Is Magic All About Tricks?

I've been thinking, what makes a performer "magical". What gives him or her that certain 'X' factor that allows him or her to shine?

I've had the opportunity to do alot of big illusions with my dad. When I first started out, I was just his assistant aka "dumb blonde". In recent years, I've had the opportunity to be the key illusions in more routines. Yet, I was always feeling inadequate, as though I am not in control of the magic. It could have happened with or without me.

I try to cover it up with slick moves and all my performances look good. But the fact of the matter remains... Deep down I didn't buy it. But as the professionals say, 'THE SHOW MUST GO ON!'

And so it did.

A week ago, Joanie Spina - our new magic director / choreographer was in Singapore working with us on our magic routine. It was intense. We were rehearsing each illusion about 20 times. I was aching like mad. My body really felt bruised and battered. But despite the aches and pain, those rehearsals left a deep impression on me.

I remember how we always emphasize in our magic classes... "The Real Magic Is You!"

Well, Joanie's rehearsals really ingrained that in me. The aura of magic really emanates from us. What do I mean by that?

This begins with us actually seeing the magic we perform. And more importantly, let us ENJOY our own performance and appreciate the wonder that it brings forth. It has taken me 6 years as a performer to learn that truth. The truth is that, indeed, we all have something to give; the truth is that the real magic lies within us.

Magician 24/7

‘Magician 24/7’ was a topic that master magician Jeff Mcbride covered in his magic lecture in the first International Festival of Magic held here in Singapore.

Believe it or not, the highlight of his lecture was not the mind blowing tricks he taught us, but his compelling speech on how he became the magician he is today by first of all being a Magician 24/7.

So what is a magician 24/7? Well, many magicians are only magicians when they are performing their gigs but, once they’re out of their tux or off the stage, they’re off the job. Jeff spoke about doing magic every chance you get, whether you’re performing to the taxi-driver sending you to work in the morning, or to your colleagues during lunchtime. Performing to different kinds of spectators allow us to understand what works for us and what would get the best reactions. We strive continually to achieve greater effortlessness in our acts. It sounds paradoxical, but magicians understand what I mean.

A 24/7 magician is always ready with a trick in hand because he never knows when he would be called upon to entertain somebody. A good example would be at a dinner party. If someone there knows that you are a magician and asks you to do a trick for his friends and you do not have anything on you, what are you going to say? “I left my invisible thread and tapered cards at home?”

His lecture made such a deep impression on me that I went home and packed a B’wave (a lightweight portable card trick) into my wallet. It’s been in there since and has never failed me.

That day, Jeff hammered home the message that magic should become second nature to the magician.

So, friends, let’s be 24/7 Magicians, ready any time or day of the week whenever called upon to show our stuff.