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Performing Magic to The Public - Stephen Ward
£20 PDF from Aken Productions
Print copy available soon I believe

Within the 200+ pages the reader will find a wealth of information that will help them create, practice, script, promote and perform their magic shows for the public. Although this book is aimed at the beginner, the more experienced magician will also find hints and tips that will give them ideas to incorporate in their own performance.

Well, most of us know our very own Stephen Ward as a valuable source of helpful information across a wide variety of subjects. This advice he dispenses comes from one incredibly invaluable source, experience. It's this experience that Stehpen shares with the reader throughout this book. To put it simply, he's been there and done it.

So what's in it?
The book is divided into two main elements, Creating Your Act and Into The Real World.

The first half deals with everything you can possibly need to think about when devising an act (whether it's a strolling cards act, mentalism stage show or whatever). He advices on everything from selection of effects/tricks, considering angles, scripting and originality amongst many more. Each type of gig you may encounter, from weddings through to corporate and cabaret is given consideration, again with Stephen's invaluable experience speaking volumes throughout.

Once you've worked through the first section - and that, if you're doing it properly, is going to take some time - then you're ready to step out in to the big bad world of performing professionally. And it can be a bad world but only if you let it. Thankfully Stephen's got it covered, sharing with us hints and tips for almost any situation, from working a trade show to approaching that all important first restaurant table. Even dealing with nerves and lack of confidence gets consideration!

As Freddie Valentine correctly points out in his foreword, Stephen's writing is relaxed and full of humour. This is not a stuffy instructional tome, it's the work of a friend who wants you to succeed, and if you take his advice, you will. And for those of you who hesitate about buying a book that doesn't contain tricks/effects, how about a fully scripted ACR for a corporate show?

Summary
In the same way that a query from somebody looking to take the first steps into paranormal entertainment will be greeted with suggestions of Paul Voodini's work, this book is destined to become the de facto recommendation for those magicians wishing to enter the world of professional performing. Stephen has left no stone unturned as he's worked through his notes and experience and offered the most complete approach to one of the most daunting tasks most magicians will ever face.

In short, if you've got a question about performing to the public, it's answered in this book!

Rating
10/10 - the spirits are very pleased with this!

Quick Addendum
A comment made on Facebook earlier has prompted me to want to add something. Even if you're a happy hobbyist with no intention of going pro/semipro etc etc, this book is still worth a damn sight more than the £20 Stephen is undercharging for it. There's much here that will help you think about the kinds of tricks/effects you buy and how you script your performances - just because you're not a professional, doesn't mean you shouldn't be professional. In other words, if you do magic, buy this book.

Thank you for the lovely words. Printed book has been delayed due to the problems of not getting the bonus material. The PDF is instant download from Aken productions. I had to get this out quickly so there may be a couple of typos, this will be fixed and customers will get a corrected version if needed.

I'm 70% through it and I'm loving it, very informative so far and an interesting read. It's shaping up to be an essential read for any magician.

The mr green part sounded familiar though, Is something similar in the script writing book?

That was because i knew that most of the people who would be buying this book would not have 'scripting' so i included that section to show the difference between scripting close-up and paranormal entertainment.

That wasn't a criticism it just sounded familiar!

No probs! I thought the kind of person buying this would not be interested in 'scripting', but that section makes such an important point that it needs seeing by a wider audience. I also added some extra bits to the book to make up for the repeat.

Quick Addendum
A comment made on Facebook earlier has prompted me to want to add something. Even if you're a happy hobbyist with no intention of going pro/semipro etc etc, this book is still worth a damn sight more than the £20 Stephen is undercharging for it. There's much here that will help you think about the kinds of tricks/effects you buy and how you script your performances - just because you're not a professional, doesn't mean you shouldn't be professional. In other words, if you do magic, buy this book.

Just over halfway through, clearly this needs to be required reading for all magicians, even if you're not intending to work commercially. As it says in the book, even performances to friends and family need the same level of preparation and care in arranging.

I found myself nodding with agreement on most pages – yes, that’s how it should be done – and on other pages there were aspects which I’d never considered but which are equally important. We’re richly blessed on TM with members who share good, solid advice with us all and, once again, it’s a privilege to get the real nitty gritty straight from a working performer - I strongly advise everyone reading this thread to treat yourselves to a copy of the book, you certainly won’t regret it.

Mandrake wrote:yes, that’s how it should be done

Where as I went through it thinking " I hadn't thought of that!"

Let me tell you a little story guys and gals (names have been changed). Last year company X contacted me do something for them. When we had finished talking person X said "thank goodness, a sensible fee quote, we called up someone and they said £90, we knew something was not right for that price". Be careful about underselling yourself my friends, or they may label you as the cheap option. If you have this book then you probably know what i am making reference to!

If you don't buy this book, you will get ball cancer.

Now also being sold by Unleash Your Dreams. Printed copies will arrive soon, still doing some proof reading.

http://unleashyourdreams.co.uk/Unleash_ ... books.html

I'm really enjoying the book, I'm about half way through at the moment and must say that it's full of some really good points. It's a must read for anyone performing magic of any sort.

Now i feel pink & fluffy! i am getting some lovely comments about this. Some errors have been found and corrected versions will go out in a few days.

Well, I read all the way through and was so engrossed that I was literally taken by surprise when it ended! Only one other book has had that ffect on me in recent weeks and that was Paul Voodini's Midnight Side of the Mind. Both are the sort of book I'll happliy start readiing again from page one right away and that's what I'm doing with this book.

Stephen has certainly produced a classic which will be of considerable help to all magicians, mentalists, bizarrists - not to mention other non-magic performers.