Inspirations: "Performing Magic with Excellence" by Lawrence Hass

You can easily find and read hundreds of books that are filled with effects, methods, and secrets. But where can you learn the real secrets to performing truly great magic? The secret to magic lies in making your magic entertaining and something that connects with audiences. An outstanding book in this area is all too rare and Dr. Lawrence Hass’ “Inspirations: Performing Magic with Excellence” offers thought provoking essays and insights, and teaches first rate stand-up routines and effects.

Hass presents five general topics with supporting essays that cover: technique, presentation, performance, philosophy and lifestyle. His goal is to share ideas to “empower and inspire your own efforts toward better magic, performances, and shows.” And in this book, Dr. Hass successfully does so.

Each area is covered in detail and as an example, I’ll outline what you find under “Technique,” the first major section. Here, Hass focuses on method, and more specifically, what he calls “deep method” - concept creating a secret or method that can’t be figured out by lay audiences. For demonstration purposes, Hass discusses the “Flustration Count” as a technique that may not fool lay spectators. He also discusses classic linking rings as well as traditional card sleight of hand as tricks that have been largely exposed to the public.

Beyond the five main areas, Hass talks about adding theatrical  techniques to one’s presentation. He doesn’t just dispense advice, he offers “performance pieces” that detail his step-by-step scripting and thoughts behind a variety of great effects and routines. It’s a true pleasure to go behind the scenes and see these routines dissected and analyzed in insightful detail.  Reading all this will truly get you thinking and promote those creative juices.

Larry Hass’ Inspirations: Performing Magic with Excellence” is excellence in itself, an insightful and informative read that will benefit any anyone who considers him or herself as a magic entertainer. To date, there are classics in magic that are often recommended when one wants to learn about presentation and showmanship.  This includes: Henning Nelm’s “Magic and Showmanship: A Handbook for Conjurors” and Ken Weber’s “Maximum Entertainment.” It may well be time to add “Inspirations: Performing Magic with Excellence” to this very exclusive list.