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I think I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to start wandering the streets in search of victims, but I'd like some tips on how to approach people?

Like, do I just walk up to a crowd, interrupt their conversation and say "Do you want to see some magic?". That sounds dreadfully awkward to me.

I'd appreciate some tips from people who've done casual street magic style performances, just on how to identify a crowd who might like a show, and how to introduce myself without that awkward moment while they think "Is he a random nutter or trying to sell us something?".

Thanks!

Oh dear! Oh dear! Dearie me! Dearie me! This post is making me cringe. I am feeling most unwell.

The world is changing and I am far too old for it. I am taking to my bed and I hope I recover.

So where does the hobbyist who wants to perform neither for friends nor for a fee get his practice in?

I guess I should have left the scare-quotes around 'street magic' to avoid the jerky knees. Oh woe, magic should always be performed in lycra with tigers and pretty assistants, doom to those who'd prefer a friendlier, more down-to-earth and casual style. Right?

No need to go to any extremes, assuming you're allowed to perform in the area, just set up your table or take your stance and start doing stuff. Don't approach people, if you're interesting enough they'll approach you, you've already weeded out the ones who don't want to see magic and the rest far more likely to be responsive in terms of applause.

Mandrake wrote:start doing stuff. Don't approach people, if you're interesting enough they'll approach you

That's great advice, thanks

I've found that bored bar/cloakroom/other staff are more than willing to participate in an effect or two, as long as you choose quiet moments. In my experience a small crowd can build up fairly fast, but that's an unexpected bonus.

As Mandrake says, setting up your 'stall' definitely works. At a Tabula Mentis a while back we were all sat around chatting (with Banachek and others, no less) in a London All Bar One. A young group came in and one of them asked me what was going on. I explained that we were a group of magicians (I know, the dreaded 'M' word) and he asked me to perform for his girlfriend, whose birthday it was. Within a few minutes a crowd had built and, had I the sobriety and inclination, I could probably have spent the rest of the night performing. No effort on my part - they came to me.

That was, I admit, a stroke of luck. Approaching bar staff etc, who expect people to interact with them, works well for me when I want to try out completely new stuff. I'd never corner a stranger.

I agree with Ted and Mandrake, that is a good way to go. Approaching people on the street can be a bad idea. The problem is that when you see those street magicians wowing the crowd don't forget that they have a camera crew with them. Also some spectators have already been approached in advance and asked by a member of the crew (i saw this when a well known performer was doing a street performance). Good luck with the shows.

user24 wrote:

Mandrake wrote:start doing stuff. Don't approach people, if you're interesting enough they'll approach you

That's great advice, thanks

I wish I could claim it as my own but it came from Chris Capeheart, one of the most successful street busker magicians .

There is always a crowd of people expecting to see and hear something for free at Speakers Corner on a Sunday morning. Take your stuff along and find a spot to perform for them and see if they prefer you to the religious nutcases who are banging their bibles.

I think there are also a few other London Boroughs who were trying to establish something similar to Speakers Corner at locations/public parks in their own Boroughs over the last few years, but I don't know how successful they were or if any of them ever took off. Look on individual local authority websites to find out.

Street magic might need a buskers licence. check out that aspect with your local authority.

I prefer pubs, with permission from the owner/manager.
I find small groups seated at a table, not eating, and not engaged in heavy discussions are the best to approach.

If you are embarrased approaching a table, or their reactions make it look you are interrupting, or if you think you are putting pressure on them to decide, then simply hand them a card explaining who you are and say that they can always ask you to perform some magic 'later on' if they would prefer.

Discombobulator wrote:Street magic might need a buskers licence. check out that aspect with your local authority.

that's probably worth doing just in case some busybody decides I'm doing something wrong somehow But do you think it's necessary even if I'm not taking any money?

I have a similar problem, as I find it hard to approach people. Sometimes when I play with my cards people approach me. Or if I see them paying attention and getting closer, I just smile at them, fan the cards and tell them to pick a card, any card. That usually does the trick. And as people said, once you get on a roll with the magic, you may find it's hard to stop as more people want to see you.

I have to agree with Mark on this one.

But that aside you are here for some help.

1) If you ever just walked up to me on the street and interrupted my conversation to show me a magic trick. The results would not be favourable.

2) People need to come to you, not the other way around.

3) Check the legalities before you start.

4) Don't be a pain in the *rse, believe it or not you and your magic is not the focal point of most peoples lives. Most tend to forget this.

bmat wrote:If you ever just walked up to me on the street and interrupted my conversation to show me a magic trick. The results would not be favourable.

Don't be ridiculous. In my experience people just love that sort of thing, it's gifting to them that childlike emotion of surprise and wonder. For example, one of my favourite ways to approach people is to hang around in pubs until someone's cellphone goes off, wait until they're getting into the conversation, then I come in, push past their mates, wrangle the phone out of the hands, and proceed to change it into a stuffed toy. They love it! If I can spill their drink at the same time, so much the better.

Yes, when I said "Like, do I just walk up to a crowd, interrupt their conversation and say "Do you want to see some magic?"" I was trying to paint an obviously bad way to do things, but I failed to account for the fact that there must be people out there who would indeed try this sort of approach