Jolt – Comedy Electric Chair Routine by Val Andrews

Without doubt one of the funniest and most entertaining routines you can put into any magic program. The famous Italian illusionist, Chefalo, used it in his full evening show for nearly half a century and it was the item his audiences talked about long after they had forgotten about the floating lady or the immense livestock productions they had seen. Maurice Fogel and David Devant also capitalized on its incredible entertainment value, as did Paul Daniels and Marvyn Roy in later years.

Here’s the effect: Two spectators are invited onto the stage or night club floor to assist. They are seated on metal folding chairs, one on each side of the performer. While the performer is talking about the effect that he is going to present, one spectator jumps up from his chair as if it were electrified! He sits down again, only to jump up again after a few seconds have elapsed. The fact that there is nothing wrong with his chair is pointed out and demonstrated, and the man is given the chance to change places with the other spectator. They do so, yet again within a few seconds, the man leaps from his chair! Seemingly tiring of all this, the performer again examines the chair, and even sits on it himself. The jumpy spectator gingerly sits down again and for the moment all seems well. Then, the other spectator suddenly leaps up! A steel rod is now introduced and one spectator is invited to hold it. He drops it as if it were red hot. It is handed to the other with similar result. The final “shock” occurs when the magician touches a metal plate (on the floor) with the rod and BOTH spectators leap into the air! Before returning to their places in the audience, they are “handed back” their wallets, comb, pen, etc.!

• Work it under ANY performance conditions, indoors or outdoors, even surrounded.
• Requires little more than a couple of ordinary, UNGIMMICKED FOLDING CHAIRS and TWO VOLUNTEERS from the audience (NOT PLANTS or confederates).
• NO ELECTRICITY IS INVOLVED!

In this manuscript, Val Andrews takes you step-by-step through the entire routine – from the basic methodology, requirements, and set-up through to the presentation, complete with comedy patter and every bit of business. 8 pages, re-typeset.