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Josho Special user Albany, New York 758 Posts |
Anyone seen this in person? I'd love to hear a few reviews before I plunk down this kind of money...
http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php......0&page=1 --Josh |
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Mumblemore Inner circle 1429 Posts |
I would be careful. These vary wildly in quality. For example, I owned a Chuck Caputo mini-circus which I sold. It was okay, but had a very plasticy look and feel. I then had a Martin Duffy-Swenson circus, which I found to be a lot more authentic. However, I sold it too (did not use that often and had a hard time justifying it). I just got a Walt Noon circus and found it to be leagues ahead of the others. I plan to feature it; designing an entire show around it, and I had a few minor issues with it which Noon resolved immediately via phone and e-mail. His circuses are beautiful and his service is outstanding.
Again, be wary as quality varies greatly. The RC car kind of gives the whole thing away if you ask me . . . not a bonafide circus act, and recognizable as an RC device immediately. However, if this is the Caputo circus (the one I know of which uses the RC car) it has its pluses, and the new light and changeable backdrops sound like pluses. However, I would save a little more money, get the stage-sized Noon luggage-based circus, which removes you from small parlour gigs with the minis to audiences of 50-80, and know you¨ve got a beauty. Todd |
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Josho Special user Albany, New York 758 Posts |
Mumblemore, many thanks for the direction. I'll look into these. I may end up wanting to build my own...it sounds like a wonderful project and probably extremely satisfying!
Best regards, Josh |
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gunthard New user Germany 86 Posts |
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Mumblemore Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Josh,
Walt Noon sells a DVD for ¨do it yourself¨-ers. I didn´t have the time or the tools to make it right, but if you then buy a circus from him, he discounts the $60 for the DVD . . . |
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runawayjag Inner circle 1085 Posts |
If you want one with all the motors and automated movement, Walt Noon's is probably the finest ever made, but it is expensive. If you want a manual model that you operate (no motors or electronics, etc.) Hakan Varols' is unquestionably the finest and you won't believe the amount of actions he gets out of his unit. It is unbelievable. The little flea even rides a "Flying Carpet" using a system that pre-dates Enlightment by at least a couple of years. Keep in mind, though, that Hakan's is small, really intended, I think, for close-up. It, too, is pretty expensive but it really is exceptionally well made.
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Mumblemore Inner circle 1429 Posts |
The Flea is the other awesome circus out there, but as some have pointed out, it's ultimately a trick (or a hybrid). For the real thing, I'd go with Noon. The paint chipped on one of my pieces and some decorative stars fell off. He had his star maker send me some. He really puts himself into each circus. Varol may do the same; I don't know. I did own the Martin Duffy cigar circus, and found shipping from Europe prohibitive.
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
I'd add my vote for the ultimate Wolf's Magic prop The Flea. I own unit #13 which I was proud to pick up from Chance (I think I was the first to receive it by doing this) who kindly gave me a personal tour of his lair. It's a Jumbo Sidekick and flea circus all built into one. In addition to this you can add many of the traditional flea bits and finish with the Flea animations and card effect. Not cheap but a completely amazing and beautifully created prop.
jeff |
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mk New user 59 Posts |
I agree with Mumblemore. I have had a Walt Noon circus since 2004 and everything still works perfectly. In fact, Walt just made me a RC that I use for the splash and teeter-totter. I've performed the show hundreds of times. It is my favorite show to perform. Walt is the man!
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-07-05 00:56, The Great Smartini wrote: In my opinion the wolf circus isn't really an authentic flea circus. It's a magic trick based around a flea circus. I know there will be people who disagree with this - just my opinion. I own a Svenson mossman flea circus and the Svenson cigar box flea circus. The mossman is a full size circus and I really love it. I can't compare it with any others (as I haven't seen the ones mentioned above) but for me it was just what I was looking for. I bought the cigar flea box with the intention of using it close-up shows. However, I have found it's not really practical most of the time. It's also a bit fiddly to operate. However, Martin Duffy does sell these as more "collector's items" - but it is fully operational. This is a youtube clip of the cigar box circus in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TeiXZ0HfIc Mark |
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Mumblemore Inner circle 1429 Posts |
It is true that The Flea is a card trick and a flea circus, but that is the beauty of it . . . You can do a whole range of flea circus animations with it. My only problem with it is that it needs to be recharged after 60-75 min of constant use. There's a Flea available on the Café right now from a very reputable seller . . . If it were me, that, or Walt Noon's circus would be my starting point. I agree with Mark that the Duffy cigar box is not all that practical. Well made and cleverly engineered, and all manual (no batteries to mess with), but too small for more than three or four people.
