talkmagic.co.uk

Hey guys and gals,

First off, this is VERY VERY early stages of an idea, and I know that there may be some members who will advise that "I'm not a proper mentalist so shouldn't perform this" , however, I am after ANYTHING which can be used in a spirit cabinet routine - knot and rope ties (The gypsy knot?), any moves or related gimmicks which could be used to create an interactive routine.

I will most likely end up buying said tricks and toying and/or building my own cabinet, for now I am just after ideas of what to be using at this stage.

Thanks in advance,

Dan

I can't offer any ideas but I can say don't worry about being a 'proper' mentalist, just be a good performer and you won't go far wrong - best of luck!

Oh there's so much that you can do with spirit cabinets, I've had a little play around with them from time to time.

Have a look in Fulve's Self Working Rope Magic, there's actually a whole chapter in there on spirit cabinet type effects as well as tons of other stuff on fake knots and escapes that you might find useful. Spirit writing's also something the you might want to look into, you could use spirit slates or even just a little billet work or 2 way envelopes (although I do really love slates and look for any excuse to use them).

Anything where an object that you put in the cabinet moves or changes in some way are always good. I've never used it myself but I've always thought that the exploding light bulb effect would be perfect for a cabinet.

One thing that I've made which I'm particularly pleased with is an old children's music box that plays by itself, that's very eerie when coming from with in a spirit cabinet.

Thanks for the replies so far, I know that my initial post may have come across as quite confrontational re: 'mentalists' ... It wasnt meant to sound so harsh, but another forum site (no names needed tbh) got quite rude and big headed about who exactly should perform certain routines and tricks.

As I said though, thanks for the feedback so far, will look at the books suggested and am interested in this music box

Dan

Don't worry about what other people say you should or shouldn't perform, as long as your audience is enjoying what you do then there's no problem in my opinion. Some people have a very funny attitude about what a metalist is or isn't and what they should perform but at the end of the day, regardless of how we claim to be doing what we're doing, 99% of the audience will still call you a magician. Anyways, I doubt you'll get any trouble here over that, if you do just point me (or any other mod) in their direction and I'll give them a good kick. If that other place is where I think it is, you're much better off over here anyway, we're much more friendly.

Lady of Mystery wrote: ...you're much better off over here anyway, we're much more friendly.

Hear, hear!

Magical_Trevor wrote:Thanks for the replies so far, I know that my initial post may have come across as quite confrontational re: 'mentalists' ... It wasnt meant to sound so harsh, but another forum site (no names needed tbh) got quite rude and big headed about who exactly should perform certain routines and tricks.

As I said though, thanks for the feedback so far, will look at the books suggested and am interested in this music box

Dan

You have the right to perform anything you have purchased or created on your own. Other than that you can perform anything you want, (provided it is legal) any time you want and you don't have to answer to anybody. Except possibly, hopefully the person hiring you to perform.

I once had a magician tell me I was fanning the cards wrong. I told him I was fanning the cards my way and all I'm doing is spreading the cards so somebody may choose the one they want. He proceeded to lecture me on how he went to Magic camp and learned the correct way and that if I can't fan the cards the way he was taught I should not do it at all. I laughed and showed him to the door.

I don't have time for such nonesense.

Eddy Murphy once told the story about how he got a call from Bill Cosby. Cosby gave him a hard time about language and that if he wants to be a success he needs to clean up his act. Dejected Eddie called his Idol Richard Pryer. Richard Pryer said, "Eddie, are you getting booked?" yes. "Eddie is the audience laughing?" Yes. "Then call Bill Cosby back and tell him Richard Pryer says...Cosby, suck my..."

Don't know why mentalists would give you a hard time over this - it is a big box illusion more than anything. The best who ever did it were Glenn Falkenstein and Frances Willard. Here they are on Paul Daniels: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbPfK6K7LJE

I saw it live as a child and it was very good. Technically not difficult, but it needs good acting experience. I believe Glenn released a DVD which included it, but I can't find a supplier.

Hey guys, Just an update to this, then can be closed / removed, I have found a copy of 'self working rope magic' and am now working through it to put a routine together - as ever on this forum, thanks for all of your help and advice.

I'll update and no doubt ask for more advice soon

Thanks again guys and gals

Dan

Good luck with the routine