Britain's brightest independent magic magazine

Issue 29 - Nov. 09

Review

Playtime 2  

Dave Allen (Magic Dave)
Available from:www.magicroundabout.net

Price: £20.00 + £2 P&P  

In Issue 15 (July 2007) I reviewed Dave's first Partytime DVD and with this second offering purchasers are provided with another opportunity to watch a completely different 90 minute games, magic and puppet show from an award winning entertainer who really shows that he knows exactly what he is doing. As with the first DVD , this is really nothing more than a recording of Dave's show. He does speak directly to camera at the finish in order to explain his set up, particularly with reference to his sound and music, but there are no trick explanations (none are really needed) and there are few specific pieces of general advice given either.  

It seems to me, having watched a number of DVDs aimed at children's entertainers in recent times, that there are two very distinct types or styles of DVD . The ones featuring Terry Herbert (Magic For The Under Fives), Pat Fallon (Magic For Older Kids) and Paul Megram (The King Of Custard) have a blend of live action and then discussion on the background to what is going on. These titles, I suppose, you could class as the traditional DVD instructional format and as such they provide on a plate plenty of relevant information. Then there are those DVDs which essentially just give you a recording of a performer's show such as the Jimmy Carlo Games-ability and Kid-ability products and the two Playtime DVDs from Dave Allen. With these, the viewer is entertained perhaps by watching, but has to extract any information and value from the contents himself - in other words little is pointed out, you just have to take note of what is happening and how it all works.  

So, as a marketed product my question is always the same - is the watching of someone else's act alone enough to justify the purchase price? Playtime 2 is definitely a hugely entertaining watch. Dave is brilliant with the kids and the way he controls both the youngsters and even the adults, is an object lesson in audience management. By insisting on creating the conditions that enable you to do a good show, you stand a better chance of being able to deliver that good show, and Dave has the confidence to insist, in the nicest possible way, that everyone tows the line.  

His choice of games will surprise many as really he doesn't do any traditional games in this show. Yet for about 45 minutes the children have a brilliant time. Nothing is ever run too long, there's plenty of variety within the activities, and he keeps his control over his young charges well at all times - even the more lively boys! Most striking of all is Dave's superb use of music and sound effects. His whole show is elevated into a more professional product by the judicious use of these two elements, and to be able to see how it creates atmosphere is extremely illuminating.  

The magic part of the show features a couple of very simple tricks with a chair levitation of the birthday child as a storming finish. Again, it's not the actual tricks which are of interest, but it is Dave's use of puppets to dress up the whole show which is interesting. Dave is an accomplished ventriloquist, and he uses this skill with one of the routines which features the hugely amusing and entertaining Daisy The Cow. The magic is very lightweight (almost at times non-existent) but you are so busy laughing and being well entertained, that it becomes irrelevant.  

If you are looking to be inspired and entertained, this is money well spent. Dave has not won so many children's entertainer awards for nothing, and it is a pleasure to watch him present his stuff for real and to see how he handles the whole situation. If, however, you are looking for a DVD full of new tricks, games and ideas to add to your act, this is probably not the DVD for you. You CAN learn from this DVD but you need a certain amount of experience to recognise what it is that you need to look out for, and if you are experienced, you may not need to extract that information because you will know it already. However, the DVD is well produced, huge fun to watch, and I can think of worst ways to spend an hour and a half! ML  

What's Hot: great to watch a true pro at work
What's Not: no actual new show material offered
Star Rating: ****  

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