NO. 202, MALTA- The Magicians’ Society
Meets monthly at Valletta Doctrine Center
Ring Report -May 2002 The second week of April we had a guest from England visiting us. Scotty Thompson from Leicester entertained us with his cheeky and humorous close up magic. It was a bit too hot that day so he took off his jacket. To everybody's amazement a quantity of items were produced from his jacket. These included a glass of beer, a can of soft drink and even a can of peas. Then he invited a member to help him and created hilarious antics with the tie. He also exploited our currency when he changed blank paper to Maltese 'Funny Money'. Perhaps the best part was when he transformed a lottery ticket to a Maltese tenner. The unequal ropes took a different twist in the hands of Scotty. He used them for betting which rope is the longest. He finished with his favourite routine where he called another member of the audience, took his jacket off, and with a knife penetrated it under the horrified eyes of the owner. Luckily, Scotty is a good magician and the jacket was restored to its original condition. The president Vanni Pule' thanked Scotty for participating in our meeting and joined with the rest of the members in giving him a hearty and well-deserved applause. After that it was Geoffrey Buhagiar's turn to present some of his favourite routines. He started off with a Mental effect where he showed us a blank frame and tried to predict what a member of the audience was thinking. He seemed to be unsuccessful and this routine ended up as a running gag. Then he proceed to show us 3 different coloured blocks which were placed on top of each other. Amazingly the middle block disappeared and turned up unexpectedly under a silk lying along side the blocks. Geoffrey's next item was the sword through the neck. With a lot of byply a member's neck was impaled with a vicious looking sword but the hole was restored benignly. Finally he concluded the recurring failure gag with the selected card materialising in a frame. The members were very thankful to Geoffrey for sharing some of his pet routines with us. The last meeting for April was a coin dropping session. Actually we had Chris Gove' again delivering a brilliant lecture on the ART OF SLEEVING. Prepared before hand to bring jackets all the members practiced and tried to emulate Chris’s perfect moves to obtain a perfect illusion of making a coin disappear. Actually Chris had a well-structured and extremely entertaining lecture which started with a bit of history on the art of sleeving and included famous performers who used this method. Then he explained the basic needs and items required to do this sleight by going into detail in the types of jackets and what one should actually wear under the jacket. Then he listed the 6 different systems of how to sleeve a coin that he explained in great detail. These techniques were: Back Slide, Middle Finger Push, 90 Degree Slide, Pumpkin Seed Vanish, Inertia Slide, Table Slide and the Finger Flick. He also showed that these methods were not limited to vanishes but could also be used for exchanging of objects. The objects also don’t have to be coins but can include keys, balls etc. This was where everyone started experimenting with the moves and you could tell as everyone started dropping and shooting the coins on the floor and across the room. However everyone appreciated the powerful tool Chris explained to us. Many who were afraid of this mode of vanishing and exchange were tempted to include it in their arsenal. Thanks Chris for dedicating your time to share your knowledge with us. Mario Galea Ring 202 Ring Report During the relatively well attended last meeting before Christmas the Yuletide spirit was evident in the performances of all the members of Ring 202. Earlier we had decided to dedicate this meeting to magic related to Christmas and Tony Valletta started by showing us a large Christmas Card Card back and front. From it he produced various scarves and necklaces. Ivan Mallia was next and he brought over his bare Christmas Tree. With a bit of magic the tree ended up decorated with colourful baubles and candles. Vanni Pule' magically painted a picture on a white silk and then barehandedly coloured it in the spirit of the season. Bernard Schembri contributed with some appropriate card magic while Joe Demanuele discovered the end of ar ope in his sleeve that he pulled and pulled until it got longer and longer. It got stuck in his trouser leg until the end of the rope revealed a Merry Christmas banner. Noel D'Amato produced various glowing lights at his fingertips which were thrown onto a silk Christams tree. This ended up with lights on its branches. Finally Robert Ellul concluded the magical session with balloon twisting that resulted in an artistic and colourful Christmas decoration. The meeting did not end there. Noel D'Amato, our vice-president, ordered delicacies and drinks just for this occasion as this was the last meeting for the busy month of December and everyone enjoyed the canapes and the booze. Happy New Year to all our brotherhood around the world. Mario Galea Ring 202 It gives me great pleasure to be the second Ring 202 President to welcome you via our web site. Our I.B.M. Ring in Malta has now been active for almost thirty years but it has been during the last few years that it has ventured into cyberspace. My predecessor Alfred Mifsud was the pioneer of setting up the site and he is going to continue to update it and embellish it. So, I hope that we will have more and more visitors from around the world and you are more than welcome to send your messages or give your suggestions. We are one of the smallest Rings in the World in one of the smallest independent countries in the World. But we strive to be active, innovative and hospitable. This page will give you an idea of our activities and of our visitors. I hope that we shall meet many of you, either at our meetings or via e-mail. Best wishes to all those who are interested in Magical activities all over the world.
Vanni Pule`President & Territorial V.P.I.B.M.
Ring 202 Malta
Report for September 2001
Earlier on, our President and TVP Vanni Pule` visited Rome. Unfortunately Ring 204 does not meet in the hot summer months. But Vanni had the opportunity of meeting for a wonderful Italian dinner and some Magic the legendary Star of Italian magic, Silvan and the energetic and friendly secretary of the Rome Ring, Venceslao Dobrzensky.
And then there were four!
Yes we at Ring 202 were happy to invite four new magicians to present their provisional audition to become members of the Magicians' Society IBM Ring 202 on the first Sunday of September. For a long time we did not see any new faces but these new aspiring (some young and some not so young) magicians show up and gave all they knew to impress my club colleagues!
In fact the (young) Stanley Suda arriving fresh from a Las Vegas vacation started by showing us a couple of micro illusions including a gem prediction. Following his act was the youngest of the team (at the age of only thirteen years) Andrew Saliba. Andrew is the grandson of the oldest member in our club Dr.Joseph Saliba. The former gave a brilliant act using cards where he kept counting six cards, throwing away three and still ending up with six cards. His false count was fantastic and his patter equalled his sleight of hand. For his next trick he asked for the help from the audience and had them choose a chewing gum pack from three packs, which in turn was opened and each person from the audience chose one gum each and Andrew himself took the last gum. When removed from the wrapper everybody else had a gum as expected but Andrew wrapper had twenty bucks! And guess what, for our next audition we had Stephanie Spiteri the first female after a long absence in our club. Stephanie was cool in her delivery and she had very willing (male) assistants. (I hope I don't sound too chauvinistic). However the willing assistants turned out to be very unwilling when she showed up her Finger Chopper. The card prediction Stephanie made was more acceptable to the assistant. Finally she took revenge on all male magicians and did the Zig-zag on a .........card (not on a male assistant). And finally (the not so young) Emmanuel Mangion (he is old as our president Vanni Pule' except he is one year younger.....or was it older?) did his act using 20th Century silks, predicted some of the members thoughts using the Mental Epic and finally with a home built square circle for the production of confetti and silks. The half round table committee ( we couldn't find a proper table) met to discuss whether these new members should be allowed to join as provisionals and we all accepted. The new members, of course, were delighted and the treasurer was rubbing his hands as he would collect more fees (just joking!) The president gave the new members a briefing and the meeting was wound up with the club having more members affiliated with it! Congratulations and welcome to the world of magic and illusion Stanley, Andrew, Stephanie and Emmanuel.
