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I did a gig at the weekend, and I was thinking about this after.

Some of the guests were slighlty reserved.
eg. 'oh yes, well done, very skillful.'
rather than... 'what, how did you...?'
The younger guests, teenagers, twenty-somethings, etc... were clapping, laughing, cheering, etc... thirty - fourty - fifty, was all fine too...

But some of the older people seemed a bit more difficult to reach.
I asked some people at my club, and the lecturer too, and the response ranged from,
They probably are enjoying it, but they enjoy it in a different way. You can't expect them to be as energetic as the younger people. Not only that, but you don't know what they've been going through that day, maybe they are just tired, or not in the mood to see some magic. Also they've probably seen a lot more than I have in my life.

I'm young myself, so I do find it easier to connect with people a similar age to me, but I want to know if anyone else can offer a different viewpoint, or piece of advice.

Should I approach it with high energy, try and force some comedy, or go for low energy - will that match them, or will just stilt the performance further.

Essentially what should my mindset be to be able to connect with them, and get as much out of this part of the audience, as possible.
Thanks in advance.

The first "trick" of real magic is to get your audience (of whatever size) to like you and to feel some kind of affinity with you. If you achieve that, then whatever magic you show them they will be impressed by.

Learning this "trick" is what takes time and experience. Some people can do it naturally while others have to work a little harder at it.

Think of Derren Brown for a moment (I suppose that sometimes we must). What's his greatest skill? To engage the audience and get them to believe him. Then he can take that audience wherever he wants. A cheap trick can then become a miracle.

David Blaine had the same skill, although some people forget that now.

But yes, you can't expect 60 year old Brits to whoop and holler like 16 year old Americans.

And perhaps they didn't like the fact that somebody younger than them was attempting to impress them with something they didn't understand. See post above.

There's an existing thread on this topic somewhere which I can't find at the moment but some of the suggestions were to not expect oldies to remember cards etc with 100% accuracy, don’t assume they’re not enjoying things just because they don’t hoot and cheer wildly, obviously any decent magish would treat them with all the respect they deserve, perhaps you could involve some of the staff in an effect or two, especially if it gently pokes fun at them, and don’t do anything too psychic just in case the specs are close to ‘crossing over’ themselves!

Oh yes, most important... speak up young man!!!

PS:

I once saw Mel Mellors do his ID routine in cabaret to 40 or so people who were pushing 70 from the other side. His approach was cheeky, "nice to see you all dressed up and how sensible of you to leave the good jewellery at home", he then went on the gently flirt with one of the mature ladies, suggesting that others would assume he and she had spent the previous night in a very physical way, all very much jokey jokey and everyone was laughing with him all the way as they very idea was, to say the least, unlikely. He couldn’t do that with a young audience as it would so easily be misinterpreted.

Whoops. My bad. I thought by "older" people he was referring to 50 - 60 year olds. It is a bit different for 75+ year olds.

I guess the younger age groups would be the ones who are more likely to think, 'David Blaine', dunno about 30 - 50, 50-65 ish groups would be the ones who remember Paul Daniels right from the early days, Geoff Durham/Soprendo and probably Doug Henning, the 65 plus mob would remember David Nixon, Al Koran, Robert Harbin, and so on so their perceptions of magic will vary from hit & run street stuff to grand a leisurely effects and routines.

I think Paul hit the nail on the head. You have to be liked by your audience, it's the most important thing, if they like you then they'll like anything that you do. You need to make a good first impression and how you do that is always going vary depending on your audience. I can happily perform for stag parties, hen parties and couples on their 50th wedding aniversary but how I approach each of those groups would be totally different.

I do quite a lot of senior citizen shows in Toronto so I can possibly advise on that. However, it all depends on what is meant by "older". 40 years old can be older to some people. What age group are we talking about?
Reasonably old or one foot in the grave old?

I suppose the oddest compliment I ever got at a retirement home was from the person in charge of booking entertainment. She said, "I like you better than the other magicians we have had. You are nearer their age and a big crusty-like they are"

I will not be putting this as a testimonial on my website.

The first tool you need.

What age group are we talking about?

60 +

The main thing is how to connect with them, considering I'm young myself (23)

Yes, I know a great first impression is important - but what should that be.
Yes, I know that I need to speak up, so anyone can hear.

