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My mates dad is having a 50th party at a pub and i have been asked by my mates to go along and do tricks for him and other people as he likes magic, there is also going to be 2 people there that are getting married next year and have said they want me to work that.

I've already had some great advice from beardy and magicrob and was just wondering if anymore of the workers on here had advice or experiences from there 1st time lol

Thats quality mate, I do have some advice, not really mine but a mixture of other wise words

(1) Don't try and perform too many tricks, 6-8 you can do well are better than 15 fumbled
(2) Practice, practice and practice some more, I think the more you can not only practice in front of the mirror, but in front of family/friends/work colleges the more confident you will get
(3) Enjoy the experience. You will probably be nervous, but try and remember all the fantastic reactions!

Cheers dude !!!

I've made a list of the stuff im gonna do (my best stuff lol) and i make sure i practice everything on the list every day.

Only do things you are very confident with. Remember that you are there to entertain and not enter FISM! Keep the magic strong and simple, no need for knuckle dusters unless you feel the urge. If something goes wrong do not panic, just move on to the next effect.

Ok Stephen i'll leave my knuckle dusters at home

Thanks for the advice mate ! I also read your performing to public sticky thread

I know it's cliche but you will learn more at this gig than you will ever learn practicing in front of the mirror.Your timing and misdirection improve greatly with real world performances.You will also find that you can literally get away with anything once you have their attention in other places.I've spent hours learning certain sleights only to find they were not needed once I applied some misdirection which was frustrating but also satisfying at the same time

Choose the simple effects.Focus on presentation.Remember a Hindu shuffle force may seem boringly easy to you but if combined with a spectacular reveal or a mind reading routine then it is pretty killer.If you are funny then make people laugh as much as you can.This stops people from trying to catch you out,makes them like you and takes down their barrier or shield.

Enjoy what you are doing.Don't get caught up if things go wrong.Never take yourself too seriously because you are only doing magic tricks at the end of the day.Don't get me wrong,I take magic ridiculously seriously but don't let the audience think that.

If all goes well which I'm sure it will you will be buzzing at the end of it and want to perform all night.Try not to over do it.5-7 routines maximum to keep them wanting more is what I suggest.Make sure you let us know how it goes.I always love to hear the good storys.Good luck mate

Flood wrote:Try not to over do it.5-7 routines maximum to keep them wanting more is what I suggest.

With all due respect to the Floodster, I'd really keep it a *lot* shorter; 5-7 routines/effects per walkaround client/couple/small group is probably the equivalent of a full half hour per individual performance set (assuming 5 minutes or so per effect) - it's too much.

2-3 effects - at the very MOST - per small group/couple etc., with perhaps a slightly longer set for the intended wedding couple, will do just fine. Just vary performance set effects every now and again, and follow up with 'seconds-helpings' if asked later on.

First, well done on getting the gig. If you relax and enjoy it, it will go better.
I don't know from the original post whether it is a stage piece or close-up. but I will assume close-up. Keep it simple on yourself. Do three tricks well, with all the presentational bells and whistles. That is far better than trying to master seven or eight. I wish someone had told me that when I started.
Remember, they are not magicians. You don't need really weird or complicated stuff to fool them. You need simple direct effects, as they won't have a clue how you are doing them. I would recommend a short dramatic opening to grab their attention, then two strong tricks to follow.
Finally, force yourself to take your time. In our early performances it is easy to let the occasion get to us and rush through the material. It is better to be relaxed about your performance. Savour it, and give them plenty of time to savour it too. Best of luck.

Thank you for all this good advice guys i really appreciate it !

Yeah its close up stuff im not ready to be up on stage yet lol

How about something with flash paper to start with ? (Never used it before just wondering) Or is that just me wanting to be flash (pun intended)

Flash paper would be great, because it will immediately draw their attention. Then go into something strong to follow. It will work.

Ok cool

Just got to figure out what to do with it now lol, i like david stone use of flash paper to suddenly be holding a pack of cards but thats not really a trick lol

Keep it simple and light a bit to make a sponge ball appear mate

Brilliant news!

Just go there with a view to enjoy yourself and also learn a bit along the way.

I'm guessing it's an unpaid gig? If so, brilliant! No need to go around saying that you are the magician. Just mingle and if the conversation dwindles or the opportunity presents itself, blow their minds with simple, powerful magic.
Try not to pack too many things that require 'rest too
Resetting' I did that once and got very strange looks from the staff!

As has already been said, misdirection in the real world is great and can be easy. Occasionally you will be caught out so ensure you have an 'out' or at the very least a quip to take the pressure off and then go directly into your next effect.

An idea I have just this second come up with is a business card. On the back write 'the magician didn't fool Penn and teller....nor did he fool the bloke/woman in the pub'

Hmm that needs a bit of work but could be a nice way of getting a business card out there! I'll have a think.

Let us know how it goes, what you performed and what went right/wrong and lessons you learned.

Cheers and good luck.

Alec

Cheers guys

Yeah its unpaid mate so i wont be working my nuts off i'll keep it casual lol i'll make sure to impress the wedding couple though lol

Its not till the 22nd so got plenty of practice time, i'll post the whole story once its over

Hello Jon K,

Over the past few weeks I have been doing a few tricks for the lads on a Sunday after our round of golf
in my local club house.
Last Sunday there was quite a crowd hanging back waiting for me to come in (around 25/30 members)
It is quite daunting, given that I have only been doing this for a few months, though I do practice for several hours a day.
Still, up until a few weeks ago, I was one of those magicians who would pull the cards out of my pocket, only to put them back again.

So try to picture it. I walk into the club house, & as soon as I get through the door, the voices yell out.
"Here he is, Carl the magic man"
So I got my cup of tea, sat down, & decided what I was going to do.
I sat at the far table, with the first 4/5 members & did a simple "Dr Daley Ace routine" followed by P Gordon's "Diminishing not Likely"

I then moved down to the next couple of tables, & knocked the chairman dead with "Holy Moley" followed by J Bannon's "Spin Dr"
I did J Carey's simple, but effective "Gemini Detector" & followed up with his "Counting on You"

I then sat at the very end table, & performed Darwin Ortiz's "Jazz Aces" followed by an A Collombini "Oil, & Water" routine.
Never put a foot wrong, & was chuffed to bits. Gave me so much of a buzz, & well worth all the practice, & time I have put in over the past few months.
All I wanna do now is more.

Good luck mate, & just enjoy the experience.

CArl...