Ebook - Jolt - Comedy Electric Chair Routine by Val Andrews
Description & Effect
The Ultimate Comedy Magic Classic
Prepare to electrify your audience with Jolt, Val Andrews' legendary Comedy Electric Chair routine! This unparalleled piece of comedic magic has been a cornerstone for some of history's greatest entertainers, from the illustrious Italian illusionist Chefalo, who featured it for half a century, to modern masters like Paul Daniels and Marvyn Roy. Audiences spoke of this routine long after forgetting more elaborate illusions, a testament to its incredible entertainment value and lasting impact. Maurice Fogel and David Devant also championed its power to generate uproarious laughter, proving its timeless appeal.
The Shockingly Hilarious Effect
Imagine this: You invite two unsuspecting spectators onto your stage or nightclub floor, seating them on ordinary metal folding chairs. As you begin to introduce an effect, one volunteer suddenly leaps from their chair, as if struck by an invisible current! They settle back down, only to jump again moments later. After demonstrating the chair is perfectly normal, you offer them a chance to switch places. They do, yet within seconds, the 'shock' strikes again! Feigning exasperation, you examine the chair yourself, even sitting on it to prove its safety. The jumpy spectator gingerly returns, and for a moment, all seems well.
But the surprises aren't over! The other spectator suddenly receives a jolt! A steel rod is introduced, and holding it yields a similar 'hot potato' reaction from both volunteers. The grand finale brings the house down: you touch a metal plate on the floor with the rod, and BOTH spectators leap into the air simultaneously! Before they return to their seats, you comically 'return' their wallets, combs, and pens, completing an unforgettable sequence of pure, unadulterated fun.
Why 'Jolt' Stands Out
What makes 'Jolt' truly exceptional is its profound simplicity and versatility. It works flawlessly under virtually ANY performance conditions – indoors, outdoors, or even completely surrounded. There's no complex setup; you require little more than two ordinary, UNGIMMICKED folding chairs and two genuine, un-planted volunteers from your audience. Crucially, NO ELECTRICITY IS INVOLVED! This is a masterpiece of psychological misdirection and comedic timing, relying solely on your presentation and Val Andrews' ingenious method.
What You Get
In this meticulously re-typeset, 8-page manuscript, Val Andrews guides you step-by-step through the entire routine. You'll learn the fundamental methodology, precise requirements, and optimal stage setup. More importantly, Val provides a complete presentation, rich with expertly crafted comedy patter and every bit of business needed to make this routine a highlight of your show. Master 'Jolt' and add a guaranteed laugh riot to your repertoire!
Original Specs
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.
