And before anyone asks, yup, it's THE same event...too many problems for a single event,right? Lol, just my luck.
Am performing in India ('cuz I was asked that before) and as an Indian, I have a pretty good idea what is the general image of magic is here. For example, since Blaine's magical storm unfortunately failed to stir India too much, people here still have the basic idea of magic,which is not bad. The only thing is that I need to perform at an event in a school and just today (tomorrow is the rehearsal in front of the organisers and 5th is the final show), I was informed that there are 2 more magicians involved. Am fine with that, seriously, but my performance time has been now cut to 4-5 minutes only. Fine with that too, though they should have informed me beforehand, but I forgive this betrayal.
Here's the problem...one is doing a trick with a paper cup that takes out plastic rabbits when shook and another is performing an effect where there is 1 bottle with yellow pearls and another with white pearls, they are poured together in 1 bottle. Thus there is one bottle with a mixture of yellow and white pearls, another empty bottle. Performer puts both bottles behind the back and in a few moments, brings them back and has them seperated in 2 bottles again (sweet effect, I know). Both of the performers have been doing magic for about a year and are using 'magic kits' for their props. I on the other hand am performing a mentalism thing, no suspicious props, using a prediction I will make on spot. Now the audience does not know that it takes more to build an effect out of ordinary objects and perform amazingly. For them, being amazed is the thing, and I get it completely. No sorrows there.
But I can't help feeling a bit insecure ( go on, rebuke me on that) about the reactions I will get. Naturally I want to be the highlight of the show and am telling it openly here because I hope the experienced magicians here will understand its not exactly insecurity, it is something like, just wanting to get the best reactions because I know that I worked harder than them (I know, because I saw them and they are the least bothered about what they will say, how they will say,etc. I myself was showing more interest in their performance than them!!).
My question is, which order should I perform?
Performing first will be good because the spectators will have a fresh mind and be eager to witness my effects and I will have amazed them right at the beginning, but at the same time my effect is not exactly of an opener.
But the rabbit effect can be an opener, so I thought to perform second, because people will just have seen something quick and quirky and be ready to see mine, the downside to this is that I am afraid that the climax of the attention will be shifted on the pearl thing.
I can perform last to seem like the best, but am afraid that by that time the audience will be like "O! Fine, another one" because the pearl one might require some attention (that might exhaust the audience a little?)
Also am afraid of being an anti-climatic element of the whole show, I don't wanna spoil it for the others. Am doubtful of the audience's ability to easily understand what I will do, but that's a common magician short-sightedness, I believe my audience is intelligent enough ( if they can't comprehend what I do, I will look like the biggest fool on stage ever!)
The rabbit and pearl ones are like a minute or two long, my one might just be 4-5 minutes.
Remember, I want the other performers to be successful too. And I know that as a performer, I will naturally think that mine's the best, but I DON'T think that, if you saw the others practising (the once) you will understand why I sound like being selfish, but am not being so.
As a magician, I know that if someone is good, their expertise will shine through anything no matter how opaque. If I am any good, the audience will notice me and applaud. But as someone who has studied human psychology, I know that just the order of performance can change EVERYONE'S perception about the performers.
When should I perform???
PS:-we HAVE to perform one after the other.
*prays, do not misunderstand me please!*
Am performing in India ('cuz I was asked that before) and as an Indian, I have a pretty good idea what is the general image of magic is here. For example, since Blaine's magical storm unfortunately failed to stir India too much, people here still have the basic idea of magic,which is not bad. The only thing is that I need to perform at an event in a school and just today (tomorrow is the rehearsal in front of the organisers and 5th is the final show), I was informed that there are 2 more magicians involved. Am fine with that, seriously, but my performance time has been now cut to 4-5 minutes only. Fine with that too, though they should have informed me beforehand, but I forgive this betrayal.
Here's the problem...one is doing a trick with a paper cup that takes out plastic rabbits when shook and another is performing an effect where there is 1 bottle with yellow pearls and another with white pearls, they are poured together in 1 bottle. Thus there is one bottle with a mixture of yellow and white pearls, another empty bottle. Performer puts both bottles behind the back and in a few moments, brings them back and has them seperated in 2 bottles again (sweet effect, I know). Both of the performers have been doing magic for about a year and are using 'magic kits' for their props. I on the other hand am performing a mentalism thing, no suspicious props, using a prediction I will make on spot. Now the audience does not know that it takes more to build an effect out of ordinary objects and perform amazingly. For them, being amazed is the thing, and I get it completely. No sorrows there.
But I can't help feeling a bit insecure ( go on, rebuke me on that) about the reactions I will get. Naturally I want to be the highlight of the show and am telling it openly here because I hope the experienced magicians here will understand its not exactly insecurity, it is something like, just wanting to get the best reactions because I know that I worked harder than them (I know, because I saw them and they are the least bothered about what they will say, how they will say,etc. I myself was showing more interest in their performance than them!!).
My question is, which order should I perform?
Performing first will be good because the spectators will have a fresh mind and be eager to witness my effects and I will have amazed them right at the beginning, but at the same time my effect is not exactly of an opener.
But the rabbit effect can be an opener, so I thought to perform second, because people will just have seen something quick and quirky and be ready to see mine, the downside to this is that I am afraid that the climax of the attention will be shifted on the pearl thing.
I can perform last to seem like the best, but am afraid that by that time the audience will be like "O! Fine, another one" because the pearl one might require some attention (that might exhaust the audience a little?)
Also am afraid of being an anti-climatic element of the whole show, I don't wanna spoil it for the others. Am doubtful of the audience's ability to easily understand what I will do, but that's a common magician short-sightedness, I believe my audience is intelligent enough ( if they can't comprehend what I do, I will look like the biggest fool on stage ever!
)The rabbit and pearl ones are like a minute or two long, my one might just be 4-5 minutes.
Remember, I want the other performers to be successful too. And I know that as a performer, I will naturally think that mine's the best, but I DON'T think that, if you saw the others practising (the once) you will understand why I sound like being selfish, but am not being so.
As a magician, I know that if someone is good, their expertise will shine through anything no matter how opaque. If I am any good, the audience will notice me and applaud. But as someone who has studied human psychology, I know that just the order of performance can change EVERYONE'S perception about the performers.
When should I perform???
PS:-we HAVE to perform one after the other.
*prays, do not misunderstand me please!*
