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danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
I am dumping my entire parlor/stage act. I've come to feel that it is too disconnected, doesn't have enough of a developmental arc, and doesn't serve my character. So I'm looking for all new material, beginning with an opener.
Whatever I do must suit my character, which you can think of as the Bette Midler of magic (thanks to a friend and mentor for that conception!): bigger than life, brash but not clownish, a little bawdy, a little glamorous, a little raunchy, and filled with fun and humor, but capable of moments of beauty and reflection. The opener has to be something that tells the audience who I am, right from the start. Because of the character, it has to hit hard, yet be personal. And more than anything, it has to be fun. Any ideas? I don't have any female magician role models for this character. It's not typical of the few female magicians out there, so I'm kind of inventing this particular wheel. The opener has to play to a parlor or stage from 50-250 people, with no big box stuff and no assistants, just me. Also, no fire and no animals. And as a bonus, I'd like it to appeal to magicians, as well. Help me brainstorm this, please.
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Something with silks.
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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jcmagicman Loyal user 221 Posts |
Dana.
For starters, I would suggest a costume change act with manipulation of accessories such as the red hat you are wearing on your profile and incorporate silks as JamesinLA has mentioned. |
0pus Inner circle New Jersey 1739 Posts |
Look at Faye Presto.
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Aus Special user Australia 996 Posts |
Danaruns I like creative challenges but I feel that this will probably have less to do the trick Per se then the character that your projecting. My perception of a Bette Midler of magic is a some what sassy forthright woman that has a strong sense of empowerment and not shy to give her view on things she feels strongly about.
For example if I wonted to do a simple wedding ring off rope how would she do it? I could envision her having a long piece or rope made into a lasso and ensnaring some married guy from out of the audience genitally leading him out of his seat to the stage well making some wise crack about this is how she caught her first husband or something of that ilk. Asking the man for lend of his wedding ring she asks how long have you been married for then explains the three stages of marriage. The engagement ring, the wedding ring and then the suffering. Give the man to the rope to examine and explain that this is your normal garden variety piece of rope found in any bedroom then proceed through with the routine. A great routine I think that would fit great with this character is Waynes Exchange (i'll give the link). With a strong female lead like yours this would be a bedrock of innuendos and wise cracks and answering the eternal question, do man really only have one thing on their mind? http://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=49634 How about a equivoque routine and call it "a woman's prerogative to change her mind" and find something funny or ridiculous to predict using a female assistant. How about two tricks centred on why Men Don't Listen & Women Can't Read Maps. Have man on stage doing some sort of do as I do routine that they always manage to get wrong until the vary end and another routine where something is read out by a female assistant like instructions for the vanishing bandana. Just some of my ideas. Magically Aus |
JasperLee New user 53 Posts |
I think a lady performing the floating rose makes for a perfect fit.
Do it as a talking piece if you're comfortable, or to music, but end it off with a quirky comment at the end before going to other routines. |
Coolmanclyde New user 60 Posts |
I like the idea Aus provided!
Sorry if this is off track or doesn't directly answer/help you. But my thoughts on a story line to relate to would be this. Not sure what effect to mesh or recommend with this but it's what came to mind. Using the thought of strong lead female characters in movies and books lately. Ray in starwars, katniss in hunger games, Wonder Woman, furiosa (Charlize Theron) in mad max, etc. I am super amature but wanted maybe spark your story imagination which might trigger s thought for an effect. Good luck and let us know what you came up with. |
FelixKraus New user 93 Posts |
Appearing bowling ball is a oldie but a goodie, fun , hit hard, could work for you.
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charliemartin Special user Rapid City, SD 779 Posts |
Look at Becky Blaney. Very funny and talented.
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Uli Weigel Inner circle Berlin, Germany 1478 Posts |
First a glass of champagne appears, followed by the production of a bottle of champagne. This highlights the more glamorous side of your character.
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