Does anyone out there use this prop? I am thinking of purchasing it but need to know some information on its operation or ease thereof.

I would say that The Magic Drawing Board is currently the most popular routine that I do. If you don't do any vent, you'll also want to get the AxTrax CDs, they're awesome! There are SO many possibilities with this prop that you simply MUST get it, you won't regret it! It's also quite easy to operate but you'll want to watch your angles.

The quality is excellent and it's really easy to operate, but coming up with a good and original routine would take up more time. If originality does not bother you, Axtell Expressions do have many resources and ready to perform routines available. I second Andini's recommendation of AxTrax CDs.

I have used the drawing board extensively. Despite its simplicity, the reaction it gets is so extreme that I have often used it to close my children's shows. I made the mistake of ordering a right-handed prop while I am left handed. This has limited my ability to draw anything I wish (the kids laugh at my "artistic ability").

I have had one problem with it. Over the years, the clear plastic that covers the frame yellowed and seemed to shrink. This made me have to replace it. I now have a plexiglass cover on the board which is great!

Can you tell me some funny jokes when using the board and maybe a routine? - thanks
:banana:

Where can someone find the Magic Drawing Board? I tried a search at Hocus-Pocus and Magic Warehouse to no avail. Thanks!

Hank Lees magic factory...

http://www.hanklee.com

You can purchase it direct from the manufacturer -Steve Axtell.
http://www.axtell.com/illusions.html

Have any of you tried this fairly close up - say, in a birthday party situation? Can the audience detect the gaff at close range? I've wanted to get this for years, but was unsure about performing conditions.

Thanks for any help.

Ron Reid

I am also curious if this can be done fairly close up (birthday party).

This is great for a birthday party. You can even get a birthday party tape/cd with it while you draw a talking birthday cake.

Yes the plastic does turn yellow, and yes it can be used up close... very close! You can even purchase an ungimmicked one so they can inspect it. There is a small and large version. Axtell now has a remote controlled one so you can move away from it while it's eyes follow you and it talks. (Expensive but I don't know if it's for sale yet, I saw the prototype at the Kidabra Conference.) Buy the video, or give Steve a call, he may still have some demos available. (See Axtell Drawing Board or read the full Birthday Party Script.)

This is discussed elsewhere (in The Little Darlings), so do a search in the Café and archives on the "drawing board".

It belongs in the top ten of kids' show magic. The younger the kids, the more puppets are important in a younger birthday party show. This board allows you, as a non-ventriloquist, to add a new dimension to your show. It is a great opener for your act.

At the Kidabra Conference, many kid show entertainers have this and use this and I have never heard one person say they were disappointed in this purchase. It is a worthy purchase.

I have heard it is good, especially for kids.

I have used this for kids and adult audiences (I think Harry Anderson used it on the Tonight Show once). I'm left handed, but when I first purchased it, all that was available was the right hand model. It still works great. And I have used it for birthdays, so it can be effective at fairly close quarters.

Coming up with your own routine will take some time (it did for me), but there are lots of resources available, and the instructions include a sample routine to get you started. It gets two thumbs up from me!

See ya!
Joe L.

I have used this prop in most imaginable places, especially birthday parties. The only problems I have encountered are nosy parents and kids trying to get behind me, which requires extra awareness. And the sun. If you currently own one you may know what I am talking about, this is only a matter of direction though.

I agree with everyone about how great this is. I have closed my shows for the past four years with this and it never fails to get a round of applause.

The tapes/cds are worth their weight in gold.

oliver

I cannot understand something about the CD/tapes that one can purchase. What happens if you are using them and something occurs (eg: a very small kid comes near you.). Do you keep going with the show, as if nothing happened? Even if they touch the board or something? Or else someone asks a question. Children are a little unpredictable, right?

Any ideas or help on this? I would really like to learn Vent BTW. I like all pupets from Axtell.

And one more thing. There are two close-up versions of this. One uses a notebook and is by Sean Bogunia.

I use Axtell's Drawing board with vent for the very reason niva stated in his post. Vent contrary to popular belief is not very difficult with a little practice. Also with vent, you can develop many different routines and also allows ad-libbing which can make your performance more fun for you as well as your audience.

Just my two cents...

In response to Niva's question. Oh that, yeah it happens sometimes. That goes for any effect that's performed in a kid show.

The way I handle questions during the tape when (not if) it occurs, is by simply raising my hand and patting the air gently down, this conveys that I am in the middle of something and will answer the questions later. Or if they persist, then I say I will answer the questions later. Saying it looks cool sometimes because many of the people think I am doing a vent act so it trips them up a bit.

Also, the birthday and Christmas shows have the kids drawing on the board in the beginning, this takes heat off of you later on since they don't think it is gaffed because who would let them touch a trick drawing board.

I am not familiar with the close up versions. I thought about using them, and I think they would do well, but I don't think I would use it properly.

oliver

The magic board is so good I have two

The Magic Drawing Board is strong for both children and adults. I have seen adults laugh so hard they had to get up and leave their seat. I use it in every children's birthday party I do. Basic audience management will keep children seated and behaved. If you need help in this area I suggest you ask an elementary teacher for ideas.

I don't do vent so I use the recording that comes with the board. During a recent performance a lady from the audience approached me after the show and asked if I was doing the voice of the drawing or if it was on the cd.

I also believe this is a super effect and I use it in my kids shows.