After reading so many posts about ventriloquism, I'm thinking about getting an Axtel puppet and developing an act. I'm totally new to the vent scene so I have no idea how to write a comedy routine for the puppet. I was thinking it might be cute to do the Abbot and Costello routine of "Who's on First." with the puppet. Obviously, this is a well known routine crated by the best in comedy, so is it ethical to use it? Would there be royalties that need to be paid to someone or permission required to use the routine? Assuming that I could use the routine, do you think it would work with an audience?

Abbott and Costello originated the routine in Burlesque...Vaudville...radio...Motion Pictures then TV.
Their's, because of superb timing and delivery has never been matched by anyone who tried it.

It had been parodied many times by many entertainers and it has been used by countless Ventrilloquists...yes even today...I think even Willie Tyler uses it with Lester on the cruise boats.

Ethics won't be your problem...timing will. There are those who 'think' they can do this well but it falls flat again and again when tried...(I never saw Willie do it though)...Abbott and Costello had numerous versions of the routine...some longer than others. Make sure you research for the best (longest) one.

Try it if you must...your best bet though (and I'll be argued with I'm sure...so what) is to snag some old Charlie McCarthy radio shows available cheap and listen to Edgar Bergan...get down the timing and the delivery...much more important than the technique and showing off your tricks (like drinking water and all that stuff).
Bergan was hilarious and his lips moved! Nobody cared...it was funny stuff. Look at oldradiofun.com $6 for TONS of shows on a CD.

Axtell has some scripts to try out as well. Do a Google search.

Just have FUN!


Doug

Or you can try contacting axtell as well. http://www.axtell.com/

Doug I agree. A&C routines are great as well as the Bergen shows. So much great comedy can be found there to spark ideas and inspire routines. I would think the hardest part of doing a good whos on first would be when they both say "third base!" if not said by both it loses that spontenaety. I have some mp3's of bergen and love them. they are always on ebay as well. Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.

CHris

Thanks for thoughts and good wishes. I have a record of old radio broadcasts that includes A&C. that's what made me think of the routine. I absolutely agree that timing is everything with it and it would take time to get it right. But I will at least keep it in the back of my mind as a "possible" routine to try. Again, thanks to all for the insight.

I think getting any routine and making it fit you and the way your puppet would handle it ,it part of what make it go or not. Timing is one of the hardest thing to get just right ,this means that you should have the lines and movement of the puppet and your reactions to the puppet almost perfect. I use the saying that I know it well enough to do it in the dark.Then you can work on how to present your lines where to pause and such. I had a manger who told me ,timing ,timing ,and timing . And he was right ,but get everyting lines ,movement, right first.
Alson

Please Whitewolfny,

If I understood you want to use the comedy of an other artist. If it is so I beg you to make your own comedy. It will be much better than any good routine from anybody else. If you do so people will say: "He is copying that good ventriloquist, but..."
For your own show, be creative of your own.
It is difficult but you will see that each time you will present your show the public, and your pupet will tell you new gags to add. And your pupet will develop a real independant personnality.
Technically the most important after the ventriloquist technique is to use your pupet in a misdirection way. Learn to move it !

So long ! Patrick (France)