talkmagic.co.uk

I see the "Should I invent a stage name" discussion has been done to death here, but if you'll forgive me I have a slight wrinkle I'm picking at and I'd like your help unfurling.

I am performing under my own name, getting slowly up to speed with children's parties and some evening events. But now through a friend I've got a potential nightclub booking later this year. Not stage but still walkabout magic.

The club is an alt/goth event with a BDSM flavour. It has "dungeons". Their website lists by name he acts they've had before.

My wife's reaction was "Wow, that sounds like a cool evening, you should do it! But you can't use your own name in case it shows up in your google hits".

Obviously I'd not be mentioning it on my own website, but what do people think?

Personally, I think the world needs more BDSM child entertainers, but I can see how some prudes might unreasonably object to it, so go for a pseudonym, I have a few ideas: David Pain, David Coppa feel, The gimp masked magician, Harry Screw-dini, David Bum-Burglars, Jay Wankey, Bliss Stain-well, Prod Assedy, Whore-inda, Man-a-sex, Laddie of mystery (don't kick me).

...or Rolf Harris

Who might show you his extra leg!

It could work both ways really, by not changing your name you are showing your versatility and could actually land you some more exciting gigs. Fair play from your wife, if I mentioned to mine I was going to a BDSM club (for a gig) I would be getting told where to go haha

Some nice work from Jean, although if it's BDSM, I'd say he forgot Whip Haydn, Chain Canasta and Patrik Cuffs.

Anyhoo, I think you've answered your own question in the title - call yourself Alias in Chains!

Seriously, it's a good question. I think, as this is a new field, and bearing in mind the other work you do, you would be better off with a different performing name for this gig. You wouldn't want to lose kids' show bookings if someone Googled your name and that BDSM club site came up. If the show is a success, you could always create a second site for the alternate identity.

Part-Timer wrote:If the show is a success, you could always create a second site for the alternate identity.

That's a very good point, thanks!

I have one name for kids shows, one for adult shows, and separate websites. But I am quite open to everyone that I do both. That solution works for me.