Underlying this discussion (besides each to his/her own) is the question of what is magical. So, what *is* magical? What is it about a handling or plot or presentation or trick that evokes a sense of wonder?


Re: matters of taste. This discussion reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend of my daughter, who had lived in Florence for a year and loved Italian culture. I told her that every time I told someone how much I loved the writings of Jorge Luis Borges, they would reply, "Oh, you should read Italo Calvino!" So I tried -- and in theory I should love him -- invisible cities, tarot cards, a man who mystifyingly decides to spend his whole life in the trees, like a squirrel.... I find all those ideas immensely appealing, but I just can't read Calvino. I really *want* to like him, but I don't. My daughter's friends' response: Don't worry about it. I really want to like olives, and I just can't.


In case you were interested, as Pooh might say.

About long tricks -- I don't have enough experience as a spectator or as a magician to judge, but I would think that a well-plotted trick that went on for a long time could be a pleasure. Isn't there room for both an Issa haiku and a War and Peace? I don't mean that in a facetious way -- I'm genuinely curious as to whether my analogy between magic and literature stands.

Hey Matt: I also hate boring SHORT card tricks.

Every spectator can experience a haiku; it happens so fast it's almost unintentionally digested.
It takes serious relentless determination to make it through War & Peace. Most folks would rather not be bothered.

This is not to demean the potential quality of longer tricks, rather a diatribe on the attention span of modern-spectators.

People are still writing novels, even long ones, and many of them find eager audiences. Does anyone know of a trick that's equivalent to, say, a short story, as opposed to a haiku or short lyric poem?


Sorry, James, I'm taking your OP in a different direction. If no one responds I'll make a new thread about this.



Bob

It's nonsense to blame audiences for "short attention spans." It's not their fault that you can't construct a compelling and magical routine.

Juan Tamariz. Tyler Wilson. Derren Brown. Andy from the Jerx. Tomas Blomberg. All contemporary performers that feature -- successfully -- longer, engaging routines. There's tons more, that's just off the top of my head. And across a variety of venues.

Oh brother.

That's what I'm sayin'!

A Captive audience is not the same as a Captivated audience.
Longer routines are enjoyed (or suffered) by specs who paid to sit in a venue for a few hours.

Rupert,


Can you recommend any videos of long routines that you consider to be engaging?


Thanks,


Bob

I hate spelling effects

'Cause you probably haven't seen any GOOD ones!! I "kill" - that is make "jaws drop" with some.