I watched a magic show on tv last night and was impressed with one group in particular. They took some of the average tricks and made them stage size. The milk pitcher was enlarged to become a one gallon wine cravat. Their silk production brought out a 60 foot streamer! And the flower botania was over five feet tall.

This helped to "fill" the stage. When we perform we need to consider that possibility. Here are some things I use to "fill" the indoor stage, particularly if I'm there more than one day.

Sparkly or scenic backdrop curtain. Six to 9 feet wide.
Need more? I add a large beach umbrella, resting on the stage. four to five feet wide.
Need more? I add a large, bright yellow trash can. Home for the Axtell bear. 3 feet wide.
Need more? I add an easel with neon colored poster boards for sketching.

I find the umbrella to be a quick and easy option if I'm driving to the event. I can produce a colorful puppet from behind the colorful prop.

For libraries it is often cramped, but I bring a shiny cloth to toss onto a table that may be in the room. I can put my props or their books on it. Or, if it's a complete cover, I can store puppet cases under the table for later production.

Another way to "fill" the stage is to remember that the ventriloquist stand is like a pulpit. You don't HAVE to stay there! Pick up your puppet! (Just watch out for the thumb sticking out between the legs.) Walk from one area to another!

If you haven't tried it yet, get in front of a mirror and make your puppet hop up from a sitting to a standing position. The Axtell lion looks like he's pouncing! His mane flows and it looks great! You almost can't move them too much!

This is directed at anyone doing a rather large show.
What type of vehicle do you use to transport your stuff?
I have a PT cruiser and a lot of time I use every inch of it to carry my stuff to a show. I also have access to a Chrysler Town and Country van which I bought for my daughter over a year ago but have only used it once.
A magician friend of mine thinks I'm crazy for carrying so much, but I like my props. Things like the Wacky washer, magic wand factory, rabbit wringer, circus wagon, dragon mirror box, tables, curtains, sound system, and more.

Chris, you are right about it being for large stages. But, what they brought really wasn't that large to pack. For example, a large temple screen can double (with a top) as a table and then become a production. Yet it folds flat. The 60 foot silk I mentioned fits into a wine bottle. (Special opening I imagine.)

I fly to some places and have to take 5 or 6 shows as well as a puppet curtain in one large (31") suitcase and one duffle bag. Thank you, Axtell Expressions, for beach ball stomachs!

I have noticed from the audience that a 36 inch silk is "larger" than, say a Wacky Washer. I can't fly with wooden items because of weight and destructibility so I lean toward large printed cards and silks for a larger look.

An 18 inch diamond silk will fit into a good sized t.tip. It looks twice as big as the 9 inch silk normally used.

I don't take the beach umbrellas, but I may take a cloth for a table, provided by the venue I'm flying to.

Rating your magic show
December 26 2007 at 8:42 AM Tony Borders


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Here is something I came up with while watching a friend's magic show. You can probably translate it to ventriloquism.

Chances are that your 40-45 minute show(s) are made up of several shorter segments. Here is a way to critique the parts of your show, especially magic tricks, to try to come up with a better whole.

Make a chart with the following 6 columns across the top.
Trick name/ Looks magical/ Packs flat + plays big/ Audience Participation/ Audience appeal/ Total

In the first column, list all the tricks you do in the show or tricks you are considering adding. Each of the other columns will be rated 1 to 4 points. 1 means poor, 2 means average, 3 is above average, and 4 is excellent!

For example: Under "looks magical", do you get a 'wow' when you do it? Does some kid cry out 'That's magic!' If so, you give it a 4. But if you mainly use it for an object lesson and they often think they know how you do it give it a lower score. You will probably have very few 1's or you wouldn't have them in the show in the first place! Average response is polite attention. Above average is anticipation for the next trick.

Packs flat + Plays big: Some of your best tricks may score a poor in this category. I would give "sawing a lady in half" a 1 in this category. Yes, it plays big.. but it doesn't pack small. Producing a rabbit doesn't pack flat either, but kids sure love it.

Audience participation: Excellent is when EVERYONE in the audience is involved or you use more than one volunteer. (Everyone think of a number from this board.) etc. Above average uses a volunteer on stage. Average uses a volunteer as a prop only, or doesn't use anybody, but they watch. (Here, hold this, kid.)

Audience appeal: This is tough. If you do family shows you have to consider the kid appeal as well as the adult. If half your show is card tricks, you're not going to get a great kid appeal. If half your show is clowning you won't get the adults. Base it on the audience you plan to do the show for. I do kid shows, myself.

Then total the numbers in each column. You'll have a lot of ties. Start and end with your strongest material and throw the average things in the middle of your show. (Unless your library audiences are always late.) Try to end with your strongest.

For homework, look at each of the low scores and see if 1. there is another version of the trick or another trick that would be better for your show and
2. look at the lowest column for that trick and see if you can improve it. Example: Got a rope trick that you LOVE, but has no audience participation? Ask a volunteer to come up and examine the rope, cut the rope, ask them a couple of questions, "Have you ever been strung along? You're a real cut-up aren't you? A rope divided against itself cannot stand. Neither can a restored rope." etc.

I use a Plymouth Grand Voyager. But more importantly I've built two wheeled cases that contain all my accessories. One carries everything I'm going to use in a show, the other contains everything else.

I designed these cases myself and am pretty proud of them.

The storage locker has five drawers of varying heights and will hold every trick I own, plus the sound system and my vent figures.

The other is a lightweight metal table with two drawers and a folding top that gives me a 20 inch by six foot table top to lay out my tricks.

This allows me to have an instant set up anywhere I might go and I don't have to worry about storage or moving the stuff.

Once I get them set up as I like, I'll find some way of getting photos out.

Hey Santa sounds great I certainly would love to see this and would also like more information on how it was constructed please. Hope to see you at the VH Con.

One Man's Opinion
Remember No Man's Too Tall
To Not Stoop For Any Child
N J & Vent6