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Stellan Special user Sweden 580 Posts |
One of the tools in ancient theater was the Greek Choir:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_chorus Somewhere I have seen someone write something about this in relationship to magic, but I can't remember where and who. Can you help me on that? Anyway I have found this to be a great tool in creating the dilemma and strengthening the side of the dilemma that says: There is no such thing as magic. This because it gives you a tool to comment the dramatic action, sow discord and put ideas in the heads of the audience. It will of course not be a choir only one voice, but the concept is the same. Here is how I do it. It is of course easier in a two person act. One of my two person routines goes someting like this. Magician 1: - Now I am going to look into the future. Magican 2 (choir):- That´s ridiculous, everybody knows that's impossible. You are just going to try trick us. Magician 1 (pointing to a lady): -You my lady, can you say whatever color that comes to you mind? Magician 2: Low and behold! That´s an easy one. How do we know that you have not spoken to the lady before the show? Let us choose someone in a fair way. etc. When routining for one magician you can still use the concept by letting the voice come from another person than yourself. You can do this by saying: "I know what you are thinking. You are thinking..." or "I showed this for a scientist and he said...." This has of course been used by many magicians and you will probably find it in many routines. I want to bring your attention to this concept as a tool in creating a good dilemma. Strictly in my example you are working with both sides as this is also a way to eliminate solutions. Any thoughts on this? Anybody encountered these lines of thinking in creating routines?
"There is no reality, only perception."
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
Jeff McBride gave a brief mention on this thread:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......orum=267 |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
There is an old joke about the magician with the parrot working on the cruise ship and commenting out loud during his show. "It must be up the sleeve!"
Now that Axtell has a programmable talking audio-animatronic parrot, someone could set their whole show up with this premise and no assistant or second magician. |
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Whit's observation/suggestion is seconded. There's a guy with his own TV show who has two cartoon chorus members and some live people come over to the table to watch the magic.
And for those who know the joke: Okay, where'd the ship go?
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
Yes! Yes! I like this idea!
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
For many, many years I have thought that magicians could greatly enhance any number of aspects of their performance if they were to become competent Ventriloquists! You could have any number of inanimate objects do exactly what Whit suggest for the Parrot! My personal favorite would be a card box. Not having the discipline to actually learn Vent I played around with small digital recording devices to attempt to accomplish the same thing, but still think Vent would be better.
Great thread,
Brad Burt
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
I had worked up some magic effects with my wife's former Service Dog that included such dialogue -- and am now training her new one. Part of this has Branwen (a Sheltie) talking to Cynthia who "translates" the barks, yips, growls and other strange sounds. This will allow for some exciting mentalism demonstrations, but also "chorus comments" from the dog along the lines mentioned above. The goal is to have Branwen "speak for the aucience" both for directed focus and misdirection.
NOTE: Branwen is not an "assitant" to my performance, but actually performs some magic effects So, please keep this thread going with idea that I can modify
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
Stellan Special user Sweden 580 Posts |
I don't know if it is exactly the same as a greek chorus (more of a spanish maniac) but have you seen the routine where Juan Tamariz meets his mirror image Nuaj who when answering affirmative says: Is, is, is.. (si backwards)? Hilarious!
"There is no reality, only perception."
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Lawrence O Inner circle French Riviera 6811 Posts |
The chorus doesn't necessarily have to be negative and a posteriori. Actually it would be better, IMHO, if it would be a fortiori and questioning both ways, still paving the way to canceling out the solutions actually used.
This a parrot, mechanical or organic (or roasted... hey I'm French!) cannot do it
Magic is the art of emotionally sharing live impossible situations
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
“The Greek chorus comments on themes, and—as August Wilhelm Schlegel proposed in the early 19th century to subsequent controversy—shows how an ideal audience might react to the drama.”
Kriss Angel, David Blain, stooge and edited audiences spring to mind.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
Stellan Special user Sweden 580 Posts |
In magic I think you could substitute "ideal" with how an "observant" audience would react to the situation.
The chorus can help you clarify and help the audience to take a more critical point of view. The chorus can help you to adhere to number two of the rules in Our Magic. "Always endeavor to form an accurate conception of the point of view most likely to be adopted by a disinterested spectator." Disinterested would then also contain the meaning of "not so observant."
"There is no reality, only perception."
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
I guess a stooged heckler can also work here. At a dinner party years ago a guys wife kept sticker her head out of the kitchen with diparaging and revealing comments like, "So that's why you had me sew in a second pocket." It was all misdirection, of course, very witty, and enhanced the magic.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
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