Brad,
Here are a couple nice bits. Enjoy.
*"The Bag of Introductions"- aka Roasting without the heat.
When working at a magic club, where everyone already knows each other, this makes for a fun emcee bit.
"Roasting" as it is called, is a time honored tradition among friends, and a great source of comedy. Unfortunately, it can also backfire, and produce some ill feelings. Using the "Bag of Introductions" (a paper bag with this title written in bold across the face) can buffer these potential problems. All can clearly see the introductions (written on slips of paper) are random selections, and not actually aimed at anyone. They are truly all in good fun. Here are a few "introductions" I wrote for a club event a few months ago. You are welcome to use them in part or in whole. The main idea however is to help develop your own.
"Our next magician is a true wonder. As a matter of fact, we all wonder about this guy sometimes. This performer is so old, that he received his first magic lessons from Moses. He hails from places unknown- because quite honestly no one wants to claim him. Here he is"
"Our next performer is known in the magical community as "the Weatherman". Not because he predicts the weather, but that his magic routines are so long winded. This magician is truly gifted, unfortunately he has yet to open the wrapping paper. Without any further adieu "
"What can I say about our next performer tonight really what can I say? Just kidding of course, truth be known, this magician is a real spellbinder. Unfortunately his particular spell puts us all to sleep. Here he is, back from his critically acclaimed show "Trailer Park Magic", the incomprehensible..."
"It is said that some magicians have planted within them the seeds to great success. If that is true, our next performer is perhaps the seediest magician around. This conjuror has been compared to such notables as Houdini, Kellar, and Thurston. Not because of his skill, but because they are all dead. Ladies and Gentleman here he is"
"We are now in for a real treat. In all his years of performing, no one has been able to say one bad word about his magic. It usually takes several paragraphs. I wont say that he is a failure at mentalism, but he did receive an "F" on his last Book Test. Here he is, the mid-west master of magical mayhem"
*The Bunny Board- A comedy prop for Emcees and Magicians.
This was aimed at one time to appear in Genii, but was somehow lost in the process. Here it is in an electronic incarnation for your consideration.
The emcee, midway through the show suddenly loses his train of thought, and cannot remember the next act. He reaches for his trusty clip-board, whose shape looks a great deal like top hat.
Thinking outloud the emcee says, "lets see, we did this act... this one... this one... and... next page..." He flips the next page up, which is revealed to look like the proverbial rabbit from the hat. "Ah here it is!" he exclaims, and introduces the next act.
This shows the Bunny Board from the audience view.
http://waterloomagic.com/Bunnyboard2.JPG
To make a bunny board, trim a 1.25" x 9" off each side of a regular clipboard using a jigsaw. To even out the shape, trim a 1.5" section off the bottom as well.
Download the full-sized bunny art, found here-
http://waterloomagic.com/bunny.JPG
Print out the bunny art onto legal sized paper. If you do not have legal paper at home, reduce the image to 50% and take the graphic to a near-by Kinko's. Enlarge to 200% (or 141% twice) Re-retrace the solid lines with a bold marker if needed. Cut out just inside the dashed lines.
http://waterloomagic.com/Bunnyboard.JPG
This shows the configuration of the bunny art on the board. The ears are folded up to compress the production. You will also notice the "foot" of extra paper between the bunny and clip. This allows the graphic to clear the clip when extended. Some boards have lower profile clips, and will require less of a foot. Also note, if you double stick tape the bunny to the board just under the clip, you will be able to actually have notes under (and on top of) the bunny.
Well, I've taken up far too much bandwith.
Enjoy all!
Michael Sibbernsen
[ March 12, 2002: Message edited by: Michael Sibbernsen ]