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Difference between revisions of "Linking Rings"

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(Published Routines)
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* [[Chris Capehart|CAPEHART, Chris]] - '''Chris Capehart's 3-Ring Routine''', published in the [[New Stars of Magic]] series (Vol. 1, #13; 1981). A practical, interactive three-ring routine designed to draw a crowd on the streets, at trade shows, etc.
 
* [[Chris Capehart|CAPEHART, Chris]] - '''Chris Capehart's 3-Ring Routine''', published in the [[New Stars of Magic]] series (Vol. 1, #13; 1981). A practical, interactive three-ring routine designed to draw a crowd on the streets, at trade shows, etc.
  
* [[Cellini|CELLINI]] - '''Lord and Master of the Rings''' (2003), a two-ring routine performed to music and released on an [http://www.mvphomevideo.com instructional dvd's] of the same name.
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* [[Cellini|CELLINI]] - '''Lord and Master of the Rings''' (2003), a two-ring routine performed to music and released on an instructional DVD of the same name.
  
 
* [[Aldo Colombini|COLOMBINI, Aldo]] - '''Rings Supreme''', Colombini's classical presentation for the Linking Rings, published in 1978 as part of the [[Ganson Teach-In Series]].
 
* [[Aldo Colombini|COLOMBINI, Aldo]] - '''Rings Supreme''', Colombini's classical presentation for the Linking Rings, published in 1978 as part of the [[Ganson Teach-In Series]].

Revision as of 09:19, 18 August 2009

See also: Linking Ring Magazine .

The Linking Rings or Chinese Linking Rings is considered to be a classic of illusion magic. In the traditional effect, solid metal rings appear to link and unlink, pass through each other, form chains and other complex patterns and configurations.

Ching Ling Foo was one of the early performers of the Linking Rings in the form we know today. Speculation about their origin has been made to Turkey, Egypt and the Middle East and as far back as the first century. A painting by Giacomo Mantegazza in 1876 shows a harem girl holding a set of rings above her head.

The number of rings used can vary from two to as many as ten or more. A standard set of commercially available rings typically includes eight rings.

In 1988, Japanese magician Masahiro Yanagida performed his miniature linking rings routine, the Ninja Rings, using four rings that were four and a half inches (or 11.43 cm) in diameter. Since then, the Chinese Linking Rings have also become a favorite performance item for close-up magicians.

Rings

A quality set of eight linking rings can be obtained from a supplier of magic props. Most consider eight (8)-inch diameter rings to be the smallest size suited for stage performance, while twelve (12)-inch rings are common; 15" rings are also available, but rarely seen in use. Larger sizes are often constructed from stainless steel tubing for the best combination of durability and weight. Professionals may wish to have a set of larger-diameter rings for use on a stage, or a 'close-up' set of rings in the 4-5 inch (10-13 cm) range.

Many magicians look for rings that make a nice ring tone when they strike each other.

Variations

  • Linking Coat Hangers (created by Mike Caveney)
  • Linking Barbed Wire
  • Linking Hula Hoops (created by Dick Zimmerman)
  • Linking Ropes (created by E.J. Moore in 1953? Who Can confirm?)

Published Routines

  • ANDERSON, Harry - Linking Rings, published in Harry Anderson, Wise Guy (Caveney, 1993). A brief overview of the seven-ring routine Harry Anderson used in the streets, focusing more on philosophy than methodology (e.g., from pg 50, "Once you've linked two rings you better think about wrapping things up. You've done it. Make a few pretty passes and get home early.").
  • BLAKE, George - Perverse Chinese Rings, a now-famous comedy linking-ring routine using four rings, wherein the rings refuse to link where and when the magician wants, but somehow manage to become linked at the most awkward times, and in all the wrong places, including a button-hole on the magician's coat, and to the handle of a pair of scissors as he tries to separate coat from rings. The routine was published in Blake's book, Comedy Magic (1966), (reprint Mickey Hades International, 1974).
  • CAPEHART, Chris - Chris Capehart's 3-Ring Routine, published in the New Stars of Magic series (Vol. 1, #13; 1981). A practical, interactive three-ring routine designed to draw a crowd on the streets, at trade shows, etc.
  • CELLINI - Lord and Master of the Rings (2003), a two-ring routine performed to music and released on an instructional DVD of the same name.
  • IRELAND, Laurie - Ireland's Linking Ring Routine (1937), a four-minute, nine-ring routine that includes interaction with two audience volunteers. Originally published as a one-trick manuscript, illustrated by Nelson Hahne.
  • ROSS, Richard - Three Ring Routine, a classical routine performed to music that many credit with reinvigorating declining interest in the effect when he performed it at FISM in 1973. The routine was later published in 1982 in a now out-of-print book.
  • VERNON, Dai - Dai Vernon's Symphony of the Rings (1958), a seminal six-ring routine, published by Supreme Magic as a photo-illustrated instruction booklet written by Lewis Ganson. The booklet was reprinted in 1997 by L&L Publishing, and Dai Vernon can be seen performing the routine on Dai Vernon: Revelations, Volumes 3 & 4 (VHS 1982 or DVD, Vol. 2, 1999).

Published Techniques

  • CARNEY, John - Dissolving Steel, a chapter on Carney's Book of Secrets, Volume 1 DVD containing two Linking-Ring moves that were taught to him by Faucett Ross and have, as far as he knows (or at least knew at the time of the taping), never appeared in print.

References

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