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Red Shadow Inner circle 1788 Posts |
My voice the way it is, and knowing how tough it gets at Christmas - I was wondering if anyone has ever performed a magic show without talking? Im talking about a full 60 minute show in front of about thirty children (mixed ages). I can extend that to two hours with party games but for now, lets brainstorm on the show itself.
My show at the moment is very talking comedy based with only two tricks done to music. Recently Ive been trying to put together other routines I can do to music but the problem Im finding is that I know I can get better entertainmnet value through with patter so its messing with my head as for what to do. But even if I find twelve routines that can all be done to music - is that a childrens show? Has anyone else done anything like this before? If so, I have a few questions: When bringing children up to help, is there an easy way to mime to them what you have to do? To inform the children your doing a silent show, do you stick red tape over your mouth? Do you have sheets for the children to read from (they might not be abe to read) to help certain effects? In the shows I did recently with no voice, I found simply getting the name of the game we were about to play across to the children difficult and I had to talk even when I didn't want to. In a school or library, I can see myself getting away with it a bit easier than at a birthday party as their is an atmosphere of theatre etiquete in those places which makes the children sit still and watch. But at a birthday party, its a much different enviroment and so I have to wonder if a show like this could work. What are your thoughts? |
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arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Hi ku7uk3,
I don't have any advice for you ... but I will tell you my wife and I wrote a theme song for a silent clown named Star. She performs all her children's programs completely in mime. And she doesn't even speak to the clients, either ... even when collecting her payment! It's all done in mime. |
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
A Dublin guy, Reuben the Entertainer, last year gave a lecture to one of the local magic societies. He lectured for close to two hours on the business of magic, without once speaking. Each concept was expressed as a hilarious mime. He said afterwards that he finds kids don't respond to mime the same way adults do, but I wonder? Look at some good modern mime acts, and see what you can learn from them. Also, many clowns do routines without words. You don't have to perform every routine to music. Reuben didn't use any music in his presentation. Clowns and mime artists are where I would begin if I was you.
And have a look at Jeff McBride's Miser's Dream. Brilliant, silent.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
You might see if Red Skelton (the silent Spot) or Jackie Gleason have any youtube inspiration for you.
I know there are performers who work in situations where there is a language barrier but like you I'm fairly vocal. There are some noise makers that may help you cut through chatter to regain control. I guess if you just go through each bit slowly and figure out what is happening and what they need to know and figure out how to mime that it will help. Pick your most visual stuff to start. I used to work as a silent overall costume character and it helped me to think it through one word at a time and keep the conversation simple (but I wasn't performing Magic). I had an untrained escort that would sometimes jump in and translate (a different one in each place). Any chance you have a helper who might lend a voice? One thing is for sure, if you do think through your material in this manner, you will see how much of what you say might be better (and more entertainingly) conveyed through gesture. I have done or do Crystal Silk Cylinder, Silk Through Glass, Ring and Rope, Newsflash, Linking Rings, Knot off Silk and Silk Cascade silent to music. Hope you feel better soon. -Mary Mowder |
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MRSharpe Special user Never a dull moment with 940 Posts |
It's something I've never really thought about. I worked as a stagehand for another magician who did school shows who introduced his main show with a 7 minute classic silent dove and card production set. But the bulk of his show was a talking show with a message.
On giving audience volunteers instructions with pantomime, it could work for some individuals and some tasks, but other individuals would not understand or miss understand. Some tasks might be too complex to cue only with pantomime. Experiment with ideas and try them out before booking any full length shows.
Custom Props Designer and Fabricator as well as Performer from Indiana, USA
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
Directing an audience member without speaking... Here's Avner the Eccentric doing it. He makes it look easy (but it is not):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4UXGTSs8Yk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1AQ2lF3nms Rob Torres is very good at this too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGghPkWaqHE |
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lotcaster Regular user Texas 151 Posts |
There used to be a magician in our area who spoke very little English. He was a former circus performer, as well, and did a great show. I hired him a couple of times over the years to perform at our library. Since his English was so limited, he did the entire 45 minute show without speaking. He made a few noises, but no actual words. The kids were confused for a few minutes, but ended up loving the show.
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thekidsmagician Regular user Bristol 118 Posts |
I think it would be incredibly difficult to do an entirely silent show for 45-60 minutes.
