Magicial ranting and ravings

From The Actor Magician Essays
By Louis C. Haley
Extracted from his book "The Dramatic Art of Magic"

" ......People now-a-days are beginning to look upon the Magician as one who can especially amuse the children. In times past whole cities used to get wrought up to a high pitch of excitement over things that do not approach in real mystery the things that are done today. I think one reason for this attitude on the part of the public is the fact that the Magician has lost the dignity of his calling and is in imminent danger of seeing his self-respect going with it."


Written over 100 years ago and true today


It saddens me greatly to see magic considered by some as amusement for children, it grieves me worse to see heinous performers foisted upon children.
Perverse and or pretentious performers who denigrate themselves in their base attempts to pander to the lowest common denominator at what they misguidedly consider entertainment. Completed by their strange and improper looking props. Why must everything have some strange pseudo Asian writing on a painful color scheme?

Are such want to be performers too unintelligent to know any different?

I could post hundreds of thousands of pictures and websites to support my statements.

We could have enlightenment in entertainment, but instead it's a weekend clown in a $5 cape and discount wand calling it a Harry Potter show.

Can Darwinism please happen quicker in the world of magic?

Obviously you don't have to play down to anyone, especially children. Acts such as tearing apart toilet paper and offering it up to be placed in the mouth to produce a mouth coil (oh wait, I saw that in a show for adults, not kidding). All performances, children included can be presented in an intelligent, elegant and incredibly entertaining fashion.


Why are we accepting the bar being lowered in performances for children when we should be raising it to stimulate their fertile imaginations?
Why do we accept performers insulting their intelligence?

Of course there are outstanding performers who specialize in working for children. However I'd wager all of you reading this know of more heinous performers thinking they are geared to children than quality acts.


There is and always will be a place, need and market for comedy magic, but all too few quality comedic performers.




Sounding Off from the Soapbox of the Society for Quality Entertainment

David London Lecture

Saw David London's lecture least night.
I'm totally blown away, incredibly creative, totally illogical while being perfectly thought out down to the smallest detail.
Picked up the workings for a new piece that I think will be an outstanding addition to my show.
If you have an opportunity to see David London don't pass it up
4 out of 4 stars!!!!

The tale of 2 different magic shows

What an outstanding weekend, 2 great shows that were as different as could possibly be.

Friday night at Hillwood Museum (absolutely beautiful facility), a show for Alliance Francaise Soirée Carte Blanche: electronic happy hour with an artistic twist. Upscale, very cool, great party concept, the hosts were incredibly gracious. Interesting crowd, good mix.
Did a short set featuring "Seduction of the Senses", "Sorcerer's Apprentice", my homage to Dia Vernon "Symphony of the Rings", multiplying bottles and a closer. Had a challenge with cueing the music at the right time but oh well. Loved the people, the place and while I see the problems overall it was a decent set.
Best part is the Alliance Francaise has invited me back for their Halloween Party at Bistro Napoleon for a midnight show. Going to put something special together. Very much looking forward to working with Alliance Francaise, in particularly Anna & Sylvain.

Saturday night was 180 degrees a different world. a 50th birthday party at a V.F.W. English Consul hall. Some old friends and people I worked with in the past. About a 40 minute set, got to stretch out a little while performing. More music problems, went to start Sorcerer's Apprentice and my CD player had been moved by the DJ, it's a good piece but it needs the music to be fully effective. Melissa did an outstanding job of getting me there and birthday girl Cheryl couldn't have been more happy. Great to get to spend a little time with them and see a very dear long time friend and other familiar faces.

The 2 shows couldn't have been more different and both were great in their own ways. Really like the crowd at both and who could ask for more than 2 decent sets that well fairly received. Yes I had problems in both sets but that's the advantage to experience. I might be the only one who saw all the problems.

Next up, Halloween Weekend - 4 shows in 3 states & DC in 2 days.
Am I crazy or in love with the business and want audiences to see what good magic can be?

stay tuned