Rule 6: Don't Dress as Batman

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In 1911 Nevil Maskelyne and David Devant, two of the premier magicians of the day, published Our Magic. In the first section, The Art in Magic, Maskelyne outlines 20 rules for magic performance. After well over 100 years, are these rules still relevant, and do they apply to more than magic?

Rule 6: Let every accessory and incidental detail be kept “within the picture” and in harmony with the general impression which is intended to be conveyed.

Nevil Maskelyne realised the value of ensuring people weren’t jerked out of the reality he was creating. In order for an audience to care about a magic routine, they have to buy into the illusion, and by that I don’t mean the illusion of the trick being performed, but instead the illusions of the world being created. The context surrounding the moment of magic. Without them buying into what he was presenting, he knew his audiences wouldn’t care about the moment of magic. Thus he took great care to make sure that the “picture”, as he called it, was complete.

Things that jarred his audience out of this submersion were to be avoided. He, of course, acknowledged that at times a performer might parody a set up, but if you wanted them to see you as a wizard from Arthur's Court, or a 17th Century French Aristocrat, then you would do all you could to make it believable.

This carries through for anyone standing in front of an audience now. The ‘truth’ of the moment matters. What your audience experiences matters. From cosmetic concerns such as your dress or hair, to the words you use and even the medium you choose to deliver points, all of these things paint a picture and impact on how you are heard.

When presenting think about:

  • Your environment - This is something you may have very little control over but, at the very least, ask if you can get there a little early. If possible a pop up is an inexpensive way of creating a professional look. If you are hiring the venue think about where you are hiring and if the setting works. The back room of a pub might be ideal for an edgy comedy night, but it’s possibly not where you want to pitch your new blood pressure monitor.

  • Yourself - The easiest thing to have control over is your dress and the way you talk. Think about your audience, think about what would help them to hear what you have to say. Chose your words and wording carefully. You don’t need to spend a fortune on professional looking clothing. Supermarkets and charity shops often have great value finds.

    Top Tip: Polish your shoes. You would be amazed how often this is overlooked!

  • Your materials - These need to match the image you are creating, as well as you having to remember that different audiences will have different expectations. If you are unable to afford slick and glossy printing that might not matter if you’re MCing a poetry slam night. On the other hand, running off a bunch of A5 flyers on your home printer for the launch of your stock market app will probably do a lot more harm to your message than good.

You’ll have more or less control over each of these things but, as far as you’re able to, make sure these reflect the message you are presenting as well as possible.

TFT

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Paul ReganComment