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Gerto New user Belgium 80 Posts |
Hello,
I have no experience yet, but after houuuuuuurs of reading on this forum, I feel like slowly some kind of show is forming in my head. I've been thinking for a while for a good opener for a birthday show. Now, I've thought about starting with trying to find a good wand, and in doing so using a bunch of funny wands. I was thinking of starting like Terry Herberts (with a "banana"), then I'd use a whole bunch of different wands from a box (breakaway wand,colour changing wand, pop away wand, wacky wand, ....) and in the end also use a silver sceptre. I don't think I've seen it this way anywhere yet, but my apologies if this is an idea I "accidently" stole from someone (unconciously). Anyway, what I was wondering: -Do you think this could be a good opener? -There are like 500 wands to choose from. How many do you think should be used without it getting "boring". -I'd like as much participation as possible in the show. Do you think it'd be a good idea to, for example, have a box with wands and use a helper to choose a wand and hand it to you? (even though this won't work with all wands) As I said, I don't have any experience yet and I'm very unsure about all of this, so please let me know what you think. Thanks! Gerto
Hello there!
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Hi Gerto,
I tried something similar a while ago. I also started with the bananas and finished with the sceptre. The routine was for younger kids and in the end I decided to go for something that would appeal to a wider age range so feel free to use anything you like in it. My routine went something like this: "Since I knew I was coming to Billy's party today I decided to go out and buy myself a new magic wand. Can you guess where I bought the wand from?" (kids answer (a wand shop/ a magic shop/ tescos/ my cat's called fred)) "No, the greengrocers and here it is." Bring out banana, go through business. "Well that didn't work so can you guess the next shop I tried?" (kids answer (a wand shop/ a magic shop/ the snot shop/ are you going to do any magic?)) "No, a pet shop!" Bring out Sneaky snakey wand, do business and generally get attacked by snake. I then repeat it saying a florists and bring out a wilting flower. I finally say "the magic shop" and go into sceptre routine. I sometimes found 4 a little too much and cut it down to 3 on occasion. Some of the wands you mentioned do work a lot better with a volunteer so bare that in mind when you are deciding which ones to use in your intro. George |
cardone Special user 860 Posts |
I would buy a few different ones ...and improv at home ... you will come up with many funny ways to use the gag wands.... then build a routine from that .... improv with props is a great way to explore what is possible .... I use 4 different gag wands in my kid show ... all in a row ... I also have the "Bigger Wands" I use these at larger functions ... all are great ...they just need an imagination to give them life .....
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Don't overdo the silly wands for your opener is my advice. Remember that most silly wands are much funnier when you've got a kid helping you. Perhaps following George's advice above, you could find just one more wand to use with the banana and the Silver Sceptre. The "Rule of Three" is a good one and probably applies here I think. Save a few good wands to use during the main part of your show.
A good idea is the "Wand Machine" which I've seen a couple of times. This "mends" broken wands, and they keep changing. It would be cool to have a machine that "makes" wands, you could set all the dials and stuff, finally out comes a wand. It could hold ALL your comedy wands, be a running gag, and mean you ALWAYS have your full selection of daft magic wands! Who'd like to make such a machine for me? |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
You could easily make a Wand Mending Machine from cardboard, some blinking Christmas Tree Lights, a m***r and any other crazy gadgets you want to attach to it (TV antenna, smoke machine, fart noise maker... whatever!). The Box opens the long way to display a wand resting on holders in the center of the box. The blinky colored lights are all around the interior, lighting it brightly. At a 45 degree angle from the wand, beneath it and slanting from the center of the box to the back is the m***r. Behind that is a cut out hole and a space to store all the wands you want to "mend." You put a wand on the holder (which conceals the edge of the m***r), close the door and turn a crank, make smoke, noises...whatever. At the same time, your other hand is simply reaching into the back of the box through the hole, removing the wand from the holder and then replacing it with the next wand. When a bell rings, the wand is "mended." Open the front door, remove the new wand and use it in the next trick.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Spellbinder, you make it sound so easy! It WOULD be a really cool machine, though...
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Andre Hagen Inner circle 1432 Posts |
Great idea Spellbinder! You could use a tape recorder with sounds (buzz saw, hammer, etc.). Add a funkenring to shoot out sparks. It would be a great running gag. Sounds like a job for Wolf's Magic.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one - Albert Einstein
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
What, you need detailed plans? I figured just a description would do it. I'll post a diagram on The Magic Nook Forum for those who need it spelled out. It will be in a secret area, so when you log in, leave me a message for a password and let me know you came from the Magic Café so I can make sure no lurkers get in!
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
I understand what you mean, Professor, I just couldn't imagine making a Wand mending/making machine that would be robust enough and cool looking enough to fit my style. Now, if Wolf's Magic were to make one, well now, that would be another story. Can anyone remind me who currently makes a wand "changing" machine? I know it's an English company, but I forget who?
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
You might be thinking of this Potty. Made by the artists formerly known as kitchen table magic.
http://www.madetomeasuremagic.co.uk/Childrens/WandStore.htm George |
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