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I have this effect where I try to make a silk disappear from my hand, instead flames shoot out of my hand and the silk has a big hole burnt in it. I did it as part of a comedy routine for my inaugral performance at our magic circle.
I'm busy working on my children's show and i want to expand my silk routine. I was thinking of including this as part of the whole 'magic gone wrong' theme that runs through my show. The effect is quite safe - (as long as I don't look down into my hand when the explosion takes place ).
I know fire is generally a bad thing in kid's shows because you don't want them to try and imitate you- but in this case I'm not lighting a match or anything - it just happens as a consequence of me saying the wrong magic words or something. What do you guys think?

Obviously the venue will be a major consideration and I'll clear it with the host/ess first.

Perhaps you could obtain some 'coloured sparkle' for your fire device (I am assuming it is of the kind which accepts various 'loads').

This way, it may not be seen as fire, but more as something 'magical' which they can't emulate themselves... i.e. green glittering flames or red glittering flames?!?!?

It could even add a bit more verve? Perhaps?

hmm - that's a great idea. Thanks

generaly healthand saftey in venues can cover you for momentary bursts of fire ie flash pots and flaming dove pans but not torches or gas powered flames.
check with your venue for permission you should be ok.

I am in to minds about fire and kids effects. I have seen it used in a bake a cake routine with a dove pan and though nothing of it.

Fire coming from you hand might be a different matter there’s always the one kid who would want to emulate it and they are always being told not to hold fireworks and that’s what this may look like.

As far as health and safety allot of venues could be quite sticky even with a small flame as a call out from the fire service for a false alarm can be expensive. I was told at one point as much as £300.

as a busy kids entertainer all i can say is never use anything remotely dangerous in a kids act. The reason being that if Mr Magic does something with fire, the kids are going to think its ok because it will do a magic trick.

I have a friend who did a kids show and used a daggar chest, one kid wenbt home, put a cardboard box over his little brothers head and stabbed the box, also killing his brother.

I wouldnt want to live with that on my concience, would you?

I would never use fire, knifes or anything of that nature in a childrens show. I think you're treading on dangerous ground there. especially as we live in an age for sueing each other and compensation claims.

Every magician I've seen that has ever used fire in their act has ALWAYS stated at the end of the show that fire is dangerous and they have burnt themselves many times and they are very stupid etc etc.

I think this is ok as an informal insurance policy. It puts the responsibility back on the parents/guardians for their children.

I have a friend who did a kids show and used a daggar chest, one kid wenbt home, put a cardboard box over his little brothers head and stabbed the box, also killing his brother.

I wouldnt want to live with that on my concience, would you?

boy wrote.

ok loony bin thats another lost sale foe me then.
i used to use a torch attachment for my appearing cane as an opener saying don't try this with hairgell in and then stroked my very short hair
i also used to give a spec a petrol can with water in it and say when i light this dump that on your head....no kid has ever taken me up on my offer and because i do it in a light hearted way i have had no problems but due to the new health and saftey regs at most venues, i don't use it anymore and have traded it on.