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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
The Medicine Show is meant to share the joy that the cast finds in sheer cleverness for its own sake, psychological manipulation, trickery, deceit, sophistry, fraud, and salesmanship. It is meant to be fun, like a Bugs Bunny cartoon, not deep and life-altering. Pickpockets, psychics, medicine/candy/soap pitch, electric lady, sideshow, etc. are themed and share a back story, but that is never brought out on stage, just alluded to...
Art does not have to be heavy. It can be light-hearted. We have a story, but the story we are interested in is the one the audience takes home about having met us... We don't tell stories about the coyote or the trickster. We are the tricksters--people tell stories about us. That's how I look at our "brand," Jon. |
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Alan Wheeler Inner circle Posting since 2002 with 2038 Posts |
Maybe something in an amusement park that provides an experience is a good analogy to magic--a roller-coaster ride, or rather, a virtual roller coaster ride--as opposed to a story about a roller coaster ride.
The views and comments expressed on this post may be mere speculation and are not necessarily the opinions, values, or beliefs of Alan Wheeler.
A BLENDED PATH Christian Reflections on Tarot Word Crimes Technology and Faith........Bad Religion |
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Whit:
I have really thought about the above and I know exactly what you mean. Years ago I stumbled on this wonderful little coin trick in Bobo's. I don't remember what it was called, I think Penny to Dime or something like that. Anyway it's a 'small' miracle if you will, but I don't think I have ever used a trick that had such lasting 'story' power in it. The trick is this: You have a spectator help you. You can either borrow a penny or pull one out and give it to them. The touch, feel, etc. Best, to be borrowed if possible. You eventually place the coin in their hand and have them squeeze as hard as they can telling them that you will cause the penny to change into a dime RIGHT IN THEIR HAND!!!! Well, eventually they open their hand and the penny is bent. That's it. Played correctly it's as powerful a trick as I have ever done. One of the most simple and direct also. I did it a lot at one time to the point that I had women come up to me in malls, etc. having recognized me, tell me that I did a show for their friend 3 years earlier, pull out their coin purse and remove the bent coin! I'm sorry, but you want staying power in a trick? Three tricks taught me all I ever needed about simplicity of effect and the power thereof: Peter Rabbit, the Bent Penny and Chop Cup. (Triumph also) Looking at them through the lens of Whit's Dilemma they appear perfect, at least to me. The folks always have a great story to tell and in the case of the Penny a perfect walk away gift to remember you by. Best,
Brad Burt
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Couldn't agree more. The envelope and signed card in card to wallet is similar. Zuzu's petals. The flower from the future in Time Traveler. The torn cards in Card Warp. The knots in the Mongolian Pop Knot.
Perfect little objects to give them an occasion to start telling their story about the amazing person they once met. These are little gifts, proofs and assets we leave them to help them tell their stories about us... |
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