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| Paw Lawton |
Paw Lawton shares his thoughts with us about the "cool people" in our trade. Paw worked as an agent and advance man for the Li'l Tom Hardy show.
I really enjoyed the Melinda, the First Lady of Magic, show while it lasted at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. I know I’m not supposed to say that because the same magicians in the inner circle, who told me I shouldn’t like Darren Romeo’s show or even Rick Thomas’ act, have informed me that her show was no good.
They should know, they’re not performing anywhere so they have plenty of time to evaluate shows. They know all of the cool people in magic. Us working folks might have to squeeze in a show during a vacation or on a business trip. We might have to pay cash for our ticket and even sit near the back. If we are lucky, maybe we can shake hands with the performer afterwards or have our picture taken with them.
Those kind of traits make us ordinary but it doesn't mean we love magic any less than the "cool guys" the "insiders" who know everyone, know everything and can tell you why your trick isn't new ("it was done in 1902 by the Siamese Twin Magician Team of Hocus-Pocus — I think Pocus did it first, though"); why you'll never make it ("fat guys never make it in the biz," "women can't be taken seriously," "your accent will keep you from getting gigs," "your lack of a hook — like being too fat or too skinny, being a pretty woman or a foreigner — will keep you from hitting the big time).
I'm not trying to be petty. I am sure some of these men — and they seem mostly to be men — were actually talented at one time and maybe some of them got a show or lecture date on that talent; but not recently. They're too busy skimming through the latest book to point out errors, or avoiding the crowded masses yearning to learn at conventions. That's a full-time job.
The cool guys know all the magicians everywhere. They've had drinks with the magicians I paid to see while drinking my two drink minimum. I'm not cool and I didn't care. I was honored that the performing magicians in Vegas would take the time to even talk with me, after all, what did I know? I was just some guy who liked to watch magic. I didn’t care if I have seen it before – I like to see how others do it. (And don't take that dirty).
I didn’t care if the performance failed to include the very latest in finger-flicking – I was sort of judging the show by the audience response and most of them couldn’t (or shouldn’t) pick up on the latest sleights learned at the feet of the masters.
Anyway, I’m sorry that Melinda’s not performing any more. She kind of gave me hope and that’s a good thing to have. Seeing her made me feel that those who loved performing magic could work their way to the top doing what they loved. If you ever had a chance to see her…
Continue reading Sorry, I’m Not One of the Inner-Circle
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