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SOLIDMAGIC · BEACON |
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LEUCHTFEUER #18 The Modern Magician’s Wardrobe{briefanrede}, Times change—and so does fashion. What once passed as dress code has transformed dramatically. Everything has become more relaxed and casual. This has advantages, but also drawbacks, especially when it comes to organizing pockets, aids like the TOPIT, and techniques such as sleeving. Take the classic wallet, for example. Hardly anyone carries a large wallet in their inner jacket pocket these days—except magicians. The trend has long shifted toward the "hip wallet," a small cardholder with slots for plastic cards, worn in the back pocket or one of the front trouser pockets. This eliminates many of the classic loading techniques, which were designed for suits. They simply don’t work with today’s clothing. Yet some still act as if nothing has changed in terms of wardrobe. Much of the literature, including classics like the cups and balls, assumed different clothing conditions. In the past, men’s suits were cut more generously, so two small lemons in the side pocket went unnoticed. Final loads could be effortlessly executed from the suit. The same applied to trouser cuts and pockets. Pleated trousers, for instance, offered ample storage space. This is in stark contrast to the slim-fit suits that have been popular for years, emphasizing the silhouette and fitting tightly to the body. Concealing bulky final loads in them is impossible. Even a single deck of cards can be problematic. The classic card exchange in the pocket is unthinkable, as are proven techniques like pocket writing. A TOPIT in such a suit is highly impractical. And sleeving in a tight sleeve is just as difficult. What’s the solution? Adapt the techniques—don’t thoughtlessly apply those designed for a different cut to today’s fashion. What this specifically means for the final loads in the cup routine: the loads should be outsourced. This requires new routine constructions and considering which placement options are available on stage or the performance surface. However, it must be thought through very carefully. Otherwise, you might hear afterward: “Well, he just pulled them out of the leather bag and somehow got them under the cups …” There are, however, already a few good alternative techniques. For example, Silvester the Jester has invented a TOPIT that works without a jacket. The opening of the secret pocket is very cleverly concealed by the suspenders. Whatever you toss in there ends up at the side of the waist. There was also once a very practical mini-TOPIT that Mike Ammar released, which you could simply button into your shirt. The shirt’s button placket then becomes the opening of the TOPIT, and it allows for really great and deceptive maneuvers. Best of all, you don’t need a jacket at all. Greg Wilson’s “Pit Stop” is an excellent concept for using the front pockets of jeans like a servante. It’s especially suited for smaller objects like coins, a thumb tip, etc. A strong magnet in one of the back pockets of a pair of jeans can achieve the same thing. The concept is ancient and has been “reinvented” by some magicians—I’d rather say: rediscovered. With proper and thoughtful use, it can be a very strong technique. You can’t make an object completely disappear with it, but you can remove it from sight for a moment. Of course, the object can’t stay there forever and must be moved aside as quickly as possible. The magnet holdout—let’s just call it that for now—is a temporary placement, an intermediate storage, not a fixed disposal spot. The Pouchette is a small pocket sewn into the back of the leg at fingertip height. It, too, is an ancient aid. In Victorian times, when the tailcoat was mandatory for magicians, it was part of the standard equipment. It was covered by the tailcoat’s tails and invisible. The challenge today: making the small but incredibly helpful pocket invisible on modern trousers or jeans. I’ve seen some great solutions for this, especially in connection with cargo pants, which are becoming increasingly accepted. And the good old body servante—a servante at the front of the waistband—is now back in the running, provided you’re slim enough. It, too, dates back to the tailcoat era. Back then, a servante in the vest was practically mandatory. For pocket organization. If, for example, you perform in simple jeans and a vest like Juan Tamariz and want to switch a deck of cards, it works wonderfully with coordinated movements between the two back pockets. Tamariz has impressively demonstrated this. An effective strategy is: “Pickup load beats body load.” Geoffrey Buckingham already wrote this in his book on manipulation. The load is picked up when, for instance, an object is placed into a holder. This is followed by a secret palm transfer—which I like to call “Load Shifting”—and you have an alternative without having to reach into your pocket for the object. I’ve been toying with the idea of giving a lecture on “The Modern Magician’s Wardrobe.” Fashion forces us to find new ways, and that’s not easy. But there’s also an upside: finally, no more overly stuffed pockets that fool no one—except the magician himself.
New AdC Seminar: SESSIONIt’s here: I’ve put together a new seminar titled SESSION. In Irish music, for example, a session means that several musicians sit down together and play typical Irish tunes: jigs, reels, hornpipes, and so on. These are usually a colorful mix of pieces, which is why I find the title fitting for my new seminar: lots of new tricks and ideas from (almost) all areas of magic, in the usual AdC quality. Everything works in practice, isn’t too difficult, and, above all, goes down well with audiences. Those who know me are aware that I place the greatest emphasis on the “Keep it Simple!” principle, and I’ll stay true to that in the new seminar. SUB ROSA Project Still Open for RegistrationsMy SUB ROSA project is still accepting registrations; we haven’t started yet. As I’ve said, I’m in no rush and only want truly interested magicians on board. You can find more information here: http://vault.solidmagic.org/.
MASTERCLASSES with Alexander de CovaWord is slowly getting out about how valuable my Masterclasses are. They’re an excellent way to deliver a wealth of concentrated knowledge in a short time online. On the website, you’ll find all the dates currently on offer: https://solidmagic.org/de/academy.
Until next time,
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