Dec 30 2008
Ask A Magician #3 - Periodicity and Modernity
A few more questions rolled in, so hey - I’ll answer ‘em in the coming weeks!
How important is it to have “historical” magic tricks when performing at a Faire?
The California RenFaires (where I got my start) liked to put the hypen in anal-retentive. If something was not “period” (that is, historically within the time frame we’re trying to present) it wasn’t appropriate.
These days, I’m more concerned with the apparatus I use being “period-neutral” - nothing that’s blatantly modern*, but it doesn’t have to be from an engraving from the 1500’s.
”Period-neutral” effects use things people had back then - rope, cloth, chain and the like. I feel like I can get away with some stuff (like the Crystals of Mystery) because at least initially they look like something they aren’t - crystals.**
This isn’t to say that some of the mechanisms I might use in a trick aren’t modern in nature - I’m a magician, and magicians cheat - always remember that!
Got a question? Email me or leave a comment and I’ll put it in my “To answer” hopper!
* The exceptions to this have been my boxes and bags OF MYSTERY and the tables or stands I’ve used to hold ‘em up. I’ll be honest, there have been many times when weight and ease of packing took precedence over being period-neutral. This will be changing once I get the new costumery in place. Mwah hah hah.
** Then I bounce one off the floor and everyone laughs
