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ClouDsss Inner circle 1799 Posts |
Search function is down, so please forgive me if there is another post with regards to this book. however, I did remember the previous post to be a review on the original non-translated version of Final Curtain.
Would like to check if anyone has bought this book yet and care to give a review on the contents and such? Thanks a lot!!
Think outside the box, cos people are all thinking inside now!! - ClouDsss
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calexa Inner circle Germany 1635 Posts |
Yep, I wrote this review you are looking for. Here it is again:
A lot of people ware waiting for the new book of Borodin, “Final Curtain”, translated into English, especially after reading his book “Sheherazad”. So I thought it´s time to write a review about the german version of this book, to give all those people waiting a little insight on the content. The german version is a high-quality hardbound book of 270 pages. It contains 24 routines in 4 chapters – each routine is explained how the spectators experience it, then you will be told the secret behind the performance. The first chapter deals with 7 ghost stories. You will read about ghosts living in houses, strange voices, paintings on walls, and ballets. “Zocker-Bill” is a story about a a card player, who dies in a fire. With the help of the performer, his ghost is summoned in a wooden box,and he proves his existence by showing some of his old habits. “Tante Elise” is an other version of the routine “Aunt Elise” in”Sheharazad”. In “Das Menetekel” you will hear about a murderer whose house is haunted by a ghost. “Tonbandstimmen” will show how to bring the voices of dead people onto a tape. “Das Haus in Livorno” is a poetic story about a love who was forbidden – bringing a pigeon to life. “Onkel Fjodors Brettspiel” gives you a version of the classic “Knife Board”. And in the routine “Schwanensee” you will hear the storie about a female performer who died during the training, and her show will come alive during the performance – but that´s not all, there is another magical surprise. This routine is pur poetry. The next chapter gives you four examples of storytelling with a funny twist – one of them is the routine “Dream Voyage”, an other is a mental experiment, where three spectators choose freely a city, a restaurant, and the amount of money they want to spend there – and the performer has known all this before. The third chapter is about mental scenarios for stage performers. Here, you don´t get big stories, but ideas and effects, and how to realise them on stage. Some of them require the help of assistants. In the last chapter gives us five examples of mentalism with an esoteric twist. Each routine comes with a full story. “Das Fenster zum Jetzt” is a card routine, where a choosen card vanishes from the deck and appears in an impossible place. “Lebend oder tot” is a version of a “life-and-death-test”. In “Crystal Tarot” Borodin gives you an example on future telling, using a crystal ball and a deck of tarot cards. “Bastet” is a teleportation routine: a ring vanishes and appears in the spectators hand, accompanied with an egyptian story. And last but not least “Das Gesicht”. In this story the face of the magician changes into a skeleton face, right in front of the spectators. The light is NOT turned down, the spectators watch the performer, and suddenly his face changes. At the end you get a poetic bonus story. My opinion: As you can see from the content, a lot of the routines are written to be performed on the stage. Another thing is, that for the ghost stories in the first chapter you need complicated devices – Borodin has made most of them to fit his special needs to make the magic happen. But you will see that these devices are not easy to produce if you want to perform these miracles. In my eyes for the “average” performer the last chapter is the best, because these routines are easy to perform. So what is my conclusion? The first thing I want to say is that the ghost stories are a great read – they are as good as the stories in “Sheherazad”. But will you perform them? I guess not. The third chapter is for stage performers only. The second chapter in my eyes good,the patterns provided are excellent, but if you want to perform the effects, you need some preparation. The last chapter in my eyes contains the most usable routines in this book – especially the idea behind “Das Gesicht” is brilliant. Do you have to buy the book? I´m not sure, because I think that you will never perform a lot of these routines. If you want good story-telling – get the book, because it gives you so many ideas on how to create “real magic”. Don´t expect a second „Sheherazad“, in my eyes „Sheherazad“ is better (but this is of course only my opinion). One thing that I want to criticise is the old-fashioned language. I don´t think that people today speak like this – it simply sounds strange. Hopefully this will be changed in the english translation. Magixx
Optimists have more fun.....
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Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
Hmm.. although speaking in antiquated ways was a Lovecraftian style (of course, his prose wasn';t the greatest - his ideas transcended his writing style )...
Hey, if its by Borodin - its gonna be great! Even if one never performs them - how can a bizarrist not own it (from a collector's stance) (oh yeah - my VISA bill is mighty ugly)....
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
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John Cass Regular user 131 Posts |
A look at the Adesso Verlag web site has some interesting information about the book.
Go to http://www.adessoverlag.com/curtain.htm |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Hello All:
I just got the call from the trucking company this afternoon. The book should be delivered tomorrow afternoon. To clear up any misunderstandings about the material in the book, which Calexa has so ably reported upon, "Das Gesicht" (The Face) is performed with the lights fairly low. There are twelve additional routines in the English version. Some of them are very easy to construct, others will require a small investment. However, several of them are to be released as separate items by Alex Roemer and Borodin. Regarding the relative expense of the items in the German edition of the book, that's debatable. For example, the props in "Hustler Bill" (Zocker Bill) could be put together for about $40. On the other hand, the "Swan Lake" (Schwanensee) would require quite an accomplished do-it-yourselfer and a taxidermist to construct. But it serves as an excellent example of how to construct a magical story. And "Diner á Trois" can be put together for for about $20, depending on how much the postcards cost you. I'll let others judge the book and contents. For those of you who have Sheherazade, we have done this book in the same 8 1/2" x 11" format. It has 350 pages of material. We hope you like it.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
I recieved my copy yesterday. Initial impression, a nicely produced Hard Cover and stories stories stories! Any real Bizarrist will dive in and retreave lots of mood and ideas to work with. A very readable English translation by Bill Palmer.
The Story is presented and then the Magic Of The Story goes into the workings of the props and effects...some of which seem a bit difficult to just 'work up'. But that's just an intial impression as I said and the stories seem to lend themselves to 'bending' to accomodate props and items already on the market and easier to obtain. Some of the stories are rather long and it's obvious their presentation requires quite a bit of acting skill to hold the spectators attention untill the effects 'kick in'. BUT, that said...it's a book for reading and pulling out ideas and those elements, you will enjoy, whether you perform the routines or not. Bill did an excellent job of making the material accessable and understandable in the modern day language we are all used to. (Unless you're not an English speaker/reader that is) So far so good. Higley
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Mystician Inner circle Wallachia 3485 Posts |
Very few books make my "will buy, no questions asked " list, as opposed to my "might buy" list.
This one is in the former category.
Just hanging out with the rest of my fellow dregs.
http:// www . phrets . com Visit http://www.bizarremagic.net |
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Sean Lough Loyal user NYC 214 Posts |
Doug is correct -- Final Curtain is loaded with stories and ideas and inspiration.
And more stories and ideas and inspiration. |
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Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
I got my copy and it is simply and utterly awesome.
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Thanks for the kind words, everyone.
The real purpose of the book is (from my viewpoint) is to explain how the story makes the magic more real for the audience. The toys, themselves, are really unimportant. The most involved item would probably be "The House in Livorno." That bird would be a booger to construct. But if you have a friend who is a taxidermist -- hey, there you go! "Aunt Elise" is also fairly involved, but doable. My wife read the proof on the book, and her favorite story was "Vismay and Wonder," which requires no props at all. But it sets the mood for everything that follows. The main thing that will make or break one of the presentations is your ability to take a story, tell it well, and make it interesting for the audience. If you can tell a story, then you really have got the whole thing wired.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
Hey I completely understand. I think about some of the things my partner and I have dreamed up and they are generally total custom effects that would be very difficult to duplicate, even if you had instructions. I really enjoy seeing the thinking of Borodin as it generates new thinking on my part and reinforces that I am not alone in my madness.
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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Al Straker Grammar Host Australia 1129 Posts |
Firstly, we are all so fortunate to have Bill dedicate himself to many hours of translation so we can share in the experience of this magnificent book. Borodin has a style so unique and special as evidenced by these stories and happenings that it is truly inspiring to experience the magic even in book form. It is a book that will drive you to a new level of desire to elevate magical moods during your own performances and maybe dare you to apply ideas designed to create strong dramatic tension in a bizzare way. Learning from a master storyteller and entertainer such as this is truly a pleasure and I only wish I had ties with the same kind of prop-builders as Borodin uses! Most of the effects require some kind of specialised prop but hey, it just wouldn't be possible for Borodin to present his material so dramatically if this wasn't the case. He is obviously a perfectionist and likes to give all his creations a sense of authenticity.
In summary this book is seriously inspirational and highly sophisticated in the prop department. I don't see this as a drawback as anyone serious about creating their own personal bizzare/mental style will find more than enough stories, ideas, processes and other writings to really spark them into action and think out ways to either build the props they need or adapt the routines to using items already available. My highest recommendation to all who like strange! Cheers, Al
Al Straker
Resident Mystery Entertainer at Multiple Venues Music & Mentalism Specialty Act 'Completely Mental' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyGhApqnG7I (Old clip, show has changed quite a bit since then!) Jazz & Contemporary Musician/Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnN3JNmeKns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_zfOvpneA |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
One thing to consider -- there is one story in the final section that requires an outlay of exactly $0.00 USD (in Australian dollars, that's even less!), and another that will cost you about $5.00 to construct. If you have some recent magazines, you can construct "The Game of Fate" for practically nothing. You can also construct "The Cards do Not Lie" for about $10.00, if you have to scare up a really old-looking deck of cards. So it's not all about expense.
I've had the advantage of actually seeing some of these props -- sometimes in the developmental stages, sometimes in actual performance. It took Borodin a couple of years to develop his knifeboard, and almost as long to develop what he used for his "Swan Lake" routine. I could never perform the "Swan Lake" routine, myself. It's not my kind of story. But it is a dandy story for someone who has that kind of personality. On the other hand -- "Hustler Bill" is right up my alley!
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Funny thing is the one I like most is the shortest with a prop readilly available or VERY easy to make. 'The Fountain Of Youth' (from an idea by Brother Shadow) is sleek and has a gentle finale that would fit in many routines. Especially those that tend to go overboard in the darkness dept. (not saying that's a bad thing!)
Kind of an 'interlude' effect to calm the waters before the next deep delving. As most of you know from my varied interests I'm not a Bizarrist in the strict definition and do not use a character like that either but I like to do routines that have Bizarre twists and I do come up with some bizarre ideas on ocasion (not to mention the props)...so this book is in another relm for me and is almost pure entertainment reading. (It scores!) I could never pull off long stories like my friend Clifford or many others in this topic. My own attention span is that of a gnat on caffene. BUT...most of these stories can be adapted to a quicker presentation style and like has been said utilize readily available props and effects. I don't see this book as a word for word field manual...more (like in the Fountain story) a map from which shortcuts can be devined and jauntily taken. Higley
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Al Straker Grammar Host Australia 1129 Posts |
I agree Doug!
I should have added to my post above that there are some routines which would be quick & easy to make up from the book that are awesome in themselves. Al
Al Straker
Resident Mystery Entertainer at Multiple Venues Music & Mentalism Specialty Act 'Completely Mental' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyGhApqnG7I (Old clip, show has changed quite a bit since then!) Jazz & Contemporary Musician/Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnN3JNmeKns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_zfOvpneA |
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The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3909 Posts |
I receive my book this morning and couldn't resist to read it from cover to cover.
It's a delight ! Congratulations to both of you for this exquisite work. |
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Julian Kestrel Loyal user 268 Posts |
There are very few books which actually qualify as Desert island books for the bizzarist. Final Curtain is one of them.
This is not for folk who think you can use a Tenyo prop and talk about your haunted or ancient object. Julian |
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Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-03-10 13:20, Doug Higley wrote: This coming from a man who cooks shrunken heads and chupacabras for a living.
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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MisterE21 Elite user Salt Lake City, UT 426 Posts |
Is this book available exsclusively through Hocus Pocus? I haven't seen it elsewhere and Murphy's doesn't find it in their search.
Your EFFECT is only as good as its AFFECT.
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handa Inner circle Pittsburgh, PA 1357 Posts |
Mr. Palmer,
Are you selling the book directly? Viking Magic is also carrying it on their website. http://www.vikingmagic.com Chris |
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