OK, ladies - Here is a question for you and YOU ONLY! I don't want any responses from men right now.

In Magic & Meaning Eugene Burger hypothesizes that magicians are afraid of their own magic.

I have expanded on that thought and argued that magicians are also afraid of emotional expression in their magic. Specifically, I think magicians are afraid of sensual expression.

So ladies, from your point of view - In your opinion, do you feel that magicians are afraid of sensuality/sexuality in magic?

And if so, why do you think this is?

Again, I am only interested in the female perspective right now. Sorry, guys!

I've attempted to respond to this several times. Let me get my thoughts together in a cohesive manner, and I'll post my response.

Margarette

I will try and respond honestly, without getting myself into trouble with anyone. If I offend anyone, please accept my apologies in advance.

I have seen plenty of professional male magicians perform "live", however, I have only seen two professional female magician "live". I have seen videos or television performances of other females, but nothing live.

I saw Jade televised on a late night talk show-- I thought her performance was absolutely engaging, beautiful and graceful, and at the end when she did her quick-change, the transformation from reserved to sexy was extremely tasteful.

Now if I were to compare it to the "live" female performance our family saw-- neither my daughter nor myself were impressed. My hubby probably was though. The problem was is that she had so much hanging out (very skimpy outfit with most her chest and tush hanging out) that it detracted from the magic. Your attention was NOT drawn to the magic, which was mediocre at best, but to other areas. THAT does nothing to help further women in magic, in my opinion. In fact, I think it makes it even harder for those who are trying to succeed in a male dominated society.

The other female magician that we saw live was a beautiful woman. She wore a very short dress, with a low scoop neck, which again, I'm sure my husband enjoyed. Yes, she looked sexy-- the difference was, she wasn't using it as a distraction. She knew how to present herself on stage and how to engage the audience. Her voice drew you in and I thorough enjoyed her style of storytelling magic. She was very poignant.

I believe that there are also male magicians that are very sexy. Again, it is about stage presence and using it appropriately whether you are a male or female. If you can use your sensuality to enhance your magic and better your performance, and it is something you are comfortable with, then I believe there is nothing wrong with it. However, I do not believe in flaunting one's self because you are lacking in skills and need the distraction--- nor because you feel that is the only way to break through in to a male dominated field. Its about self respect and respect for the art of magic.

Again, I hope I did not offend anyone and that I was able to express myself in a way that everyone understands my point. It is a difficult topic, because it is not a black or white situation.

But let's not confuse sexy with trashy and vice versa. There is a definite difference. I am talking about a sincere exploration of the concept as part of the human condition.

The use of sexuality in magic has been evident for a while. Take a look at your standard magician's assistant...put in some sort of "peril" where she needs to be "rescued." It is dividing the genders into their stereotypical compartments. Never mind that the magician is the one who puts her in "peril," it is up to him to rescue his "damsel in distress." Add to that the costuming, which tends to be very revealing and leaving little to the imagination. The magician will typically have his hands all over her and shoot the audience looks that tells every man "don't you wish YOU were here instead of me!" I have yet to see a magic show where the assistants are even the slightest bit overweight or look like they have an ounce of fat on their bodies. The performer using sexuality in the performance has the audience saying "hmm....wonder what he/she is like in bed!"

Now, sensuality in magic is different. Sensuality is something that affects you on more than one level. It connects with you on an emotional level as well as physical. Sexuality tends to just connect on a physical level. As a general rule, men do not tend to be emotional. Men are taught that "real men don't cry" and that it's not considered "manly" to let your emotions show. Women, on the other hand, will cry at the cute puppy dog in the commercial for toilet paper on television. Women are not afraid to be emotional. Female magicians will typically be more sensual in ther magic because they want to connect with the audience on more than one level. They want to have the audience feel almost as if they are onstage with the magician, experiencing the same thing she is. The sensual performer will have audience members saying "that's the type of guy/gal I'd like to take home to meet the family!"

Please don't misunderstand this. I'm not saying that men can't be sensual performers and women don't use sexuality in their performances. I'm giving my opinions from my observances over the years. I will be the first to admit that I have used sexuality in some of my acts. I also use sensuality in some of my acts, too. To be honest, I like the way I feel about myself better when I'm a sensual performer than a sexual performer.

Margarette

Big Daddy, this is a very interesting question: "Do you feel that magicians are afraid of sensuality/sexuality in magic?"

Sensuality/sexuality is something over which a person has no control. Sensuality/sexuality just IS. You either have it or you don't. Look at Jade, Lance, and so many others. They cannot help exuding sensuality! How can you fear something you cannot help exuding? How can you fear something you are naturally given?

Years ago, a very successful performer told me that if you engage the audience, enthrall them, mezmerize them, charm them, and seduce them without their knowledge you will always be a success. Look at actors and magicians who are successful. They all exude some intangeable essence. Angelina has got IT. So has Brad. So has Lance, so has Jade. Are they afraid of this essence? Do they even know they have this essence? Who knows!

Great responses all!

So let me rephrase the question - if the IT factor has a natural sensuality, should there be a conscious effort to suppress it? Some have implied that in magic, it should be. But, should it?

Obviously I do have my own opinions on this, but I am more interested in your thoughts...

It seems to me, if you suppress the natural sensuality of the performer/actor/magician, you are suppressing an important part of the entire package. Why would someone want to suppress that which comes naturally?

More important than that, how would someone go about doing this suppression thing? Look at the Ugly Betty character. She is adorable and sexy, even in her glasses, braces, and funky haircut. It seems that if you have "it", you just can't cover "it" up!

Hmmm....

I've been thinking about this for some time.

I truly believe sensuality is inherent. Something that can not be contrived or forced.

Sexuality can be. It can be created, moulded, and shoved down the throats of an audience (have any of you watched any fire dancers lately..oi!)

Sexuality is the oldest form of distraction, so of course it is in use in magic. Either with assistants or I have seen it with the magicians themselves, and furthermore it has been encouraged for our male counterparts to use sexuality in the form of assistants for years. Yet, when a female magician steps on the stage with blatant sexuality she is automatically knocked around for it.

Likewise, sensual *expression*, as a dancer I can tell you that there is a stigma that surrounds men with it. It is so much easier and more acceptable for a woman to present herself with sensual emotion, than a man.

Now, agreeing with what the women here have said, I would also like to point out that men employ sensuality, but less obviously. When I was a kid, my first crush was David Copperfield. In later years I could recognize that it was the way he moved with power and grace, the open shirt collar, the subtle pushing up of his sleeves, they way he would look into an audience...it was all so sensual. I remember hearing the women in the audience say things about him that I did not comprehend until later in life. Few male magicians I have seen since have displayed this very natural sensuality. I've seen Penn Jillette attempt it in a "sensual" fire eating display that just fell flat because it was too forced.

Is a woman more emotional by nature? I don't think so. However men are encouraged to be the strong, the mighty...to be in control. Showing emotion is often thought of as a weakness and a lack of control. "Soft" emotions are for women because we are expected to be weak, and as performers we are allowed to twist it to our advantage. In magic we aspire to display control so then for a man to show emotion, especially a sensual emotion (the publically accepted domain of women), would be viewed as weakness and therefore potentially effect his success.

Just some random thoughts on the topic.