Dying on stage

Discussions of new films, books, television shows, and media indirectly related to magic and magicians. For example, there may be a book on mnemonics or theatrical technique we should know or at least know about.
Bill Mullins
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Dying on stage

Postby Bill Mullins » September 10th, 2019, 11:35 am

Jeff Abraham and Burt Kearns have a new book, The Show Won't Go On, about people who have died on stage. Writer Mark Evanier (who is an amateur magician, and knows more about pop culture than just about anyone) will interview them in Burbank on 9/21. The book mentions Tommy Cooper, Washington Irving Bishop, several bullet catchers, and (of course) several Wallendas.

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Christopher1979
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Re: Dying on stage

Postby Christopher1979 » September 10th, 2019, 12:37 pm

Interesting, Tommy Cooper died on live TV.... all very sad.
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Joe Mckay
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Re: Dying on stage

Postby Joe Mckay » September 10th, 2019, 2:08 pm

You can see the clip of him dying on stage here.

The audience thought it was part of the act.

RK EDIT: IT'S DISGRACEFUL THAT THE CLIP OF COOPER DYING FOUND ITS WAY OUT OF THE VAULT AND I HAVE REMOVED THE LINK. COOPER DESERVES SOME DIGNITY, WHICH DOESN'T INCLUDE PEOPLE GAWKING AND WATCHING HIM DIE ON STAGE FOR THE REST OF ETERNITY.

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Tom Frame
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Re: Dying on stage

Postby Tom Frame » September 10th, 2019, 2:38 pm

My review of the exquisitely creepy The Show Won't Go On will appear in the December issue of Genii.

Bill Mullins
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Re: Dying on stage

Postby Bill Mullins » September 10th, 2019, 3:30 pm

If you are going to be creepy, then exquisitely creepy is the way to go.

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Christopher1979
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Re: Dying on stage

Postby Christopher1979 » September 10th, 2019, 6:22 pm

Joe Mckay wrote:You can see the clip of him dying on stage here.

The audience thought it was part of the act.

RK EDIT: IT'S DISGRACEFUL THAT THE CLIP OF COOPER DYING FOUND ITS WAY OUT OF THE VAULT AND I HAVE REMOVED THE LINK. COOPER DESERVES SOME DIGNITY, WHICH DOESN'T INCLUDE PEOPLE GAWKING AND WATCHING HIM DIE ON STAGE FOR THE REST OF ETERNITY.


I agree. Tommy Cooper was much loved in his day and still is by many.
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erdnasephile
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Re: Dying on stage

Postby erdnasephile » September 11th, 2019, 1:17 pm

In a related vein to what happened to Mr. Cooper:

I have to admit: as brilliant as the late Sid Lorraine was, I had a very difficult time watching his "pitch" act (where he masterfully faked progressively worsening cough/choking spells that resolved with his miracle "cure").

When I first saw the act, Mr. Lorraine was pretty up there in age. As a medical guy, it always worries me when an elder looks like they are in trouble because I might need to act; therefore, I wasn't able to relax and enjoy the performance as much as perhaps others did.


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