The following is a popular structure for a street show (magic, circus or otherwise).

What do you think?

1) THE SETUP: the performer loudly and elaborately sets up props to begin the second phase...

2) THE GATHER: Using noise, colour, movement and pyschology, the performer builds an edge

3) THE PROMISE: Performer promises an amazing trick.

4) THE BUILD UP: The performer performs other tricks and routines and bits to build the size of the crowd.

5) THE FINALE SET UP: The perform sets up for the final trick getting assistants, extra props etc.

6) THE HAT LINES: The performer explains he wants cash.

7) THE FINALE: The performer does something amazing.

8) THE COLLECTION: The perform collects cash.

I watched a rather bland performer in Central Park NY perform like this (he was a juggler) and it worked great. He never did anything really great but used this format and in the end, he had a pretty nice sized crowd. I was pretty impressed, given the lack of energy, comedy, etc.

One thing I will add that he did was 'THE REMINDER' or 'THE TEASE' which came after each trick to remind folks that the grand finale was just around the corner.

He had a nice finish to the show that showed his caring for children. In the way of a poem.

Nice!

There is nothing like a good structure to sell a dodgy product!

Just ask MacDonalds!