January 31, 2020
Here is the February line up of topics:
- Reflections on the Session 2020 and anticipating the Blackpool Convention
- how to avoid spectators challenging you when you perform
- are you guilty of using redundant phrases, words or patter in your act?
- a discussion on crediting ideas properly and thoughts on Andi Gladwin's 'open source' concept applied to magic
- Magicseen sets off on its 16th year of publication and goes from strength to strength
- taking a step back to evaluate your act or technique can be very beneficial
December 31, 2019
Your New Year podcast line up covers the following topics:
- I chat about what makes December a unique month for shows
- Ian Brennan learns a lesson regarding lecturing for young magicians which raises some interesting points
- if all magic can be categorised as a puzzle, or as a trick, or as an extraordinary moment, as suggested by Ken Weber in Maximum Entertainment, then should we all be working towards more extraordinary moments?
- let's make 2020 the year in which we commit to supporting a live magic event
- adopting strategies to help with remembering trick sequences gets more important as you get older
- since most modern marketed magic comes with little or no props of any quality or note, what are magic collectors going to be seeking out in a hundred years time?
November 30, 2019
Your festive selection of magic topics for this time are:
- The changing nature of magic conventions means that the most successful and sustainable events are those which are focused in terms of their theme or content
- how do you decide how many tricks to carry when performing strolling magic?
- audio books are a great learning tool for those who say they don't read books any more
- a good performing style or personality can help dictate the type of magic you choose for your act
- the decline of general theatrical agents has removed a quality control mechanism
- manage your bookers' expectations if you want to avoid them being disappointed with you
October 31, 2019
Plenty of fireworks in the November Podcast line up:
- the dilemma that mentalists face when seeking to make their shows entertaining to the lay public
- organising your performance workspace can be key to putting on a good show
- the brand new E-Club Pro Live lecture for 2020/21 is ready to book
- it's surprising how hackneyed the responses can be to magic and magicians
- David Regal claims that there is a need to fail in order to achieve great things, but is this universally true?
- a New Release is announced of a classic effect for stand up or for a close up show
- your magic bookshelf can reveal a lot about your magic pathway
September 30, 2019
Sit back and relax while listening to the following topics:
- magical chat in different environments keeps things fresh for the four of us in the CCC
- if magic takes place in the minds of the spectators, does it mean there's no magic when no one is watching?
- a month into the life of the new MLM website it seems to be finding favour with many customers
- three types of magical exposure are considered
- how to free up time to be consistently magically creative
- I break patter down into half a dozen different types
- does the 'magician in trouble, then comes good' plot still have any relevance?
August 27, 2019
The September line up of podcast topics is as follows:
- Tommy Cooper provides a great definition of the difference between pro and amateur magicians
- examples of how magic leaves a uniquely long lasting impression with spectators
- the Real Magic Roadshow is coming to a town near you
- charity and awards night dinners create special circumstances for table hopping magicians
- themed costumes are usually impractical and a total liability for us
- should on stage helpers be required to stand or sit during their time with you?
July 31, 2019
Your summertime listen from Mark Leveridge covers the following topics:
- I consider how big a factor performance risk can be when considering trick methods
- predicting how magic will be sold in the future is put into context by a blog article I wrote way back in 1995
- the new MLM site is scheduled to launch at the end of this month and I give an insight into what it has taken to make it happen
- magic is pretty unique in the way it can be used to put across messages or help others in a variety of ways
- if the effect is everything, does it matter at all what the method is, or will literally anything be suitable?
- the key question to ask if considering turning full time pro
![The Mark Leveridge July 2019 Podcast]()
June 30, 2019
Podcast Gold
Each year I like to put together a special 'reprise' edition of the Podcast in which I look back over the previous 12 months or so and select half a dozen of my favourite topics to create a special compilation. If you are a regular listener, you will hopefully enjoy hearing the chosen tracks again, and if you are coming fresh to the Podcast, it should give you a good flavour for what it is like. Here are my chosen topics:
- I discuss whether social media ever really delivers in terms of creating actual bookings or whether we are simply deluding ourselves
- cancellation clauses in performance contracts can cause more problems than they solve
- do you feel a bit uncomfortable performing for people who know you very well, such as family and friends? I look at why this might be
- when creating new magic, should you start with the effect or the method?
- is getting to the magic 'moment' as quickly as possible, always the right way to go?
- online booking agencies make for lazy enquiries and encourage potentially unfair price comparisons
May 31, 2019
Here is the line up of topics for sunny June!
- Magic that is designed to be filmed for social media use may not always be suitable for real world performance
- it pays to be aware that lay people assistants may misinterpret your instructions because they are intimidated by being up on a stage
- magic that impresses us can often be seen completely differently by lay people
- when people retire from their real job it provides the opportunity to do more magic and to become 'professional' - but what do the magic pros do?
- when is it advisable to work for free in order to put yourself in front of the right people?
- online agencies have created a race to the bottom in terms of fees leaving most of the good entertainers with no bookings
April 30, 2019
'May' I offer you the following topics of magical interest?
- does Uri Geller really still need to make wild claims in the media?
- if your spectators have paid specifically to see you perform there is perhaps more pressure on you to deliver than if you are just the 'hired help'
- getting started at a gig as a strolling magician can be tricky to know the exact right moment to jump in
- I consider the assertion by Dr. Kuhn that magic is an enjoyable sensation because the audience knows that magic is not real
- Anthony Owen's demise is a real shock and a huge loss to magic
- the second hand magic market is surely going to be affected by the lack of physical trick instructions
- I anticipate my annual trip to the marvellous 4Fs close up magic convention in the US
