I've searched the Cafe but couldn't find anything on this subject. I am seeking suggestions for magic that can be performed one-handed so a puppet or vent dummy, etc. could perform. For example, the self draining milk glass to create the illusion the puppet, etc is drinking from it.

Thanks!
David

My puppets are stick type that controls the arms and one hand in the back of puppet to control the mouth. My vent is the same. In the past I've used jumbo cards, preset, nearby on a table or in my puppet/vent's home (Suitcase). Doing primarily kid's shows, the cards are usually a commercial kids product (Think David Ginn). I always settled on having my figure grab the card with his mouth. I've practiced with pinning/Velcro/wax/zip ties on the hands but haven't been very successful.

I do a crystal silk cylinder trick with a reveal using three colored silks fanned in three directions. Each silk having a different meaning. My figure pulls out silks, one at a time, then I take it from him. I show the inner/outer and inner-inner cylinders as part of the routine and stuff the silks back in with my figure's help. An awkward bit as I cannot use the arm controls. With a lot of comedy bits, it does work.

I've pretty much settled on doing my puppet/vent bit, usually 12-16 minutes and just as he's about to get locked up, he grabs a silk out of my pocket and I use that to begin a magic routine.

Change bag Blendo

Double color changing silk

Mouth coil from silk

wilting flower (puppet uses wand)

wand through handkerchief (the puppet does the setup while putting the handkerchief over your hand)

- Mary Mowder

Little Kids love to pet the puppet and just enjoy interactions of any kind as well.

These can include welcoming the puppet, encouragement, calling the puppet out on bad or good behavior, saying goodbye etc...

This bring to my mind - see the Boa Constrictor around my neck-'profile' - On time doing a show for a Library I brought out Cici and a child ran out screaming - called to the child and showed it was just a puppet, he then laughed. Belong to my Community THEATER GROUP one time at a long set of skits the Community Theater Group was doing, half the elec went out - the director asked me to return and do a bit more to save the Show - ad lib 12 minutes more as elec was being repaired - fun fun fun

Cool story bro.

"Thank You", and to all my "Cafe" family

Most of my shows are about 30% ventriloquism, the rest magic. I do a few bits in the guise of the puppet doing a trick, but no magic actually happens, it's just an excuse for the puppet to mess with me. I personally am happy to just have the puppets do funny stuff, as a comedy duo with me and the puppet, and leave the real magic for the rest of the show. It creates a nice variety that way. There is an old book on magic and puppets I have, but I don't remember how useful it was. You can do multiplying bananas or spongeballs from a puppets mouth, and the stiff rope thing.

Russo, loved your story.

Tom and I had the opposite experience. Our three year old nephew loved Alphonso, our Rabbit Puppet. Our Nephew was really smart and curious so Tom decided to show him how a puppet worked. When the puppet came off Toms hand, our Nephew climbed Tom like a tree. It took a while to clam him down. We felt like jerks.

Alphonso was a Great Puppet. He did mind reading blindfolded. Someone would hold an object up in the air and Alphonso would whisper into my ear what it was. I'd translate. "He says it is a Buick" OK, so sometimes he missed his first try but he always got it right in the end. Tom was the behind the curtain Puppeteer. Sometimes I'd be cracking up at the unexpected things he'd do. Like stumbling around after I'd blindfold him. Tom quit doing Kids shows so I really miss Alphonso.

- Mary Mowder