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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Serious Question (please read it all before joining the conversation)
--I’d like to compile a list of “IMPOSSIBLE Magic” that evokes wonder and awe (details below.) --I’m hoping for a thoughtful LIST, NOT a discussion or theory. --Of course some magicians can make ANY effect seem magical, so there is not black-and-white, this is a subjective listing. --So, an audience hopefully has a “suspension” of their logic at our shows. --Of course later they may try to revere engineer our method. --That agreed, there are “good” tricks, “powerful” tricks, and just “no way!” tricks. --The latter are to lay people (and sometimes to US) pure amazement and astonishment. --They defy explanation and can make us really BELIEVE in Magic for the moment. --Hippity Hop Rabbits and Dove Pans do NOT do this for adults. --I think the “Hang ‘em High” rope though body CAN be, when done by the right performer, as my example. --WHAT do YOU feel are one or two “truly inexplicable” pieces of Strong Magic? --THANKS for reading carefully! WHY this question? Due to severe arthritis developing in both thumbs, and the way my broken wrist is healing, it is very likely that I won’t be able to perform the Losander Table any longer. My own version (very different from Losanders btw) to my audiences is powerful, kick-ass, magic, it is constantly talked about. Out of my full evening show there are about 3 pieces that are of this A+ list caliber. My strong belief is that I, and other magicians, could have 75 minutes of only kick-ass, jaw dropping, inexplicable magic in our shows. This shared list is to begin that process for others who would like the same goal. Magically, Walt |
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Walt --
Welcome to the problems of aging and magic. As a former box magician I went through the phase of asking myself the same questions with the added requirement that hauling, set-up and knock-down not kill me. (The kill me was actually happening with y big shows and props like audience sawing, audience lights thru, Assistant's revenge and the like -- plus curtains and lights. I also detest kid's magic. The idea of a 75 minute show (exclusive of intermission for BOR sales) with 2 or more people (magicians are people?) is makable if, and only if you are willing to trade "impossible" for some very good material and use some humor (not just comedy) with props and ideas. One of the 8-12 minute routines I sold (it does take some set-up and a quicky trained assistant) was the Harbin-McComb Blade Box routine manufactured by Kovari. Just do not use it as demonstrated by Kovari (a puzzle at best) but extend the routine to included the audience. Since I sold my routine and prop to Uncle Harry here on the Café (Harry Murphy) including the gong, blades boxes, etc. you either would have to contact him for the direction and routine - or get him to giver me permission to PM it back and forth with you. It involves on stage witnesses, an impossible insertion-vivisection of the person in the box (sometimes a seeming audience volunteer) and grand box -- with everything inspect able before and after. A grand bow of 5 people (Magician center) concludes the piece. Rarely used properly since its invention, Jeff McBride after seeing the routine and old principle prop called it genius. McComb called it the first time he saw it used differently but right since he and Harbin invented it. I have had great numbers of audience want to inspect the box and comment after the shops -- wondering and none the wiser. And, not for the faint of heart, or short of breadth or breath with quick wit, "Answers to Questions" is a killer for audiences -- with larger groups well serviced by Cassidy's Scorpio Rising style routine. Various methods including billets, pre-show and electronic gimmicks offer solid mystery if presented as serious psi. The problem of casting off serious mentalism (NOT mental magic) and comedy "surprising" magic that is like Mac King's stuff -- with delayed effects andf their endings piled together creating laughing-stunned amazement is, as you know, a better part of the craft than the list tricks. That's two-- but I ust say, that although many of us know Copperfield's snow and it methods -- it -- to an audience -- creates an astonishment in the emotions as strong as any single "impossible" trick might, coordinating tricks, lights, effects and music into a full routine.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Gregg's scripting of the Kovari/McComb blade box is brilliant theater. While Gregg did sell me the prop and rights to his presentation (which I use) I still consider it his. Plus I am on the East coast of the country and doubt if I'll ever play west again. Like Gregg age is slowing me down from doing the bigger illusions as a one or two person show.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Tommy Wonders final version of his watch in nest of boxes. It is s strong and seemingly impossible piece of magic. He once had the watches owner refuse to believe that the watch he found in the final box was his. As there was no way he could conceive of that would have allowed Mr. Wonder to
