Hi all,
There may already be posts out there on this, but I'm curious: What are your thoughts on burning envelopes in the show. In a theater this seems o.k.
In smaller venues though, such as club rooms, wouldn't the smoke bother people? What about a stray ash...... or no stray ash, but still getting blamed for burning the place to the ground, just because that was the night someone threw a cigarette in the waste can?
If we don't apparently burn the money in the envelopes, what are the effective alternatives?
I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

gician

Gician,

I have been doing Seabrooke's Burned Bill in Wallet for 30 years without a problem. Use the pie pan as explained in the instructions.

Your questions tell me you have not even tried to burn an envelope yet. There is no stray ash, no smoke to speak of, and you hold the burning envelope until it is completely consumed. So what is the problem?

Just make sure you are not under a fire device that may set off sprinklers. I once noticed that in a hotel party room that with a stage I was closer to the sprinklers. I just moved over so I was not under it. The burning creates suspense and mystery. Without it you the fun is taken away.

If you are one of those New Wave worry worts that think everything in the universe will harm someone. Please, don't do the trick. It is to good to spoil.

Bill

A friend of mine did a burn routine and just used a nice bowl. It worked well with minimal smoke and ash did not flutter everywhere.

Just don't blow on the ash.

No, I'm an old wave worry wort. Routines are spoiled by people who don't investigate all there is to know regarding a piece of magic. I wasn't as much worried about stray ash (though I was curious what may cause this) as I was the "smell" offending guests. I did open a Fire Wallet recently, and had an audience member shout "No Pyrotechs", relating to the recent Great White incident. In case you're not new wave, that's a band. Remember: one person put off is one too many. This is the place to hear the stories and that's why I was asking. I'm not looking for performance approval. I want to know if anyone has EVER had any bad experiences burning items during a show so I can be at least aware of some things that may happen. Thank you very much for your response to my inquiry.

gician

Thank you, Mister Negative.

Goodnite!

I hate to jump on the bandwagon with gician on this one, but in Houston, you cannot burn an envelope in a public venue. It falls under the "open flame" provision of the fire ordinances.

They are cracking down on these things right and left.

I was performing the bill in the lemon at a local hotel, where I had done the routine a dozen times before. The manager came up right before I went on and said, "No fire."

I asked about the bill in the lemon. He repeated "NO FIRE. PERIOD."

So you have to have an alternative.

These laws are spreading across the land. Be prepared with an "out."

BTW, this does not apply to parties in a person's home or other private functions.

Terry Seabrooke himself taught me the Burnt Note routine and gave me the props. I used the routine for many years, then when Seabrooke started to appear in the U.S. I decided to stop doing it because it was "His Signature" trick. (Altho in my circles it had become "My Signature" as well).

Part of the problem was the fire, in today's climate.

But, what it did do was to make me come up with something new and original and develop my own "New signature" effect.

It took three years to bring it to that level, but it was worth it... since, as far as I know, NO ONE has stolen it.

So, if you take out a trick (for any reason) it isn't that difficult to find a substitute... and if you do it right, it can be better.

Greetings gician, I have to agree with Bill Palmer on this.

For years I have burned envelopes in Pennsylvania with no problems at all. Then, all of a sudden, two years ago I was served for using open fire in a public place. The fine was minimal $50, (You have to love our commonwealth) but it called attention to the fact that I did not know about the new laws relating to using fire in a public place.

I have since gone to a shredder instead of burning the envelopes, It allows a lot of political gags and jokes to be tossed in. While I do miss the effect of the fire, it is better to walk the line than pay the fine.
All the Best
Marty

Sorry, to disagree, but this is not negative propaganda from a bunch of worry worts.

In Chicago, for instance, the fines for violating city fire codes can run up to over TEN THOUSAND dollars if they choose to apply all applicable ordinances. A violation can be based on something as simple as the use of open flame in an unapproved manner in a public place.

This means that, if you use fire and have not tipped your methods to the Fire Marshall and filed a suitable bond for liability for your performance (the usual requirement is for $1 million dollars of coverage), you can get hit for that fine AND do a possible jail stint that can run to in excess of a month.

Cook County Jail, where you would be incarcerated, is NOT a nice place.

The same holds true for Los Angeles (in differing levels of fine - some greater!), San Francisco, New York, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Orlando and Pismo Beach - not to mention any other city that has a fire protection ordinance - which is required under both state and, IIRC, federal statute.

Great White really screwed things up for those who use fire in their acts.

There's a reason for those ordinances about being criminally negligent, too, and they can also apply, should an accident occur...!

Apologies if this is a bit strident, but this is serious business and could cost a performer a LOT of money and time in the pokey.

Check with your local Fire Marshall and get permission, IN WRITING, before you perform with fire.

Safety first, folks!!!

Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leeedarrow.com

Thank you for the support, knowledge, concern for your audiences, and COMMON SENSE.

gician