Getting older is an inescapable factor that affects every single human being on the planet, even magicians! And for each of us, that ageing process can manifest itself in different ways and to different degrees.
Putting aside the vagaries of potential major health issues, ‘getting on a bit’ will usually become gradually evident in our magic performances. Little things such as discovering your hands have become a bit too stiff to perform certain moves smoothly or efficiently, finding your eyesight is no longer sharp enough to read the secret lettering on the back of the cards in your marked deck, or enduring a back pain that sets in when you work a 3hr close up gig.
The truth of it all is that nothing ever stays the same. Fame is transitory, your magical influence or importance often will wane, and it’s easy to feel fed up with the new situation and to yearn for former times.
But hold on a minute, let’s take a step back and think about this. You are not unique in experiencing all this, it is just a natural process, a sort of personal evolution experienced by all those who are fortunate enough to live a reasonably long life, so perhaps the best way to deal with it all is to try to reflect on the situation in a positive way.
I think it’s all down to acceptance. While most of us probably want to continue doing what we’ve always done to the same level and standard, being aware of any changes or limitations and being prepared to embrace and accept them, is in my view, a better way to cope with the reality. Fighting a losing battle against it all is almost bound not to end well, so surely it’s better to take stock of the truth and put a positive spin on it.
For instance, if you get overly tired doing long shows, only book shorter timespans. If travelling to distant venues wears you out, restrict the distance from home that you are prepared to drive. If you lack the energy levels required to present your magic in the lively way that you have habitually done, develop a more studied and calm style.
Understanding where you are with it all, and being prepared to adapt accordingly, means you can still involve yourself in magic in an enjoyable way. What you can do and how you are able to do it, still has value and so I think you should identify the positive aspects of your situation and run with it. Look upon it as a new challenge, as just the next exciting stage.
One thing that I have noticed personally is how the type of shows I get has gradually changed over the years. Nowadays I seem to get booked for older spectator groups, those having 60th, 70th, 80th birthday parties, for instance. I’m sure it’s because the age that I look makes me seem like ‘one of them’ and therefore by default a safer and more attractive person to book. Conversely, I get less weddings than I used to, probably because young people might feel more comfortable with someone nearer their age too.
At first I felt aggrieved by this, but have gradually come to accept that this is all part of the natural development of me as a performer, and once I stopped worrying about it, I became much happier with the situation. So don’t fight against who you are and what you can do, embrace it and you’ll be more content as a result.