This would also be a good piece for your show as it is a one man effect.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Grampa Wizard New user 93 Posts |
Calen Morelli's "Dresscode." This is quick, sudden, and startling. I use it as an opener -- as an MC or performer. For kids I have on a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. After having kids "nominate" favorite Disney characters, I pick on the kid who says "Goofy" (which happens to be MY favorite). I say wouldn't it be neat if Goofy could make a guest appearance, turn around calling out "Goofy," as though he might be backstage, and turn back around in my Goofy t-shirt. For adults, I come on apologizing for almost being late. I'm wearing a t-shirt smeared with acrylic paint from an art project I was working on before dashing out the door to make it to the show. I apologize for my sloppy shirt, then say, "Wait. I think I have something to change into," turn to go "backstage," and turn back around wearing a dress shirt and tie. (Morelli calls this version "Dressycode.")
This effect takes about 2-3 seconds and is so startling that people sometimes just stare and say "What?!" and such. Dresscode has a lot of possibilities for use in a longer routine, too. But I like the quick, unexpected quick-change by itself. No one is ever prepared for what happens. That gives me a thrill! |
Grampa Wizard New user 93 Posts |
Another unexpected surprise: Andrew Mayne's "Freefall." I do a running bit with a McDonald's paper take-out bag. (I say I was running late and grabbed a bite to eat between routines.) I keep finding that McD has screwed up my order. The straw they gave me is 4 feet long. There's no ice in my drink, so I grab a glass of water and fish ice out of the clear water. My Big Mac box is empty! I am exasperated at this point, and point out the slogan on the bag which reads, "What's in your bag?" I say, "Nuthin'!" Situation at this point: bag with empty Big Mac box, napkins, plasticware -- very light things. I can handle the bag as though it is light, flimsy, and virtually empty. I turn it upside down and the light paper items drift out onto the table or floor. Then I twist their slogan and say, "You deserve a BRICK today!" At the same time I shake the bag lightly and on the word "brick," a real brick falls crashing Kabam! onto the table or floor. (It's hard to describe the events here; it all happens simultaneously.) Again, the audience is totally surprised and startled. If you handle the bag right, it just seems impossible that a brick could come tumbling out of it.
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Grampa Wizard New user 93 Posts |
P. S. The two effects I have mentioned can be worked into a routine, of course. (I do use the brick in a longer effect.) But I like to use them to "create atmosphere," as Nelms says. I hope that they signal or reinforce a sense of "we are in a magical world where unexpected and 'supernatural' things can happen."
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
A while ago a Post of mine about compiling a list of “A and A+ adult parlor magic,” caused a great deal of confusion, miscommunication, and flaming... on several Facebook forums.
I was very happy with the response here on the Café. These are (for me and me only!) the best of what I found, and I wanted to share my list with those who were kind and participated with my request. 1. Starkle (Dan Harlan) 2. No Tear #2 (Newspaper Tear) 3. Javelin (Tossed Out Deck) 4. Mexican Rope/SEO (Linking Ropes) 5. Ring and Rope (El Duco) 6. Epic Wonder (Mental Epic) 7. Word in a Million (Book Test) 8. Psychokinesis PK Bolt Off Nut |
illusions & reality Special user Saskatoon, SK, CANADA 859 Posts |
I don't mean to be tooting my own horn here, but my stage version of Ring Flight, "The Sting," fits all of your criteria. It is produced by Bill Abbott.
Powerful, funny routine for audiences of hundreds to thousands when blocked correctly. Very fast reset. I wouldn't do an adult show without it. Lou |
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