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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
Many of the folks here (including myself) just love your Four Ring Routine Whit, excellent stuff.
Have you given any thought as to when (if) the video will eventually be released in the dvd format?
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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Jim Davis Special user What is....? Utah 945 Posts |
Yeah.. I'm waiting for it!! and I must say very anxiously waiting!
Diamond Jim Davis "The Cardslinger" ~~~ Magic from the '80's....................the 1880's!
<BR><BR> <BR><BR>Don't just be a magician, be a human interest! <BR><BR> <BR><BR>[url]www.periodplayers.com[/ur |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
"Whit Haydn's Comedy Four Ring Routine" will be put on out DVD by School for Scoundrels by the end of the year. All of our current videos will be moved exclusively to DVD--hopefully before the end of the year.
I am now trying to get over the learning curve of DVD authoring, and will probably begin work on the Four Ring Routine first. If anyone has any questions about the routine, or about the rings in general, this might be a good place for them. |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
I feature the rings in my act as well. Are you, like me, somewhat amazed by the number of magicians who say the rings are boring and don't play for today's audiences?
"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 |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Amazed and pleased. I wish you would drop them, too.
I really find that magicians have a hard time seeing through the eyes of a spectator. They also make the mistake of thinking that because they have seen many magic acts, the average audience member has as well. In fact, most spectators have rarely seen a magician live. In fairness, however, there are a lot of truly misbegotten ring routines out there. It is not easy to perform the rings well, and the number of well-thought out routines that hook the audience's interest as well as fooling them badly is pretty small. My routine was largely based on Jack Miller's routine and Vernon's Symphony of the Rings (with bits and pieces from Fitzkee's "Rings in Your Fingers"). Having learned both these brilliant routines when I was a kid, and having had an excellent mentor on the rings, the late Dick Snavely of Raleigh, NC, gave me an incredible head start. When I began performing on the streets in New York City in the late sixties, I found that the audiences always wanted to see the rings after the show. I tried switching out the key ring in my bag, but they were never sure how many rings I had been using, and always wanted to check the bag to see if I had left the "trick" one in there. I thought that if I did a four ring routine, and pointed out how many there were throughout the routine, it would be easier to make a switch of the key for a single ring without causing suspicion. I started with the four ring sequence in Miller's routine, and then added some moves and the ending from Vernon. It worked great, and the switch worked fine from then on. I could even do the Weber Emergency Routine from Tarbell with the chain of two and two singles to further prove that the examined rings still "worked." I was quite later that I discovered the bit about turning away from the spectator as he worked on his and coming back to find him surprisingly "keeping up" with me. That was what transformed the routine into a truly special thing. Vernon told me later (1978) that this bit was the first "original comedy premise" he had seen in magic for years, and that I should immediately put it in print before it was stolen and used in other types of magic routines. "That way people will know where it came from," Vernon said. That same year, Jay Marshall offered to publish it, and I reluctantly decided to let him put it out. He went out of his way to promote it, and helped make a reputation for me. It turned out to be a wise decision. Soon Copperfield did a version of the bit in a rope routine on television, and Chuck Fayne called me and asked if he could use the bit in a color-changing hank routine (which turned out to be an hysterical masterpiece and one of my favorite routines to watch). So I think Vernon's advice was sound. To this day, I tend to publish anything that I have been doing long enough that I feel it is polished and finished. |
Adam V Special user 603 Posts |
Hi there Whit,
I am a student of Chuck Fayne's and it was him who turned me on to your ring routine. As you probably know Chuck is a very hard man to please and it is rare to see him praise something as highly as he does your ring routine. I have been performing it as my closer for a couple of years now in my children's show and it never fails to work. At the end of my shows I always ask them which trick they liked the most and they almost always say "the rings". They usually swamp me as well and want to look at all the rings. I think it's amazing that you've come up with a routine which plays equally well for children and adults. From what you've said it also works on the street! Thanks for publishing your routine and letting us use it, it's fantastic.
Adam V - 9 out of 10 dentists recommend him.
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Bilwonder Veteran user Oroville CA 327 Posts |
I love your four ring routine...I have the manuscript as well as the video...I was curious who the lady was that was featured through out your early manuscript...no credit was given.
billswondershow.com
"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." Mark Twain |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
The lady in my early manuscript, the Magic, Inc. booklet, was a friend of a next door neighbor from 1979. Sorry, I do not remember her name.
