By our math, that means each trick took less than one minute to perform. Either that, or they performed one trick that took 60 minutes -- like our version of the Dai Vernon classic The Trick that Cannot Be Explained -- and then presented 74 tricks in 15 minutes. The article features Bill Watson, one of the many performers ready to give their rapid-fire presentation.

Mr Watson said watching the great magicians as a young boy had inspired him to read all about magic. His hobby started with a pack of cards and some coins and progressed from there. Whilst he has performed in the finest theaters, he prefers small groups. He enjoys seeing the pleasure on people's faces.

Magic is not, Mr. Watson cautioned, "opening a box and pulling something out of it." The art is really 90 percent showmanship and 10 percent magic.

We agree. Our shows are 40 percent showmanship and 3.5 percent magic. Mr Watson was always trying to attract new members to the South Canterbury club but few young people were picking up the hobby. "They want to know how a trick is done and seem to lose interest once they know. Knowing how to do an affect and actually being able to perform it is two different things."

- Provided by InsideMagic