Magician promotes anti bullying message

A magician with a serious message is coming to Wanganui schools next week.

Elgregoe will present his You've Got The Power show on Monday and Tuesday to Tawhero, Durie Hill and Churton schools.

The show aims to challenge students to form caring communities and encourages them to build good relationships and make a positive contribution at school.

Otherwise known as Greg Britt, Elgregoe and his show assistant, his wife, Sue, use tricks, puppets, ventriloquism, music, songs and a variety of props (including live birds), to portray his anti-bullying messages.

The show is themed around being a "hero" at school and has a strong emphasis on anti-bullying.

In this year's show, Elgregoe shares the ingredients for good friendships and the values that make people heroes.

Special guest, Seymour the dinosaur, learns some tips about dealing with people who tease him for being green.The show welcomes back some of the children's favourite friends such as Zazu, the great macaw parrot, and Baxter, the live rabbit.

Elgregoe's show began 16 years ago when a school principal said to him, "If you are a real magician then let's see if you can make bullying disappear."

After thoroughly researching the issue of bullying in schools, Elgregoe decided to create a unique way of challenging students to have a good attitude at school.

In 2009 Elgregoe was appointed a member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to education. In the same year he also received The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand's Top Children's Entertainer Award and The Grand Master of Magic Award, which is one of the highest forms of recognition a New Zealand magician can receive.