The lady on the video, Meredith, was an audience volunteer at the Magic Castle. She was one of six videotaped that same evening. I thought she was the worst of the volunteers, although absolutely charming. She never caught on to the bit, and never spun her rings to "fool me." Usually even five year olds catch on to this. However, Bob Kohler was directing and editing the video, and he felt that most magicians watching would be glad to see what happens when the spectator doesn't catch on, that the routine works fine even then. I think he was right on that count. Also, everyone who sees it thinks she is an absolute doll and so do I. |
oagwood Veteran user Pleasant Hill, CA 392 Posts |
This is one of my favorite routines to perform, it plays for everyone.
Even people who say they are familiar with the ancient mystery are still amazed. Thanks for sharing it with us. oliver |
Bob Kohler Special user 704 Posts |
Whit's routine is simply a brilliant performance piece of magic.
It would be hard to find a more practical, entertaining routine that not only guarantees the audience will be laughing their heads off but absolutely mystified throughout the act. To me, Whit's Comedy Four Ring Routine meets (and exceeds) all of the parameters for a truly professional routine. It certainly packs flat and plays big. Set-up=0. It can be done close up, parlor or stage. It can be plugged into almost any position in your show. In Whit's hands it is a CLOSER. Magicians are always searching for what's new...I think a better approach would be to seek "What's Great"! This is one great money routine that is guaranteed to put money into your pocket. I had the honor of working with Whit on the project, and I can tell you that Whit tips it all. The reasons, timing, moves and choreography. The intrigue of the routine is based on the reactionary nature of the routine. It's awesome to have a routine that is the same every time you perform it, but at the same time always different. Each spectator you work with will react in a different way. But Whit's handling of the spectator and strategy sets the stage for really over the top reactions from the audience. Watching this routine is evidence of why Whit has won every award imaginable. If you haven't studied this routine, you're really missing out. I don't sell the tape or DVD. You should get it direct from Whit at the School for Scoundrels web site. He's not really a scoundrel. I will tell you this, I've hidden Meredith's phone number somewhere on my web site. If you've seen her, you know what I'm talking about. |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Bob Kohler:
How dare you call me not a scoundrel! I can't remember when I've been insulted so... Until you called me reactionary! And you have Meredith's phone number? You've been holding out on me all these years? Some friend! Seriously, everyone. Bob Kohler is a great magician, and a brilliant creator of magic. I would not disagree with anything he has said. |
invalidity Regular user 170 Posts |
As a novice magician looking to add a linking rings routine to my repertoire, would Whit Hadyn's Four Ring routine suit me? Or should I start somewhere else? Answers on a postcard....
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ARNOMAGIE Regular user France 200 Posts |
Do you think the plot is clear enough to do it without speaking ?
ARNO |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Invalidity:
I think that this routine is an excellent starting place for the rings. The moves are not very difficult, and the humor is built into the situation. You do not have to be a comedian to make it work for you. It has been a first ring routine for many people. Arno: The plot is certainly clear enough to follow without hearing. I have done it in foreign countries and for the deaf. I think it would be very difficult to manage the onstage assistant without speaking, however. Talking comedy routines in general are not the best source for silent acts. It would be possible to do all the moves, and leave out the humorous parts and the use of a volunteer on stage, but why? It is meant to be a talking routine. To do a silent routine, I would suggest you look for a routine that does not require onstage help, and was designed for that purpose. Cellini's, Chris Capehart's, and other similar routines would be more what you are looking for. |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
A great silent comedy linking ring routine will be published in my book (when? i don't know) (don't ask) However, the basis for it can be found in George Blake's book "Comedy Magic" (under Perverse Magic).
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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DougTait Elite user Sebring, FL 492 Posts |
Invalidity; I will second Whit's statement that his Four Ring Routine is an excellent place to start out with the rings. It is relatively easy and Whit's video is the most comprehensive instructional video I have seen. He not only teaches the "moves" he teaches the presentation subtleties as well. It is a lot of fun to do also.
Whit; Thanks for answering my PM a while back about the rings. Each time I do the routine I try my best to do it justice and always give you the credit for it. Thanks again.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing."
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
It is too bad Whit is in my neighborhood... othewise I would attempt his four ring concept.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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