Not saying it can't be done, I just think it would be very, very difficult - especially if you're talking about a birthday party environment. You'd lose a huge part of what in my opinion can greatly boost a kids show - the verbal interaction with the kids. I think adding a few silent bits in to your show is entirely do-able. Silent routines for a whole show - not sure how that would look. Last week I was in a primary school running some workshops. They also had a circus performer in. We both did a 15 spot in the morning assembly, his was completely silent. He was very good and the kids were entertained, but by the end of his 15-minutes the kids (and teachers) were starting to look like they were wanting/expecting him to speak. I think if he'd been going for any longer he would have had to speak or he would have started to lose the kids attention. And he was very, very good at what he was doing. In the circus skills workshops he ran later that day, he was speaking. - Mike
Children's entertainer in Bristol - making children look AMAZING! - www.thekidsmagician.com
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 16, 2014, Mr. Pitts wrote: That was funny! I'm now thinking of shaving my head just so I can do the wig gag! Mark |
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
This sounds like an interesting project, Stephen. But to do 45 - 60 minutes without talking? Sounds like a tall order. I remember seeing an act not that long ago, I think it was called Man with tape over his face. And it was exactly that. A stand up comedian who put tape over his mouth so he couldn't talk. It was very funny. However he did only about 20 minutes (2 x 10 minute stints) and I did feel he had started to run out of the really funny stuff towards the end.
And as said above you're missing out on the verbal interaction with the children which is a vital part of a birthday party IMO. Mark |
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pbj100 Special user 516 Posts |
I can tell you that I don't think I could watch a silent performer for 30 mins never mind an hour
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Mr. PITTS!
THANK YOU!!! I had not seen those two pieces of AVNER'S work! I had the "honor" of selling him his first TT. When he was startig out he would drop in at Magic Inc. in Chicago, and we would discuss ideas. BTW...He told me once that he got "most of my act" from Martin Gardner's "Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic". I do remember that he toured with the KARAMAZOVs (remember? they did a fantastic juggling act.) I haven't heard of him recently. He MAY be retired. He reminds me of the late Larry Griswold and his comedy trampoline. Larry spent most of his time climbing the ladder so he could dive off onto his trampoline. He was a "standard" act for years on the fair circuit. Later in life, he trained other talent to do "his" act. AVNER EISENBERG, however, is so unique (IMO)that no one else could do his act.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Ken Dumm Inner circle 1239 Posts |
I worked a few times at comedy clubs with TC Hatter. He headlined, and his entire 50 minute show, only spoke two words, "boom" and "moo". His wife accompanied him on stage, she played the flute and clarinet to set the tone for each routine. Very funny show. Here's his site. There are videos on the site that gice you an idea of the show.
http://tchattermarcianne.com/ Ken |
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Wes Holly Special user Cincinnati, OH, USA 644 Posts |
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On Mar 15, 2014, ku7uk3 wrote: ---random thoughts--- Achieving this goal would put you line for king of all bday party entertainers the standard rules of make it fun & interactive still apply Silent doesn't = mime but the more mime skills you have the better you would be. You might consider a happy medium of silent routines but speaking between them With volunteers I sometimes cheat & whisper in their ear I've done silent shows but only on stage. |
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wizardpa Inner circle The New Orleans area 1011 Posts |
I think it would be kind of easy, if you just had some music playing in the background, and the right tricks.
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wwhokie1 Special user 512 Posts |
Check out Charlie Frye, he does some great silent work. It could be done. But I would think it would be very hard with kids.
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 16, 2014, wizardpa wrote: I don't agree. I think that would make for a dull show. To do this requires a great deal of thought. And the creation of plenty of material that does not have music backing it. Mime and clowning do not depend on music as a substitute for speech. Steve will have to create a persona that works without sound. Not with one sound substituting his voice. Think Charlie Chaplain, Jacques Tati (hilarious), Buster Keaton, etc. Eric Sykes. Stone deaf, which is why he created such classic films as The Plank.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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wizardpa Inner circle The New Orleans area 1011 Posts |
Tony, you evidently didn't read my whole sentence. I did say, and the right tricks. Of course one would also have to use a little skill as well with maybe the right silly facial expressions and scratching your head as if you do not know how something is done..
Tricks like misers dream, the coloring book, run rabbit run, hippity hop rabbits, sponge balls tricks, and a funny rabbit wringer routine. I could go on and on. Actually I know I could entertain audiences of any age without speaking and just using music, with the right tricks. |
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
I disagree. Just doing the right tricks over a backing track is not enough. We could all entertain for a while like that, but to do a full hour long show you need a more imaginative approach.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
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On Mar 15, 2014, ku7uk3 wrote: I think you're definitely right on this point. I think it would be a great project for a stage show. There's just too much you have to deal with at birthday parties. I also don't think it should be a matter of "getting away with it" or just whacking on a backing track. Sometimes it feels like background music is there just to fill a void in an act. I think the acid test would be can you perform the effect silently then if you can and you think music will add to it then go for it. |
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