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I've been learning ventriloquism for 6 months. I really need advice about entertaining at children's parties. I've a way to go before I'll be ready, but am gatering all the information in preparation for performing.
Are there any children's party entertainers out there who have any advice.

The age group I'm looking at is 3 - 6 year olds. Please help. Whenever I try to think of something I get writers block.

With this age group - make them laugh. If you can get them laughing within the first 30 seconds of the show then you've won them over.
I'll post some ideas later.

then i apologise, and delete it....

Not a particularly helpful post, down2infinity.

Fontaine, what is it you're actually looking for from those of us that have entertained this age group? I've only done two parties in the past six months, but I suppose that's more than some others...

Are you looking for advice on what kind of effects to buy? Or what effects you should choose from those you already have? Maybe you just need advice on getting bookings and so on? Let us know, and those of us that can help, will.

A dummy is a great start, and Taneous' advice above is spot on. As soon as they know you want them to laugh, you'll have them won over. 3-6 year olds can be such a rewarding audience.

I look forward to helping you with your journey into kids' entertainment.

yes what zack said ......

you cant beat a few items though..

change bag absolute must have get two and do a jumping silk with a assistant or confidant.
multiplying wands.
feather duster wand.
sponge balls / sponge snack bill abbott.
bag to cape / silk / kids magic shirt.
production box and loads and loads of streamers.
die box end by pouring loads of sweeties out.
run rabbit run loads of different styles ghosta work well sun and moon ok.

Thanks for your comments so far. I was really looking for things to talk about with the kids. Initially when you are first confronted with children it's scary. And most of them will not have seen a ventriloquist before, let alone live.
So how do you get them feeling comfortable? And keeping their attention once you've got over that initial fear factor.
Is it advisable to use something other than ventriloquism ie, balloon magic to keep them entertained. Or is it a question of just sticking to one type of entertainment.
I know children are unpredictable and you never know what they will throw at you, so would preparing a basic script help?
Cheers

So how do you get them feeling comfortable? And keeping their attention once you've got over that initial fear factor.

depends on if you start with your puppet in or out:-
if in then start by having all the kids sat on the floor and say i'd like you to introduce you to a dear friend of mine he / she's ... insert character trait of your friend.....

Is it advisable to use something other than ventriloquism ie, balloon magic to keep them entertained. Or is it a question of just sticking to one type of entertainment.

depends on if your hired for a vent act or not.

I know children are unpredictable and you never know what they will throw at you, so would preparing a basic script help?

always worth having a basic script for your dummy and a plan of attack just be prepared to change your set at short notice so prepare your dummy script in short sections so you can chop and change as needed.

Firstly, to most children of that age you won't be a ventriloquist. To a child the doll will probably seem as alive and real as you are. Think back to when you were a child, if you watched a puppet on TV you weren't aware that it was a puppet, it was just another character, the definition just wasn't there.

So my first advice is to stop thinking you are a ventriloquist, think more along the lines of it being you and your friend visiting other friends at their party. The more you believe in your 'friend' the more everyone else will believe as well.

Then I'd have a look at some stories you can tell with the help of your friend to all your other friends, it can be anything you fancy, from the traditional fairy tale to something you've written yourself. Use this to build your structure, maybe you include other skills into your stories so the magic becomes part of them and not something exclusive.

Try and remember how it felt when you were a child, what entertained you? What mattered to you? Another thing I'd say is don't forget that something can be magical without it being a magic effect, for example to a child some glitter thrown in the air as fairy dust can be as real and amazing as a brilliant sponge ball routine.

If you can afford a DVD investment I would definately recommend you buying Perform Like A Pro by Quentin Reynolds. This is a lecture from The World Magic Seminar on this exact subject by a fantastic childrens entertainer, with over 30 years experience. It can be found at the link below or (occasionally on ebay). It will help you to build your character and in my opinion is an invaluable resource.

http://kidshowmagic.co.uk/product_info. ... 3c04b57784

Hope this helps,

I have seen Quentin Reynolds perform many times. Alas I have never been overly impressed. He is as stiff as a board and has the personality of a dial tone. He always looks so self consious when he works. It must be his Irish Catholic upbringing. No wonder he always looks so guilty when performing a move.

As for the handkerchief thing he is famous for that is not his routine. It is mine. He stole it from me and I in turn stole it from the Martin Gardner book.

Quentin has never had an original thought in his head.

The only thing he was good at is Punch and Judy. That of course is because he is behind the Punch and Judy fit up and you can't see his wooden personality.

I will allow that the Punch and Judy was almost excellent.

I wasn't saying he was original (who is), I was saying that his DVD would be very useful to someone trying to get an act together. I also must admit I only have the evidence of this DVD to go on as to his work, but it does make several very valid points about character performance that are very useful to the starting childrens entertainer (or any entertainer for that matter).

You might not like his style, but you should not discount what he's teaching out of hand..

