So my good friend Kenny Roberts of Kernow Magic visits last night. As ever we talk business, we talk philosophy and we talk magic.
As our conversation winds down my friend asks me “Have you seen the Michael Jackson film… This is It?”
I reply in the negative, but assure him that I have every intention of catching it soon on Sky.
There is a pause…..
Kenny then adds that every magician should see it!
A bold claim I suggest, but the he goes on to describe the rehearsal sequences in the film; the attention to detail; the importance of the beat not just of the music but of every step of the performance.
I listen to Kenny’s enthusiastic description – then it hits me.
How many working magicians put that level of attention to detail into their practice and rehearsal?
The words of my friend Eugene Burger come to mind – his eloquent definitions and descriptions of the difference between practice and rehearsal.
The McBride Mystery School sessions come flooding back with Jeff and Eugene both talking about the elevation of our art through stagecraft and, what I have decided to call, stage-graft.
The magical showmen still do what they have always done – understand the ebb and flow of emotion in a performance….
The magical klutz”s still do what they have always done – move from self indulgent trick to self indulgent trick without understanding anything of the subtleties of our art…
For me “This is it” will certainly be on my watch list – to see a true showman rehearse and glean what little a mere conjuror can learn from a master of the performance art.
To the YouTube tricksters and exposure merchants I will simply say ….
You just don”t get it do you ! ? !
Alan
