One of the very first effects I purchased years ago was the Adam's Sponge Bunnies. My wife and I saw a guy performing them in a Mall, and my wife loved them. So I had to have them (she said so!).

While I occasionally used them, with a good reaction, I want to dig them out again and use them for a family reunion event I'm performing at next month.

The only thing I never really liked about my routine, however, was the patter. I used the Peter Rabbit Goes to Town patter, but never liked it.

As one who is severely imagination-impaired, would a few of you kind folks be willing to share the little stories that you use for this great effect? You may PM me if you wish.

Brian

The Peter Rabbit Goes to Town is very cute patter, but I prefer some expositional one. Dai Vernon used to say that when an effect was very, very visual you should let magic talk, not you. I like to put some jokes on it. You can add some pre-made quicklines or just improvise. Just don't make dirty jokes. I saw a very bad performance with dirty jokes and it really ruined the magic.

I'm not familiar with the Adams bunnies.

I use the Goshman 3D Bunnies. It comes with a couple of good routines by Michael Ammar.

I love the bunnies. It is always a great routine. Ladies especially like it.

Check out Daryl's routine for the Sponge Rabbits on Volume 3 of his "Fooler Dooler" DVD. He has a great routine combining comedy and magic and some original things in the beginning of the routine.

Andrew

I agree with Andrew, Daryl's patter is really funny and has many "side" gags!

Martin

You can also use the "squeaker" gag on the bunnys.

I haven't spent the time to work this all out, but what if you pattered about a rabbit rancher who is audited by the IRS (change to your local tax gathering entity for non-U.S.). The spectator is the IRS and they end up with both bunnies. The tag line at the baby bunny production could be "look at all the little deductions".

I have to agree with Andrew.. Daryl's routine is really nice. Direct and to the point.

Need to watch your audience about one gag but it works most places.

John

Might also consider Doug Conn's patter.

The New York Lounge in Chicago was famous for this effect. Nick Pappas taught me his patter. This was 20 years ago. I will do this effect for the rest of my life. It's a miracle for the audience.

Brian,
The best sponge rabbit routine I know is definitely Daryl's. But if you are going to perform it you are going to need to buy Daryl's sponge rabbit routine. The reason being that the Rabbit's are shaped so that if put on a different side they resemble a bird.
Worth the cost of the special rabbits though.
Owen

But I tend to agree that the magic should pretty much do the talking. Just some brief talk about bunnies hopping – “Oh look! He hopped again!” -- and a few little one-liners -- maybe a kicker for the end -- ought to do the trick just fine. Who's really paying attention to what you're saying when there are bunnies multiplying in their own hands?

I heard that there are sponge bunnies made by Mike Rogers. Anyone confirm this or know where to get them?

If you have access to the January 1995 issue of Magic magazine (Volume 4, Number 5) you will find a great sponge bunny routine by Chuck Smith called "Rabbit Rare bits". The patter is interesting and involves the spectator and the load of the small bunnies is very cleverly facilitated by a gag kicker tied to the patter. This is the best bunny routine I've come across.

I agree that Daryl’s routine is good.
Not really proper for kids though.

Here's a good one liner for the sponge bunnies...

As you stuff the two adult rabbits into your fist say, "And you know what happens when you put two rabbits in a dark, tight, enclosed space don't you??? (as you wink) That's right they suffocate!"