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I'm looking for a good Russian Roulette for a Stage Performance

Is a routine for the Russian Roulette with a Nail Gun available?

Does anyone have any information on this....

...or any 'similar' dangerous Russian Roulette type effects good for stage work thta plays BIG?

(but no nails under cups . .lol lol)

Would really appreciate any good suggestions.

Thanks!

Daniel

There is a new one called Drilled from Hocus Pocus, or you could check out Roni Shachnaey's Grafitti, which uses spray paint cans...

Marc Spelmann also has one using staple guns.

Grafitti is AWESOME!

If I were still doing night clubs I'd have this bit in the show in that it will be remembered, it is light-hearted vs. the dangerous BS that's been over done and become passe, even to the laity.

The Nail Gun bit I believe is exclusive to Raven

My only question is, WHY?

Why do you think you "need" this kind of effect and secondly, why don't you know which one you want or "need" in this case?

There are a myriad of variations to this "obvious ending" routine, most of which are presented poorly by poor performers who listen to their ego vs. what the audience reaction really is.

Thirdly, if this sort of routine appeals to you, why aren't you simply digging into the books and doing research on the many types out there, the effect's history, various methods and thus, create YOUR OWN version of the same?

I used to do a bit using a borrowed man's watch. I do my best to find the most expensive watch worn by a member of the audience and make it my victim. The routine can be found in SYZYGY but essentially the watch is placed into a simple brown lunch bag that is stapled closed and then added to a group of 5 other bags containing small light bulbs (so you can hear a crunch) that are then mixed, etc.

Long story short, I jump on and smash all but one bag... the one with the watch.

No pin pricks or little dots on the bags, no magnets, no stooges, no switching!

The routine was comical with just a hint of danger to it (especially if you happen to miss and smash an $8,000.00 Rolex)

My point is simply your need to refine your search and define what it is you really wish to accomplish and why. How does it fit your character and claims? Or, are you just wanting to do something like this because it's "neat"? If that's the case, just do like the rest of the commercial clones in the world and find a version of smash and stab... all going well, you'll miss, slice your hand and learn a valuable lesson in the process... one none of us can teach you if your mind is focused on getting something that's just "cool" vs. what actually fits what you are trying to convey as a Performer (mentalist, I hope).

If you are in fact pursuing Mentalism and not traditional magic with a hint of mentalism tossed in, I'd really encourage you to read the first 245 pages of Paul Brook's ALCHEMICAL MAGIC and invest some time into actually studying it and seeing how to apply said focus into your world and life.

The Spelmann routine with staple guns is on the first volume ("The Unknown") of the 4 disc set "The Marc Spelmann DVD Collection". Unfortunately I am unsure if these are available to buy as separate volumes or if they have to be bought in the full 4 DVD set. The routine is quite nicely constructed and there are quite a few subtleties included in the explanation that help the presentation and selling of the routine along. It's relatively clean and safe (although, as with all routines of this type, the safety is down to the performer to make sure all the boxes are checked - there's never a guaranteed 100% safety factor as mistakes can be made).
I know when the DVD's were originally released they tended to have a divided audience with some people loving them and others not being too impressed but I found them to have some really nice pieces and ideas that could easily be used in other routines. Sometimes there was gold to be had if a different style of presentation was applied, but that can be said for most things I suppose.
Ian