Three Great Routines from Ian Adair
Surprise Cane Production
Imagine filling up a clear tumbler with milk or any other liquid, covering its mouth with a square of tissue paper, and securing it by an elastic band. Suddenly a full sized evening cane mysteriously appears from inside the tumbler, shooting its way out into the air, bursting through the paper.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
We use the classic Okito Glass; made of glass or as most are today, plastic. Make sure the model you use has a wide opening since they all vary.
A square of tissue papers which covers and overlaps the mouth of the tumbler and an elastic band. The most important prop, of course, the appearing cane. It is important that the folded cane fit INSIDE the tubular or tapered opening via the base of the tumble when required. Oh, you will need a jug of milk or any other liquid you feel fit to use, but do make sure it is opaque.
SET-UP:
Have the folded cane (with its release catch well fixed) inside your right jacket pocket or nearby undercover, together with the square of paper and elastic band. The tumbler and jug of milk should be on display.
THE WORKING AND PRESENTATION:
Pick up the tumbler and quickly flash it inside out, showing that it is empty. Commence by almost filling it with milk. Go to your pocket for the square of tissue and bring this out, pressing it onto the mouth of the tumbler. Now go for the elastic band. Transfer the base of the tumbler over to the right hand so it rests on top of the folded cane.
You will find that when you release the catch on the cane it will automatically shoot upwards, through the paper square and into the air. This is a great audience pleaser. Have fun with it!
ANY COLOR CALLED FOR
Not a world-beatersimply a talking point. The performer states that the hand is quicker then the eye. He also states that normal people’s reactions are very slow. He further demonstrates this by saying that inside an upright vase there is a colored ball and he intends to quickly “flash” it. Hopefully he will find many who can name the color without thinking. This is done. So quick was the “flash” that it might be impossible for everyone to spot it, but enough time for some to answer. The red ball inside the upright vase is spotted by quite a number of people who proudly declare this. But they are wrong. For when the top of the vase is removed, there inside is a ball that is clear and transparent.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
You guessed it – the old classic Ball Vase. Instead of using a red solid ball, we use a clear one. The one I use was taken from a set of Multiplying Bubbles. It rests inside the vase cavity so the “hollow fake ball shell” covers it. In other words, we are using the ball vase for a completely different effect.
WORKING:
Flash the red ball very quickly. Ask the audience to name the color of the ball. Tell them that they are all wrong and lift off the lid showing the CLEAR TRANSPARENT BALL. Show the inside of the lid empty as you remove the ball.
Another way to perform this effect is to use it as a guessing game. State that inside the upright vase is a colored ball and ask the audience to guess what color is inside. Pretend to have trouble in fitting the lid an accidentally flash the red ball as you finally fit it on. Then ask to guess the color, proving them to be wrong in the end.
FUN WITH THE CARD DUCK
Why not give your card duck a breath of fresh air. After all, he’s probably been in that cupboard of yours for years! Using lexicon or bold letter cards (Pianik), these are well shuffled and placed inside the usual “food tray container” ready for the duck to peck out one at a time.
Ask the duck to pick out a letter, which reminds us playing the came of pool. The duck picks out the letter “Q.” This is displayed on a stand, as too the others, one after each other.
Now ask the duck to pick out a letter meaning a female sheep – and ewe The letter “U” is picked out by the duck and displayed. Ask the duck to pick out a letter on what a donkey likes to eat – hay! The letter “A” is picked out!
Ask the duck to pick out a letter to describe what we do with our eyes? The letter “C” is picked out. Finally, ask the duck what his girlfriend’s name is. The letter “K” (Kay) is selected. When read from left to right the word Q U A C K is seen The perfect finish! “Ah, something a duck says?” “QUACK!”
The letters Q U A C K should be on top of the pack which should be false shuffled so the duck can automatically pick them out to spell the word.
Use this example to custom build your own routine using different letters to really make a great impression. Cheers!
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