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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Table hoppers & party strollers » » Mini side-act for strolling venues: talk or silent? (0 Likes)

Jonathan P. Inner circle Belgium 1484 Posts	Posted: Aug 21, 2009 12:33 pm 0 Hello, I was asked by an agent (who regularly hires me) to peform a mini silent act as an "introductory moment", just before I begin my first strolling set amongst the people. Althought I am convinced that a silent act is something I need to polish in order to have it in my repertoire for such occasions, I wonder if the "silenceness" is the most appropriate thing for a opening sequence. I would think of it as more apropriate to perform between two strolling moments, or at the end, when people already know me. But as the opening act would be the ideal moment to introduce myself (magicaly of course), I wonder if that very moment wouldn't be more apropriate for a mini "talking" act. If any of you have experience on that matter, I would very gladly hear your thoughts about this. Thanks, Jonathan. http://www.jonathan-philippe.be
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts	Posted: Aug 21, 2009 01:38 pm 0 Even in my platform work, I often do silent bits as warm ups. I used to call it mime. These years, I have not kept up with the technique. These bits sometimes are magical, but sometimes just sight gags. (usually with some noises/music from either mouth or instrumental. A new bit this year is I start to play the ukulele.(very serious look on my face...playing a classical song) Then a "fly" happens to come by. Uke becomes a fly swatter... Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts	Posted: Aug 21, 2009 02:50 pm 0 I do my Misers Dream Rouine silent! No speaking...no music! In Mystery, Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2393 Posts	Posted: Aug 21, 2009 03:29 pm 0 Remembering the old adages, “Put your best foot forward”, and “You only get one chance to make a first impression,” I would consider this carefully. A silent act can be very powerful, but like you have admitted, its takes a lot of polish. I, for one, would not like to begin my show with something I’ve never done before. If your agent insists, I recommend you try every one of your routines you are currently doing and see what might work silently. This way all of the moves and sequencing are NOT new, just the performance style. You just might surprise yourself. "Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning www.KenNorthridge.com
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts	Posted: Aug 21, 2009 03:38 pm 0 I've only been doing silent routines since 79...but if there has been a stretch of a few weeks between shows... Oh yes..I also do silent puppet bits in walk arounds... Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u
montymagi Special user Slidell La 752 Posts	Posted: Aug 21, 2009 03:42 pm 0 I open with a silent Misers Dream done to the them of Mission Impossable. But would do just as well without the music. Flashy, visual and self explanitory.
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts	Posted: Aug 21, 2009 03:45 pm 0 Miser's dream, with our without a pail is also a favorite of mine. Coins are one of my favorite props. (Seeing Goshman, Jennings, Slydini and other coin workers, in my early days had a great influence on this choice) Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2393 Posts	Posted: Aug 21, 2009 03:50 pm 0 This seems like a good place to tell this story. I was getting ready for an hour of walk around for a cocktail party at one of the Atlantic City casinos. It had all signs of being a real classy event. The guests started coming in all dressed up, the band was getting warmed up, etc. Then, it was show time. I walked up to my first table and before I said my first word, the band started playing really, really LOUD! I tried to yell over them but quickly found out it was useless. So, I resorted to miming all of my routines the best I could. It was a real exercise in creativity and spontaneity. At the end of the hour, as I was walking out the band stopped playing. The room became eerily silent and all I could think of to do was to grab my pay check and run! You’d be surprised at the number of effects you can do silently…especially when you’re forced to. "Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning www.KenNorthridge.com
Michael Peterson Inner circle is where I'm trapped, because of my 4071 Posts	Posted: Aug 21, 2009 08:39 pm 0 Quote: On 2009-08-21 11:50, Ken Northridge wrote: This seems like a good place to tell this story. I was getting ready for an hour of walk around for a cocktail party at one of the Atlantic City casinos. It had all signs of being a real classy event. The guests started coming in all dressed up, the band was getting warmed up, etc. Then, it was show time. I walked up to my first table and before I said my first word, the band started playing really, really LOUD! I tried to yell over them but quickly found out it was useless. So, I resorted to miming all of my routines the best I could. It was a real exercise in creativity and spontaneity. At the end of the hour, as I was walking out the band stopped playing. The room became eerily silent and all I could think of to do was to grab my pay check and run! You’d be surprised at the number of effects you can do silently…especially when you’re forced to. That has happened to me on a couple of ocassions also, I simply had to adapt.I too simply mimed everything the spec needed to do & continued on like that. I now know that my rope, spongeballs, coins & card effects can be done silently if need be. I would pick just one effect that you do well that is very visual & do that as your silent opener. Mike
Jonathan P. Inner circle Belgium 1484 Posts	Posted: Aug 22, 2009 01:09 pm 0 Thanks for the pieces of advice so far. That goes along the way I was leaning towards myself, i.e. adapting a routine I do which is very visual and seing how I could do it without talking. I found some touches to add at the beginning to set the whole thing up, and will work on the "mimic expressions" to make it a real silent performance (so it doesn't look like a talking performance with a broken microphone.) But, would you have the choice: would you prefer the silent stage routine or the talking one to open a strolling session? Thanks, Jonathan. http://www.jonathan-philippe.be
Hansel Inner circle Puerto Rico 2492 Posts	Posted: Aug 22, 2009 07:34 pm 0 I have a good friend of mine that is a silent table hooper!! He does the magic as a mime and is very popular!!!! Follow Me... Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Hansels-Comedy-and-Magic-Show-929625643774678/ Youtube: HanselSP Twitter: @HanselSP Instagram: HanselSP
Bryanpier New user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 62 Posts	Posted: Aug 22, 2009 07:49 pm 0 Some people can do a silent act better than others. I need that interaction with the spectators. That's what makes it fun for me and it makes every performance different. If pro is opposite of con, then what is opposite of progress?
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