talkmagic.co.uk

Chris wrote:

Sponge balls
Crazy mans handcuffs
Bill switch
Ringflight
Thought Transmitter

Yawn, you and everyone else....try to stand out a bit mate

There is a reason that these tricks are common in a working repertoire... They work! plain and simple.

Its all about entertainment. You could have the most amazing trick in the world but if you don't have the presentation it's just a trick, not entertainment.

Mutz Nutz resets....

Stand out from who? Other magicians? chances are there are not going to be other magi at the venue. Most people have not seen magic performed, even more have not seen it done live and close up. And even more have not seen magic performed live, close up and well done

Stand out as being a bit different entertainer, and dont fufill the image they have In their head of a magicians with cards balls and rope...try and give them something theyre not expecting....be "that" guy...I pride myself on the fact that when I perform people say

"oooh didnt know magic like that existed, thought it was all cards ,sponge balls and rope...like the guys weve seen before, but that was wicked"

*I wasnt having a dig at people who use those as I understand they are classics.

That guy being a younger Paul Bell?

oh let's not get picky about other people's styles. WE've all got our own way's that we like to perform. Just because someone does classic magic it doesn't make them any more or less than anyone else.

That guy being a younger Paul Bell?

Yes thats it Lenoir youve got it finally cos my set is the same as Pauls infact we are the same person....please dont wind me up, Im doing my best to bite my lip with you....

oh let's not get picky about other people's styles. WE've all got our own way's that we like to perform. Just because someone does classic magic it doesn't make them any more or less than anyone else.

i didnt say that either, I was just giving my opinion, I wasnt trying to cause offence just trying to voice my ideas.

I dont want to go off topic as that would be wrong to take someones thread...but there is nothing wrong with admiring or even looking upto a fellow performer, and Im sure that Paul is probably one of the best people for me to be working with, at least hes the top of his field and I am gaining both valuable insite and carving my own style as a mixed genre. Nuff said, back to the topic.

To be fair, I agree to a point that there is certainly an image of a magician that we DON'T want to live up to.

I think Chris's point is fundamentally right, but not quite...portrayed properly.
Whilst I diagree that certain things like rope and sponegballs shouldn't be used etc, I assume Chris was getting at the fact that with those items, a horrible playing card tie wearing, sleezy joke telling, ar*e of a magician is often conjured up in the mind of many.

Rather than use different props, it is certainly the difficult task of the "modern" magician to bring something new and original to the presentations.
Whether or not this warrants different props all together, is up to the magician is question.

And Chris, bite away. Whilst your lip bleeds, we'll all wonder what happened to a bit of light hearted fun.

I assume Chris was getting at the fact that with those items, a horrible playing card tie wearing, sleezy joke telling, ar*e of a magician is often conjured up in the mind of many.

yes thats exactly what I meant!

It's the image I strive for! No, kidding. I understand though. Even though I know so many magicians, and it's been a long time since I've seen one like I described, when somebody mentions it, I still get that same image.

As for instant re-set effects, James Brown has some lovely stuff on his three DVDs, ring on string, or the many variations of it are always entertaining...and...

Although it's not instant re-set, seriously...look at the ring flight thing by Dave Bonsall. I've seen two people perform it now, and it is a thing of beauty.

and it is a thing of beauty.

sure is, my mates got one its a beaut!

Two mentions of James Brown in here which I thoroughly endorse. Hi stuff is very visual and generally pretty ballsy to do. His Reverse Engineering uses an outrageous peek that is never spotted when performed, I use it all the time.

The 11p trick which is also mentioned above is a nice little coin number and you can individualise the final load if you want to.

Everything I do is impromptu and instant reset,.

There are just to many effects out there that fit this type of performance style, some being mentioned already. Just pick two or three and find which best fit you.

Just keep it simple and visual and you cant go wrong.

The most important part of your enquiry was the word "Walkabout" Reception events usually mean a lack of tables so be careful to choose routines which can be done without a table of any kind.

Also be aware of angles as unlike table hopping, guests will have an all round view of your performance. These factors alone should influence your choice of effects.

For me it is:

C & R rope,
Coin under spectators wristwatch
Ungimmicked ring flight
Coins thru silk ala Chris Powers (but using three coins only).

The lack of table's a good point. Even if you're table hopping, there's a good chance that you're not going to have any table space to perform on.

You can use participants as tables but only if it's either safe to & you're skilled in controlling the audience so they won't look in their hands/turn things over until it's time to.

This can enhance it by including them in the presentation but comes with the obvious added risk.

Russ