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stu-di-doo Regular user Cumbria, UK 160 Posts |
Hi everyone
Please help and give me guidance! I have seen several other posts on a similar thread and so I thought I would try my own. I have a booking for a children's birthday party in 4 weeks time, this is my first booking for any type of show and as it is a friends child who will be 5 years old and my first show I will be doing it for free. I am moving into this line of work initially on a part-time basis at weekends and see where it leads to. My draft routine is as follows: Stiff rope - warm-up routine all the children wiggling their fingers, etc Sad / Happy Clown - show sad clown lots of byplay ask kids for jokes, funny faces, etc. to cheer him up. Give him a balloon still doesn't work, select hat and then hat appears in place of balloon and clown is happy Three-way colouring book -bring birthday child on stage & run through colouring book routine. Interact with breakaway wand, pop-off wand, etc Rocky Raccoon -General comedy routine (using remote control fart machine), mentalism act (silk over Rocky's eyes). One assistant on stage to help with mentalism (only it's not real mentalism as Rocky whispers his answers to me) Elusive Rabbits / Hippity Hop Rabbits - Sucker trick turned on myself. I liked PBs idea from a previous thread about using the kids to change the final colours Comedy Clock -similar to sliding die box, but clock used instead of die. Again turning sucker trick on myself. End of show Kids eat Music and dance about while I create balloon models for all the guests. Possible also use a Blossoming flower and hocus pocus to blossom but don't say pocus hocus to shrink the flower, again some byplay material in there! I would like to introduce various other wand props into this act (wooden spoons painted as wands, bone props painted as wands). Also spring snakes. I can also do some plate spinning tricks, but I think these will be more geared at older kids. For example a plate spinning competition. I have designed an assistant's certificate and in the process of having a caricature made for a colouring giveaway, both of course with all my contact details. I have arranged Public liability insurance of £2,000,000. I have also had a jacket made especially by a friend of my wife, primary colours, big buttons, you know the sort of thing! Goes with my bright t-shirt, rainbow braces, and bright trousers How does this sound to everyone, nerves are beginning to creep in, is the order right, have I got too much, not enough, have I forgotten anything apart from practice, practice, practice... :wavey: |
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Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts |
From my experience, that first show is really a big hurdle to get over, and learn a lot from. I don't know if anyone's very first show, especially a kid's show, can be very good at all.
Mine was terrible. I was nervous and I didn't know how to deal with an audience of kids. One thing I did after that show, and I continue to do today, is to keep a journal of critiques on my show. After each show I do, I go home and write a review of that show. I write a paragraph or two on the situation and party specifics, and a paragraph or two on each routine and the response it got, good or bad. Then, right before my next show, I read all of my past reviews and make decisions on what I am going to try to change for that days show. I find this idea extremely beneficial for me.
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Stu-di-oo,
The show sounds just fine. Don't worry about "nerves"; it happens to just about everyone. And, remember, you have to start somewhere. Danny Diamond's post gives good advice. |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7565 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-04-11 16:58, stu-di-doo wrote: There is a chance that you may offend some of your customers (the parents who pay you), by "fart" noises. Remember, you want to make your show as audience-friendly as possible. Not just to kids, but to parents, too. Just another perspective from someone who is a little conservative. - Donald.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts |
Yeah, I forgot to comment on that part.
I am personally not conservative at all, but I am not performing for myself. So I would not take the chance with a flatuelent raccoon! There are a lot of other ways to get laughs, without taking the chance of insulting a conservative parent. I know you said this particular show is for a friend's child, so they may be fine with fart humor, but you can't be so sure when you start taking future gigs.
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
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what Special user Lehi, UT, USA 643 Posts |
My advice is to take this opprotunity to build up your show a bit.
Make sure you have a magic table and a magic case/trunk. Make a magic sign. Dress for magic. Formalize an opening and closing so that you don't ramble. These things don't have to be expensive, but they will take some time and thought. Then when you perform your first show, you can play it big, ham it up big time, look big time, get big time laughs and have big time fun. Oh yea. Make sure to have a few rehearsals where you run through a complete show from start to end, wearing what you will wear, and pulling the props out of the case/trunk in order. Advice from a newbie, Mike
Magic is fun!!!
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stu-di-doo Regular user Cumbria, UK 160 Posts |
Firstly thanks to you all for replying!