Mario Galea
Secretary
IBM Ring 202
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RING REPORT AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2000
The first meeting of this month consisted of a demonstration of some of the favourite routines of our amiable treasurer and early morning coffee maker Noel D'Amato. Noel, never at a loss for words, presented some very colourful items with patter. He started with one of his practical routines involving Pavel's "Zebra Silk". He included both versions of the "Flying Ring" utilising reel and a thumb tip with the ring finally appearing in a nest of Russian dolls taped together. He gave his version of the "Colour Changing Compact Discs" and a "Just Chance" effect using coloured beakers and a wallet. He discovered a chosen card in one of three balloons that were earlier displayed on a stand and predicted the card in a McCombical way. The classic silk frame and cabby were then included in a fascinating narrative. He then managed to restrain his voluble nature and presented a graceful silent routine changing a silk into a rose and linking three Rings together.
August’s competition was different and definitely a challenge. What we had to do was to imagine going to a show and losing all the props completely before the performance! What would you have done? That I cannot answer but what our members did was extraordinary and a whole deal of knowledge came out from this competition. The winner of this competition was the only Goziton (GOZO is Malta’s sister island smaller than Malta and more beautiful) member of our club, Mario Galea, and he went away with some great prizes put up by Mr President.
Mario performed a fantastic routine with a newspaper. He cut out a heart shape from a newspaper page that left a hole forming a square. Using another piece he cut a square shape that left a hole formed as a circle. The routine concluded when he cut a circle, which to our amazement left no hole at all. Well done MARIO!
Noel D'Amato presented a cup and ball routine using newspaper and ordinary plastic cups and went on to predict cards chosen by the audience by cutting the newspaper to form the number of the cards chosen and their particular suit.
Ivan Formosa's act included a cut and restored thread, where after cutting a long thread into several short pieces he restored them into one whole piece again. He went to perform a color changing liquid routine using his very own original mixtures found in household chemicals. He ended with restoring a burnt borrowed bill.
Robert Ellul started off with a rope routine where knots magically appeared and disappeared on the rope that ended with a silk visibly appearing on the rope. He finished off with a card prediction.
Ivan Mallia presented a card predication and some routines using a die. Vanni Pule`’s performance included a cut and restored Tissue Paper, a book test using a normal book. After he continued by vanishing a borrowed bank note and producing it from a vegetable. He concluded with a mental effect using the one ahead method .
Tony Valletta entertained the members present with a iser's Dream routine using nothing else but sleight of hand and a normal bucket. He went on to change water into wine and did a couple of routines with silks, which knotted themselves together. It was not the knot routine that concluded Tony’s act, but it was a prediction which was very convincing. Vonfred managed to restore a torn newspaper. After he also managed to pass a needle through a brass block that was placed in a matchbox. His cutting and restoring was not over as his next trick was that of cutting and restoring a tie. He concluded his presentation by producing a couple of packs of cards from an ordinary wallet.
Yours truly competed using the following effects. A finger chopping routine using an ordinary paper knife and cardboard as the slide. The presentation continued with the basic cut and restored rope routine and following with a borrowed ring that managed to pass through a larger ring which was tied on a rope. To end it all a borrowed 10pound note was cut in half and magically restored.
Later on that month we attended a video presentation of some of the world’s most daring and dangerous acts in the world of magic when we saw "Magic on the Edge 1 & 2".
Brian Role`
Secretary
RING REPORT JULY 2000
We were very sad to hear of the demise of our friend and member from Australia, Maltese-born, Lucky Fordali. Apart from being a very good and very funny magician he was also a great gentleman of Magic. We send our deepest regrets to his relatives and friends. The hot summer months are with us here once again in Malta, but our passion for magic overcomes the heat. Apart from having one committee meeting, two general meetings, one competition and two foreign guests during this month we managed to get on with the usual engagements plus the big demand for children’s parties.
During our first meeting of the month a competition was held. This was the luck of the draw competition, where each competitor had to present trick based on a randomly chosen card depicting an object or style. The selection was made two weeks in advance so that members would have enough time to prepare. Ivan Formosa was the first to go on and he had to do something with balls. And he did. He took a big sponge ball and this transformed into several small ones. Then, he managed to make a paper ball float without using any cover. Ivan Mallia was next to perform. He had to do magic with rings. He managed to make a chosen ring disappear from a handkerchief and appear on a darning needle which was inside a bag and that was held by a spectator by its top corners the whole time.
Stephen Craus's selection was children’s magic. He did a visual color change with a silk and went into the 20th Century silk routine. Brian Role`'s fate decided that he had to do something with newspapers and magazines. He managed to suspend a newspaper by its end on a candle.
Mentalism was Geoffrey Buhagiar’s selection and he managed to predict a card using a beautiful routine. Candles were the objects with which Vonfred had to perform. He showed us a candle and an empty tube. After putting the candle in the tube he took a silk and made it vanish. This ended up in the tube instead of the candle and the candle was produced from his pocket.
Karl Spiteri was next to perform. His subject was dining table magic. He used a chop cup routine with a normal looking mug, a torn and restored newspaper routine. He made salt vanish from his hand and ended up with the Airborne Glass effect. Robert Ellul’s selection was magic with eggs! He made a silk turn into an egg after which he exposed his egg routine to us. But we were all surprised when the egg was broken and its contents were poured out!
Comedy was Vanni Pule`’s lot. He used a funnel to make milk disappear while apparently going down somebody's pants, and then appear from the unfortunate volunteer's elbow. Chance decided that Lorenzo Brincat should perform money magic. He tore a note in half with a knife and magically restored it. Mario Galea transformed a cigarette to a silk from a tube, while performing silk magic.
Noel D’Amato had to show us some magic with cards. He performed an improved clear Slate of Mind effect. Alfred Mifsud’s selection was magic with haberdashery items. He performed a flying coin routine with buttons, a string through fingers routine and ended up with a cut and restored string routine. The winner of this competition was Ivan Mallia who received some tricks from the President. During our second meeting we showed a recording of a television spot of Luck Fordali as a tribute to him.
We continued our meeting with special guest from England Bill Schweda and from Scotland Steward Mc Cloud. Young Steward started his short but excellent performance with a rubber band routine that included the Crazy Man's Handcuffs and finished with Star Gazer after performed some brilliant sleight of hand card effects. Bill Schweda was next to perform and he started off with a card effect called A Simple Irish Prediction. He next used ESP cards and demonstrated to us some bewildering card magic with them.
