[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
An Orchard Story
Paper Magic
Will Blyth
Next | Previous | Contents
An Orchard Story
Effect
Entering with an unprepared newspaper, the performer, by simply rolling
and tearing various pieces of it, makes a Tree, Fence, Ladder, and finally a
Group of Dancing Brownies; telling a story as he forms the various
articles.
Working
THE TREE. The paper should in this case, and in all other effects be first
exhibited both sides, "in order to show that there is no deception." Tear
the doubled page right across about ten inches deep, twice (Fig. 116),
forming two long strips ten inches wide. Roll up one strip, not too lightly,
and when complete roll the other over it, allowing end of first piece to
overlap the edge of second piece, Fig. 117. Then lightly flatten the top,
and make three cuts from top to centre of roll (Fig. 118).
It will be noticed that two incisions are made by the first cut by reason of
the roll being cut through in its flattened condition. It is now an easy
matter, to make two more cuts, equi-distant from the first cut, thus making
four lots of strips at the centre of the roll (Fig. 119). Hold the lower part of
http://thelearnedpig.com.pa/magos/books/paper1/41.html (1 of 6) [4/23/2002 3:27:06 PM]
An Orchard Story
the roll firmly in the left hand, and with the right pull up the centre strip,
when the tree, will appear in all its pristine beauty. (Fig. 120.)
Although it is not absolutely essential, the effect is considerably enhanced
by the tree being planted in a Pot. An ordinary small earthenware flower
pot with a cardboard disc fitted in the top, having a small hole in the
centre of the disc to take the tree, will be found admirable for the purpose.
FENCE. Tear a slip about six inches wide off a doubled page of
newspaper and fold in pleated fashion as shown by dotted lines in Fig.
125. Then fold in half, A to B, in order to reduce time taken to tear paper.
Make a series of cuts along the edge about one inch apart and about
three-quarters of the way down; then another series of similar cuts along
the other edge, so that they pass partly between the top ones (Fig. 122).
At the extremes tear as closely as possible to the end, because these being
of doubled paper will, when opened out, be double the size of the other
pieces. Great care must now be taken in opening out the fence, which
http://thelearnedpig.com.pa/magos/books/paper1/41.html (2 of 6) [4/23/2002 3:27:06 PM]
An Orchard Story
should appear as Fig. 123.
LADDER. For this beautiful effect tear from a doubled page of
newspaper a strip about ten inches wide and make a roll, not too tightly.
This should then be torn in the centre as shown by the dotted lines in Fig.
124, the shaded portion being torn completely away. If the roll is pressed
together it will be found easy to tear through the complete roll.
The ends A and B are now bent downwards as in Fig. 125, and it will be
found that by gently pulling the top slip of paper a perfect ladder will
emerge with flat steps and rounded sides. (Fig. 126.)
http://thelearnedpig.com.pa/magos/books/paper1/41.html (3 of 6) [4/23/2002 3:27:06 PM]
An Orchard Story
If a longer ladder is required, two strips of paper may be used as directed
for making tree. (Fig. 120.)
GROUP OF DANCING BROWNIES. A double page slip of newspaper
about ten inches wide is required, and must be pleated in pleats about one
inch wide. Tear or cut as shown by the outline in Fig. 127, and when
opened out a row of quaint little dancing Brownies will be discovered.
(Fig. 128.)
http://thelearnedpig.com.pa/magos/books/paper1/41.html (4 of 6) [4/23/2002 3:27:06 PM]
An Orchard Story
Patter
The patter must run on throughout the whole development of the story.
There should be no awkward pauses while any item is being prepared or
rolled. Ample opportunity will be found for introducing set gags or jokes
where a slight delay is likely to occur, as nothing is more likely to make
an audience restless and impatient than a tedious wait while nothing in
particular is apparently being done.
The following patter is purposely written in the fullest style, but
performers can, of course, cut or add in any part according to their
requirements. The important point to bear in mind is, that the interest of
the spectators must be sustained from start to finish.
Ladies and Gentlemen. For some years past many experiments have been
made with the object of discovering how to manufacture substitute
articles. Margarine has been made from coal; the Germans endeavoured to
make bread from sawdust during their war shortage of flour, but I don't
think that they were very successful. Manufacturers have, however, been
able to make paper from trees, and a farmer in Blankshire hearing of this
thought that he would try to reverse the process and make a tree for his
orchard from paper. He took a piece of newspaper like this (and, by the
way, I might tell you that although this now looks like an ordinary black
and while, newspaper, you may be surprised to know that only yesterday
it was read (red) on both sides); as I said, he took the paper and rolled it
up, so (I am going to do this slowly, so that I shall be able to do you more
quickly). Then making these incisions down the stem he produced his tree,
which he placed in a pot. Of course he placed the tree in the pot, because
http://thelearnedpig.com.pa/magos/books/paper1/41.html (5 of 6) [4/23/2002 3:27:06 PM]
An Orchard Story
he found it so much easier than placing the pot in the tree.
It was very necessary that he should place some protection around the tree
to prevent naughty boys from helping themselves in the autumn to his
rosy-cheeked apples, so he took another piece of paper and proceeded to
make a fence. Whilst showing you how he made this, may I say how
pleased I am to see so many happy faces here this evening. So glad you
came, because it is not always those who are asked who come. It reminds
me of a story I read the other day about an old lady who invited two
soldiers to tea with her. On the appointed day only one soldier appeared in
response to the invitation. "Why, where is your friend," said the old lady.
"Well, mum, we couldn't both get away, so we tossed for it," he replied.
"Oh, and I suppose you won," said the old lady with a smile. "No, mum. I
lost," was the unexpected reply. Now you see we have the fence ready,
and I will place it around the tree as the farmer did. When the apples were
ready to be gathered, a difficulty arose as to how to reach the top
branches. He wanted a ladder, and in order to get one he again took a
piece of paper and made a roll, so. There is one peculiar feature about
ladders which possibly you may not have noticed, and that is, that some of
them are larger than the smaller ones. This is going to be one of those.
Having completed the roll he made two bites in the centre, removed a
mouthpiece, bent down the ends and pulled up the ladder, thus. He set this
against the tree and found that he could easily reach the apples.
Now you know that hiding in many forests are a tot of little fairy people
called Brownies. At nightfall they come out and indulge in all sorts of
antics. A number of them were seen by the farmer one night dancing
around his apple tree, and he illustrated to his wife what he had seen by
taking a piece of paper which he pleated like this, and then cut it round
and round, until on opening out the paper he was able to show his wife a
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]