Hi! Lenny here! I wanted to share my thoughts on bizarre magik since I have decided to insert myself amongst you. I advise you stop reading now. You have been warned.

A quick introduction. My real name is known to a number of you, enough about that. I have been involved with magic for about 40 years now, starting as a wee bit of a boy after seeing Blackstone Jr. perform. I got Gibson's book on Houdini and came up with my own methods of doing his tricks in the book and also figured out how to move a marble on a table. I also attempted to drill a hole in my folks kitchen floor, I was too weak to make it work (didn't have an electric drill then), because the only magic book I had feed material through a table from under the stage and I didn't have a stage but I had a kitchen. My first experience with bizarre magik was when I met Gene Poinc and I thought he was a nut job. Andruzzi (a funny guy) and Burger along with Neale also influenced me.

I should say from the get go that there are clearly some here that I do not consider bizarrist but more mentalist wanna bees or guys who think bizarre means an odd name, a black outfit, and a necklace with something demonic on it...whoopie! That is cool, in the children's forum here there are experts who I don't think have ever seen a real child. I wanted to just clear that up because while there are a lot of guys here who I know or know of who I respect there are some who clearly I won't bother with. You are, obviously, welcome to ignore me and I think you should.

Bizarre magik is, in my humble opinion, a character driven style of magic that has routines that are story oriented and the items used must reflect the character. The magic, character, or stories do not need to be spooky at all or strange even, but it is story and character magic and we need to stick to the character. It reminds me, actually, of the mimes that infested the world in the 70s, they would, when in make up, never talk, I mean you could threaten them, and I have, and they wouldn't talk. Andruzzi told me that he never would break character, he was on before, during, and after the show. I support this belief completely and it reflects what Houdin meant when he said a magician is an actor portraying a magician. You become one who really has powers.

Bizarre magik, again my opinion, should go beyond the 'wow' factor and touch the spectator on a deeper level. A good bizarrist can produce an item, say a crystal, and just by his story and how it relates to the character, make it seem magical even though that crystal just lay there. That is why applying some of the mental techniques work so well with bizarre magic if you are going for the spooky side, but remember the bizarre can also be light-hearted for funny. To do this, I support the idea that the character be something the spectator finds both a bit unusual yet familiar, that way you draw their attention just by being present. When your spectator's leave they should be thinking and hopefully wondering.

That is my general thoughts on this stuff. Later I might give you my method of developing routines etc..

Yours in Evil,
Leonard Kobal --so bizarre he's freaky.

LK welcome to the crypt!
Are you going to change your username?
Or we are going to identify you as Leonard Kobal the MagicSanta?

I don't know..I orignally signed on because I got so mad about someone posting in the childrens area and didn't intend to post any more than that response. I've come to be so hated as Magic Santa.... I may be Leonard here cuz people won't recognize me even though it says Magic Santa.

MagicSanta/Leonard,

Welcome!

I've enjoyed your posts, and I'd like to add that Santa doesn't HAVE to be nice:

http://scottsmind.com/games/evil-santa/

WOW, talk about blowing yer own trumpet !

Bet lot's here wished they were as clever as you, eh ?

There are many here who are brilliant performers, there are some here who with effort shall be, and there are some here that never will....I've clue where you lie in that spectrum. Interestingly the ones at the top tend to not realize it and the ones and the bottom prefer not to believe it.

I, of course, am at the bottom....So, what type of neclace do you wear PSYSHADOW?

Are you one of the Lords of Kobal?

I'm not sure what group I fall in, I love bizarre and have been doing it since I was a kid (before I knew the term "bizarre, before it was even applied), but I don't play dress-up, have a name other than my own, or wear fancy jewelry. Maybe that is what I'm doing wrong.

On a side note, I do know many people in the "New Age" community that do dress differently, (unique in both clothing and accouterments), have adopted names that some think strange, and cast spells, perform augury, and do readings and healings. But they are not doing it as a theatrical entertainment form.

Tony

I'm picking a bizarre name as a poke at those who believe they need it....hey, if I had a real cool name like yours I'd just use that. My real name is plain.

I am THE Lord of Kobal

No one can pronounce mine.

I dealt with a lot of Italian names in Boston. There is one gent I have known for 20 years, I use his first name and have no clue how to pronounce his last name. I think I can pronounce yours right.

The name has been in the news here quite a bit over the past 2 years, another reason for me to use "I" or "Eye".

Magicsanta, I believe in the old saying "Never kick anyone on your way up the ladder, FOR YOU SURE AS *ELL WILL MEET THEM ON THE WAY BACK DOWN" !

Everyone has their story, and I'm not (like you) into degrading any performer, even the 'would-bees' and those who've never seen a 'real kid' .

Let's just say I'm very thankful that I do not have your attitude problem, nor do I wear YOUR necklace.

Each to his own.

My name is Leonard, Mr. Kobal if you're nasty....

A couple things. First off there is nothing wrong with mentalist, I like mentalist and consider it an extremely difficult thing to do well. If you look at the ads people put here they are often for mentalist, pure and simple, effects. There are some here who are mentalist and not bizarrist. There are also some here who believe it is the act of wearing black, maybe put on some eye liner, and to not smile, that is not what bizarre is though you certainly can have that as your character.

So, my little island friend, if you are the only one so deeply offended by the truthful statement I made then perhaps you need to look within yourself. Remember one thing, when one is on their way down the ladder and encounters one going up it is very easy to kick 'em in the head.

The spooky section has never in my memory had a conflict of sniping and griping.
get along...little dogies...get along...leave the bs to the thought flingers. The Café is emptying out enough.

(please)

Leonard, you forgot to mention that many bizarrists talk at half their normal pace, attempt to lower their vocal range by an octave, take 20 minutes to tell a four-minute story, and it's still a card trick.

If you're old enough to remember Earl Nightingale, the motivational tape maker, you might be interested to know that they would slow Nightingales voice down about 5% to deepen and richen it. Much easier to do in the analog reel to reel with varispeed days. It made his voice sound incredible.

Can I say what a thrill it is to see Tabman here? I trust you are feeling good sir. Off subject I know you sold your studio (or planned on it) did you do that and re open another shop in Georgia? You multi talents are always amazing to me.

Is that what we have to look forward to here?

Magic Santa is pulling a few chains...kind of like an excercise in 'if the show fits...get hysterical'

Welcome to the chain gang.