talkmagic.co.uk

Hi everyone.

I have been interested in magic for 25 years on and off.
I am unable to do sleight of hand, I have tried for years to do simple palming or any form of sleight with cards, but, struggle to do anything other than double lifts or slip cut's.
I am hoping to be a children's entertainer in the future, but, was wondering, is it possible to be a good children's entertainer without being able to do sleight's as I believe the majority of stage/children's magic is self working or with only the smallest amount of sleight required.

I am just starting out and currently I am getting props sorted and when my partner gets her car, will be buying some wood to make some stuff too.

Children's party magic is all about entertainment and performance. You won't need your palming or DL skills. Lots of standard kids routines involve 'sleights' that are so obvious that the kids spot it. "It's in your hand", "It's behind you", "you turned it over".... etc.
Get a David Kaye "Silly Billy" book or dvd and you'll see what I mean.
Kids love the idea of the magician 'getting it wrong' and there are lots of routines on that premise (that end with a recovery).

It's worth consider some balloon twisting too.

The only way anyone is unable to do any sleight of hand is if they have no hands. Its about practice and more practice and not giving up, you'll get there in the end!

But there are plenty of self working tricks out there, and like waldorf has said, its not about the method but the presentation.

The best children's entertainer I ever saw was a storyteller. The second best was a ventriloquist. Neither used sleight of hand (though I know the ventriloquist can!).

You can do a lot without sleights. You can also do a lot without the same self-working tricks that other performers have done to death. Try to make yourself unique and play to your strengths. We all have them.

You certainly do not need sleight of hand to be a good magician, especially a childrens entertainer.

However if you wished to learn sleight of hand you certainly could. Start with Mark Wilson Course In Magic book, (plenty of non sleight of hand stuff in there, and childrens magic) Plus you will get excellent instructions for some sleight of hand.

The truth of the matter is you can do sleight of hand...Unless of course you do indeed lack hands.

Forget playing cards and sleight of hand. Concentrate on colourful props and good stories.