talkmagic.co.uk

I think the lady with the silk and the TT (posted somewhere here before) proved that old routines can be fun - she dressed it (or rather undressed it) in a fun way that made five or six silk vanishes and re-appearances entertaining.

Magic does not have to be knuckle busting, technologically advanced or new and cutting edge - magic needs to be entertaining - I was not entertained by any of the three semi finalists.

I've seen that one, nudity is clearly the best way to hide a TT.


Check the talent Amanda said she'd do.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sh ... 020994.ece

do we think next year will be better ?

Jobasha wrote:...Check the talent Amanda said she'd do.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sh ... 020994.ece

Gets my vote.

Wonder how Lord Freddie got on?

themagicwand wrote:Wonder how Lord Freddie got on?

was he the one half of visage that did that awful singing?

anyone thinking off applying ?

I've been toying with the idea, I've got a few thoughts on the sort of magic that would work in that situation.....

Did anyone get the impression from the finals of this show that somehow the general public were swayed from 'talent' in favour of a sob story?

Not taking anything away from the lad, but there were far more talented people taking part who actually deserved to win... I thought in particular the lasses on the Geiger-esque violins etc. were outstanding, as was the girl with the angelic voice. That's real talent.

I feel that if it were up to the judges, the result would have been quite different indeed.

Then again, am I right in thinking that they only get just under 2 minutes to 'show off' ??? If so, is there ANY illusion/magic act which could cut it in that time? Some acts need building up.

It's 1 min 40 seconds for the live shows.

I actually sent off for the application form last year when no one knew what it was all about. When I read the information it went in the bin because I knew it wouldn't work for magic, illusions have a very slight chance but anyone who's any good doesn't need the exposure .

I think the public prefer an act which doesn't rely to heavily on props & prefer natural born talent like singing & dancing.

Russ
www.smartmagic.co.uk

Well Seige It's a good job we still like a fighter. When Britain was down in 1940 we fought back. It's in our nature. And thank goodness young George, who is a born dancer, has still got that get up and go!

Having adjudicated nearly a hundred Drama Festivals, heaven knows how many Drama Exams I have judged (practical ones not written) & a number of Magic Competitions I can tell you from sheer experience that it is an almost impossible task to pick out a one winner. Unless they are all doing/performing the same thing. How boring that would be
Of course, particularly with Magic Acts, there ARE always ones who will stand out with 'better' routines, originality & polish.That could make it easier if you were lucky.

With the National Drama Work at least there was an agreed marking system and all examiners were trained to compare their marks with others against the same pupils( who were in the training on video)

With all Talent & Magic Competitions the personal opinion (often unqualified or uninformed judgement) is the measuring judgement.
Very often personal judgement is clouded by personal rancour. And you've all heard magicians say after magic performances: "Oh he shouldn't have done that", or " I have a better way of doing so and so" or even MY version is better etc.....

I still think SC put the Street Dance Troupe in to lower the odds against his favourites. Because perhaps the comic, who really deserves a place in the few Seaside Shows, might just appeal to the older viewers in particular causing them to vote opposte to waht SC wanted!. That is my thought.i
The Girl 'band' are obviously professionals and already have a career.
On morning TV this morning, the boy soprano emntioned that SC had things lined up for him, the girl musicians & the 12 year old singer.

With the Finals last Saturday, just on viewing, ANYONE of those Acts,(except perhaps The Plumber singer & the Street Dance Act( who technically or creatively were not up to the Cornish group, earlier in the week) could have won.

A number of the performers used an emotional pull with both audiences & viewers, before they performed!
EMOTION. Something magicians almost never use. No wonder Amanda Holden, when asked on morning TV, 'Why do you all hate magic Acts?' Her reply: 'Because they are all bad Acts.' She may have said rubbish.

I am told by someone who was there last week, and is a friend of one of the Acts that they were allowed 90 seconds. How can a Magic Act register in that time? It is an Act not a one off song. And when judges won't even allow us to see all 90 seconds, then magicians should think again before entering. If they are good enough for a semi final they are good enough to have all their 90 seconds.

There is so much that goes off behind the scenes it would make your blood boil if you knew all the facts.
One Act given a piece of so called advice was prepared to take it on board but was told by the Production Team, "No. You must keep that in.'!!!! They were buzzed.All 3 buzzers.
Even the singing plumber let out, 'The song was chosen for me. It was not the song I wanted to sing'.

The Royal Variety Show would have benefitted from using all but two of those Acts on the Bill. At least we would have some relief & freshness from the normal RV Bill

Allen Tipton

I wasn't too happy with the winner either, although I do love the lad. Both the girl and the boy were amazing singers, the girls with the violins were brilliant too. I loved the indian guys, I thought their act was brilliant and I must say I love strike too. I used to do form work (but no that good) it is very very a hard thing to do.

I think if you're going to do magic, it's got to be quick and snappy. I don't think big illusions are every going to work because you just can't do the build up. A routine to music could work well I think, I'm playing with the idea of entering with my silks and salsa routine.

Allen Tipton wrote::D Well Seige It's a good job we still like a fighter. When Britain was down in 1940 we fought back. It's in our nature. And thank goodness young George, who is a born dancer, has still got that get up and go!

Yeah, like I said, the guy was a worthy winner, but I'm still sure that the 'cute' factor or the 'sad story' factor was more of a bias in the public's decision.

I firmly believe there was much more 'talent' in some of the acts. And after all, the whole premise of the show was to provide a talented act to entertain at the Royal Variety, NOT to find a 'new star'. As you say, the violin girls possibly already have a career—but does that put them out of the running?

This show wasn't about finding someone a new career, or a new life—it was about entertainment.

But well done to the lad, he put up a great show.

(PS Lomster... I also loved the Indian act... that was by far my favourite of all the dancers, as they bought something extra to the mix).

Finally Serge.. I do have a column to write..the real upshot could be, not to find an Act for the RVS .....but to make SC a few more millions.
Allen Tipton

its all a scam, the girl band were professionals and already had a career, the lad who said he was bullied and lived in a poor council estate etc was embellished to make you feel sorry for him and Simon Cowell arranged for the girl to have singing lessons and every act they wanted in the finals they put on last in the semi finals and only gave you ten minutes to vote so obviously you would only remember the last act and vote for them.