Judges after the Test

devplus

When watching the show, I couldn’t help wondering; what did the judges do to you, after finding out you were the fake?

Kevin McMahon

I never got to meet them again. I only saw them during the interview before the show.

I spoke to Paul Daniels on the radio last week. He is a great guy. He could tell I was nervous and he really bigged me up to the public. I have nothing but respect for him. He is a nice guy, regardless of public perception.

Two questions for Kevin

turgon

Well Kevin I have a couple of questions for you.

(1) What was the first effect you bought after faking it?

(2) Did it annoy you that the people who attended you performance and then watched faking it found out the secrets to your whole performance? I don’t mind if one tricks gets found out but a whole routine would really annoy me.

I hope I’m not being greedy by asking two - if so can a moderator just delete one of the questions

Nigel Shelton

Asking two (or more) questions is fine. Don't worry that they will be deleted, as nothing will be further from the truth. I just hope that Kevin doesn't log on tomorrow evening to find a forum filled with hundreds of threads!

Kevin McMahon

a) That was after two months. A folding coin.

I didn't think about buying effects initially, I wanted to make my own and show people original stuff. I invented (at least I think they're original, my knowledge isn't that extensive) two card reveals that I now use table-hopping. It’s nothing elaborate but, in my opinion, well taken by the audience. One is having the person find the number and suit of their chosen card appear on the inside of a boiled egg they crack themselves.

I bought books first on balloon modelling and performing. 'Strong Magic' and 'Maximum Entertainment' have some gems. Don't just read them though, do what it says. Stop reading and actually follow the advice.

b) People know the secrets to my stage act. That is an unchangeable fact, but I've performed it since the show and if anything people have enjoyed it more. I don't know the reason. My theory is that of when you go to see your favourite band perform you like the new stuff but you love the classics, you're comfortable with them. As long as the audience are entertained - that is the single most important thing in my humble opinion. Whether or not this applies to magic. Also people forget.

turgon

Truer words were never spoken and I must remember them.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions

daleshrimpton

The boiled egg bit has been around for well over a 100 years. It's not used that often though.

It’s kind of like a poor man’s “Bill in lemon.” Now, there is a thought. Why not have the number of a bill appear on an egg, which is found in a lemon. That could be quite a nice bit for stand-up and it's not difficult. You already know half the effect, and the other half is reasonably well published.

turgon

Oh I was just wondering what your table-hopping routine was. Could you describe it for me please? (But only if you have the time.)

Kevin McMahon

I have a number of routines. They tend to consist of a card trick and an 'object-other-than-a-card' trick. I look for stuff I like as I perform that better. I don't perform tricks for the hell of it. If I don't like it, well, I'm not good enough to fake enthusiasm for things I don't like.

“… except I was loved as a child” “... except I was loved as a child” “... except I was loved as a child.” Is it funny yet?

Nigel Shelton

For those of you who missed the C4 programme, “... except I was loved as a child” was the punch line to a joke (comparing him to David Blaine) that marked the start of Kevin's routine.

turgon

Thanks again Kevin and a nice way to end the post.

A better punch line would be "except I don’t go on GMTV completely out of my skull and make a fool of my self in front of an entire nation" does really have a ring to it though.

Worst Moment?

stephenmagic

What would you say was you lowest point in the show? I noticed that you did not like the idea of performing at that small private gig when you did the rope trick. That took some guts!

Kevin McMahon

That private party was tough. It was full of young, beautiful, trendy and successful Londoners and I had to impress them, impromptu might I add, with a rope trick I learned earlier that day!

My lowest point was Nigel telling me that he was disappointed with my performance in front of Penn and Teller. That was a really bad day. I felt terrible that I never noticed Nigel's anguish in Vegas. Ah well, I tried to make up for it later.

stephenmagic

Yes it must have been tough doing the private party. I do trendy places sometimes myself but I love it. I bet you would be fine now.

Kevin McMahon

I still struggle a bit! My act is far from perfect, but it gets better. I love the challenge of the big tables. Keeping everyone’s attention is a really difficult but rewarding thing to do.

stephenmagic

I have to agree I love table-hopping. We are lucky really as we get paid for doing something we love. I hope Nigel taught you the “coin under watch” routine, as that is a killer. I always do that at tables and people love it.

Kevin McMahon

“Watch, watch, watch, no watch.” I've seen it, I like it! But I‘ve never tried it. However I've got time on my hands.

Damien

Greg Wilson shows a good routine that uses the “coin under watch.” It's on “Off the Cuff” or one of the “On the Spot” DVDs.

“Coin under the watch” is surprisingly easy to do. You just need to try it on a few people you know first.

stephenmagic

Yes it is easy isn't it? Yet the strange thing is that the coin trick is the most popular effect in my table hopping (and I have some flash and expensive items!) It’s funny how the simple tricks go down best.

Kevin McMahon

Cheers guys, I will definitely look into buying that DVD.

Damien

I'm not totally sure which one it's on as I can't remember. It's called “Quicksilver” though - I'm quite sure of that. It's a fun routine to do. The coin appears in your eye, on top of your head and under the spectator’s watch

stephenmagic

Also you should check out “Corporate Close-up” DVD by Martin Sanderson. It is a new one to the market and has a wonderful “coin under watch” and an even better “bill to kiwi.” Great stuff!

Damien

I think I might check that out. Cheers.

stephenmagic

You probably know which stores have it; JB MAGIC and so on.

Trust me this DVD is a killer.