talkmagic.co.uk

I'v performed mentalism in restaurants for a while now but for the first time the other night I was having a meal with my girlfriend in an Italian Pizzeria and was approached by a table magician. We happily sat through his performance of an ACR and then a card to wallet and gave him a liitle round of applause when he finished (out of politeness really, as it wasn't, lets say, the best) and I watched him throughout the night doing the same tricks at other tables, and time after time, people politely reacted to them but it was obvious they weren't impressed.

I was suprised that the restaurant had alowed the guy to work there if he wasn't up to mustar. Then I wondered if restaurants are seen by people just starting out as a place to get a first gig? I always saw restaurant work on a par with stage shows as a place to work after you've got experiene and you're good enough to perform for a fee. Maybe this is because I started out as a busker :S

What do you think?

Phew not me then. Anyway I don't do an ACR or card to wallet, but I do perform in Newcastle.

I would NOT say that restaurant work is an easy place to start. (when compared to a pub or street magician)
Apart from the magic skills, there are a lot of 'timing' issues to learn. Unlike a pub, you only have a set time to perform in a restaurant before their meal arrives, or its after the meal you find that someone is trying to clear the table ready for the next diners while you are performing.

I am curious to know how you were approached.

Did the waiter say "we have a magician in the restaurant tonight would you like me to send him to your table?" or did the magician just approach your table directly and you felt obliged to watch his performance.

Hopefully you were not mid-meal at the time.

Which restaurant were you in?
Just curious as I am in the North East on business for a week soon.

The restaurant may not have known he was starting out. And even if they did, the fact is most have not seen magic done live and don't really know what to expect. (although bad is bad). He may not last, or he may get significantly better.

Some people just have to jump right it and sink or swim. That is between the managment and the entertainer. Who knows, perhaps the magician was working for free, or for meals, or it was a trial run?

There could be lots of scenario's. Usually however, like in all things, those who are simply not up to the muster fall behind.

With that said I've seen some horrible performers out there who make a living at it. Leaves me scratching my head in wonder. A form of magic in itself.

magical jon wrote:Which restaurant were you in?
Just curious as I am in the North East on business for a week soon.

I'd rather not mention the name of the restaurant as I wouldn't want to sully it's reputation because the food there is lovely. I'm sure you'll find a decent place round where you're staying anyway, we're chokka-block with culinary skill oop north

My wife has a photography business and she photographs horses and dogs amongst other things. I frequently see newbie photographers turn up with a new digital slr and think it is the way to start. Many are rubbish, but that doesn't seem to matter. They see it as an easy way to start making some money, even if they do not have the necessary skills it is the easier option.

I see similar things happening in magic although not as much. learn a couple of sleights get ba "thats great" from their friend and call them selves a magician. It appears easier to get paid by a restaurant than on the streets. It is the way it appears to them, saddly it can reflect on others if they screw up but over the years I think people get what they see.#

Nic

Nic Castle wrote:I see similar things happening in magic although not as much. learn a couple of sleights get ba "thats great" from their friend and call them selves a magician.Nic

I quite agree, when I busk in Newcastle I get way too many young teenagers watching me and saying "oh I'm a magician too, let me show you" and as you can guess this is followed by a terrible ACR or some bad trick that you know was taught by a 12 year old American on Youtube. Theworst bit is having t be polite and pretending they weren't S**t

Edantes wrote:

Nic Castle wrote:I see similar things happening in magic although not as much. learn a couple of sleights get ba "thats great" from their friend and call them selves a magician.Nic

I quite agree, when I busk in Newcastle I get way too many young teenagers watching me and saying "oh I'm a magician too, let me show you" and as you can guess this is followed by a terrible ACR or some bad trick that you know was taught by a 12 year old American on Youtube. Theworst bit is having t be polite and pretending they weren't S**t

Who Said anything about being polite.

To the original poster, I would not consider restaurant work to be anywhere close to being on a par with stage work.

As a customer I would not be happy to see a close-up magician approaching my table. I go to a restaurant to eat, not to watch tricks. When I want to see magic I go to a theatre. Luckily the urge does not hit me often; there are very few magicians doing the theatres these days.

Like the people you observed, I would be polite and would be glad when it was over.

TonyB wrote:To the original poster, I would not consider restaurant work to be anywhere close to being on a par with stage work.

As a customer I would not be happy to see a close-up magician approaching my table. I go to a restaurant to eat, not to watch tricks. When I want to see magic I go to a theatre. Luckily the urge does not hit me often; there are very few magicians doing the theatres these days.

Like the people you observed, I would be polite and would be glad when it was over.

Tony,

I undertand completely your point of view There are undoubtedly always people in restaurants who don't fancy seeing magic, but there are many people who are very happy to have some entertainment while they wait for their food. When I perform in a restaurant I try, when possible, to observe the customers and work out if I think they would be the type who would like to take part, sometimes you can just tell and other times you have to ask and if they say no then that's fine. Surely one moment of a magician asking if you'ld like to see something and then you saying no isn't going to ruin a whole meal out?

Jake

Jake, back in the days when I did close-up, I remember approaching tables, and the feeling of worthlessness when someone would tell me to p*** off (some were that rude). So I would not tell the magician to go. I would endure the performance. It wouldn't ruin my night, but it would not add anything to the night either. And it might make me rethink where I eat.
I realise that might just be me. but that is how I feel about it.

That's fair enough Tony, perhaps for me that feeling you describe doesn't manifest itself and this is why we have different views?

Edantes wrote:That's fair enough Tony, perhaps for me that feeling you describe doesn't manifest itself and this is why we have different views?

Lucky you. You need a thick skin for close-up, which you probably have. And you also need to like it. I was lacking both qualities, and a year ago took the decision never to do it again, no matter how big a wad of money was waved in front of me. But in fairness no one has been waving wads of money, so I don't think the world of entertainment cares.