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Vraagaard Inner circle Copenhagen, Denmark 1479 Posts |
So finally it really paid of,
I’m been asked a few times in this forum about why I carry 15-20 effects with me when doing walk around and close up magic – is it really necessary? No it is not – but sometimes it comes in handy. Besides being the fact that I master these effects at a performance level, I always also wants to have different effects in case some of the guests were following me around. But this weekend at a wedding performance (standing reception) for 60 guests it really paid of. I had planned 5 small sets of 3 effects Set one: 1. Vanishing hank, Vanishing a small hank into a big hank held in the corners by two spectators 2. Gypsy Thread 3. Ambitious card Set two: 1. Above, beside, below (coins across to spectators hand - originally by Larry Jennings) 2. Card Warp 3. The professors rope symphony (Joachim Solberg) Set three: 1. Sponge balls (Peanutt, butter and Jelly, by Scott F. Quinn) 2. Ring and string symphony (combination of Jay Scott Berry/Gregory Wilson style) 3. Cups and balls Set four 1. Mr. Clean Coins across (Sankey) moving into Chinese Charming Challenge (Troy Hooser) 2. Koslowski Bill Switch 3. KJV Oil and Water (Kosby/Jennings/Vernon). Set five: 1. Color Monte 2. Travellers (4 signed cards to four different pockets - Dai Vernon) 3. Borrowed Bill to Borrowed cigarette (Osterlind) Honestly – after set 3 I kind of go with a more unstructured flow and doesn’t necesarrilly perform set four and five as described. Some of the effect also depends on angles. And as back up if the situation feels right I always have Invisible Deck, Visual Coins across (Daryl's 3-fly III), copper /silver, Vanishing lit cigarette, vanishing big paper napkin (the last two vanishing effects I perform if I see a guest with a lit cigarette during my other performances or if I see a guest holding a paper napkin). So what happened? After the first two sets I went to a group of 4 people and after performing the sponge routine I suddenly found myself with 40-50 guests standing around me? Some of them were familiar faces I already had performed for during set 1 and 2. So now I felt under “pressure” to combine an almost stand up parlour type show with effects that could be seen from a little distance and effects that I hadn’t performed previously. I can only say that I was happy about the long effects like borrowed bill to cigarette, CCC, KJV oil and water and actually there were no tables at all on that side of the building so I even performed cups and balls sitting on my knees on the grass (there was a small dog who was pretty eager to get one of the Mike Rodgers base balls – but a little kid took hold of it). Even sitting on the grass (must have looked funny – the cups and balls played big). Oh by the way I did repeat the vanishing silk trick with two children holding the handkerchief and I always have the magic coloring book in my bag if there is children present, so I also performed that one (the adults likes it too). After standing there for 30 minutes (I guess) I took a bow – went inside to regroup. Went out and found a little group in a small tent on the other side of the garden with a waiters table (foods and drinks) and performed 4 effects closing again with cups and balls which was fine because most of these 10 people hadn’t seen the show I did previously). So I learned that at a standing reception you “risk” having all the people around you – meaning you need more effects. When people are sitting at tables it’s easier to control with fewer effects – because you can move to a “new” audience at another table. But more effects are not a requirement to get started, but along the road you start building a bigger repertoire – and it comes in handy. Well I guess this experience is “general knowledge” to most of you, but I have only performed at a few standing receptions (I normally do table hopping) and this was the first time I attracted the “big” crowd. Thought I wanted to share this with those of you who asked me about the number of effect I carry. |
calexa Inner circle Germany 1635 Posts |
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Magixx
Optimists have more fun.....
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Yes, that tends to happen quite a bit at these types of events. Rather than strolling and performing for small groups of people, you will very often have the whole group (or very nearly) standing around you for the full length of your engagement. If you only know 3-4 routines, you're in big trouble!
Well done!
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Vraagaard Inner circle Copenhagen, Denmark 1479 Posts |
Thanks - yes I learned a lesson.
And Scott, thanks a lot for a wonderfull sponge ball routine - Penautt, Butter and Jelly. It really solves my problem with sponges for adults. I think in the very sceptical northern parts of Europe adults tend to think that when you bring out sponge balls - then we are talking children magic. However, your ending to the effect lifts it to a magic level where even adults gets really impressed. So finally a sponge ball routine that's is both funny and amazingly magical even to a sceptical adult audience. I've been familiar with Jay Scott Berry's work prior to witnessing your routine. Couldn't see the forrest for the tree's - you know what I mean. Spectacular ending - thanks again. |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Well...
Thanks! Glad you like it and find it useful in your shows.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Alym Amlani Inner circle Canada 1464 Posts |
It also pays to have a lot of backup material for this type of occurence. The other thing that helps is being able to think on your feet and improvise. Although many on the forum will disagree, I think some of the best routines often come from improvisational stuff that we will all do on occasion.
(yes, I'm bracing myself for the onslaught of people who will disagree and say that every single performed routine should be tightly scripted...)
Logic Defied
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