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MagicMason Loyal user 300 Posts |
Hi Paul - thanks so much for your helpful insights into theatre and magic this week! Your Chaplin act you provided on youtube is really outstanding.
Can you talk briefly about how you came to select the magic you do for the Chaplin show. Is there some connection in your mind between the tricks you chose and the kind of character Chaplin is? best wishes Tom Mason |
Paul Romhany V.I.P. Canada 800 Posts |
Hello - yes absolutely. In my mind Chaplin isn't a magician - the magic kind of happens around him. The 'broom' is a good example. If you watch Chaplin movies you'll see often objects take on different forms. A broom for example might become a woman that he falls in love with, which happened in one of his movies.In his mind he dances with a broom or it floats like a magician would make a lady float etc.There is something very magical about that and it connects with the audience.
The act is also designed to take people on a journey. They become transfixed with the character. It's not your typical magic act where they go 'wow' or clap madly at what is going on - but when they leave the theatre they feel good, happy and won't forget the feelings and experiences - it's just like after watching a Chaplin movie. Chaplin takes people on a journey of emotions in his full length films. The same can be said for my show. There is laughter and pathos. There are also practical reasons - this show wanted 18 minutes I think from memory, so each routine is a set piece - I know exactly the length of each piece and can put the act together to suit the demands of a show. For example my Chaplin Rope Routine is 3 mint. 20 seconds but was too long for this show. I am able to adjust the show easily because of knowing the exact time of each piece. Normally my show is an hour in length. The most important thing, and to answer your question is knowing the character and what works for that character. That is probably the hardest thing to find when somebody starts out. I believe we are all characters, even when I'm performing as Paul on stage, I'm a character. That character is 'me' and I feel very comfortable with 'me' on stage, but it's still a character. The better you fully understand your stage character or persona the easier it is to select what will work and what won't work. It's taken almost 25 years to get the act to that level and I know within seconds of seeing something if it will work or not. In all cases I develop routines that I feel work for Chaplin. Chaplin is a cheeky character as well so that's why I have fun with the guy from the audience - it works nicely in this show. Hope that all makes sense and thanks for asking such a great question.
"life is like a movie ... you write your own ending" - Kermit the Frog
http://www.paulromhanymagic.com http://www.paulromhany.com |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The October 2013 entrée: Paul Romhany » » Chaplin, magic and trick selection » » TOPIC IS LOCKED (0 Likes) |
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