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Kidology 2004
6th September
Reported by Mandy Davis
At last – a magic convention for professionals! How do
we know this? Well, it took dealers Practical Magic and Albion Magic to realise
that children’s entertainers normally miss out on weekend events because they
are working. Consequently the first Kidology convention took place on a hot
Monday in Wolverhampton and the two hundred people who attended had an enjoyable
tailor-made day.
A buffet lunch was included in the price of the ticket and there were also four
lectures and two workshops as well as a ‘Bits O’ Business’ competition.
I missed most of Gerry Luff’s lecture but Ian Adair told me that it was very
informative. Gerry talked about and demonstrated things that could be made
rather than bought and explained how to use computerised artwork in our magic.
He showed us several effects using Jumbo cards which were adapted to various
themes and we also saw an Easy-to-Assemble table and Gerry’s own version of
Johnny Geddes’ “Five Green Bottles”. A balloon routine using only three balloons
eliminated the necessity of making a model for every child. Gerry ended with a
compass effect with black and white rabbits.
Marc Dominic’s lecture was a must for anyone who performs anywhere other than
private birthday parties. Marc terms all other shows as corporate and he gave us
a wealth of information on everything from the history of corporate work to how
to decide whether this market is for you. He presented a very long list of
questions you should be asking yourself – although not all were answered. Risk
Assessment was something that many performers don’t consider but Marc felt that
supplying this information would weigh heavily with clients when they were at
the decision stage. Within the hour Marc introduced Steve Evans who showed
exactly how to take a theme and use it to ‘customise’ a regular show. He breezed
through several effects with hysterical explanatory patter and it is hoped he
will provide a cameo appearance in all Marc’s lectures.
Marc continued by explaining the difference between Features, Advantages and
Benefits and gave various examples of how to take skills and direct them as
marketing tools for clients to increase their turnover by using a kids’
entertainer.
This was an excellent hour and the accompanying lecture notes took the form of a
thick book at a very cost-effective price.
Ron Popple introduced the ‘Bits o’ Business’ contenders with the whole audience
filling voting slips to find the winner. Ron started the proceedings extolling
the uses of a squeaker and using a telephone ringer in conjunction with a
balloon pump. He then introduced David Silk who demonstrated the use of a gag
bag. Richard Ballinger explained that, by greeting the adults as well as the
children, he got everyone’s attention from the start and he then demonstrated a
trick using a change bag and some colourful balls. David Adams used a magic tin
throughout his show, proclaiming that if he opened it the magic would fail.
Between every trick he would suggest doing just that and the audience would call
out to stop him. Finally a card routine ended with the tin being opened and a
spring snake appeared with the card selection in its mouth. David Oakley used a
combination of 20th Century Silks and a change bag to good effect whilst Bob
Cockbill used Miser’s Dream coming among the audience to gather coins.
Malcolm Malan used silks in various ways, incorporating a wand which produced
different silks at one end when he wasn’t looking. There was a lot of fast-paced
comedy and he was the eventual winner of a voucher to spend with the dealers.
The final competitor was Eric Sharp who explained that he had retired from
performing four years ago and hadn’t done a trick since. He went through various
bits of business – how to rid the audience of any balloons they may have brought
with them to the show - and advised us to always smile as a serious face causes
children to cry. He used a demon box to produce silks, ending with a giant one.
Finally he dressed a child in a jacket (representing a cloak) and did some great
gags by putting a large magic wand in the pocket and removing it when the
audience weren’t watching.
After lunch Ian Adair began his lecture. He raced through many, many ideas, some
of them excellent, but unfortunately overran by half an hour. This was
considered most inconsiderate to the other lecturers; some of them had to cut
their running time as a consequence. Ian demonstrated items such as a magic
painting routine, several variations on magic palettes which vanished the
colours, a magic hooter which only worked for him, a torn and restored paper
strip, a magic potions trick and a large variety of changing bags.
Ali Cadabra literally raced through some useable tricks and ideas. His balloon
rabbit which found a selected card was a definite winner for many people as was
as puppet and change bag routine which gave a different result every time! He
enthused about a Chop Cup routine for kids and also demonstrated a butterfly
paper cut out sequence and an invaluable melting snowman. His baking routine
without mess can be used anywhere and a simple rope and pegs routine was a cheap
and cheerful way to add a new item to a repertoire. Everything he demonstrated
was simple but fun – it was just a shame that the lecture notes were pricey
compared to those on sale from the other lecturers.
Finally Mike Stokes of Playtime Balloons gave us some food for thought with some
amazing balloon models which he sells in shopping centres and other places where
he works the crowds. A simple eyeball hat was a real winner as was a teddy on a
stick with a heart. His dolphin was a good replica and he taught us an excellent
helicopter and butterfly. It was just such a shame that his time had to be cut
short.
All in all this kids’ magic convention was considered a great success and people
were already planning who to travel in with next year!
© Mandy Davis,
September 2004