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Harm1 New user Holland 5 Posts |
This winter, I've been asked to play the role of Fagin in an modern adaptation of Oliver Twist targeted at 8-14 year old kids. There will be shows for schools and for regular audiences. In the school shows I'll do a 20 minute piece where I first perform one or two effects and then teach the kids a trick (maybe a simplified version of one of the effects?). In the regular shows I'll start out with the same effects and then do some in-character walk around.
I have quite some experience performing for and teaching kids in this age group as a juggler. However, until now my magic has been limited mainly to ball manipulation. Since I want to do more magic this show is a great opportunity for me. I am looking for tricks for this performance that would specifically fit the character of Fagin and don't require months of training. For those unaquainted with the character, here's more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fagin Any help regarding this would be greatly appreciated. Harm |
Flymo Regular user 151 Posts |
I think some simple coin tricks would be great for this if you could make them visual enough for a large audience.
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Jay Ward Veteran user Flowery Branch, GA 328 Posts |
Great role! I think the ball manipulation can be great, coins as well. Anything that would help a thief, so a vanishing coin is a must. I played Bill Sykes in college, great times!!!
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
3 shell game
French palm to vanish a coin
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
It would be well worth your while learning a basic "Miser's Dream". Although this can be a complicated effect, the basic moves are very simple, and you'll find it remarkably easy to pull of in character as Fagin.
Can you sing? If you can, there is the wonderful song: "You Gotta Pick a Pocket Or Two" from the musical version (which Fagin sings). (You'd need to check with the producers about singing this song, as it may not be what they want, and there may be some other legal issues, I don't know.) But the song would be brilliant to sing as you walk about "picking pockets" of spectators, and pulling out loads of coins. And you could approach kids and find coins under their elbows, behind their ears, in their noses, etc. This effect is super-strong, in that it involves lots of spectators, money, mystery, and comedy. I think Fagin really could pull coins from behind the ears of his children. If you get confident, you could secretly p**m other items, like silks, beads, watches, any other "treasures" you can think of. You wouldn't perform MD with a bucket, as would normally be done. So, every time you produce an item, you need to go to your pocket to dump it.......when you either re-p**m the item, or grab something else. Or, carry a bag into which you apparently place all your "pickings", which in reality is your supply of treasures. A really cool thing would be a Coin Ladder. It might be a bit pricey, but it would add a lot of theater to your routine. It would be a finale which you'd do after your walkabout, on returning to the stage. You never know, you might be able to borrow one? I envy you this job, it sounds like heaps of fun! Please let us know how things progress. Potty |
Harm1 New user Holland 5 Posts |
Thanks for your replies! I'll definately use some coin effects.
@ Jay Ward: I would love to do some ball manipulation, but I'm a bit struggling as to why Fagin would juggle/manipulate balls. Best I've come up with is that balls are a good exercise to start with before trying to use wallets.. Can you think of other reasons for Fagin to manipulate balls? @ Potty the Pirate: Sadly my singing leaves room for a lot of improvement. 'Miser's Dream' looks like a great effect for both the character and the occasion. I think I'll order Levent's DVD-set and then talk to the costume designer about the possibilities regarding some sort of container for my treasures. Thanks again, I'll keep you guys updated. Harm |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Coin under watch..(hey who wears a watch any more)
pick pocketting of course...or more fun and challenging... body loading ...(can you say Eddie Joseph...?)
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
You could add some comedy to your Miser's Dream by occasionally "pickpocketing" something either incongruous (say a banana), scary (say a big hairy spider) or gross (perhaps a very snotty handkerchief).
You may also be able to use the "long pocket" gag. You find a reason to turn out your pants' pockets, and they're about 16" deep! :) |
Jay Ward Veteran user Flowery Branch, GA 328 Posts |
[quote]On 2010-09-27 09:52, Harm1 wrote
@ Jay Ward: I would love to do some ball manipulation, but I'm a bit struggling as to why Fagin would juggle/manipulate balls. Best I've come up with is that balls are a good exercise to start with before trying to use wallets.. Can you think of other reasons for Fagin to manipulate balls? If it were a crystal ball or maybe a large pearl, it would make sense that this is a stolen item he is playing with. Also, perhaps you could replace the ball with a finger ring? Though I think the ball will be easier to see onstage. Also, the kids are doing the stealing, so it's conceivable that they would steal a toy. And Fagin entertains the kids, so it makes sense there too. |
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