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Freak magic at kids shows?
- Thread starter JGDMagic
- Start date
Okay... I'll bite on this thread a little. Before I get too involved though, let me ask you what kind of effects do you do that you consider "freak-ish"?
It depends on how old they are. If they're 10-11, they might like kinda gross stuff. If they're like 5, well, they might cry and/or projectile vomit... Good luck! 
That's kind of risky. The most I would do would be a Needles routine it'll keep their attention and their lunch down. I would suggest that you don't do anything like Sick by Sean Fields or anything that might seem gory.
I think that age is a little tough. You will have a mix of people that will love it and then I think some will get sick. I if were you I would play it safe and not do it
I wouldn't suggest it, Kids specially at that age are highly suggestible and even if you do say "Don't try this at home." There is a very high chance they will go and do it anyways. Also I doubt the parents at the party would like seeing somebody do that stuff in front of their kids.
Defining Freak Magic: Magic that is done for shock value, and usually incorporates elements of horror, or self mutilation. Rooted in American Sideshow.
Defining Kids Show: Shows done for children, usually between the ages of two and ten. Common elements usually involve very visual magic, balloons, juggling, or comedy.
Usually these two never meet. Parents that book kid show magicians want someone to entertain their kids, not give them nightmares. Also when you're doing a kids show, unless you're doing something all freak related, doing something like thread or saw will seem disjointed and out of place. Yes it is indeed very visual, but if the rest of your set consists of cups and balls, sponges, and cards pulling thread out of your eye may just be a bit too out in left field. Theatrically speaking, it doesn't belong because it doesn't fit the overall story. -Theming is a rant for another thread.
So I would say putting elements of freak or geek magic into your kids program is a risky move. It may work for you, it may work against you. It's a gamble, and not one I'd take.
Doing all freak magic for a kids party is probably not going to go over well either. Chances are good you'll never get booked to do freak unless the kids birthday is at the end of October, and they want a spooky theme. Doesn't mean it won't happen, I've occasionally gotten the phone call to do a kids party, (just did a one year olds Alice in Wonderland as the Mad Hatter three days ago) and after my usual response of "Are you mad?" is out of my system I go about making sure the client knows what they are getting me into. Once the client knows what they are asking me to do, and what I am able to do for them, everything is a go.
I guess the short answer to a long reply is No. You typically wouldn't want to do something freakish for a kids party, and you probably won't book out freak magic specially for kids parties either.
Defining Kids Show: Shows done for children, usually between the ages of two and ten. Common elements usually involve very visual magic, balloons, juggling, or comedy.
Usually these two never meet. Parents that book kid show magicians want someone to entertain their kids, not give them nightmares. Also when you're doing a kids show, unless you're doing something all freak related, doing something like thread or saw will seem disjointed and out of place. Yes it is indeed very visual, but if the rest of your set consists of cups and balls, sponges, and cards pulling thread out of your eye may just be a bit too out in left field. Theatrically speaking, it doesn't belong because it doesn't fit the overall story. -Theming is a rant for another thread.
So I would say putting elements of freak or geek magic into your kids program is a risky move. It may work for you, it may work against you. It's a gamble, and not one I'd take.
Doing all freak magic for a kids party is probably not going to go over well either. Chances are good you'll never get booked to do freak unless the kids birthday is at the end of October, and they want a spooky theme. Doesn't mean it won't happen, I've occasionally gotten the phone call to do a kids party, (just did a one year olds Alice in Wonderland as the Mad Hatter three days ago) and after my usual response of "Are you mad?" is out of my system I go about making sure the client knows what they are getting me into. Once the client knows what they are asking me to do, and what I am able to do for them, everything is a go.
I guess the short answer to a long reply is No. You typically wouldn't want to do something freakish for a kids party, and you probably won't book out freak magic specially for kids parties either.