Vanishing Flagpole

EFFECT

The performer shows a flag, waving it by it's pole. They tell the audience that they have discovered a new way to pack the flag in their bag. They wrap the flag around the flagpole, then squash it into a ball to show that the flagpole vanishes!

YOU WILL NEED

• A quarter of a sheet of A4 paper or thereabouts, cut vertically
• Some sellotape
• A flag, preferably a cheap souvenir one (you can get them at sports games)

PREPARATION

1. First of all, remove the real flagpole from the flag. It is only attached by a small blob of glue, so you only need a little effort to prise the flag from the pole. This will leave a hole in the flag where the pole normally is
2. You will only need the flag. To replace the flagpole, roll the paper vertically so that the paper is of similar height to the pole, and of similar thickness
3. Secure the paper with a little tape, then ease the paper pole up the hole in the flag, taking care to ensure it keeps it's shape. You now have a flag with a paper pole that, from a distance, looks like a proper plastic one

PERFORMANCE

1. Wave the flag by the "flagpole", holding the "flagpole" by both hands. Explain that you take your flag wherever you go
2. Tell the audience you have discovered a new way of packing it up. Roll the flag around the pole until it is covered completely
3. Hold the covered "flagpole" at either end
4. Bring your hands together, squashing the flag, and "flagpole" inside into a ball. Tell them that the flag can  now be packed into smaller spaces.