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Decibel33 Loyal user 229 Posts |
I'm adding a bit more microphone humor to my act. The microphone won't be functional, but I'll ask the child to hold the mic very close to their mouth as I get them to sing a song. I'll then whisper instructions to the child that they should only pretend to sing as I play a CD of a funny voice singing. It will look like he/she is singing the song. Naturally, it'll get big laughs, but my question is, is that going too far? Should I get an adult to "sing" instead? I want to be sensitive to the child, but not so sensitive that nothing goes. What are your thoughts.
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
How much experience do you have dealing with children? It would take an extraordinarily sensitive child to take offence at being asked to mime a song.
If you do this it might get big laughs (I don't know your performing style or the funny voice you have) but people will not think the child is singing. Everyone will know it is a CD. I don't know if this matters, but just be aware of it. Good luck with it.
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http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Decibel33 Loyal user 229 Posts |
Honestly, I'm new at children's magic. So, I don't have really ANY experience at it. I've done strolling magic most my life. And the idea wasn't to 'convince' anyone the child was singing, just to surprise them with the funny voice. (Up to the point where they supposedly sing, no one will know what's about to happen...not even the child.)
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Futureal Inner circle 1695 Posts |
No need to worry about "offending" the kid, but what would almost certainly happen is that the child wouldn't understand the concept and they'd sing as well.
With an older kid, 7 onwards, this might work. |
Decibel33 Loyal user 229 Posts |
Thanks Futureal. That's exactly the info I was looking for. In my mind, I had planned on a 7-10 year old child. That, or the parent of said child.
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Normally this would work well and get lots of laughs.
Just watch out though for some cultures where doing anything embarrassing seems to get a lack of volunteers. For me this has included Cambodians, Indians and Philipinos. I've found other cultures are fine.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Troy_Roark New user 15 Posts |
You'd like to think that kids will be willing to get up there and do what you're percieveing that are going to do... but my fear would be that very often, you're going to have trouble getting the kid to do what you're hoping they will do.
Kids are not naturals on stage. And the ones that are, are regularly the ones you DON'T want up there Asking a child to get up on stage and do what you ask after whispering something briefly into their ear has it's risks. Just be prepared. |
Magical Dimensions Inner circle 5001 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-05-28 16:39, Troy_Roark wrote: I do school schools and I agree with the above statement. Either the kid will NOT do what you want because they are shy or they MAY go 110% the other way. I understand about prompting kids,but I don't think that this will work. The kid will more than liking just look around while holding the mic out to the side. But like everything else, give it a try and see how it works. Ray |
drosenbe0813 Elite user Long Island, NY 405 Posts |
I wouldn't do it...simply because of the embarrassment factor. Basically, you're making the kid (or adult) a prop, and them making fun of them. That's the same reason I would never do the plunger on the head thing. Now in the case of the 'instant magician', the kid becomes the hero and actually does some magic. But it sounds like you are planning on making the participant look silly. If I were to do it, I would have the kid sound 'great' by putting on a popular band (like the Jonas Bros.) Make the participant the hero (and I don't mean a sandwich)
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JimbosMagic Inner circle 1334 Posts |
Decibel. every time we get kids on stage to help us we ask them to do he daftest things. hold this wand, then it breaks etc etc. I can see no problem with your idea. If you decide to use a younger child ( tell them to open and close their mouth like a fish does. It may just work for you.
JIMMY CARLO. KIDabra International Family Entertainer of the Year 2009.
IBM Triple Award Winner. Uk Champion of Comedy Magic. Represented the UK in the United Slapstick Awards on German TV. European Children's Entertainer of the year 2007/8 |
Decibel33 Loyal user 229 Posts |
Thanks again, everyone! I've got a foam microphone, that way only the child and myself will know it's not real. Even if they decide the squish it, that could make for an even more comical routine!
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