I am planning to rehearse and practice all my routines but thanks Mike for pointing out dress rehearsals. Simple but essential. Just to, at least, make sure all the props can come out of my case at the right time. I do have a case with my name printed on it and a small table to use. Dark tablecloth with name on it again is in production (wife's friend again!). Once I can start taking paid bookings I would like to invest in a magic table/trunk and will look at those more closely when the time comes. With regards to the fart machine, I don't know if fart humour is received differently in the UK as opposed to where you guys are but when I have experimented on this with friends' kids and relatives it goes down a storm. It seems the British love of toilet humour begins at an early age!! I am still unsure whether to use it or not but it's in the case if I need it! Stu-Di-Doo :wavey: |
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wisdom New user 86 Posts |
I am British but do not approve of toilet humour. There is no place for it in a kids show. I don't even like to see it in an adult show. I am a very proper person even if I have not lived a proper life.
It is indeed true that the British are a rather disgusting race prone to great vulgarity. That is why I left to come to Canada where to my great distress found that the natives are just as vulgar although not as funny with it. Americans are a little more prudish and I quite like them for that. In any event, wherever you come from under no circumstances should you introduce fart machines at children's birthday parties. Now that I have got that off my chest I shall encourage you by saying I have a feeling you will be a terrific children's entertainer. I can tell from your programme that you have the right idea. It will take a bit of work and experience but I am quite sure you will get there in the end. Do get rid of that fart machine, though. |
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RoyHolidayMagic New user New York 85 Posts |
I disagree. Fart jokes are very funny to children; I use them in my show. I don't think the fart machine will bother the parents if the kids are having fun and laughing. However, use your judgement. Look around the house a little...do they seem like the type of people that would be offended by a fart joke? People like that are often easy to pick out (Won't get into the "hows" as to not offend anyone).
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wisdom New user 86 Posts |
Oh dear! How dreadful!
Of course when I said that Americans are a little more prudish than the Brits I was not referring to New York. All New Yorkers know that they are not part of the USA but an entirely separate country. Magic is a art form not an ass form. No place for vulgarity especially in a children's show. They may well laugh at it however that is no excuse for pandering to crudity. You are supposed to be representing an ancient and honourable art. You are standing upon the shoulders of those who have gone before. Please do not make those shoulders dirty. |
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RoyHolidayMagic New user New York 85 Posts |
Hahahahah! That's quite funny. We are very much a part of the United States. As a matter of fact, some of us (NOT me) in this part of the country feel that other parts of the country are not part of the USA. Heh, I think its pretty clear who thinks what just by looking at the Red/Blue map.
As a matter of fact, the British have it right when it comes to comedy...and to many other things. The Europeans have it right in general. Many parts of Europe were laughing at us after the Superbowl ("What are they making such a big deal out of the halftime show for? It happened, so what?"). It's time for Americans to loosen up a bit (not to mention that it's time to convert to the Metric system and write the date the right way. We have to realize that we're part of a bigger world...it's not just us.). This may not reflect the opinion of all/most Americans. I am the first American generation in my family, and I was raised with a different type of comedy and entertainment that Americans are used to. I was also raised with the metric system. |
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Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Stu-di-doo,
Good luck with your first show and only with experience and a few shows under your belt can you see for yourself what you may need to add or delete from your show. It's sounds like you've put a lot of thought into it and if I could make a suggestion it would be this. You said you were going to have the birthday child up to assist with the coloring book - I would use the entire audience as it's fantastic prop and a very easy one to get them all to participate. Have them think of colors or shout them out, throw them at the book, blow, wiggle fingers, whatever you decide works best for your character. You'll find the audience feeds off each other..umm no I don't mean they take bites out of each other up :O) ...but when one laughs it causes the rest to laugh, and in turn makes your show livelier and fun. The more audience participation you have, the result is usually an audience that is having fun as they are all included.The kiddies usually go home and say I want that person at my party as they've been included in the fun. Don't forget to have business cards to hand out or better yet for kids parties a coloring pic with your charicature on it and your contact number. The majority of the time, future bookings are through word of mouth and most parties are booked because the kids have seen you at so and so's party and want you at theirs. With coloring pics they stay on the fridges for weeks and parents have your contact number. If you can't draw very well have a friend make a simple pic of a magician, get them photocopied for 5 cents each..very inexpensive promo when you are first starting out. You may not have audience partcipation with every effect and the birthday child should be acknowledged but, in your case ,I would pick another routine for the birthday child to assist with that would be a bit more difficult for them all to participate. Some Café members like their audiences to remain quiet while others like the kids to be shouting and noisy (as long as you always remain in control) it all depends on personal preference and your persona. Good luck and please let us know how it goes. Chrystal |
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stu-di-doo Regular user Cumbria, UK 160 Posts |
RoyHolidayMagic / Wisdom:
I think until I can gauge the audience more skillfully I think I will leave the fart machine out for now... maybe forever!?! Chrystal: Thanks for your wise words, yes I was going to involve all the audience but have the birthday child on stage channeling all the energy..."everyone wiggle your fingers at the wand...now tap the wand on the colouring book three times, etc, etc" Thanks again for all your feedback...I welcome honest opinions and am particularly looking forward to the response from the main UK guys on this site (you know who you are!). I am in awe of the knowledge and experience held by members of this site and hope to one day to be in a position to help others as you all do! Regards, Stu-Di-Doo :wavey: |
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James Fortune Special user UK 509 Posts |
Stu-Di-Doo,
I, too, have a fart machine. It's been in my case for six months and has never been used. I finally removed it last week to make room for stuff I DO use. I'm certainly NOT a prude and know that kids of 6-8 LOVE bodily noises, etc. - they find them completely hysterical but the point was made earlier that you must never offend the parents, etc. So, my fart machine goes back on the shelf. As to the rest of your program, I was very impressed for a newbie. Well done! Remember, the MOST important part of your show is ... you. Have fun with the kids and they will have fun with you. hope this helps.
