|
|
magicsavant Regular user Georgia 157 Posts |
I've seen a bunch of big juggling or sideshow acts, but what's the biggest street magic show you've seen? Was is at a festival, or were they able to pull it off on the streets?
|
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Do you mean crowd size or do you mean production?
Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
magicsavant Regular user Georgia 157 Posts |
I mean production.
|
Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
Me
|
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Cirque Du Soleil's Midnight Sun show put on at the Montreal Jazz Festival. (ok not a busking show, but still a street show production)
For a busking show, was High Strung http://www.highstrung.ca/gallery.html |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
This isn't the biggest production, by any means, but the crowd was MONSTROUS. The first year I worked at Dickens on the Strand, we were booked to do the broom suspension as well as a number of smaller items on a sidewalk that was elevated about 5 feet above street level. We had a crowd that stretched across the street, plus down to each end of the block. What a trip!
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
nick nickolas New user Melbourne Australia 78 Posts |
|
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
The Karamazovs used to do a five man juggling show with lots of props, etc.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts |
Great pic nick!
Sure you had over 1500 people watching you at the night busker fest last year in Auckland!!! See you agin here soon!! -Brent |
jimmy talksalot Special user new orleans 757 Posts |
The biggest one I ever saw was a guy named Pepe in Covent Garden. He does sort of a walk behind act.
|
jimmy talksalot Special user new orleans 757 Posts |
Sorry, I think that's Pep-pe [pronounced Pep-pay]. I dunno. Anyway, he would completely fill the big piazza on an ordinary day, no fest. That pitch is huge, not only filling the ground but the upstairs terraces. I could only imagine him at a festival. The locals told me there that that's every day for him.
He's kinda scary. You don't know what he might do, and no one is safe from his mischief. Every show I saw, there would be a group of strangers who would band together in a group to make a run for [@ 20 people] from behind him, so they get to where they were going. The funniest part is when he would discover them, and they'd start screaming and running, and he'd chase 'em. One week, every morning he'd instruct me a little, but I suck too bad at character miming.....I still feel honored he'd take the time with me. |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-01-03 16:48, jimmy talksalot wrote: Jimmy, you are a natural clown, my friend, and I mean that as the highest compliment. Learning that kind of panto is like learning to play an instrument. It feels very unnatural until it starts to swing, but trust me, you would be awesome at it if you wanted to. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
R Don Regular user West Coast 197 Posts |
Quote:
Every show I saw, there would be a group of strangers who would band together in a group to make a run for [@ 20 people] from behind him, so they get to where they were going. The funniest part is when he would discover them, and they'd start screaming and running, and he'd chase 'em. I really want to understand this, but it makes no sense written as is..love your enthusiasm. |
jimmy talksalot Special user new orleans 757 Posts |
He would be doing his show [harassing people]. He had built a massive crowd in a circle, so people could not get down through the street, which created a need for a good many pedestrians to need to get through. These same pedestrians were too afraid to pass by the entertainer, so they had a meeting behind him where he could not see them. They decided to all run together, as a group, to have strength in numbers. When he noticed them, he began to chase them; which frightened them, and they, in turn, panicked and ran screaming.
Alright, you had to be there. |
Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
There are several UK buskers doing this type of Mickey Take show. Dave Solo is probably the best at it, as he knows where the boundaries are.
The guy in the Garden has over-stepped the mark on several occasions (stopping transport, sitting on the bonnet of moving cars, etc., etc.), and it has backfired on him more than once. This type of "Show", if that's what you call it (I would describe it more as a walk around entertainment), plays on situation...visible, not verbal, and relies on feedback for result. People feedback can be plus or minus, so the outcome is not under the control of the Performer/Mickey Taker...so as a street act earner, it would, on the whole, fail. Best described as the antics played on unsuspecting speckies by the slightly over the eight...drunk!!! Solo's act is structured so that he can go out of the circle to take the mic, then pop back into the performing area to take the applause. This works very well with him keeping his crowd tight, and gives him the ease of the bottle at the end. Ken |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
I always love these kinds of acts. I think the "line" is far more blurred with this kind of panto/clowning. There is lots of Chaplin, Keaton, and Jacques Tati in these acts, and much of the funniest situations are when these guys get in trouble with other people. I also think the people understand what is going on and have some kind of a choice. I don't know, it really is a grey area. This guy, Pepe, from what I understand, plays the part of a homeless drunkard. He actually is hanging out with the real homeless guys when he stands up and does a show.
If that is your character, and you are going to play it well, you really need to go way over the top. I can see it causing a lot of problems, and I can see him having trouble with the law. But I bet it is hysterical to watch, and he probably makes a killing. I really love this type of clowning. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
I met Pepe this year and saw him perform. I must admit, I have never laughed so much watching a street show. I was crying and my sides splitting, and even now thinking of his show is making me laugh. This guy is a real legend that just does what he does, and I don't think he knows how he does it himself.
One night, while out for a drink, an unmanned bar was soon manned by Pepe. It was the funniest thing I have seen for a long time. Soon, there was ques ordering drinks from him, taking orders and money, but the taps were off. Security guards moved in and, not finding their happy place, escorted him off site. I laugh every time I think of it. Mario |
jimmy talksalot Special user new orleans 757 Posts |
See, I told you.
Ar Don, do you perform? I couldn't find any info on you. Check me out at myspace.com/jimmytalksalot I hope you understand what we're talking about, now. I think I need a proper site...oh well. |
nola New user Nyack, NY 42 Posts |
Jimmy,
I think your MySpace looks great! I think it works as well as a regular site would. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The side walk shuffle » » What's the biggest street show you've seen? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |