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magicinsight Inner circle 4293 Posts |
On Sunday my wife and I took out soon to be 9 year old and 7 year old sons to see magician Bill Blagg at the Queens Theater in the Park. He did the following illusions/effects;
Clear Crystal Vanish with reappearance in the back of theater. Walking Through Steel. Professor's Nightmare with a volunteer vanishing bandanna Sean Bogonia's dancing hankerchief complete act Kevin James' bowl-a-rama Kevin James' snow animator 1 My children liked the bowl-a-rama the best. Not so much for the production but what he did with the bowling ball after the production which was very amusing and funny. My wife and most of the audience liked the professor's nightmare and the vanishing bandanna routine the best not so much because they were the most magical but because they were the most entertaining and funny. The least favorite and the one that got the least reaction: dancing hank complete act and snow animator. Even though he performed them very well, people just did not respond. The crystal casket vanish and the walking through steel were terrific and baffling. But the biggest reaction from the audience were for the professor's nightmare routine and the vanishing bandanna. Is it surprising that the two routines that got the most audience reaction were for two of the smallest and least expensive effects? It goes to show that perhaps the entertainment factor of a trick is more important than the mystical or magical nature of a trick. Although my wife was amazed as to how he made the bananna disappear from the hankerchief. But she liked more his facial expressions throughout the routine during the recording. Michael you
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
Zendor New user 100 Posts |
I saw him about 1.5 years ago. Very enjoyable show!.
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magicinsight Inner circle 4293 Posts |
Yes. He is very entertaining and energetic. I was just surprised that the vanishing bandanna and prof. nightmare got more reactions from teh audience and my wife than dancing ahnkerchief and the snow animator, both of which he performed very well.
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
The small things normally get the best reaction, because they are the ones that showcase personality. The big illusions only showcase budget. Pity more illusionists wouldn't recognise that.
I don't know the guy, but it seems a pity that a working pro has to resort to karaoke magic to get a reaction. Using the vanishing bandana is like borrowing a personality for a few minutes. The Professor's Nightmare, in contrast, can be very strong. Paul Daniels on this side of the pond made it a classic. Glad to see that he got a great reaction from that.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
btedeski Veteran user Pittsburgh PA 322 Posts |
>> Using the vanishing bandana is like borrowing a personality for a few minutes.
I disagree, I use a version of the vanishing bandana that has little comedy in the recording, the recording is the strait man, and you are the comic. The real strength to this routine is YOUR reaction to the tape. Your facial and body expression are what drive this routine home. The confused look on your face when you pull a banana out of the box, the face you make when you fold the banana in half, then again. |
bowers Inner circle Oakboro N.C. 7024 Posts |
As I always said myself, my least expensive tricks get the biggest reactions.
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Quote: You're absolutely right!!! I don't use this effect in my show, but I've seen it done well and I've seen it done not-so-well. When performed by someone with innate acting ability, it absolutely slays an audience. I even find myself laughing. On 2011-11-23 13:45, btedeski wrote: The real strength to this routine is YOUR reaction to the tape. Your facial and body expression are what drive this routine home. |
magicinsight Inner circle 4293 Posts |
Exactly. My wife LOVED his facial expressions and was laughing the entire routine.
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
After half a century of magic, I believe every person in the audience sees a different show.
A fundamental fact is that cost isn't value. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
The reaction it gets is no justification for taking shortcuts like using a vanishing bandana. I could get a great reaction by stepping aside and showing an old Laurel and Hardy reel. It would be great entertainment, but hardly a demonstration of my skill or personality.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
btedeski Veteran user Pittsburgh PA 322 Posts |
>> The reaction it gets is no justification for taking shortcuts
Interesting, and here I thought the entire point of entertainment was the reaction it gets.... |
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