Pickpocketing

[Mikaelus]

Hi,

I've always been interested in pickpocketing as part of a street performance show. I hear a fair few people do this as an act (mostly street magicians I've been told). Could anyone suggest a book/site/video/workshop etc. where I might learn this art?

Thanks.

[Peter]

[quote]Originally posted by Mikaelus:
<strong>Hi,

I've always been interested in pickpocketing as part of a street performance show. I hear a fair few people do this as an act (mostly street magicians I've been told). Could anyone suggest a book/site/video/workshop etc. where I might learn this art?

Thanks.</strong><hr></blockquote>

YES!! go to Penguin Magic on the web and get Greg Wilson's 2 video set called "On The Spot" he goes into great detail on watch stealing on the second tape. The site for the tape is

http://www.penguinmagic.com/product.php?ID=466

GREAT! stuff on it in fact with the knowledge of just these 2 tapes you have a total street magic act.

Peter

[Mikaelus]

Thanks for the suggestion. Hmmmn... it seems terribly magician orientated. I'm really a juggler, I'm hopeless at magic and sleight of hand... is there anything out there fo non-magicians? I mean I might still buy this video... but I dunno..

[The Groovy Guy]

Hi MIke, sadly for you .lol ... all pickpocketing techs are slight of hand based but even more so relie on a very good understanding of magic misdirection. Of course they are worth the time and trouble of learning due to the reaction you can get. BUT it takes time and work.

They are a lot of cod gags you can use instead of learning. Heres a couple for you.

1: Have a wallet in your pocket, during your show go into your crowd when the moment is right and hug a man. Really over sell the hug, almost jump on him. While huging and moveing the man, take the wallet out of your pocket and when you walk away with your back turned to the man. Open the wallet and pretend to start counting the his cash. Your crowd will believe that you have diped the man. It always gets a big laugh when sold correctly.

You can do this same gag with other items, underware etc.

2: After some similar interaction with a crowd member. Say " Check your wallet", keep repeating it until they reach for where they have it. Then hit them with the tag line of. " THANKS NOW I KNOW WHERE YOU KEEP IT"
this to gets a laugh, but is really just a throw away one liner.

I myself spent many years learning and perfecting my watch steal and it still has faults. Also you really have to study the situation in ever show before you use these moves. Dont belive what you see on tv that a watch can be stolen from anyone in any situation. that is just not true.

Anyway hope this helps.

Groovy