I've been asked by a local casino where I perform close-up magic to put together a Parlor show. I have 6 months to put one together. The venue will be somewhat similar to the Parlor at the Magic Castle. A small room with a capacity for about 60 people. There will be a small platform/stage about 1 to 2 feet high up-front with a Back-drop.

I have always been a close-up/strolling guy, so my experience in an actual setting like this is somewhat limited. Although, I'm no stranger to performing for large groups of people. I have performed countless number of times at parties and events in peoples homes and such with groups close to the number of people requested by the casino. My material was pretty much close-up routines.

Its been requested that I perform three half-hour shows per evening. One show each hour for 3 hours. I have listed some material I feel might make for a good half-hour show. I'm familiar with most of the routines, as I perform most of them now. This material is the foundation of my show at this time. However, everything is subject to change. I would like to hear any feed-back from anyone who cares to express their opinion. I would appreciate any constructive comments.

1. Cereal Killer - Opener (Nick Lakin)
2. Smart-Ass (Bill Abbott)
3. Professor's Nightmare (my handling)
in conjunction with
Jumping Knot of Pakistan (Daryl)
4. Silk to Egg (my handling)
or
Half-Dyed Hank (Billy McComb)
or
CSI Half Died Hank by Hal Spear
5. Torn & Restored Newspaper
Gene Anderson's version or possibly Newsflash by Alex Hecklau

Personally, I think you can get away with what you have so far. You just need a strong open and a strong close.

Do you think that Cereal Killer as my opener and a Torn & Restored Newspaper for my closer are strong enough?

I would go with a flashy silk closer (silk fountain, blendo, Duke's Dye Version, etc.) or a "card to impossible place" or snake basket, etc. would be a better closer. Torn and restored is a good one, but doesn't take their breath away (at least that's my view). Or what about a good linking rings routine . . .

I think you should take the opportunity to close by filling up the stage thereby seeming larger than life on that small stage. How about a production that includes a long sting of flags, silk fountain, card fountain, etc. Maybe explain that you are going to demonstrate a magic show of old and do an original cups and balls routine - a good C&B makes you seem larger than life - see Ricky Jay's history of C&B routine on his 52 Assistants HBO show.......

I appreciate all the suggestions. But, I would like some feed-back pertaining to the routines that I have listed, along with anyone's thoughts on the order I have arranged them. I'm pretty comfortable with all the routines as I have performed them all a good number of times except for one. This being my really first adventure into a Parlor venue, I would like to stay within my comfort zone. Lastly, #4 & #5 have multiable suggestions. I would appreciate any suggestions as to the which one might be more suitable.

Nonvpro,

Without knowing your patter or personalized routines for each effect, it is rather difficult or even impossible to answer your question(s) about routining your act.

Most (never everyone) would probably agree that you want to capture the audience with your opening bit and really wow them with your closing bit.

For the in between opener and closer, some will say you have to build to the climax of the act. Others will tell you its more like waves with peaks and valleys throughout the act. Again, most (never everyone) would advise you to keep the entertainment strong and fitting to your character whatever style you choose.

It really comes down to your personal style of performing and your own presentation of each effect as to how to segue and build an act.

Can you do the same show three times, or do you need 1.5 hours of material?

Which of your routines involve audience participation?

Why not do silk-to-egg AND one of the other silk effects? They might segue nicely from one to another.

I don't think torn and restored is a good closer unless you produce something at the end or even use some throw streamers or something. As soon as you tear a newspaper, everyone knows what's going to happen. There needs to be a surprise visual kicker.

My $.02. : )

-Dan

The reason I picked the routines I did, is because I have already been using them. I'm very comfortable with the material I listed, except for one. For my first time out, I would like to stay within my comfort zone. My personality is sharp, quick and humorous.

To answer DanielCone's questions:

1. Yes, I will be doing three shows each evening using the same material.
2. The following 3 routines will include audience participation:
Cereal Killer (Nick Lakin)
Smart-Ass (Bill Abbott)
Professor's Nightmare & Jumping knot of Pakistan

The routine for the T&R Newspaper will be something new that I do not have prior experiece with. I have not yet decided on either Gene Anderson's version or Newsflash by Alex Hecklau. Any suggestions?

