Mick Peck's Regularly Updated Blog For Friends, Fans and Followers
Pictured here performing my standup magic act at Allely Estate for this year’s Think Pink fundraiser.
Think Pink is an annual charity event in aid of the Breast Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, promoting awareness of the disease and the importance of regular checks.
The night also featured top comic Nick Rado and raised a record amount of $30,200 for the foundation.
Pictured here with Paul Romhany and Alan Watson QSM at the 32nd International New Zealand Magicians’ Convention held in Wellington over Labour Weekend 2015.
It was an absolute honour in my role as Secretary/Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians to present the citation for the eighteenth Grand Master of Magic induction
Grand Master of Magic Paul Romhany is known around the world for his Charlie Chaplin magic act. Originally from Auckland, Paul now makes his home in Canada.
More information about the Grand Master of Magic award here.
Come backstage at the sold-out 2015 Magic Moments Family Comedy Magic Show.
The magicians of New Zealand gathered over Labour Weekend at the Playhouse Theatre in Auckland for a special day of magic where we had an opportunity to perform, catch up with old friends, learn new magic and do whatever else magicians do when you jam a bunch of them together in a confined space.
I was blown away to be presented with a special award from Magic New Zealand Directors Alan and Michele Watson. It reads :
It’s a real honour to be recognised by the Magic New Zealand organisation and particularly Alan and Michele. I first met Alan in the early 90s when he was the resident magician at Rainbow’s End. He was and remains a tremendous influence and source of knowledge to both upcoming and experienced magicians in this country. Thank you again for this fantastic award.
Pictured here alongside Chicane the magician in costume for a recent Steampunk themed event at SkyCity.
The Steampunk science fiction genre is set in an alternative, post-apocalyptic version of the British Victorian or American Wild West era where steam power has remained in mainstream use. Added retro-futuristic technology includes fictional machines like those found in the works of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. And whatever crap we happen to be holding in the picture above.
Also entertaining the 600 strong corporate crowd was the popular Mermaids Dance Band consisting of Pauline Berry, Joe Cotton and Amber Claire with Stuart Pearce on keyboards.
I feel invincible in a cravat.
Pictured here with friends Alan Watson and Wayne Rogers. I was contacted by TV3 to do an interview about the recent surge in popularity of magic and magicians – movies like Burt Wonderstone and Now You See Me, Dynamo the magician having a top-rating show on television, the success of the recent The Illusionists show etc.
I first met Jennifer the TV3 journalist last year when I performed my strolling closeup magic for her wedding. Alan put her in the guillotine and chopped her head off, not sure how that will impact her career.
Apologies for the tablecloth, the Von Trapp children had some spare fabric left over.
A friend emailed me the picture above recently so I did some research.
The Great Mickey figurine was made in the 1960s by Linemar of Japan, who released a number of mechanical Disney toys in the 1950s and 60s.
The Mickey Mouse magician is one of the most in-demand figures because the action is so complicated – he raises his hat and makes the bird vanish and reappear. Mint versions sell for around US$3,000.
Here’s an obligatory “hands on shoulders” photograph with magicians Alan Watson, Paul Romhany, John Kaplan and Richard Webster at John Kaplan’s Auckland magic lecture last week.
John is a busy professional magician from Vancouver, Canada. He’s enjoyed a national career spanning over 25 years encountering nearly every performing environment – he’s done it all and become one of Canada’s favourite family entertainers. John has shared the stage as an opening act with such artists as comedian Jay Leno and the pop group The Boomtown Rats. John tours Canada every year performing his illusion show.
Ask him to show you his trick with a rat tied onto a stick.