“The Art of Presenting Magic To Children” is a 3 DVD set by Danny Orleans covering, as you can imagine, performing magic for children. A full review follows, but it really boils down to this: if you perform magic for children, you absolutely need these DVD’s. This doesn’t just apply to beginners or the occasional children’s performer. Unless you’ve spent decades performing for thousands of children (and probably even then), you’re virtually guaranteed to find value throughout these DVD’s.

The set begins with a full performance of Mr. Orleans’ family magic show, filmed at a library in Chicago. This in and of itself is a huge resource as it demonstrates how an accomplished family entertainer opens his show, selects audience members, transition between tricks, routines effects and closes the performance. These elements are the real secrets to a successful show, far more than the methods and the individual tricks themselves. This is the reason why full time performers rarely share their full show on a DVD.

The entire performance is then shown again (including how he warms up the audience), but this time it includes a voiceover commentary from Mr. Orleans and child communication expert, Michael Brandwein. This is where the real value of this set lies. Imagine watching a magic show by a master, as they explain to you every choice they made and why they made it. It’s a personal lesson in exactly how to put on a successful performance. Then, if that weren’t enough, he also provides a PDF list of over 50 audience management techniques in the form of a study guide that follows the commentary, adds additional details and provides the reader with a place to take notes while watching. To top it all off Mr. Orleans also includes PDF copies of articles he wrote for major magic publications covering a range of topics including handling chatty parents, a list of warmups and openers, savvy marketing advice (including samples of promotional materials), the importance of silence in a show, and, the one I’m anxious to read again and again, how to successfully perform magic for pre teens.

Mr. Orleans also teaches the tricks he performs, not only explaining them, but also giving tips and the work on classics that can only be gleaned from thousands of performances and hours upon hours of dedicated thinking and evaluation. And while the material is classic, there’s much to learn. Yes, Mr. Orleans performs the coloring book, but his book is four times the size of the one sold in magic stores and the routine has a phase you’ve never seen before. Yes, he performs the Zombie Ball, but he also makes the ball vanish in full view in the middle of his show, and the explanation includes succinct instructions on effective mime work. Yes, he performs the miser’s dream, but not only is the routine practical and fun, but he also gives you every bit of business he uses. My personal favorite is his handling of the Gypsy Thread, taught to him by one of the trick’s masters, Eugene Burger. And again, showing his commitment to the viewer, he provides PDF files showing how to construct all the props he uses, including the extremely practical and portable tables he uses in performance.

Mr. Orleans is then interviewed by Eugene Burger, during which they discuss a number of topics, including the performer’s introduction, working with volunteers, handling difficult parents, routining effects and choice of material. The DVD ends with a performance and explanation of 2 bonus effects, Chris Carey’s “Ropes Through Dad” (a stage handling of Grandmother’s Necklace using an adult) and “Aqua Cups” (a nice liquid production.)

It should also be mentioned that this is the best produced magic DVD I’ve ever seen. Multiple cameras, professional editing and a well thought out approach to presenting the material creates a new standard in learning DVD’s. Almost any DVD producer in our industry could stand to learn from the commitment, time and effort Mr. Orleans’ invested in making this an effective learning tool for magicians.

Mr. Orleans gives the viewer every ounce of information he can, in every format possible, for one reason: he’s committed to quality family entertainment. Specifically, he believes a great magic show isn’t just entertaining, it leaves the audience and the volunteers feeling good about themselves and their participation. Furthermore, it’s a show, not a free-for-all. What’s amazing is that Mr. Orleans never has to raise his voice or tell a child not to do something. Using creative and intriguing applications of positive reinforcement, Mr. Orleans performs a show filled with all the classic kid’s moments but in a controlled manner. To watch him do this is, forgive the pun, magic.

Study guides. In depth articles on specific aspects of performing for children. Bringing in outside experts to offer insightful commentary. Additional articles and instructions on how to make the props used in the show. And over 50 techniques to manage your audience. This DVD set is literally overflowing with information. Which isn’t surprising since it’s the result of a lifetime of performing for children. In all the best and most extraordinary performances it’s clear the magician has thought through and made a choice for every moment in the show. Mr. Orleans epitomizes this. If you want to be an effective children’s entertainer (and even if you already are) buying this set is a no brainer. If you perform for kids, it should not just be in your library. It should be viewed again and again. My highest recommendation.