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For Media Information Contact: |
Tony Laffan's Publicity Officer
Renee Ferenc
Publicist 'PURE PUBLICITY' |
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0402 019 193 |
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rferenc@bigbond.com |
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The “World Festival of Magic” provides a once in a life-time experience for
the special needs children and those less fortunate than ourselves which
tours annually through 32 Australian cities, and 17 New Zealand towns.
Beginning in Cairns, Australia, on Thursday, September 14th, 2006 and
concluding on Saturday, December 16th, 2006 in New Zealand.
The event itself is a Festival of Magic, which features leading overseas
acts mixed with some local talent. The act features the The Magic and
Illusions of Tony Laffan and Kasey-Laura.
Master illusionist Tony is a key performer and has performed worldwide
including Australia, Singapore, Spain, Germany and China.
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We call on our community to help by sponsoring children from their area to
the show. In doing so you will most importantly you assisting a charity
long-term, as proceeds from each year’s event will greatly aid the chosen
recipient of the excess funds raised.
What is the aim of the Lions Clubs?
- To raise sufficient funds for the designated project.
What is the “World Festival of Magic”?
- A fascinating world class show featuring international magicians and performers.
Who are the children I sponsor?
- Chronically ill, disabled and socially or economically disadvantaged children from the various organisations and schools throughout Australia and Auckland.
Why should I sponsor these children?
- To give them a truly memorable experience they may otherwise never get. Also, to assist an extremely worthwhile charity.
The Magic Show is an annual event which has run for 14 years now. It has
already generated over millions back into Australia and New Zealand.
Even though this is a large amount of money, the most joy actually comes
from the faces of the children we sponsor to the Magic Show itself, and
something like 500,000 faces have seen the Magic Show to date.
The Magic Show starts in September each year by way of a telephone appeal
made to Business Houses. The Business Houses are attracted to the event as
they are donating to a worthy Australia and New Zealand based project.
They donate by purchasing Magic Show tickets, which they are encouraged to
donate back to Lions Clubs. We then distribute these tickets so that
approximately 15,000 less fortunate children and families are able to enjoy
this festival of magic event as Christmas approaches with the compliments of
the Business Houses and the Lions Clubs participating.
In addition to over 500,000 children seeing the Magic Show, excess funds
raised purchase something for the greater good of both Australia and New Zealand Communities.
Past Recipients of Magic Show Funds have been:
Regional Helicopter Trust – Cliff Rescue Vehicle
Order Of St John – Ambulance Defibrillators
Surf Life Saving Clu – Secure Storage for Rescue Craft
Lion for Life – NZ Wide Road Safety Programme (2-year programme)
Cancer Society – Refurbishment of Domain Lodge
St John Ambulance – 3 x Rapid Response Ambulance Motor Cycles
Laura Ferguson Trust – Indoor thermal-neutral hydrotherapy pool
Kelston Deaf Education Centre – Audiology Testing Facility
Royal Coastguard Federation – Dedicated Rescue Vessel (boat) & 4WD Tow Vehicle
Auckland City Mission – Three vehicles (food, transport and furniture collection/distribution)
Kids Foundation – A vehicle, computers and medical equipment
Arthritis Foundation – Two vehicles for their home visit programme
Asthma Auckland - Mobile Education Vehicle, to educate around Auckland Schools
Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre - Auckland base with Marine Activities - Boat
Diabetes Auckland - Nesfield House renovation
Hospices of Auckland
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Experience the magic and be captivated by the exciting new production,
"Illusion Odyssey".
The show is a breathtaking new performance filled with
spectacular illusions, dancers and daring aerial feats that will leave you guessing.
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"Illusion Odyssey" will transport you into another dimension of dancing
goddesses, roman warriors, aerial elegance, seducing tribal beats, magic and mystical mayhem!
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Let yourself be entertained by Australia's award winning International
Illusionist, Tony Laffan. Not only will his world class illusions have you
astounded but his beautiful assistant Kasey-Laura will leave you breathless.
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Complete with hilarious comedian dialogue and audience interaction that will
leave you in stitches. Tony shares a special chemistry between himself and
his audience. His passion for his craft and his love for entertaining is
bringing his own unique experience to the world of conjuring.
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Our audiences are once again graced by the amazingly talented Aerialist
Bronwyn Wilson. With her strength, grace and death defying stunts her
performance will be of no comparison with any aerialist in the country. The
"Illusion Odyssey" dancers will captivate you with their high energy, hip
shaking dance numbers, choreographed and co-produced by Cairns born Renee
Straguszi. Each routine has been carefully crafted to suit the theme and
style of the show; this brilliant team of dedicated dancers create a dynamic edge.
Be sure to bring your cameras and ask for signed autographs, as you are able
to meet the talented cast after the show so your experience with "Illusion
Odyssey" will last a life time.
Show ends mid August 2006
Shows will start at 8.30pm Monday to Saturday.
For reservations and enquiries, please phone 07 4050 0500.
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Having produced two cars simultaneously, a mini bus and Santa Claus prior, General Motors put their faith in Master Illusionist Tony Laffan to magically produce from a puff of smoke their new 'Sports Utility Vehicle' to its dealers from all over Asia and the Pacific.
