Mayor to be guillotined

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

High Prairie Mayor John Brodrick is going to make sure he checks magician John Kaplan's credentials before he's "guillotined" on April 13.

"Just to make sure," he says after winning a contest during a charity fundraiser.

Brodrick raised $850 in pledges for the honour of having his head guillotined at a magic show to be hosted by the High Prairie Play Program.

"I'm looking forward to it," he says. "It's for a good cause. It's a great community event."

The play program has invited John Kaplan to town for two shows April 13. Part of his show involves the illusion of seeing a person's head chopped off. Brodrick's pledged total was more than South Peace News editor Chris Clegg's $660 while the other three participating, Bob Smith, Joyce Dvornek and Rick Alguire brought up the rear. Each was asked to solicit pledges with proceeds going to the play program and the Brighter Futures Scholarship Fund that pays for various programming.

"We raised about $2,000," says organizer Misti Cottingham. "We're very happy. We want to extend our appreciation to each volunteer. It took a lot of time and effort."

Kaplan's 90-minute show is called Millennium Magic. The first show is at 1 p.m. with the second at 4 p.m. Both shows will be held at the High Prairie Curling Club.

Cottingham says people should take advantage of a terrific deal on advance tickets. Advance tickets for the show are $8 for adults and $5 for children with children two years and under admitted free. Tickets at the door cost $10.

Kaplan, who comes from British Columbia, fell in love with magic when he attended his first show at the age of nine. He has criss-crossed the country pursuing his dream ever since.

"Eighty per cent of what I do is community-oriented," says Kaplan in a news release. "What I want to do is create a first-class stage show but I would also like to keep those roots. I want to be able to take my magic to people who might not otherwise have an opportunity to enjoy a theatrical magic experience."

Kaplan's show involves grande illusion, music, dance and audience involvement. He has created a terrific family show with tremendously broad appeal everyone will not want to miss.

Cottingham says the show will also include various raffles and door prizes. A Houdini Mystery Trunk worth $200 will be raffled off at each show. Each person buying a program gets three free tickets with additional tickets on sale. Ten tickets will be drawn with each person selecting a key. The winner gets the key that opens the trunk.

A lollipop raffle is also being held where a person pulls a lollipop. The price of the lollipop depends on the colour of the stick that is hidden from view. Each time a lollipop is purchased, the buyer receives a ticket on a propane barbecue.

"There are also lots of other prizes," says Cottingham. "Hidden prizes and door prizes. . ."

She adds community support for all aspects of the show has been terrific.

"There was a great response," says Cottingham. "The play program is really thankful."