The order of the routines is not set in stone. I would appreciate any suggestions as to a better order.

Thanks to everyone for their imput.

None of your listed effects are a strong closer, typically - IMO............

I would also not close with cut and restored . . . I would do something more mysterious for a closer and with a lot of visual impact.

Cereal Killer is a good opener.

3. Professor's Nightmare is great in the proper hands, as is Silk to Egg.

I don't know the jumping knot or Smart Ass (card to impossible place)? but I still think you could do some sort of appearance as a finale, or, if you want to pack small, try Jason Palter's Red Carpet (I have spoken with Palter but do not know him . . . his effect is fantastic - do check it out; I'm not just another amateur Café poster blowing smoke - okay, so maybe I am . . . but it is a fantastic closer)

Assuming you will routine your effects together with good motivation as to why they go after one another and/or together, and I know you will , I agree with the idea that you're final effect should fill the room somewhat. Otherwise I don't see why torn and restored newspaper, with a good hook of course, shouldn't do you well, as many pros seem to close with it. maybe a room filling snowstorm? or a long wide streamer production from a silk fountain?. Keep thinking, you'll figure it out, as long as you're comfortable with the material, perform it well, and have a great personality, You could figure almost anything as a closer. Why not?

Just my thoughts

He could use the Silk to Egg as a closer...

Get Die-Vision made in Germany and available from Madhatters. I use this and it is fantastic.

Here is my A list comedy parlor show.
Without going into all the scripting, I have listed the name of the effect and the premise that I present it in.
1. No Tear News Paper. I use the headlines jokes as a warm up.
2. Hold It Buster. – The first magic trick I saw.
3. Comedy Come Back Card. – The first magician I ever saw.
4. Acrobatic Knot. – First real trick I was ever shown.
5. Big Switch. – New trick that I just have to try out.
6. Vanishing Coke Bottle. – The best trick I know.
7. Mc Comical Predication. – Trying my hand at a little mind reading.
8. Smart Ass – Using the head. – My own version of using the SA deck.
My premise and scripting on each effect leads from one into the other. The smart ass deck is great for a closer because it’s strong very visual and it is very messy so clean up is not a big issue.
Hope this helps.
Floyd

I think silk to egg would make an excellent closer. I will also PM you with a simple closer that has had excellent results.

Your list of stuff is fine. Just make sure you have a smart opening.

30 minutes isn't too long but you might also consider something in the middle just to break up the show.
Like the growing/shrinking head illusion or something like that.

It's like an intermission for the brain.

I would like to thank all of you for your suggestions and ideas. I really appreciate it. I have listed below my revised list of effects for my first professional parlour show. I would like to hear from all as to your suggestions about routining these effects. I have placed them in the order I believe is correct, but would be open to any and all suggestions. Thanks again to all for your imput.

1. Cereal Killer - Nick Lakin
2. Smart-Ass Bill Abbott
3. Professor's Nightmare & Jumping Knot of Pakistan
4. Budweiser Bottle Vanish/Glass of Water Production - Fielding West
5. Silk to Egg
6. Torn & Restored Newspaper (Gene Anderson or Alex Hecklau's version)

This order I feel maybe better but that is only my way of thinking of course:

1 - bottle vanish/ water production
2 - professers nughtmare
3- torn and restored paper

this gets you over to the audience that you are the magician and have personality then do

3 - cereal killer
4 - smart ass
6 - silk to egg
-------------------------
but you really must consider learning the razor blade illusion, can be dangerous but always goes across very very well. I always do it for a closer and got newspaper footage for doing it!
All the best buddy.

Andy

My two cents... open with an attention-getter and close with something flashy.

Torn and restored newspaper is not a flashy closer. Silk fountain, snowstorm in China, making an elephant appear (ok, that might be a bit much for a parlor chow). The point is, you want to make an impression to hook the audience, and finish with an effect they (hopefully) won't forget.

You have six months to come up with something that reflects your personality. Look for an effect that has some suspense, builds tension, provides comic relief and has a wow factor.

I like torn and restored newspaper, and Alex Hecklau's version is very visual, but I wouldn't use it as a closer.

Dave