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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
I haven't done a street show in years I used to enter busking competitions (quite succesfully) with my double act partner when I was a teenager. My girlfriend has expressed an interest in getting an act for the street together and the Edinburgh Festival is coming up so thought it might be fun to take a double act over there.
I was originally writing boy/girl lines to accompany pretty bog-standard routines and tricks but thought I might try something a bit different. I had this idea it would be cool to present it as her being an animal trainer/researcher and for me to be dressed in a gorilla suit.This would probably be way to hot though so I thought I could present it as her being an archeologist and for me to be a cave-man/wild-man brought back to life. gorilla or wildman, I thought it might make for a funny routine. Perhaps starting with her gathering a crowd ,roll up to see the wildman of cullybacky (cullybacky is just some local place I'd change it to suit the venue), and for me to be in a cage. I could break out of the cage scare people and generally get up to naughtiness. Running gags could include trying to eat any props I'm handed and eating nits from passer-bys hair, I dunno.. The magic tricks and Circus stunts could all be presented as tricks I have been taught. I think it might be way funnier in a gorilla suit than as a caveman what do you think? Also I wanted to finish the routine by being blindfolded then riding a unicycle over an assault course with her on my shoulders . can't think how to work this into gorilla/caveman theme though. Any suggestions? |
BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
I like the Gorilla, but agree that it would be way too hot.
A cave man is interesting, but where can you go in the story line to tie into today? And how many living cave men exist. Does it have enough reality to sell it? I don't know.... But how about a Wolf boy (man), lost in the wilds as a baby, and raised by a pack of wolves, still as wild as the wolves, but recently domesticated enough to do "tricks" should go well as a modified geek show. It is possible... (not likely) but possible Right out a circus side show! Originally found and caged for display by a large international circus which shall remain nameless (ring a bell....) the Wolf boy was released by the compassionate lady teacher/veternarian/nurse (pick one to add motivation to the story) to escape and together they show what the Wolf boy has learned in the circus. People always want to see the unusual. And that is why geek shows are still so popular. Needle through arm, etc. along with other geek effects could play well. And I love the unicycle idea, but the asssault course would likely need to be short, involve some danger to the girl, and let you be the hero, to get the big hat.The blindoflding could be a demonstration of your advanced senses of smell, taste, etc, that you learned from the wolves..... Just an idea.... But it sounds like you have some good experience, so you will likely put something together that people want to see. (Read that; will pay to see...) Good luck! And keep us posted. BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Wolf Boy is good although we don't get many wolves in Ireland. I was thinking of somekind of story about a cave man being frozen in Ice or preserved in a bog and brought back to life it doesn't have to be terribly believable.
Actually i could adapt wolfboy to a more common animal hmmm raised by sheep? I love all your suggestions, though Bro, exactly on my wavelength.Thanks ,they're definetly food for thought. I probably will either go for girl on shoulders OR assault course not both. Although it would be very dangerous if I dropped the girl..especially for me afterwards.... |
ChrisZampese Veteran user Hamilton, NZ 341 Posts |
Considering you are gearing this up for the Edinborough festival I think a Caveman would fit right in! (No offense to the the Scots here, just meant that it is a fringe festival and people expect to see the unusual).
Lots of opportunity for audience interaction and overstepping boundaries here! Like sniffing someones dog, getting scared by something (camera flash, loud noise, music etc) and running into a glass door (if there happens to be one close by!), Lots of things a caveman could get away with that others couldn't. It would take a lot of good acting to pull it off, but judging by your experience etc you should have no problems, Good luck,
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Magicgeorge, I am surprised that you don't have a lot of wolves in Ireland. I thought all of those North Altanta locations had castles, and werewolfs, and moors with strange creatures skulking through the fog....... Or maybe not..
Probably just too many bad movies as a kid, I suppose. But hey, as long as you have motivation and a premise for the character, you can pull it off. All is has to do, is "to seem possible". That is credibility enough as people will let their whimsy and imagination fill in the blanks. And by all means, don't drop the girl. I can imagine that dropping her certainly would be dangerous - for you. Enjoy! It sounds like you have a sense of humor, and a heart for entertaining! Godd Luck! BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Bob Lunn used to do an act with performing fleas, dressed in a leopard skin with a Pith Helmet on his head. The whip in his hand controlled the fleas. It was a great act and won many convention awards in the UK back in the early 70s. There is a place for this type of way out humour (not sure where though). Watch out for the kids...anyone in fancy dress seems fair game on the streets and I have seen many a clown being tormented by the little **** darlings.
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Thanks for all your help; it's all very much appreciated. A thought occured to me today (it happens occasionally, usually accompanied by a burning smell). If a wild man/wolf boy had been introduced back into society isn't it possible that he would have been given everyday clothes to wear? Would it make it even funnier if I acted like a wolf boy but dressed in a suit or would a wildman costume really be needed to set the scene? Especially for the late comers who would be wondering why a man in a suit is acting like a wolf..
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Ojasa New user U.S. 77 Posts |
Would a wildman be comfortable in a suit, or would he rip the legs and sleeves off at some point in the show? Maybe all the way down to his leapord skin skivvies?
I hate to recomend a B movie, but Encino Man might be worth a watch. I haven't seen it in years. Ojasa
that magic is an art, and an art worth your learning. The question is rather, whether you be capable of learning it? Magic is somewhat like poetry, men are to be born so: I mean, with inclinations to it, though both may be heightened by discourse and prac
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Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
A "missing link" caveman type (part ape) would be good, and properly P.T. Barnum-ish.
The main thing from my viewpoint: give lots of thought to the CAGE. Light...compact...easy to set up and tear down. Remember you must carry your props to and from the performing site. Also, being in the open means people will see the set-up. Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
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