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Can anyone give me ideas for stage tricks that are really strong yet realitivitly inexpesive.

i need stage magic too... http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic7094.php

This is a tough order. Unfortunately, it seems more often than not, the larger you go - the more you spend.

There's still some killer stuff, though for decent prices:

Cups and Balls

Full-sized Linking Rings. You can probably use Ninja Rings - but if it's a big stage (Like Zero's) the larger rings are better suited.

Slydini Silks - I would highly recommend picking these up. Penguin Magic offers the best deal ($15) I don't know of the quality, though. Once you have this, I would recommend picking up Bill Malone on the Loose vol 1 for his Slydini silk routine. It's GREAT.

Mandarin Mirror Box - Works great for productions

Sponge Balls - May not be the best for LARGE audiences, but you can't deny how useful these are!

The Zombie - Never used on myself, but it can be cool if performed well.

D'lites

ITR/Levitation work

One that I think is worth it (even if you have to spend some extra cash) would probably be Snowstorm in China. I've never performed it (or learned it) but it's INCREDIBLY impressive. Basically it goes like this:

Performer puts a piece of torn tissue paper in a glass of water. Removing it he squeezes the water from the soggy pieces. Then with a wave of a chinese fan - suddenly the ENTIRE area is covered with a massive "snowstorm". I don't know how difficult this is to perform - but I think this would SLAY your audience if you could pull it off.

Spurred by this topic - what are some of the greatest stage effects you've ever seen performed? One of my was Kevin James' Bowl-a-rama effect. I thought it was genius (Unfortunately it cost almost $800 if you want to buy it)

Hope these help. I don't have any stage experience, I'm just going by things I've seen.

Can I suggest that you get hold of the Three (3) Jeff McBride videos/DVDs on Stage Magic. NOTE These are titled, Magic On Stage and NOT The Magic of J.McB. There lots here that you can put together without a load of expense. Silks, Ropes and with rings, Chinese Rings, Streamers from mouth, Prodn of Champagne Bottle,Double Prodn. of Paper Flowers from cone, The Snowstorm, Egg on Fan, Water Suspension, Production boxes, tubes etc., Diminishing Silk Prodn., dancing Cane, Silk Fountain, Gloves to Flowers, Colour Changing Silk, Zombie, Burning Candle to silk, 20th. Century Silks,Self Tying Silks. need I go on. There's enough for a dozen acts. Mine were a present from a friend. Check the catalogues. The 3 DVD versions can be purchased from The Magic Box, Newcastle Upon Tyne, at £27:99 each.
Allen Tipton

Can anyone give me other good dvds or books on stage magic.

Gerbil. It's a case of where to start. What EXACTLY do you mean by Stage Magic? Is it simply BIG effects? Even the Torn & Restored Cigarette Paper is very effective on stage.
Some books.
Device & Illusion by Jim Steinmayer. The Egg Bag Book by Jim Novak or the Supreme booklet, Knowing the Egg Bag by Will Ayling. Mark Wilson Complete Course in magic ( with some 472 pages. Check the remaindered Book Shops) has a great number of Stage Effects. The late Chris Carey's 2 books, Do The Stuff That's You Book 1 & 2 ( priced £12:75p each have wonderful routines and all easily made. I rarely recommend these to other magicians, because I'd love to keep them all to myself.
What about the Tarbell Course Volumes 1 to 8? If you can build, and if you can find them, Derek Lever's 3 wonderful books on Jack Hughes Magic (1..2..3) There's enough here for several life times.
What EXACTLY do you want?
Allen Tipton.
PS, Apart from the Jeff McBride Magic For The Stage FORGET any other DVD's at the moment. Books will make you think, make you study at YOUR OWN PACE. It's easier to turn back a page than press a button.

The Snowstorm is a good trick, and actually quite easy to perform

something called silk vanish
and ufo card
and the drunken deck
they always gave me a good cheer

ive been doing this for 3 years i should know

yours faithfully
master magician milzy

I've never found that card tricks, using poker size decks work well on a stage setting unless you're doing something like the chap that's pulling deck after deck out of thin air and putting them into his top hat. I've always found that a most fascinating routine to watch.

Most new card tricks and gimmick decks are designed for close up and don't fit well into a stage act. One of the recent exceptions would be Jon Allen's Silent Treatment.

The best advice that I can offer you if you're contemplating stage magic is to save up, and then find a good magic dealer where you can see and discuss before you buy. Generally, stage is more expensive so if it were me, I would be prepared to travel before parting with my hard earned cash. I wouldn't buy online unless I knew EXACTLY what I was buying.

I do some power saw and fire tricks as well as death trap!

What get the audiance going the most the apearing spade £50 ish
and the multiplying bottels kids and adults go mad for them!


Stu K

Mark Wilson's book has plans and suggestions, not bad for £20 outlay otherwise Jack Hughes - world of Magic or Wels (both books, the second being plans) are all indespensible if you wanty to do stage magic and can build your own - otherwise start saving,

Vic

I'm sorry but I think that there is some particularly bad advice from some of the newer members here on how to start with stage. I'm not going to pick on any one post in particular. You have to find your own style!!

I agree that recommending books is a particularly good investment as you will start to build up ideas of how to use different props and create different effects. I would also take note of what Allen Tipton recommends and also think that Demitri has offered some good advice!