Under top-secret rehearsals with intense security, Tony and his team of expert performers, finely tuned their skills and as if by sorcery, made the SUV appear right before the eyes of GM's top 600 Dealers and Executives to an incredible round of applause.
"Shows such as these are always packed with an amazing amount of buzz and excitement from the audience and an enormous amount of adrenalin that takes several days to come down from the natural high of the performance" said Tony.
"THANK YOU for the wonderful job you did, and your friendly approach. Peter Martin, (General Motors Asia Pacific) was really impressed with the reveal, which was the most important part of the entire program. It was a pleasure working with you, and I hope we get another opportunity in the near future."
Anne Blucher Director - Program Operations The MINT Organization Pty Ltd
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Its seems no challenge is too great. Imagine performing magic and illusions in the centre of a ballroom, challenge number one, with audiences 360 degrees around you, challenge number two, and top it off by adding a revolving stage, challenge number three!
Tony and Kasey were flown to Singapore recently to entertain at the exclusive Ritz Carlton VIP Food and Wine Festival at the Gala Dinner on the closing night. Such was their success at the glamorous social event, it looks like they will be going back again for a third time to Singapore to perform their show in this exotic tropical country for another corporate function.
Lets see what challenges are thrown at them this time. They didn't do it all that tough, apparently they also had the chance to do some wine tasting after their show…and pack up at the same time - challenge number four.
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Magic on the ocean is not uncommon, but for Tony Laffan it was his first time on a cruise ship as a performer and as a passenger. With motion tablets packed along with several of his illusions and Kasey-Laura, they set sail on one of the most prestigious and exclusive Cruise ships in the world the 'Silver Cloud'
Fortunately the ship was 24 hours ahead of the tragic Tsunami as it left the region to enjoy lush Tropical Islands with golden white sand. Passengers were from all over the world and with days between shows, Tony and Kasey were forced to enjoy all the comforts the ship had to offer.
As for the seasick tablets, the water was as smooth as ice, so they are already packed ready for the next tough assignment on the seven seas.
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Tony was fortunate enough to take Kasey-Laura and his team of dancers to the Far East to experience an amazing cultural education first hand.
Performing for Samsungs top sales people from the four corners of the globe was a fantastic experience on its own. "There is just something special about performing the Chinese Linking Rings in China that is a little surreal and still feels like a dream." Tony said.
With a few days spare prior to the show Tony and the cast went exploring as much as Shanghai as their sign language and map pointing would take them in local cabs. The taxi rides were an adventure on their own along with the amazing architecture and Buddhist Temples.
The food was another chapter in this odyssey of self discovery with the deep fried frogs in chilli on the menu waiting until after the show was completed... just in case for some strange reason it did not agree with our stomachs.
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"We don't wear top hats, there are no ruffles and no rabbits," says a saw-wielding Tony Laffan
Editor's Letter: Back in Australia, reporter Jennie Noonan met Sydney magician Tony Laffan, who just won the
coveted International Illusionists of 2002 Merlin Award. Noonan loved the show and was asked to sign a confidentiality
agreement after the interview. "Not that it matters," she despairs. "No way could I work out how they did any of the tricks!"
- Jane Nicholls, Editor
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After a busy couple of weeks of publicity, Channel 7 Sunrise Program, Sydney
Radio Nova 96.9, Sunday Telegraph and local newspapers, Tony just can't seem to
slow down after receiving his Merlin Award.
In the latest issue of Ralph Magazine (December) they have a thorough "How to..."
on the straightjacket escape.
Tony said, "Ralph Magazine asked me if I would reveal a magic trick to which I
said no. I told them I could go through the steps you take to get out of a
Straight Jacket, as all I was doing was explaining what people see, so this way
it was not really an expose but in his eyes the journalist was happy with that."
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In the August issue of Australian 'Ralph' magazine, page 32 contains a great article on
illusionist Tony Laffan. The article focuses on his Water Torture Escape, which was a feature
of the school holidays at Wonderland Sydney where he holds a residency.
During the escape Tony was submerged upside down in water with his ankles securely locked in
stocks to the lid of a see-through chamber. Once the tank was filled it contained approx.
1000 pounds of water. When the top is sealed, the tank becomes airtight. Failure meant drowning!
Tony is currently the only 'Australian' Escape Artist to perform the 'Houdini Water Torture
Cell Escape' anywhere in the world.
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In Australian 'That's Life' magazine Tony was featured in a double page story
titled "He's got me under his spell" with an in depth interview with his wife Juleen.
The article focused on their relationship on and off stage and their development of how they became
recognised as one of Australia's most respected Magical duo's.
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Escape Artist Tony Laffan performed the exhilarating Aerial Straight Jacket Escape from the highest
point of the thrilling roller coaster ride 'The Demon', at Wonderland Sydney, to pay tribute to the
greatest escape artist of all time.
On Tony's recent trip to Las Vegas, through the generosity of Peter Reveen and Siegfried himself,
Tony Laffan and his wife Juleen were invited backstage for a private meeting with world-renowned
illusionist Siegfried, one half of The Magicians of the Century, Siegfried and Roy.