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fortasse Inner circle 1201 Posts |
Been wondering what the old timers think about whether cups and balls magic is more popular with magicians today than, say, 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago.
Was reading recently about the slump in C&B in the 1920's.......so bad, in fact, that hardly any magicians were performing it. Do you get the sense that C&B magic is growing or dying? Fortasse |
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stevenamills Veteran user 397 Posts |
I don't know if any conclusion can be drawn here, but over the past 5 years I attended a boatload of magic club meetings and haven't seen a single C & B routine.
I've also attended several dozen lectures and saw only one C & B routine - David Williamson - and that was a request. Any time I've taken cups to show, they create a LOT of interest - in the props, but not the routines. Oh - I've seen plenty of chop cups in this period. s.a.m. |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I don't draw a line between cups and balls and the chop cup. They are all part of the same genre. If sales are any indication, the activity on eBay has been fairly steady with about 40 - 50 sets of cups, usually three cup sets.
Performance at magic club meetings really isn't an accurate gauge in my book. If you have twelve performers at a meeting, chances are you will see nine card tricks (six of which will be called "mentalism"), one genuine mentalism piece and two coin tricks. Occasionally, you will see a rope trick. I haven't done a three cup routine at a meeting in more than two years. I'll wait until I'm asked to do so before I do one again. People ask for passwords to the museum at a rate of about 14 per week, and that's been steady since the initial registration period over a year ago.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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matt kemp Veteran user 312 Posts |
Do you think that magicians usually perform card/coin tricks for other magicians because magicians have MANY card/coin tricks but only one cups and balls routine?
If I were to go to monthly meetings I would only do cups and balls once, unless I totally changed my routine. |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
In many cases, I believe that some magicians only do card tricks. The vast majority of material written about magic in the 20th century was about card tricks.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
I would never do cups and balls at a magic club meeting unless I had something new or someone asked to see something.
Almost every time I do any party/family shows I either do cups or a bowl routine after my card set.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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matt kemp Veteran user 312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-12-20 12:04, Bill Palmer wrote: I feel bad for them. They haven't discovered the wonderful world of cups and balls! But joking aside, I saw a student magician at my school a few weeks ago. He did a 45 minute close up informal show of only card tricks. He was good; he did open travelers and ambitious card and his presentation was really good. But, one of my roommates commented that he got bored after seeing the magician find the first two cards and the first two color changes. I think everyone needs a little variety. |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Yep. That's a fact.
Ricky Smith is one of the best card men anywhere. Some of his stuff is technically almost over the top. But I'd rather see him do the Lost Card routine than almost anything else, because it's entertaining.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Mad Jake Inner circle All the voices in my head helped me make 2200 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-12-20 12:06, Pete Biro wrote: After I turned the first Benson style bowl Pete, Jr. walks in and says "Dad if you put a stick on it, it would look like a toilet plunger." First thing I thought was gee he's right and then Pete's routine
Licensed Steve Dusheck Manufacturer and distributor visit www.airshipmagic.com
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
TRUE STORY: Wife and I checked into hotel in Savanah last spring. Toilet was plugged up and handyman was not on duty... Lucky, I had my plunger with me and VOILA... fixed the john in a minute. HEHEHEHEH.... Linda couldn't believe I had a plunger in my luggage.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3526 Posts |
I doubt the cups and balls is any less popular today than it was in Seneca's time...
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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Mobius303 Inner circle Lakewood, Ohio 1309 Posts |
I agree that it must still be popular just not as prominent to show all the time.
It is a staple of magic. Just about every magician has tried it. There is even a video of Chris Kenner trying it out at 14...I didn't think he did the cups at all just coins and cards. Marlo did the cups. I think people settle into a routine and do it or practice it but just don't feel the need to show it off all the time. People who do cards or coins tend to show them more because they usually have them with them all the time. Since learning the Vernon one cup routine and Larry Jennings One cup routine I carry some Monkey Fist Balls with my when I go out...just in case. Later, Mobius |
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magicorik Loyal user Italia 203 Posts |
It is easier to see a good card magic trick than a good C&B routine.
C&B requires experience but it is another story. Just for the serious student...... There is everything in C&B: misdirection, sleight of hand, pattern, etc.... All Magic requires the same of course, but C&B requires more. I do card magic but people ask for "the trick with fruits at the end..." when they see C&B. It is worth it. My 2 cents...... |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-12-20 16:18, gaddy wrote: Yeah, no one ever did cups at Seneca's club meetings either.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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djkuttdecks Special user Portland 662 Posts |
I don't think it is going away at all. What I do think is that there aren't many new or original ideas and routines being made and performed. After Ammar performed on the worlds greatest magic in the 90's, his VHS set brought back a sparkle of interest to the trick. slowly it faded but was slightly revived with the antics and talent of Gazzo (also a great video and performance).
Right now I think people are into the next new thing and not into learning the "old classics". However, like all things, I believe this is only temporary, someone will eventually do something to re-spark and ignite curiosity in the cups and balls once again. We just gotta keep going I guess -DJ |
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wackyvorlon New user Sarnia, ON, Canada 72 Posts |
Personally, I am a history nut. So my interest tends to lean towards the old stuff. This usually works great because we live in a world obsessed with novelty:) A cups and balls routine is deffinitely on my list of things to learn.
I have to say, there are some people around making incredibly beautiful cups. Works of art any jeweler would be proud of. |
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Dan Paulus Veteran user Utah is isolated from the real world by 343 Posts |
Most magicians I know either do a cups & balls routine or are "working on one."
My second youngest boy wants a set for Christmas. So there's hope for the future!
There is no great genius without a mixture of madness. - Aristotle
Aristotle www.danscomedymagic.com |
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professorwhut Inner circle Posts R US sold me 1353 Posts |
I "worked" on my cups and balls routine for over 20 years, never really taking it very serious.
Finally, this year (2007) I decided to get serious about it, mostly after getting some great information here on the Café. It is now the center piece of my close up show.
After much soul searching about a signature, I decided not to have one.
TG Pop [aka ProfessorWhut] |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
If you were to draw a timeline to express the catalysts for the interest in the cups and balls, it would have to start with Vernon.
Vernon's routine inspired Michael Ammar as well as Cellini. Cellini was the fellow who fairly well established the use of the cups and balls in a 20th century busking format. Cellini, Johnny Fox, Bob Sheets and Gazzo worked three cup routines on the streets and, in the case of the last three, in Renaissance festivals as well. Other magicians saw their work and decided to jump in on it. Then there was the addition of the combo cup which really took off in the early 1970's. None of the performers mentioned in the previous paragraph used it, though. Vernon toured quite a bit during the 1970's and presented his routine in many venues, including a television appearance on one of Mark Wilson's shows. This, I'm sure, spurred a lot of interest among magicians. When you consider the number of sets of cups available currently, especially those suited to busking, it's hard to imagine that they are becoming less popular.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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fortasse Inner circle 1201 Posts |
Bill : you raise an interesting question. I wonder whether the great increase in the number of cups available today may have more to do with the fact that there are more collectors of cups today, rather than more magicians performing cups and balls. What do you think?
Fortasse |
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