talkmagic.co.uk

I know all, see all and tell all. And I can assure you that I, Mark Lewis have the answer to this matter as I naturally have the answer to all matters of this kind. I have published the whole thing in my wondrous "Wit and Wisdom" e-book.

Of course it will put me to the most awful trouble cutting and pasting the said reference so I shall require you all to beg and plead for me to do so.

If there is no begging and pleading I shall then assume that nobody is interested. If however the required bowing and scraping is forthcoming then so will be the gospel according to Saint Mark.

I shall however give one clue as to my thinking. There is not one class of flourish. I believe there are three and each requires it's own individual philosophy.

My position regarding flourishes and magic is this- it all depends on your intentions and desired effect (see Tangled Web, by Eric Mead for more on the desired effect). If you're intent is to show that you have impeccable skill and elegance with cards, such as Sam the Bellhop and much of Dan and Dave's material, then I think flourishes, when used at the right moments, are fine. Just don't expect anybody to think you're psychic any time soon.

In the video of Bill Malone performing, it's clear that he's not trying to do 'magic' per se. No one believes he's doing magic. But clearly the intention of the routine isn't to create magic, it's a highly entertaining card story. The performer comes off as being very skillful and fun. I'm assuming that's what Bill Malone's desired effect was with STBH.

Personally, I don't do many flourishes. A few fancy shuffles once in a while, but I don't want to be known throughout the school as the kid who does XCM.

Thanks for the tip about the bed! Not quite sure why after 20 years of card routines ive never thought of that.. probably too obvious!

I have just edited the above... it sounded sarcastic and not sincere...
I realy have never thought of that in 20 years!!