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The hotter it gets the fewer pockets I seem to have, which drastically reduces the amount of decks and props I can carry with me.

I don't even want to imagine what it's like being a magician in Hawaii.

I am told several in this community use custom tailored suits fit with extra pockets and that there are indeed brands specialized in outfits for magicians. Still, wearing a jacket in Portuguese summer can be quite discomfortable and suspicious.

Does anyone have any tips or advice on this subject?

My entire hour long children's act can fit into three pockets. Most trousers can stretch to that. You need to cut down on the amount of items you are carrying. Replace trick decks with ordinary decks, etc. One deck in one pocket, a few sponge balls spread between two pockets, TT and silk or ribbon in one pocket, back pockets for a packet trick or something with coins, and you would be good to go for a close-up gig.

You need to either get yourself a mans bag, or like Tony said cut down the amount of props you use on these occasions.

Ive not long moved to this area (isle of Arran) and a few weeks ago I thought id give my new local a try. Id already met the owner of the pub through other activities in the village and he knew i was a magician. I did magic round the tables and at the bar which lasted around an hour and a half in total, it went down very well. All i took with me was a regular deck of cards, a couple of rubber bands and a tt. Those, combined with my loose change and notes gave me plenty of material, so you certainly dont need pockets full of props.

What sort of stuff do you normally do ?

jim

jim ferguson wrote:You need to either get yourself a mans bag, or like Tony said cut down the amount of props you use on these occasions.

Ive not long moved to this area (isle of Arran) and a few weeks ago I thought id give my new local a try. Id already met the owner of the pub through other activities in the village and he knew i was a magician. I did magic round the tables and at the bar which lasted around an hour and a half in total, it went down very well. All i took with me was a regular deck of cards, a couple of rubber bands and a tt. Those, combined with my loose change and notes gave me plenty of material, so you certainly dont need pockets full of props.

What sort of stuff do you normally do ?

jim

That may very well be my problem. So far (I've only been doing magic for less than two months) I use mostly cards, but many of the tricks I perform still rely on prepared decks (usually regular decks, but with a specific order), and thus it's easier for me to have several decks available of which I happen to know the order.

I guess I need to continue my way through the Royal Road to Card Magic and try to focus on tricks that can be performed with any deck. Down the road I'll probably try some things with other every-day items, such as coins.

Thanks.

I allways use a pouch when I do walk around. It's the one I use when I do my street version of the cups and balls. I'm not that good at pocket organising and putting everything in the pouch works for me! These pouches are not cheap though!

I was sure I had already replied to this but it would appear not.

I generally kick about in cargo shorts, the three-quarter-length things and a lightweight shirt. Pockets galore: 6 in the cargos and two breast pockets in the shirt. Not very formal but I usually just perform in pubs.

It's a phase you're going through.

I started teaching an adult about 3 years ago. He, too, used to have to go out with many decks. Once, he had 16 different decks in a bag.

Now he has one. A regular deck.

Point is, at the beginning relying on a trick/stacked deck is great. It means you can think about the presentation and not worry about the technical side. However as time passes, you will grow more interested in the technical side, and slowly lose interest in the gaffed/stacked decks.

It's a time thing.

But Royal Road is a great book to be going through.