I've been booked to entertain at a rehearsal dinner. Total time of about 45 mins. There are only going to be about 20-25 people. Is this too few for table-hopping? I was thinking of 30 mins. table-hopping and 15 mins. stand-up with the wedding party. Does this sound about right?

Hi

Sounds fine to me.

Are you doing the wedding?

Paula

No but that brings up a funny story. The lady who booked me was in charge of the rehearsal dinner and the first thing she thought was to hire entertainment to keep everyone occupied because the two families can't stand each other. This ought to be interesting.

I guess you live too far north to know about the Hatfields and McCoys? I don't know why so many weddings are competitive events. But some are.

The wedding party's time is going to be tight. I would do no more than the 15 minutes without giving them a chance to move on to other things they may have to do.

Due to slow photographers, caterers, etc. there tend to be some very slow lines at weddings too. You might be some welcomed relief helping to kill some of those waits too. Ask!

Once I was even requested to do magic to slow the guys at the bar down a little. You never know.

Enjoy!

Bob
Magic By Sander

While there get their contact info so you can do the Divorce Party too

Load the shotgun and get out the booze!!

If I were faced with this situation, I'd perform only a stand-up show because in my opinion there wouldn't be enough people to justify walk-around and because my stand-up act is stronger than my walk-around repertoire.

Realize that if the families hate each other, they might be a tense audience. In line with magicman845's suggestion, make sure that your contract specifies that the audience must be drunk before you perform.

Larry D.

Seriously.... be ready for anything, stand up, tables, walk around... You will have to size up the situation and then JAZZ magic it.

Pete,

We should have considered that the Esquire would offer divorce options in the contract. Wow! All the rest of can do is magic! Is that torn and restored freedom? Or some form of Living Will?

My wife Lucy is a doctor. I'm afraid to cross her because she has promised me that she has ways of forcing me to live much longer than I wish I had. I should have planned ahead. I may live a long time. Scary!

Bob
Magic By Sander

Given the animosity between the families, I would table-hop. Doing a stand-up act would be asking for trouble because you would have to manage both sides of the family at the same time. It might make it harder to concentrate on your art.

Of course, it might give you a great opportunity to make it an even better piece of performance - it depends on how confident you are in your ability to manage a potentially rowdy crowd.