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Chris Black wrote:Out of interest, what is the synopsis of the letter routine? I'm interested in claiming it as my own.

You open a letter...put the envelope down, put the letter under your arm....and start pretending you don't know where it is, the routine can be as long or short as you like...it doesn't read that well, but seriously, in front of lots of children it really is superb

It probably speaks volumes about me rather than the routine, but I can't see where the entertainment value would come from in that...

I guess I just don't understand kids.

-Stacy

The4thCircle wrote:It probably speaks volumes about me rather than the routine, but I can't see where the entertainment value would come from in that...

I guess I just don't understand kids.

-Stacy

The magician in trouble gives them the power and knowledge they don't have over most adults

A lot of stuff I do you the younger ones is making them believe they can do the magic, or I am failing and they make it come good

Think about a panto as well, children shouting to adults where things are etc

Next time I have an audience of more than 30 I might record the letter routine and put it on here

The4thCircle wrote:It probably speaks volumes about me rather than the routine, but I can't see where the entertainment value would come from in that...

I guess I just don't understand kids.

-Stacy

I've found that any "grown up being silly and not noticing what is obvious" thing gets kids going. I do a contact juggling routine for kids where part of it is the ball moving on my palm when I'm not looking. Gets hysterical responses, as does the thumb hold where the ball is stuck to my palm whatever I try to do.
Simple clowning still goes down well, you do need to have no problem making a fool of yourself mind you!

The4thCircle wrote:It probably speaks volumes about me rather than the routine, but I can't see where the entertainment value would come from in that...

I guess I just don't understand kids.

-Stacy

Allow me to let you see Jolly Roger performing the routine. Alas he has missed out a few of my gags because he never reads the instructions properly. Roger is a great believer in half reading the instructions in the morning and trying the item out in the afternoon show. Still, despite this flaw he still manages to get lots of entertainment from the children. Here he is performing the routine. He also does part of my Bongo Hat routine but again has missed out on half the gags so much that it doesn't look anything like my routine. I have posted my entire routine for the Bongo Hat on a private section of another site so that is not available to you all although it is in my Wit and Wisdom book. Anyway here is Roger with the Letter:

But wait! I can't find the bloody thing! I had better fetch Roger so he can post it himself. It gets great reactions and is indeed suitable entertainment for children. I can't remember if I posted it on this site or not but I certainly did on the Magic Cafe. Seek and ye shall find.

For the sake of historical accuracy I must chime in and let you all know that the idea of the letter containing a trick was originated by me. It is interesting how I came up with this novel twist; it was while reading a post on another forum.

Seriously, the letter goes down a bomb for me. I never stretch it more than a minute or two, but it is a wonderful bit of business.

It's OK. I have found it. It is the only clip of this routine in action as far as I am aware. And Roger, as I mentioned, has left out quite a few gags which I have now reminded him of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_4N3QM6nqI&feature=plcp

mark lewis wrote:It's OK. I have found it. It is the only clip of this routine in action as far as I am aware. And Roger, as I mentioned, has left out quite a few gags which I have now reminded him of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_4N3QM6nqI&feature=plcp" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Very entertaining, do any of the kids ever run up and pick it up off the floor for you?

I've always stayed away from kids entertainment but having grown up in a nursery/child minding environment I realise I've been entertaining them all my life. I agree with Mr Borden, if they think they know something you don't or can do something you can't you're on to a winner.

Magus wrote:

mark lewis wrote:It's OK. I have found it. It is the only clip of this routine in action as far as I am aware. And Roger, as I mentioned, has left out quite a few gags which I have now reminded him of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_4N3QM6nqI&feature=plcp" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Very entertaining, do any of the kids ever run up and pick it up off the floor for you?

This will indeed occur to them but I deter them by putting up barbed wire across the performing area. If by chance I have forgotten to bring the barbed wire I tell them before the show even starts that there is an invisible magic line and if they cross it the magic won't work. This keeps them in line (no pun intended) and in fact if a kid dares to cross it the other kids will often reprimand him or her. I suppose they are resentful that if they can't cross it then they don't want one of the others to cross it either. If the kids don't tell them then I will by gently saying with a touch of mock exasperation, "You crossed the magic line. The magic won't work if you cross the magic line". Of course when you get a kid up to help you will get some busybody child in the audience complaining that the volunteer has crossed the magic line. No doubt the little brat will grow up to be a government bureaucrat. When that happens I merely brush it off saying, "It is OK if someone comes up to help"

Instead of an imaginary line you can use a piece of coloured rope or ribbon which is probably better. I can't be bothered.

Here is another tip to prevent kids getting too close. When you set up your show put your table forward and when the kids sit down of course they will be too near to you. But you now move your table back when you start the show thus giving yourself more room. If despite this, you find yourself in a situation where the kids are just too close then try this. Say, "Let's see who can move back the fastest". They love the challenge and they move back en masse instantly. If you don't do this it will be a devil of a job to get the kids to move back.

I should really write a book about this stuff.

It is a good routine, but I hate the bit where he steps on it. One shouldn't step on props... even if it is just an old envelope.

The look-don't-see bits of business are as old as the hills (which are nearly as old as Mark), but using an envelope is Mark's clever idea and makes it the ultimate packs small plays big routine. Roger's idea of doing an entire show with things that come out of the envelope is also quite clever.

By the way, Mark, I had the same problem with Paul's photos. I cannot understand how Canada's leading mentalist doesn't have a decent promo pic.

I use a much smaller envelope than Roger. It is so small that my shoes cover it when it lands on the floor thus rendering it more invisible. This makes more sense when you say you can't see the letter. But you really have to stand on the Letter to get the full advantage of the gag. It is not a fancy prop you are stepping on but a scruffy old envelope which you can easily replace. I must say, however that for some reason the envelope does not get as dirty as you would think it might. I suppose this is because you are performing in private homes with nice carpets and your shoes are clean when doing a show. In Canada they don't even like it if you wear shoes in a private house anyway.

Roger did make a wonderful point when you raised this question before. He explained that since a biblical figure found it perfectly acceptable to walk on water there was absolutely no reason that he, Roger couldn't step on a little envelope. Since Roger is the son of a respected Anglican minister he is in a strong position to point out that his reasoning is perfectly valid.

If I were using the Paul/Roger/Potty/Magic Santa/Mark Lewis (who doesn't like his own idea) idea of putting a full show in the envelope I too would be reluctant to stand on all those props.

Roger has missed out on a few of the gags but hopefully now that I have told him about them he may use them to his advantage.

And Paul DOES have a good promo photo which, since he is too lazy to do anything about, I have sent it to the lady in question.

mark lewis wrote:
And Paul DOES have a good promo photo which, since he is too lazy to do anything about, I have sent it to the lady in question.

Thank you, Mark!

Yes indeed, Paul. As usual Munton does not know what he is talking about. But perhaps you can expand on your show-in-a-letter routine. I must say that I was a bit surprised that you came up with it since you are known as a mentalist rather than a children's entertainer.

Yes, I think we were all surprised.