World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
-
- Posts: 373
- Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
- Favorite Magician: Juan Tamariz
- Location: Murphy, Texas
- Contact:
World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Hi,
I know it's only opinion, but I would like some input into who you think the top 5 Cups and Balls Performers in the world are today and a brief explaination why.
Thanks,
Mark
I know it's only opinion, but I would like some input into who you think the top 5 Cups and Balls Performers in the world are today and a brief explaination why.
Thanks,
Mark
- MaxNY
- Posts: 1349
- Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
- Favorite Magician: Jeff McBride
- Location: Warwick, New York
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
The pre-show at Ringling Bros (couple years back) had clowns doing human sized cups and balls, with garbage cans. The catch was a couple of clowns were able to expand themselves inside the cans, so that when lifted by two other (really srong) clowns, there appeared to be nothing inside! Very very funny!
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Bob Sheets.
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
I'm lucky to have seen many cups and balls performers
Al Scnneider has a superb, magical and easy to follow cups and balls routine.
Michael Ammar lectured in Ireland a few years ago. I always liked his routine but he had recently completed a long run of layman performances and it put a high polish on his performance.
Who can forget Tommy Wonder's two cup and ball routine?
When I was twelve I saw Dick Richards (from Cardiff in Wales) perform at the Butlin's holiday camp in Ireland. He did a stage version of the cups and balls that must have lasted ten minutes. The balls changed colour, grew and became multi-coloured giant balls. I beleive he once won the manipulation award at the British Ring Shield competition with this act. I wish I could remember more of it. I do know the theatre was full (about 800), mostly children and he held their attention throughout. He was also the only magician I've seen where he held the ball at his fingertips, displaying it to the audience and it just vanished without any cover or moves.
The fifth and final must be Prince Charles' cups and balls which he performed at the Magic Circle when he was made a member back in the seventies. Or more so, what happened backstage. He set up backstage, putting the loads into his pockets before turning to the stage manager, looking him straight in the eye and asking, "Do any of my balls show?"
Al Scnneider has a superb, magical and easy to follow cups and balls routine.
Michael Ammar lectured in Ireland a few years ago. I always liked his routine but he had recently completed a long run of layman performances and it put a high polish on his performance.
Who can forget Tommy Wonder's two cup and ball routine?
When I was twelve I saw Dick Richards (from Cardiff in Wales) perform at the Butlin's holiday camp in Ireland. He did a stage version of the cups and balls that must have lasted ten minutes. The balls changed colour, grew and became multi-coloured giant balls. I beleive he once won the manipulation award at the British Ring Shield competition with this act. I wish I could remember more of it. I do know the theatre was full (about 800), mostly children and he held their attention throughout. He was also the only magician I've seen where he held the ball at his fingertips, displaying it to the audience and it just vanished without any cover or moves.
The fifth and final must be Prince Charles' cups and balls which he performed at the Magic Circle when he was made a member back in the seventies. Or more so, what happened backstage. He set up backstage, putting the loads into his pockets before turning to the stage manager, looking him straight in the eye and asking, "Do any of my balls show?"
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Of those I have seen:
Gazzo, Gazzo and Gazzo
Tommy Wonder
Dai Vernon
Alex Elmsley
Bob Sheets
Galli Galli (not for skill but presentation)
Ace Palmer
Bob Read (near the top)
Ken Brooke (a riot with Vernon routine)
Johnny Paul (toally original)
Fred Kaps (what can I add)
Gazzo, Gazzo and Gazzo
Tommy Wonder
Dai Vernon
Alex Elmsley
Bob Sheets
Galli Galli (not for skill but presentation)
Ace Palmer
Bob Read (near the top)
Ken Brooke (a riot with Vernon routine)
Johnny Paul (toally original)
Fred Kaps (what can I add)
Stay tooned.
-
- Posts: 598
- Joined: February 29th, 2008, 12:00 pm
- Location: Denver
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Gazzo is the best I have ever seen ... great skill and a hilarious routine to boot ...
Producer of MINDvention
mentalism convention
mentalism convention
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
OK, of those I've seen, video or live.
Vernon, Wonder, Gertner, Williamson, Ammar, Jay....oops that's 6.
Pepka
Vernon, Wonder, Gertner, Williamson, Ammar, Jay....oops that's 6.
