I wonder how many stick with it?

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I wonder how many stick with it?

Postby Barry Allen » Apr 21st, '22, 19:53



Due to having a lot of free time on my hands thanks to early retirement; coupled with a desire to leave the rat race; I've been reading through many older posts on this forum. Obviously, the contributions from Mark Lewis are always worth a read. He truly is a constant source of entertainment.

However, I have noticed words of wisdom from others; but to the most part, these people appear to have vanished into the ether.

It got me thinking - I wonder how many people take up Magic as a hobby; but simply thereafter lose interest?

Now let me be completely honest, there have been times when my interest has not been fully focused. That isn't because of any other hobby that took up my time; probably more down to the fact that upon starting work in my teens, I became more interested in booze, birds and speedway. However, even when Magic was taking a back seat, I can't honestly remember not having a Magic book by my bed; nor going out without at least a pack of cards and a TT in my pocket. Without these, I would never have felt fully dressed. I might not have been putting the practice hours in - but the interest was never completely lost. Whenever required, I could entertain with some pretty decent card tricks; make a flaming match disappear; or vanish a lit fag into someone's coat.

It was a few years later that I started going to the Magic Circle. This would have been around 1986; when I was 22. Quite honestly, I think that place was the start of my dislike of other Magicians; the majority of whom (sadly) were quite unhelpful and particularly cliquey. What I can say however, is that the majority of these 'offish' individuals at the Magic Circle weren't very good anyway! This dislike of magic clubs, conventions and (most) other magicians has stuck with me throughout the decades. However, time spent chatting to Bobby Bernard and Johnny Cooper always made the visit worthwhile.

Anyway, getting back to what I've been wondering about - how many people who start out in Magic, continue with their interest?

Maybe some of the people who posted on this forum at one time, just no longer visit Magic forums. Maybe they only contribute now to (un)Social Media. Or maybe, they just lost interest and moved on to something else.

Personally, the Art of Magic is just so diverse and interesting, I can't have imagined myself ever having fallen completely out of love with it. However, that also begs the question would I have even fallen into this game had my Dad not have been a Magician? He certainly did not push me into it - but I knew he was delighted when I took such an interest in Hugard's Encyclopaedia of Card Tricks at such a young age. In contrast, my own Son (now a grown man) loves to watch me performing Magic BUT has never once asked me to even teach him a simple card trick. Therefore, I've certainly never pushed it - I respect his choice.

The path that we take is also possibly a contributory factor as we follow along the magical steps. Once I was earning a wage, I could afford to buy all types of flim-flam; the majority of which I never used. That said, there are certainly more brainfarts released in this day and age, than I remember from the days when I was cutting my teeth (1970's/early 80's).

What changed my outlook was probably three things.

1. Working in a joke shop demming Magic from the age of 14, provided me with a lot of confidence. Not just demming/performing Magic BUT having the guts to perform in front of adults AND how to become a salesman.

2. I adored practicing pure sleight of hand from books. Particularly with cards, coins, cigarettes and thimbles; I used to push myself to handle these items as faultlessly as possible. More importantly, I would enjoy this branch of Magic more than the plastic gimmicks sold at the Magic Shops. Practice was enjoyable; the end goal a personal achievement.

3. Joe Riding - who taught me that presentation and routining an act was more important than forever chasing what was 'new'. His advice around how to deliver one-liners led to my confidence growing into becoming a Stag Comedian in later years - but that's another story.

There I go, rambling again.

Maybe people lose interest because they try and learn too much at once? I can see how this is a problem these days, given the amount of new(?) releases.

Perhaps they've been inspired because of the amount of Magic that has been covered on TV over the past 20 years; and it is now considered 'cool'? However, other hobbies (new or otherwise) take priority - particularly when they realise that the performance of Magic requires effort and a degree of skill.

Whatever the reason (or reasons) for someone to lose their interest, I don't think I'll be giving it up anytime soon. As 'she who must be obeyed' said to me the other day, "I knew you wouldn't be bored taking early retirement - you're so lucky to have a hobby that keeps you so interested".

I think she's right......she normally is.

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Re: I wonder how many stick with it?

Postby mark lewis » Apr 22nd, '22, 03:32

I stuck with it for 65 years! Sometimes I wonder if it was wise to do that but there is nothing I can do about it now at this late stage!

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Re: I wonder how many stick with it?

