talkmagic.co.uk

Which do you prefer performing for ... or even which do you think are easier to perform for; known and loved ones or perfect (not to mention imperfect) strangers?

I personally don't like showing my wife magic tricks, she knows all the moves as I use her to watch for angles as I develop and practice tricks until perfect. So she will say (as she did tonight) I know where that card went because of the way you are having to hold your hand.

But if you 'mess up' you don't feel stupid and they still love and care about you, so it is a safe zone.

On the other hand (!) with stangers I can use a 'stage persona' which isn't much different from my normal one but moves etc are virtually indetectable because they don't know how I usually act. Messing up with strangers however can lead to abuse and comments.

My preference by a narrow margin therefore is strangers as the magic is more 'real'.

What does everyone else think?

Whilst I may test a few things out on family and friends, there's far more satisfaction in performing to a group of strangers and receiving a warm round of applause.

dat8962 wrote:Whilst I may test a few things out on family and friends, there's far more satisfaction in performing to a group of strangers and receiving a warm round of applause.

Agreeing with you for the 2nd time in one night!!

You get a better and more "real" response from the public.
Family can be either a great help for final practice, eg, checking angles etc, or be a complete pain. They know YOU too much to view things the same way as they would if someone else performed for them.

Always friends and family first. They're the most ready to join in and the most likely to try to show you up. When you have something you can get past them, it's probably bulletproof!

Never friends and family for me unfortunately - they're much more likely to try to mess up the trick because they know I am a 'magician' and they have seen a good deal of magic before. Strangers usually want to see the magic so they are well-behaved .

Kati

strangers for me as i don't have any friends being a carer

also if i feel the trick is not perfected enough for strangers then i won't perform it.

Woa! I'm the only friendly person who voted here.
I can't perform for the strangers for now so ruining my friendships..