STILTS

PERFORM MAGIC ON STILTS

A stilt walker is a tremendous attraction at any function whether it is an indoor or outdoor event.

Type of stilts to use as a stilt magician

The best stilts to use are Dura stilts which are available from the Dura Co in USA . There is a Chinese generic version which is a lot cheaper. I have not used those so can not comment.

These modern stilts have a parallel plate system with adjusting springs between them so in affect you are balancing on a floor plate which is parallel to a foot plate. This system allows you to balance a lot easier and learning to walk on them is much quicker. These stilts are lot safer and you can stand still on these. The only snag is you are restricted to the set heights. But I have found there is no need to have stilts higher than a metre.

The original wooden stilts comprised a wooden pole on which a plate was bolted on which your foot was attached. The technique on pole stilts is to rock up and down which enables you to balance. These are a lot more unsafe as the surface area is smaller and the continual rocking motion is also a disadvantage. I used a set of 6 ft stilts for a long time and although they looked great I decided to switch over to the Dura stilts after a nasty fall which left me with broken wrists.

 Costumes suitable for magic on stilts

The costumes for stilt walkers are so varied that it is impossible to mention all types.

The internet is a good place to get ideas. The basic principles of colour co ordination still apply. A striped pants makes you look longer. Once you are up on the stilts and walking around you have to have all or most props with you. You can carry a shoulder bag or have pockets sewn into the outfit. I used to perform as a clown and made the same stilt costume as my clown costume. To save time from shifting the props from my clown pants pockets to the stilt pockets I had an access slit sewn into the  side of my stilt pants.

The material should be an average weight and hang naturally. A very light weight material looks cheap and wont last.

 Nowadays there are clown shoe manufacturers that can make up a pair of shoes to fit the stilts. This is very important as it finishes off the costume. I have seen some interesting shoes made from foam products to fiberglass.

Themed costumes are popular and it is a good idea to have a few sets of costumes available. A plain black pair of pants is also advisable as there are many different themes that you can use them with.

 I have always liked the tails jackets that are made to fit to the floor as it enhances the illusion of a large person.

A pocket sewn onto the back of the pants is very useful for the vanishing of objects in magic routines.

Extra props such as a walking stick can be added if in the theme. I used a large Golf umbrella as a prop and walked around with it open. It made a great visual appearance, saved me from the sun and in one instance was weapon against a very drunk person who wanted to pull me off the stilts. I was always looking out for different gimmick umbrellas which caused comment.

 Gags and Props for the magic stilt walker

 Here is a list of greeting gags specifically used while on stilts.  

1. How’s the weather up there??  I am not sure but the Ozone layer is not great as it is making me on a high.
2. High shorty!
3. (To a group) Is this a convention of midgets?
4. I was born on a long weekend.
5. They said stretch your legs but this is ridiculous.
6. High! …..low ( hallo)
7. I am a big spender, ( used in a mall)
8. ( at an optometrist shop) I need glasses I m seeing midgets all over the mall.
9. I love people looking up to me.
10. Why you so short? (To a kid) have you been washing in warm water? Always wash in cold water it stops the shrinkage.
11. You live that way! ( Pont in any direction as if you can their house)
12. They say smoking stunts your growth.
13. ( Working with a midget) This is my younger brother or I’m his older brother. Or we are twins I was born first.

 Sight gags

1. Polishing a bald head. Use a hanky or imaginary.

2. Playing the bongos with a group of peoples heads

3. Inspect their head for fleas, find one, look at it then throw it down, look for it on floor then stamp on it.

4. (Somebody with a trolley or motor car) Indicate they go through your legs.

5. Traffic directing

6. Cleaning the plants or a sign.

7. Warn people to duck under a low sign, say you hit your head just awhile back.                                           

8.Or you have been hired to warn people about the low sign.

 Do and Don’ts for the magical stilt walker

 1. Keep away from pubs and areas where liquor is served.

2. If possible do not perform on stilts at end of function as there are more drunk people around.

3. Use the stilts where there is a massive crowd as it is the most visual type entertainment. Use where there is a good flow of people.

4. Watch out for slippery surfaces, cleaning floors, obstacles and lose food on floors.

5. Coming into and out of a lift is great visually.

6. Performing magic is great. If using sleight of hand, watch your angles.

7. Take your pants off the stilts before packing in your car. (Stops wear and tear)

8. Always check your stilts before each job for lose bolts and screws. THEY DO COME LOSE!

9. Do not hand out sweets or any giveaways for free.

10. Have a strong carry bag made, this helps protect the stilts especially when you are flying to a gig.

11. Make sure your costume pants are ironed, they can be a real eyesore if not.

12. Make sure you are in private area when putting on and off the stilts. It spoils the illusion. If it can’t be helped and you have to undress in public make fun of the actually undressing etc. Tell the people to stop looking while you undress.

 Make sure the straps are attached to the stilts when tying onto your leg other wise they can drop down your leg and you can have a serious accident.

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