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Joe Mansfield Loyal user 227 Posts |
First let me say that this post is in no way meant to hurt, harm or belittle anyone, hence the reason I will not reveal any names, places or dates. I am not a professional magician and have never claimed to be, but I still know a quality performance when I see it.
Within the last year, I attended one of the several smaller conventions that are held throughout the country. For the most part, a good time was had by all. However, one of the performers was terrible. I'm sorry, but there is just no other way to put it. During this individuals performance, a well known and truly professional magician in the audience was over heard saying, "This guy is a professional? Professional what??" I was in complete agreement with him. The performer in question claims to be a seasoned professional entertainer and even carries that theme heavily throughout his web site. If this person is out there booking shows, isn't he hurting all the guys that make their sole living in magic? He was so bad that I dare say any client he has performed for would probably never hire another magician. Isn't that what truly hurts the magical arts? And is it even ethical to perform in this manner? |
JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
I both agree and disagree with you. I know what you are talking about, in general. I have seen performers who both myself, and others, did not enjoy. That being said, what did his audience think? Was he getting reactions. Were they watching. Somethimes even the trainwreck does the job. They don't know art, but they know what they like. You have to be very careful to not judge based on your tastes, rather, the audiences tastes. It's tricky.
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Joe Mansfield Loyal user 227 Posts |
I understand what you're saying, but it wasn't just an issue of taste or what we like. He only received a polite applause from the audience. Most everyone there was a magician and think most felt the same way. After his act most people just looked at each other as if to ask, "What was that?".
The thing is, the performer seems very knowledgable and has several posts in the Café. I just don't understand, with his knowledge, does he not know how id act looks? |
JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
Perspective is a rare and treasured gift. Likewise, understanding ones audience is only easy if you know how to do it. Maybe he was having an off night, or that wasn't an audience well suited to his particular performance?
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Drew has a good point: we all have bad hair days.
On the other hand, thinking that he's hurting other magicians by being bad isn't totally fair either. If someone who doesn't understand Shakespeare gets up on stage and totally massacres, say, Hamlet's soliloquy, he's not hurting other Shakesperean actors, or Shakespeare's work: he's just looking bad himself. It's a shame, but it happens.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-04-04 12:27, Joe Mansfield wrote: Hasn't so far. This has been a complaint made by magicians for ages. Magic is still alive and well. There have always been bad magicians foisting their lack of talent on the unsuspecting. We've all seen our share of them whether it be at a convention or in a public venue. They were with us a hundred years ago and they will be with us a hundred years from now. The only way to stop the performance of bad magic is to not perform it yourself.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Darius666 Veteran user London 368 Posts |
What is a bad magic performance to magicians, could very well be entertaining to a lay audience.
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