Mime Illusions

The Stage Trip a controlled trip on stage can be done by walking and hooking your toe behind your other ankle to create the illusion that you have tripped. The Lean - Creates the illusion that you are leaning against an imaginary object on stage. It might sound easy but takes quite a lot of strength and coordination to "lean" on nothing. The basic lean has two parts: . !tart with the feet about shoulder"width apart. #. For the top part: $old your arm slightly away from your body% with the elbow bent so that your forearm is parallel to the ground and your hand &wrist rela'ed slightly( is near your torso. )ow raise your shoulder as you move your chest towards your elbow &keeping the elbow at the same point in space*(. +. The bottom part: at the same time% bend your knee slightly% taking your weight onto the bent leg. The net effect should be that your elbow stays where it is% but it looks as though your weight has settled onto the imaginary place where your elbow rests. ,ake sure you only bend the leg under your raised arm. -eep your opposite leg perfectly straight as this adds to the illusion. .. /y shifting the head to the right% but holding it in an upright position% the illusion of leaning is enhanced. The Sit- !itting is accomplished by one simple move onstage. 0lace your feet at opposite angles and then bend your knees. 1ou can add a crossed leg for added effect. Pulling a Rope 2rab the imaginary rope in front of you. . Curl each finger around it. )ow pull the rope towards yourself being sure to move both hands at the same time. #. )e't shift your hand down the rope% releasing your grip one by one and grabbing a new on the rope. +. 3epeat these three motions4 grab% grab% pull. 1ou want to make sure that you keep the dimensions of the rope consistent so you don5t ruin the illusion. .. )ow add your whole body to the illusion. If you and pulling towards yourself make sure your torso moves as well. 6. Create the illusion of a tug of war by showing tension towards and away from you with your whole body. Climbing A Ladder - To show climbing a ladder% grab at imaginary ladder rungs going up in the air. . /egin with your weight on the right foot. 1our left foot is beside your right% with the heel raised and knee bent. The right arm is up% with your hand in a loose fist. The left arm is bent% lower than the right hand. #. 3ise up on your toes of both feet4 straighten both knees. 1our hands are lowered to chest level% although the right hand is still slightly higher than the left. +. 7ower your left foot flat on the floor putting your weight on it. The right foot remains beside the left% your heel raised and your knee bent. 3elease your grip with your left hand and move it higher than your right arm. 1our hands should be in loose fists. .. 3ise up on the toes of both feet4 straighten both knees. 7ower your hands to chest level with your left hand remaining slightly higher than your right. 3epeat the sequence. Walking in Place 8 !imple walk: This walk is very simple and looks good from the side. . !tart by standing with feet parallel and shoulder width apart. #. 3aise right foot bending knee and kick your foot forward. 3eturn to the starting position. +. 3aise your left foot% bending your knee and lick you foot forward. 3eturn your leg to starting position. .. 3epeat the pattern. 9dd arms movement to make the illusion more believable. Comple' walk: This walk is more complicated but looks good from the front : the side. It5s the basis for the moonwalk* . /egin with your weight on the left foot and your right foot beside with your heel raised. /ring your right foot forward% pointing your toe. #. !lide the ball of your right foot backward until it5s even with your left foot. +. !hift weight to your right foot and repeat the pattern with the opposite feet. .. 9dd arm movements that take on a natural way of walking.