talkmagic.co.uk

Magic is constantly changing, with performers creating bigger and better tricks to impress us. Times have changed since a magician produced a startled rabbit out of top hat with a puff of smoke. Today we expect more, and the modern magician apparently does the impossible before our eyes. But spare a thought for where the trick came from. How did the magic get there?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t4qk4

Smashing stuff. My list of stuff to watch/listen to this week late at night is growing!

Voices from the past... Ali Bongo... Pat Page...

I was disappointed with this. Although it was interesting to hear from the past masters there was nothing in here that gave a sense of where magic is today. 95% of the interviewees were over 60 (two of them had actually passed away, Pat & Ali). It was all the usual suspects being interviewed and was very London centric despite a quick trip to Blackpool. I suspect the production team went straight to the magic circle and were handed the interviews on a plate. Yes I know it was a part historical docco as well but it wasn't particularly indicative of where magic is today. If I were a layman listening to it I'd still think that magic is a bit "dusty".

Steve K wrote:I was disappointed with this. Although it was interesting to hear from the past masters there was nothing in here that gave a sense of where magic is today. 95% of the interviewees were over 60 (two of them had actually passed away, Pat & Ali). It was all the usual suspects being interviewed and was very London centric despite a quick trip to Blackpool. I suspect the production team went straight to the magic circle and were handed the interviews on a plate. Yes I know it was a part historical docco as well but it wasn't particularly indicative of where magic is today. If I were a layman listening to it I'd still think that magic is a bit "dusty".

I've just listened to the show and I agree. The interviewer even said to one guy that the show was about how magic is sold, but it wasn't.