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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
At one of the shows I did yesterday. I set up in a rather silly place. It looked like the best option to start with but I found out (after I started) that the room was a throughway to another room where another party was being held. There was ample space to walk around but these eejits kept walking though my stage.
I was on good form yesterday so I managed to fire off a funny line or create a funny situation everytime it happened. You know what children's attention spans are like so I thought "they're going to be distacted anyhow so I might as well turn it into something entertaining". I did, however, get "evils" from an elderly lady who was on the recieving end of some of my "wit". I thought this verbal haraunging of the intruders would eventually get the message across but no. I got tired of it happening and actually stopped the show for a second and put chairs either side but still they marched through moving the chairs without a seconds thought to why they might be there. Anyhow, this story is to illustrate an attitude I have. My stage, my rules. I love giving the children free range to express themselves a little on stage and I think the stage is a fun place for them to be. However, if anyone over 4 foot steps unto my stage they've stepped into my world and anything goes. I may be on someone elses property but for 50 minutes that's my few square feet of the world. I own the stage. Does anyone else feel like this or am I big, hairy, arrogant, egocentric so-and-so? George |
Lyndel Inner circle wrote the theme to the TV show COPS! 1623 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-30 12:51, magicgeorge wrote: Well, you are a big, hairy, arrogant, egocentric so-and-so... But you're right! They can obviously see that there's a show going on. If they can't pay you the respect of not interrupting your show by walking in your space, then I think they're fair game as well! It's been my experience (for the most part) that if you fire off a good line or two at the first person to do it, everyone else learns from that persons experience and will make sure that they themselves don't become targets by finding another way to get to where they want to be. Lyndel |
MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
I agree.... You can always use the great line as you look at them "they are just going through a stage". I often just would stop and stare at them until they moved with no smile in sight. Usually keeps everyone else in line.
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Glad you both feel the same way. I don't feel like such a knobstick now.
Funny you should mention that line, Santa, I would usually fall back on that at some point but I was really on form yesterday so I was blessed with some kind of divine stage magic and didn't need to. Where does that come from? I realise I'm taking my own post off-topic but does anyone else feel a bit like a puppet on stage with these great lines coming out of nowhere that you could never have sat down and written? |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
George
You have just described my worst nightmare. I like you will imbarras anyone that interupts my show, but there is nothing you can do when everyone gangs up on you. Your take no prisoners attitude is exactly what I would do, but people with no manners just don't care. Could you have turn all the kids around so that the intruders would be in the back of the room?
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Absolutely RIGHT, George!
I've also had this a few times, recently at a family night at a school. The principal and the librarian who booked it were FURIOUS with the parents who kept arriving late with kids and instead of walking AROUND the back of the room (and there was a clear, marked walk-way) walked right through where I was performing! Eventually the clients had me stop, put some more cones (they had them there already but the parents were ignoring them) forming a virtual WALL of traffic cones and eventually they stopped so I could keep going...thankfully it was thwarted about 10 minutes in or so...so the rest of the show went smoothly. But it drove me...and my clients (who vented much more than I'm allowed to afterwards to me and were very apologetic)...crazy!!! I wish your client had stopped this for you, George! I'm actually thinking of buying my own small traffic cones at Walmart today.... Do you have these available? They're bright orange and they especially work if you put them in solid line (that's what we had to do!). |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
George
I used to do standup, which was like facing my biggest fear, and all of my best chops came from that baptism of fire.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
I like this line as they walk through:
"Oh, PLEASE, don't mind us! Don't worry, it's just a STAGE your passing through!" Also, if it happens when I have a vent character out...well, it's taken by the crowd much better to deliver those kinds of lines via the puppet. The audience think's it's great! Think "Walter". |
The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-30 13:17, Al Angello wrote: Al, I'm not clear on how "embarrassing" other people helps you control your circumstances. My feeling is that I would not be left with favourable impressions of a performer who did this. I think this also highlights one's lack of control and would tend to make the situation more pronounced. Another important factor in this is that this is a kids show circumstance and not a bar with a bunch of adults. I like George's initial response of making it a light hearted running gag which sends a more indirect message. Also, its not often clear if these people are being rude or just lack an understanding about live performances. I'm not advocating for this type of behaviour but rather just making an observation. I would think one would want to preview the performance site and clearly communicate what it must look like in order for you to do your show. If it continues to be a major distraction then one would have the chance of continuing on or ending your performance a little earlier...both difficult choices. I've found myself making both of these decisions and the booker either didn't realize it or have apologized to me for the child's poor behaviour and wondered where the parent was. jeff |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Jeff
Aren't most of your performances school assemblies?
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-30 13:56, Al Angello wrote: That really doesn't matter. And I hope there's no connotation of school audiences being more or less important. See, it's easy to misinterpret ANYTHING said, via forum. People are people, clients are clients, audiences are audiences. An audience can turn, ANY audience can turn, if you don't handle this or the rest of your control issues during performance right. I DO NOT ADVOCATE INSULTING YOUR AUDIENCE. EVER. However, I do agree with George that that IS your stage up there during performance. I don't think my lines, when said by a puppet, are insulting at all.Especially if you listen to my delivery and watch my body language. EVERYONE LAUGHS. I never mean it seriously, and they know. Even those walking through who here them often laugh as they realize what they're doing only too late. It's funny, and it's cheesy, and said by a puppet it's cute. I think that making comments, by anyone including myself, on here can be tough because unless everyone here can see everyone's specific character on stage, they simply won't understand what works for them as they have no context. And that's the thing, if we make sure people get the hint while being cureous yet to the point...and overall LOVING to our audiences, I think it can be handled in a way everyone's good with. All while making sure the audiences understands where the stage is so that the show can go smoothly. I don't pretend to know it all, I most certainly do not know it all. However, I deal with a myriad of venues, about 10 to 12 types during the year..most are schools and libraries, but there are scouts, festivals, bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs, parties of all kinds, corporate picnics and family events....people are people, and you have to get the message across in non-threatening yet funny way that helps bring the attention back to you and is just serious enough so they get the hint without being offended. It's a lot like juggling Best to All, Chris |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Chris
I believe George was talking about doing a show between a large crowd and their access to the bath rooms, and Jeff was talking about being on a stage in an auditorium.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Yeah, I know, I was just addressing what I thought may be an overall issue between the two.....
