Classic magicians' props, like large rings, cigar boxes, ropes, candles, silks, were used because it allowed the audience to recognise and relate to those objects, in a time when most people would have had those objects in their home or use them at work.
Dec. 29, 2013
Times change. Most of us no longer carry around ropes... we equate them with cowboys, sailors, boyscouts, and BDSM. Most of us don't have large metal rings laying about, for who uses wooden barrels anymore, apart from wine and whiskey breweries? And smoking is slowly becoming unpopular: will our children recognise cigar boxes?
4 Linking Rings laying on a table
That means we are faced with a dilemma: will we continue to perform the classic tricks with classic props, and possibly receive a low response from our audience because they believe our props to be gaffed, or will we update our props to enhance recognition, with the danger of having to let go of the classic tricks?
I think there is a middle ground: I started performing the classic 3-ropes trick with audio cables, and adjusted my patter accordingly. Penn and Teller perform the cups and balls with clear plastic cups and rolled up aluminum foil balls.
What will you do?
4 Linking Rings laying on a table
That means we are faced with a dilemma: will we continue to perform the classic tricks with classic props, and possibly receive a low response from our audience because they believe our props to be gaffed, or will we update our props to enhance recognition, with the danger of having to let go of the classic tricks?
I think there is a middle ground: I started performing the classic 3-ropes trick with audio cables, and adjusted my patter accordingly. Penn and Teller perform the cups and balls with clear plastic cups and rolled up aluminum foil balls.
What will you do?
Wouldn't you like your events to make a lasting impression?
Send in this contact form, or mail me at emanuel.chester@protonmail.com.
