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I was wondering if there are any resources or good books on the topic routine building or performave techniques. Not "how to act on stage" but things that enhance the trick, help with misdirection and increase "wow".

Any ideas? I'd buy Pure Effect and Absolute Magic, but they are so hard to come by. Any other idea?

I'd say join a Magic Club or go to a convention.

The magic clubs is excellent for standing on the shoulders of giants. You can read a book or study a DVD but nothing beats being taught face-to-face.

Conventions are just cornucopias of knowledge. I just attended the International Magic Convention this weekend. One thing I remembered about Routine-ing is Jon Armstrong's lecture on writing scripts.

That's my 2 cents.

Unfortunately, my nearest club appears to by 70 miles away

get a friend in magic to see what you can improve on

I can thoroughly recommend Henning Nelms' Magic and Showmanship: a Handbook for Conjurers. It's only £7 and well worth a read. If you like that kind of thing, then look at buying Pure Effect, Absolute Magic or Darwin Ortiz' Strong Magic, all of which I own and can thoroughly recommend - the Ortiz book very highly indeed.

Pure Effect is so hard to get hold of. I'm having a nightmare getting one for less than 35 quid.

The best thing I've found is to just watch as many videos of decent magicians performing. Watch how they present their tricks and interact with the audience. Some of the videos in the file sharing are very good for this, two magicians on here who have really inspired me many times are Tony Hyams and RCarlsen

Zack wrote:Magic and Showmanship: a Handbook for Conjurers.

I was also recommended Magic in Theory: An Introduction to the Theoretical and Psychological Elements of Conjouring. Any thoughts?

yeah, i'd recommend the "magic in theory.." book, its not really about performance as such, (from memory) its more about what the audience sees or doesnt see...

smarvell wrote:Unfortunately, my nearest club appears to by 70 miles away

Are you sure it's that far??? Have you checked Bananafishs list of magic societies and clubs by CLICKING HERE

I have the Magic and Showmanship book which is a quite interesting read and will give you some ideas for sure....

Jordan C wrote:

smarvell wrote:Unfortunately, my nearest club appears to by 70 miles away

Are you sure it's that far???

You're quite right, the two nearest are 68 and 69 miles away

We don't really have any cities in North Devon and all the clubs meet in South Devon becuase of the cities there.

I just had a lovely chat with Ian Adair who lives locally. He tells me that there are only three working magicians in the area and no meetings. He's agreed to meet up with me in the new year, after his seasonal work.

That's great mate..... well done!!

Sounds like you need to create The North Devon Magic Club. You can audition yourself and get in with no problems !

What is the level of expectation from a magic club audition?