Like I said, I can judge when these people are going to be more reserved... I'm just wondering how to get through to them. When I perform an event I want everyone to have a great time, not just the young people and the children.

One thing I've noticed about the older generations, is that they really don't mind if you take it slow. In fact, I think they prefer it that way. With a younger audience, in an instant-everything world, you have to be very quick to the point, concise. However, You do get to take your time and take it slow. If you adopt this slower more laid back and reserved approach... then I have found that generally that warms the older people too you.

For example, I did a book test where I memorised the entire book (it was borrowed) in front of the person, he was a nice elderly gentleman. I was expecting that he would be bored but I hated the standard book test route of 'mind reading'. I think because perhaps nowadays its easy to blame something on what was omitted or edited out, or what has been skipped- I actually got a perfect reaction from him. It was not at all dramatic as I was 'memorising' the book as you might want to make it for a younger audience, too much drama can put older people off- the example I am talking about, the man was just curious about the way my mind was working.

Obviously no screaming when I could 'proove' I had learned the book, but a hearty smile and awe-struck handshake and some faith restored in the youth and my duty was done. I think thats the thing with the elderly, if you play it right you will be the messiah and there are few more loving than the old, if you conform to what is expected of generalisations then you will have a brick wall built before you so you can talk to that instead, if you break that down before it can be erected, then they are a joy to perform for.

I don't know why, but I have massive admiration for the elderly and I always have. Also though, I also find amongst the extremley sage and caring old people, there are those filled with acrimony and hatred for the youth, for no given reason ... But wouldn't it be hypocritical of me to label that upon old people? Anyhow, my point is that If you have respect for older people and you use your judgement, then they are- as all audiences are with the right stimulus- a wonderful audience and a joy to spend time with. More importantly, the opportunity to challenge perceptions of stereotypes and to inspire a little optimism about the future and show that society is not completley collapsing because its not like it used to be... is you'd be stupid to miss.

As an almost-50-something who hangs around with a 70-something, I think you might just be expecting too much exhibitionism.

Kids, teens, and 20s will whoop and yell and cheer. 50s, 60s, and over just aren't going to act silly like that. If you're going down well, you'll get smiles, nods, murmurs of approval, and applause at the end.

You're 23, which is not completely mature yet. This won't be held against you if you're good at what you do, and if you don't try to clown around or force the audience into childish responses. Show that you respect yourself and them, and they'll respect you back.

This kind of reminds me of one of the first weddings I ever performed at. I appraoched this couple (not elderly but in their mid 50's) who had earlier expressed interest in seeing magic but were busy at the first approach.

After each effect I was expecting a gasp or an exclamation of surprise and amazement but instead got a nod and a "very good".

I was at this point thinking that I was going down like a fart in a lift

It was not until I had finished my last effect did I then get a polite but not over enthusiastic applause and a comment that showed my preconceptions were wrong about what constitutes a "good reaction".
They then told me that they had been to several weddings over the last year, seen a few magicians and thought that I was the best they'd seen ( of course! ).

Different people at different types of function will react in vastly contrasting ways and often it is the quiet appreciation that is the deeper.

Personally I prefer the wry smile or quiet shake of the head rather than the loud brash reaction. I do, however, always insist on a round of applause mostly for my ego but partly so others in the function (especially the booker) know something's afoot

Show that you respect yourself and them, and they'll respect you back.

If you have respect for older people and you use your judgement, then they are- as all audiences are with the right stimulus- a wonderful audience and a joy to spend time with.

Thanks for the advice - I'll bear it all in mind for next time.

Lady of Mystery wrote:.... I can happily perform for stag parties, hen parties .

I have only performed for one hen party, it was at my usual Sunday gig. The pub I work at is right on the river and the girls arrived by boat. I don't know which of them was driving but they were quite merry.

Everything was going smoothly, my card work had been well received my very limitted coin tricks had gone down well, then I made two fatal errors.

I do a rather nice Mark Wilson ring to handkerchief and on to a wand routine. All I asked one of the girls to do was hold my magic wand. That started them off.

I would have got away with that if I had not gone in to my sponge ball routine next!

I still blush when I think about the suggestions and comments I got.

I retreated in confusion.