As a professional magician I am often mesmerised by the amazing technique displayed by the close up magician. However I do believe that the way in which a trick is performed, the entertainment value, outweighs any technical merit.
In other words the simplest trick performed in an entertaining way will get far more votes from a lay audience that a display of technical brilliance.
Unfortunately the number of books written on the technical side of magic as well as the videos with the latest moves far exceeds any talk of performance technique. It appears that the close up magician holds the advancement of technique in much higher regard than the way in which it is performed.
However those who forge a television career are often remembered for the simplest trick framed in the most entertaining way.
In other words the simplest trick performed in an entertaining way will get far more votes from a lay audience that a display of technical brilliance.
Unfortunately the number of books written on the technical side of magic as well as the videos with the latest moves far exceeds any talk of performance technique. It appears that the close up magician holds the advancement of technique in much higher regard than the way in which it is performed.
However those who forge a television career are often remembered for the simplest trick framed in the most entertaining way.
It is true that the public will enjoy magic which requires remarkable technique and are genuinely inspired by demonstrations of great skill. However most really successful magicians combine good tricks with entertaining performance.
A novice can walk into a Magic Dealer and buy a self working trick off the shelf, with a small amount of practice this can fool someone without prior knowledge. Because this in itself is entertaining the novice may think that is the full potential of magic and performance.
The layman will attribute great skill to our new magician and this may lead to arrogance on behalf of the performer. However when you truly see a professional blend the art of magic with strong showmanship the real potential can be seen.
Given that singer song writers, comedians and dancers work hard on the presentational skills often writing their own material as they go, it is depressing how often magicians don’t follow suit. The pressure on these other arts is also far greater as most people are exposed to far more comedy than they are magic which gives the public the ability to judge the quality of the performance.
Magicians do have a greater challenge in some ways. The power of the trick can easily eclipse the performer. Every good performance leaves you remembering the artist as much as the piece. For this reason good stage presence however small the audience is a requirement of any good close up magician.
A novice can walk into a Magic Dealer and buy a self working trick off the shelf, with a small amount of practice this can fool someone without prior knowledge. Because this in itself is entertaining the novice may think that is the full potential of magic and performance.
The layman will attribute great skill to our new magician and this may lead to arrogance on behalf of the performer. However when you truly see a professional blend the art of magic with strong showmanship the real potential can be seen.
Given that singer song writers, comedians and dancers work hard on the presentational skills often writing their own material as they go, it is depressing how often magicians don’t follow suit. The pressure on these other arts is also far greater as most people are exposed to far more comedy than they are magic which gives the public the ability to judge the quality of the performance.
Magicians do have a greater challenge in some ways. The power of the trick can easily eclipse the performer. Every good performance leaves you remembering the artist as much as the piece. For this reason good stage presence however small the audience is a requirement of any good close up magician.
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