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The NEW TOPS
Blackstone showing any signs of nervous-ness before or during a show. I never thought I'd reach that day.
Most of the older pros I know, both magic and non-magic, seem to have the nervous problem licked. Oh, they may get a bit apprehensive before a show if the audience is drunk or noisy or the mike is tinny. But then, you just go out and do the best you can just like the guy punching in at the factory or office. If you do a good job the office or factory worker gets a raise, the per-former gets more engagements.
(Editor's note: On the subject of being or not being nervous before a show I should like to express my views: a "to be or not to be," as it were. You are a great showman George, and I'm sure you never suffer from stage fright anymore, but I hope you still have a feeling of sorts come over you just before a show. Let me try to explain: Let's compare actors to race horses. You have watched the thoroughbreds being led up to the starting gate. Some are extremely high spirited and there is difficulty in get-ting them into the starting position. Suddenly the gates spring open and "they're off and running!" It is usually one of the highly spirited ones that is the WINNER! Who would bet on an old nag that slowly plods its way to the starting gate just as if he were pulling a heavy wagon along a street.
I feel there is a DIFFERENCE between stage fright and being nervous. One will overcome stage fright with CONFIDENCE gained from EXPERIENCE. But the nervous feeling is the true essence of the real artiste. Once the actor steps on stage it disappears and he or she becomes alive and vibrant. . .the com-bination of fire and soul. Nervousness is like the THRUST that lifts a rocket into outerspace. It is the reving of a motor. It is the overture, it is the house lights dimming and the curtain going up. It's like seasoning in food, it makes the difference from the bland to a gourmet's delight. I agree with Miss Channing, and what better reason could I have to run her photo of which I am so very proud.)
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A reviewer interviewing Carol Channing brought up the subject of stage fright. This may be of interest to you fellows who still get those stomach butterflies before a show. Carol says: "I always get nervous before a show but I don't call it nerves. I think it is a total crystallization of thought, total focus. It makes me do my best work. My adrenalin works more. My brain works clearer, faster than at any other time. Things come out pin-pointed. You can make nervousness work for you. Everybody is trying to learn to relax these days. I think that's the worse thing for you. Embrace it. Embrace nervousness. Just say, 'Thank God I'm nervous,' and then go all the way with it."
I can't agree with Carol. Years ago, when I used to suffer with the before show butterflies, I was tense. It showed in my work. I was uptight. My brain rolled along on one channel. . . Do it and get it over with. If something went wrong, the sweat would pop. The voice would crack and I'd get fumbly-fingered. I loved doing the act but would sigh with relief after I walked off.
Nowadays, oh boy, you can't get me off the stage. If it's a good audience and I'm not on a time schedule, I'll stay out there all night. It's been so long that I can't remember the last time I was nervous. . .and I'm very happy about it. I can work cool, relaxed, the brain functions perfectly for ad-libs or added bits without the nervous tension. The act has turned out to be fun. Like the old gag about being rich or poor. . . I've been nervous and not nervous. . . believe me, not nervous is better. I don't believe I can ever recall Harry
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