We would like to thank both of our guests, especially to Bill who has made it a must to visit us year after year and to perform for us each time. We hope that all I.B.M. members have a wonderful summer holiday and if you ever get around to visit Malta feel free to visit us.
Brian Role`
RING REPORT JUNE 2000
My thanks goes to Vanni for taking over my work during my absence for the past couple of months, in which I was performing in Mexico with female illusionist Julia Christie. The heat is on in Malta but our work continues. As usual June is a busy season for us here. It is the season for everything from Festivals to Children's parties. We started our month in style by appearing on National TV as a whole Ring. Most of our members managed to attend this four hour "live" transmission of mystery and magic and the public got to know us a little better and even got to know more about the Ring and how it functions in Malta. The following are the names of those that took part and the routines they presented: Geoffrey Buhagiar "What's Next" apparently trying to teach it to the presenters; Mark Aguis "Dissecto Wrist Chopper"; Karl Spiteri "Book Test"; Lorenzo Brincat "Modern Art"; Vanni Pule` "Sword Suspension"; Tony Valletta "Coin Magic and Card Prediction"; Chris Gove` "In the News, Coin Magic and Finger Chopper"; Robert Ellul "Balloon Modelling"; Ivan Mallia "Burnt & Restored Handkerchief and Card Prediction"; Brian Role' "Liquid to Silk", Noel D'Amato "Kovari's Passing Water" and Mario Galea "Coin Magic". Alfred Camilleri better know in Malta as Vonfred performed some routines for us during the first meeting of the month. His performance varied from sleights to minor illusions and was very fast moving and entertaining indeed. He started with an amazing Linking Ribbons routine and continued to magically change the colour of a shoelace. Then he performed the cut and restored rope routine with a twist followed by a card prediction, which was in his pocket. Vonfred demonstrated his manipulative skill during a sponge ball routine and after did the classic Cut and Restored Newspaper Trick for us. He performed more tricks for us using coins, Dice, playing cards. One of the card routines was the Colour prediction, where a selected coloured spot card is pre predicted by the magician using the odds out system. We the saw him perform a humorous gag prediction I once saw on David Copperfield's special back in the eighties. I think that this was originally marketed by Ken Brooke as the "Baby Gag". He asked a member of our audience to select a famous film star of our choice and told us that he had a picture of that very Film Star in a sealed envelope. Indeed he did! It was a picture of a baby! He ended his magic with us with a Monte routine using colors instead of the famous spot the Queen!
During our second meeting for the month, Vanni Pule` gave us a lecture on packet card tricks. During his lectured Vanni performed some of his very own routines plus others created by other well know names. The original effects he performed and lectured us on were as follows. "Uncanny Kings"; "Double Exposure", "Shaking It", "Semi Blanco Match", "Chase the Wild Woman" ,combining the "cherchez la Femme" and the wild card efect, "Hokey Poker" by Nick Trost, "Cardinal Cards" by Meir Yedid and "Gypsy Curse" by Peter Kane. Apart from performing and demonstrating these routines Vanni also tipped us on certain moves and other sleight of hand movements during these routines that are very valuable during other card effects. He also showed how many packet card tricks could be presented in a way that the cards seem to be taken from a normal deck.
Brian Role` 3.VII.2000
RING REPORT -APRIL - MAY 2000 - RING 202 MALTA
The first meeting wasn't really a meeting. It was a spectacular performance by most of the members for the public. The publicity worked because we had a packed house coming from all parts of the island. Illusion 2000 regaled the 1,000 or so attendees with a polished dove act by , Classic and new llusions by Agimar & Mariella, hazardous fireating and Fire Magic by , skilful nose and chin balancing by , pleasant Comedy Magic, mostly with child volunteers by one of our guests,T.V. personality from Cyprus, and more dramatic illusions by . The second part that opened with the colourful dancing troupe of Alicia Joy who also opened the first part, continued with with more spectacular grand illusions, Geoffrey Buhagiar with manipulations and a Steinmeyer illusion, and his family with a musical fantasy with balloon models and from Lancashire, England with crazy magical comedy. The show closed with more surprising illusions and pyrotechnics by . The host for this occasion was T.V. actor and comedian while was in charge of the sound and light cues and members , , , , and helped backstage or at the entrance.
The following week, Tom Owen gave us another brilliant performance, this time in the intimacy of our meeting place. Tom is brilliant at entertaining magicians and laypeople with simple quick items. Although this was his fourth visit, his lecture didn't fail to elicit hilarity and admiration from those present. Simple tricks like the obedient matchbox, the levitator and gimmicks like the watch winder become memorable moments of amusement in his capable and experienced hands. Tony Valletta continued to instruct the members with his second part of the lecture involving card tricks that seem to require skill. But he showed us how more practical they are than is apparent to laypeople and how the performer can dedicate his efforts to presentation. As a contrast to card magic we had a meeting dedicated to silks, flowers and plumes. Noel D'Amato changed a cane into a plume then produced a gorgeous bouquet of feather flowers and ended with a silk that changed colour visibly in mid-dair. vanished and reproduced a silk several times until it appeared in a packet of potato chips (crisps for us Europeans). Finally young member Ivan Mallia showed an empty tube and while passing a silkks through it, managed to change its colour. A meeting was also dedicated to discussing the aftermath of "Illusions 2000" and its broadcast on national Television.
Brian Role`
Secretary
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 00 12:52PM MET
From: "Vanni Pulé"
Subject: Ring 202 Report Feb 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NO. 202, MALTA- The Magicians' Society
http://only.at/ring202malta
Meets monthly at Valletta Doctrine Center
Vanni Pule`, President
48 Sirti Street, San Gwann SGN 07, Malta
pulevan@keyworld.net
Brian Role`, Secretary 5 Block B, Peach Street, San Gwann, SGN O3, Malta rolemagic@mail.global.net.mt RING REPORT FEBRUARY 2000
FEBRUARY 2000 Since our secretary, Brian Role`, had to leave Malta for an engagement in Mexico, I have to take over his job, temporarily. The first meeting this month featured new tricks for the Millennium, preferably things we had not seen before. Noel Damato presented his version of the Macdonald Aces that was followed by a prediction of ESP symbols that I had explained in one of my lectures. Tony Valletta guessed on which planet an UFO was going to land. Alfred Mifsud tried very hard to bend some borrowed keys by mental powers and Ivan Mallia made a card turn over as it passed through a "time tunnel". Mario Galea showed us a new original idea on how to palm a coin and Stephen Craus snipped a piece of newspaper several times, after which he magically restored it. Ivan Formosa presented a multiple sucker version of a vanishing soap. He then proceeded to perform Harris's Cardian Angel.
