Hi, I'm not too sure if this topic has been covered. But anyway, I've been performing for quite a while now. Most of the time, I am needed to entertain kids up on stage. However, there are some tricks out there that can entertain kids, but might not appear to be so magical to the adults. Adults can be easily entertained by sleight of hand, but kids somehow can't really appreciate that. Kids' mentally is rather different you see.

In my opinion, the paying client is ultimately an adult. So, sometimes, making the kids scream and laugh alone is not enough. You have to make a conscious attempt to amaze the adults as well. That way, they might probably hire you again in the future. Well, you may disagree though...

Let's discuss.

If an effect is entertaining but not amazing, i think it shouldn't be classifed as an effect, it should more likely be a gag. All the magic effects in children show (in my humble opinion) should still be amazing to kids and adults alike.

I agree the paying client is ultimately an adult... BUT the adult is paying you to entertain the kids with magic. So, in my opinion, if you do fantastic magic, but the kids are in no way entertained, it will not do. I guess you probably have to meet both ways.

I personally think there are some elements that should be present in stage shows aimed at the kids with adults present (in order of importance):

1) Magic elements that should make the kids and adults go WOW and also, laugh. (For the laugh part, adults may or may not be included)

2) Gags that kids will laugh, but probably few adults will. (May be magical, may be non-magical ie. the funny bits of business eg. whacking yourself on the head with a wand etc..)

3) Strong magic that may not have that much funny elements but will make EVERYONE (including adults) go WOW.

4) Stuff that are aimed specifically at adults but kids will still laugh. (Not magic, but perhaps, stuff like ad-libs/one-liners)

If you are thinking concerned about the paying adult, i guess the element you are concerned with will be element 3 and 4. Element 3 is, i think, an easier element to incorporate. Element 4 may be harder but it can be done.

I have seen Mr MagicPuppet Man, who is very good at incorporating element 4 in his show, and it shows, because the adults enjoy his show almost as much as the kids. (His show is not magic, so no wow element to consider about)

My point is, it is best of course, if you can entertain and amaze both the kids and the adults. However, the priority comes in entertaining and amazing the kids first, because ultimately, that's what you are being paid for.

Hence my point is, amazing both adults and kids should be a given when you are doing a magic show for the kids. Entertaining kids should also be a given. But if you can even entertain the adults (not just amazing them only), then that is certainly a bonus credit to you. (Acts in your favor of a repeat booking of course)

Hope what i say makes sense.

A.

Nice post! It's nice to read such a thorough post. I agree to a large part of what you've mentioned.

Besides all that you've mentioned, at times when I get hired for shows, my client actually specifically ask me questions like these:

1) How many magic/tricks can I do? (How am I suppose to answer this? God knows...)

2) What do you do? Can we not see normal magic?

When these clients of mine, when they asked for "abnormal" magic, they actually told me not to do things like making silk vanish, torn n restored newspaper, vanishing liquid.... i guess those cliche stuffs and they want to see things that they don't always see (perhaps they think I am david copperfield). But in my opinion, some tricks like torn and restored newspaper is really good. Till today, I still perform that, and I get many adults asking me how i do that after my show.

In short, I still feel that when performing for kids, we need to consider adult's entertainment as well to a certain extent.

Yea, it does sounds like the so-called 'normal' magic they are referring to are the so-called 'cliche' magic. I don't like to call them cliche though, i prefer the word 'classical'. :P I guess it might be okay to explain that you have the same classical effects that are presented in different ways.

Perhaps it might be good (just a suggestion on my part) that you have a 'backup' for different effects that actually achieve somewhat the same effect but are different.

As for the how many effects you can do, it could be they are referring to types of magic rather than the specific number. If so, then they are probably just asking for a magic show that shows variety.

Just a guess on my part. :)

Anyway, since we are on the subject on kids show, i was just thinking that at some point in time, it comes to really saying if you are a children entertainer or a children magician. To me there's a whole lot of difference in there.

Cheers,
A. ^_^

Great posts Ade :)

Good article.
i like that what adeline said: children entertainer or a children magician
is totaly different.
my friend told me children is devil..hahaha..
u dun know what there r thinking n thier mind and what will they do to u on the next second, sometime maybe out of control..haha.
that why until now i not dare to perform in front children, because i scare of them.. hahahah!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Read some books and perhaps it can help you understand children's psychology. Trust me, it helps.

yes, i will take some book to understand children's psychology, but not now lol. :lol:

any book do u recommend to understand children's psychology?

Books by Silly Billy and Samuel Patrick Smith on doing magic for children are excellent resources for understanding the hows to performing for children. You can do a search for 'Seriously Silly' by David Kaye (aka Silly Billy), it is an extremely comprehensive book on performing magic for kids.

Both 'Big Laughs for Little People' or 'Kiddie Patter and Little Feats' by Samuel Patrick Smith are also good resources to read if you wish to perform magic for children.

If you have money for only one, i would highly recommend you to get 'Seriously Silly'.

^_^

Hey Adeline, you've read all those books???? That's nice. I just ordered seriously silly. Can't wait to read it.

wow, the book is not cheap lol :o
may be you may give us some review after you get your book. :rolleyes:

maybe i will get one for myself, but not now. :P :P :P

Got the "seriously silly" book already. Read it, and I must say it's great. The routines aren't exactly complex or fantastic, but it does its job, which is, to entertain kids through the silly approach. It's a fun book to read. The psychological readings regarding kids is a must read! Get the book guys!

Yes, 'Seriously Silly' is a fantastic book that covers a lot of stuff on children magic. Silly Billy is the top Children Magician in New York, and he really shares the tips and tactics (and rationales) behind children magic in the book.

Just a side note, I personally feel that while 'Seriously Silly' will teach you a great deal how to deal with kids in the 5+ range and above, Samuel Patrick Smith's book will be a better option if you're looking at 3-4 years old, and sometimes even 5 year old girls. The reason is that i feel Samuel Patrick Smith has a much gentler approach that appeals to younger kids (and its reflected in his books).

Cheers.

Been checking this post often. Got to say all thanks to all who contributed. I'm going to put these books in my wish list=)