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I'm working on a comedy linking rings routine in my kids show. I would like to start off by juggling with 3 rings and have a kid assistant hold the other rings and then get the kid to pass me another ring so I can juggle with 4 - only to have the rings the kid is holding to be linked together. I then want it to become chaotic where the rings start linking to everything - to suspenders I'm wearing, to my table pulling the whole thing over until eventually i get out a hacksaw to try and cut the rings apart - only to have the hacksaw link to the rings.
Are there any routines out there that do this kind of thing that i can learn from?
Also - I need some goofy ideas as to what I could link the rings to - I'll figure out the methods later, but any suggestions would be really appreciated.

to suspenders I'm wearing

Er, as in the UK understanding of a garment for holding up a lady's nylon stockings or as in the US sense of an item for holding up trousers?

Anyway, I'm sure I've seen this sort of thing done - especially the hacksaw bit. I would have thought that as long as you have control of the 'aardvarked' ring, almost anything would be possible. Will have a search around and see if anything is worth passing on!

um - the US one - for holding up trousers

That sounds fun, especially the suspenders bit, you could use the same routine for an adult theme just by changing your clothing!

Actually for the kid's show i was thinking of having to loosen the suspenders to get the ring off and then have my trousers fall down (wearing brightly colored shorts underneath - really just a clown thing )I know it will get laughs from the kids - but I'm a bit wary how it could be percieved, so I thought to leave that out. I was thinking to use an old kettle as a prop for something else I'm working on and the handle could also be a victim of the rings. I want to create kind of like a brer rabbit tar baby effect where everything I do to try and unlink these rings just makes things worse..

Too late, the mental image of lacy suspenders is now firmly embedded - and I'll probably have nightmares for weeks!

I can see the sort of idea you're aiming for and it could be a superb presentation. How about using magnets at some point to suggest that items are linked? A gaffed rope loop suitably joined in that 'attractive' way would look as though it had linked with the kettle handle or similar. Those brightly coloured rings used as a Frisbee at times could be gimmicked a la linking rings and they'd be visual as well as familiar to kids. A very long time ago I saw a clown act - probably at a circus rather than on TV - where he had an old push bike instead of the usual clown car. The whole thing fell apart gradually and ended up as a Unicycle but along the way, one bike wheel linked with the bike frame - no idea how but I suspect a loosely joined bike frame rather than anything do do with the wheel.

You've inspired me to get my rings out again and have a play around. If you want to do the trouser thing I am sure most fancy dress or stage stores would be able to get you some full length brightly coloured pantomime Dame style underwear that come down to mid calf. No-one could complain about that except the sense of humour police.

There are so many posibilities here, button holes, shoes laces or buckles, tables, chairs props, spectators. You could make one routine go on and on, and even when it is finished you will be able to have running gags regarding the rings and being careful around them.

I'm sure I have heard of this being done before. If only I could remember. I will have a search.

Meanwhile it could have been done on Whit Haydn's Comedy Linking Ring routine, whic is still available from here (although there are rumours that it may be on DVD soon.

http://www.schoolforscoundrels.com/

The actual routine I was thinking of was Mark Raffles at The Blackpool magic convention this year...

Whether it is available anywhere is another matter - so it sounds like you are well on track fro a hilarious routine...

Thanks for all the advice/ideas. I appreciate it
I think I'm probably going to do a routine with 4 rings and then have a couple of props that can serve as an aardvark as well. I suspect I'm going to have a lot of fun with this. I'll keep you all posted as to how it tuns out

The hacksaw thing has been done before (and there's no reason not to do it again).

How about not being able to link the rings, then "cheating" using some tape (the kids will point it out), then have the rings link "magically" when you remove the tape?

Other props which could link might be:

A big earring (doubt you can work this in, unless you are dressed as a pirate or Pat Butcher)
A bird cage (complete with dummy bird?)
Elastic bands
The handle of a "squeezebox", which will make a noise as you try to free it

STOP STEALING MY ROUTINES YOU SCOUNDREL.

i use a three set with a locking key ring that gives me plenty of scope for comedy i used to have a set of sisors no cut / cut that also had a locking key (diferent type) and would sorely love to find another set so if anyones got some call me.

sound like you already have a sound routine already you just need to list it all down and see how it logicaly flows even a chaotic routine needs order.

a rope tied together with a key ardvark next to the knot gives you comedy byplay as you have to untie the rope to get the ring off when it has linked, kids will get that logic even if we dont.

ps whith a bit of thought a hacksaw can be used as a locking ardvark .

STOP STEALING MY ROUTINES YOU SCOUNDREL.

hmm - sorry. I know - I'm taking this mind reading thing a bit far

I've thought of gimmicking (I was going to say aarvarking, but it sounded to close to something else) the hacksaw in two places - the blade, and the handle so that I can have rings link to both. I also want to make a gimmicked table so that if i put a ring on top of the table, it makes it look as if the ring goes through the table top and is then linked around the part that holds the table up.

Rather expensive but take a look at http://www.magicbox.uk.com/product.php/909/11521/ for a strange and spiky linking ring idea!

Other sources of info:

http://magicref.tripod.com/magref/maglinkr.htm

http://magicdude.netfirms.com/stage_show.htm

As an aside to this discussion, David Ginn has a very famous comedy linking rings routine, and he will be lecturing in Ipswich on 20th October. I will ask him if he will be doing it.

www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk

Why not pop over for it Taneous?