talkmagic.co.uk

Am I the only one on here who is a children's entertainer (well, aiming to be in the long run anyways) or is there other's who also entertain the little people, and I don't mean the Lepricauns, lol.

I would love to chat with others who are children's entertainers and share thoughts, ideas and such like.

If you fit the bill, or any other part of the web footed animal, then, give me a shout.

Thanks.

You would probably get a better response over at the Bunny, they're more kiddie orientated than TM is.

I for one can't stand children!

Lol, okay, thanks Lawrence, I don't tend to stand on them, they are small enough as it is.

You need to practise balancing on them more then. I'm a teacher and do a little bit of kids magic, but not a great amount. Tend not to get many discussions about kids magic on here, just effects in general.

that would be me then, happy to help if I can.

Hi magicdiscoman.

I am still getting all of my props bought, what kinds of stuff can you recommend ?

I have the following :-

Hi Ho Hats
Hop Skip and Jump
Nancy's Necklace
Sun and Moon Die Box
Billy The Kid
Breakaway Wand
Ali Bongo's Hat
Change Bag

Also got a few puppets as well as Axtell's Magic Drawing Board.

I feel that what I have is no where near enough items for a complete show, so, if you can make any suggestions, it will really help.

Thanks.

There's a couple of children's magicians at the manchester meets, you should ask around there too

don't forget the classics:-
professors nightmare and cut n restored rope, get the assistant to blow on the knot each time you move it about the rope everyone else will crease up.
ian adair does a nice crown jewles which gives you the great combination of a sliding die box and a forgetfull fredie device in a small package.
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic38622.php
also this one, the review covers it all prety much.
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic38653.php
the best way is to start by making a logical connection between your props and follow an overall story.

Hi
I would just like to add your list slightly if I may. My main direction is Mentalism but I have gone back into Childrens magic recently as this used to be my bread and butter when I first started.
Mark Lewis has this great routine which doesn't even include magic! It is called The letter or something like that and I always open with it now so thank you Mark. As you probably know, children want to be entertained and you don't have to do a lot of magic to do this. The letter routine really fires up the children and I would recommend you look it up, it is on here somewhere. I do a slightly different version but basically it is the same thing.
Also perhaps you should add Run Rabbit Run, which most Kids love.

I always used to either take note of the suggestions of props, or buy them after seeing them demonstrated or performed. I also used to suggest ones which I felt were good.

My advice to you now though is to work on routines for the props you aready have.
Find out which of those you can make original routines for, which suit your style.
When you practise, be critical with yourself. Is something as funny as you think it is?
Is your routine making it seem as if you are talking down to children?
Do you have enough routines that flow for a show, or are they going to make any show disjointed?
Is there enough in the routine that will hold the interest for the whole routine?
Is there too much padding, or is it all a bit short and a nothing type of climax?
You will then be in a position to see which props you already have that you can actually use, plus get some idea on which to get in the future.
I try to get an idea whether I can use something, that fits with my style. This either means coming up with ideas and a routine first, then looking at what I have or need to get to make it work, or sometimes walking away when I see something I want to buy. I then have a think for a while. If I can come up with a basic idea on how I would use it, I will then buy it. If I can't come up with anything, I will leave it. One tip, DO NOT look at the routine that comes with the prop, until you have come up with something first.
I should point out that I only do magic for a hobby, with less than a dozen full shows under my belt. I do have loads of props I bought when I first started, that I tried to use, which didn't work for me. The above advice is based on what I have found out from that, plus my limited experience when performing.

Hope that helps.

I am fairly much a specialist kids entertainer. My advice is to stop buying props and begin building routines with what you have. I don't have a fraction of those props, and never will. My one hour act can (apart from a puppet) fit into my pockets. A hanky, TT and ribbon, four sponge balls, a few ropes, two balloons, and I am good for forty five minutes.

It's all about entertainment. Build up stories and gags around what you do, and you will find it so much easier. And work on a great character. Don't just show up with tricks.