I don't have the time tonite to update my blog as planned, but there is a great thread on theory11.com which started as one thing but turned into another. It's a good read if you haven't read it. Everyone had their opinion which is what keeps any art fresh and evolving. No one is right or wrong, it's all opinion and how you view magic from your shoes. Here is one of my posts from said thread, if you have the time and haven't read the whole thing it is worth while. http://forums.theory11.com/showthread.php?36072-Style
Originally Posted by ChristopherT 
Seriously though, this is the most archaic, closed minded and insulting thing I've endured in all of today. I've seen and know magicians who are hacks that hide behind characters and persona's thinking that their characters make them as a magician. Some of the most accomplished magicians today do their best work as them selves. I will site 2 examples.
Theory 11's own Jason England. Although I have not met him personally, I did get to spend some time a while ago with one of his close friends, Chris Kenner - another Magician who is exactly himself and always has been. Chris Kenner spoke extremely highly of Jason England assuring us that what we see is what he's actually like. Jason England would have to be one of the worlds most leading card handlers/performers who is exactly himself performing, teaching or just day to day.
David Copperfield. Whom I have met. Before you laugh at me, I am familiar with his work and did see his show when he toured Australia last time. Most of his show was less drama and smoke machines and more a middle aged man laughing and joking with the audience. Again, name dropping Mr. Kenner said this latest tour is as close to David in real life as it's ever been and he's having the most fun he's ever had. I'm not quoting word for word as it was a couple of years ago but that's pretty close to what was said.
I don't think magic is completely moving away from characters and persona's, people still love and expect to see magicians and characters. And I'm certainly not stepping on stage and being myself unprofessionally. It's kinda like my day job, I have to be professional and more friendly than I may be on my own time but what makes me such a successful sales man is that I'm myself, I believe what I'm telling my customers and they trust me.
There's room for both of us on the stage, like I said before magic has evolved. We are performing art, and you can't say one way is superior than the other. You can have the opinion but to make a statement like that can be damaging to an aspiring magician who reads it who is doing an awesome job sharing what they share how they want to share it. If you enjoy your magic and others do too, don't change how you do it by adding (or removing) a character. Just do what you do.
Originally Posted by TeeDee
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