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-07-08 18:36, Mumblemore wrote: True - and it is a GREAT trick/routine. But one thing I didn't like about it, is that it has a diving board and pool and a high wire - but they are for decoration only - they don't do anything. For me that was very disappointing. Mark |
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Martin Duffy New user 92 Posts |
Quote:
I agree with Mark that the Duffy cigar box is not all that practical. Well made and cleverly engineered, and all manual (no batteries to mess with), but too small for more than three or four people. Eric - who makes the Svenson brand Flea Circuses I sell - does an amazing job! The Cigar Box size has been praised by Paul Daniels, Jeff Hobson, Kevin James, Keith Barry and John Archer among many other pro magicians. Charlie Frye took his to the World Magic Seminar in Vegas earlier this year to show some friends and had to do 3 standing room only shows such was the interest! It is praised as being one of the highlights of the seminar here http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/searc......=6008456 I think its a similar scenario to Paul Daniels using a 30mm ball for his Chop Cup routine on the worlds largest stages - its more to do with body language, theatre and being an entertainer. I just posted out a Cigar Box FC to Tim Trono who commissioned one after seeing Charlies. Its a very special one - made from 'household' objects it is built into an antique walnut box which is over 100 years old. See pic below. The next one Eric is making is for Paul Romhany to use in his Chaplin act. It is in a wine box and will be broadcast onto the large screen on the cruise ships Paul works on. While most performers will work their act in a small marquee/gazebo and will therefore prefer one of the larger Svenson Flea Circuses I think its a mistake to say the Cigar Box size is only for collectors. The waiting list for one is now November. Regards Martin http://www.yourfleacircus.com Click here to view attached image. |
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Martin Duffy New user 92 Posts |
Forgot to say - please bear in mind the Cigar Box FC clip on YouTube is NOT a performance - its just a demo
The last Mossman size Flea Circus we sent out was to Ian Thom - he has a video on his site here http://www.gingernutt.com/flea-circus/index.html And some great photos here http://www.gingernutt.com/Gallery/flea-circus Regards Martin |
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
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On 2009-07-12 19:19, Martin Duffy wrote: Nice performance - with some clever editing However, it really is a lovely flea circus. Mark |
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Martin Duffy New user 92 Posts |
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Nice performance - with some clever editing However, it really is a lovely flea circus. Hi Mark Not sure what you mean by 'clever' editing...? That implies there was something cut out or that it doesn't give a genuine impression of what an audience would see... Of course theres got to be editing - close-ups etc Can you explain? Personally I think Ian could have shown some of the more impressive tricks in the Flea Circus - maybe the Barrel Roll, High Wire or Raising Match. However I understand he didn't want to show the best tricks on the video and wanted to be able to show things not seen there in performance. Regards Martin |
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-07-15 07:37, Martin Duffy wrote: Hi Martin Sorry, that comment was perhaps a bit misleading. All that was meant was the fact that during the close-up shots obviously the "ring master" was doing the necessary work behind the scenes. In one of Martin's newsletter he does mention an idea on how to perform the flea circus "hands free". But I'll let genuine buyers find out what that entails! Mark |
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Martin Duffy New user 92 Posts |
Hi Mark
Ah...right...! Yes - I take your point I think all those who buy do realise that its operated from behind with a hidden hand Ian has used a little artistic licence considering his video is for the lay public Regards Martin http://www.yourfleacircus.com |
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stempleton Inner circle 1443 Posts |
Lupan,
better to hear if from a fellow member than a moderator...your last two posts have been to sell a couple of larger ticket items, but those listings per the Café regulations are reserved for the "let's make a magic deal" section. you don't currently have the required 50 legitimate posts to make that area available to you. I would not want to see any new member banned because of not knowing the requirements of use. read over steve's rules for more info, but just thought I'd give you a friendly heads up. welcome to the Café, by the way. steve |
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Chance Wolf Inner circle 2425 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-07-09 18:31, keeblem wrote: Mark, I agree with you entirely that "The FLEA" isn't really an authentic flea circus. It is a trick wrapped around a Flea Circus theme. However, I must stress that I chose to have the diving board, pool and a high wire as props ONLY, due to cost factors. If I did animate them as a typical Flea Circus, then the price would nearly double. If you think about it, I would be building TWO Flea Circus', in function, if I chose to animate everything. You are paying for the extreme electronics to achieve the trick itself and filling in the routine with standard "in hands" flea bits. I appreciate your input and certainly take no offense Take care Chance
Creator of Wacky Wolf Productions & Fine Collectibles
A DECADE of building Magic and we're just getting started! http://www.wolfsmagic.com |
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