Reviews

Ratings:
♦♦♦♦♦ A must buy!
♦♦♦♦    Something you will get a lot of use out of!
♦♦♦     Will certainly appeal to some entertainers - but maybe not everyone's cup of tea!
♦♦       Have a look - but think carefully before you part with your money!
♦         Of no real use!

BOOK REVIEWS

THE MAGIC PARTY Vol. 1 & 2 by Mark Leveridge
I have long been a fan of Mark Leveridge’s books and tricks, and it was really these two books that started me on the road to children’s entertaining. The first volume goes into Mark’s thoughts and ideas on the art of entertaining children, marketing, games and lots of excellent magic routines. Subjects covered are discipline, organization, rude children, accidental vandalism, prizes, fees and selling the show. Mark has many years experience entertaining children and his vast knowledge is very much worth reading and implementing in your own shows.

Mark describes several original games to use in your shows (if you don’t do games, you may very well change your mind after reading these books) and also gives suggestions to their age suitability, which is very useful if you are novice in the world of children’s entertaining.

The magic routines are very well thought out (which you will often find to be the case with Mark’s magic) and involve lots of participation - essential to a good children’s show. Also Mark goes into the importance of warm up routines - something I now use all the time.

Volume 2 gives some updates on Volume 1 and then goes into some more excellent routines, games and warm ups. This volume is divided into entertaining for older children and entertaining younger children.

Volume 1 costs £25 and Volume 2 costs £20. I wholeheartedly recommend these book and they are available at www.markleveridge.co.uk ♦♦♦♦

OUT OF THE PART TIME FRYING PAN INTO THE FULL TIME FIRE by Marvin Hardy
I have to say I did really enjoy reading this book. It is only a small volume (100 pages) and is not a complete blueprint on how to become a full time entertainer. In fact, it is more what I would call an “inspirational” read. It doesn’t go into too many details, but gives a bigger picture of what kind of attitude and approach is required from the full time professional.

Marvin Hardy is of course known for his balloon work and the book uses this with most of the examples. However, Marvin’s thinking can easily be transferred to any business venture.

My favourite chapter of the book is the first: “The Ultimate Door Opener”. Marvin talks about how he would go to shopping malls, restaurants and even airports just to make balloons and give them away to advertise his business. The next chapter: “Making Money with the 260Q” follows on with the same theme.

Further on Marvin talks about the importance of a business card. I have read in other books you should be giving away 1000 business cards every 6 months! Another useful chapter is: “Look for the Rainbows” where Marvin lists an events calendar for the entire year where you can sell your shows.

I did find Marvin’s style a bit rambling sometimes and if you are looking for an in-depth discussion on the best advertising mediums and how to keep good records then you better look somewhere else. But if you want a really good read and afterwards think to yourself “Hey, perhaps I can really do this!” then I’m quite sure you will like this book. Out of the Part Time Frying Pan… is available from www.tmyers.com priced at $12.95 ♦♦♦

DVD & VIDEO REVIEWS

KID SHOW BASICS by Carroll Baker
A 75 minute DVD  which starts off with Mr Baker doing a 30 minute magic show on stage, then goes on to talk about "kid show theory" and finally Mr Baker explains some of the effects he used in the show. I'll break each of the segments down:

The magic show. The show started off with torn and restored tissue paper with a fake explanation. This was followed by a lolly pop vanish and then a production from a dove pan. Next was a rather strange square circle production of several real eggs which were handed to two volunteers until they dropped them! I really didn't see the point of this at all. It wasn't that funny and it's something I would never use in a show because of the awful mess. Rather pointless really. Mr Baker then did a pom pom prayer stick routine followed by a cut and restored rope effect using pop off knots and a sliding knot. Next up was a rather mundane performance of the Pizza Oven. The next two effects were in my opinion the best routines: Water monte - a version of three card monte using water and slush powder. This routine has a lot of scope. This was followed by a magic colouring book routine with a nice kicker finish. Finally Mr Baker performed Stratosphere.

What struck me about the magic show was the lack of energy Mr Baker employed and also most of it was rather basic stuff. Apart from the water monte and the kicker finish for the colouring book, there was nothing really out of the ordinary.

Theory. Mr Baker talks with a colleague about kid show theory. Among other things, topics included: warm ups, helpers, giveaways, sucker effects, music, etc. I have to say, I didn't learn anything new here and I would say it's strictly aimed at complete beginners. However, the problem is that beginners would want to know much more detail.

