It's time for a little bit of magic theory I suppose. I say magic theory - this is more about performance theory really and again it's sparked off a conversation that I saw on a Facebook page. I really should stop spending so much time browsing these sites but they often give me lots to think about.
Someone did one of those typical posts "Who do you think is the most impressive magician" and people gave the usual card magician, stage magician, amateurs who can fool magicians etc answers. It got the usual plethora of answers, but one thing struck me. A lot of magicians work to impress... other magicians. They focus their shows on fooling everyone, including magicians in the audience. Which is ridiculous really. Unless your job is entertaining magicians full time they should be the last person you consider as your audience and who you should be trying to impress.
It's really hard not to do this - lots of magic shows, especially those in theatres are seen by amateur magicians. A while back I had a conversation with the tour manager of a prominent mentalist. I wasn't there in my capacity as a magician but in another role. I'd tried to keep my magic business secret but it got out thanks to a chatty LX op... I was expecting her to shut up, but she was still quite chatty and thanked me for not mentioning it. As she explained a lot of magicians hate performing for other magicians because they don't want to be entertained, they want to figure it out, possibly replicate it, or steal ideas quite often. A lot of magicians don't really want to be entertained so they can make crap audience members. It's not worth focusing your show on them as the show ends up missing some key points about entertaining as you focus on the method, not the outcome. Your goal should always be to entertain and this is why.
In a good magic show, no one really cares about the secret. If you do your job well as a magician the average layperson won't be delving into your performance trying to work it out. (Or if they do it won't really be for that long). Subconsciously they will be more bothered about enjoying themselves and having a good time. It's the entertainment factor that is more important. Sometimes it's the stupid tricks that are the most well received.
Take a look at that video. It's one of the oldest tricks out there, and it's the simplest trick around. And its one of the most memorable magic moments for a lot of people, magicians included. Why? Because he has focused on what makes tricks great - the entertainment factor. It's not how the trick is done, but what people see that is the important thing. It doesn't matter if you have the most complex routine ever if it can't entertain people it's useless. Magicians have a habit of overcomplicating things in an attempt to fool everybody. But that's impossible to do. You can't fool every single person, but instead, you should target your routines to fool the people who are the most important - the ones who are paying you. And 99% of the time they aren't magicians looking to work out your tricks. You'll find that complexity and entertainment end up being on a bit of a see-saw when it comes to magic shows. The more complex a routine or sleight is, the less entertaining it is on its own. The entertainment factor is more important.
The key is not to worry about making things overly complex so that everyone is fooled. Make it easy for yourself. If a simple sleight works as well as a complex series of flourishes use the simple sleight. If you start dealing with magicians then sure change it up a bit if you want, but 99% of the time make it easy on yourself. If you get the same reaction using an easier sleight then use it to improve your presentation. Presentation is key and you'll find that the simplest tricks will often be the best. They'll be the ones which give the best reactions.
Case in point. I was severely disappointed when I purchased SheerLuck. I mean really really disappointed. Not because it's a bad trick, because it really isn't. It's a really ingenious trick. But I was disappointed in myself for not realising how simple it is. And because it's simple you can have fun with it. You're not bound to move exactly into a certain position because if not something will be flashed, nor will you be forced to rigidly stick to a script so you don't fuck up the sleights. You'll concentrate less on the sleight and end up putting more into the performance which will make the show more entertaining. You'll find that much like with SheerLuck, the trick is what you make of it and the entertainment possibilities are endless. I love working with simple routines as you end up having more fun and it shows. Look at Tommy in the video. He is loving performing and it shows. Anyway
Have fun with your shows and don't worry about making everything too complex.