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Kidology UK 2005
5th September 2005
Reported by Keith Downs and Olly Plumley
Kidology
UK had its second outing on Monday September 5th. The brainchild of Albion Magic
and Practical Magic, Kidology UK is a one day convention designed exclusively for
children’s entertainers and deliberately held on a weekday when all children
theoretically should be in school. Last year it proved a roaring success and its
instigators were keen to repeat its success again. This year’s venue was the
larger Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, providing better accommodation for the 250
registrants (up 20% on last year) and more space for the ten dealers attending
who were: Practical Magic, Albion Magic, Mark Leveridge, Castle Magic, Hocus
Pocus Magic, Playtime Balloons, Magic Books by Post, The Magic Hands of Mystery,
Marc Summers and Kitchen Table Magic.
The day kicked off with dealer demonstrations and after a coffee break we had
our first lecture entitled Little People, Big Business from Dave Allen (Magic
Dave) who began with the act that won him the title ‘Children’s Entertainer of
The Year’ at Blackpool 2004. He then commented on the thinking behind it
stipulating that there must be reasons for actions when dealing with children
with the emphasis on the Theatrical. It came across as a large cleverly
constructed, musical, colourful act with some good ideas involving puppets, Nick
Einhorn’s ‘In Flight’ levitation and ventriloquism, using a radio-controlled
Axtel Drawing Board. Dave’s after lecture sales were outstanding and obviously
reflected the interest shown, so much so that all his goods were a sellout.
Next up was Tricky Ricky (Ricky McLeod, photo) a professional for nine years
whose lecture ‘Tricks of My Trade’ also launches a new booklet of the same name.
Props here were smaller with loads of business and could be easily made (with
the use of a computer) to fit in with what could best be described as
groan-inducing punny patter (some of which were so awful they will be going into
our own acts!) A lot of clever ideas presented in a most professional manner. We
particularly liked the idea of the carpet tile, the Fairy Wand, The Scottish
spring water and the Train. He deserved to be sold out of his booklet. Keep an
eye out for this young man if he is lecturing in your area.
After lunch, Steve Evans, our compere for the day, introduced Ron Popple whose
enthusiasm for entertaining children is legendary. In a workshop entitled
‘Openings and Closings’ he suggested that to bond a children’s audience you need
music and a puppet and a great game called ‘If You’ve Been To The Moon, Sit
Down’.
Mark Dominic emphasized the importance of bonding with the children,
conditioning them to say your name, and stepping back at the finale and allowing
the birthday child to ride on the applause.
Malcolm Mallen emphasized the use of music at the start, middle and finale of
your act. The importance of having an auto fade on sound equipment was briefly
touched on as well as ‘trailing’, or letting your audience know what they will
see in your show, leading to their greater expectation. This workshop was a
short but incredibly useful session.
Pat Page was billed as the main attraction in ‘The Page Boy Speaks Out On Kid’s
Magic’ He admitted that it was only recently that he had done some children’s
shows although he had done many earlier in his career. Pat started off by
showing how to produce feather flowers not by simply pulling them from a sleeve
head on, but by producing them sideways and letting the load sleeve move away
from the other hand which remains still.
There were three very important things for children’s entertainers to take on
board besides ‘Get the money!’ One, get a puppet. Two, use balloon animals. And
three, Troublewit, which he demonstrated . Pat stated that some adult tricks can
be used for children: the Chop Cup with a very quick potato and onion finish. A
diminishing silk vanish followed with a turn around clown routine of his own
devising. He then showed us Mismade Flag with the ‘extended’ use of the
breakaway wand. In this he was ably assisted by a ‘small’ helper from the
audience. Well done, Jimmy Carlo! The use of the snake can was demonstrated at
length causing much hilarity. Also an egg bag type routine using a cloth rather
than a bag allowed a variety of different moves. Pat finished with ‘The Miser’s
Dream’ explaining in his own words that it is ‘the greatest trick in the world,
suitable for two year olds to ninety year olds’! This was another lecture full
of hints, tips and business for the children’s entertainer given by a great
professional.
The last lecturer was Mike Stokes who with his wife Marjorie runs the mail order
business Playtime Balloons. Mike showed some multi balloon models of varying
difficulty to start with. A simple ghost became quite complicated once the
balloons started to burst but Mike’s professionalism showed through as he
pattered his way through to completing the final model. Highlights were a
delightful helicopter and a lovely fish on a fishing rod. Mike recommended the
use of balloon shine, especially for balloon workers making balloons all day.
I’m not surprised that his stall looked busy most of the day.
The organizers, Jeremy & Alec, and their helpers are to be congratulated on
surpassing last year’s Kidology UK. Four superb lectures, a workshop lunch, and
dealers in comfortable surroundings and all for £30.00 This must have been one
of the bargains of the year and looks like becoming the foremost children’s
entertainers convention in the country. If you are into children’s magic and you
haven’t been to Kidology UK then you’re really missing out. Plans are already
being made for next year. See you there!
© Keith Downs and Olly Plumley, September 2005