talkmagic.co.uk

I've been busking in southbank for about a week without a problem until today when two security people told me I had to leave as card games weren't allowed in the area after six.

I tried explaining that there was no betting or gambling going on and that everyone who approached me understood I was performing magic. I don't even do any trick's around the context of gambling just to be safe. They didn't seem to sure if what I was doing was okay, so they left to talk to whoever was in charge. They came back shortly afterwards and said simply 'No card games, leave now or we call the police.'

So does anyone know the law regarding whats allowed at southbank? Is it no gambling /card games, or is it no cards period? If it's the former who do I talk to and how since the security guys wouldn't let me when I asked?

The thing is I've met a magician down there who sticks around till 9 doing nothing but card trick's. However he doesn't have a table and is slightly more inconspicuous than me, so they may have missed him.

speak to the council...

pull out the sponge balls, and cary on.

or your centre tear, or book test, or bank nite, or....

This certainly isnt gospel but from what I've heard the rules are that performing on the streets in London is illegal but is a "move along" type affair unless on private grounds ala Covent Garden.
As far as the southbank goes I have heard that performing is allowed but is up to the whims of the security there rather than any licencing issued by the council or police policy.
From what I have heard from buskers is if you are asked to leave, do so and go find another pitch elsewhere as the securtiy could decide to not let anywhere pitch up there in future.

It is a real pity that the local councils dont issue licences because then a quality and professionalism of street performing could be assured as well as a diversity of acts....I for one think there should be far more statue people in covent garden and the southbank

greedoniz wrote:
It is a real pity that the local councils dont issue licences because then a quality and professionalism of street performing could be assured as well as a diversity of acts

God I hope not, I wouldn't have a chance then, covent garden is for the pros southbank is for the newbs.

I probably will just change my act, it's just annoying since I know what I've put together works due to trial and error, and having to essentially start from scratch is a bit of a kick in the teeth.

Speaking of diversity while in covent garden I saw two acts on two separate days that were exactly the same, jokes, trick's and all. Of course they both made more money than me, it made me wonder whats the point in being original.

I think the similarity of alot of routines just comes down to what works on the streets in regards to bringing in the money.
Being original is great but only if it brings in the bucks when it comes to making a living from street performing.
Maybe someone doing it as an aside can afford to experiment more with new things to see what works and what doesn't but classics are classics for a reason.
I was actually quite shocked during my first busking performance the reactions I got from a silk vanish and re-production from my mouth. Who would have thunk it.

What really counts in the end is that you are entertaining your audience and, if you are seriously in to street performing, therefore bringing in the hats.

Oh I agree, but I'm not talking about everyone doing the cups and balls or that 'everyone does the same trick's' I meant the entire act was ripped off. It wasn't two magicians who both used a rope routine and swallowed a balloon, it was two magicians who did the exact same act. I've got no objection to the classics being used.

And this isn't a weekend thing for me Neil I've been out there wednesday to sunday eight hours a day, I'm trying to get good enough to make a living and thats whats annoying, so far the thing thats made me the most money involves using cards, people have given me folding money three times for this one effect.

And I'll take the living statues any day over the man in a dress constantly blowing a * whistle. (He's actually a really nice guy but christ his performance is annoying.)

Jean Eugene Roberts wrote:
I've been out there wednesday to sunday eight hours a day, I'm trying to get good enough to make a living

Good for you! nice one

greedoniz wrote:

Jean Eugene Roberts wrote:
I've been out there wednesday to sunday eight hours a day, I'm trying to get good enough to make a living

Good for you! nice one

Seconded, that takes cups and balls of steel

Just tell security it's part of the Big Society. That's bound to work.

I despise that living statue who wears a full face Richard Nixon mask painted silver to match his outfit. Those who just wear face paint and do it properly are a thing of beauty. But even I could stand there with my face fully hidden away so you couldn't see it.

The thing about card games stems from the fact there is constantly, and I mean constantly hordes of European con artists stealing money from people doing three card monte etc on Southbank/Westminster bridge etc. The police can only respond to so many false callouts before it just became necessary to say
"right, we need these guys to do actual police work at these times. No cards allowed at all, that way we can carry on making Westminster safe with a full force and no timewasters."

there's plenty of american tourists...do some bibliomancy instead...

I know musicians need a licence in London however, I myself would love to know the rules on this sort of thing, I will get in contact with the council tomorrow and ask the rules and let you know.

Two decent Monte gangs working southbank one doing a rather nice trade in the Trinidad monte (that's the one with the coasters for those of you who don't know) and the shell game done with match boxes.

So if you want to see a decent monte southbank is a good place to go I also saw the match box one outside Harrods. Or come see me do the monte I will take your money.

And Harry I hope you are paying tax.