The most important ingredient of a Magic Act
June 6, 2008
You practice, practice and practice until you can do the routine in your sleep. And after you have achieved perfection you continue working on the routine for a few more weeks before you perform it for the audience. But remember the final acid test of the effect will be the ‘reaction of the audience’.
You might have spent a fortune to buy an effect, you might have dedicated ages working on its presentation, costuming, music and lights. The effect might be your “favorite” - the one you love to perform the most - among all the effects you have learnt a magician. But if it lacks one ingredient -‘Reaction from the audience’ the sooner you remove it from your act , the nearer your act would be to perfection.
To give an idea of what I am talking about, you can see below, a couple of pics of audience reaction to my performing in the streets of Goa.. By no means I am saying that I am perfect, but this is the kind of thing we all should aim for - we should have fun and the audience should have fun too!!
But do not be hasty to drop an effect if it does not elicit the reaction you expect, the first time you perform it. Give it some time to be proved. Make sure you have gained sufficient knowledge on the presentation/performance before you drop it from your act. Make sure that it really lacks the most important ingredient of the act of magic- AUDIENCE REACTION - before you decide to drop it.
You can give the effect another try when you see it generating audience reaction when performed by another performer. After all Magic lies in the performer and not the Prop.
Cheers- Cliff
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Comments
10 Responses to “The most important ingredient of a Magic Act”
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I could not have said it any better myself. This article nailed it. I see over and over that people think all you need to do is buy a trick and read the instructions. The biggest part of magic is making sure you entertain people.
I couldnt agree more! just keep in mind though, not all reactions are gonna be “OH MY GOODNESS…..AAAAHHH” some people react differently to others. but in saying that Magic is 5% knowledge and 95% presence. the old motto is true, “practice DOES make perfect”
i totally agree wit u. its not e trick tat matters, its e performer tat matters. e showmanship BLOWS people away not e trick alone.like wat e great Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin says”a magician is an actor playing the part of a magician” audiences reaction matters a lot in magic.no point showin tons of effects or how wonderful e sleight is when e reactions is almost none at all.
U bet Cliff …… u got the essence of magic running not only in ur body but the soul and the spirit too!! U’ll go places! The article speaks ur mind.
Well said, Clifford! Nice to see you passing your thoughts here
Your friend,
Nakul
Well said Mate !!!
And how true.just my two bits. Dont have much tosay..you said it ALL.
Keep them enjoying and you enjoy in the bargain…………….
Till next time keep fooling….
hi thats a fantastic effort cliff. keep it up.
Well said Cliff,you stole the thoughts out of my mind.
Too many times I see magicians standing back, proud of the difficult sleight or illusion they just completed, just to see a mediocre reaction from the audience. I have seen the most technically gifted magicians illicit poor reactions, while average magicians technically, receive better. The key is making that personal connection with the audience.
If young magicians worked more on the presentation, not just the trick, they would definitely receive better reactions. Remember, we are performing for others. Not for our own gratification.
Thanks,
Paul
Well said!
The trick is only the prop. The performer is the real entertainment
–Spence
Houston, TX