Joe Demanuele went a step further with a trick featured in a lecture by Ali Bongo in which coloured ribbons disappear on a palette and Etienne Pecorella predicted a card chosen mentally. Vanni Pule` presented a Close-Up version of the Instant Painting and passed a metal ball bearing through his hand. For the following meeting we were lucky to have two magical couples as guests from the United Kingdom. Bert and Mary Smith of Sheffield are regular visitors to our shores and Bert had already been made an honorary member of our Ring. I feel very grateful to him for introducing me many years ago to those dreaded packet card tricks which "purists" hate so much. He performed a jumbo version of the "Birds and the Bees", a combination of a "Three Card Monte" and a "Sandwiched Card Selection", the instant change of a piece of paper to a bill and vanishing ring appearing in a flash on a chain. He also executed a convincing, barehanded "Coins Across" and stunned us with an excellent "Card in Envelope and in Wallet" routine. The other guests were Colin and Rosemary Sansom of Coventry. Colin nearly lost a bottle of champagne in the Roy Johnson version of "Win & Lose". He performed another version of the "Three Card Monte", switched in his bare hands one bill to another and was successful in matching the cards a spectator turned over in a very convincing "Do As I Do". His wife Rosemary entertained us with a number of colourful balloon models. Our member Chris Gove` presented an immaculate Close-Up routine. This included the Twisted Deck, Z-Ray revelation, his version of the Diary Prediction and his original method and routine for the "Five Keys to Baldpate" after which he produced several decks of cards from a wallet and ended with Roy Roth's "Technicolour Chance". Our final performer was another Maltese member Tony Valletta, a veteran micro magician. His routine centred around the ESP symbols known as Zenner and included some marvellous predictions, divinations and discoveries all linked together smoothly with the participation of two members of our audience. The President thanked our guests for spending some of their holiday time with us and thanked also all our members who participated. The following meeting was dedicated to an open discussion of our forthcoming Stage show for the public - "Illusions 2000" to be held on the 1st of April. Vanni Pule`
RING 202 CHARTER NIGHT DINNER 2000 Members of Ring 202, Malta welcomed the year 2000 with a formal dinner at the Forum Suite of the Topaz Hotel. Members, their families, and friends enjoyed a welcome drink and a five-course meal that was of very good value indeed. After coffee the President, Vanni Pule` spoke briefly about past achievements and future prospects and then introduced the Cabaret. The first artist was Secretary Brian Role` who commenced with a very dramatic D'Lite routine producing a long festoon at the end. His finale was an appearance of a bird in a cage and a floating bar stool. The Vice-President and PRO Lorenzo Brincat took the stage and showed his experience and attack in a combination of audience participation and grand illusion. His finale with a miniature Zig Zag in which he put his lovely wife Rita was very impressive indeed. Gifts donated by members were then drawn in a raffle.
A star lecture about children's Magic was presented on Boxing Day by our friend from England Tony Curtis. He showed that a children's show doesn'thave to be patronizing and doesn't have to involve childish pictures butcan please also the adults who may be following. After the lecture Tonyoffered some of his dealer's wares for sale. This was also the last meeting for 1999 and a small party was organized for the occasion.In a previous meeting, Mario Galea, from Gozo passed his full membership with a clever routine of close-up magic. Carlo Calleja surprised us with a performance of parlour magic that was of great originality and very high standard and therefore became officially a provisional member. Other members who were accepted as Provisional after an audition were Stephen Kraus, Ivan Mallia and Etienne Pecorella. Lorenzo gave a lecture about impromptu Magic that manifested his experience in all aspects of Magic. British Comedy and Originality champion Jimmy Carlo together with Anne wasengaged to perform at the Corinthia San Gorg for the New Year period butthey had some disappointments with some of the venues in which they had to work.
Norwegian female magician Julia Christie was recently performing a one hour show of illusions at one of the Circuses in Blata l-Bajda. Her actinvolved some very large props, a cheetah, a tiger and some poodles. At the Circus on Ice there was also a magician who performed amongst a couple of other things, a dagger chest. An illusionist from Uzbekestan, TuitchiKhan, was invited to perform at one of the nights of the Song for Europe Contest at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. Another comedy magician,El Loco was also performing here over Christmas but we have not had any reviews. Karl Spiteri has finished appearing in the series Tiramisu'.
Nicky Briffa appeared on Super One on New Year's Day passing a girl through a large sheet of glass. Net Television is giving the opportunity to Magicians who haven't much chance of exposure to do a short spot in a Sunday afternoon programme. To date, Mark Agius, Carlo Calleja, Joseph Cavallo and Geoffrey Buhagiar have appeared. Vanni Pule` is still a regular on Wednesday and Saturday on O2K and Robert Ellul will be appearing in a children's series. Date: Tue, 01 Feb 00 00:29AM MET This was also the last meeting for 1999 and a small party was organized for the occasion.In a previous meeting, Mario Galea, from Gozo passed his full membership with a clever routine of close-up magic. Carlo Calleja surprised us with a performance of parlour magic that was of great originality and very high standard and therefore became officially a provisional member. Other members who were accepted as Provisional after an audition were Stephen Kraus, Ivan Formosa presented a multiple sucker version of a vanishing soap *. He then proceeded to perform Peter Duffie's Dark Angel.Ivan Mallia and Etienne Pecorella. Lorenzo gave a lecture aboutimpromptu Magic that manifested his experience in all aspects of Magic.British Comedy and Originality champion Jimmy Carlo together with Anne was engaged to perform at the Corinthia San Gorg for the New Year period butthey had some disappointments with some of the venues in which they had to work. Norwegian female magician Julia Christie was recently performing a one hour show of illusions at one of the Circuses in Blata l-Bajda. Her actinvolved some very large props, a cheetah, a tiger and some poodles. At the Circus on Ice there was also a magician who performed amongst a coupleof other things, a dagger chest. An illusionist from Uzbekestan, Tuitchi Khan, was invited to perform at one of the nights of the Song for EuropeContest at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. Another comedy magician,El Loco was also performing here over Christmas but we have not had any reviews. Karl Spiteri has finished appearing in the series Tiramisu'. Nicky Briffa appeared on Super One on New Year's Day passing a girl through a largesheet of glass. Net Television is giving the opportunity to Magicians who haven't much chance of exposure to do a short spot in a Sunday afternoon programme. To date, Mark Agius, Carlo Calleja, Joseph Cavallo and Geoffrey Buhagiar have appeared. Vanni Pule` is still a regular on Wednesday and Saturday on O2K and Robert Ellul will be appearing in a children's series. Date: Tue, 01 Feb 00 00:29AM MET
RING REPORT DECEMBER 1999
