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tiriri Loyal user Ecuador 247 Posts |
I have performed a couple times rope escapism at children’s parties. Including the effect with the rope around my neck. I tell them that only a “real” magician does that and that children are not allowed to play with ropes. And I do it in such a funny way that they laugh aloud. But, lately I´ve been thinking that these effects might not be suitable for the little ones because they could try to play with a rope at home and that is very dangerous.
What do you think?? Is there a minimum age to perform these effects to? Best regards, Giovanni. |
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RJE Inner circle 1848 Posts |
My personal opinion is do not do it.
As a kid, we tied a friend to a lawn chair for fun. He squirmed like heck to get free and ended up tipping himself over. His teeth went through his tongue for about 25 stitches. Every once in while, you also hear about young kids acccidently hanging themselves. Sometimes their scarves catch on a slide or swing. Sometimes it happens with the teddy bear hammocks they keep in their rooms. However it happens, it is tragic. So again, for me, I would never do it and would actually be quite concerned if I saw a performer doing it. |
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MikeBent Regular user Boston, MA 174 Posts |
No, no, no
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
NO. I realize this is a rare event but a woman we use to know had a son who watched bunji jumping on TV and tried it on his pateo and she came home and found him very dead, hung himself at eight by accident. Kids will try to duplicate what you do, no escapes and no balloon swallowing, no shoving things into your ears, nose, or eyes.
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magicone Veteran user Doylestown, PA 351 Posts |
NO here also
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TrickyRicky Inner circle TrickyRicky 1653 Posts |
My advise also is, stop.
I'm surprised that some parent haven't spoke to you about it. TrickyRicky |
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tiriri Loyal user Ecuador 247 Posts |
Thank you for your opinion guys.
Advice taken. So no more escapism with kids. Tricky Ricky, about your comment. The interesting part is that when I did it, the parents were the most impressed ones with the effect and they liked it probably more than their kids. What I'm saying here is that the world is crazy or those parents in particular were no that concern, or maybe they had good children! Who knows! Giovanni. |
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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
Rope around the neck, no, but say a 100 rope escape, sure, kids love trying to tie you up, you get good humor and if you add one adult then the tying up isn't too loose so you still have the appearance of a challenge. I state that the rope CAN't go around my neck, and it is a good fun routine I have done close to 80 times with NO negative feedback...so SOME rope escapes I think can work well.
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Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
By and large, I agree with the 'NO' answer. However, I do perform one rope escape when the show is for older children. This one is based on the Grandmothers Necklace principle and involves two children, one on each side of me holding the ropes while my hands are secured between them. No knots, and no neck involved.
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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KidMagic Regular user Bradford 183 Posts |
I would highly recommend not doing this. Although most likely a child will not try it, you simply can NOT take the risk! The only escape routine I perform in a childrens show occasionaly is a comedy handcuff escape. I think that the rope escape would be suitable for ages 12-13+ because at that age they understand that you are a magician showing them tricks and they will not attempt to repeat it. Any young children will want to try and play magician just like you and it will end VERY BADLY!
Just my two cents, Zach |
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
I sometimes do the "rope through jacket" thing (I'm not sure what the proper name is). I often put my jacket on the child which is quite funny because a: it often takes ages to get the jacket on (put your left hand here, no your left hand, take this rope with your right hand, right hand, no, don't let go, put your hand through the sleeve, no the left sleeve, etc etc) and b: because it's way too big it looks funny.
Mark |
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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
I think sometimes there is to much paranoia over getting sued. Now I am NOT saying anything goes,but sometimes it is like "can't do cut and restored rope, I use scissors and some kid might try it and cut themselves...." Presentation goes a LONG way towards giving proper instructions(and showing you are being responsible and tuned into your audience) That is why SOME presentations of things such as a wrist chopper can work for some performers, and not for others.
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KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
It can scare some children.
It all depends on how you present it, and the age of the children. Kids see far more dangerous things on TV every day. They see it being done by magicians on TV. Then again, things are much more “real” when in your living room than on TV. If you are unimaginative, and present it like a puzzle or a challenge, well, expect kids to try it. I routinely do this type of thing for kids 8 and up as my "Thad S Gross" character - with great responses from parents and kids alike. Kids do dumb things, and we need to be a certain amount circumspect with out shows, but I think the "PC" paranoia here can be a bit overboard. If some kid sees me levitate, there is a chance he will walk off a building and try to fly. If I pull a streamer out of some kid's ear, they may see how much they can pack into their ear. If I use a mouth coil, they may try to stuff themselves full of paper to try it. If I use magic words to do magic, some kids may try to use these magic words to get them out of a bad situation . . . and fail. As some religious folks have told me, "It may not be real magic, but it can lead into the occult". How you do something is far more important than what you do. I routinely cut principles in half with the Visible Jig Saw prop. The kids love it. So do the teachers and principles. After they are cut in half, I reach in the “stomachs” and pull out what they were eating and ask if that was good for them (using foam & latex food). I wouldn’t do this at a preschool, but it works fine for 1st and up. On the other hand, I can't stress enough, this type of thing can scare young children enough to cause them some trauma. Young children DO NOT find it fun. |
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Sorry, but doing a trick with rope around your neck right in front of a young kid is unnecessary. We'll be treated as heroes by these kids and copied.
If they're older teenagers I might do a wrist, rope escape. But I'd check with the clients booking me first.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
I don't think many folks are saying do the rope around the neck...some have said don't do rope escapes at all and some(like myself) are saying present it well and rope escapes can be great for the kids
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
And some realize a rope a kid wraps around another kids chest may end up around the neck or even if, which is far more likely, nothing goes wrong you have the chance of an angry parent anyway. If you are overcome with the need to do an escape for five year olds then carry on, it is on you.
I know when I was a kid I use to have my sisters tie me up just based on reading about Houdini. My escape method was to wiggle down and through the ropes which meant my neck was involved with the ropes. |
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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
Age is a factor, so personally, I wouldn't do it for a 5 year old, but a 7-8 plus, sure...
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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
Oh and in 80 plus performances, not one angry parent, so I like my odds
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tiriri Loyal user Ecuador 247 Posts |
Just to clarify one thing...
When In posted the topic I was not concerned about getting sued, I was concerned about kids trying to repeat the illusion at home. Fortunately I live in a country where getting sued for many things is not as common as in the US. It is also a country where parents do spend some quality time with their children; therefore, I think that is the reason why no parents have told me anything about that trick in particular, or showed any worries about it. Giovanni. |
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MrHyde Special user 810 Posts |
Those who've read my Rascals book know that I'm a big fan of the Rope & Jacket escape. Packs small and plays very big.
I would not do anything around the neck though. Why bother, there is no need. One point though, every country and every market within is different. Giovanni, you hit on the exact answer... listen to what parents tell you about the show. You'll soon get a feeling for what they are thinking. |
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