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Hi

I am in around 3 months time going to do a talent show for the first time. It will be my first time performing in front of around 200 people. I specialise in cards and am developing my skills, and have a few questions about doing a big show like this.

1) Are cards really suitable for a big stage?
2) If yes, would an ACR do the trick?
3) How can I get over my nerves?
4) Is 3 months enough?

I know that I will get lots of help here, every one here is incredibly helpful, and the mods do a great job. thanks

ACR in front of 200 people can be done. But you really have to have the personality to pull it off, otherwise you are going to bore the heck out of everyone except for the person you bring on stage.

You get over nerves by performing in front of a lay audience over and over again. And even then you don't always get over the nerve thing. It is part of show business.

3 months is plenty, although personally I would think about something other than a card trick unless you are going to use giant cards and a routine like Kate and Edith, or Harry Anderson's large 3 card monte. Or the other large 3 card monte which I have forgotten the name of.

In truth, because of the questions you are asking. If I were you I would stay away from performing a card trick on a stage.

bmat wrote:3 months is plenty, although personally I would think about something other than a card trick unless you are going to use giant cards and a routine like Kate and Edith, or Harry Anderson's large 3 card monte. Or the other large 3 card monte which I have forgotten the name of.

Are you thinking of the one with the giant court cards? I always associate it with Sorcar Jr (thanks to an Ali Bongo book I had as a kid), but I don't know if it has a specific name beyond "giant three card monte"! Dale or Allen are the best bet if it has a proper name (as even bmat can't recall it).

While it's not a three card trick, there's Sidewalk Shuffle, which is a similar plot.

In response to the original question, it is possible to do things like ACR on stage, but at the moment, the question is whether you can do it justice. I agree with bmat and think you should probably looking at something else, but maybe you can carry it off. Be honest about your abilities as they are at the moment.

Perform on the street. You'll get sharp and lose your nerves in no time. Doing a dozen shows a day will do that.

I'd probably avoid cards on a stage like that, I think they're just too small to be able to make the audience feel involved. Although there are some giant card effect out there that could work, there are a few in Mark Wilson's book.

Anything that you do on stage has to be big enough so that the back row can get as much enjoyment out of it as the people sat in the front.

Are you into mentalism? If that's a possibility you could check Richard Osterlind's Breakthrough card System DVD.

He's got a card calling routine which uses oversize cards.

http://www.world-of-magic.co.uk/Mind_My ... __i240.asp

If you can get them to project your hands and cards onto a screen, you're golden. I won my college honors orientation talent show with my presentation of triumph.
Use a trick that you put your personality and soul into. Don't use stock lines and, if at all possible, use a trick you're confident with that has all original patter.

Iv'e done an ACR in caberet, but i wouldn't do it on stage.
If you want to do cards, things like 6 card repeat, or cards across are much better suited to the larger platform.
In fact, Wayne Dobson, and Paul Daniels have both used 6 card repeat at the London Paladium, and you cant get much bigger than that.
Cards across, is also the mainstay of John Lenahan, and ive seen him slay an audience with it, using his slim slide routine.
I often end my act with torn & restored. Framed well, it registers.
I have also done Card Warp using jumbo cards.
The secret to using cards on stage is visual effects, and space between you , and your spectators on stage.

Consider things such as Tossed Out Deck, Card in Wallet, (Jumbo) ID, Card Lasso (?)/on Ribbon, McCombical (can use Jumbo cards here also)........or revelations such as 36" Card Silk, Magician's Insurance policy

I'll second jumbo ID, that's one that can be played out really nicely on the stage.

3 card joe is a really nice routine too. It's a 3 card monte effect and plays really well in front of big crowds.

Thanks for all the help, It has been a real encouragement. I am thinking of doing mentalism and there is a possibility of getting my hands projected. I want to get an ID, so a giant one with a beach ball selection process will be good. Maybe that with a few other smaller things (If I can get projected). I will also build up my confidence performing!

Thanks
T

no dont do a beach ball....

What you should do, is put a standard poker sized id, into a stuffed toy,( a pyjama case, or hot water bottle cover for example) and throw that out.
the person who catches it, then names a card.

you get them to bring back the toy, they open it, and remove the deck.. you then show the card reversed.
This involves the whole room, adds logic to the throwing out thing....and is something they will remember.

Dale, that's a really nice idea, itd make for a lovely opener.