On 2013-09-02 01:44, Stephon Johnson wrote:
What about incorporating a reason for the shirt change: Walk on and pick up the white candle and start to light it, but it changes from white to red! Glance at your white shirt disapprovingly and turn around, quickly changing your shirt red to match the candle. Being pleased, continue trying to light the candle but the lighter goes out every time you get near the candle, so you light the lighter away from the candle, and "pick" the flame with your fingers off the lighter and put it on the candle. Then vanish candle to a bouquet of spring bills. The money gives a perfect segue to bank night. Sorry, that left out the rosé sequence. But perhaps that could be done with one candle and the bills with a second candle? Good luck with it!

On 2013-09-02 10:13, myboydash wrote:
My question would be more about the rest of your routine - as bank night is a strong comedy effect, and depending on your patter is a fast talking bit - this as described is largely a smooth and silent bit - how do you tie the act together, as an expectation if I saw this I would be thinking lance Burton early stuff with doves and candles and fire etc... more of a manipulation act, vanishes and productions, scarves etc... so how do you merge the styles. Maybe tie in the intro patter to bank night about being luckiest day of your life - perhaps some minor changes, something to fit each step of the routine - rescued goldfish from a pet store fire (fire) - ending with the rose and wife anniversary. But as Stephon was illustrating as well, have purpose to lead into bank night - cheers.

On 2013-09-02 10:40, Bill Hegbli wrote:
The original poster, as I read his request must be thinking of the many published words that say, a magic act, should have a "Flash Opening" number to tell the audience that he will be presenting magic tricks and to hopefully introduce himself as an entertaining person/magician.

Anyone ever read the front of the Tarbell Course, Billy McComb, Harold Taylor, John Booth, etc. They all have use and published their thoughts on opening a magic act.

I really don't see why the Bank Night or Just Chance routine would need to be tied to the opening. I would hopefully, being the rest of his act will be a patter act. He will at the point following hid "Flash Opening" introduce himself and have a few comments to the audience concerning his pleasure to be there to join in the rest to the show.

I will say, a "Flash Opening" is usually only one fast trick, to surprise the audience and show that the performer has some skill at performing magic.

I myself open with a full set of tricks done silent or with limited patter, with silks, bowls, fire and such. Then the rest is situation comedy with patter and audience participation.

The rules are a little different now when presenting a 45 minute to one hour show. Gone are the days of "THE ACT" of 10 to 20 minutes, where everything has a theme and continuity, it is a different type of continuity today. As Mr. Electric said in his lecture on performing, have an act of 20 minutes and then insert additional material in the middle when needed to extend the performance time.