GRAND MASTER AWARD CITATION

A good many of you will know that when I stand up at an important Magic Convention like this,
to make a speech, that I will be talking about the Grand Master of Magic Award.

The Grand Master of Magic is the supreme award for excellence for a New Zealand magician.
It was inaugurated by the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc in 1969 and the first recipient
was Edgar, the Great Benyon.

In thirty five years the Grand Master of Magic Award has been given only twelve times.
To: Edgar Benyon, Jack Read, Jon and Janet Zealando, Jim Reilly, Harold Chandler,
Francis Newmarch, Peter and Phillipa Evans, Tony Wilson, Graham Grant, Barry Brook,
Bernard Reid, and Burns Scandrett, - great magicians all.

Of the twelve, five have died and their wands have been broken. Seven are still performing
and some are with us tonight. Please stand, Grand Masters of Magic.Tonight a thirteenth award
is to be presented to one who has graced our art and made an outstanding contribution to magic
over many years.Ladies and Gentlemen acknowledge Grand Master of Magic,
Wayne Rogers, the Amazing Chicane.

Wayne Rogers has been interested in magic since he was ten, when an Aunt gave him a
copy of Magic made Easy. He has been making magic easy ever since.

I first saw Wayne perform at the Auckland Convention in 1969 -70 and he impressed me greatly
then, and ever since. A busy magician he performs in many different categories and venues: stage, children, close up, strolling, mentalism, family occasions, corporate gigs, and grand illusions.

He designs a show for any occasion, and always has something different and unique up his sleeve. He is a multi skilled magician, performer, inventor, author, manufacturer, lecturer and international dealer. A good friend and colleague in magic, he is always ready to help, to share ideas, and to encourage others.

Wayne Rogers is a great ambassador for magic. He was a member of the Wellington Society of Magicians, and the New Zealand Society of Magicians in recess. He is an Inner Circle member of the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc, The International Brotherhood of Magicians, The Shore City Magicians Club Inc.,The Society of American Magicians, member of the London Magic Circle (Associate of The Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star) and is a Trustee of the Bernard Reid Magical Arts Trust.

He has been on the organising committee of many New Zealand Magicians Conventions.
He has held office as President in the BAM, and is an Executive Member of IBM Ring 160.
One of his best contributions to magical societies has been as Organiser Producer of Public Shows, where his wide theatrical experience and knowledge of lighting, sound, staging and special effects has been greatly appreciated

It was after he came to Auckland in 1970 that he took the stage name of The Amazing Chicane.
I am rather suspicious of magicians who take great titles to themselves, because some have not lived up to them, but Wayne has been one to fulfil the expectation that his stage name implies.

His magical performance and his career in magic has been truly amazing. He has won many cups and trophies at national conventions in New Zealand and Australia and is perhaps the most successful competitor at competition in New Zealand's magic history.

In 1996 the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand presented Wayne with the special Scroll of Honour for creative and professional contributions to magic. As the Millennium approached in 2000 the Magic Circle London advertised a world wide competition for an original magic effect. It was won by Wayne Rogers with his unique trick "Signed Card on Blue Stake."

Other original effects marketed by Chicane Enterprises Ltd include : Percy the Penguin, Hot Video, Appearing - shovel, spade, broom, poles, opinion poll, and ladder and hat rack from briefcase, Briefcase Table, Over Exposed and so on. For more information about Wayne and his products check his web page www.nzmagic.com It is truly amazing that such great magic has come from such a small and cluttered workshop. Wayne, I don't know how you find anything in there.

Many people have enjoyed the Ronald McDonald Road Show not knowing that Wayne is on the design team and a principal builder of the Happy Meal Machine. He has appeared at many Telethons, has numerous TV credits, radio interviews, and he built the illusions for and appeared on The Great Kiwi Magic TV Show producing the entire cast from his own version of the rarely seen Jarrett Box.

Wayne has read and researched widely in the magic field, is an original and creative thinker, and has not only adapted and improved many standard effects, but has a long list of original effects to his credit. Many of these have appeared in our NZ Magic Magazine Magicana where he is a regular columnist, in the IBM's Linking Ring, and other magical publications. An honest and ethical man he consistently acknowledges sources and origins of magical ideas that he has adapted and improved on.

His books include : Commercial Chicanery the basis of his lecture at the Magic Castle, Los Angeles, USA in 1993. He is the first New Zealander to lecture there. Out of the Pole Vault, a collection of routines ideas and presentations of the appearing pole. Wayne is an acknowledged world leader and expert on Pole Technology. Nothing to Declare was prepared for his Lecture Tour of the UK in 2002. Again this was a first. Mrs Rogers little boy Wayne is the first New Zealand magician to undertake a lecture tour of England. All reports indicate that tour was a great success.

Wayne is a well presented performer, he has a variety of costumes for different venues ranging from formal evening wear, to Wizard Costume or the casual look. He is always well prepared for any show, speaks clearly, and uses appropriate music. The Amazing Chicane is a magician who gives excellent value for those who book him. In all this he has been ably supported by Elizabeth his wife, their son Cerdin and daughter Felicity.

Felicity is an accomplished magician in her own right, her father's magical assistant, as well as a prize winning photographer and computer animation artist.

The criteria for the Grand Master of Magic is as follows :"Its purpose is to honour those magicians who are acknowledged by their fellow magicians to be masters of the art and craft of magic. The recipients first and foremost must be magical performers of a high standard. In addition they might be originators of magical effects, or administrators giving time and expertise to running societies and conventions. They could be consistent competition winners, or have an international standing, or be known only in the New Zealand setting. But above all they are people who have served magic well, have graced our art, and made a special contribution over many years."Such a person as Wayne Rogers, the Amazing Chicane, Grand Master of Magic.

Stanley R Goudge
Past President
Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc
6 June 2004

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