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Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
A slight move away from beginner questions
I'm interested in putting together a physical comedy routine with a chair. Obviously, many comedians and clowns have developed chair skits. I was wondering what specialty chair props people have used in their own chair skits. I've looked at some options: a traditional deckchair; a normal folding chair; a gimmicked collapsing chair (like Steve Thomas/ others model, but this seems impossible to find in the UK); a jumping stool; and breakaway chairs. Do people have ideas or input in this? Thanks |
jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
I recently came up with a new version of my old Cabana Illusion based on a new product currently available that makes it easy to put up, take down and transport. It is described in The Wizards' Journal #29. It occurred to me that your concept of a Clown Chair would work nicely with this: inside the empty cabana appears a folding beach chair. The magician asks a clown to come and help him open up the beach chair, with all of the usual "accidents possible." The magician comes back when the clown gets hopelessly tangled up in the chair, closes the curtain of the cabana and when it is reopened, the chair is set up, but with no sign of the clown. The magaician drages the beach chair downstage nearest the audience and covers it with a "beach blanket." When the blanket is removed, there is the clown dressed in an old fashioned swimsuit in a lounging position and drinking something with an umbrella in it.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I used to open a folding chair and have everything get stuck, from my leg going into the wrong area to the back flipping in the wrong direction. It took a good minute and a half to play-out all the scenarios until the chair was assembled. Then the music started to play and the assistants brought props onstage which effectively made me pick the chair up and toss it offstage so I could do the new routine.
I believe it's a state of mind that allows you to play as opposed to a scripted choreographed routine. I've seen a ringling clown stand on a 1930s Cane-backed chair and do Zimmermans hula hoops. As he was exiting, he stepped down and a hoop locked onto the chair-back so he just dragged it out of the ring without seeing it. Nothing to sell here. Use it at your convenience. You can also goof around with a microphone and it's cord. I can take a good minute just adjusting the mich stand and become tangled then untangled from the cord. It really is a state of mind as opposed to a skill.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
The Great Zucchini Inner circle 1347 Posts |
The Jumping stool, I've had a ton of fun with.
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 28, 2015, jay leslie wrote: Jay is very right in this. State of mind seems to be the key for prop based physical comedy. Occasionally the mood will hit me and I will mess with a microphone, a chair, my hat, my jacket, etc. It can often be hilarious. But I don't have it choreographed. And sometimes the energy is wrong. Not just my energy, but the energy of the audience. My advice would be to purchase a cheap folding chair and have some fun. If it works out keep it. If it doesn't, you have some garden furniture. Things like the jumping stool are a one gag bit, over in a second. I don't think they represent value for most of us.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Terrible Wizard,
Have you tried contacting Hocus-Pocus Magic? Just because you don't see something on their website doesn't mean they can't get a special item in just for you. They have great contacts. Gerry |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Right Gerry! Paul Gross (Hocus=Pocus) is very helpful!
All this physical comedy talk reminds me of the late Georgie Karl. Georgie was booked on a date, and the MC, who didn't know Georgie, asked him, "What do you DO?" Georgie replied, "I come out and play with my hat for 5 minutes. Then, I play with the mike for 5 minutes Then, I walk funny for 5 minutes." ("Ya" had to see him!")
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
I might look into that, Gerry. But I am in th UK, and I don't want to face prohibitive costs.
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JoshRyan Regular user Kitchener, ON, Canda 123 Posts |
Years ago, I did a routine with two small plastic chairs and a rope.
I tied the rope to one chair, grabbed the other end of the rope, turned, and as I was walking towards the second chair the first chair would 'accidentally' be pulled down. I'd tie the rope to the second chair, turn and look in surprise that the first chair had been knocked down. This pattern would repeat itself numerous times and the kids would howl with laughter. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I'm still a fan of George Karl.
...and what he could do with a harmonica and mic cord!
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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