Danny Orleans and AmazeKids’ book, Kids Show Masterplan (KSM), is a wonderful guide for magicians that want to venture into performing for children and also for already performing magicians who want to learn from a renowned expert in the field. It is a quick and easy read and contains tons of helpful pointers and time-tested tips explained through the use of interesting and sometimes poignant anecdotes. Orleans explains that he once heard Tom Mullica explain that “performing magic for children is like going on a jungle safari wearing a meatloaf suit!” Anyone that has performed a children’s show will understand the sentiment. This books helps you remove the meatloaf suit and get out of the jungle alive and with satisfied customers.
This book makes you think. It teaches you how to think about children of different ages, how to deal with crying and distracted children and babbling adults. Most importantly, it teaches how to avoid the tears, the chattering and how to maintain the focus of your audience. Orleans’ insight into psychology is spot-on and listening to his words of wisdom will help just about any performer.
This book does not teach you all the tricks you will need to perform for children. Instead it discussed the order of various types of tricks you need to perform an entire act and teaches how to avoid pitfalls in the presentation of your tricks. It also does teach various tricks which include Todd Kearby’s Hat Trick, a Floating Jumbo Coin trick, the Flip-Over Cigar production Box, Michael Brandwein’s Clay Feat, and a few other tricks. Some of the taught tricks require everyday items only and others require gimmicks and stage props that you may not already have. The books explains the tricks and supplies an example of a successful patter in the form of a loose transcript. He also lists his top 30 tricks and 15 Essential Utility Props.
KSM analyzes various performers’ personas and how they interact with children in an effort to convey the truth that every performer must find their own voice to be successful. Orleans breaks down in an analytical fashion an “Audience Participation Pyramid” which explains how various tricks effect the spectators and how that shapes your show. He gives perceptive tips on audience management and provides a list of Attention-Getting Techniques.
Importantly, Orleans discusses show logistics which include the layout, the lighting, audio and contingency plans for when things go wrong. He addresses some marketing and the essential need to engage in self-promotion, but in a professional and tactful manner.
The book has a glossy cartoon illustration cover, contains 186 pages of content, and is filled with photographs of Orleans, other performers, tricks, audiences and venues. It is laid out like an elementary school text book and measures 8 ½ by 11 ¼ inches. The pages of the book are a bit thin, but other than that, the quality of the book is excellent with thoughtfully organized chapters and sub-headings. I was surprised to see a couple of typos in the book. To add some weight to the contents of the book, you will find a foreword by Jeff McBride and an interview by Eugene Burger. The ad-copy and the promotional video are straight forward and accurately describe the contents of the KSM, although I cannot attest to Orleans’ statement that the book contains all new material.
The KSM is a valuable resource and I recommend this to any performer who either wants to learn and benefit from Orleans’ vast experience.