I'm currently working on something where to tell the story I think I'm going to need a large poster and a large mock book - both are going to need a few large words on them very visible to the audience...and I'm trying to think about big rooms and people standing, blocking views etc (hey gotta think big or no point in thinking)

So whilst I 'think' I know what I'm doing, and have been trying to learn from other routines I've seen in real life and on youtube etc...

Does anyone have any great advice, sage words, anecdotes about using props they needed or wanted the audience to read?

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Life's too short to not live life large - do it! Doooooo iiittttt!
Tempest Devyne's myspace

Yeah, they spend more time drinking, fighting, cursing, woo hooing, dancing and watching boobs waggle than what is written on a bit of board Tempest. They are there to see YOU not the board or books I fear!
We used to have boards for the band when we did our mimes, total waste of time. I tryed to used them as cue boards/idiot boards for a couple of magic shows..........Never worked. Again, all they wanted was to see the "magic" being done then complain afterwards that "they could have done that one themselves!". I am NOT trying to bring your ideas down sweetheart but, you did ask

What I can tell is to keep whatever you do "K.I.S.S.". or you will lose them.

One young lady I did watch kindova copied Betty Paiges way of coming on stage with a board with her name on it but "not see it" till she looked at it then pointed to the board then to her self, what the dancer did was to incorporate the boards changing into the act to explain the next "bit".

I have tried to keep boards out of my acts for the reason you said but had no choice in my Magic Makeover act as there was no other way for the audience to no that i was using magic dust on myself. I was going to use a witches cauldron as it was a simple way to make the audience see I was using magic but after a conversation with another performer my act would have been very close to a new one she was making so I didn't.
Anyway my way round it is to put the have the scene on the stage with the container of magic dust before I go on stage so people have plenty of time to look at it also I do pick it up and show it to people. I am sure some people do miss it and come in half way through but hopefully the act speaks for itself enough that they understand what is going on. I also make sure that the letters on the sign are big and clear so people can read from the back, keep it to only a couple of words as long sentences do not work.
Best of luck
Diva x

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Diva Hollywood - http://www.myspace.com/divahollywood

Thanks you two! You are helping me crystallise some thoughts.

Yes having worked in PR and had to commission various huge posters in the past, I am very aware that even people who are interested don't read stuff.

I'm trying to tell a tale of unrequited love but trying to keep it as prop free as poss simply from what I've learnt watching others' routines.

I'm working on a large poster of a certain someone with no words on it, an oversized pair of scissors and a oversized book, with just "How To Be Beautiful" across the whole cover in huge type (still trying to work out best combination of colours - black on white or white on black)

What do you think about getting a compere to help set the scene?: "Now you're all going to have to be nice to our Bearded Lady, she's just had some bad news, ............... is getting married...and it's not to her"

Would this work? Do the audience listen better than they read?

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Life's too short to not live life large - do it! Doooooo iiittttt!
Tempest Devyne's myspace

Hi honey
it really depends on the compare as there are some amazing ones out there that take time and effort to get your name and act name right and make you feel a million dollars before you step on stage. then you have ones that can not even get your name right or bother to say the name of your act.
I ask you do I look like a DAVE!!!!
From what I have learnt you need be self contained have props that you can carry anywhere and make your acts simple and people will understand. It does not have to be silly just simple if you no what I mean.
For Example I have an act called 'Evolution of Woman' it took me ages to figure out how to get people to realize how I was changing. I stated off with the idea of having a nature program style voice over, then a speech the compare could read then I struck on the idea of using the music from a space odyssey. At the start of the movie where the monkeys find the bone and start to beat it I used that idea for the start of my act but with a red sparkly shoes. I love doing the act because I can hear when the audience start to get the joke.
So maybe you need to find music that tells your story for you there are plenty of songs about love. Also your costume will do a lot, why is your character taking her clothes off? Will this help her to get love? or is she angry with the ex lover. I always have a story for my acts even the fan dances as it really helps me figure out all the problems.
Hope this has been some help.
Diva x

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Diva Hollywood - http://www.myspace.com/divahollywood

Yes, some MC are just thick!! Our group was called "LOGOS",we have been called "Lamppost", "Lost Almos" and "LOGIC" before now!

Tempest, I think Kittie Klaws would agree with me when I say that Burlesque is a "Parody" of an actual "thing", I think you understand this properly but maybe don't see that props aren't "really" needed. You, your body language and your costumes should do the "talking" as it were. May I tentativly suggest you might be over doing things a wee bit and trying to make things too complicated? Remember K.I.S.S? "Keep It Simple Stupid". If I may make a small comparison. You have done News Reporter type work yes? If you walked into a room with NO notebook and pencil or dictaphone no one sees you as a reporter, walk I with one and every one assumes you are "the" reporter or "a" reporter, walk in wearing a pencil skirt, nice blouse and your hair up and or in a bun with specs on clutching a notepad you automatically are a "secretary". The note book and the pencil just saved you 7 minutes of explaining..........K.I.S.S

I'm working on a prop that the audience reads.

I think, so long as you keep it very simple, people will read it. (If they don't, they are just lazy and it's their fault that they don't understand).

Off the top of my head, Vendetta Vain uses a similar prop in her Ring of Fire act, and it works brilliantly. And Beatrix von Bourbon uses the big menu in one of her routines (I'm sorry, I've forgotten what it's called).

So it can work really well when done right

Oh and Tempest, love the new avatar. You look stunning!

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Snowflakes and Sparkles xox
December's Myspace

El Mucho concurence and other salutations Tempest.

You may tentatively suggest that, but I think you're wrong this time - especially as with your illustration you have just proved the need for using props you dear sweet dingbat

Ok here's the story, I can't give too much away because I need one element cleared with someone first. The bearded lady is in love. Now I WILL be doing lots of silent movie ham acting to show this - but I need to show the object of my affections - hence large A1 laminated poster that I shall show to audience, kiss, dance with - that's prop 1.

But he doesn't love me. My actions and the music I've chosen to use I'm pretty sure will convery this. I have an oversized cut-throat razor (which is a prop....like a notepad....and no, I've never been a newspaper hack thank god) but there's a big turning point in the middle of the routine and that's the bit where I think I'm going to use over-sized book with just 4 huge words on front, and just 2 inside it....

And that's when I'm gonna use my arms, use my legs, use my fingers, use my sidestep, use my my my my imagination...I'm Special, so special..... (plus bursting out of large coat to show very sparkly dress underneath etc) to finish the act.

I totally know what you mean Diva, it's an story I've had in my head for a long time now, and it's been quite difficult, but fun, to suss out simplest way to get it across to an audience. I adore evolution of woman when you can hear the audience start to be in on the joke.

I've tried to get it down to it's bare bones, and I don't think it's too far off now

Thank you, you pair of lovelies

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Life's too short to not live life large - do it! Doooooo iiittttt!
Tempest Devyne's myspace

I was specificcalery warbling on about LARGE props.........sob..... and..and....sob...and how lickle.....sob..... props might.....gulp..... work better.............sob........