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Just interested to know how people feel about different groups. Do you prefer to perform to a single woman, group of blokes, mixed group, teenagers, middle-aged women, etc? In my experience so far there seems to be a pattern of who you can force, who'll try to catch you out, who'll be blown away by simple tricks, who try to ignore you and so on.

But I'd like to see what others think before I go into my own experiences...

Depends what I'm doing.
If I'm palm reading I'd rather be doing it for women because men normally just roll their eyes whilst scratching their palms, looking at the lines and doing other "I want this done but people might think I'm gay" things.
Tarot I'd rather do for a small group as group readings are fun - and they allow me to develop my skills.
Hypnotism I don't mind - anyone who says "I couldn't be hypnotised, I'm too strong-minded" is fair game in my eyes and I like a challenge.
Any sort of straightforward mind reading/mentalism effects I like it one-on-one with anyone really, but I'll equally be just as happy to perform
to a group.
For a bit of card magic, a small group of friendly jovial people (normally between 20-40) who have had a couple of drinks (but are not drunk are the best.

Of course, it's not always possible to get the audience you want... so my golden rule is "The ideal people are whoever is watching"

With close up, I'm relucatant to call it street magic, as that is how it's advertised, but I don't perform on the street!, people my age, 17-19 years old, especially the very "urban" guys. Not going to bring an race into it, but well...they have ridiculously good reactions!

Generally speaking (and it varies massively of course), women are more trusting, and generally happier to be entertained and mystified.

Blokes tend to be more analytical, so there is more of an implicit sense of challenge. Erring towards self-deprecation, and giving them a feeling of "being on their side" can help with winning them over.

There is something very primal about magic, possibly even sexual. It can raise quite a few male hackles if you apparently "show him up" in front of his girlfriend, or even his mates.

I suppose, if given the choice, the best audience would be mixed, relaxed and genuinely happy to be there. The worst would be loud, drunk and full of people with something to prove.

Ultimately though, you pretty much have to take what you can get, for the most part.

Something I hate is performing for my own age group (most of the time). When performing at school, I get shouts of "Get your wand out!", full inuendo intended! Oh how mature they are.

I prefer to perform for folks kind of 20+ really. I've got some stuff I'd show "young, hip adults" for want of a better phrase, for example at music gigs and stuff. But I also have some stuff I can do for older folk.

And after doing a couple of kids shows, I can safely say they are probably the hardest crowd to work. Respect to all those children's entertainers out there!!!

Mixed group of 30+

Giggling groups of girls, and old gents.

beetlejuiceecis wrote:I've got some stuff I'd show "young, hip adults" for want of a better phrase, for example at music gigs and stuff.

I play guitar in a couple of bands so that gives me the chance to try things out on strangers at gigs, in between sets and after we've finished playing. It's a bit weird playing a set-closing Metallica number to a packed pub one minute and then doing an Ambitious Card routine to three people at a table the next, but it generally seems to work.

EckoZero wrote:If I'm palm reading I'd rather be doing it for women because men normally just roll their eyes whilst scratching their palms, looking at the lines and doing other "I want this done but people might think I'm gay" things.
Tarot I'd rather do for a small group as group readings are fun - and they allow me to develop my skills.

I think women in general respond much better to divination than men. I guess they're just more open to it.

I generally prefer older audiences of teenagers and older. Especially when they're in a relaxed state after a backyard dinner or family get together, or when they're a bit drunk like at a wedding. Its these times they're happy enough to just sit and watch and be entertained, not trying to watch your movement like a hawk to try and guess the secret.

When I say drunk, I mean tipsy though, and people who are smashed generally can't even remember the card they selected.

I find teenage girls have the best reactions.

Cal

The paying ones...

the Curator wrote:The paying ones...

Ditto.

I love performing for couples, I've got some nice lovey dovey, pink and fluffy effects that I love to perform and always go down really well.

It may be sexist (may?) but it seems so much easier to do a classic force on women. Or is that just me with my smooth patter and natural charm?

Too often a bloke will want to take the very top card, or bottom card, or one that's pretty inaccessible...just take the goddamn card!

I prefer certain venues rather than certain specs...I find the specs suit the venue. I always love restaurant work....fairly quaint, some booze consumed, but not too much, enough buzz and energy without too much loud music/distraction, people formally seated.

This venue suits my style, but I also find that the specs that are found in these types are less likely to be rude or beligerant....having said that, be warry of the "young couple that is on a first date" the guys don't like someone else steeling their attention from the girl and almost always take it as threatening....keep your attention focussed mainly on the man rather than the women and allow the man to interact with the women in this case.