|
|
magic559 New user 72 Posts |
Hi all,
Long time reader, first time poster... I have a concept I have been toying around with for a while and would love some input, thoughts, etc... I picked up Gaeton Bloom's The Intercessor and have been thinking about an effect that would utilize this device in a razor blades routine. It would be a "freak show" type routine (ending with a magical twist) and would go something like this... I talk about the side show acts and the weird stuff they would do in the vaudeville era, and offer to demonstrate a few of the things they would do. I start off small, warming up with a playing card. I give a helper from the audience a piece of the card as a souvenir and to also prove that I am eating a real card and not just a fake edible paper thing... I completely swallow it, then talk about how I am going to go a little further and put a few razor blades in my mouth. I then put some string in my mouth, pull out the razor blades in typical fashion, and then for the kicker, the card is tied to the end of the string, missing a piece and all (which would then be matched the piece the audience member is still holding). A few things about it that I am looking for help with: What could be my reasoning for putting string in my mouth if I am not talking about tying blades on string, but just putting blades in my mouth? I have tried to eat a card, and it is very very hard. Actually, almost impossible. I can't overcome the gag reflex, but I want it to be clear that I am eating the card that I ripped a piece off of and not switching it... which leaves me few options (maybe a very deceptive switch?) But I do like the side show theme and want to keep with that despite my lack of skills in the simplest of freak show areas Anyway, this is an original idea as far as I know, and am sharing it in confidence to you all… would appreciate help and guidance! Thanks, Brian Patterson |
Zack Special user 551 Posts |
Hi Brian!
I do a sideshow-themed act and I close with the blades. It is my favorite trick..bar none. Done correctly it brings down the house. I love your take on it, very original and interesting. (1) As far as introducing the string, DONT WORRY ABOUT it, seriously. I don't explain it either. I, like you, patter about the old human ostrich acts and tell them that I will swallow five razor blades. I NEVER MENTION STRING and I think this is important to proper presentation. They THINK that the trick is the swallowing. Think about it. Swallowing five razor blades with out dying is one HELL of a trick. After I swallow each blade. I bring out the thread. Invariably I see confused looks on their faces..."hello, whats that thread all about?" Then when they come out on the string, the loop is closed, the question answered, and there is on heck of a surprise. If you explain ahead of time the plot of the trick they will be on red alert for switches. Just focus on the swallowing, and let them wonder whats going on, and they won't be on guard, they'll just be concerned about whether you are going to start bleeding all over the stage. Now on to eating the card. I found that I could eat 3/4 of a card without too much trouble. The secret is to chew it carefully, and wash it down with water. Chew with your mouth open, so that they can see the etire agonixing process. (if you're worried about grossing people out, you sholdn't be doing this trick...but you knew that.) Chew until it is in a long thin tube, then chew the tube until it is squashed down to a sphere. Gulp down plenty of water and you can show your mouth unmistakably empty. Use a clear glass so they know that you didn't spit it into the glass. A second option is to do a fake swallow. This was common in the side shows, some of the human ostrichs really DID swallow the stuff. Other's didn't. FAKE SWALLOW #1: Chew the card up as before, until it gets to the Tube shape. Then with your tounge, manuever it until it is inbetween your cheek and your lower gum. The card is now "cheeked." CONTINUE CHEWING. Pantomime as if the card is still in your mouth and pantomime an exagerated swallow. Then smile and open your mouth wide. WIth the card cheeked, you can move and talk normally. (It may take some practice, but trust me, it CAN be done.) You then can hold out the card in your mouth till hell freezes over. You can dump it later after they've forgotten the whole thing. Now in the sideshows, they would do "the needles" (just like the blades, but with needles). They would cheek the needles and then give a spectator a pair of rubber gloves and a dental mirror, and let the spec examine the inside of their mouth. That little pocket in your cheek will keep it hidden. Now I found that I wasn't able to keep the card hidden to the same extent. The card is a much bigger load. But with practice, maybe you can. FAKE SWALLOW #2 This is an old clown trick. In addition the the card, you swallow several napkins, and then steal out the napkins. For some reason, the steal is UNBELIEVABLY deceptive. When the guy who showed it to me explained it, I didn't believe him. I was sure that he was using some kind of dissolving napkins. Now I don't know the precise mechanics of the steal, but it is exlained on Tom Mullica's cigarette tapes. Tom uses it in his famous cigarette routine. (Yes, thats how he does it) Hope this helps Brian, please let me iknow how it goes. I love this kind of collaboration. --Zack Dubnoff |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
My version of the razorblades is called gastrointestinal origami and I eat both napkins and razorblades. Instead of thread I use dental floss and use the excuse of always flossing after meals. I begin to floss then just eat it, usually gets a good laugh.
Next year fir halloween I think I will try to do a presentation where you take an apple out of a trick or treat bag, eat it, then swallow the floss and then pull it out with razorblades hanging from it.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
|
Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
Have you considered doing the whole routine with a miniature card[s]?
TW
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
|
Zack Special user 551 Posts |
Payne:
I use Dental floss as well. The wax holds the load together nicely and its good and strong. But it never occured to me to make the gag about flossing after every meal. That's very good! --Zack |
nathanallen Special user Des Moines, Iowa, USA 522 Posts |
I use dental floss as well. For the right crowd: a Richiardi Jr. style way to close the show. Very shocking, very Penn & Teller, but I believe it's totally original with me:
I make a big deal of having 10 double edged blades, in mouth, insert floss. I don't claim to swallow them, just a very elaborate "cherry stem tying trick". I wear a napkin, play classical music, and have a glass of white wine sitting on the table with the other props. Finally, the time arrives, after much ado, I reach in, pull out the string with attatched blades... 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9.... ..... ONLY NINE? The music stops. I recount them, then give the audience a puzzled look... and I cough up a bunch of blood and run offstage. THE LAUGHTER IS AMAZING! THEY LOVE IT! THOSE SICK PUPPIES! Backstage, I quickly clean up my mess, and in about 15 seconds reappear, smiling, and do my final bows. "You may think that was friggin sick, but ask yourself: Who's sicker? Me for doing this crazy stuff, or YOU for liking it? Goodnight!" Sounds really sick and wrong, but my audiences have eaten it up! Nathan
Nathan Allen, The Maniac of Magic
www.maniacofmagic.com To buy a prop is nothing. To write a good routine is something. To really entertain an audience is everything. |
sperris Special user http://www.Anti-Conjuror.com 881 Posts |
Dude, not cool.
DANSPERRY.COM
|
Chickens and Beandip New user Canada 83 Posts |
I was wondering whether people still did this trick. THis was the first trick I ever performed, Granted I only used two blades, I think...
late. B) |
what the...? Veteran user North Carolina 378 Posts |
I own a shirt that says "I eat things for money". I was once paid to eat a card. Not fun. My friend has pictures. Salt helps.
The great Sandwich!
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Grand illusion » » Razor Blades w/ a twist (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 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 < |