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An addition to:
CAT and MOUSE (Based on an idea by Harry Parrot)
by IAN ADAIR (M.I.M.C.)
Practical Magic's Cat and Mouse effect provides everything the children's entertainer would wish for. A superb story line, easy to follow plot, and pack flat props which are light in weight and easy to carry. It's particularly good for the younger children.
Whilst Practical Magic offers comprehensive instructions with the item, plus suggested patter lines, I have come up with an 'addition' which might be of interest to those who already own the prop or for those who are thinking of obtaining it.
During the routine, one of the 'cat' cards is placed inside the special folder which represents the 'mouse hole' in the skirting board. As it stands, the card is placed inside whilst the folder's back faces the audience, meaning that the mouse hole is never shown empty. My 'additional notion' allows you to show the front empty. I cut a piece of black cardboard (or stiff black paper) approximately 5½ " square which has one white side. This type of cardboard is available, but, should your piece be black on both sides, it's an easy matter to apply a piece of white paper on one of the sides. Using a bold biack marker (or type up bold letters on your computer keyboard) write the message Gone To Lunch.
(Other suggested messages could be: Back in 5 minutes or Gone out ).
In setting up the mouse house prop, slide the finished message into the front, under the cut-out hole, so the black side shows through. The appearance of the house looking empty is now achieved. The back of the picture card (mouse) is directly under this.
In performance, the magician states that the mouse must be somewhere about and lifts up the house prop, first showing its front, then its rear. "There doesn't seem to be anyone at home at the moment," utters the performer. The folder is held in the left hand, with its rear side facing the children. The magician peeks inside the house and says: "Ah, there's a note inside, right at the bottom" and extracts the printed message from inside, displaying it to all. "Gone to Lunch ... the mouse must be out and about looking for a chunk of cheese." Now the cat card can be slid inside (into rear compartment) ready for the folder to be reversed to show what supposedly is the same card, but is actually the switched one.
The performer now continues as per the set routine.
Another suggestion:
The names of the cats, all starting with the letter M are appealing: Marmaduke ... Marmalade Marmite. Because two of these represent foodstuffs, I personally have eliminated 'Marmaduke' for the name Milky (or Muesli. Milkshake, Marshmallow). All three names can be compared to foods. When naming the cats, say "Milky ... he was called Milky because he loved a bowl of milk every day. Marmalade ... he was called Marmalade because he loved marmalade, especially on a piece of toast. And Marmite ... people either like it or hate it ... but Marmite certainly loved it!"
Hope you have fun trying out those simple, yet effective additions.
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