The future of stage magic.

[Guest]

What do you think is the future of stage magic?

[Guest]

I would say the future of stage magic is the same as the "future" of vaudeville. Stage magic as a mass live entertainment died with vaudeville.

[Guest]

I wish you were wrong, but I fell you are right,
Its stage magic only for magic conventions and cruise ships?
Do you think(open question) people do not like stage magic any more? , and why?

[ September 09, 2001: Message edited by: Alfonso Rios ]

[Brian Marks]

I feel you are wrong. Bad stage magic is coming to an end. Vegas acts are up doing just fine. Too many illusionist come off looking the same. This is true for close up as well but every laymen is more amazed by a good close up trick than a guy with a box, a showgirl, a strobe light and a tiger on a far off tv like stage.

[Guest]

i perform stage magic as well as close up magic, and really wish that we would see more creative output in the form of stage magic. not illusions, not magic with assistants, one man stage magic. admitedly, i have several original stage effects that i'm not too keen on releasing (ignore my post about jay, diaconis and freeman!), but may evenutually. there just isn't enough time spent in this area of magic and it is something we can all use a lot more of. do we REALLY need more ace assemblies, matrix's, coins across, collectors, etc? i don't think we do. after all, even illusionists NEED more stage tricks to do in between the bigger illusions. so, perhaps i'm in the minority. but how can i be, when even a close up magician can benefit from this type of material. if, for instance he is working a banquet, and could be introduced to the group, and do 10 minutes for all, before his walk around. it sure makes approaching people much easier, now that they know who you are. please let me know your thought and if you have any original stage items that you use. perhaps i'll write a book someday.

[Guest]

Briam, I am sure that you realize that the world is bigger that las Vegas and that Stage magic it is not just illusion so. Are you suggesting that may be a magician that wants to make a career doing stage magic, should go to Las Vegas?
Please tell me what you think, I am interesting on your opinion and every body else opinion. That is one of the great thinks about and international forum, and this one is one of the best in the net. Thanks again Genii!

Dear John,Do you think the problem is the lack of effects on stage? Or may be that the effects need to be update it to a new society. I also,like you,enjoy more a one men show that is for me the main form of stage magic.
I also think that close up magicians can benefit from stage magic, the same way that close up magic show as the real meaning of magic.
That will also be an interesting quote, or topic, how can stage magic benefit your close up magic, and how can a stage magician take benefit from close up magic.
Been honest I do fell a little be embarrass to open a new quote.
(Please I apologies for my English, it take me hours with the dictionary to write something, and some times I am worry that may son rude the way I write)

[ September 10, 2001: Message edited by: Alfonso Rios ]

[Guest]

Originally posted by Alfonso Rios:

,Do you think the problem is the lack of effects on stage?

Speaking from an Irish point of view I think the problem here is lack of stages, not lack of effects!

;)

[Jeff Haas]

FYI, I do a one-man standup show too. I've figured out a system to allow you to trigger music cues (and potentially more) from a laptop. This is one of the things that you can do to create a much bigger feeling for your show.

Check out my Remote Show Control website at: http://members.tripod.com/remotelaptop

Jeff

[Steve Hook]

:eek: :) :cool: :eek: :) :cool:

Jeff:

You ARE.....The Man.

That's a great FREE INFORMATION site. Your design, content, and generosity are all very impressive. Thanks!

Steve H

[Jeff Haas]

You're welcome! I knew that computers cold do the whole show, and there had to be a way to automate a show, not just music, but lights, smoke machines, etc. using a laptop and a remote. It just took some digging on the web to find the right RF remote, and the right software. Most of it's free, except for the one that allows you to trigger MIDI devices and run the entire show.

Note that this is really for the computer literate performer...you've got to understand how to do a bunch of file copying, sound editing, digitizing, etc. It's a lot of work. But the results are worth it!

Jeff

[Guest]

I am just a fan and new here but have I've enjoyed magic all my life. I love the specials on tv cause they are entertaining, it's not just the same old trick, with a guy on stage and his assistant pulling rabbits out of hats. I love the showman part of it, the lights, the smoke, the music, the dancing, comedy, and intensity of it.

I've seen a few in person, but they were small comedy type clubs until recently. I went on a cruise in July and had the incredible fortune to see Greg frewin perform. I even got to hang out with him alot during the cruise. He had a fantastic show and it blew me away. It was Vegas style, he was funny, handled the crowd perfectly, the music was current, the lights and effects were flashy and new, his assistants were funny and sexy, even the guys were hot, I was blown away. I also loved his birds, they added a wonderful new twist to some old tricks, and they were beautiful too.

It made me wish I'd seen him in vegas when he was doing his big shows. But who knows maybe he'll be back there someday. I know he has a Canadian tour coming up soon, I plan to try to see him if he comes close to Vancouver. I live in northern Washington, so it's not that far away.

I do think stage magic is great, I think the performances need to be current, funny, but also mystical, I love the whole idea of the mystery, the mythology, like Merlin, is it real magic, or is it a trick. I also like to see close up guys that can fool you even when you're right there in front of them. That takes talent, and they don't all have it. I like to see a great trick performed with some pomp, but I feel some guys get too carried away. On Tv, I'd rather they get down to the trick a little faster, they waste too much time on making it look good and don't do many tricks, with all the comercials it really takes away from the magic. Unfortunately we don't have alot of places around here that feature magicians, but I catch as much as I can on TV and when I'm on vacations.

I think the future of magic is unlimited, people love it, the whole vegas thing is spreading, more and more places like that are appearing in other parts of the country. And cruise ships are really pressing their vegas style shows to draw people in. My mom loves them, she and I are cruise hounds. We've been on 4 in 2 years, and have more planned soon. I think cruises are a good place to be for a magician, it's not too hard, but you really get to practice and hone your skills. And, you get to be on a cruise going to all kinds of exotic places.

I know here in Washington, there's casinos popping up everywhere and they all have entertainers, so it's like we're becoming a mini-vegas, but more spread out. I can't believe magic would ever go away, only if the magicians stop doing it. I think they have been a little less visible lately, I haven't seen as many specials on TV and stuff, but I'd watch them if they were on. For now I guess we just have to go to Vegas, or places like that, and find them. But I don't think stage magic is dead, just touring.

FF

[Brian Marks]

"[QUOTE]Originally posted by Alfonso Rios:
[QB]Briam, I am sure that you realize that the world is bigger that las Vegas and that Stage magic it is not just illusion so. Are you suggesting that may be a magician that wants to make a career doing stage magic, should go to Las Vegas?"

I said Vegas Acts always have a home. Not that all of stage magic is releated to Vegas