I used to do "fun" kids shows, but now I am drawn to Bizarre Magick. I like the idea of creepy magic, but I don't want to plunk down a wad of cash on goth props, since I already have the kids stuff.

What I am thinking is if I could convert my Kids Show apparatus into stuff suitable for the macabre: Hippity Hop Rabbits, with some creative painting could become Daemon Runaround, Sucker Die Box to Cube of Doom, Spike through Balloon to Heretic Impaled, etc.

Has anyone else done this? Do you think "Uncle Fester" would scare the kids, or would adults be a better target?

I am presently figuring out how to fold a balloon animal balloon into something resembling Cthuhlu.

Thanks!

Otter

I don't usually do kids shows, I do close-up mostly. But have done as favours a couple of times. I have done spoon bending with kids aged 10+ with great results. I had about 30 kids shouting “there is no spoon, there is no spoon” as it bent/broke. Also PK touches with a feather on the birthday kid and their best friend went well. I think today’s kids might actually like bizarre magic, with all the popularity of ‘Buffy the vampire slayer’, ‘Sabrina the teenage witch’ etc.

Otter, I so want to see a balloon Chuthulu! I was doing a show with The Enigma and Katzen down in KC, and I saw a guy do a skeleton, and a pentagram with balloons. (interesting stuff)

When I do shows around halloween time, I get more reaction out of the over protective parrents and amuse the kids just as easily.

Overall though, some kids get spooked at the sight of toast, so with the law of averages, I'm sure that the majority of the kids would like it.

Thanks Guys,

I gave up on the balloon Cthuhlu, it just looks like a small rubbery mop (my Dachunds tend to turn into balloon mice no matter what, so I need to practice anyway).

But I think I can convert color monte into "Cthuhlu monte" with some ink work.

I think there is maybe an untapped market for Bizarre Kids Show Magick, and the right props!

Otter

Well I am a stage magician and mainly specialise in children's magic, I do balloon modelling too, I actually am currently on the look out of new tricks for close-up, I don't just want to do stage magic

Otter I have been thinking that for a while. If I did I would have to change almost my entire act, but I'm in the middle of a project right now. I feel there could be good revenue for that kind of act.

I never did kid's parties, the nightclub scene had much more of a draw.... But doing a small bizarre cabaret act for kids could be quite a lot of fun!
I was not looking forward to that kid's part I posted about above; to be honest I was nervous. It was going to be 30-40 kids sitting on a hall floor and me in front of them. Plus about 20 adults watching from the wings. Kid's can be a tough audience and I hadn't done a kid's show for years.

I whipped up a quick cabaret act the week (I know that's bad, only because I tried to pass it on to someone else first) before the party. I did it over a mushroom jazz c.d. A fire trick, spoon bending and a few other bits and pieces. The kid's had never seen/heard anything like it. Some kid's came up after the show and one said

"I know how you did your tricks!"

I looked at him and waited to see what he would say next.

"Your a mind reader aren't you."

For a second I was for astonished, I didn't know what to say. I smiled and said 'maybe' and he turned to his friend and said.

"See I told you."

Some of the kid's asked to keep the spoon, the feather and a coin. Some of the parents came and said how suprised they were and invited me outside for a 'smoke' and I showed them some magic. I was just really happy for the rest of the day. It made me want to do bizarre kid's parties.