Catching a Rainbow

CATCHING A RAINBOW by IAN ADAIR

This is a typically simple - and outstanding - routine from Ian. When I use the word 'simple' please understand that it is a sincere compliment! Ian creates some wonderful effects - and this is one of his best.

I hope children's entertainers will find this little 'quickie' suitable for their shows. It's ideal at the start of the show or between some of the 'feature' items. The perfomer  displays both hands and the children clearly see they are empty. He asks the children to follow his actions. "Let's catch a rainbow," he says, as he grabs in the air. The children are asked to do likewise. With no result, the performer states that rainbows appear in the sky. He displays an 18" blue silk (probably turquoise rather than Royal blue) which is shown on both sides. Draping this over his empty left fist, he once again asks the children to 'catch some of the colours of the rainbow' which they do. The colours are thrown towards the blue 'sky'. Showing his right hand empty, the performer reaches into the blue silk and produces a 'lovely rainbow' steamer. "Give yourselves a nice round of applause, boys and girls, for helping to make the rainbow," says the magician.

REQUIREMENTS: A thumb tip. An 18" blue silk and a 'Thumb Tip Silk Streamer' available from Practical Magic.

SET-UP: Load the mini streamer into the thumb tip which is on your thumb (or can be picked up). Have the blue silk nearby.

WORKING AND PRESENTATION: Go through the actions of getting the children to 'catch' a rainbow. Display the blue silk both sides. Show your left hand is empty and drape the silk over the fist. Right hand reaches into centre of silk as thumb tip is left behind. Slowly produce the lovely mini rainbow streamer. Steal away the tip as you display the silk again.

Have fun with this.