magicorthodoxy

Magic Book Review - Stairway by Markobi

David from Magic Orthodoxy delivers a thorough review of 'Stairway' by Marcoe, a $120 book offering a unique look into the mind of a champion magician. More than just a collection of tricks, it's an introspective journey detailing Marcoe's creative process and preparation for winning the FISM competition. The book is structured into four sections, with the initial two diving deep into the creative process, including Marcoe's 'One Shot writing' technique and insights into audience conditioning. Remarkably, the book includes actual pages from Marcoe's notebooks, complete with sketches and handwritten notes, adding a layer of authenticity. While Marcoe's FISM act itself only occupies a portion of the book, it's presented with meticulous diagrams and instructions. David emphasizes the book's value for serious magicians aiming to create their own competitive acts, highlighting its exploration of past FISM winners and Marcoe's analysis of their approaches. Ultimately, he considers 'Stairway' a significant contribution to the magic community, providing a rare glimpse into the mindset of a world-class performer, though he advises potential buyers to watch Marcoe's performance beforehand.

Tricks mentioned

Key points

  • The book provides a backstage look into Marcoe's creative process.

  • It includes actual pages from Marcoe's notebook.

  • The book explores audience conditioning and overcoming fears.

  • It analyzes the approaches of past FISM winners.

  • The book is valuable for magicians creating competitive acts.