School Enrichment Program for Maine and New Hampshire,Treasure Reading Magic Show, Maine Magicians, Magicians in Maine, Almodarr's Grand Illusion--A Voyage With Capt. Cutlass

tREASURE READING
(formerly "A Voyage with Capt. Cutlass")

Pirate Magic Reading Show...reading is magic, and pirates are fun!

"Well, the compliments keep coming! I have heard nothing but wonderful comments since your performance here last Friday. One gentleman said he had seen many, many children's shows throughout his years of being in a school system, but none compared to your performance. I found the whole experience to be a happy one. You are very accommodating, professional and easy to work with and the way you intertwined the pirate theme and the joys of reading into your act was absolutely perfect. (One teacher in the audience thought so too.)

It was the most successful Summer Reading Program we have ever had and I have no idea how I will ever be able to top it. I'm afraid you have spoiled my readers for anything else! Thank you for being all that I expected and so much more!"
B.W., Children's Librarian
Wolfeboro Public Library, Wolfeboro, NH

How do you know if you're a Pirate?
You don't...you just "arrgh!"

Ahoy, Mateys! All aboard for a rollicking seafaring adventure on the Magical Sailing Ship Illusion. For this great school enrichment program highlighting the joys of reading, we bring a scenic backdrop, a treasure chest of mystery, and an ocean full of FUN. This program features amazing magic effects, skillful juggling, humorous and friendly banter with "ye swabs on deck", clever puns and wordplay, delightful characters interacting with the audience, and some stunning visual illusions. Lively music enlivens the voyage, along with a boatload of audience participation and hilarity.

TREASURE READING is currently only available within 100 miles of East Waterboro, Maine. This includes parts of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts only. If not sure of your distance, go to MapQuest; then enter your town and "East Waterboro, ME" for a general idea.

"I thought you were terrific! The performance was very, very good--clever jokes, and the kids' response was excellent. They loved it! Your Teacher Information Sheet was helpful too.
My students and I enjoyed the show very much."
Lubec Consolidated School, Lubec, ME

"Dear Markus and Angelique, thank you for coming to my school! I love reading! Also I love pirates. All of the magic tricks are great. You guys did a great job!"
Ashley P., Grade 3

"We loved it! The children were well entertained and they enjoyed your explanations about the dove tricks and treatment of animals. In talking about pirates and relating bullying, we discussed how Captain Cutlass got more accomplished and had more fun when he used kind words and was nice. I was particularly impressed with the rapport both of you had after the show when dealing with the students' questions....It was excellent!"(With Bullying Theme)
South Hiram Elementary School, Hiram, ME

"Thank you for the great magic show! I really enjoyed when you made the dove turn into two doves, and when you made Jordan float. You guys had funny jokes and voices! Thanks again for the magic show."
Nick M., Grade 5

"AHOY!!! Once again, we all enjoyed the show tremendously last Tuesday. I surprised the kids the next day with that poster you autographed for me; I even put it in a frame!!! All the comments were positive, they loved the 'tricks'! Many want you to come again!! It was 'Awesome', 'Really fun!', 'It was funny yet amazing!', 'I loved it!'...and I had a great time too! Thanks again!!"
S.W., Children's Librarian, Pillsbury Free Library, Warner, NH

"Thanks a lot for the magic show. It was amazing! It fit in well because we're studying pirates and we now know some more words that pirates say. You guys actually looked like pirates!
It was really cool."
Damian B., grade 4

"It was a 10--awesome show! You did a great job at hitting the entire audience with your humor; lots of stuff for the adults to enjoy, as well as the target audience of kids. This fit our theme wonderfully; your program did a great job of getting the students excited about books. I know that a certain section of the library is going to be cleaned out for the next few weeks!"
South Elementary School, Rockland, ME

ABOUT THE SHOW

The flexibility of a program such as TREASURE READING allows for lots of leeway in theming. In 2004, we adapted it to coordinate with Maine libraries' Summer Reading Program theme, "Discover New Trails at Your Library!" As a school enrichment program from 2004-2006, we added issues of bullying, self-esteem, getting along with others, being polite, and friendship. Then again, for general audiences such as the Maine Maritime Museum's "Pirate Party", where this show has been featured for years, there is no "theme".

In 2006, we were accepted onto the NH State Library's "Kids, Books and the Arts" Roster (one of only 13 performing artists so honored!). The theme was "Treasure Reading", and our program (at the time named A VOYAGE WITH CAPT. CUTLASS) was an ideal fit. Colorful and magical, and quite funny, the program metaphorically illustrates the treasures to be found in the library, and within the pages of a book. Before hitting the road for the summer tour, we debuted this new adaptation at several elementary schools, where it met with rave reviews. The summer 2006 tour consisted of over 40 performances for libraries, and through 2006-2008, we performed it at numerous elementary schools as well.

The magical content is consistent from show to show; but unlike a play, there's no formal "script"--so the presentation itself varies slightly each time, shaped somewhat by the involvement and participation of the audience. Whereas Angelique is a talented actor, experienced at working from a script, Markus is a master at gauging, responding to, and guiding audience reactions. These complementary performing styles make for a unique and kid-friendly experience as these two performers share a special rapport with young audiences. It's this relationship between audience and performers that really helps make the show "magical".

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SHOW

Magic with live animals
Numerous funny pirate riddles and jokes
Puns and wordplay that explore how language can be manipulated and have different meanings
Pirate history and lore: The "walking the plank" myth, female pirates, life aboard ship
Treasure maps, literal and metaphorical
Floating a child in the air/the "enlightening" power of imagination
And much, much more!

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Teacher Guides are provided for school performances, and a Question/Answer Session follows every show.

TREASURE READING is a joyous, highly-interactive program that engages the audience from the friendly opening to the lovely finale of the magical treasure chest! Don't miss the boat for this unforgettable magical voyage. It's definitely rated "Arrrgh!"