Warmest regards
James James Fortune MIMC www.comedymagiciansurrey.co.uk www.bestweddingmagician.co.uk |
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wisdom New user 86 Posts |
Quite right James. Fart machines should indeed be put away. In fact I think there should be legislation brought in against them.
The kids will indeed love them. Kids are brats by nature. However, you will indeed come across parents who are as prudish as I am. I don't suppose I am the only prude in the world. There are great wads of us everywhere. When you go into a private home you don't always know whether the parent is the owner of a strip club or a church deacon. Actually it wouldn't surprise me if the strip club owner was more conservative than the church deacon. I do get a child up with the colouring book and it works fine. However, I shall give stu=di=doo a little advice on this trick. It seems to be becoming very well known, at least where I live. It is sold in toy shops and many kids have seen a magician do it. If he gets the kids yelling "seen it before" he should immediately start to put it away and say "oh well, then you don't want to see it again do you?". The kids will all yell "but we want to see it". This will be a useful tip whenever ANY trick has been '"seen before!" The colouring book is becoming so well known that I think it may be time to turn it into a pitch item. It seems that this has already been done. I know it is exposing but I do feel that the magic fraternity has to make these sacrifices in order to help me live in the lifestyle to which I have been accustomed. |
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Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-04-13 08:47, wisdom wrote: Wisdom, As a prudish Canadian church deacon myself (seriously), I agree with everything you've said, except for one -- please don't expose my colouring book! I don't do a lot of shows (yet), but I want to keep using it until I reach the same lifestyle to which you have been accustomed to. Brian Lehr |
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Cabrera Special user Seattle 513 Posts |
"Quite right James. Fart machines should indeed be put away. In fact I think there should be legislation brought in against them."
I'll take a fart machine over the real thing anyday. (fact: the average person produces over one liter of gas per day) Sad but true!
"The quilt of life is woven with many different threads"
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James Fortune Special user UK 509 Posts |
Curse this wind! I shouldn't have eaten all those balloons!
Warmest regards
James James Fortune MIMC www.comedymagiciansurrey.co.uk www.bestweddingmagician.co.uk |
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John Breeds Veteran user England 336 Posts |
Hi Stu-Di-Doo
I discovered about six months ago that the same people who make the 'fart machine' also manufacture a 'sound effects' machine. The casing and remote control unit looks identical. Also the cost is the same. Among the sound effects are: cat meeowwl, alarm, ambulance, birds singing, bomb, telephone ring, etc. One idea would be to use the 'cat meeowling' sound effect when operating Rocky Raccoon. Then have Rocky go berserk looking for the cat.... maybe even afraid, you know, diving into your coat or leaping into your magic box. Another is to get Rocky to answer the 'phone. ... much better/funnier than crude farts. Play with the idea. And as for the possibility of offending anyone with farts; if there's any doubt, leave it out! Cheers John Breeds |
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stu-di-doo Regular user Cumbria, UK 160 Posts |
Thanks for that John, do you know where I can find further details on a sound effects machine?
Also, I think it's fair to say the fart machine will be left out....please, please, please give me feedback on the rest of the show, nerves are beginning to turn into self-doubt!! Stu-Di-Doo |
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