I have a picture frame with an insert called "Cindy and her date". Basically, Cinderella is pictured in a slip with a vinyl cling dress (rags) that goes over it. When I remove the insert from the frame, the slip has turned to a gown.

Here's the way I perform the trick. I have the entire room reach up and get some magical thread, out of the magical sky, weave it into magical fabric, sew it into a magical gown and toss it on the picture. I quickly pull off the rags then look at the picture and "EEK!", Cinderella is in her underwear! It didn't work! I quickly cover her with the rags again. We try about 3 times and I give up, pulling the insert out of the frame and handing it to the birthday child as I look for the next trick in my trunk. Naturally, Cinderella is now in a gown.

The problem: the trick is boring and I don't know how to make it funny. My embarassed reaction to Cinderella in her slip was an improvement but still boring. Any advice? New patter?

Boys and girls, how many of you like to play? Do you play really hard and have lots of fun? Does mom and dad make you wear special play clothes so you don't mess up your good dress up clothes? I think I know a story about a little girl who never got to wear any nice dress up clothes. In fact the clothes she wore werent even good enough to play in. That doesn't sound like a very fun story does it? Do any of you know a story like that? I'll bet you do. It is a very special story about a girl named... I almost forgot to mention it is also the story about a prince and a fairy godmother. Any ideas yet? Well her name was... Oh, maybe if I show you a picture that might help. Look at that dress, it looks more like a bunch of rags doesn't it? Cinderella? You think this is a picture of Cinderella? Well you are right.

Work with the kids retelling a shortened version of the story. Bring a couple of the kids up to play different parts of the story. If you can find two ugly masks for the step sisters that would help make it visual and fun. A short cape and simple crown for the prince.

I think we should help Cindy get dressed for the ball don't you? The first time it doesn't work. Did you bring up the Fairy Godmother? Usa a shall or a small hooded cape. Second time it doesn't work (opps! that is embassasing.) Give F.G. her magic wand and grab a small handful of large glitter/confetti. Say the magic words have everyone help the F.G. and wave their magic fingers and ... It works. Thank all your helpers, have them take a bow and send them on their way.

This was off the cuff and I'm already seeing areas where it can be improved but it is a start.

I like it but this trick is part of a whole Cinderella show. At this point, I've already told the story of Rindercella - with audience participation. I have props that the kids have to use at the appropriate time - a frog in the garden, a wand that makes noise, music for the ball, etc.

Then I do a landry trick - dirty rags, rope, and clothespins go into a bag and clean clothes on a clothesline come out. (My patter is good with this trick - the kids laugh a lot anyway).

Then the Cindy and her date <<boring>>

Then a frog trick (Even though there's no frog in the story of Cinderella - the birthday girl must choose the correct frog: the prince. And only the birthday girl gets it right, etc) This trick is funny - a good ending.

Anyway this all took just under 30 minutes (it's a new show for me and this was the first time) I think I could add one more trick and still keep it to 30 minutes.

So now that you know the whole show, any ideas?

Could you produce the picture without it's color early on in the show, leave it sit there that way out in the open, and reveal it in full color at some later time (perhaps as a grand conclusion or something) to show how she's sad at first but how happy she is in the end?

I recently saw video of Mexican clowns performing "The Magic Coloring Book" and they did something that might be useful. When they had the kids throw the colors towards the book the clown acted like "the colors" were hitting the book with a lot of force; knocking the clown off balance, the book getting knocked into back into the clowns chest. Anyway if you're holding your Cinderella in your hands this might add some extra humor.