talkmagic.co.uk

Hi;

My name is Evrim Ersoy and I am one of the co-organisers of The Duke Mitchell Film Appreciation Club - a monthly night run in King's Cross, London.

Our aim is to not only show films but re-create lost experiences of cinema - to try to find the very reasons why we watch film! It is a free night, run on a cost-basis - we do it because we love what we do.

It seems to me that there are a lot of people here who do magic because they love what they do as well so I have come here to appeal for your assistance for a very special Duke Night.

Next month, The Duke will be putting on its' annual Halloween Night. However to make it extra special this year, we are creating a Spook-Show, those long-shot events from the 60's. And to make our Spookshow complete we need a magician whom we can bill on our poster.

We could not offer you any money - the slot would probably be around 10- 15 minutes and if you were so inclined to continue doing tricks, you could engage audience members during the break. As a reimbursement, I'd be more than happy to buy a pint or two to who ever would volunteer to do this.

If you're interested please pm me - I hope there will be someone out there who will like the idea and volnuteer.

Sincerely yours

Evrim Ersoy
The Duke Mitchell Film Appreciation Club
www.myspace.com/thedukefilm
Cross Kings, 126 York Way
N1 0AX

Unfortunately, Duke, we get a lot of messages asking for magicians to work for nothing, sometimes offering 'the experience' as a reward as though a huge favour were being offered - it isn't - and a couple of pints doesn't even get near the deserved payment. In a nutshell, it's unreasonable to expect any performer to work for nothing so you need to offer a fee of some kind, most certainly to cover essential travelling expenses, wear and tear on any props used - even if only for 15 minutes. The professionals here will be able to quote current price levels.

Hey;

I can't unfortunately offer any monetary returns because I have none to start with! I'm not looking for anyone who's operating on a professional level - surely there are people living in London who are just starting, who need every opportunity to perform - every job in the world has a trial period where you're happy to flex your skills in order to get better! Surely this can't be any different for magic! I am not looking to usurp anyone's talents - I do this night out of pure love - I get nothing in return and I gain rights to the films I show, I arrange any extra curricular acitivty and on top present, introduce and do the speeches - I surely hope you're not telling there are not anyone who does things out of love anymore! And I fail to see what 'wear and tear' you are mentioning on any props - we are a film club for god's sake - not a bunch of barbaric brutes who are going to try to rip any props apart. I have a feeling I might be in the wrong place - I did not realise this was the capitalistic pinnacle of this performing art!
If anyone is in London, is starting out, wants to practise - please contact me - that's all I'm asking!

TheDuke wrote: I did not realise this was the capitalistic pinnacle of this performing art!

Welcome to the world of magic. It's the greenback that keeps the wheels of mystery a-turning.

If anyone is in London, is starting out, wants to practise - please contact me - that's all I'm asking!

Do you really want a complete novice who needs the practice and may devalue your party because of his or her inexperience?

You would be better off charging an attendance fee and using this to book an expereinced performer. That way, you will have enhanced your own reputation and have people flocking to next years haloween party

It think that these sorts of things are brilliant for people who are just starting out and looking to build up that experience in a friendly atmosphere. As long the club knows that they're getting an inexperienced performer and shows appropriate respect then I don't see any harm.

I did a few freebe gigs when I was starting out and still do now and again, they were brilliant ways for me to find out what people enjoy and what they didn't in a very low pressure setting.

you know the venue does look rather cool.

and magic has clearly made it's mark.

If i was available that night, i'd probably do the gig, free or not.

Performance Photos ( which i would ask for naturally) , and another notch on my cv, plus potential future work with a london venue....

not bad. ( and a couple of pints after)

http://www.thecrosskings.co.uk/photos.html