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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I was wondering how many magicians out there use physical comedy and the skills of clown in the tradition of keaton, chaplin etc. in their adult shows?
Mt children's character "Tricky Nick" is a physical character, relying on slapstick heavily for comedy and character. As Nicholas J. Johnson, I am a more suave, classier character suitable for adults. However, I would like to start using my 'kid's skills' in adult shows, playing a more overt OTT character rather then a 'real person'. More chaplin then Copperfield... More keaton then kreskin... Have others done this? How does it play? I'd love to hear your experiences! |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
The art of slapstick, and it is just that an art, has gone by the wayside for adults.
Slapstick for adults is indeed a tough nut to crack. Good luck as I would LOVE to see someone start doing it, or should I say doing it well? You mention some greats, Keaton and so on. Quite an admirable goal in my mind.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I would suggest Charlie Frye as an inspiration.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Charlie Frye, indeed. Or Sylvester the Jester, Penn & Teller and The Amazing Jonathan, Jim Carey, Red Skelton and Steve Martin come immediately to mind. It's being done. It just takes skill, physical timing, conditioning and choreography.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I've never seen Jim Carey's magic act!
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Well, gee. That's a shame.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Does he have one or are you pulling my leg?
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calamari Elite user The San Francisco Bay Area 429 Posts |
I like Jim Carey's magic act, wish I could make that much money appear
"I came, I saw, SHE conquered." (The original Latin seems to have been garbled.)
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Hansen Special user Down Under 653 Posts |
I consider Buster Keaton to be a comedy god. I have also thought about incorporating his influence into my magic performances. As a cardician, I'm presently working on an effect that involves lots of wild shuffles and card spinning acrobatics, a la Buster in Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Also, Buster's favourite theme of everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, going wrong, but you stoically soldier on and eventually "win the girl in the end", that is, find the selected card, can be applied to magic nicely. I'm also strongly influenced by Roberto Benigni, who in turn shows a lot of Buster Keaton's influence in his comedy. The advantage with Roberto is that he provides an example of brilliant verbal comedy as well. A silent magician can only go so far! Good luck! |
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EvilGenius New user 52 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-09 14:21, calamari wrote: Now THAT'S funny! |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Most of my shows adult and family include physical bits.
Several times I have posted gaining knowledge from Mr. Riding's "The enclyclopedia of physical comedy." A couple of months ago, I hurt my back doing yard work. Thanks to my chiropractor and exercise(and time) I am back doing physical shtick. Two weeks ago, I put the strait jacket back in. At this time it is 2 weeks into rehearsal for Godspell. During the run of the show, all actors are on stage for virtually both acts. The singing, and dance, along with memorizing my portion of 100 pages of dialogue and 15 songs is quite the challenge. Danny Kaye was one of my early heroes in physical and verbal comedy. Be safe, well and ....
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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AmazingEARL Veteran user Tennessee, USA 350 Posts |
No one has mentioned Avner the Eccentric? A wonderful physical comic who actually works colleges! (You think adults are tough...try a frat house.)
Skelton and Harpo Marx are still my personal favorites, though. |
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Hansen Special user Down Under 653 Posts |
Harpo Marx's book, "Harpo Speaks", is my all-time favorite book. Every comedian, or even anyone with an interest in comedy, should put it top of their "To Read" list. For me it's the best demonstration of the comic spirit, or sense of humor, out there. Just incorporating a little of the unbridled sense of fun that fills this book will raise your comedic ability. Not to mention what a wonderful inspiration it is. Highly recommended.
Oh, and Buster Keaton's autobiography, "My Wonderful World of Slapstick", is brilliant too! |
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MrHyde Special user 810 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-14 06:51, Hansen wrote: Hansen, yes it's a great book. I must read it again. Have you ever tried the game/gag , I think they call it "Pincey Wincey" that they describe in the book. Fantastic effect for the right group at the right time timothy |
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Hagerman Regular user 108 Posts |
The secret to good physical comedy for adults is in creating a dilemma. Then having a clever out for that dilemma that leads into another dilemma. The first dilemma most often results from karma paying off. That is one thing the masters have in common.
I'm adding Jackie Chan, Rowan Atkinson (aka Mr Bean), Tom Palmer and the Great Tomsoni & Co. to the list. |
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Wolflock Inner circle South Africa 2257 Posts |
I don't do much of this kind of show but For the kiddie show I do do a jumpy hat. Same as Jonny Depp on Benny and June... Joon (sp) - the movie. Kids LOVE it.
Regards Wolflock
Wolflock
Pro Magician & Escapologist Member of JMC (Johannesburg Magic Circle) South Africa |
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Hansen Special user Down Under 653 Posts |
Very interesting, Hagerman! Your succint and accurate summary of physical comedy seems to capture the modus operandi of our slapstick comedy gods perfectly.
You've obviously spent a lot of time observing and thinking about this wonderful art. I, for one, would love to hear whatever other thoughts you may have on the subject. Cheers, Jason P.S. Couldn't agree more with you on Jackie Chan! Especially his earlier works such as "Project A, Part 1 and 2". What a talent! |
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Mike T Loyal user 228 Posts |
Jackie Chan has always stated that he found Buster Keaton's work inspiring.
It's times like this I wish I'd listened to what my Grandad used to say...
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Hagerman Regular user 108 Posts |
Thank you Hansen for the complement. Thanks for putting me onto Project A as well. I have never heard of it; I will be looking for it now and I will also look into "Harpo Speaks". I started drawing lines from Jackie Chan to Chaplin and Buster the first time I saw him. Then years later, in Shanghai Knights, Jackie drew his own lines with a very larger magic marker.
Visiting Avner the Eccentric's site last night, I found some "Clown Principles" that really sums things up well. http://www.avnertheeccentric.com/clown_principles.htm In routining, find unique uses for ordinary objects. In Benny and June, Johnny Depp's character uses a hot iron to make grilled cheese sandwiches. Chaplin wipes his face with a man's beard. Buster goes into the water with a gun to go fishing. In a different post, I refer to eating a mouse. I then use the mouse's tail for dental floss. Motivation is the key. If you were to watch Chaplin for 10 hours straight, as I once did, you WILL start thinking like him. That is why TV programming is called "programming"! Its scary. |
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Southwest Sam New user Indiana 59 Posts |
I love incorporating the Physical Comedy and everything tied in with it into my Magic acts. Get into a situation during the act, the Magic mishaps, only to have a comical ending that everyone enjoys. Facial Expression & Comical reaction plays a BIG part in my Magical performance.
I'd like to add my favorites Laurel & Hardy to the list ('course my ALL TIME fav is Red Skelton). Watching those old movies (3 Stooges, L & H, Red, Abbott & Costello etc.) and studying their actions then incorporating 'em into your act is one way to go about adding Physical Comedy to your show. I said before in a post somewheres that it would be GREAT if there was a special place at the Café for Physical Comedy posts. Perhaps someday. ~SAM
Now performing as...
-Suitcase Sam & his Ukulele Music ~ Comedy ~ Magic www.facebook.com/SuitcaseSam |
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