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DWmagic New user England, Bristol 71 Posts |
Does anybody perform the Cups and Balls on Stage? I do the Gazzo Cups and Balls with the Gazzo Cups, and was wondering whether it would play well without a camera and a big screen!
Thanks in advance.
Yours,
Matt Wood |
whoton New user 72 Posts |
I do it on stage. Also have seen it done on stage from the back of house in huge rooms.
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Royston South Regular user Jersey Channel Islands 137 Posts |
Hi Matt,
I finish all my stand up shows with Gazzo's routine on stage, on the dance floor, and close-up in the bar it's my tribute to all the street entertainers, it never fails to get a great response, still trying to fine something to beat it as a finish. No cameras, no big screen just me and my 3 balls!! Works any where. Royston. |
Jason Fleming Veteran user Marooned, Hawaii 374 Posts |
Matt,
I did it on stage last Saturday as my set closer. 5 orange and coconut finale. No cameras. Around three hundred people in a raked auditorium. Huge response. How big is your audience/room? |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I do the chop cup routine for audiences up to 1600 people. It always gets a big response.
Paul Daniel has performed at the Palladium with the chop cup.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-01-04 07:18, DWmagic wrote: And where does Gazzo perform with a camera and a big screen? Basically, nowhere. He certainly doesn't use one on the street. The stage is a much more accommodating location than the street. Just make sure that the balls are of a color that contrasts with your costume and your table top, and that the loads can be seen from the audience. When you make a ball appear under a cup, try to have that happen near the front edge of the table, so the people closest to you can see the ball. Try looking at your setup from the audience's point of view.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
lint Special user Concord, CA 967 Posts |
A lot of old publications have cup routines geared towards stage settings. Many talk about building a custom table for the routine that has a slight slant towards the audience. There are little ridges built in to the tabletop to prevent the cups and balls from sliding down.
don't know how well it would work, but it was written about often enough as to possibly be a good idea. -todd
"There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip..." -English Proverb
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DWmagic New user England, Bristol 71 Posts |
Thanks everyone so much for your responses. With a smaller stage I could see that it could work, I was just wondering whether it would still work with a large audience who are far away. I've done the cups and balls in a festival type situation and outdoor situation, just never on stage..yet!
To those who do use a Cup routine, do you make many/any alterations than you would if it was a festival/street/ close up setting? Like having a slight slant on the table as lint said, or having the cups inspected in a different manner? Thanks again everyone, you're invaluable!
Yours,
Matt Wood |
Royston South Regular user Jersey Channel Islands 137 Posts |
Matt I do it the same all the time, don't like surprises!!
Royston. |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
As I mentioned, I work close to the front edge of the table, so the balls show up better. You could use a raked table, I suppose, but you will need to make some kind of provision to keep the balls from rolling off the table.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
I've done it on stage successfully many times, though I prefer to do it cabaret or parlor.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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marty.sasaki Inner circle 1117 Posts |
I think it really depends on the setting. If the audience is below you then they will have trouble seeing what is going on. The audience has to be able to clearly see the table top, no heads in the way, etc. I've seen, actually not seen, a number of routines where I could not clearly see the table top. My eyesight isn't that good either, so that may be an overriding factor.
There is no magic if you tip the cup and the audience can't see the ball that has magically appeared.
Marty Sasaki
Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Standard disclaimer: I'm just a hobbyist who enjoys occasionally mystifying friends and family, so my opinions should be viewed with this in mind. |
RevJohn Inner circle Oregon City Oregon, Oregon 2473 Posts |
Thanks for asking this question... it is one that I have asked internally but never have gotten around to voicing. And thanks for everyone's comments. Very helpful!
RevJohn |
Athos Elite user NADO - Mind reader 481 Posts |
I love using cups and ball on stage, you have to learn to project your magic, anyway, people almost forget what you done with the little balls when they see the final load and they think it's the plot of the cups and balls.
A good way to know if the table is not too high or too low, Before the show, sit in the front row and look, then in the left corner, on the right corner to make shure that everything is right. Then mark the stage floor with a tape. Whenever I use cups and ball on stage I alway bring a Piano stand, You can place it at any height. I just put a plywood plank then a put a big ''curtain'' over it so it hides how the table is made. It's ''fold-able'' and easy to carry. And you can put a large close-up pad on it. Talking of close-up pad, if you work in a big theater, use a black pad and white balls. But no big deal, But the ball on a table and see how far you can go before you can't see it anymore... Hope this help! ~Athos
NADO
«How much of a gift it would be to really know what someone is thinking of?» - Steeve Blanchet, news anchor, TVA «Here is someone that truly uses his powers for good.» - David Meclomesnil, weekend radio. |
fortasse Inner circle 1201 Posts |
If you use white balls, better not wear a white shirt!
Fortasse |
Athos Elite user NADO - Mind reader 481 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-01-05 18:41, fortasse wrote: :giggles: and use aluminium cups.
NADO
«How much of a gift it would be to really know what someone is thinking of?» - Steeve Blanchet, news anchor, TVA «Here is someone that truly uses his powers for good.» - David Meclomesnil, weekend radio. |
Scott Alexander V.I.P. 1471 Posts |
The cups and balls is great for stage. I have done it on stage before and it has gone over quite well. If you want so see a really good rendition Bob Sheets has a terrific routine for stage. If you get a chance to see him, don't miss it.
Scott |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I went to his lecture hoping to see it but didn't get the chance.
Lots on the shells. Nothing on the cups that time. Too bad. Maybe next time.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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