Ask Terry if you don't believe me. I well remember Quentin's face when Terry told him that his Baking a Cake routine was "appalling" I expect that this is where Terry picked up his belching habit. When I saw Quentin doing it I felt like belching too.

I have not seen his DVD which was taped in America where he was doing an illegal lecture. Irish citizens are not allowed to work in the United States without a work permit. And doing a magic lecture at a convention is considered work. As an upstanding citizen I cannot approve of such illegal activities.

If he has any advice on the DVD it is therefore illegal advice and should be ignored. If by chance the advice is any good he would no doubt be quoting me.

Out of curiousity what is he saying that is so wonderful? Even if it is good stuff I can assure you he does not practice what he preaches.

In 1989 he once wrote that I was "one of the world's greatest magicians"

Naturally I agree with that statement so I suppose his words are not entirely without value.

Oh mostly illegal stuff, not much of any use I'm sure to you Rev, because I'm pretty sure you probably came up with it first...

But as you asked I'll let you know (bear in mind it's been a while since I watched it). Some of the subjects covered involve creating your character and finding one suitable for you, maintaining an inner dialogue, structuring an act, dynamic and magnetic performer styles and loads of other stuff... Ideal for someone starting out and skills often forgotton by those beginning in our profession, wouldn't you agree?

Dynamic and magnetic performing style? QUENTIN?
As for creating an inner dialogue I think he did so much of this that he forgot to create an outer dialogue with his audience. Still if he thinks that talking to himself makes him a good magician who am I to argue? I see lots of mentally ill homeless people talking to themselves but I bet they can't do the egg bag.

You are not there to promote "inner dialogue". You are there to make sure the kids have a good laugh and enjoy the show. I think Quentin must have been reading that awful Henning Nelms book where I think there is a lot of yapping about "inner dialogue" and various assorted twaddle. Truth be told I happen to know that Henning Nelms never did a magic show in his life.

Not that I am a cynical grudging type of course.

I will try and ignore the bickering and get on with the subject, which is helping a new member with a perfectly reaonable question.

I have only seen vent acts on TV, but they all seem to have one thing in common. They only last about 5 or 10 minutes.

If you are doing a kids show, I think you need to start to think about what else to use, to make up a full show. Whether that is magic, games or whatever.

I am not a vent, but I use a dog arm puppet. I use him near the end of the show, after asking if the children would like to see my pet dog. You could introduce your "friend" in tghe same sort of way. I get one of the children to give him his bone, but it is missing. I then get them to perform some magic, to make it appear. ( Using a dove pan ) You might be able to do this, say with your dummies glases or something. It gets the children involved, while using your puppet as another type of prop for the magic, so it interacts more.

I am not bickering with Flash old chap. We have something in common. We both know a belching grafter who happens to be my closest friend.

As for helping the needy I am quite prepared to do so. I would advise the young man that the first thing he needs to do is to procure a book called Open Sesame. Magic Books by Post has "hundreds" in stock or so they tell me. The book was written in 1947 and the advice contained therein is just as valid now as it was then. Some of the tricks are good but that is not what you need to buy the book for. You need to buy the book for the opening chapter. The advice is like gold.

3- 6 year olds are a delight to entertain as long as you don't make things too complicated for them. Under no circumstances should you engage in "inner dialogue". That is the way to great incompetence and you will become as dull as Quentin Reynolds. Instead try to make the little b******s laugh. You can mystify them with the magic if you really feel a need to but the laughs should come first.

Now how do you make kids laugh? Jokes are not the way. Situations are. And they should be silly situations. I would advise the young man to go and spy on a few good children's entertainers. He is lucky to live in the UK where there are several splendid ones. Or at least I assume he lives in the UK. If he lives in North America the standard is quite a bit lower although he will find an odd one from time to time that knows what he is doing.

For this age group a certain amount of silliness and fun is the way to go. You also need to encourage them to participate and call out to you. There are ways to control the kids and not let them get out of hand if you know what you are doing. This will come with experience.

You don't need a lot of props. It is true that loads of colourful props have the advantage that the mother or booker is quite impressed initially when you set up but you still have to deliver. The advantage of all this colour and initial impressiveness is outweighed by having to carry it all. If you are doing several shows a day you don't want to be bringing in several loads of stuff and taking forever to set it up. I set up and am ready to perform within 5 minutes of arriving at the house.

Although not essential it is a great advantage to like the kids. They will sense if you are faking it and won't react as well. Sincerity is the key. If you can fake that then you have it made.

Actually you don't. I only said that last line for amusement. It doesn't happen to be true when performing for kids. If they sense that you like them they will like you.

I may deign to post one of my famous routines on here for the assistance of this young man and others. On the other hand I may not. I shall see what mood I am in and observe how you all behave yourselves.

The routine requires nothing but a letter in an envelope. It is not a magic trick and so no secrets will be exposed in public should I post it. Some people have the odd notion that magic is essential in a magic show. I have never understood why.