Are magicians making a mistake by focusing on the latest magic tricks?
I was in Mexico last month and went to see a magic show that totally shocked me. I learned a valuable lesson that I'd like to share with you:
It's way too easy to forget about classic magic tricks in favour of the latest releases. Turning your nose up at the classics can be a big mistake for magicians wanting to build an entertaining act. A magic trick being brand new, is no mark of quality. The real test of a great trick is how it has performed over time with audiences.
As you browse most magic shop inventories, you are presented with the latest magic tricks first. They are the tricks that magic shops need to sell because they are in their 'promotional release phase'. As a trick gets older, it drops down deeper into the magic shop catagories and can easily be over looked unless a magician is specifically searching for it. It's a strange way of helping magicians. In fact, it's often set up like that to help magic manufacturers, creators, and the cash flow of the magic shops.
We all like to see what's new and check out the latest magic tricks, but it's the job of a good magic shop to highlight the very best tried and tested tricks, rather than those that are hot this week?
There are so many great magic tricks that get pushed to the sidelines by magicians that don't tend to perform much. Sponge balls, rope tricks, jumping playing cards, silk productions.. These tricks don't have the hype and marketing of the lastest releases, but they have already proved their worth. If you use your own presentation and develop a fresh way to present them, each trick can become the highlight of your act because the impact of the 'effect' is so strong.
In order to address this, good magic shops will often have a Highly Recommended Magic Tricks section to showcase magic tricks that have proven their worth over time. These sections don't just list the latest magic tricks, they only feature tricks that working magicians use time and again because the tricks get great results from audiences.
Great advice on the classic effects.
I’m fairly new (Although senior in years) at preforming magic.
However, I thought I would give you another example to reinforce your post: –
I have performed the ‘Pound & Penny’ effect several times in slightly different ways, when my wife has been present.
But the other day on an impromptu moment, while entertaining friends, I saw a different way I could present it.
To my utter surprise, my wife said “That was a great trick. Why haven’t you shown me that one before!”
Hope this is the type of response you are looking to receive.
FKA
classics like sponge balls get a great reaction from lay people but I’ll still want tot get the latest magic from Merchant of Magic
Dominic, great points! Sponge rabbits can be killer for both kids and adults. I do the milk in cone (over the kid’s head) for children’s shows, but the adults love it, too. Also, needle through balloon is one effect that adults love as well as the kids. The Nielsen bottles. Ah, there are so many examples! But, as you say, you have to bring your own personality into it….