Pepka
- Dustin Stinett
- Posts: 7263
- Joined: July 22nd, 2001, 12:00 pm
- Favorite Magician: Sometimes
- Location: Southern California
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
In no particular order (and sticking with the living):
Tommy Wonder - Even when you know what's coming, he gets you.
Johnny Ace Palmer - It is said that the cups and balls are all about the final load: the rest is just window dressing. J.P. is a great example of that.
Paul Gertner - C'mon, steel balls? How can that not be great?
Ricky Jay - A presentation that gives the effect meaning.
Bob Sheets - Just plain fun to watch.
Tommy Wonder - Even when you know what's coming, he gets you.
Johnny Ace Palmer - It is said that the cups and balls are all about the final load: the rest is just window dressing. J.P. is a great example of that.
Paul Gertner - C'mon, steel balls? How can that not be great?
Ricky Jay - A presentation that gives the effect meaning.
Bob Sheets - Just plain fun to watch.
- Richard Kaufman
- Posts: 27067
- Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
- Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
- Location: Washington DC
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Get yourself the Johnny Paul video from Joe Stevens and watch his KILLER cup and ball routine with sponge balls.
Excellent!!!
Excellent!!!
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Yah, Ricky's ain't to shabby... had forgotten.
But Kaufman is correcto... the Johnny Paul routine smokes most all others.
And I know where you can get the special cups! (blatant plug) :D
But Kaufman is correcto... the Johnny Paul routine smokes most all others.
And I know where you can get the special cups! (blatant plug) :D
Stay tooned.
- BlueEyed Videot
- Posts: 208
- Joined: May 17th, 2008, 8:19 pm
- Favorite Magician: Max Maven, Ray Anderson
- Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Pete -- Didn't you forget Johnny Platt?
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Johnny Ace Palmer has been mentioned here already. Just wanted to add that he is at the Castle all this week. If you have not seen his cups & balls, make it to the Castle this week.
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
I hate to say this, but I was really disappointed when I saw Johnny Platt do the cups... he flashed his final loads badly, etc. etc.
Stay tooned.
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Although I personally never saw John Ramsay, I was told by Vernon, and others, that his routine was superb. As was Ross Bertram's.
Stay tooned.
-
- Posts: 138
- Joined: December 31st, 2008, 7:58 pm
- Location: Montreal
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
I haven't seen it, but I'm told Jason Latimer has quite a nice routine...
- Steve Bryant
- Posts: 1947
- Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
- Favorite Magician: Ballantine
- Location: Bloomington IN
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Others fun to watch: Mike Skinner, Duvivier performing with his daughter. And yes, Jason Latimer's routine is great.
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
I've seen Johnny Ace Palmer's routine maybe 100 times, and it's still exciting to watch.
I've never seen Alex Elmsley's routine with a salt pour as a final load, but on tape, it's ingenious. I've often thought of trying to find a venue for it, but it's so preparation-intensive that I've never found a place for it.
I've never seen Alex Elmsley's routine with a salt pour as a final load, but on tape, it's ingenious. I've often thought of trying to find a venue for it, but it's so preparation-intensive that I've never found a place for it.
- Dustin Stinett
- Posts: 7263
- Joined: July 22nd, 2001, 12:00 pm
- Favorite Magician: Sometimes
- Location: Southern California
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Dominique was performing at the same time as Alexandra?Originally posted by Steve Bryant:
Duvivier performing with his daughter.
Hmmm, I hadn't noticed....
-
- Posts: 121
- Joined: January 28th, 2008, 12:00 pm
- Location: Austin, TX
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Yes, she could probably load a couple of small elephants under the cups and get away with it.... ;)
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
How could I forget cups and balls and cups and balls?! Fantastic story!!!
Pepka
Pepka
-
- Posts: 2332
- Joined: January 18th, 2008, 12:00 pm
- Location: Simi Valley, CA
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
I can't say if I would nominate David Regal as the very best Cups and Balls performer in the world, but his routine is the best I've seen.
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Max Milton is the best I've ever seen on cups and balls. The only one who might top Max is Tommy Wonder.
- Richard Kaufman
- Posts: 27067
- Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
- Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
- Location: Washington DC
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Shankar Junior doing his Indian Cups... beautiful, artistic, and very different to our Western style.
I learned it from him and feel it is well worth study.
Did anyone mention David Williamson?
Also, not known for C&B, but if you can get Dean Dill to do his routine you are in for a treat.
Scotty York, too did a very unusual routine.
I had not seen him, but his writing on the subject is more than worth study... Eddie Joseph. He has more original thoughts and ways to do the effect than anyone I have ever seen or heard of.
Nice to see Bob Read featured in Genii.
I learned it from him and feel it is well worth study.
Did anyone mention David Williamson?
Also, not known for C&B, but if you can get Dean Dill to do his routine you are in for a treat.
Scotty York, too did a very unusual routine.
I had not seen him, but his writing on the subject is more than worth study... Eddie Joseph. He has more original thoughts and ways to do the effect than anyone I have ever seen or heard of.
Nice to see Bob Read featured in Genii.
Stay tooned.
-
- Posts: 456
- Joined: March 13th, 2008, 10:43 am
- Location: Belgium(Liège)
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
I would say Michael Ammar for the choreography of the routine, Eric Decamps for the final appearance of a bottle of Perrier. I saw Eric Decamps at Tannen's Jubilee in 1993 and was baffled by his final appearance. I wish I could watch his routine again.
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Paul Daniels does a very entertaining routine with Cups and Balls that everyone enjoys. Not a lot, but enjoys it none the less. :D
PSIncerely Yours,
Paul Alberstat
AB Stagecraft
http://www.mindguy.com/store
PSIncerely Yours,
Paul Alberstat
AB Stagecraft
http://www.mindguy.com/store
-
- Posts: 138
- Joined: December 31st, 2008, 7:58 pm
- Location: Montreal
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Helge Thun has a funny storyline for his cups and balls (fruit cups)...
You have to see the uncensored version... ;)
J0nathan
You have to see the uncensored version... ;)
J0nathan
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
ONe of the lads of the FLICKING FINGERS does a very very funny story with the cups.
Oh, and Tim Ellis' "RUN AROUND SUE" is a very very commercial routine.
Oh, and Tim Ellis' "RUN AROUND SUE" is a very very commercial routine.
Stay tooned.
-
- Posts: 138
- Joined: December 31st, 2008, 7:58 pm
- Location: Montreal
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
That is Helge Thun ;) ...Originally posted by Pete Biro:
ONe of the lads of the FLICKING FINGERS does a very very funny story with the cups.
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Anyone :whack:
Does anyone here know what make of Cup Paul Gertner uses in his routine? Thanks in advance!
J
Does anyone here know what make of Cup Paul Gertner uses in his routine? Thanks in advance!
J
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
I've heard so much about Ricky Jay's Cups and Balls routine and would love to see it or read it, does anyone know if it's available anywhere?
Thanks in advance,
Jim
Thanks in advance,
Jim
- Brad Jeffers
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: April 11th, 2008, 5:52 pm
- Location: Savannah, GA
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
You can see Jay's performance of the cups and balls on his HBO special Ricky Jay & his 52 Assistants . His is a great routine. I like his use of the chop cup in the opening sequence. Another very strong point of his routine is the large time delay between the loading of the fruit and the revealing of the final loads. And when you view the tape, try to catch from where he steals the first ball at the begining of the routine ... very clever!
- Richard Kaufman
- Posts: 27067
- Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
- Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
- Location: Washington DC
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Forget watching that abridged HBO special: Ricky Jay is bringing 52 Assistants to Washington DC later this year!
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
In case I can't see him live in DC ( much as I'd like to ) is the HBO version available for purchase or do they just run it from time to time??
Thanks again ,
Jim
Thanks again ,
Jim
- Glenn Farrington
- Posts: 630
- Joined: January 24th, 2008, 12:00 pm
- Location: Los Angeles
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Gertner, Kaps, Sheets, Conover, Veron, Gazzo
Comedy's Easy...Dying Sucks.
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
Hey Richard,
Strangely when I got to work this morning I was informed that I'm going to DC in May! I'm just sorry you didn't tell me Ricky Jay was going to be in Hawaii or maybe I'd be going there!
Do you have any details on the performances in DC? Perhaps a website?
Much Thanks!
Jim
Strangely when I got to work this morning I was informed that I'm going to DC in May! I'm just sorry you didn't tell me Ricky Jay was going to be in Hawaii or maybe I'd be going there!
Do you have any details on the performances in DC? Perhaps a website?
Much Thanks!
Jim
- Richard Kaufman
- Posts: 27067
- Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
- Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
- Location: Washington DC
- Contact:
Re: World's Best Cups & Balls Performers?
I can't recall the name of the theater, but it's at the END of the year.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine