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Billy Bo Special user 627 Posts |
I recently had some trouble with one of my rabbits which got an abcess and needed surgery to remove it. after flushing the wound 3 times a day for three weeks it finally healed and he had his stitches just before christmas. his house had been moved into the shed for the impending winter. as expected snow hit and has been very cold but he seemed fine. yesterday he became lethargic and this morning he died. ive now come to the decision of not using rabbits in my show and give my only other rabbit any more stress. what does anyone else suggest as a really big climax that the rabbit production used to get? axtell puppet? other production? other showstopper that signals the end?
thanks steve |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Oh, man....I'm sorry to hear that Steve. Very sad indeed to lose a rabbit. I've lost 3 myself. Puppets are good...I use Vern, but the kids love the rabbit. Doves are good, but there is just something about a cute, cuddly, little bunny. It will be hard to replace that if you work with kids.
:( Regan
Mister Mystery
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donsmagic Loyal user 258 Posts |
Steve,
I "rent" a baby rabbit from my local petshop. I don't know if you have a local shop that you could work something out with them. |
Billy Bo Special user 627 Posts |
It's not the looking after that I'm bothered about. If anything the 'rent a rabbit' idea you have suggested seems horrible. No disrepect
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Smoke & Mirrors Special user 506 Posts |
I use to do the same thing. I found a local breeder and for $5 I could keep a rabbit for up to a week. Worked great. Now I have several of my own.
I prefer having my own, because I know how it reacts to situations better but I think the difference here is, do you simply produce the rabbit, end the show & put him away. Or do you let the children handle the rabbit? Unless you know the rabbit's temperment, you may not want children near the rabbit. But it IS an animal and even if you have had it for 10 years and you completely trust it, that doesn't mean it can be 100% safe with little fingers. So either way there is always a risk. I always hold the rabbit & show the children. Then if there are children who WANT to pet the bunny, I turn bunny around and let them pet his back only while I hold him securely. |
danryb Special user 506 Posts |
In all my 12 years of performing for children, I have never used a rabbit in my show and neither have I worn a top hat for that matter.
Magicians have come and gone in this town and I have stuck it out being the most famous and long term childrens entertainer in all fields. I don't mean to boast but it just goes to show that you can be a magician for kids without these "old fashioned" uses of typical, classic material. If a kid asks why I don't have a hat, I just tell them that I am a modern magician. If they ask if I have a rabbit or animals, I tell them that I have lots of other friends (my axtell puppets) but no, I tell them that I don't agree to shlapping rabbits around because it wouldn't be fair on the little guys if he wanted to sleep whilst I was doing a show. As a climax to my shows I do something realy funny just to let them go "wanting more" and happy. enjoy, Dani |
Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
For the younger kid's shows (3-7 yrs), I usually end with a candy production via the Dove Pan (and then hand them out).
For older kid's shows (8-12 yrs), I end with the Vanishing Bandanna. I frequently have teenagers who happen to be in the audience come up to me afterwards and say, "I know the show was for the children, and I think I know how you did most of the tricks, but where did that banana go?" I love this effect because it "hits 'em between the eyes", and leaves them thinking "Whaaatt? ..." Plus, because of the sound track, it also leaves the magician with the perfect ending applause cue. Brian PS to Dani -- no top hat? Sheesh... What kind of magician are you?! ;-) |
danryb Special user 506 Posts |
I once bought a top hat over from England to Israel. I took it on the plane with me so that it wouldnt get damaged. I took it to my shows in a large canvas bag and took real good care of it - it was an expencive hat.
One day after one of my shows I put the hat in the bag and I put the bag on top of my box and all were on my troly as I was about to leave the hotel I performed at. I left the stuff in the lobby near the reception and went off into the lobby for a sec to exchange a word or two with the manager of the hotel. As I was returning to get my stuff and leave the hotel, I noticed a little kid had climbed up onto my stuff and was virtualy jumping up and down on the bag. That kid completely ruined my beloved hat and that was the end of that. I never had one since. I would actualy love to invest in a realy good quality folding top hat but always blow my money on tricks instead. One day, one day I'll get that hat that I've been wishing for. Meantime - I am a modern magician without a hat. Although the older I get the balder I'm getting so I wont be able to get away with it for much longer. dani |
itsmagic Inner circle middle earth 1117 Posts |
Sorry about your rabbit Stevie.
For an alternative ending, how about a Chair Suspension or Flying Carpet. |
Billy Whizz Special user Plymouth, UK 576 Posts |
Hi Steve,
I used live rabbits for about 12 years, at that time I was only part time. When I went full time magic about 6 years ago I got so busy that I actually felt sorry for the rabbits being out of their home for so long in a day that I decided it was time to retire them and brought Axtell's 'Rodney Rabbit'. I didn't expect the reaction to be so good when I started using it, it was even better than using the live rabbits. So if you're looking for the perect replacement, have a serious think about this rabbit puppet. Here's my video sample for you to see what I mean. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=......e%3Atrue |
interstate_dj New user 24 Posts |
Even though I own two mini-lops, I have never used them in my shows. I get the biggest response from "Rascal the Raccoon" (or Rocky). I have recently just added "Benny the Bird" from Axtell expressions and already know that he will bring instant gratification as well.
Good luck!
Jerry Pierce
Owner/Entertainer Magic Message |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Back in my younger days, I too used animals.(Birds)
In my 30's I turned to insects, and now I use puppets and music. I agree with Dani, finding something that makes you stand out is important. My nearly normal wife, got me an accordian for xmas/chanukah. Currently I know only one song. It is called the "I don't know how to play the Accordian" Song. Losing a pet is difficult. This nearly normal guy cried like a baby, when our greyhound died. Be safe, well and kind to animals. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Jeff Haas Special user 929 Posts |
If you have a successful routine with a puppet (Rocky, Chico, Rabbit in hat, any of the Axtell puppets, etc.) the kids will love the character. Sometimes after a show a kid will ask if Rocky is real. I just tell him, no, Rocky's not real...you couldn't get a real animal to do all the silly stuff Rocky did. And the kids are fine with that, they had a good time.
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yago New user Israel 11 Posts |
I never use real animals in my shows.
My show is based on my wonder "friends" that come to life and amuse the kids. When a parent or a kid asks if I produce a rabbit out of my hat, I explain that I don't use animals because it is against my belief (regarding treatment to animals). I never loose shows because of this. Sometimes even parents require that I will not use animals, before I have a chance to state that. I think that when presented to the costumer correctly, it can be a marketing advantage rather then disadvantage.
yago
÷åñà |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi,
I use a bunny in my show...... because I love animals if you gotta think about whether it's worth getting one or worse hiring one just to enhance your act then I don't think you should. I know this is off topic but I think it's important. |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
I agree Phillip. I believe you really need to have a genuine love for animals if you are gonna use them in a magic show. Animals require a big commitment, and if you care about them, you will care for them. If you really love your animals and are concerned for their wellfare, you'll make sure they are not mistreated. If this was the case for everyone, we wouldn't hear about the circus-type horror stories of show animals being abused and/or neglected.
Regan
Mister Mystery
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