATURED ARTICLES //

PUBLISHER

Paul Romhany & Joomag

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & DESIGN LAYOUT

Paul Romhany

COVER PHOTO

Designed photo by Paul Romhany

BACK COVER PHOTO

Hocus Pocus Focus Photography

THANK YOU TO Chipper Lowell

SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ADVISER

Nick Lewin

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Hal Meyers, Ben Robinson

CONTRIBUTORS

Paul Romhany, Dan Stapleton, Louie Fox, Nick Lewin, Luca Volpe, Connie Boyd, Steve Cohen,Pierre Hamon & Gus, Dave Attwood, Hal Meyers, Dibya Guha, Paul Romhany

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

Jennifer Holden

CREATIVE DESIGNER & LAYOUT

Paul Romhany

VANISH CONVENTION DIRECTOR

Steve Hocevar

CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION

Joomag

Mannequin

PRODUCT REVIEWS:

PLEASE NOTE:

New address so email prior to posting any product reviews to VANISH.

editor@vanishmagazine.com

Conjuring

Are

Ryan

88-91

Louie Fox teaches

// Tribute to Milt Larsen 35-37

// Jordana Borensztajn 42-44

// Jaenette Andrews 38-40

// 45-47

Garven

CATER GUY

BY PAUL ROMHANY

When you mention the name Guy Cater in New Zealand, chances are somebody knows his name or has seen his show. I consider Guy to be a New Zealand show business treasure. Guy’s work as a hypnotist, comedian, and magician is top notch, and his skills have taken him around the world, from the sands of the desert in the United Arab Emirates to the back of motorbikes in the pouring rain in Singapore. He was the first New Zealand hypnotist to work in Las Vegas, and he's performed under every working condition you could imagine.

I’ve known Guy for as far back as I can remember and we’ve worked together in Singapore, Dubai and throughout New Zealand. He taught me more about show business than anyone else I’ve ever met. During our time working overseas together, I would watch every show and was always in awe at how he handled the audience, and did it all, from MC to a four-hour night of entertainment!

We spent almost two years working on a regular TV spot for kids TV in our home country, New Zealand, and I can’t remember laughing so much at any other gig I’ve done. This article is long overdue, and is a celebration of a dear friend and one of the best entertainers I’ve ever worked with.

HAPPY THE HOBO

Guy Cater was brought up in New Zealand in a town called Howick. Comedy and variety ran through his blood, as his father was a member of the “Independent Order of Odd Fellows,” a nonpolitical and non-sectarian international fraternal order of Odd Fellowship. His father acted as MC and told jokes which meant that Guy grew up in a home full of laughter and fun. In his early years, he and three other school friends started a magic club, and as teenagers they enrolled in a local drama school run by

I Am always in Awe at how he handled the Audience, and did it all, from MC to a four-hour night of entertainment.

Alma Woods, a well-known New Zealand actress. Here, they gained experience in theatre, learning everything from production, to lighting and building a show. Every young person today should do this, if they aspire to be a performer.

Years later, he went on his big OE (Overseas Experience –something most late teenage New Zealanders embark on once they finish high school).

One night in 1967, due to an unforeseen accident with the regular entertainment at an East End pub, Guy stepped up and entertained the crowd. This resulted in a regular gig at the

Thomas A'Becket pub in London where he was paid £5 for one night of entertainment. Considering he was earning only £4.10 for a week’s work at his regular job at The Overseas Working Men Club, he realized there was more to be made in entertainment than working a regular job. To entertain the crowds, he would use everything he knew from the nights his parents had had, everything from sing-a-longs to his early magic days of entertaining with a thumb tip. After three and a half years it was time to head back home to New Zealand, and he knew he was headed for a life in show business. Back in New Zealand, and newly

Guy received Benny Award

TOP PHOTO: Guy as Happy the Hobo with his daughter Vanessa and right photo with daughter Virginia Photo above: Guy with fellow "Kiwi" magicians