you know how 'ABSTRACT' I am....don't forget, I'm originally from Los Angeles (I went to Disney Daycare while my mom managed the card shop on "main street" at Disneyland). No one can be quite normal after something like that, Al. Somewhere between my 90th and 1000th ride on the teacups I think I lost something.... ;) |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Chris
I can't get "It's a small world" out of my head, and I just went to Disney World twice. It is good to talk to you again my friend.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
This was at a leisure centre. The 'intruders' weren't even part of my crowd they were going to a different party around the corner.
I think there's a big difference between embarrassing and insulting. I wouldn't have minded if they were a little embarrassed, they might have thought twice about doing it again but they must've been entirely comfortable with my haranguing as they all cut through my stage again on the way back. Maybe, I was too indirect? George |
chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-30 15:17, Al Angello wrote: Good to talk with you too, Al! You went twice? Now see, even though I went there every day for two years, I still love this place! As for the "Small World" song...I'm sorry for your suffering, Al! Keep in mind in the early seventies you had two choices for lunch. I'm not kidding. I don't remember the second choice, because every day, during the week, for two years I had: hot dog on bun, chips and orange drink. I don't know what was in this food, but I have GREAT memories of Disneyland with the exception of tea cups. Mixed. I love this ride, but when I think about it my stomach goes south. Great memories, though! I'm taking my kids to Disney World this Spring before the Library season. My son's five and my daughter ten so I figure this is a good time to do this. My wife has a fear of flying, so we're driving....fourteen hours in one day...down there. The good part is I get to put on all my Robin Williams, Carlin, Cosby and Emo on and just drive and laugh while they're asleep.... After having time to mull over my tea-cup lawsuit and George's issue while shopping with my wife and kids today, I'm thinking George's only choice would be to cover his required space be out of flowing traffic in the future if he can..something to put in the "rider". Do you do this, George? I'm betting you already do, but they may have ignored it...so maybe bold print. I've done this with certain aspects of my rider. Like "green m&m's, "Cheers" must be playing on a tv in the room (or "Taxi"), and orange sodie-pop". |
zimsalabim Special user Orlando Floirda USA 520 Posts |
I played the Canadian Story teller at EPCOT this past Holiday season. The gig was a joy in almost every way but one. People walking through the show. It was amazing to me how many people would just wander through what is obviously a performance. Now I would of course mention them as they came by because to ignore them would be impossible. Not embarass them but actually make them part of the experience. Some were jsut caught up itn the day and wonders around them and some were simply rude and wanted to be just that. Its part of the territory. I do the same at any event where this can happen. Be aware of them and make them part of what you are doing it actually an be fun and irratating at the same time.
Z
Joe Zimmer
"The Second Greatest Magician in the World" Who is the Greatest? Everybody else! Borrowed with respect from the late Great Eddie Fechter Owner of the Forks Hotel Zimsalabim Orlando Florida |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Quote:
Chris said: I do mention it indirectly in my booking confirmation package. I mention that I set up away from a door as people walking through the performance area is distracting for the children. Although, in this case, it wouldn't have helped much as they were from a different party. I do think putting cones/tape/rope up might be a good idea. On the other hand, I saw this done on a youtube video and thought it looked a bit silly! A similair problem I sometimes come across is when there is a door but the bookers say that I can set up there because it won't be used. I could safely bet £100 that that door will open sometime in the show! Quote:
Joe said: Ha, yes! That's exactly how I found it. I had a lot of fun thinking up things to do and say with them but was still annoyed that they didn't have the common sense to walk around. Although the children and adults appreciated the way I handled it in some ways I also made the problem worse by creating an expectation of an exchange every time it happened. Half-way through the show one boy would start shouting excitedly "People are coming! People are coming!" when he saw any group of intruders approaching. Whether he was excited about what funny thing would happen this time or he was just warning me to get my ad-libs ready, I don't know. I didn't really want to concentrate on the walking through the stage, aspect (although some other Café members and myself did brainstorm a few lines in the now that's funny section some time ago: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=24 ) What really interests me is does the mindset of "owning the stage" have any other positive or a negative aspects? George |
magicbern Inner circle Hong Kong, China 1220 Posts |
This is a problem I've faced on numerous conditions. Given the sometimes tight performing venues, the adults (and kids) often have no choice but to go through the performing area. It is very frustrating but to tell off the adults sometimes can backfire on you and make the rest of your show rather hostile.
I try to defuse the situation with some humour, which may or may not work. So usually I just stop what I'm doing and follow their movements in an exaggerated manner. this always gets a laugh - then I follow with a line like 'Is this a subway?'. If its a small kid who's strayed onstage, it's usually cause they're excited and want to get a closer look. I normally steer them in the opposite direction, accompanied with a line like "keep walking - until you hit a grownup!' Bear in mind that such humour needs to be delivered in a non-threatening tongue-in-cheek fashion so as not to cause any undue resentment! the best discussion of this problem and possible preventive measures can be found in Silly Billy's excellent tome 'Seriously Silly". Check it out! |
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