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Paul Gordon Derby Magic Circle Lecture
Breadsall Community Centre
Wednesday 26th May
Reviewed by Al Smith
In some respects, this was a typical card session. Aces appeared and
disappeared, aces were controlled, located and cut-to; selected cards were
produced, sleights, moves and subterfuges were discussed, dissected and
analysed.
However, in truth this was not at all a typical card session.
Paul Gordon is a cardman. Unashamedly and unapologetically so. And why not? He
makes his living with a deck of cards so we would expect him to wave the
pasteboard flag a bit. But that’s not the whole picture.
Like most of us, first and foremost, he’s a magic fan, in the best sense of the
word; an enthusiast. And it’s his enthusiasm that carries the day. This is not
to suggest that the material he performs and explains is insubstantial—it isn’t.
He’s not trying to build something out of nothing. The material is solid to
begin with, but benefits greatly from Paul’s energy. It lifts the moment.
This is something we can all learn from. After all, if we can’t be passionate
about what we do, how can we expect others to be passionate about it? If we
don’t care, why should anybody else?
And technically there is nothing here to fear. It’s not sleight-heavy. With the
possible exception of a straddle faro shuffle, most of the rest is Basic Card
Handling. Stuff that’s made even more accessible by Paul’s approach to the
explanations. Anyone with aspirations to being any species of cardperson should
be aware of, and competent with, these basics.
This is not intended to be a blow-by-blow outline of the session, simply because
it’s impossible to itemise the topics covered. As Paul admits he “goes off on
tangents” sometimes responding to his own thoughts, but mostly inspired by
comments and questions.
The Derby Circle is a go-ahead outfit and the brains-trust is to be
congratulated for persuading Paul to visit. The session took place on a regular
Derby meeting day, but was open to non-members who are bon fide conjurors. Not
sure how I got in, but there we are. Oh, yes, that’s it, I bribed somebody.
Attendance was very good and it was encouraging to see that Paul’s books and
DVDs were finding new homes.
There are some magic nonthusiasts who look down their noses and up their
trousers at card magic and somehow conclude that card stuff is incapable of
being presented entertainingly. There are several cures for this malady, but the
most painless course of action is a refresher course in reality. Oh yes, and
have a look at Paul Gordon sometime. Soon. End of sermon.
© Al Smith, May 2010