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Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
I thought this might give a chance for those interested in comedy magic to shine a spotlight on those acts you don't hear about in these or other trade pages. The names that crop up on those, 'who's the best...' or, 'who do you like most...' style threads deservedly throw up the same band of names that are know to all to be excellent at what they do.
But there's a whole panoply of comedy magic acts out there doing fantastic work that are seldom or never heard of. I think it might be interesting to hear some more about those performers. So to start the ball rolling I'd like to bring to your attention, Crisco. Even in the UK there will be many within the magic community that have never heard of him despite winning every major magic award the British ring of the IBM has for an act like his. (Best stage, best comedy, and most original) His act is full of fast paced magic and a string of seamless sight gags. The magic he does is strong in effect and he has a real talent for reacting to his environment with a razor sharp wit and genuine ad libs which helps, on a good night, make his show the funniest I've ever seen... and on a bad night he's even funnier.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
Magic Rob New user Denver, CO 99 Posts |
Neal,
That's a great idea. Does Crisco have a youtube video? I'd like to put in a word for a performer that is virtually unknown here in the U.S. named Elastic. I ran across him on youtube. I don't know where he's from, but his use of physical comedy and facial expression made me laugh. On his website, it looks like he performs at the Crazy Horse in Paris, and at various Magic Festivals. Here is a link to his website: http://elasticshow.be Here is one of his youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMkKWfjZ-0o&feature=plcp |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Hi Magic Rob, I've seen some clips of this guy. He has a definite 'continental style' and it's interesting to see that it translates across the pond. this type od circus based comedy often leaves a British audience a bit cold. hard to believe from the Nation that produced Benny Hill but it's true.
Nice find and thanks for posting. Anyone else?
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
One of my favorites: "The Great Skilldini"
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
I love skilldini too. Also dana daniels.
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
I had never heard of Otto Wessley until I stumbled across him on youtube. I like his style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eOchpQNMRQ&feature=related my favourite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-zFVV-gebU |
Scotty Walsh Loyal user Ireland 207 Posts |
Johnny Lonn and Topper Martin.
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Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Johnny Lohn and Topper Martin are reasonably well known names here in Europe but they certainly deserve a mention as some of the younger magicians may not have heard of them and they are worth checking out for sure.
Otto Wesley has long been a firm favourite of mine. I remember hearing that he entered and won the IBM British Ring's stage competition only to have the award taken away from him when it was discovered he wasn't a member of the British Ring of the IBM! He joined, came back the next year, won it again and this time got to keep the honours. Dana Daniels I had and still have, only seen via youtube clips but he is a performer I would definitely like to catch live sometime. Skilldini was a completely new name to me though. I'm wondering if this was/is a working act or one that was just put together for magic nights? I remember Walt Lees, a magician here in the UK won the comedy prize one year at the British Ring's competition with an act that he only ever performed (I believe) at magic functions. Any more comedy magic acts we don't hear about?
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Yourself?
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gatorjim New user Fayetteville, TN 53 Posts |
Skilldini (Tim Wright) has a tremendous act and has won several competitions. He lives in Ohio. Some of his performances are in YouTube. He has performed at the Magic Castle and what's different about his work is that he never says a word. Great performer and a nice guy.
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Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
George you sweety:
Actually I thought I was somewhat legendary as I hear about myself all the time. I know I'm forever talking about myself.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
bogart md New user 4 Posts |
If you get a chance to see Mr Magic (Ron Frank) do his Flea Circus. Don't Miss it.
A very funny and classic act. He will perform at the annual show of Hilton Head Island Ring 349 next April 1, with luck you will see the act before that. |
korttihai_82 Inner circle Finland 1880 Posts |
Also many countries have their own really funny acts that don't perform in english but in their own language. Rune Klan is huge in Denmark, Yan Swahn is great (the first few times you see him), Carl Einart Häckner from Sweden can be phenomenal, Finland has few fantastic verbal performers and so on. Many "real workers" work for lay audiences and not in magic conventions and therefore arent really that well known.
Juha-Matti |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Juha-Matti, You are so right with both points you make.
many non English speaking acts are well known only within their own country where they maybe very famous and popular. It's not surprising though that acts that work in one of the languages that isn't somewhat universal are not known outside their own countries. Thanks for pointing out some of the names we might want to check out though. I've seen Rune Klan on dvd and in youtube clips working in Danish. Even without being able to follow the language you can still get a really good sense of his style and comedy. And of course there are those 'workers' that, as you say, don't frequent the magic convention circuit as performers that often if at all. It's to have a chance to hear of such performers that I started this thread. It gives us all a chance to hear of some of the names we might otherwise never come across. Keep them coming if you have any other people you want to suggest.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
TheGreatNancini Veteran user Ohio 373 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-09-05 19:22, bogart md wrote: I have had the opportunity to personally watch Ron's Flea Circus evolve over several years! He has put a tremendous amount of creativity and thought into this as well as many hours of preparation and practice! It is not one of the pre fab ones that have been on the market over the years from various creators. This is Ron's own vision of what a Flea Circus should look like. He actually uses several magic effects on the market (Some of his own creations as well as others) to create a genuine old time circus. Posing as the Ring Master, Ron and his pet "Willie the Wonder Flea" take you on an imaginary trip to the Circus, complete with High Wire walking, and a Dare Devil Jump off of the High Dive! This act is full of quirky humor and will give young and old alike several minutes of laughter, and "Willie" is sure to capture your heart! ~Nanci |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Someone I haven't seen other than from clips online is Chas Chesmark.
I know he works some of the same ships as me and he looks really good.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
helder Inner circle Portugal 1064 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-10-22 07:24, Sealegs wrote: He's very good, his card to mouth it's great: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPOnmfsd80w
My version of Eddie fetcher "Be Honest What's it?" it's available at Penguin Magic
Check my Facebook group: Mentalism Secrets Email: heldermagico@gmail.com www.facebook.com/heldermagico |
Merc Man Inner circle NUNEATON, Warwickshire 2537 Posts |
My favourite comedy magician had to be George Johnston. Funniest act I've ever seen.
I'd actually put him a rung above Tommy Cooper.............and I'm a Brit! I saw him at a Magic Circle Christmas Show - must have been around 1981/82? Silly things stand out in your memory. On the table was a candle in a candlestick holder. Introduced as 'the vanishing candle trick' he draped a silk over it, but nothing happened. He then got out a bloody great mallet and whacked it (whereupon it obviously slid into the candle holder). Of course it doesn't read like much, but I remember having guts ache through laughing so much. I don't believe that George was always a comedy act - as I think he used to work with his wife (Betty) on the Harry Blackstone (Snr.) show? I seem to remember him also writing for Magigram at one point - the monthly mag of Supreme Magic.
Barry Allen
Over 14 years have passed - and still missing Abra Magazine arriving every Saturday morning. |
donsmagic Loyal user 258 Posts |
His name was George Johnstone and he lived in Chicago. I saw him many times at Abbotts
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ringmaster Inner circle Memphis, Down in Dixie 1974 Posts |
Clark "the senator" Crandell
One of the last living 10-in-one performers. I wanted to be in show business the worst way, and that was it.
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