|
|
Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts |
Hey Everyone,
I perform over 200 shows a year and the vast majority go amazing. In the last little while I have had a few parties with 10-15 children but in school gyms or large community centres. These have not gone nearly as well as the same age and same number but in the home or smaller rooms. Do others notice this same occurrence? If so how do you combat this? The kids are still having a good time but they aren't nearly as vocal. The laughs get muted a lot quicker. Thanks for your opinions. |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Do you stand by a wall with the kids in front of you? That gives them huge space to run around in and ignore you.
Try putting the kids against the wall, with you in front of them, so they have to pass you to get into the space at the centre. Now they will sit and watch. It's just a suggestion, but it's how I handle seating for those shows.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts |
Thanks Tony,
That is an interesting idea. I have always put myself against the wall. I will possibly try this the next time I face this situation. For the most part they will sit for the whole time. The odd one may get distracted and leave but that can happen in any situation. I had one thought on the lack of response. With it being such a large space the sound of laughter dies quick. As this is the case it may be that the children cant hear there friends laughing as much so they will keep it in. |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Ryan
I agree with Tony if you have 10 kids in a gym you should do it in the corner of the gym with the kids having their backs to the walls.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
I think many of us may have noticed that certain environments do in actual fact make children inhibited. I've always said that children seem a lot happier in a scout hall than a 5 star hotel room. I guess its down to their limited experiences. Tiny children can also seem a lot happier at home. But here is where the UK / USA divide opens up again, as of course most of our bookings are for full school class parties in hired halls over 2 hours. I myself have a dislike of huge sports halls however for parties. There is one within our trading area that runs several parties at the same time in one huge hall with just curtains dividing each section. You thus can be entertaining a party of 4 year olds with magic the other side of a curtain of 8 year old boys playing football! (Chapel-en-le-Frith Leisure Centre).
I would not entertain in the centre of a hall because of sight lines, and with the greatest of respect a lot of us UK entertainers have a much larger "stall" to set-up compared to many rolon table only US entertainers. But if a lot of chairs are in the room then section a part of the room off for the show. Tony |
wizardpa Inner circle The New Orleans area 1011 Posts |
I have never had this problem. If I had a choice I'd rather perform in a gym or large community center.
Did you have an appropriate sound system? |
Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts |
This was for a group between 10 and 15. in a gym I have have done groups over 50 with no need for a mic,
They could hear and would respond but it was not nearly as long as the normal responses. Of course these could of just been "one of those days" it is odd that all three of them were in a facility way to large for the group. The other shows on the same days went amazing though. |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
Tony got me thinking about a show that I had a couple of years ago. There was a classroom of kids in a gym, and the responses were quite good. Having their backs to the wall would help them to respond, knowing that there is no one in back of them observing their response. The same goes if the doors are shut, so they'd notice any new people coming into the gym.
|
Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts |
I think a classroom of thirty children is not a problem. I have been in that situation dozens of times in the last year and they have all been pretty good. It's just recently with these smaller groups had the lack of response. I think the real answer is just keep plugging away and make the best of it.
On a side note I have had so many children recently seeing the bday show multiple times in a couple month period that I am going to add a second bday show in the new year. I'm trying to figure out how often to change out the show. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » What to do in a gym or large hall? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.01 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |