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Originality
by Kevin Gallagher
Magic competitions are an extremely healthy thing and long may they prosper.
These days, standard sponge ball and four Ace routines or colour changing cane
and blendo routines are unlikely to pick up any prizes in worthwhile
competitions. Something new is required to take the eye of the judges. Many
magicians avoid entering competitions stating that they require 'Magic for
magicians'. People who use this term in my experience are usually lacking in
magical ability and the statement is one of insecurity. There is no such thing!
It is simply exceptionally good magic. Magicians and laymen alike will know that
they are seeing something special when they see the likes of Gary Kurtz perform.
The most effective method of setting yourself apart is Originality and this
generally falls into one of three categories.
Firstly, original presentation. Here, an original character or theme is thought
of and standard magical effects are used with unusual props or with a new
presentation angle. A great example would be the late Mark Nathan Sicher who
made his mark with his Internationally known Dental act which included
toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, fillings, gas, toothbrushes and so forth.
These items would have occurred first, the time being spent on trying to apply
them to known magical effects. Secondly, standard magic achieved through
completely new methods which deceives even magicians who are familiar with the
original. An example would be Guy Hollingworth with his torn and restored card,
travellers and twisting the Aces plots all pushed to new heights. Here, complex
or new sleight of hand techniques are used to produce a simple effect with
minimum apparent handling. Thirdly, the origination of completely new plots. The
first person that springs to mind is Paul Harris who, in his occasional creative
periods comes up with totally new amazing plots. For this, it is often an idea
to simply think of a new effect without any regard for how it might be achieved
and later, to try to work out a magical solution.
In the first, the magician's strongest suit will usually be his presentation or
acting ability. In the second, he will likely be a superb technician with an
impressive armoury of skilful sleights. In the third, he will be capable of
creative or lateral thinking.
If you examine the current top magicians the likes of Williamson, Martinez,
Kurtz, Topas, Frewin, and analyse their work, you will see that all of them
score very highly in one category or another, or in a combination of them. The
magic itself need not necessarily be new, the presentation need not necessarily
be new and the techniques employed need not necessarily be new but it is
originality in one form or other that sets magicians apart.
© Kevin Gallagher June 2003