People love to ask me if I ever mess up in a magic show.
I'm not sure why people are so fascinated with this question? Perhaps it's reassuring to know that we all trip on our shoelaces sometimes.
With most traditional jobs, mistakes can be made and discreetly corrected. As a performer, my mistakes are on display for the entire audience to judge. It's a truly terrible feeling. I've devoted my life to one specific thing, and sometimes I blow it. In those moments, I think to myself "I could have been an accountant, for crying out loud..."
Last Saturday night, for example, a routine failed miserably on stage. I quickly swept it away and moved on. By the end of the show, I hoped the audience only barely remembered it. I, on the other hand, could remember every moment of it in excruciating detail.
I was helping an audience member appear psychic onstage. The gentleman onstage that night was super nice, but simply wasn't following my instructions. I was trying to make him look good -- why wouldn't he just let me?! Maybe my instructions weren't clear enough; this was a new routine, after all. These are the thoughts that will haunt me for the next few days.
After the show the guy came up and apologized. "Dude, I had an edible before the show, and I was really confused. I'm really sorry about that." Honestly, I was relieved. At least this time, it wasn't entirely my fault. I'll rework the routine that it will hopefully work for everyone, even baked audience members.
This is by no means the worst mistake I've made onstage, or the most embarrassing. I don't mean to brag, but I'm like the Michael Phelps of crashing and burning onstage. I plan to re-live many of these moments for your entertainment over the next few blog posts. You're welcome.
Cheers,
Brian