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Houdini was not a great magician. His early days were spent in third rate touring shows where he was just one of hundreds of travelling acts barely making a living. He was well practised but his real skills were being a superb showman who focussed on what he could do exceptionally well, and knowing how to work the crowds. All the sort of stuff which cannot be taught, only learned the hard way.

And kids, learning the hard way is not in your bedroom in front of a webcam and occasionally venturing downstairs to show mummy something!

But it makes her so very proud.

Lord Freddie wrote:And kids, learning the hard way is not in your bedroom in front of a webcam and occasionally venturing downstairs to show mummy something!

Ask ANY standup comedian!

And in response to the original question, yes anyone can be a magician if they want to be one, but each will find their own levels of competence based on their experience and aptitude.

Tomo wrote:

Lord Freddie wrote:And kids, learning the hard way is not in your bedroom in front of a webcam and occasionally venturing downstairs to show mummy something!

Ask ANY standup comedian!

If I hear the phrase "Have you ever noticed..." ever again, I will go mad(der)!

If you think magicians can be, to use a US phrase that will get through the forum censorship, 'jerks', you should see the comedy circuit. Makes the magic world look like a peaceful haven in comparison.

I could tell you some shocking stories all night...

Mandrake wrote:Houdini was not a great magician.

Interestingly today is Houdini's birthday.

Orson Welles saw Houdini on Broadway (Welles was a child) and thought he was an awful magician, squat and muscular, surround on stage by mechanical props, he tore off the sleeves from his dinner jacket to prove there was nothing up there then performed self workers that anyone could've done. The only bit that impressed him was the spirtualist expose.

I'm not sure what's going on here and to be honest, I'm a little confused, but I actually LIKE marmite!

Hope that helps!

Alec

It ill behooves Orson Welles to complain about Houdini when Orson himself used to bore people stiff on American television with long winded mentalism in his later years. I saw him do this several times and it was torture beyond the imagination.

Lord Freddie wrote:And kids, learning the hard way is not in your bedroom in front of a webcam and occasionally venturing downstairs to show mummy something!

This doesn't really sit alongside another comment you've made elsewhere regarding amateur magicians Fred.


G

Lord Freddie wrote: If I hear the phrase "Have you ever noticed..." ever again, I will go mad(der)!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ykrHD9a6g

Lord Freddie wrote:And kids, learning the hard way is not in your bedroom in front of a webcam and occasionally venturing downstairs to show mummy something!

Oh come on, we arent all like that!

Lord Freddie wrote:If I hear the phrase "Have you ever noticed..." ever again, I will go mad(der)!

"Have you ever noticed how popular observational comedy is?" - Stuart Francis

Mandrake wrote:And in response to the original question, yes anyone can be a magician if they want to be one, but each will find their own levels of competence based on their experience and aptitude.

Well said Mandrake, I think you summed it up there. Can anything really be added to that.