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DaveVegas New user Leicester,England 89 Posts |
I did a gig recently at a restaurant and did my usual researchy bit before hand BUT the restaurant had changed the layout of the tables, seating 20 at a time on long tables, meaning I could only really reach the first few couples...I did my act at both ends but found this unsatisfactory. Any tips out there guys? How would you deal with really long tables (and rather tight space in between people, too)
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Yeah, long tables are a pain, but apart from working the ends, I usually stop a couple of times down the length of the table, often working to the people ACROSS the other side of the table, but involving the people closest with polite chat etc.
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
I've been faced with that a couple of times and Paul's answer (above) pretty well covers everything.
It's about all you CAN do. cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi,
I agree with Paul! It also helps if your effects are easy to follow and visual. For example, even if you cannot hear properly, the Prof Nightmare could be followed and appreciated, because it is performed at chest height. It is visual a long way down the table. As is most silk/salt in thumtip type effects. phillip |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
I LOVE long tables with lots of people! I get everyone involved, and the laughter and applause can be heard through the whole restaurant, making other tables more eager to see me.
I direct a lot of attention to the people farthest from me. For example, I have someone at the far end select a card by doing the riffle force, or I'll have someone grab the "invisible coin" near their glass and toss it down to the spec assisting me, etc. This draws in the entire group, and I can really "work" them! Before I start my next-to-last trick, I will have a card selected and sent around the table so that everyone can sign it as I do the routine. Then for the last trick, I do either card to ceiling or Ambitious Card with a big kicker finish. Everyone feels a part of it, because their names are on the card. And yes, I also move around a bit. Like I said, I LOVE big tables!
"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 |
Andy Charlton Veteran user Palma Nova Mallorca Spain 311 Posts |
Long Tables.
As already mentioned, I start at the ends and work my way down, stopping every few places and involving as many as possible. I think it's very important to have routines that are highly visible and happen high up in everyone's view. For that reason I don't do a few of my favourite routines in that situation. ie chop cup, jiggernaut, Cardtoon, Twilight angels. All killers in the right situation, but tend to exclude more people than they entertain on long Tables. Instead I normally do, Invisible deck, Ring and band/crazy man's handcuffs, Sponge Balls, and I normally close with Card to Wallet (Mullica Wallet.) Just My thoughts Andy
"Keep that smile on your face, that excitement in your eyes." - Don Driver
Check out www.andyandjeansbigadventure.com or www.andysmagic.com |
Davro Veteran user UK 319 Posts |
One of he main problems I find with long tables is the amount of noise in the restaurant. Standing at one end and showing 3fly or similar works well but as with most of this type of magic the excitement is learning to go with the flow.
Regards, David
Best Wishes, David
<BR> <BR>Mid way this way of life we're bound upon, I woke to find myself in a dark wood, where the right road was wholly lost and gone. |
DaveVegas New user Leicester,England 89 Posts |
Thanks guys.
Scott, I like the approach, but do you find yourself shouting a bit? Next time, I'll try that approach. I like the idea of moving around too, as suggested, but it was a crazily tight space! I need to lose weight! |
MichelAsselin Veteran user 20th century, 3rd dimension 326 Posts |
In a long table situation, me thinks that you should privilige quick visual effects, all in the hands... Not the context for Triumph variations here. it is actually a great set up for a "set" act, much like Jim Pace does on his video. Doc Eason, Paul Cummings Fusillade plays well in this context, but it must be the closer.
"Play" the first two people closest to you, and the rest of the group will follow along if interested. Do a watch steal at mid-point the ensueing suspense will get everyone’s rapt attention, if you make the steal visible to the group, à la paper balls over the head. One more thing. Do become "finger flinging intensive", so that they have something to look at. Play visually, and do not yell. it is pointless... take for granted that the far end will not hear you. if you do well, they will beg you to "do" the opposite end of the table.
" , ? ; !!! "
- Marcel Marceau, Feb 30, 1945. |
Darrin Cook Special user 621 Posts |
I try to perform "up" effects wherein the props are held up at chest height. I do "3 Fly" and Daryl's "Elbow, Knee, and Neck" with silver dollars. I have an Okito box routine where the coins go through the bottom of the box, the back of my hand, and into my fist --this is visible to a long table. I also do a variation of the card effect "Here and There" from "Annemann's Card Magic" that involves hole-punched cards that can be hung from pins in the lapels. The cards are held up in the hands or displayed on the lapels, and are never on the mat, so this routine is another good one for long tables.
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John Zander Loyal user Downey, CA 247 Posts |
Like Scott I also enjoy the bigger tables. I prefer stand up to strolling so bigger groups are a joy.
I use effects like comedy predictions with jumbo cards (a Paul Green routine), paper napkins over the head, card on forhead etc. I address the whole group as if it were a stand up show and we all have a great time.
Thank you,
John Zander *************************** The Award Winning Comedy Magic of John Zander http://www.ZanderMagic.com http://www.AllMagic.net |
brainman Special user 970 Posts |
I keep standing and split the table into the important sections (kids? important persons? half-half)..I work mainly for them. Sometimes I change positions after each miracle to involve as many - and not to loose too many.
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Kronos9326 Loyal user Toronto 229 Posts |
One of the best things I do for a long table is "Paper Balls over the Head". It's a great effect that everyone gets involved in. Especially for birthday parties. For some reason, the birthday person always sits at the end, or near it, so I always perform that effect on them. I've gotten a GREAT reaction from everyone while doing that one.
David. |
J R Thomas Regular user Champaign Illinois 138 Posts |
Dittos - Scott Guinn.
Long tables are great. I interact with the person farthest away and love to watch the heads of the people in between turn back and forth. Invisible deck is good for this as is B'wave. Color Monte is good. Undivided by Marin Lewis is great, you just have to play it close to your chest. Some coin flourishs are good or routines like 3 fly where no table is required. I use dollars so they are easy to see. Card warp. This Bank id trick I made(selected card appears on ID laying face down on table and yes they did see the front of it...just not all of the front....they end up passing the id around the table. Card on forehead for the person setting closest to you. Thumb tip and silk. Make salt disappear and appear. I have a routine where a packet of sweet and low turns into a small eraser bunny for a child.
Those who hear not the music
Think the dancers mad |
preston91 Regular user clearwater,fl 186 Posts |
Speaking of "paper balls over the head", where can I find that routine?
thanks Paul |
Kaliix Inner circle Connecticut 1984 Posts |
Paper balls over the head can be found in the The Annotated Magic of Slydini or if you prefer video it can be learned on Tony Clark's Paper Balls Over the Head Video available from MagicSmith.com
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.
~Daniel J. Boorstin |
Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
I would think once you had done paper balls over the head the OTHER tables might have spotted it or have paper balls land in their soup!! Or are the tables where you work VERY widely seperated and do you perform quietly?
Paul Hallas. |
Magique Hands Loyal user Lincoln, NE. 247 Posts |
Personally, I enjoy performing at 'Long Tables', just as many of you have mentioned. The 'togetherness' is awesome, and it's as if the guests are getting a 'Private Little Show', just for themselves.
I also enjoy the variety of going from smaller tables to the bigger tables (it gives me a 'little breather', and a 'little break' if you will.) - - Troy
"If you go around sprinkling Woofle Dust on everything... people will think 'My... What an odd character." www.magicmafia.com
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