talkmagic.co.uk

So I did a kids show yesterday, and it went OK, and the person who booked me said they thought it was worthwhile, and that the kids obviously had a great time, which is the main thing. But for me it didn't feel as good as some other shows.

There was a large age range from 4 to 11 and I tried to do some effects for the younger ones, some for the older ones, some for those in the middle, and some that they would all enjoy, but it just felt a bit stilted compared to gigs for just one age range. I knew the mixed age range is one of the toughest situations but I think it still caught me a bit off guard.

Also the older children who were sitting off to the side were constantly picking at everything, calling out methods whether they knew it or not. Again I knew that children of this age do this, and if I was just doing magic them, I would have done something else, but they were shouting things out on the tricks for the younger kids. I did remind a few of the kids that there are others who 'haven't seen this one before and they might like to enjoy it', or 'because we both know the secret, let's keep the magic code and not shout anything out to everybody else, because they aren't magicians like me and you.' Which worked for that trick, but not the next one.

I know that you get better from each gig, and that you only fail when you don't take a step to fix the problem, I'm going to look in some of the books I have too, but I'm also asking here, because I know some of you have do thousands more kids shows than me. So these are my questions.

What advice can you give for dealing with mixed age ranges and annoying older kids who want to shout everything out and spoil it for the younger ones?

As ever, your help is really appreciated.
Ed.

Buy an electronic cattle prod. Seriously. It's the only language the little sods understand.

You do have my sympathy. I spent a year as a full time kids magician and while it would be unfair to say that I hated every moment, I would say that I quickly discovered that it wasn't the life for me. I blame the parents.

I spent some time as a kids entertainer and i DID hate every moment. I hope things go even better next time.

Ed, make it clear at the beginning that there will be something for everyone. I make a deal with them - tell the older kids that there will be stuff for them, but they will have to be patient while I do stuff for the younger kids.

I often begin with something fast and impressive for the older kids, to get them on board.

With a little bit of management mixed age groups are easy to do. Best of luck next time.

What advice can you give for dealing with mixed age ranges and annoying older kids who want to shout everything out and spoil it for the younger ones?

i usualy start by saying hands up all thoughs who want to see some magic, great and now all thoughs who don't want to see any magic and would rather sit in the corner being an emo.
this usualy sets the tone and I generaly start with my change bag routine that emcopases all ages with the utube references which provides real hard hitting magic in a fun way which generaly sets the scene and most of the time shuts up the jaw jackers even if they have a working idea of a change bag does.

if this dosnt work then I'll stop the show and point out Iv'e already been paid so all they will be doing is spoil it for the others and the person who booked me who will loose out on what they have paid for if i go home, but if thats what they want I'll go, iv'e yet to have paid time off so far but I live in hope.

Magic Discoman your response smells of desperation and lack of ability to handle the situation. Hectoring the kids like that is hardly a receipe for a good show.
Unless you are joking - in which case, my apologies.

we need a toungue in cheek emoticon.
I do point out in a pleasant way that iv'e already been paid already and can go at any point.
it does depend on your clientel and wether you have a good "loco parentis" who isnt somware inthe back getting pie eyed.

magicdiscoman, I can be a bit slow at picking up tongue in cheek!

jing, pm me and i'll send you a copy of my contract I have the booker read when i get there it makes it nice an clear whos responsible for behaviour and who sorts out the special needs kids.