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kasper777 Regular user 144 Posts |
I'm looking for opinions on which is better for the streets as an ending effect. C&B with 4-6 final loads or leather chop cup with 2-3 final loads. Also, with one cup on the table you can focus more attention on the ball, since that is what the trick is about. From the chop cup possibly go into a chop cup routine with the hat (ala Gazzo) to produce the melon. Just my thoughts. Any opinions and ideas from those out there on the bricks? Thanks.
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Eric Evans Special user Rio Grande 668 Posts |
I'm not sure it makes all that much difference. It's really about what you feel most comfortable performing. Try both, see what sticks.
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johnr733 New user Denver, CO 66 Posts |
I personally think the Cups and Balls is played out, (except possibly for ren fairs). Therefore I vote the Chop Cup.
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cmwalden Regular user Cedar Park, TX 150 Posts |
Either offers potential, depending on your routine. I do more close-up than street magic, and I find the chop cup convenient to carry around. However, my chop routine is a "word to the wise" sort of routine about street hustlers. I've used it in my stand-up shows as well as close-up.
That said, I'm working on Michael Ammar's cups and balls routine. I have a beautiful set of Johnson cups that I feel compelled to use. Also the historical context makes it interesting for a street setting. If you have a good solid plot which engages the audience then either will suit you. I think that the cups and balls require more thought to present because the extra props add complexity. Your routine must be very clear to be effective.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
- William Shakespeare |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
I think the choice would depend more on the performer, the size of the crowd, and how much time you have to do a show.
Gazzo’s cups and balls routine is at least 10 minutes long. It can play as long as an hour. I’ve seen him do this and it is brilliant. Even 10 minutes is a long time to do a trick. You need a lot of lines and other entertainment going on to keep people watching you for that long. This is your finale so they have already been watching you for quite some time. The street audience has a very short attention span. You really need to be over the top in the entertainment department to hold them for any length of time. Remember your competition is probably a guy riding an eight-foot unicycle juggling fire blindfolded. He is also spewing a steady stream of jokes. If you have a smaller close up type show a one-cup routine of any kind is ideal. I know of two professional street performers who close their show with a chop cup. They both make a living with it. So, my opinion would be if you are doing a large circle show and you have a lot of comedy material the cups and balls would probably be a better choice. If you are doing a smaller type doorway act the cups and balls are still great but a one-cup routine of any kind could be written to play just as big. That’s my two cents anyway. Think about what you want to do about show size, who your character is, and what type of show would best fit your situation. Both tricks are fantastic. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
kasper777 Regular user 144 Posts |
Dan, you keep referring to a "doorway act". Can you clarify for me exactly what you mean by that. I have an idea, but just want to make sure.
Where I am going to be performing (once I grow the gall) the only other people performing are 1 or 2 trumpet players and a sketch artist. I have a feeling that I'm about to hit and uptapped source. Thanks to everyone who have responded. |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Hi Kasper,
A doorway act is usually a smaller close up type show that can play for between 5 and 30 people. Any bigger and people just can’t really see what you are doing. This is the perfect size act to work a storefront on a sidewalk. A lot of the time the performer will set up if he can in the doorway of a closed shop. This gives him better angles and allows more audience on the sidewalk with out blocking the people walking by, hence the name, doorway act. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
Danny...I do a chop cup routine on the streets and it plays very large....I think it's you...the performer that makes the difference....not that I'm a great performer because I'm not.....gazzo can make anything play...if you have a strong routine I think a chop cup can be very magical....
By the way...I'm back for a couple of days before I go off to new orleans... missed you guys koz |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-01-18 14:29, tedb wrote: Hey! You sould like my Ex-Wife! (Just kidding). Kozmo is right of course. Anything can play big. It is just that the 'normal' thought behind the chop cup is that it won't play big. The chop cup like anything else can be worked into something that can play huge. @0 years ago people thought the same thing about the cups and balls as well. "It's a close up trick". It is all really up to the performer. But, you have to know what makes a trick big in order to play it big. I did a corporate gig last week where I closed the show with a signed bill to wallet. It played HUGE but it wasn't the props I think like Kozmo said, it was me.. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
hey danny...my chop cup routine has a bill to lemon at the end...it plays big....its the effect not me...i suck!
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DrVG Loyal user 264 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 13, 2003, Danny Hustle wrote: I totally second Dan s advice. Also depends if the crowd speaks your language. |
drmolarmagic Regular user Brooklyn NY 168 Posts |
Personally I love both of them and agree that they both have great potential.
The way I separate them is simple, when I travel I have to carry my smaller lighter table and the chop cups looks much better on the small table and the cups and balls doesn't play well for ME standing behind a small table top as the cups are too close together. So for ME I have both routines and adapt based on what table I have with me, the rest of my show is about the same..... Bruce |
Wez_Evans New user Lancashire, UK 52 Posts |
I think both have merit and considering your presentation angle and character could help choose?
I prefer chop cup as it tends to be more of a streamlined presentation, and can lend itself well as a 'demo' style/ gamey kind of presentation. Less props too, which for me is a bonus. |
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