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Close-Minded

Comedy is a great subject that I've wanted to write about for a while now. However, I'm presented with a problem… quite a large one actually - I've never even read a book on the subject, let alone taken any lessons, heck I only know five jokes. So as I'm not qualified to call it anything else, we'll re-name this article, "Andi's Thoughts On Magic Comedy." I can do things like that - after all, I am the writer.

Before we get started, I want to make the most controversial comment I've probably ever made in magic:

In my opinion, the majority of magicians (but not all) employ humour and other apparent entertaining practices to substitute the imperfect state of their magic.

There, I've said it. That's a pretty big thing to say, and I really mean it. All too often we hear, "The move doesn't need to be perfect - just tell a joke to cover it." The move does need to be perfect and although comedy does have the ability to act as great misdirection, it cannot be relied on all of the time. The secret to misdirection is allowing your audience to relax, and if a joke does not receive the intended reaction, then you will create tension, which is the complete opposite of relaxation and the misdirection will fail.

Of course, misdirection isn't the only reason I think that many of us use comedy as a substitution for great magic. Many performers seem to be under the illusion that magic needs sugar coating. Quite simply, it doesn't. Look at the work of performers such as Chad Long, Lennart Green, Derren Brown and even David Blaine. These guys all tell a few jokes, but their magic takes priority over everything else and they are all extremely successful in their own right because of this. Magic is strong enough on its own, so don't insult yourself by thinking it isn't.

The misconception that every audience wants you to be funny can also be disastrous. There is a time and a place to use comedy, and it is vitally important that if you plan to be a humorous performer you must know when to stop and be serious. Take a look at my thoughts on 'mirroring' in my essay entitled Audience Encounters here at Visions to see my thoughts on how to make spectators feel comfortable and happy with what you do.

None of this is meant to say that audiences do not like comedy, but remember that you are primarily a magician and not a comedian. Comedy does have a place in our acts, but don't let it be the reverse and give magic a place in your comedy. I personally believe, except in certain circumstances, that you should be presenting your audience with at least two moments of magic for every joke that I tell. That's for the current state that I am performing in, but more importantly, that the majority of my spectators seem to enjoy.

Of course, there are also situations in your magic that should not interrupted with anything; not even an extraordinarily funny joke. In my previous article, on audience reactions and in my booklet, Virtual Reality, I discuss that you should never step on the moment of an effect. Just pause. Do nothing. Let the moment last. Lets take an example; back in my manipulation days, I used to perform an act that included a version of the floating light bulb to attract the attention of a beautiful young lady on a park bench (based on a method from a very old Supreme manuscript for anyone who is interested). I always wanted to look at her and say, "Ever wonder why it floats? Because its light!" But then I realised; the only thing this would do was pull away from the fact that a bulb from a street lamp was floating. So instead, I simply looked her in the eyes and made the bulb float. The difference was amazing. Not telling the joke turns the effect from a trick, into a romantic piece of magic.

That isn't to say that comedy is not good - just look at the work and success of Mac King as an example of how good it can be. It is however important to understand that, from how I see it, Mac doesn't use his humour to his advantage; he actually uses his funny personality. That leads me onto another point; there is a large difference between telling a joke and having a naturally funny personality.

I'm going to leave it at that this month because I don't want to take up too much of your reading time, because I'm also giving you a free sample segment from my booklet, Virtual Reality. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make the booklet more successful than I could have ever imagined!

Andi Gladwin