talkmagic.co.uk

Just done a quick search and there is quite a bit of useful stuff I need to look through on there...

Just looking for a few bits of advice, about working on stage - anything anyone has to offer (and got a few specific questions too).
I.e. hiring a theatre, promoting it and selling tickets.

Specific questions...
what's the ideal time length for the show to run?
what are some good ideas to publicise and sell the show?
how do you go about brainstorming and finally choosing a theme / direction for the whole show to tie in with? I'm thinking about a family themed show - what things are kids interested in, that will also engage the parents - I should know this, as I do perform magic for children, but picking one thing for the whole show has got me stuck at the moment.

Anything else?
Thanks.

The length of your show is something that depends in its entirety on the type of show you wish to present. For me, I aim for an hour with some allowances incase it was to overrun.

The best way to promote your show is again going to come down to the type of show and the intended audience. I like to get out into the streets and hand out flyers, perhaps offer some free balloon models or give out special offer tickets might attract attention for you.

Children just want to have fun, anything silly, messy or gorey is always going to go down well with them.

For a theatre I'd recommend more than an hour of you went to that cost...

My theatre show was 2 hours plus interval

Perhaps the best way to publicise the show would be to do free tricks for people. Just small things, out and about, and then you can tell them about your show and I imagine that would make them more likely to come. A bit like a free sample, if you like. For example, if you're out on the streets handing out flyers then you could combine some bits of street magic with it to really get people interested and make sure they remember you and take note.

Then there's local media - newspapers, radio stations, even the local news. Try sending them press releases etc. and see where that gets you.

I'm back to this idea from earlier in the year.
I'm thinking maybe 100 - 200 people.

How can I convert what I do in close up and what I know about in close up to work in a stand up situation.
or... What might I know (routine wise) that would work in a parlour / small stage environment.

I want to do a show, but I don't want to do a close up show. I want something that plays larger.
I also don't want the show to take a year or two to plan / rehearse etc... I do want to be able go out and do some preliminary performances.
Thanks.

Personally I would stay away from performing close up on stage, as it is exactly what it says.......close up.

Stage acts do not have to be all smoke and mirrors and expensive, there are lots of inexpensive beauties out there for all ages from 5 to 95 yrs old.

Splash bottle £15
6 card repeat half a pack of bikes 50p
tossed out deck great reactions for under a fiver
shrinking and growing head (lots of laughs for about £25)
magic square (pen and dry wipe board £30)
Baby face gag £5
plenty of bits of business F*** all, but most of all plenty of entertainment.

There you go a whole 45 mins to an 1 hr for about £80 cant be bad eh

Get out on the streets with flyers and a few bits and bobs in your pockets and start selling yourself.

Good luck

All the best

Steve

Think about some of the stuff you do in your kids shows that makes the adults take notice

A decent Milk Pitcher routine and stuff with silks for example

Then think of fun stuff you would do for adults that plays well for kids

Alfred Borden wrote:Think about some of the stuff you do in your kids shows that makes the adults take notice

A decent Milk Pitcher routine and stuff with silks for example

Then think of fun stuff you would do for adults that plays well for kids

Here here Alfie,

Adults do enjoy some kids bits too.

I would much rather pay someone to entertain me with inexpensive props for an hr, than see some total *rse bore me to death with some £10,000 illusions

Entertainment in my opinion is worth its weight in gold, make them want to book YOU, not just some magician.

All the best

Steve

Cheers guys, my kids show is a proper magic show so there are some things that will translate.
I'm thinking some TT work might fit well.
The theatre I'm looking at has just under 100 seats so Illusions are out of the question anyway.
It's normally used for spoken word and poetry performances.

What are your ticket prices Ed? and have you got a date yet?

Steve

No prices or date yet, still in the planning stages.

or a boast.

come and see me - 'amazing magician' - do this 'incredible/impossible feat'.

a boast is good because people want to see if its possible...

dont know what feat to suggest however, but its how the old greats rustled up theatre fulls.

i find hypsnotism shows are easier to sell because of this. people are curious because hypnotism is an incredible feat in itself.

Just a thought, have you tried teaming up with a local charity? At least for the first show. Have them pitch in and split half the door. It gets the name of the charity out there and raises some money. Plus you have the charity people pitching in and helping with selling the tickets putting up flyers and spreading the word.

We have a local comedy club and quite often the local humane shelter sponsers a show. They put up adds, send out invites on their email lists, they put it up on the facebook page etc. And anyone who walks through the door gets a flyer. Sure you don't get all money you may have otherwise gotten, but for a first time out you get some recognition and an entire audience you may not have had.

Just a thought.

That's a great idea about the charity - I have heard it before, but thanks for the reminder.
I think you're right, the first show or two it would be good to get some help to get the place full.

Working with a charity is a fine way to test out a new show, I've very recently done exactly that with my new show. With your show being staged for charity you may also find that the venues will be willing to offer you a reduced fee or even the venue free of charge.