Effects. Finally Mr Baker explains some of the routines he used in the show.

Overall I have to say I was disappointed with this DVD. The show was mediocre, the performance lacked any dynamism and the theory was pretty uninspiring. The only bits that made the DVD of any value were water monte and the nice touch with the colouring book. For that reason I'm going to rate this DVD ♦♦½

KIDS’ BIRTHDAY SHOW by Dan Harlan
This is part of Dan’s “Pack Small Play Big” series. There are some really great tricks and routines on this video. It starts off with Dan performing for a ‘real’ kids birthday party, so you get to see exactly how he handles the children - something I always find very interesting. However, I suspect that the party has been ‘set up’ and all the children are extremely well behaved! But I like Dan’s personality and I’m quite sure the children do too!

After the party, Dan goes into the explanations of each trick and routine. One of the first things Dan performs as a sort of warm up, is a simple appearance and vanish of silk handkerchief using a thumb tip. So simple, but a great idea for getting the children going! I now use this idea in virtually every children’s show I do.

Dan then goes into a great sponge ball routine, a clever lolly pop trick and then a really fun routine with balloons with lots of gags and laughs. Dan then performs a great routine called ‘This Century’ which is his version of Twentieth Century Silks.

However, my favourite routine on the video is “Shake It Up”. An hilarious routine in which Dan makes milkshake on top of the birthday child’s head which then changes into a box of chocolate/candy bars. Fantastic! This routine does take a bit of preparation but it’s worth it!

This video is worth every penny, and I’m sure you will find at least one routine (probably more) to use in your shows. It is available on video for $29.95 or on DVD for $34.95 and can be purchased from www.llpub.com and other dealers. ♦♦♦♦

Update:
I think it's only fair to point out that a lot of children's entertainers on The Magic Cafe don't like this DVD. However, I stand by my original review. I think the routines are funny, fast paced and I like Dan Harlan's style

BILL ABBOTT PERFORMS CLOSE-UP FOR KIDS by Bill Abbott
I loved this DVD! I mean really loved it! If I were a woman I would marry Bill Abbott on the strength of this DVD alone! It's a two disk set and starts off with Bill performing nine routines in a real life situation. Because of this the sound and picture quality could be a bit better. However it really doesn't matter - it's the content that counts - and believe me these routines pack a powerful punch.

After the performances Bill explains everything in beautiful detail. Nothing too difficult but it's Bill's presentations that makes them all winners. Bill has such a great, easy going style that children certainly warm to. Something that many entertainers could learn from. Also, these routine will appeal just as much to adults.

My favourite routines are "The Ninja Card Trick" and "Flash". Flash will take a little preparation but is certainly worth it. A great, highly visual, trick. The Ninja card trick produces a stunning result with very little effort. Surely what we all seek and strive for.

I'm certain virtually everyone will find something of use on this DVD. ♦♦♦♦♦

BILL ABBOTT PERFORMS STAND-UP FOR KIDS by Bill Abbott
Another truly great DVD from Bill Abbott. This is a one disk DVD and only contains three routines: The Sponge Snack, The Thing and Chico the Mind Reader.

Not everyone is going to like "The Sponge Snack" for the simple reason it involves producing items (in this case sponge balls) from your mouth - and if you frequent The Magic Cafe you'll know that this is a controversial issue! However, if this is not a problem for you this is a great routine! Funny and full of surprises. I'm sure kids will love it!

"The Thing" is the real star item on this DVD. How can I describe it? It's like a Zombie routine - but you never see the ball! This is really clever and as far as I know very original. I think this would be a great opener in any kids children show.

If your looking for a puppet routine then look no further than "Chico the Mind Reader". Chico is a cheeky monkey puppet who performs an hilarious card trick. Bill uses "letter" cards which is a great idea for doing a card trick with children. Bill also does a fantastic job of bringing the puppet to life with the help of just a couple of simple props.

The DVD finishes up with Bill talking about his thoughts on the art of entertaining children. ♦♦♦♦♦

TREVOR LEWIS ON CHILDREN'S MAGIC by Trevor Lewis
I saw Trevor Lewis lecture some years ago and a lot of the material that he went through appears on this DVD. The routines were originally filmed in 1990. Trevor is obviously a very talented and renowned magician and there are a couple of  gems on this DVD. However, I have to say that some of the routines I felt had a rather "dated" feel to them.

