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Last Saturday I did my very first "stage" performance. It was a huge change from the close up that I do all the time, and even though I was only doing ten minutes in front of about thirty people I was more nervous than I had ever been in my life. From my point of view, when I got off stage I new it had been awful, I had stuttered and repeated myself, I almost handed the wrong chinese rings out to be examined and I couldn't stop shaking through the whole performance, I thought that the audience was just being kind by applauding me as it was just a small show for a local Church, and I vowed to stick to close up. However, I talked to people afterwards and every single one of them said that they thought I was amazing, and a few said that I should do it professionally (I am just a hobby magician) in fact one has said that they would like to book me for an event next year, so why hadn't they noticed how awful I had been?
I talked to my mum about it afterwards (she had ome along for moral support and to see her little boy perform!) and she said that I had seemed natural and confident, and that she had enjoyed the joke I had with the MC. What joke? I had just asked the "honourable MC" to have a look at these solid steel rings for me, I was confused. Apparently I had actually asked for the 'orrible MC to examine the rings, but it seemed as though I was just playing along with one of his jokes. So I left a happy audience and one stunned boy trying to push his signed card back into the balloon with the rest of the pack.

So why have I bothered you with this?

It is an attempt to relax those of you who have yet to do a stage performance, or any performance for that matter. If your tricks are well polished and you act yourself rather than try to be like that magician you saw on telly last week then the audience will not sense your fear, if you believe that what you are doing is magic then so will they, and if you enjoy yourself then so will they.

And now, fame and fortune here I come, when you see the 'Great and Powerful Nick' on TV you will know that I am a mere mortal who experiences stage fright just the same as everyone else!

Nick.

Nice Message Nick..Appreciate an honest
person's mesage on their performance,
Thanks, Don

A Really nice posting Nick. I have never done a stage performance and just do close up for fun. But I can imagine how scary it must have been!

Thanks for this Nick, you know... You should write a book called 'The Performing Arts' and fill it with loads of tips and people's views and experiences of their own stage performances, it would be a real winner!!!

Well maybe thats a bit extreme but I think I'll print off your post and put it in my shirt pocket before I perform.

Thanks Again,

Dan

Just adding to that, I have been asked to do the same gig again at the end of July, in fact I have been asked to do two sets at different points in the show and to do longer each time, so obviously people weren't just being polite by saying that they thought I was good!

Very nice message, Nick.
I have been put off by stage fright for a long time and have avoided performing except for a few friends- but I think you are right to point out that it's actually Ok to feel this. I guess that simply repeating live performance will overcome the fright, too.

[Anonymously Posted by: 'alexmousley']

i have been doing magic for 15yrs now 5yrs as a mobile magician and disco service.
thats the plug now the advice:
its perfecly natural to feel nevouse, scared, throw up at the beging during and at the end of your set.
any performer who say's different is in the wrong job.
the trick is to start with a showy self working trick, (i uase fire to cane "metal").
then proceed with your routines then have a big finish.
as you know every flaw and gimick in your routine, you will feel like they can see them as well.
belive me i have done routines with a black thb tip, and no one notices.
if you "dry" get stuck or a trick goes wrong, dont worry they dont know the sequency of your show.
side step, break the ice by saying i dont fancy doing this one now a nd move to your next trick, or your to good an audience to be fooled by this trick.
always keep some self working tricks, loaded production items spare for this type of event.
dont be afraid to walk of the stage throw up then walk on with a new trick i have done it.
i once threwq up into a change bag then pulled out a thank you silk, they thought it was all part of the act.
e-mail me if you want any more advice, i hopre to be around untill the pull me of this site kicking and screaming