Stick Man During the dance, two spare dancers quietly go amongst the audience, seeking out a suitable young lad ..... lots of play, testing his biceps, etc. At the end, we haul him out and place him in front of Number One dancer, with arms outstretched. The dancers circle off, handing him their sticks in the customary manner ..... one of the spare dancers stays with him, keeping him in position and facing in one direction, while behind, the other spare dancer is waiting with the stick bag, handing FRESH STICKS to the passing dancers, who rejoin the circle, handing in a second stick, then returning for a third .... until all the sticks have been taken from the bag and the bag itself is carried round the circle and placed on top of the boy's buckling arms. His minder then tells the audience he's done very well and commands him to take a bow. Unfortunately, so far our victims have always managed to do this without spilling the sticks ..... so I, as his minder, scoop him up and tilt him forward so he HAS to drop them. Much applause, then he walks off grinning and I call after him - "Oi - what about all these sticks on the floor?" We don't insist on him picking them up. This has worked so well that we have chosen to do the stick dance with only four men in order to have two spare to work the gag. - Stony Stratford Morris The Camera This is a simple gag that can give the team a break of about five minutes. Unfortunately, it relies on an uncontrolled event to initiate it. This means that the team have to recognise when this gag has started, and quietly withdraw from the arena, but stay available for the end. It is started by the Fool, Orator, whatever. It works with patience and timing. It is best done slowly. When a member of the audience creeps forward with a camera, encourage him to come forward to take his required shot. When he is safely away from the comfort of the masses, suggest that you take a picture of him. Take his camera and put the lead around your neck (dropping it may not appear to be funny). Make a fuss about getting the composition right. Get the audience to count you in. Just before the final count, cancel it and move the subject to the left, right, back whatever. Repeat thiis count and cancellation as many times as you think you can get away with. Finally announce that the picture is not right, as you want a family snap. Introduce an unlikely spouse from the audience, with totally different age, shape etc. Repeat count and cancellation. Drag a kid in by its ear. Repeat. Keep building the family up with adults, kids, dogs, prams, pushchairs, shopping, whatever, and repeat the count and cancel. Now bring the team and musicians in for background. Count and Cancel. Now move the whole crowd into this narrow shot. When complete, suggest that anyone else with cameras may like to take a shot. You need a lot of nerve to go the distance with this. You need to constantly have the audience believe that you are about to take that shot.