sorry i didnt get back to you but iwas busy.. Anyway its professers nightmare

oh okay thanks

I didn't want to ask that question because i thought I'd look like an idio. 'm glad you did . lol

did I look like an idiot?

not at all you - looked like a complete.... im just kidding its fine. When you dont know you ask np (that stands for no problem! lol)

I knew that one! clever me I don't mind looking dumb as long as it leaves me wiser in the future if that makes sense... ^^

now youre making sense

Good thinking. lol

And no, you did not look dumb. I know I'm a bit late, but whatever.

Better late than never

I've been working on my kids act for about 2 months and have my first paid gig in December.

After a lot of research, practice and routining, here's my kid's show line-up:

D'Lites to music (intro)
Bruce Kalver's Shrinking and Expanding Head Illusion (opener)
Wizard Ring (my version of ring and string routine ala Ring Leader)
Dye Tube routine
Sponge Bunnies
Slush Powder gag
Ambitious Puppy (my kid version of ACR)
Magic Coloring Book
Professor's Nightmare
Two Dollar Window
Flag Blendo using a Creative Change Cap
Magic Drawing Board with the Art-o-matic routine (closer)

By the way, here is some good routine ideas for the Professor's Nightmare:

http://sillymagic.com/professor.htm

That is 12, count 'em, TWELVE effects for one show. Remember this is a KID'S SHOW, so how long is their attention span. Also remember that to be successful you have to ENTERTAIN the kids.

With the above thoughts my question is how can you entertain anybody just doing tricks? My dye tube effect runs 5 minutes, the professor's nightmare is a MINIMUM of 10 to 12 minutes long. I know you can do it in under 2 minutes but that is just cutting rope and not surprising the kids with a magical ending.

You have about 2 minutes per trick and I don't see how you can do that and entertain. The magic drawing board Art o matic routine is a good 10 minutes if you do it as they routine it for you. What you need is 4 effects for a 30 minute show.

Good advice. I've video taped each routine and all together, it clocks in at around 45 minutes. Since, I'm new at this, I'm not accounting for interaction, laughing and ad libbing with the kids so I'm sure you're right. Every routine has been scripted and follows the general storyline of the show "Wizard in Training." If I'm running long, I already know which routines get cut.

Thanks Paddy!

Of course Paddy is right you don’t need many props/effects to entertain an audience. I on the other hand use many larger effects and props but again only a handful of routines. As long as the end result is the same that is all that matters.

I want to get back on to this topic and actually urge people to avoid most of the effects listed on here. Since most of you are younger than me, I will assume that you will be presenting the effects similar to the way they come packaged. Children in major centres have seen more magic then you realise and thus have seen the canned presentation of all the "top ten" countless times. So unless you have a different approach for them please avoid most of these like the plague.

I'm 46 so I just might not be younger than you.

You do make a good point about overuse of popular tricks. Thankfully, I'm in an area that has very few childrens magicians. I know the magicians (they're in my IBM ring) and I've seen their shows so there is not a lot of overlap. I've scripted the routines to fit my theme and woven in a generous amount of original storytelling.

Yes tbwendt you do have a few years on me Being older you have a different mindset then most people on here so I am sure you have taken the correct approach. I truly believe that you will have a quicker learning curve due to the ability to correctly evaluate your performance.