Hi all,

I did my first show last night at a burlesque type night in Bristol. Thought I'd post some thoughts...

Experience is gold dust. You just cannot get that confidence in the performance space unless you go out and do it. I was a little nervy, the odd thing was that although I went out with about 6 effects and planned to do 3-4 at each table, I only ended up doing the opener most of the time before moving on! When I did break into a second piece, I was more relaxed and got into it a bit more. The environment was quite challenging - noisy and crowded - so this meant that I felt some of the more involved effects (childhood memory) couldn't really be done.

All in all, it was a great experience. The effect I did was met well and the main thing is that I got out and did it. I also feel that next time I go and do it I'll be more confident and ready to move onto a few more effects. Approaching a group cold is quite hard.

By the way, this was my opener...

"Hello there. Welcome to [insert venue]. I hope you're all having a nice evening. My name's Ross. I'm a kind of magician. Can I join you for a few moments and show you a few things to warm the evening up?

I don't know whether you've ever seen a magician in a live setting before? Usually they do a bunch of card tricks and slight a hand stuff. I don't do any of that. The sorts of things I'm interested in are psychology and suggestion. But also the power of intuition an ways of sensing that we don't usually use. Can I try this with you? What's your name? I'm going to write down a letter of the alphabet...

In conclusion, no a roaring success, nor a disaster but I feel I've jumped a hurdle!

Thanks for all your help over the years!

Ross

Congratulations Ross!

Mark.

Congrats Ross..... the confidence will hit you like a ton of bricks one day.

Confidence is performing an effect so many times, that everything that could go wrong with the effect has, an no one except you knew it happened. The first step is always the hardest, then you wonder why it took you so long to take it.

Way to go Ross

John

Keep up the good work... there are no mistakes... only feedback! (Peter Jones)

Dave

Congratulations, Ross!

Congrats Ross...I love reading stories of other's success here at the Café!

"I love reading stories of other's success here at the Café! ".

Absolutely!

Best, Piers.