talkmagic.co.uk

Marvo Marky wrote:Ooh! Tell us more!

On one occasion where we'd been booked by a third party, we arrived at the venue to find another mobile disco had already set up. The DJ was adamant that this was 'his' gig and when we asked, in a very friendly manner, who did the booking so we could try to sort things out the reply involved a threat of physical harm if we didn't go forth and multiply that very instant. Fortunately the people paying for the gig arrived and saw there was a problem, we had a copy of the booking letter and the signed contract plus a photocopy of the deposit cheque which proved we'd been booked. It turned out the other guy was a mate of a mate of one of the barmaids and when he'd heard there was a gig decided to muscle in by arriving well in advance and setting up so nobody else could set up and figured he'd have to be paid for the evening. We were lucky to be able to show that we'd been booked, the other guy was given the choice of taking his stuff and leaving quietly or explaining matters to the Police - there were enough burly blokes around to prevent any aggro developing so he packed up and left. We were very wary about leaving at the end of the gig in case the other guy was hanging around but it was all fine.

As Marky says, CRB checks are for those involved in teaching, supervising or directly working with children but I've heard elsewhere that general entertainers are sometimes asked if they have a CRB certificate on the grounds that children will be there.

That sounds like a horrible situation, Mandrake. Really makes me think that perhaps I should start formalising things and being more professional. At the moment everything is on verbal agreement and payment is on the night.

I guess if you work like that, you're just asking for trouble.

That's shocking Mandrake! It sounds like he would have intended to get his way purely through intimidation, and when the organisors turned up they would have been non the wiser.

Hells Bells!

EDIT:

Mandrake wrote:but I've heard elsewhere that general entertainers are sometimes asked if they have a CRB certificate on the grounds that children will be there.

That's a good point actually. I heard on the radio about people who won't even allow their children's friends' parents to look after their kids without CRB check, even if they just go round for tea or what-have-you. Madness!

It was a bit worrying at the time and we had other instances where we knew we'd been booked until a certain time but somebody was insisting we'd agreed a later time. The bit of paper was very useful in defusing the situation. One other thing we learned, if we were booked for 5 hours and all was going so well that the booker and venue wanted another hour, it's essential to agree the fee and get the extra money in advance. On one occasion we agreed that but waited until, the end but the booker said we'd been paid enough already and would only pay the original fee. As there was no bit of paper to cover the additional time it looked like we were going to be scammed out of the money but one of the guests at the event had overheard the arrangements and 'persuaded' the booker to pay up. After that we either asked nicely for cash there and then or, if we decided to trust the booker, amended the original copy contract in view of the booker and go him to sign it.

I know this may be about to be as popular as a fart in a spacesuit but just consider for a moment this possibilities. Maybe you can adapt some of your programme for kids (spongeballs, etc) - the downstream possibilities might be increased bookings. You may not immediately want to do kid's magic but (a) it's - quite - an experience (b) with the dreaded recession coming down the tracks, it might be a useful addition to the finances.

Some time ago I read a comment by Quentin Reynolds to the effect that mostly the very old and the very young appreciate magic. Yes, I do get pushed into the corner of the patio/back garden on occasion while the adults get on with the party but when I approach a gig, it's the kids that are shreiking in anticipation. And don't worry, kids from 6-7 upwards DO get it; they're a lot smarter nowadays than we think.

I would consider this an opportunity to expand your horizons - if you are known to be a magician, you will get asked to perform for kids of family, friends at some stage. You may make a conscious decision - based on your experience - that kid's magic is not for you.

Try it, you'll never know unless you do. Best of luck in your deliberations

TI

Another couple of observations of my own:

I've found that kids of five years and above love the kind of close-up magic you'd do in a table-hopping setting. The one caveat is that the very young 'uns don't recognise playing cards, and kids rarely understand the point of mentalism, but as for everything else, they love being entertained like grown-ups for a change.

They also love being traught daft tricks and betchas. I regularly grab a bunch of napkins and do 'over the head' to draw a crowd. It goes down a storm with youngsters.

I've also found that lots of grown-ups can't see past the preconception that magic is only for kids. But the moment you start performing for them, they're usually hooked.

At the last wedding fair I worked, I suggested to a couple that they might like to consider hiring a magician (possibly the one talking to them right at that moment). Their response was a blunt one of, 'oh no need - there'll be no children at our wedding!. So I showed them one card trick and got booked on the spot.

You'll be surprised how attitudes change when you're right in front of them.

Oh, and CRB checks aren't a necessity unless you're being put in sole charge of children. In practice, it's nigh impossible to get a crb check, as you can't have a check done on yourself, and individuals can't request checks on other individuals. The request must be made by a registered company.

Thanks Thames Iron and pcwells, a nice look at it from a different angle.

I did give the guy a call and made clear the sort of performer that I am. After quite a fuzzy chat with him constantly back tracking on what he wanted I think we've agreed on table hopping, so that's what I'll be prepared to do.

For me, magic isn't my main income, it's just something that I do because I enjoy it, the extra pocket money that I get from it is just a bonus. I'm just worried that because I don't really enjoy performing solely for children, I wont give it my best. Children can be great fun to perform to but I just am not very good and keeping them in control, which I why a like to preform for families, can have the best of both worlds then.

Well just have to see what happens at the gig, either way it'll be a good learning experience.

If they really insist why not rock up with a good old Punch and Judy show and get sloshed....that's the way to do it.

Sorry...not very constructive!

I would say (as a none performer) stick to the knitting....maybe make your business cards/ ads etc a little more specific about what you act IS to avoid it being interpreted as what it is not.

I remember a magician I had at my 6th or 7th birthday party performing to kids. He was dressed as a clown....nothing up my sleeve......bunch of flowers. You get the idea. A very different act.

Wasn't it Robert-Houdin who said magicians are actors playing magicians...I'm sure he didn't say magicians are essentially Bilbo the red nosed freak and his squirty plastic flower.

(Hmmm did I actually say anything!!!)