I just finished reading this article on Teller, of Penn & Teller fame, and the trick that he has been spending hundreds of hours perfecting - bringing a ball to life. The article provides some fun insight into life as a magician working up new acts, as well as Penn and Teller's working relationship.

After Penn walks offstage, Teller, hoop in hand, slowly coaxes the ball to life and makes it do his bidding. Over the course of the trick the ball goes from indifferent to awakening to willing playmate. Though the narrative has Teller getting the ball to jump through his hoop, the ball’s most singularly beautiful moment is when it attains a perfect balance on the edge of the hoop. Audience applause achieved, the ball turns mischievous and follows Teller across the stage as if in need of more play. Teller tries to treat the ball with affection as he sits on a bench, gently petting it. But the increasingly aggressive ball finally chases the magician off stage: A little red ball brought to life and then pursuing its creator, a Frankenstein’s monster.

http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2008/nov/20/man-ball-hoop-bench-and-alleged-thread-teller/


I really like magic, and thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. Maybe some of you will too.

Just don't give away the secret.

 

Ron G.

Nice article.  I've seen jugglers do something similar.  In order to tell a story, and also to cover fumbles and drops, they bring a ball to life by making it into a character.  It's starts simply.  The red ball suddenly starts flying higher in the pattern, then it starts to follow the blue ball instead of the white ball, etc., much to the juggler's dismay.  When the juggler changes patterns, it looks as if the red ball has a mind of it's own.  If the juggler drops a ball, he blames it on the red ball for not being a team player, etc.  When done well, it's a really funny bit, and it really doesn't take long to start seeing the inanimate ball as a creature.

-Elroy

That's a great comparison Elroy. I've never seen that done before but the way you've described it I can easily imagine it. Thanks for the insight.

It's funny, Penn Jillette started out as a juggler with no background in magic, and according to the article he kept giving Teller grief about the ball routine. They have an interesting working relationship.

 

Ron G.

The other part of the article that struck me was the mention of how the people who are really amazed by the trick are the ones who know how it's done.  That's something else I've seen in juggling, and I think it applies to all forms of performing arts, puppetry included.  When something is really well done, the audience will think it's easy, but those who know how it's done realize just how difficult it really is.

-Elroy