Hello all, I have been practicing magic for 4 years now and don't have a character. I am acting myself on stage and strongly desire to come up with a comedy character. After much thought, I have my heart set on taking off D.C. And exaggerating his moods, emotions and physical moves. I guess you would call it a parody. The effects I do would have merit, genuine variations of levitations, escapes & so forth, just with a hilarious script. I would name my character something along the lines of Copperfield also. (there is a magician character I know of called David Copperart).
I have so many ideas for my D.C character and my personality would fit this to a tee.
Some of you might know Rudy Coby did a D.C parody, so did Daniel Chesterfield (search youtube) and I would be similar in style to these two guys.
Now to my concern, would doing this parody be a disrespect to him? I love D.C and he inspired my love of magic so I wouldnt want to send a disrespectful message.
This was raised by a non magician friend of mine so what do you think of this?

I think if done well, it wouldn't be disrespectful. What I would be concerned about is the reaction from the layity. They're not as knowledgeable about Copperfield as magicians, and the parody might be lost on them. If you can get it to work, great for you.

Why do you need a character why not be yourself?

Maybe for the same reason John Carney plays “MR Mysto “, Carl Ballantine plays “The Amazing Ballantine” and John Tompson plays “ The Great Tomsoni”.

Isn't the only person who can answer this Copperfield himself? Would you enjoy someone's act making fun of your life's ambition?

I would say away from that one, Come up with your own name nothing like DC..

Yea make it David Cooperfield. that's the ticket.

I actually think it is a good idea. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. I see nothing wrong in your idea. Of course that is just my opinion. I am SURE others will have different opinions. That is the thing about opinions. They are like (well you know) everyone has one.

Good luck I think it will fly.

How 'bout just an annoying guy with a sleazy act who wears big hair and leather pants - the Tony Clifton of magic...

Just make it a skit, not the whole act.

Tony Clifton? Nathan, you give away your age... and your appreciation of comedy!

My age? LOL, I'm only 24. But Kaufman is timeless.