The highlights for me were Trevor's version of the classic Professor's nightmare where the three pieces of rope turn into one long rope (I still use this from when I first saw Trevor lecture) and his great version of cards across. A classic example of how an adults card trick can be turned into a  piece of entertaining theatre. There are gags galore in this great routine.

Trevor also goes through an egg bag routine and a mutilated parasol routine. A lot of the routines has a safety theme which would be useful if you do a safety show. Other routines include: The Flowering Bouquet, Road Safety Chicken (a rubber chicken production), The Cat, Floppy Flower and some ideas using a Pop Away Wand. Another feature are the two kids that give poor old Trevor a bit of a hard time when it comes to balloon models! (Balloons are NOT Trevor's area of expertise!)

I feel the DVD is more aimed at beginners and I'm not sure an experienced performer would find a great deal to use (with the exceptions of the professor's nightmare and cards across). Finally keep an eye out for Trevor's broken arm gag! ♦♦♦

FANTASY COSTUMES AND HATS by Debbie Stevens

A nice selection of balloon hats using a variety of balloons (i.e. 260s, 160s, 350s and 5" rounds) however none of these models are suitable for line work. An intermediate twister should have no trouble making these models.

It's mainly a hats DVD but there are also 2 costumes: a really cool devil and a also an angel. For me the best hats were a large and impressive monkey hat (260s and 350s), a very ornate crown (made from 160s) and a nice and unusual medusa hat. The medusa hat is very intricate and  made mainly from 160s - but it should be possible to make a more simple version out of just 260s.

There is also a nice sword, prince's crown and shield, but these would take forever to make! If you were doing a party for an hour, I reckon you might only be able to make 4 of these sets up. So I do question how practical this kind of stuff is! Other models include a ladybug hat, a frog hat and a dragon hat.

Overall a nice DVD, but anyone interested in quick models will find nothing of interest here. Therefore I'm going to rate it ♦♦♦.

PROP REVIEWS

SILK RELEASE WAND by Mark Leveridge

Have I already mentioned how much I like Mark’s stuff?! I bought this item some time ago because Mark gives a great routine with it in his “Magic Party Volume 2” book (see above). However, you know what it is like, you buy something, it looks good, but it gets shoved in the back of the cupboard (I think my cupboard still has a back - I haven’t seen it for some years!) with the intention of using it some other time. I have to admit, this is what happened to my silk release wand.

Time passed, and then one day I got a repeat booking. Hmmm, I thought. I’d better do something a bit different. Ooh, I know, what about that wandy-thingy I got from Mark Leveridge! Well my friends, the rest is history as they say. It proved such a hit I now use it in every show that I do. It’s normally the first trick that I do and I use the birthday boy/girl to come up and help.

It is based on an older trick that you may of heard off. I do not know if the method is the same, but Mark has an hilarious routine supplied with the prop (but you will need to buy a couple of other comedy props if you want to use this routine.) If you want a full description of what happens, go to Mark’s web-site www.markleveridge.co.uk Very basically, a child comes up to help with a magic trick. She must recite a spell to make a chosen silk handkerchief fall off a magic wand, but keeps getting the wrong one. Finally, after loads of business, the right hanky magically unties itself from the wand.

The wand costs £65 and comes with 4 silk handkerchiefs. Some may say that is a bit expensive, but I think it is worth every penny! ♦♦♦♦

OTHER REVIEWS

 MAGICIAN'S VEST - DAYTONA MAGIC (Clothing)

After a couple of weeks my waistcoat arrived. As soon as I got it out of the parcel I could see that it was too big. The design looked ok, but on closer inspection I have to say I was a little disappointed with the overall quality. The vest cost $60 and I was expecting something a little bit better. I decided to take the vest to a tailor to have it altered rather than send back all the way to the USA. (It worked out a lot cheaper!) Even while I was in the shop buttons started to fall off (after only wearing it once!) and I asked the tailor to sort the buttons out as well! Also there was no adjusting buckle at the back - only two "straps" that I assume were just meant to be tied together - not very professional looking.

I liked the design and colour but really did not think it was worth the money. If you're looking for a waistcoat, in my opinion, you may want to look elsewhere. However I am going to use the waistcoat and I will let you know how it holds up. ♦♦