|
|
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I've always felt that Alice In Wonderland would make a great presentation for magic show and recently, I thought that it would also make a good presentation for a MENTALISM show.
Now before you all drop your IMP pads in the horror of imagining Banachek in a mad hatter's costume or Kreskin in a powder blue sun dress or Osterland wearing nothing but a smile please be very clear that I am not talking about costume, sets or oversize props . What I am suggesting is that the themes, ideas and story of Alice's adventures are cerebral, engaging and could be compared with the ideas of mentalism and magic. In fact, the most celebrate edition of Alice In Wonderland, 'The Annotated Alice" is written by none other then Martin Gardner! So what sort of routines would I like to see in such an act. A book test of some sort is the most obvious answer. Although a simple, "think of a word from AIW" does not do the theme justice. Perhaps an examination of the words Carroll made up would work well. I.e. open to this page and find a word that you are sure Carroll simply made up. A knights journey would also fit well. The second book of the series can be played out as a chess game so having the knight visited every space on the board would be an excellent idea. Playing cards of course feature heavily in the story and I am sure that a creative performer could choose any number of the excellent card mentalism effects and bring them to life. These are just three examples but think of other characters and episodes there are many other possibilities. The Tea Party - "Change Places" - volunteers move from seat to seat and you predict their final seat. Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee - Synergy, Drawing Duplication Eat Me - The Growing Head - this optical illusion could fit the right performer as it is an illusion of the mind. |
coupcoupdaddy Inner circle 2466 Posts |
Reviving a tea-drowned mouse
Kitty head to grinning skull then just grin Restoration of giant broken egg White roses to red Off with anything's head Weeping playing cards H D X! --Lydia 16
foreign correspondent, z and lt
inner being worker |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Maybe in a magic show but I was thinking more of the mentalism applications
|
jstone Inner circle Someday I'll have 1473 Posts |
Nicholas,
That's a clever idea. Here are a couple of thoughts: I have a routine where I get about five or six people on stage and give them giant envelopes with super hero names in them. Then I use PATEO to end up with a prediction that has been in view the whole time... You could adjust that to fit your theme. I tend to do more comedy mentalism, so I could see myself having the volunteers dress up in garb from AIW. It would also depend on the age of your audience of course. David Regal has an excellent mentalism effect called "Perchance to Dream" that is more suited for parlor-style work. That would be a perfect routine to alter to fit the AIW theme. Max Maven's Modern Dart would work well (it's a stage / parlor card trick) Jay Sankey's effect "Memory Lapse" is a more serious (less comedic) effect that is very cerebral and just feels weird when you do it right. You might have to stretch a little to tie it in with AIW though. If you ever do "bogus-hypnosis" you could have the volunteer close his eyes and imagine himself tumbling down the rabbit hole... this could be an interesting monologue you speak to the volunteer to help him "open his mind." Or you might be able to use it on the whole audience right before performing a psychological force on them. In fact, there are probably words and images in AIW that you could use to subtly direct the psychological force. Anyway, let me know if any of this makes any sense. Jeff www.stonecoldmagic.com |
coupcoupdaddy Inner circle 2466 Posts |
Please disregard Lydia 16's post. She is a rogue Lydia and is being transmitted to the Doktor's ninjas for restabalization.
H D X! --The Mechanic
foreign correspondent, z and lt
inner being worker |
mindmagic Inner circle London 1740 Posts |
Lewis Carroll was an amateur magician - look out for John Fisher's book "The Magic of Lewis Carroll". He was also, incidentally, a charter member of the Society for Psychical Research.
Barry |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I did not know that!
|
mOzerian Loyal user Sydney, Global 230 Posts |
Nicholas J,
You brought up a brilliant topic just in time. I have a chance to do an Alice themed gig. Have been racking my brain thinking of Themed effects. I like the sound of the musical chair prediction.... What about some kind of TEST Alice has to pass. Perhaps somthing tied with chance will let her through. The book is heavily based on Logic and problems. |
Celloboy Special user London, England 534 Posts |
Prevaricator by Patrick Redford? It ties in with the presentation that you couldn't use logic so you had to settle for mind reading? A half formed Idea but you know what I'm going for...
Many Thanks Peter Antoniou (Wishing he was the Mad Hatter)
How to give readings for magicians:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-give-readings-for-magicians-tickets-138321153293?aff= |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » Alice In Wonderland (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |