Craig
New Member
Posts: 12 
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Post by Craig on May 25, 2016 9:33:19 GMT -5
I've begun dabbling with an idea that involves cards that have "healthy" choices and "Dangerous" choices written on them. The cards are shuffled and turned face up and face down with choices made by the spectator, and yet all of the face up cards are "healthy" choices except one. The kicker is the mentalist predicted the healthy choices as well as the bad one. The "dangerous" life choice predicts their untimely demise in a humorous fashion. I intended the routine to be light and comical, but I wonder two things: First, is the routine appropriate and/or entertaining (I understand this may play differently on paper than in print, but I hope I've written in such a way that the idea comes across)? Second, if so, what comical demises would be best for a routine like this? So far I have thought of "Fork in a toaster" "Milking a bull" and "Buy a pet (poisonous snake)."
I wanted to gauge opinions on the routine before I went too far down the rabbit hole. Please, brutally honest opinions only.
Cheers,
Craig
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Post by Ben Blau on May 26, 2016 18:26:04 GMT -5
I believe I saw you perform this effect. I enjoyed it, and found it both deceptive and entertaining.
However, personally I am always careful about incorporating whimsy into my own performances. In general, overtly whimsical plots place emphasis on the novelty of the whimsical PREMISE, and not on the subtext of your narrative. So, if I had any advice at all, I'd say that while the routine is deceptive and entertaining, you should consider what you are trying to communicate through your performances, and assess this routine through that lens.
I have done a lot of self reflection and writing about what mentalism means to me. (The writing is more of a personal journal, not meant to be published.) To me, the performance of mentalism has a lot to do with self-exploration, understanding my worldview, and expressing it through performance.
Granted, I'm not a professional entertainer, and have different priorities than someone who has to entertain for a living. My routines are less about "commerciality", and more about inviting people into MY world, if they're curious about me and the things I like to think about. I realize that a professional entertainer has to abide other considerations, but perhaps just a shade of reflection on the points I'm making (badly) could add congruence and gravitas to your character and act.
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Craig
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by Craig on May 28, 2016 20:53:53 GMT -5
Upon further consideration, the humor steps on the moment of astonishment when the prediction is read. I have thought about reworking the moments of humor or even altering the presentation. Thanks for the comments.
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