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Yannou
Veteran user
314 Posts
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Posted: Oct 14, 2010 4:37am
I was hired to perform at a party for the owner of a company who was retiring (stage performance). The party was organized by a catering company for which I've worked before. Stage, lighting and soundsystem were all ok, so everything looked promising. There was a schedule, and I was set to perform after the owner had given a 10 minute speech. I know how these things work, it's never 10 minutes so I had counted on at least 20 minutes. But hey, he finished in 15 minutes, so it all looked good, until..... he asked his wife to come on stage for a special surprise. He then went on and on and on for almost 40 minutes about all the trouble he went through to get her a special gift. So all together, 55 minutes in which all the guests were too polite to go the bathroom or to the bar for a drink. And after he finished, I got the word: "You're on!". Nice. Somehow I don't think your performance is going to be a success when everybody is running for the toilet and/or the bar.
I got on stage and told everybody that we did not have a toast yet that evening and that I was going to the bar to get a drink for that purpose, advised them to do the same and that I would be back in about 10 minutes. That worked well and luckily, the crowd seemed to enjoy something actually fun happening on stage in stead of being bored to death by the dreaded 'everlasting speech'.
BTW, I do have a clause in my contract that if I can not perform within the agreed timeframe due to reasons outside of my control, I can leave but they still have to pay me. I've learned that lesson.
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Brent McLeod
Inner circle
New Zealand
1552 Posts
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Posted: Oct 27, 2010 2:11am
Nice story!!
You handled it as well as can be expected
Its pretty common-boring speech -audience going nuts with boredom
Do something funny-keep it short but fun!
Comments-the magician was really good................
http://www.bandsforhire.co.nz/brent_mcleod.htm
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paulleemagic
New user
12 Posts
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Posted: Feb 3, 2011 11:04pm
I was once given the 2 minute your on next sign so I load the assistant in the Crystal Box push it on stage, I finish getting dressed, the curtians were opened, the next speaker talks for over 15 minutes. Just let me say my assisant was not very happy. Had I not been dressed & loaded, I would have pushed it off for a few. I also learned a very good lesson.
I also have a funny story on my blog about a Senior group, check it out below is the link to my site, blog is there.
Paul Lee
http://www.paulleemagic.com
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juliusmagic
New user
Jacksonville
25 Posts
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Posted: Sep 22, 2011 12:36am
Any Hungarian Magicians from Siofok?
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