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I have a show this coming Tuesday. I won't bore you with specifics but I a have a 10 - 15 minute slot in a pub/bistro/restaurant environment. It's not strolling but is a stage performance. It'll be the very first time I've performed for the general public so I'm obviously nervous. I've become obsessed with what to perform in the short time I have, in order to balance showcasing what I can do, with keeping it simple so as not to allow my nerves to destroy my act. Below is my idea. Please feel free to ctriticize and offer any advice. It WILL be welcomed!! Just for clarity, my act is a mentalism act.

1) Opener: A BANK NIGHT ROUTINE - 5 envelopes. One will have a twenty pound note in it. I will win!. I've developed a system where I can get three reveals out of this.

2) AN 80's CHRISTMAS - My take on an ancient principle. Audience is asked to remember xmas in the 80's and the TV programmes they watched. My favourite programme was Airwolf. A toy helicopter is produced with a prediction attached. A spec has to keep the helicopter in flight during the effect (should be fun?) 6 envelopes are produced and a spec invited to pick one. The helicopter lands and the predicion matches the choice.

3) A DICTIONARY TEST - A small suitcase is handed out at the beginning of my act which is padlocked. The audience is asked for a three digit number for the padlock. I write the number on a chalk board. The number doesn't open the lock so I have to change it (because it's too easy for me). The case is opened to reveal a HUUUUUUGE dictionary. The spec is asked to go to the page number that the audience chose. The word on top of the page is written on the chalk board.

4) Closer - STAPLE GUN ROULETTE. Self explanatory really. Staple guns are shown empty, one is filled, they're all mixed up then (hopefully) fired into my face until the last one is shown to be the one filled.


Please let me know your thoughts on this set (bare in mind I have until Tuesday to change it). I've tried to challenge myself but because it's my FIRST show I wanted to concentrate on my performance rather than worry about complex sleights. I think the above will allow me to do this. None of it is exactly 'self working' but it's manageable enough for me to walk on stage with confidence. and without worrying I'm going to screw up!! My major and I mean MAJOR worry is that for each effect I need spectators. If I don't get someone up, I'm shafted. That's the bit that's keeping me awake to be honest. That said, I know through experience that the denizens of TM will offer me some sound advice!!!

K

Good luck!

Stephen Ward wrote:Good luck!

I will need it!!!

Best of luck kev,

let us know how you get on?

Sea.

Best of luck, K. Keep us posted.

Sounds like you have a good selection of routines - take a deep breath, just get in there and wow 'em all !

Good luck to you, I'm sure that you'll go brilliantly.

kevmundo wrote:A spec has to keep the helicopter in flight during the effect (should be fun?)

The only thing that would make me nervous about this is the possibility of the spec crashing the helicopter into the wall/floor/ceiling or worse still, an audience member. If the chopper goes down does it ruin the whole effect?*

Sounds great overall though, hope it goes really well for you.

*Inclusion in Innuendo Bingo thread accepted.

I just had a thought. Can you dilute the 3 revelations of the Bank Night during the whole show? One at the beginning, one in the middle and the strongest one for the end? This would give a nice continuity to the gig, I think (in fact Derren Brown, who you might love or hate as a magician/mentalist/whatever but is for sure a great performer, used to do this a lot...)

DJBenz wrote:

kevmundo wrote:A spec has to keep the helicopter in flight during the effect (should be fun?)

The only thing that would make me nervous about this is the possibility of the spec crashing the helicopter into the wall/floor/ceiling or worse still, an audience member. If the chopper goes down does it ruin the whole effect?*

Sounds great overall though, hope it goes really well for you.

*Inclusion in Innuendo Bingo thread accepted.

This is definitely a worry for me but the helicopter is one of those that really couldn't do any damage to anyone even if you flew it directly at them. I'll let you know how it goes, particularly if it crashes and burns - literally!

K

MiKo wrote:I just had a thought. Can you dilute the 3 revelations of the Bank Night during the whole show? One at the beginning, one in the middle and the strongest one for the end? This would give a nice continuity to the gig, I think (in fact Derren Brown, who you might love or hate as a magician/mentalist/whatever but is for sure a great performer, used to do this a lot...)

Do you know in which performance/DVD/Tv show DB did this in so I can hunt it down. I know Marc Spellman has a (reputedly) good bank night routine on his Chapters DVD. I've got it on order. Just so you know my third revelation is a punt and is not guaranteed. I've just found it's something that happens more often than not.

K

I can't track it down at the moment, but I would say that he used to do a variation on this in almost all of his shows (and in general if you think of it he always sets down the foundation of his final reveal from the very beginning of the show -think of "Enigma" or his latest "Svengali"-. I am pretty sure that in particular he used this presentation pattern (so to say) precisely with a Bank Night effect in his "The Gathering" special and in one of his theatre shows (but I can't remember which one).

MiKo wrote:I can't track it down at the moment, but I would say that he used to do a variation on this in almost all of his shows (and in general if you think of it he always sets down the foundation of his final reveal from the very beginning of the show -think of "Enigma" or his latest "Svengali"-. I am pretty sure that in particular he used this presentation pattern (so to say) precisely with a Bank Night effect in his "The Gathering" special and in one of his theatre shows (but I can't remember which one).

Thanks for that. I think I need to get Mrs Kemundo to buy me some DB stuff for Christmas!!!

Hey mate, good luck with this gig

Have PM'd you an idea that I use in my stage set, only real bit of mentalism but very strong

Just picked that up - many thanks!!!!

K