Looking for magic that, as the magic catalogs used to boast "packs flat and looks big on stage". I travel a lot and with air freight and extra luggage fees on the rise, I am limited by the space I have to carry effects. I have a list started, but would like to hear what other working pros think. Open to all kinds of magic (my audineces range from children to adults and from US to foreign) so I am open to anything that is good, strong magic. Things that play big and are visual. Thanks for taking time to read this. And "yes" I have spent time searching before I posted this.

Twenty First Century Silks
A good rope routine
Silk to Egg
Bill to Lemon
Selected IT effects (animation and/or levitation)
Ring and Rope
Torn and Restored Newspaper
Gypsy Thread

Shoe business is a nice comedy routine. And all you need to carry with you is a CD. As does the vanishing bandana.

Temple screen with a 6' silk finish. Kalver's growing head illusion. Routine with 3 or 4 linking rings. The paper hat tear (see my Youtube video: search; UncleRedMagician). Anything with silks or balloons.

Jim

Color changing hank
Half dyed hank
Three Card Joe
Professor's Nightmare

All great suggestions.

Please keep 'em coming.

And--

Please don't be afraid to suggest older routines.

Thank you kindly.

Dan Harlan's the king of this genre. I have several of his DVD series from L&L publishing on packs flat plays big, and if you will check them out, I think you'll find a plethora of effects and acts for any performance venue you can think of. And he goes into amazing detail on making the props, packing, ditching and every detail you can think of. Dan's got it covered!

My second recommendation would also be from L&L, and that would be Michael Close's stand up show. Killer material!

Dukes Dye Version
Chase the Ace

Dear Flickermaker: "Flickermaker" has a Deutsch sound!!!

I suspect that you are relatively new as a performer. (Just guessing because you are a new "poster".) But, then, I am an old geezer (68 years in the biz) and I have less than 2,000 posts, so number of posts is not the only criteria. Anyhow, please don't be offended, if I attempt to explain a few things.

First, a few definitions of terms. ("Mein" college professor often said, "Before you start, define your terms!!!"

MAGIC doesn't "pack flat or play big". Magic can't be bought or owned. Magic only exists in the mind(s) of the spectator(s)! (Magic "happena" in the mind(s) if and when a talented magician has performed a trick, with showmanship.

A trick, like music, exists only while it is being performed. So, you can't buy or own a trick either.

An effect, is what the spectator sees--or thinks he sees.

A prop is a physical "thing" --a TT is a prop, A wand is a prop, A piece of rope, a deck of cards, a coin, a die box, or a Zig Zag is a prop. Magicians use props to help create magic in the mind(s) of the spectator(s).

Props can pack flat. Effects can play big.

Magic is not inherently entertaining. Entertainment doesn't "come" by the yard or by the pound! You, the magician, are responsible for making magic entertaining. --That's where the showmanship "comes in".

Everyone above has suggested good practical tricks to perform that can play big, props that pack small and light, and effects that can help "produce" good magic. --And, they have just "scratched the surface".

May I suggest that you read/study the TARBELL Course. It "contains" more tricks than you can use in five lifetimes! Read/study Ken Weber's "Maximum Entertainment", Dariel Fitzkee's "trilogy", Henning Nelms' "Magic & Showmanship", Ortiz's "Strong Magic".

The skills, the knowledge, that you "carry" in your head are much lighter than the props you carry in your hands.

I hope this has helped.

O

I might add to that: If you are young and new to magic, the most invaluable thing you can do is study the HISTORY of magic. Research and learn about the great magicians of the past. Read about their acts and their illusions. It will broaden your perspective and help you to have a deep respect for the grand art of magic. It's a foundational endeavor that will pay off BIG TIME for you down the road, should you choose to make magic your career.

Hi Dick--

Thank you for your post.

In reality I am a working professional magician for over 35 years.

I am aware of the information you have imparted (but am still grateful for your taking time to offer it). I am the kind of enetertainer that can land at a location where the airline has lost my luggage and after an hour in a store (like say a WalMart) could buy enough items to do 90 minutes of magic. In fact, I have just returned from two months of performances in Europe where that happened. They lost my luggage and I still had a week of shows and TV appearances where I used what I could scrounge up. Thankfully the airline finally forwarded my luggage the second week of shows.

The purpose of my post was to see what was out there that I do not know about. Effects I was not aware of.

My Post Read--

"I have a list started, but would like to hear what other working pros think. Open to all kinds of magic (my audiences range from children to adults and from US to foreign) so I am open to anything that is good, strong magic. Things that play big and are visual. "

I was wondering what effects (new and old) that working pros use. Or just effects they like. Effects that "pack flat and play big" Just like the Abbott's catalog used to boast. Yep, I am not too much younger than you.

And I have found out about new material (effects) I was unaware of.

For example--

"Shoe Business"

and

"Three Card Joe" (And I even know Joe) But didn't know about this effect.

But I was unaware of these effects and since have researched them.

I get from agents and bookers all the time - "You don't do such-n-such effect? Or this or that effect? Everyone does that!

I have lots of original material that I use. As well, I do "standards" in my style.

So you see, I was just (and still am looking for) great magic out there that plays for large audiences (most of mine are 300 - 5,000) so "plays big" and still travels well. And of course material that fits my presentation style or is something I can adapt to fit that style. Which I can only decide once I research the effect.

I hope I have explained myself.

Thank you again for your time and effort.

All my Best.

P.S. I had another account here with quite a few posts, but no longer have it. Thus the reason I have so few on this new account.

Daffydoug, can you send me a private message with the name of the Michael close dvd with his stand up show?
Thanks.

I'll have to look it up, because it's been a couple years since I viewed it.

Dear Daffy Doug--

I too would be interested in the Michael Close information. If you would care to share. I searched today - but was unable to determine what DVD you were speaking of.

Thank you for the suggestion.


Kindest regards.

I did a search on the L&L website, and it didn't even turn up. I will feel devastated if they discontinued it. I believe it was either "Close" or "Very, very close". And if memory serves, it was the second DVD. Actually, I used to have it on VHS tape. 

When I Google it, the only thing that turns up is Michael Close "workers." I'm trying to figure out if Michael brought the production  rights to the first ones and redid them or something.
I hope someone here  can enlighten me.

Anyway, suffice it to say, the stand-up act was pure genius. When it comes to totally smoking people's minds, in my opinion, Michael is ten notches above average. He reminds me of Slydini in that the psychology behind the effects is so strong, that no earthly spectator stands a chance.

Thank you for the information.

I'll keep researching. Something is bound to turn up.

A very good source of ideas that pack flat and such is Kid Stuff 5. Dick Oslund ( the same guy but darker hair then) wrote a section on the shows of lyceum magicians. Lots of good rundowns of their show. I used it a lot to fuel the brain when hunting for new routines. Some of the routines are listed in abbreviated fashion so you get the jest of what is done. Good source.

Richard

Jumbo Bwave
Hanky Panky - Scott Alexander
Cereal Killer
Sheer Luck - Shawn Faraquar

Thank you "Imind"

That is exactly the kind of material I am looking for.

And thank you Richard. I will check out the book.

I appreciate the suggestions.