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I have been asked by the company to put of a stage performance at an upcoming charity dinner, I've got plenty of time to practise my routine but I'm having trouble coming up with an act that flows and some patter to go with it.

I would definitely like to include the floating glass for sentimental reasons but was wondering if you guys could give me some tips on building a really memorable act?

Thanks,

JBB Jnr

Hello, what type of stage magic are you thinking of performing? Also what type of props do you have for this performance? Apart from the floating glass do you have any more props? Regards Garry

Not done very many myself and I know some will disagree with me but this is how I like a show I am watching to go;

Short, hard impact starting trick, I am a big fan of sponge balls.
Pad it out with some that you know well and like.
End on a high, something you will be remembered for. Try a twist on something classic.

I like acts that do a bit of this and that, but if you want to follow a theme I do like acts that start with a trick that doesnt get figured out till the end. Things like predictions sealed in an envelope that gets opened at the end.

I liked the floating glass when I saw it once and the guy poured the liquid from a bottle into the glass then took the glass, poured the liquid into another glass, turned that glass upside down and a silk fell out and the liquid vanished. He used Tango (green apple Tango bottle, green food coloured liquid, green silk). I thought that was a good choice because it added colour to his performance. One thing I didnt like (being as picky as I am) is seeing all this liquid go into the floating glass but the level of liquid not rise as much as it should. I know its picky and hard to avoid but I do think he spent too long pouring into the glass because you stopped focusing on the illusion and focused on the liquid.

From a pyschological point of view, the human brain is almost set to remember the start and end of something most so that needs to be where you make your main impression (in my opinion).

A lot also depends on what you like, know and of course your budget if your shopping for new things. Good luck with your show

Thanks guys,

Gary, I have a few gaff roses (levitating, appearing, and colour change) and the levitating glass, apart from that I don't have to much in the way of props, but I have been given a £200-300 budget by my boss.

AJ I really like the idea of starting with a powerful opener, taking it down a notch and then hitting them with a really memorable finale, it puts me in mind of some sort of guerilla magic.

Although this is way after you posted Bobo Jnr.--THINK about your OPENING.
IF it is powerful then what follows will have to top it.
Sometimes very difficult to do.
Old timers always said--make you most starling, surprising, powerful effect the PENULTIMATE ONE.
Otherwise it can be so effective--as Asrah (so never use a vanish) that the audience forgets to applaud.
Then finish on a quick, likeable trick.

Your Opening should be around 2 and a half to even 3 minutes and you USE this opening to ESTABLISH YOURSELF WITH the audience.
That is NOT blast them from the beginning.
Take them into your confidence and MOST IMPORTANT of all--Use the Opening to get them to LIKE YOU!

Look at Harry Blackstone. Talked to the audience then went into the Vanishing Birdcage--got some kids up and repeated it. ONLY LATER did he go into the Big illusions.

An Opening that charms, amuses, surprises the audience and ENDEARS them to YOU is what you aim for.
One aspect that works is a trick that has some repetition. As our Paul Daniels with his legendary Chop Cup.

For me my favourite was a Chinese Compass effect, put out by the Supreme Magic Co.-- 'Round The Bend'
This I pattered was the latest Sat. Nav, bought to help me get to --( that venue) tonight.
Unlike the electronic ones--this one is made of cardboard--very expensive--made in China.
The square plaque was shown with black arrows that kept changing direction as my car got nearer to the venue.
So many changes that my mind went blank-- so did the plaque.
I saw arrows everywhere--the plaque's arrows turned red.
Finally the plaque opens down to reveal a 'Round The Bend' sign--which was where I got to.!

Allen Tipton

Yes indeed. Allen makes an interesting point about the best trick being the second last one. Harry Blackstone Jr once stated this in a book for beginners but never explained why. It bothered me for ages and ages and I kept wondering what his reasoning was because I had always been led to believe that your last trick should be your strongest one. I was quite irritated that he never explained his reasoning until I found out why when I read the recent Roy Benson book who goes into this very question in quite a bit of detail. One thing I do know is that it is best not to finish with people on stage with your last trick, because although it can be done, it is a bit messy getting rid of them before you take your final bow.

I think Geoff Durham made the same point in his book, at the end of your act you should be the only one on-stage thus getting all the focus and applause. I saw John Archer at Felixstowe a year or two back and, after an hour of superb comedy and magic, his act finished with him playing the ukulele as the spotlight gradually got smaller and smaller until only his face was illuminated, rather like looking at a full moon. When the light went out the applause was thunderous!

dim the lights, little of weird music in background for atmosphere and hav a strange smile! works for me.

Occasionally Mark, in a 2 of the 4 of my Hiram J Peabody Acts I had someone on stage after what were the final tricks.
1 Act closed with the Nemo Jumbo Rising Cards and the other with a Stage Sponge Ball routine combined with the Hot Seat and the Fall Apart Stool.
So, after each of these was finished, I would get applause for the spectator, dismiss him then use a shortish Gag Trick to get me off to a big Laugh & applause.
A 'ruse' I advocated in one of my series on Routining the Trick--and the Act.
One of these was the Supreme folder-- Good Night(bye) in Chinese, unfold in Japanese, in English and in any language-- the last fold revealing a pretty young lady in a night dress.
The other was Billy Day's 'Yacht Race'. This was a banner with, initially 2 racing yachts painted on it. I do not think it was ever put on the market as when I bought it, privately, it was handpainted and the instructions were typed. It looked like a prototype, submitted but never marketed.
Never ever saw it advertised and never saw it in Billy Day's published works.
So I have kept this and still do--to myself.

Allen Tipton

Guys,

Thank you for all your input, I ended up doing a mentalism routine, starting with some basic mind reading, moving on to remote drawing and finishing with a prediction that the audience knew to have been sealed two weeks previously. It was a smash.
You all helped a lot thank you,

regards

J.B.B Jnr.