talkmagic.co.uk

I've heard this argument over the years that a lot of magician's say you should roll your sleeves up with performing, because still think you will something in your sleeves or whatever.

My question is, do people REALLY still think that or is this just unfounded paranoia on some magicians parts, and in reality people in general don't really care or even think about it. (IE: Magicians guilt).

Don't worry about it, people don't even think about it. You'll often get a few jokes about having things up you sleeves but I don't think anyone seriously thinks you have, besides sleeving can be very useful so why take away the chance to use it?

It's really a personal preference, both have their advantages and disadvantages but it's all dependant on what,how and where you perform.

I usually perform with sleeves down and pull them up as part of subtly showing my hands empty during an 8 ball production or coin vanish etc. But it all depends on what I've been booked for and what I wear.

It's a cliché image they have about magicians and sleeves but I don't think people take the image seriously. Like Lady of Mystery said, when they say something about your sleeves, it's just as a joke.

My shirts are per coincidence tight around my wrists so they don't have anything to suspect in the first place.

I have to say I pretty much always shove my shirt & jacket sleeves up. It does get noticed & I regularly have comments saying "And it can't even be up your sleeve or anything" Which makes them think it's even more impossible, especially when toppiting. I occasionally use them to shute something down them to appear (8ball usually) but this goes unnoticed as part of the David Penn routine requires the sleeves to be rolled up as misdirection anyway so you end up with rolled up sleeves before the production. I don't suppose it matters, interesting debate though.

Iv'e never heard anybody argue about sleeves.
If it is an issue, you start off with them rolled down, and roll them up as part of your presentation.

(and dont forget that the action of rolling up the sleeves, also gives you the perfect natural reason to display open, and empty hands. )

Lady of Mystery wrote:Don't worry about it, people don't even think about it. You'll often get a few jokes about having things up you sleeves but I don't think anyone seriously thinks you have, besides sleeving can be very useful so why take away the chance to use it?

Exactly my view aswell. I dont roll my sleeves up, BUT i do pull them back as part of my presentation during a couple of effects, both to seem fair and to aid in misdirection. I also use sleeving in some of my coin work and pull the sleeve back AFTER the coin is sleeved . This makes things like vanishes and transformations even more deceptive, and also keeps the coin securely in place which can be handy for certain routines.

jim