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Hi all,

I know there isn't any hard and fast rules to performing, but could i ask some of you seasoned pros some advice

When i perform an effect, be it a transposition, or card to impossible location etc.

How long should i let the specs react before moving onto the next moment of magic? i mean i get really good positive reactions currently, and love the feeling i get when they stand there and all talk amongst themselves about how did i get that card there and here etc. pretty much the exact reaction i want, but should i milk it for all it is worth or throw another effect at them sooner rather than later to ensure they don't work the whole trick backward and question me about the method?

Much love

Aza

Sometimes if the reactiopn is good enough, it can be best to just leave it there regardless of what you'vegot planned. I usually perform set routines that may have three or four effects in them but have walked away after perhaps the first or second when it's felt right to do so.

Its one of those things that the more you perform, the better you'll be able to judge. The most important thing is to let the audience have their 'wow' moment because afterall, at the end of the day, that's what you're trying to make them experience. Don't force your next effect onto them, do it when you feel that they're ready to see something else.

If you are doing a second effect you give people the chance to applaud, gasp, and laugh. No more. Don't give them time to talk amongst each other. At that point you have lost them, and must win them over again.

If you get an absolutely killer reaction, sometimes it is good to just smile and walk away. Job done.

Something that is often forgotten is that although as a magician we break a routine down into individual effects, to the spectators, it's just one show. If they are excited, it's best to leave them wanting more rather than going on and running out of your A grade material. Basically what is said above, and no doubt below after this post.

Out of interest, where and who are these people? Are they friends talking among themselves or strangers, if friends I guess it's not such a big deal, if strangers, Tony may have a point.

Strangers on Clacton pier, i've been performing down there for two weeks just as and when i feel like it, basically approaching them randomly, to boost my confidence and just get some practice on real live people!

I have done a few walk aways and then gotten requests to come back and do more and i couldn't resist.

i just wondered if less is more? or whether i should keep them buzzing for 30/45 minutes with various bits and bobs or just until they or i move on

Its hard work the approach on the street if im honest, and i do suffer nerves, but this is making it a lot easier and as i said before good practice!!!

Much love

Aza

My good friend, when working upon the pier are you approaching small groups with close up magic or are you gathering a crowd with a more traditional buskers set?

Either way, it's my opinion that 30-45 minutes is far too long for a set of this type. Closeup with small groups, if I was in your position I'd just be performing one very strong effect before moving onto someone else. It may always be worth your while to have a second, encore routine waiting in the wings in case you're asked for more but that should only be for when you are asked for more.

With a busking set where by you're trying the gather a large crowd, you should probably limit yourself to a set of about 10 minutes. It needs to be of a length that people will be happy to stand and watch it in it's entirety. Too long and people will move on mid way through, not preferential if you're passing the hat at the end. With a set of this type, you'll only really learn pacing by performing it, one rule of thumb is let the audience murmer and applause but as soon as that aplause starts to die down, move onto the next part of the routine.

Indeed, Dr P. When i do strolling mind reading it is normally one 5 minute piece per group or table, only performing two if i am spending longer with them. When i did normal magic i performed a 2-3 effects per group or table.

I'm doing a bit of a mix really guys, some effects are just approaching people and other times there are large crowds gathering around.....

I just have this issue whereby I'm buzzing from their reactions and i want to extend that buzz, perhaps i need to reign it in slightly and leave them wanting more...

Much love

Aza

Yes, leaving them wanting more is best.

Stephen Ward wrote:Indeed, Dr P. When i do strolling mind reading it is normally one 5 minute piece per group or table, only performing two if i am spending longer with them. When i did normal magic i performed a 2-3 effects per group or table.

That sounds a reasonable number, more and I'd worry they'd just start forgetting which one was which.

I think it's always good to allow yourself to be persuaded to do just one more, but only once!

I've never performed for strangers but when I do something for a few work colleagues and get a wow moment I always leave it there and walk away. The buzz that you have there is better knowing that you have left them at the strongest moment. When I come back in the room 10 minutes later there is usually at least 1 guy that will comment on what I did.

Aza wrote:I just have this issue whereby I'm buzzing from their reactions and i want to extend that buzz, perhaps i need to reign it in slightly and leave them wanting more...

Remember, it is not about you and what you are feeling. it is about what your audience is feeling. Walk away and don't overextend your welcome.

I would say around 3-5 seconds at the most to allow them to register what has just happened, then to move onto to the next effect and then after that give them a few seconds and then thank them and be on your way.

I have heard comedians discussing the issue of when to move onto the next joke, and many suggest that when the reaction is at it's peak you should cut them off and move on to the next joke. Maybe it is the same in magic. Only trial and error will tell.

Experience today- I was stopped in the street by a group of lads because I was practicing my contact juggling, I think they probably wanted to make fun of me, and they said "that's magic" which was my cue to get a fork out and do the second phase of liquid metal. I left them with the bent fork staring at it and perplexed and went on my way. I certainly wouldn't have done another effect to break that mood!