Talkmagic.co.uk

The Magician · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 8:51 pm Post subject: Magic and Showmanship

Hi all, I am thinking of purchasing Magic and Showmanship and what i was wondering is can anyone give me any information on this book. Thanks

shinydiscoboy76 · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:54 pm Post subject:

Hi all,
I found M & S (the book, not the shop) incredibly helpful and wish I had discovered it as soon as I got into magic.
It might not be everyone's bag, but it is very valuable if you are looking for ways to add drama, meaning and theatre to your performances.
I came to magic with very little experience in performing (odd really, but then magic seems to attract a surprising number of non-performers for a performance art...) so the book was a goldmine for me.
For those with more performing experience (acting, singing, busking, whatever) some of the insights may seem a little obvious but I fould it very helpful and I bet there are observations and ideas that wouldn't occur to even the most polished performer.
The effects throughout the book are there more to illustrate underlying principals than offer finished performance pieces, but there are some good ideas there nonetheless.
But as many wiser people than me have said: The magic isn't in the trick it's in the performer. And this book really helps to prove that statement.
It is written well, with an easy-to-follow style and aims to help anyone who wants to elevate their magic from tricks to miracles, from a mere diversion to a theatrical event.
Funnily enough, I was dipping back into it this weekend. I think it will become one of those oft-thumbed classics in my collection.
Hope that helps, sorry I don't have it to hand otherwise I could give a chapter by chapter run down.
So, bottom line, I say buy it.

Mathew.

Jing · Senior Member Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Posts: 360

Magic and Showmanship, A Handbook for Conjurers by Henning Nelms.

Cost
£5.87 - A Bargin

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0486410870/qid=1076350205/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_8_1/026-6095416-1302066

Difficulty
It doesn't so much teach tricks, it explains performance and presentaion.

Review
Henning explains mostly about performance and presentation. He writes using many examples and is easy to understand. His thinking on magic is to make it as enjoyable as a theatrical performance and he has some very good ideas. He teaches you about how the audience will see yor magic and the psychology behind it. It aims to teach you how to present yourself in front of your audience. The first chapter is a great opener and the others are quite good too, including a useful chapter on misdirection. Towards the end of the book he also talks about theatrical posture and speech. It's all good stuff and will help you become a slightly more sophisticated magician.
The chapters are...
1. The Two Magics
2. Deception Vs Conviction
3. The Measure of Meaning
4. Who?
5. Making the Most of Assistants
6. Casting the Spell
7. Mystery Without Magic
8. Providing the Proof
9. Devices for Deception
10. The Great Secret
11. Eliminating Departures
12. Consistency in Characterization
13. Concealing Devices
14. Controlling Attention
15. Misdirection
16. Devising Illusions
17. Dramatic Structures
18. Continuity
19. Material for Entertainment
20. Words
21. Business
22. The Performer and the Stage

Overall
Overall, despite having very few routines which you will use, the book has much relevance and is a real bargin at six quid. Henning has some very interesting ideas about the theatrical art of magic and this book is very thought provoking and enjoyable read. 8/10

Mandrake · . Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Posts: 19000 Location: UK (62:AH)

This sounds like an excelent find Jing, thanks for letting us all in on the secret!

shinydiscoboy76 · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 9:25 am Post subject:

Mandrake · . Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Posts: 19000 Location: UK (62:AH)

And also to you - ta ever so!

valentino · Full Member Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Posts: 78 Location: London

I must agree the the above reviewers. This is a most excellent book. Even if you do not use any of the tricks taught what you will find of most value is the whole emphasis on the performance.

This was one of the first magic books that I ever read and the most valuable lessons I learnt from it was to give each trick in my act a meaning and a reason for being there. It taught me all about linking the tricks together to form a show. Although each trick could stand on its own as a good performance, if carefully routined with good linking patter and arrangement would then become far more entertaining and captivating. And finally it taught me all about the 'suspension of disbelief' ie if something is presented well enough the audience are fully willing to ignore the rational and real in favour of entertainment and wonderful illusion.

Every magician should read this book. It has so much to offer at all levels of expertise.

regards,
Valentino

Zack · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:28 am Post subject:

Having been on a bulk-book-buying-spree at amazon, I can confirm every review so far on this book.

I won't repeat it all, but I will add that this book is purely fascinating in its own right, be you a regularly-performing magician or not.

If there's anyone reading these boards as a guest (ie the 'Lurkers' out there), then BUY THIS BOOK and just try and not get involved in magic.

It is brilliant.

Sorry for gushing. Embarassed