DESPITE THE CREDIT CRUNCH, SOME DEALERS AT EASTBOURNE scored with the one thousand conventioneers. They were those who demonstrated their wares rather than just standing behind a array of polythene packets with coloured graphics and watching the money walk by. Notably Bob Swadling who works hard to show you what real magic is like by demonstrating all the time, Patrick Page always entertaining and generous with information and Practical Magic with their vast display of children’s and other magic.

But one dealer who really does come up with something good for most conventions and works really hard at getting the punters involved is Colin Rose of Five of Hearts Magic. Former professional magician and master craftsman he creates and makes all the original items on his stand and this year he rang the bell for children’s entertainers with an item called “Balls Up

Basically it is a stylish aluminium box on a stand and a large size puppet – monkey, puppy or what you will. The puppet and a number of coloured balls are placed in the box and at inappropriate moments during the magician’s patter the balls fly high in the air out of the box, one at a time, causing vocal reaction from the children. Wrapped in a routine whereby the puppet is ostensibly going to find the selected ball, it is a vehicle for sheer pantomime entertainment (it’s behind you etc.) Working children’s magicians recognising a great piece of magic theatre quickly snapped up “Balls Up” and Colin was sold out before the end of the week.

He not only offers the complete set up as described above but for magicians with imaginative presentation ideas he also offers just the gizmo with timer that does all the work that can be introduced into your own container. No wires, no threads, no batteries, completely self -contained and beautifully thought out and constructed in the quality that is the hallmark of magic by Five of Hearts productions. I don’t do children’s magic but I know  good heatre when I see it. Why not check out the details and see the demo on www.fiveofheartsmagic.co.uk

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