Well when you look around and everyone but one person is laughing it is more like bullying or harassment than a joke.

I think in the right setting and for the right audience it id fine. I saw a lady perform with nothing but a TT and each time she made the cloth re appear she took of another layer of clothes until she was completely naked, it was funny and really worked well.

I would post a link to that video but it would get deleted. Ursula is no magician but she did keep the attention of her audience.

Ursula Martinez is a wonderful performing artist from London. She is not a variety performer.

HeeHee...If I tried Ursula's routine, I would get a "fleeing ovation"! In vaudeville, they called it, "playing to the haircuts"...

Magician or not she did perform an effect and turn it into a good routine which was tasteful

I think the key to any fringe performing style is whether or not it is "appropriate" (suitable or proper in the circumstances). That is potentially a gray area as people's opinions will differ on what is appropriate and what isn't. I would suggest that it has a lot to do with the specific demographic's expectations. When you go to see a Friars Club Roast... there is an expectation of a certain type of material. If you do a 5 year old's birthday party, there is likewise a certain expectation. When you go to see Zumanity in Las Vegas, you should be well warned on the type of show it is. If there was a magic routine in that show... a lot more might be expected than in a more public show broadcast during prime time on a major network. Doing a salacious routine in a professional strolling setting would probably be unexpected to the guests and therefore not appropriate. If you were asked to perform for a Bachelor Party or something similar, there would be vastly different expectations.

I'm reminded of an act that played the Magic Castle for 1 night called "Mr Mystic & Vixon". Their act was perfectly suited for the stag parties they played in Montana but not exactly appropriate for the Castle, although once the word got out, it was certainly packed for their 2nd and final show.

If the routine is good, and the people know what they're getting I think anything (legal) goes.
But you gotta follow those fairly simple rules.

People pay money to have prostitutes perform, legally of course.

Comedians cross any number of lines (tastefully, always tastefully).
Having said that, I wouldn't find that sort of magic interesting.

What does Pop say about Morales? They're balast, you need something to throw overboard when things get too heavy?
Something like that.

Check out the current issue of Vanish Magazine for more discussion on this topic.

I have only seen the bra trick done in person by one performer. In this one case, I think it was actually a good choice for the venue.

It was at a nudist camp.

Having the bra appear had the effect of partially dressing the woman, not undressing her. Hilarious in the right context. She obviously wasn’t embarrassed at all.

I can’t think of a single other venue where it would be as good.

Patrick

Could you please let me know which issue / number that was and if it was just one story or if the whole issue was dealing with that topic?

Issue 49 Vitaly but this is just my guess. It was one story R Rate Kids Magic by Paul Romhany

I have seen magicians do effects like night out or the magic ding dong. The minute they walk away, the eye rolling begins. They come off like that perverted uncle who is always telling inappropriate jokes.

I have seen David Copperfield do a good version of Bathing Beauty.

In general, we need to stop objectifying women and end the practice of parading around assistants in low cut out fits with g strings.

The most tasteless example of the bra trick I ever saw was at my local IBM Ring many years ago during a public show. A guest performer invited a guest -- a Navy sailor in uniform -- to come up and help. When he pulled that bra out I thought the sailor was going to slug him, and the audience just sat there stunned.

Good job by all of you. I have no content to add but there are a lot of thoughtful posts here. Thanks for that, keep it up!!

Dave