Magic that is completely "non-magical" for you.

BrucUK

Sorry that I did not see either of the shows. However, is there any "branch" of magic that you have come across that you got absolutely no enjoyment from at all? (coins, rope, fire magic, mentalism, cards etc.)

If so, why do you think that area holds no interest for you?

Kevin McMahon

I wasn't too keen on coin magic but then I went to Blackpool and saw an American guy (I forget the name) entertaining about ten people with (what appeared to be) two coins. This was an eye opener.

Every branch of magic has a presentation out there that will captivate an audience. If you ever think a 'type' of magic doesn't interest you, then go and watch someone who loves that magic perform it. It may not change your mind but it will influence the way you think about things in the future!

The Buzz

BaZ

Watching you at the "gay night" stand up, you really seemed to be scared.

Was this your first time in front of your audience?

Kevin McMahon

I used to play for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland (NYOS) on viola. I performed in front of audiences of thousands. However, I've never stood on stage to be judged on my personality and the funniness of my jokes. But that is the nature of stand up.

How did you choose the magic you performed?

Cybernettr

I read that, rather than illusions, you chose some sleight-of-hand stuff for the show.

Why the choice of effects? Did you see it as more of a challenge?

Your show reminds me a little of “The Magician," an old action-adventure series about a magician who solved crimes, that ran for one season back in the ‘70s and starred the late Bill Bixby. (There was a huge cover story on this show in the October issue of Magic.)

Bixby was an actor with only a side interest in magic, who needed to look like a Master Magician for the series and he insisted on doing all of his own effects for the show, with no camera trickery. Mark Wilson was his coach. Bixby did some stage illusions and some close-up in the series (mostly stuff from what eventually became the Mark Wilson course), but no knuckle-busting sleights.

Do you consider what you did to be harder?

Kevin McMahon

My show was based on two things:

i) What the audience would enjoy.
ii) What I would enjoy performing.

How I done this doesn't really matter as long as the effects were understandable by the audience. Nothing worse than confusing people with trickery and slights that aren't needed. Always ensure the audience know where to look!

Cybernettr

Wow, it sounds so simple, but those are the two hardest questions in the world to answer!

Happy Toad

Not really. After all you should know what you yourself enjoy and if you perform to enough people it quickly becomes apparent what they enjoy too. Many times I've liked a particular effect but found it doesn't really get the reactions I'd expected. I then play about with it and try and make it work and if it still doesn't I simply drop it. Equally I've often performed a "naff" effect to be shocked at how well it goes down and ended up using it for paid performances.

A Sudden Increase in Confidence

Nigel Shelton

It was quite apparent how much your confidence increased as the “Faking It” programme progressed. However, this increase in confidence was most apparent during the last few minutes of the show, as you performed in front of the panel of three professional magicians.

Would it be true to assume that this was a case of deliberate editing by the programme makers, to add intensity your success, or would you say that this was a fair reflection of the way that you perform when under pressure?

Kevin McMahon

It was cleverly edited. Even I, when watching, was surprised to see me succeed!

During the six days before the show, Mandy pulled some strings at a number of London comedy clubs. I performed steady for six nights in a row. I had to deal with very rowdy audiences, constantly interrupting and heckling me. One time in particular a woman was being especially rude. At my wits end, I turned to her and shouted, 'Shut the f*&k up, b*&ch!'. Straight afterwards I explained to the audience why I had done it and they found this very amusing.

The audience at the final test was much more manageable. They were there to see magic, compared to some other previous experiences, and I was able to relax more. The fact that professional magicians were judging was totally lost on me by the massive adrenalin rush. I really did enjoy myself up there!

I suppose I was very comfortable with my act by then, and I knew that people would like it; I just had to perform it and enjoy it.

Smooth

Oh, how I wish I could say this some times.

Andy C

My Hero! Seriously. I'm going to book you as my Heckler Killer. How I'd love to have the balls to say that to some audience members.