The best 2 1/2 minutes in magic

[Morrigoon]

This is why Lance Burton is a god... he pulls off the classiest "classic" magic act with a level of elegance you just can't find from other magicians today. Everyone's so busy being edgy that they forget sometimes people just want a classic magician in a tux - and he can pull it off without going cheesy.

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edit: okay I give up... how do I embed on this board? Meanwhile, click here.

[Morrigoon]

Here's another great routine. Hadn't seen this one before, but it's really good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADPELYkYsNk&NR=1

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Everyone's so busy being edgy that they forget sometimes people just want a classic magician in a tux

Agreed. He's awesome. Thanks for the links.

When I was a kid I dabbled in magic. Every time I went to Disneyland it was a tradition for me to pick up a new trick or two at the magic shop and watch some demonstrations there. I still have all my old magic tricks and my kids like to play with them too. My dad just found an old picture of me putting on one of my magic shows for the family.

[Ghoulish Delight]

"The best 2 1/2 minutes in magic" - Hey, who stole my pickup line?!

[katiesue]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

"The best 2 1/2 minutes in magic" - Hey, who stole my pickup line?!

I thought it was "The best 2/12 minutes of magic"

[Alex]

Lance Burton is very, very good at what he does. But I have to say he pretty much defines "cheesy magic act" for me. Even if he does it better than pretty much anybody else.

But I think that is just a bias against large stage magic acts anyway. I much prefer small stage and close up performances.

I did like the Penn & Teller large theater show at the Rio but that is because it is also really funny, if they were earnest about it I think I'd lose interest.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yeah, I'm in the same camp as Alex. I admire his skill, but do not like his brand of theatrics.

[Morrigoon]

It's a fine line... but I think one of the things I admire is his ability to pull of "classic" as well as he does, given its tendency towards cheesiness.

It's comparably easy to "deconstruct" the classic magic act and make a mockery of it like so many comic magicians (though I have to give it to Penn & Teller... they strike a pretty good balance between deconstructing it, and still keeping a few special bits in there to keep it magical). But by contrast, it's much harder to be "different" while being classic.