h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello, I was just skipping through the guide and I happened to notice you amature-magicianish type status. I've been performing magic for about eight years (I probably need a psychiatrist) and I was interested...what kind of magic do you tend to perform?

At the moment I'm wavering between kid's parties (if you've ever done one you'll know they can be difficult, but generally worth it), Adult's shows and the odd close up gig.

George

I've been an amateur magician for over forty years! My main interest is mentalism, although I also like close-up impromptu stuff. I performed for children a few times when my daughter was young, but never saw myself as a children's entertainer - I did adult magic brought down to their level.

I tend to do that too, I only have a few 'strictly-childrens' tricks, I find if you do adults magic for them the amount of equipment you need is less and the tricks are more value for money (I.e can use them for more than one group of people). Anyway, kids are far too much hard work! Forty years! Puts my eight to shame!

I had my first 'proper' close-up gig the other day, I work in a pub and the landlord seems to like magic (Which can only be a good thing)and I will hopefully be able to persue close-up as a bit of a money maker. I very much enjoy performing mentalism, especially Anneman's stuff (I've probably spelt his name wrong) -and I'd love to do a full mentalist act, but right now I need experience in all areas - i don't want to tie myself down to one particular style (and I'm not sure I could do the act sucessfully at the moment, mentalism seems to be something of an art in itself).

I'm probably boring you with lots of irrelavent information, but I have a question, do you know much about the Chavez Studio of magic in California? I was planning to go in a few years - after college, if I can find the funding, I've heard good things, I was wondering whether you might know about it.

Well, happy Hiking.

George

Hi George

Wish I had the nerve to go out and earn some money doing magic! Oddly enough, the main thing that puts me off is having to keep records for tax (I work as a tax adviser).

Sorry, I can't help you with Chavez; if you're into newsgroups, try asking on alt.magic

I'm on several Yahoo Groups for magic and mentalism, but they're fiddly to get into and I can't really describe the process here.

I learn magic almost exclusively from books. I can recommend a few if you're interested; please let me know what sort of books you already have and what you want to expand on. I'm currently working through a very expensive new one on billet reading, but that's probably a bit too specific for you.

What did you perform at your gig?

MR

Hello again,
Tax isn't too much of an issue for me at the moment, but when it is I'm sure I'll have fun at the bank explaining what I do (Insurance will be interesting too I should imagine!). I'm in the process of writing to Chavez at the moment, so hopefully I'll get some information from them at some point.

I did quite a few tricks at my gig the other day, my favourite was one involving a mouse trap - obviously I can't go into the method on here, but basically the spectator chooses a card and draws a mouse on the face, I then introduce a mouse-trap and place it (Set) on to the spec's hand (I enjoy this bit). I go through the deck until the trap snaps on the card. I probably haven't explained that all too well, but the trick involves a lot of comedy and suspense. I think I did about an hours worth of magic, which surprised me - but I was pleased anyway.

I tend to learn a lot of my magic from books and magic magazines as well. One of the books I'm working my way through (Slowly) is a book by Edward Marlo, there's some great stuff in there, but extrememly difficult to learn! I like close-up ricks (That's what I seem to be into at the moment) and if you have any suggestions into reading matter of that nature I would be grateful, in fact I am interesed in any magic books because I always find them useful (Anything that I can add to my 'collection' helps) so If you have any advice I am always keen to listen. I can always send you detail of any tricks that I think are worthwile too.

Just out of interest, what is the book you're reading at the moment, it sounds intersting? I realise it's rather specific, but It can't hurt to broaden my range a little!

Anyway, have fun with the magic.

George

Hi George

I have to be a bit careful here, as this is a public forum. I'm also not allowed to post URLs, which is a pity. If you can find your way into Yahoo Groups without one, sign up to the UKMagic mailing list. I'd also recommend joing a magic club if you don't already belong to one. I belong to the IBM, which has a very good online mailing list.

The first book I'd recommend, to a beginner or an expert, is the Mark Wilson Course (or the Cyclopaedia, which is a slightly modernised paperback version of the same book). To a pro like yourself, Magic and Showmanship by Henning Nelms is essential reading. All books by Karl Fulves are useful (ignore the "Self-Working" in the titles - it's not true). His book on Charles Jordan's card magic would be especially useful to you. For something more advanced, The Magic of Michael Ammar contains a lot of useful stuff, although it would have benefited from better proof-reading. The book I'm reading at the moment is the new work by Richard Busch which has every pro mentalist raving about it. The content is superb, though I think the layout could be better. It's very expensive but essential for a pro mentalist. You would definitely find useful material if you want to include a bit of mentalism in your act, and there are a few "other" effects as well.

Hope this helps.

M

Yes, it does, thanks very much - I own the Mark Wilson Course - and I agree it's very useful. I also have a few of Fulves's book and they're interesting too - I'll have a look around for some of the other titles too.

Sorry I'm a bit late to this posting but if your intersted in Close up magic I highly recommend Bobo's "Modern Coin magic" that has just been re-published in paper back.

Hope this wasn't too out of context with the Mentalism thread

Mir

No, not out of context at all - I'm going for all kinds of magic at the moment. I actually have the book and find it really interesting, i've never been great with coins, but the book has taught me a lot. Recently I got 'The card magic of Edward Marlo' - it's a good book if you ever come across it. I hoping to get a few tricks for my birthday - these are mostly mental items, If i do get them I'll let you know what they're like.
George