German sense of humour or what!!
I was booked to do a show in Germany for a school for children with learning difficulties. It seems to me that most children suffer from learning difficulties though it's probably more to the point that many adults in schools suffer from teaching disabilities!
Anyway I am perfectly used to entertaining such children but I cannot speak German. In England, to be honest, I don't care what the difference is - age (3 or 103), autistic or downs, deaf or blind (I've done 'em all!) - I treat them all the same. And it works. Luckily my personality comes across and we all have fun.
However in Germany they offered a translator. As much of what I do is fairly obvious, especially with facial expressions, it only needed a few quick sentences to be translated. For instance, at one point I did a story about rabbits which they loved. I said 'You're all little rabbits' - or I thought that's what I said, in German.
I noticed it got a far bigger laugh from all the adults than I had expected. But then we all know about the German sense of humour. Later, when I asked why they'd laughed so raucously it was explained to me that my kind translator had me say not 'You're all little rabbits' but 'You're all little shits!'.
Later that day I had to do some close-up magic in the market in the town. One trick I love is done with two coins. You actually put them into the suspects hand, they close their hand - when they open it again one of the coins has gone. It is the most fabulous trick causing outright astonishment.
Not in Germany.
There, this two metre tall lad thought I was accusing him of stealing it. He had no sense of magic, of being entertained, of wonder. He was upset. He became abusive and threatening. I became very scarce!
So, about that sense of humour then ...
Anyway I am perfectly used to entertaining such children but I cannot speak German. In England, to be honest, I don't care what the difference is - age (3 or 103), autistic or downs, deaf or blind (I've done 'em all!) - I treat them all the same. And it works. Luckily my personality comes across and we all have fun.
However in Germany they offered a translator. As much of what I do is fairly obvious, especially with facial expressions, it only needed a few quick sentences to be translated. For instance, at one point I did a story about rabbits which they loved. I said 'You're all little rabbits' - or I thought that's what I said, in German.
I noticed it got a far bigger laugh from all the adults than I had expected. But then we all know about the German sense of humour. Later, when I asked why they'd laughed so raucously it was explained to me that my kind translator had me say not 'You're all little rabbits' but 'You're all little shits!'.
Later that day I had to do some close-up magic in the market in the town. One trick I love is done with two coins. You actually put them into the suspects hand, they close their hand - when they open it again one of the coins has gone. It is the most fabulous trick causing outright astonishment.
Not in Germany.
There, this two metre tall lad thought I was accusing him of stealing it. He had no sense of magic, of being entertained, of wonder. He was upset. He became abusive and threatening. I became very scarce!
So, about that sense of humour then ...
