o.k. here i go stickin my hand in the trick bag.
these definitions are argued and what makes it worse is when some amatuer starts talkin out his ass about it and making a confusing but important discussion even more confusing.
i have alot of experience with the sidewalk and the half circle shows, but not alot with the circle show, but i'll try not to talk out my ass any way.
any way;
IN THE U.S.
A SIDEWALK OR DOORWAY ACT,
a close up act scripted and played up big.
it usually runs @8-10 mins but some run as long as 15 mins.
the act is done in a small area holding a crowd from @ 1-20 people it's repeated over and over.
hats are generally @ $10 but could be from $1 - $30 depending on the day and the pitch. in a festival of course these numbers would be alot higher.
of course none of this is etched in stone.
the cups and balls by it self alone is ideal but many have had success doing more tricks usually small hand magic tricks.
a sterio typical act would be;
silk vanish, coin routine, card routine [ambitious], rope routine[professors nitemare] and finale w/ cups and balls.
the pace is almost hectic with small bursts of dramatic pauses until the hat is passed the audience is barraged with patter and tricks so they can't think almost hypnotized. usually manic.
A HALF CIRCLE SHOW,
a parlor act scripted and done up big.
it runs from @ 15 - 25 mins.
done in an area holding @ 20-100 people in a half circle edge in front of the performer.
hats are usually @ $35 but run from $15 - $80 depending on the day and the pitch. in a festival of course these numbers would be alot higher.
of course none of this is etched in stone.
typical act could be;
silk vanish, multiple selection card routine, linking rings routine, cut and restored rope routine, cups and balls.
the pace is slowed down from the hectic pace of the sidewalk show but has NO dead time and alot more disscussions about money.
A CIRCLE SHOW;
a stage act scripted and dragged out and done up big.
act runs @ 30mins - 60 mins but is typically 45mins.
done in an area large enough to hold 100- 400 people [i've seen spots that hold a 1000]
the people create an edge around the performer in a large circle...hence the name.
hats are around $100 but can be more then $300 depending on the spot and the day. in a festival of course these numbers would be alot higher.
a typical act could be;
silk vanish, multiple selection card routine, signed bill in lemon/cups and balls routine.
the thing that should be really understood here is that a circle show is very different then the others in that the pace of the show is a much more relaxed and almost dragged out stall for time kinda thing.
theres interaction and getting the people to clap and cheer to help build the crowd bigger.....because you see that is the whole point it's a game to get as many people there to watch and pay you as you can.
the more people, the more money.
the circle show is usually, but not always, a commercial for you to get money in the hat.
the best money making circle show is that in which 35 mins has been spent building a crowd and 10 mins doing a trick at the end to prove your worth.
i have seen circle shows that were pure entertainment for 45mins but saddly they are few and far between.
