Breaking the Language Barrier

[Bryant_Tsu]

I am off to a foreign country this week! For you magicians out there can you think of any simple to follow tricks that rely on very little to no speaking? Help me out and comment below!

 

[Steven Lafitte]

Off the top of my head:

• The Crazyman's Handcuffs
• Coin Matrix Routine
• Ambitious Card
• Color Changes

I frequently run into tourist in my town who do not speak Swedish nor English (and if they do it's very broken English) and I haven't had any issues performing for them. I also travel quite often and I've never came across any problems, because wherever you're visiting you can learn enough of the language to say "take a card, please," "put it back into the deck," "shuffle the cards," before you leave, in about an hours time.

It doesn't have to be perfect, the locals will get what you mean and will appreciate the effort.

Visual magic is key and personally I typically start off with an ACR or 3 fly routine (with coins of the local currency if feasible). Card flourishes are a nice introduction and ITR work is really good too.

|| Steven

 

[Tower of Lunatic Meat]

I was also going to suggest Ambitious Card and 3 Fly.

Sponge Ball/Bunnies works too

Pen through dollar/Ultimate Shocking Pen

Maybe Cutting the Aces

Anything where the spectator signs a card

 

[Justin.Morris]

When I was in Honduras, I found I was able to use most of the material from Wilson's On the Spot, coin work, and most of my card material. Simply avoid complicated plots and effects that take a lot of explaining or make use of verbal cues (like 2 card monte for example) I'm sure you will have fun with the material you already do!

 

[Bryant_Tsu]

Thanks guys!

 

[Justin.Morris]

Where are you headed? Will you have opportunity to perform?

 

[mrcheeseman]

The Raven