December was a busy month for Ring 202 and apart from having two auditions, we also were pleased to have as a guest, Mr Tony Curtis from the UK, to entertain us on Boxing Day. But first we must congratulate Mario Galea and Carlo Calleja who successfully auditioned for full and provisional membership respectively. During his audition, Mario performed his magic with a simple yet effective style of patter. The act, a close up one, was performed whilst sitting down on a small stool over a table. He started by hanging a small but distinctive vase from a piece of rope which was later passed on to the audience for inspection. Then he took us to the fourth dimension when he penetrated a playing card through another and the playing card visibly changed its back to it face. A member from the audience was shown how easy it was to pass a toothpick through a matchbox. But when the assistant tried to do the same he found it quite impossible. Of course he would with that brass block in the matchbox. Mario went on to tell us a story on how the FBI and CIA passed on secret messages by using blank playing cards. When they wanted to read the message they would pass it under another card and the message would become visibly clear on the face of the blank card. Of course these became blank once again after passing under the other cards! He then went on to do a small prediction with some other playing cards. Out of a pack a helper selected any card he wanted to. After the selection and shuffling of the pack, not only were we amazed that the selected card had turned itself in the pack but it had also changed the color of its back. Mario closed his act with a penetration act. He demonstrated a Perspex frame and a solid ball and after a little hocus pocus the ball visibly passed through the frame. Without a doubt Mario passed the full membership audition and we are pleased to have him as a full member within our club. Money was no problem when Carlo Calleja borrowed some from one of the members present. After jotting down the serial number, the note somehow vanished from sight and the only thing Carlo had to offer to our victim was a packet of chewing gum. Actually the helper didn't even get a whole packet as this had to be opened and shared with some of those present. All that was left was one stick of chewing gum, which when opened by the volunteer contained not a gum but the 5 pound bill he had lent to Carlo. Following that entertaining routine Carlo went on with some sponge ball magic and after vanishing and producing a bunch of sponge balls he went on to recite a poem he wrote for a rope routine. He showed us a rope and made a knot. The knot magically became two and all of a sudden four. He then made another to make them odd then after some more magic the rope had not a knot! Congratulations Carlo and we also welcome you as our freshest provisional member. Our guest for the season was Mr Tony Curtis. After the Xmas reception the committee organised for its members, our Vice President Lorenzo Brincat introduced our guest from England, who was kind enough to perform his magic for us that day. Tony's specialty was performing adult magic for children and during his act he performed routines using various effects that usually are used during adult shows. Although we are all young at heart, there weren't any children around to assist Tony with his magic and the victim selected to play this role was yours truly. I assisted him in almost all his effects, even the ones in which he usually uses a girl! His opening routine was the eye catching, straight to the point, bewildering Kioma Tubes. Two rope, two tubes - I was given the choice of choosing any rope and any tube, he used magic to keep the tube onto the rope…but I couldn't get it to stay until he helped me a little. An item used very differently by Tony was the famous Change Bag. He combined the effect with a silk to torch routine, where he made a transposition of a silk and batteries from the change bag to the torch. He then chose a little girl (guess who) to assist him with a superb effect. After giving me a ring as a present for helping him and me signing a sticker that was secured around it, he made it vanish from under a hanky, which was held between my fingers. I cried, but Tony gave me a box to open and I thought the ring would be in it. But it wasn't. Then out from his table came out a set of Russian Dolls and these were unscrewed one by one until he was left with the smallest of them all. And in that was my ring. Again I was thought how to spin a plate and Tony went further than that by spinning the plate on a very long stick. He then did some magic with a dice and tennis ball. After showing us an empty box and an empty tube he put the die in the box and the ball in the tube. These magically and mysteriously changed places. Unfortunately every good show must come to an end and so had Tony's after he demonstrated to us an amazing piece of magic using a framed mirror. The mirror was demonstrated and it was quite clear that it was solid. This was inserted into a bag and the bag was zipped closed. Then three rods were handed on to a volunteer and these were inserted in the middle of the mirror. If this wasn't enough he then went on to bend the mirror and after some hocus pocus he pulled out the mirror from the bag unharmed in any way. We are proud to have had Tony with us during this festive season and we hope that he felt the warmth of our hospitality. We thank him for sharing his magic with us and I am sure that his magic was truly appreciated by all our members. Brian Role` 11.I.2000 RING REPORT NOVEMBER 1999
During the month of November Ring 202 were proud to host two guests from the UK, soon to be married,(Thomas Hind) and newly wed magician ( Damian James), who were both so kind as to perform for us during one of our meetings. Thomas mystified us with mental effects that included the classic ESP Perfect Match and a latest high tech impression pad while Damian added a touch of comedy to his magical performance. He even included a bit of ventriloquism with the Axtell talking face drawing from whose mouth he produced a sponge ball.
What do magicians do when they encounter a problem with a trick? This was the subject discussed during one of our meetings and during this session, almost everyone present brought a trick along for a brainstorming session to solve the problems.
Our new members continued their course when (Lorenzo Brincat) presented a lecture about Impromptu Magic. Lorenzo began with a small introduction and stated that to be a magician one must be able to perform a number of tricks using what is available at the time. He then went on to show those present how to perform a number of effects using matches, coins, cigarettes, paper, bank notes, things found at a dinner table, handkerchiefs and cards among other things.
It is a pleasure for me to note is that our members are taking the advantage to the full of having a magical club in Malta. This can be verified with the number of members attending our meetings. We are also getting good comments about our Web-site and we can thank (Alfred Mifsud) for being so very much dedicated to maintain and update it regularly. What could be more stimulating than meeting and discussing our art with a fellow magician, getting to know guests from abroad and to perform for them too and most of all to keep in contact with other rings from around the world? The new millenium is just around the corner and our agendas are full but we are well prepared to greet it as it comes. Well that is all I had for you this month and on behalf of Ring 202, I would like to take this opportunity to wish every one a magical festive season and a prosperous New Year. Brian Role` 30.XI.99 NO. 202, MALTA- The Magicians' Society
Meets monthly at Valletta Doctrine Center
Vanni Pule`, President
48 Sirti Street, San Gwann SGN 07, Malta
pulevan@keyworld.net
Brian Role`, Secretary
5 Block B, Peach Street, San Gwann, SGN O3, Malta
rolemagic@mail.global.net.mt
The month of October,besides the AGM, offered also a session of pure magical delight. Each member performed a piece of his magic for the rest of the members during one of our sessions. Vanni Pule` stepped into the world of electronics and music when he mysteriously vanished a music CD from its cover thus deleting its existence from our dimension. Brian Role` showed us how to make things invisible and put them where they cannot logically be inserted when he magically made a bottle crown invisible and which became visible once again in its own bottle which was empty in the beginning. Joe Demanuele gave us something to think about especially now that Xmas is close. After showing several cards he told us how difficult it could be to choose the right one. Then by using his magical power he eliminated the problem as the cards joined together to form one big card. We almost lost our Vice President, Lorenzo Brincat when Tony Valletta got a rope and made it go through his (Tony's) neck with one little pull and a bit of Hocus Pocus. Lorenzo was so impressed that he tried it several times himself. We were all wondering what his loved one would say when she saw the marks he left. Noel D'Amato made a dice vanish from a box, and made it appaear again in a hat. At first we thought that he was sliding the dice from side to side and showing us the other side empty. Surprised we were when he opened both sides and tops to show us that it had truly disappeared.
Carlo Calleja gave an impressive demonstration in how to make three ropes one. All he needed was the three ropes some delightful patter and pure magic to make it work. Diamonds are a girl's best friend, they also seemed to be a magician's best friend too when Ivan Mallia made a diamond appear on a side of a previously empty rod, then another on the other side, then another making them three and ended with a fourth one too.
Mario Galea, who had just been reinstated into the club as a provisional member earlier on that day penetrated our brains when he borrowed a 25 cent coin and mysteriously made a glass rod go right through it in front of our very eyes. No the coin didn't loose its value (or weight!) as it was left as perfect as it was the day it left the mint. Lorenzo Brincat's fascination with Tony's rope effect led him to use the rope and magically and visibly make not one, neither two but five knots to appear on it.
Last but not the least was Ivan Formosa's turn to mystify us with a couple of card routines. One of them was the revelation of a freely chosen card after a member of the humble audience randomly gave a number to count to the card chosen after which came the other three cards from each of the respective suit. The course for new members continued during the month of October with a lecture by Vanni Pule` with the theme "Big is Small". Our new members learned how to perform magic using small stuff, which left a big impact to the audience. They also learned how to use certain items which were easy to carry but were highly visible and so quite good to offer to a larger audience whilst being compact. The items used were mainly silks, ropes, cards, boxes, bags and liquids. Brian Role` - Secretary The following are the ring reports which our secretary Mr Robert Ellul sent for the Linking Ring
I decided to publish these as many foreign friends asked me to give them information about our active society, others receive their Linking Ring late. RING 202 Malta.
Alfred Mifsud (President)
Arlington
Valletta VLT 08
Roy Barnes The Magicians' Society = Ring 202 - Malta Roy Barnes Reports Editor P.O. Box 7476 Arlington VA 22207 U.S.A. Fax: 001 703 524 2369 Robert Ellul Secretary 14 / 13 Strait Street Valletta VLT 08 MALTA Fax: ++356 242815 15th September 1999 Meets on alternate Sundays at St. Augustine Parish Hall, Valletta.
Alfred Mifsud - President - 7,Dingli Street, Sliema SLM 10 E-mail: alfredmifsud@usa.net
Robert Ellul - Secretary - 14 / 13, Strait Street, Valletta VLT 08
Ring Report for April early September
New members joined our ring and the committee decided to organise a course of ten lectures specifically designed to cover most aspects in the Art of Magic.
Our President Alfred Mifsud delivered the first in the series of lectures. "Introduction to the Art of Magic". Many vital points for the magical beginner were covered. What makes a magician? What style of magic should I adopt? What do I need and where do I begin? Which are the rules? Code of ethics.
What one can give to our society and which are the major difficulties encountered? The lecture was complimented every now and then with magical effects and came to a conclusion with two golden rules.
“Never reveal a secret and keep practising until you can do it perfectly.”
May is the start of a busy season for most of our members performing children's shows and our regular meetings come to a halt. But despite this President Alfred Mifsud and Secretary Robert Ellul still managed to welcome overseas visitor Arthur Dilkes (Adil), member and official photographer of The North Wales Magic Circle, together with his wife Barbara. It was a night out at the Hotel Fortina where we had an interesting chat and also watched the evening show featuring two of Malta's leading magicians: 'Alexander' and Vanni Pule.
Tom Ogden, a well-known US .magician, visited us briefly as he cruised in the Mediterranean. We met in the Marina Corinthia Hotel. He performed some close-up card work featuring Wild Card, Cannibal Cards, Card Sandwich and also effects with two dices, US currency and a great three-ring routine. All this accompanied by Tom's great one liners, humour and persona, provided us with a nice end to the day. Thanks TOM1
'The Thumb Tip' was the subject chosen for the second lecture. Vanni Pule’ started off his lecture explaining about the history of the thumb tip and how it evolved through out the years. Vanni highlighted the importance of misdirection employed when using this prop. He also brought over his collection and went into great detail showing the different types that exist and the immense versatility of this prop. Vanni actually went through a number of effects that not only proved to be informative to the new members but also very entertaining to all present. Towards the end Karl Spiteri contributed two effects, Billet Switch and Cut and Restored Handkerchief cleverly utilising the thumb tip.
At our next meeting we had overseas guest Chaz accompanied by his wife Stephanie from Devon, England. Chaz is a children's entertainer and his repertoire includes Comedy Magic, Ventriloquism, Balloons, Puppets and also Face Painting. All children entertainers present benefited from Chaz's experience in this field.
International Relations Officer Karl Spiteri was next to lecture to our new members. 'Card Revelations' was the subject. Karl began by emphasising the importance of being creative and developing one's own style and personality. After showing a basic card force and method in controlling a card he passed on to demonstrating different types of card forces such as: Classic Force, Hindu Flash Force, Slip Force, and the Dribble Force. Karl explained to us his double lift technique and pointed out its importance in card tricks. Once a card has been forced or controlled, one must think of an interesting way to reveal it and Karl had quite some innovative ideas of revealing a card.
Our overseas guest and good friend Bill Shweda gave a continuation of the lectures for the new members.
Bill performed part of his children's act, namely: cut and restored skipping rope, a very visual blendo silks, and a classic, which used to be sold by Supreme, 'The Crown Jewels'. Bill emphasised how a routine can be stretched out to give maximum entertainment value, especially with the cut no cut scissors. Overall a great lecture by Bill.
Ring 202 would like to congratulate members Noel D'Amato and his wife Rose on the birth of their first son Ishmael and Joseph Pace and his wife Debbie on the birth of their first son Sean, Now that's great magic Noel and Joseph
Robert Ellul - Secretary
Robert Ellul 15th April 1999
Meets on Alternate Sundays at St. Augustine Parish Hall, Valletta ALFRED MIFSUD - PRESIDENT - 7, Dingli Street, Sliema SLM 10 E-mail: alfredmifsud@onvol.net
ROBERT ELLUL - SECRETARY - 14 / 13, Strait Street, Valletta VLT 08 Ring Report for March early April 1999
Ring 2O2 - The Magicians' Society - Malta
Once again Ring 2O2 had the pleasure of meeting one of its Honorary Members and frequent overseas guest Tom Omen. Tom lectured and demonstrated, as usual with his fast moving pace, most of his hilarious gags and favourite dose-up items. He also mentioned and performed tricks he had recently rediscovered going through some old magic books which still left an impact on today’s audience. One could tell that all our members are delighted to see Tom from the numerous attendance.
Rob Cox and Mandy Davis visited Ring 2O2, and presented us with some of their effects and ideas on magic. Rob performed A tossed out deck originally by David Hoy using a telematic deck. He also performed a book test, an alternative and interesting presentation of unequal ropes, and a mental effect, which could be performed on the telephone. He also gave a small discussion on how one should use and project their personality in their magic and involve everybody by eye contact so that magic could be made special to everybody. He also mentioned Ring 202 Report March/ early April 1999 Page 2 that magicians should demonstrate clearly to the spectators what they are expected to do when their help is required. Mandy Davis performed John Bannon's Play It Straight (Triumph), and demonstrated how to make a real balloon snake and a different balloon sword. Rob and Mandy also showed us a balloon blowing routine used in their children's shows. Overall it was another very entertaining and enjoyable Sunday for all members present at Ring 202.
Our next meeting was again another competitive session. 'Three Routined Tricks' was the theme-Noel D'Amato started off by performing his routine for Sympathetic silks, Colour Changing Plumes and ended by placing all the silks in a bag and transforming them into one big colourful foulard. Tony Valletta then went on to perform to music three daring stunts. First he poured a bottle of lemonade into a cup and after setting it on fire he proceeded to drink it up. A real light bulb was shattered to small pieces then eaten all up. Finally he produced a lit up fire torch.
Carlo Calleja pulled out from a square circle, which was shown convincingly empty a piece of rope and silk. These led him to perform a silk off rope effect and ended off with a flower production.
President Alfred Mifsud predicted an indoor game involving four coloured Table Tennis Balls. He then passed on to magically remove their colour. Putting them together with some flags inside a bag helped sew all the flags together. Joe Demanuele produced three lovely flower decoration boxes from an empty paper bag together with three matching coloured silks. These silks turned three black records to coloured ones, and finished off by transforming the silks in a huge coloured one.
Noel D'Amato won the most votes for the best effects presented and was awarded a gift voucher redeemable at Malta's Magic Studio.
Robert Ellul Secretary Ring Report for January 1999 Ring 202 - The Magicians' Society- Malta
This time it was Oscar Camilleri's turn to successfully audition for Provisional Membership. Oscar began by having a chosen card revealed in print on a flat crystal ball in a flashy way. Three coins were vanished in the hand and magically produced from a deck of cards. With the addition of another coin, Oscar proceeded to pass all four through a table. Next he performed a humourous three sponge ball routine where finally he had them completely vanished, Oscar ended his audition by displaying a black plastic rod to be plain on both sides. Suddenly a gem appeared first on one side then the other. Pushing the rod through the fist made the gem jump from one end to the other. A pivot motion and two gems appear ... both sides. In short a truly incredible jumping space gem mystery. Well done Oscar!
Our next meeting was honoured by guests from the U.K., Frank Baker, President of the Mahatma Magic Circle of Liverpool, and Rita Tomkinson. They performed a sample of their intimate walk around magic. Ring 202 Repont January 1999 Page 2 Frank started off this session with a card trick where after clearly showing four Jacks in his hands, one by one these changed into four Kings. He then extracted an Ace, Two and Three of Clubs from the deck and magically played around with them. The Two which was placed on the top of the deck was found to be at the bottom. The Three placed at the bonom was found to be at the top and the Ace which was placed in the middle was also magically brought to the top, Frank also revealed a previously chosen card by showing it to be the only Red Backed card in a Blue Backed deck and then went on to transforming this also to be a Blue Backed card. Next Frank performed a Nuts and Bolt, two in the hand and one in the pocket, routine magically ending up with the nut on the bolt. Rim Tomkinson took over the session by performing a series of ESP effects to suitable patter. Rita passed on to show two sets of five different designs. She first mounted her set on a clear perspex sheet then the spectator's set, having them placed where he wanted. Turning the sheet around revealed that both sets matched perfectly. She also managed to find a chosen playing card by spelling it Out. Frank carried on by vanishing a whole deck of cards except for the chosen card. This was found inside his trouser pocket. After displaying it to be the wrong one, magic immediately changed it to the correct card. He also cleverly passed a coin through a borrowed handkerchief and finshed off by showing us an entertaining teaspoon bending effect.
Rita wrapped up the meeting by having a pendant, which was held over a spread out deck of cards, divine a freely selected card in a mysterious manner.
Robert Ellul
Secretary
13th October 1998
Meets on Alternate Sundays at St. Augustine Parish Hall, Valletta
Alfred Mifsud - PRESIDENT - 7, Dingli Street, Sliema SLM 10 Malta
ROBERT ELLUL - SECRETARY - 14 / 13, Strait Street, Valletta VLT 08
Ring Report for end September / early October 1998
Ring 202 - The Magicians' Society - Malta
Our last meeting for the month of September was the Annual General Meeting.
After the usual procedures the following were elected as officers: Alfred Mifsud President;
Robert Ellul, Secretary and Vice President;
Noel D'Amato, Treasurer and Activities Organiser;
Karl Spiteri, International Relations Officer;
Geoffrey Buhagiar , Sergeant at Arms.
Attending the A.G.M. we also had as guest our friend from England Bill Schweda.
Bill took over the end of the meeting by performing a mind reading effect using a felt tip pen and a sketch pad. He predicted an ESP symbol that was sketched Earlier on. Bill concluded by performing a Four Aces routine and The Irish Three Card Trick.
Alfred Mifsud opened our first October meeting with a word of thanks for being entrusted the post of President.
He expressed the committee's intentions about future meetings and activities that should help boost our Ring.
Congratulations went to Robert Ellul who had just returned from the European Balloon Symposium held in Portugal where he won Best Balloon Busker Award.
The meeting continued with a Video Session of The Masked Magician series. This session proved to be interesting because, before exposure, members aired their own version of how things could have been achieved thus creating new principles to keep the Art of illusion alive.
Robert Ellul
Secretary Arlington Valletta VLT 08 VA 22207 MALTA U.S.A. Fax: COI 703 524 2369 Fax: + +356 242815 lsth November 1998
Meets on Alternate Sundays at St. Augustine Parish Hall, Valletta
Alfred Mifsud - PRESIDENT - 7, Dingli Street, Sliema SLM 10 Malta
ROBERT ELLUL - SECRETARY - 14 / 13, Strait Street, Valletta VLT 08
Ring Report for end October / early November 1998
Ring 2o2 - The Magicians' Society - Malta
"What trick would you teach a child?" and "What trick would you perform to an adult? was the theme of our last October meeting. Alfred Mifsud, the President, started off by revealing a chosen playing card and after another card revelation With the cards being held behind his back.
Robert Ellul succeeded in taking apart two matchsticks, with thumb and forefinger of each hand, without becoming trapped. He then predicted a chosen playing card.
Noel D'Amato made a previously chosen coloured sphere, from a stack of three, to change position inside a tightly fitted tube.
Vanni Pule’ showed us his favourite impromptu method for vanishing cutlery at table, the transposition of three coins and another amazing transposition, using a Chinese Coin, occurring without a single move.
Karl Spiteri presented his comedy version of paper balls over head routine using a coin. He went on by making a chosen card fall out from the deck into a glass and also matching it's missing corner.
Evan Abela performed a colour changing handkerchief teach in routine.
Joe Demanuele created a vanishing stamp illusion and passed on to a THIS and THAT comedy card routine.
Brian Role’ suspended a magic wand to the palm of his hand and also managed to empty a whole pack of cigarettes in a magical way.
Mark Agius ended this session by vanishing a coin wrapped inside a ten pound note and sharing with us his version of the torn and restored ten-pound note.
Our first meeting for the month of November was dedicated to The Linking Rings.
Noel D'Amato, Vanni Pule’ and Lorenzo all performed with style, their perfected and well presented routine of this Classic of Magic.
This session was also honoured by the presence of two overseas visitors Damian James and Thomas Hind.
Thomas Hind took the stage by performing his Pom Pom Prayer Stick routine and then passed on to a mind reading effect where he divined an ESP symbol sketched on a hidden note pad.
Damian James now a yearly regular visitor to our society proceeded With his hilarious routines Silk in Balloon, a numeric mental effect, Darryl's printing a card routine, Zebra Silk and concluded vvith the fantastic Rocky the Racoon.
Sincere thanks goes to all performers for the great time we had in this session. Robert Ellul Secretary lst December 1998
Meets on Alternate Sundays at St. Augustine Parish Hall, Valletta
Alfred Mifsud - PRESIDENT - 7, Dingli Street, Sliema SLM 10 Malta

ROBERT ELLUL - SECRETARY - 14/13, Strait Street, Valletta VLT 08 Ring Report for end November early December 1998
Ring 202 - The Magicians' Society - Malta
The last meeting for the month of November was audition time for three of our members.
Brian Role’ set for Provisional Membership while Twanny Magro and Evan Abela set for Full Membership.
Brian Role's style of performance to music was charming. From his inner jacket pocket, a little red light was brought out and after playing around with it from hand to hand he magically threw it towards a small crystal box on the other side of the stage. Next he uncovered a candle from a silk handkerchief which to our surprise was lit. A can of beer was transformed into an empty glass. He then produced a bottle which, after pouring some kind of undrinkable liquid from it, was also transformed into a milk carton. The glass was vanished into thin air under cover of a handkerchief. Two silks placed separately into a clear tube were blown out knotted, then vanished one at a time with the last one being transformed into a ball. This was followed by a multiplying ball routine. Finally after showing a . foulard front and back, he materialised a silver ball which floated around the stage very swiftly and ended up his show by vanishing it.
Twanny Magro set out by tying a knot on a piece of rope and producing a silk inside the knot. After a comedy series of knots routine with a member of the audience the rope was cut up, knotted and magically restored with a wave of the magic wand. He passed on to a hilarious egg bag routine where the egg was then shown to be real. After being cracked and heated in a pan this was transformed into a live dove. Twanny showed us his true magic capability by making a magic wand adhere to the inside of an oriental vase and by making one particular red ball change position with another two balls inside a tightly fit clear cylinder. His audition came to an end with another comic situation were he succeeded in passing a solid block of wood through another spectator's head.
Evan Abela one of our young and very keen members started off by cleverly blending a small green handkerchief into the center of a larger one. After placing a number of single coloured silks into a bag these blended altogether in a brijhtly coloured extra large one.
Three unequal sized ropes were stretched out to become equal in length and then brought back to their original size. He also visibly changed the colour of a silk from blue to orange in a clear tumbler. Evan concluded with the production of a cute little soft toy from a previously shown empty small pan. Congratulations goes to all three members for their success in scoring high marks at their audition and for showing a high level standard in showmanship. Robert Ellul Secretary U.S,A. Fax: 001 703 524 2369 Fax: + +356 242815 1st January 1999
Meets on Alternate Sundays at St. Augustine Parish Hall, Valletta Alfred Mifsud - PRESIDENT - 7, Sir Adrian Dingli Street, Sliema SLM 10 Malta
ROBERT ELLUL - SECRETARY - 14/13, Strait Street, Valletta VLT 08
Ring Report for December 1998
Ring 202 - The Magicians ' Society - Malta
The month of December not only brings the much-awaited Christmas Spirit around, but also the much awaited Christmas Shows which keeps most of our members very busy. That is why we had only one meeting this month. Magic using Christmas Cards was the theme of this session. Noel l3aldacchino displayed six Christmas Cards, Having one freely selected proved his prediction to be correct. A duplicate of the chosen card was found inside an envelope placed on the table at the start of his presentation.
Our President Alfred Mifsud followed by another successful ESP effect. Being blindfolded and even out of the room, whilst having a Christmas card selected, did not hinder him from pointing out the chosen one. The routine was repeated and revealed by means of a laser light that flicked only over the chosen card. Twanny Magro had four Christmas cards sealed in envelopes, mixed around and given out. On opening the envelopes the participants only found sincere greetings in their cards, whilst lucky Twanny found a ten pound note (His Christmas gift from Santa). Joe Demanuele dissolved a black silk onto a white one to become the routline picture of Santa Claus. This also ended up in colour after a magic painting routine.
Noel D'Amato wrapped up this session by showing a large Christmas Card to be blank from any message. This was placed inside a window envelope and a colour was chosen. On showing the card for the second time a Christmas Greeting appeared to be written inside the card with the chosen colour.
Before I end this report, sincere congratulations goes to Vanni Pule’ and his assistants for 'FENOMENA'. A spectacular illusion performance combined into short themed dramatic sequences enhanced by the artistry of the Yada Dance Company.
Alfred Mifsud - PRESIDENT - 7, Dingli Street, Sliema SLM 10 Malta
Robert Ellul Secretary. Ring 202 Malta.
P.O. Box 2204 14 / 13 Strait Street Chapel Hill Valletta VLT 08 NC 27515 Malta U.S.A. Malta Ring 202 Charter Night Dinner Once again this year's Charter Night Dinner was held at the Venini Restaurant of the Halland Hotel in St. Andrews. All who attended were warmly welcomed by the President Alfred Mifsud. The host and compere for the evening was Joe Demanuele (Zowwi), who also performed magic between one act and the other. Robert Ellul (The Balloon Man) together with his dedicated wife Mary Anne and their three lovely daughters Michelle, Simone and Paula were the first on stage. 'The B'Day Party' theme was Robert's creative new balloon act. Besides impressive balloon sculptures Robert also incorporated Balloon Magic such as Silk in Balloon and a Dove in Balloon production. The latter was even placed in a Balloon Cage. Noel D'Amato, Ring Treasurer and Activities Organiser, assisted by his delightful wife Rose were the other performers for this pleasant evening. Their magic act varied from the classical routines such as The Linking Rings, Sympathetic Silks and Ring in Nest of Dolls to comedy magic, with a hilarious situation, where Noel actually passed water through a volunteer's body. They also included their baffling illusion, a combination of the Head Twister and Heads Off effect. The whole evening was enjoyable and rounded up with a raffle. Robert Ellul
*RING 202 Malta Magicians' Page 1*