Postby Barry Allen » Apr 22nd, '22, 13:11

mark lewis wrote:I stuck with it for 65 years! Sometimes I wonder if it was wise to do that but there is nothing I can do about it now at this late stage!

Well, maybe here's the answer to that one mate.

If you could go back in time, there could be a few things you'd change BUT......would you do it all over again?

You've been in this game longer than most Mark; and no doubt met many, many Magicians along the way. In your experience, are you aware of anyone that has chucked it in and their reason(s) why?

I can't think of anyone - but then again, I've not met a raft of other Magicians to be honest. Many of the ones I met years ago never seemed to be overly-committed to the Art; which, I must admit, annoyed me somewhat.

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Re: I wonder how many stick with it?

Postby mark lewis » Apr 23rd, '22, 01:16

I would certainly do magic all over again. I am not so sure I would do the business side of it in the same way all over again! Which brings me to the second part of your question. I have known plenty who have given up the business side of it because it can be very precarious. However, I don't really know of anyone who has given up the hobby side of it. The exception of course is younger people who take it up as a kid but drop by the wayside to pursue other things.

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Re: I wonder how many stick with it?

Postby magicofthemind » Apr 23rd, '22, 09:10

I've also been into magic for about 65 years, but only as a hobby. I'm more of a writer (and proofreader) than a performer but I keep buying books and utility equipment for the odd chances I do get to perform.

Barry (the other one) Cooper

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Re: I wonder how many stick with it?

Postby mark lewis » Apr 24th, '22, 11:54

magicofthemind wrote:I've also been into magic for about 65 years, but only as a hobby. I'm more of a writer (and proofreader) than a performer but I keep buying books and utility equipment for the odd chances I do get to perform.

Barry (the other one) Cooper


You probably get more fun and joy out of magic than professionals do. I actually am envious of amateur magicians because of this. Ironically I suspect that it is the other way round for amateurs. They probably envy the professionals They shouldn't!
I have always said that as soon as money enters the picture the fun of magic starts to dilute.

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Re: I wonder how many stick with it?

Postby magicofthemind » Apr 24th, '22, 12:06

Quite. That's what the word 'amateur' means, of course. I've found that almost everything I've enjoyed as an interest has become a chore when I've had to work at it (e.g. studying for exams).

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Re: I wonder how many stick with it?

Postby Old_Codger » Apr 25th, '22, 08:13

Another one here who enjoys being an amateur, but hopefully not amateurish. Like others have said, I suspect the enjoyment would lessen were I have to make a living at this. I’ve done hundreds and hundreds of music gigs in my life, and thoroughly enjoyed them, and at one point there was an opportunity to go professional. It was a tough choice, but looking at what was involved, aside from the music itself, to make ends meet, it was a no-brainer not to do. I’m sure the lifestyle would be wonderful if one was a superstar, but down at grass-roots level, it’s a different story.

Back to magic. The (very) big conundrum that one has to face is that in learning magic we destroy (or have destroyed) the very thing that got us into it in the first place - i.e. the mystery and wonder. Instead we replace that with the lovely feeling of being able to impart that mystery and wonder on others (whilst essentially knowing we’re con artists and liars and cheats, who have just practised keeping a straight face whilst we spout untruths). It is indeed a great feeling and brings it own reward, but it is a different feeling, and I wonder if many people find that it isn’t quite what they want?

Also, to be even moderately good we have to practice relentlessly, diligently, and constantly and one has to be the right kind of person to be able - and to want - to do that. Furthermore, the idea of all that practice is that it will be invisible - that no-one will ever know what you’re doing and how many years it took. So you do all that work and no-one sees it or gives you credit, and if they do it means you haven’t worked hard enough...

I find it strange not that so many fall by the wayside, but that so many don’t :-)

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Re: I wonder how many stick with it?

Postby mark lewis » Apr 25th, '22, 18:21

You would be amazed to see how many top professional magicians gave it up and went on to something else! Quite a few have given things up when they were right at the top of their profession. Chan Canasta gave it up to become an artist. Jack Kodell gave it up for the travel business. The Piddingtons gave it up for something else (I forget what) and Channing Pollock gave it up right when he was at the top. With regard to the latter some decades ago I was working at L'Hirondelle night club in London and a comedian who I shared the dressing room with came in and announced, "Have you heard about Channing Pollock? He has given up the business and married a Chinese millionairess!" I always remembered that!

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