talkmagic.co.uk

I think music Must have resolution- otherwise it becomes all tension and it's unlistenable to. I hold the same view with magic. Say for example, Zeppelin's Kashmir riff, it starts off 'nah nah nah' then increases a semi-tone and thus the tension, once more and again and a final time by which point the tension is bursting and finally some resolution. I believe as a result it's the most kick-ass tune of all time.
(Is it jsut me or do Serendipity and I always end up getting into a very complex music analogy? )

Tension certainly. Magic, like theatre, is all about the build up and release of tension, and comedy is certainly one way of doing that, but it isn't the ONLY way of doing it.

(Perhaps it's because we know nothing about dancing...)

It's one of the better one's in my opinion. But agreed, not the only way.

You're right, both with music and magic the best have a tension which builds up and up and you're left waiting... and then suddenly, just as you can't take it any more, it drops

But the tension breaker (for want of a better word) doesn't have to be humour. I'd much rather watch a magician who doesn't tell a single joke than one who can't tell one but tries anyway, or uses stock lines

I think Iain had it right in his earlier post - to try and force someone to be funny just seems a bit pointless. The comments about Derren are spot on; his is naturally funny and quick witted whereas other (successful) contemporary mentalists aren't - look at Paul Hallas, some would say his performances fall more into the 'demonstration' category but there's no denying his skill (and popularity - I bet you wouldn't be able to book him withiout 9-12 months notice, even if you did live in Reading, PA!!)

I suppose my point is this; there's little point worrying about what you can't do. Focus on what you can do and allow your stage persona to be an extension of yourself. That way, you'll feel more comfortable when performing and you'll find yourself throwing in the odd anecdote and aside because they'll feel natural to you.

Whilst I agree with can see the viewpoints of Tony and Harry, I also recognise the fact that you are still lacking in performing experience, Tom. Worrying about the fact that you're not 'funny' is just going to put you off performing even more when, in fact, it's a skill that doesn't need to be fully formed in order to be a successful performer.


Sean

You don't need to by funny at all, some magicians are and some aren't, it all depends on you. You do have to be entertaining but that doesn't always mean funny. The most important thing is to be yourself and perform an act that you're comfortable with. If you can do funny then go for it but not everyone can and if you're one who can't then don't worry about it.

I would think that until you actually perform a specific effect, you really have no way of knowing if their is potential or even a need for comedy in it. Comedy relies on the audiences reaction, so if you perform something enough times to an actual audience, you should get a real good feel for it, and if there is room for jokes within it, they should slip (semi) naturally into it.

Pretty much all comedians try out new material in small venues or at charity gigs before embarking on tours or at least building new sets as just because they find something funny, it doesn't mean an actual audience will. As the delivery of the joke is as important, if not more so than the joke itself, it's only through experimentation do they find out if something is worth keeping.

I would have thought that the same goes for magic too. Just because you've come up with what you imagine is a brilliant and clever effect, it doesn't mean that others will be convinced by it. I'm sure we've all had that same experience of finding out how something is done and then being disappointed by the method, only then to try it out and be astonished by how good the audience react.

When you're performing something, and a suitable joke comes to mind, try it out and see what happens. If it gets a good reaction, try it another time and see if it goes down well again. If it bombs, just forget it and move on. Also, try to be aware of how the jokes reaction, changes the overall response to your effect. You might get a massive laugh in the middle, but this in turn ruins the impact of your finish. Conversely, a brief release of tension might endear you to your audience so that they will react more favourably in your grand finale.