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Hi everyone

After several years of AmDram I've decided to pursue my other passion in life - magic - and am just about to audition to join a local magic club.

Now, I have a serious interest in magic and can perform several tricks (probably classed as beginner's tricks) with pretty good competence. I am working my way through Paul Gordon's stuff, have played with some ring on string (Diamond Jim Tyler) and have done some Simon Lovell stuff.

My question is what will they be looking for at the audition - technical competence or entertainment? Yes, I appreciate those at the top of their game do both admirably, but we all have to start somewhere.

Personally, I favour the entertainment route, but this is easier to provide with simple tricks (even some self-workers - shock, horror). At this stage, a high level of competence is more likely to lead to a high level of nerves and cock-ups!

Interested in your thoughts.

Don't worry. The members of the club will all be just as useless as you are. All over the world there is a high standard of incompetence among members of magic clubs. Whatever you do the odds are even you will be better than most of the members.

It really doesn't matter whether you go for entertainment or technical competence. You will be admitted whatever happens. Yes. Even if you are pretty useless.

Hi, welcome to talkmagic!

With magic clubs auditions are more to show a genuine interest in magic than to judge skill levels.

And to give the club something to do to fill out the time for the evening.

which club?

I live on the south coast (Fareham) and am meeting up with Portsmouth Magic Circle, but am also interested in the Associated Wizards of the South (Southampton). I live equidistant to both.

I lectured at the Southampton club and they are a great bunch.

PM Tony Hyams on here for for info.

the A.W.S Are a great bunch of guys. They used to come over to the home counties now and again, as we had an inter club competition going. I wish we had that going again.

D.

You will usually be invited to a number of meetings before you have to take an audition and as Lee has stated, the audition is all about showing that you have an interest in magic that you wish to pursue. It's designed to deter those who are only interested in seeking how things work in order to satisfy their own curiosity.

On this occasion I'd suggest that you ignore the comments made by the venerable Mr Lewis as he's far too shy to grace the club rooms that are occupied by lesser performers than himself.

Nothing to do with being shy. It is to do with being forced to watch excruciatingly bad magic for an entire evening. I try to calm myself with the dictum by Al Goshman that it has always been thus and will be continue to be thus and that nothing can be done about it and we all have to accept it.

I will be lecturing at the AWS in Southampton TONIGHT; Tues 2nd Nov. Lots of strong doable card stuff... PG

I'm planning to be there. Looking forward to the lecture and some help improving my straddle Faro (98% success rate, but struggling to get to 100%).