A show, is essentially a story that the performer tells his audience, with a beginning, middle, and end.
All the time, I get new guys asking me, how to write their own show.
I always ask them, well what would your show look like, and what would it be about?
The other thing I say is, if you know the Structure you want, your Character will write it for you, especially with enough stage time.
They usually look at me, like a deer in the headlights, and that's when I realize, they do not know what a Show Structure is, or how to move their pieces around to put one together. So here's a couple of basic Structures, that can be used for the spoken or the unspoken performer (mime) to tell their story.
Here's a structure:
1. THE BALLY
2. THE INTRO
3. THE BEGINNING
4. THE MIDDLE
5. THE FINALE
6. THE FINAL HAT
7. THE FINAL CALL FORWARD
Before I break this down, if you're a beginner or a five minute “Rinse and Repeat” close up guy. I will give you a much simpler structure after the breakdown. So be sure and look for that, if this seems too involved for you.
Here's The Breakdown And Explanation:
1. THE BALLY ROUTINE. This is a routine that is designed to repeat over and over (if need be) to attract attention and bring the people into an edge around the performer. This routine should finale with a transition into, THE INTRO ROUTINE.
2. THE INTRO ROUTINE. This is a routine designed to make the people feel as though they are a group. This is done by informing them of what is happening, how long it will last, and who the performer is. This routine should finale with a transition into, THE BEGINNING ROUTINE.
3. THE BEGINNING ROUTINE. Strategically the Magi should put his second best magic routine here. By putting his second best routine here, this gives him room and rapport, because of the strength of the routine. This routine should finale with a transition into, THE MIDDLE ROUTINE.
4. THE MIDDLE ROUTINE. Strategically the Magi should put his third best (or least best) magic routine here. This will give him a strong finish at the end of the show itself, when he does his best routine. This middle routine should finale with a transition into, THE BIG FINALE.
5. THE BIG FINALE. Strategically the Magi should put his very best magic routine here. The performer should do the big finish trick, then transition into, THE FINAL HAT ROUTINE.
6. THE FINAL HAT ROUTINE. This routine is designed to convey to the audience why, how, and how much they should pay him. It should also bring the audience forward to pay him. This routine should be as strongly entertaining as any of the other routines in the show.
Very Important Note About The Final Hat Routine:
Many, if not most Buskers, have a slightly different order here. Instead, they may use the anticipation of the big finish trick as an anchor to get the audience to stand and listen to Their Hat routine.
In other words, first they Hat them, then they do the big finish trick. After they do the big finish trick they immediately do The Final Call urging the people to come forward, usually with a stream of funny lines until the crowd has finally dissipated. This is a great
strategy, but depending on your show, or the pitch, it may not even be necessary. And don't get me wrong, most of the shows I have myself, written and performed, used this anticipation strategy, it just depends on what you want to do. Remember you're writing your own show, you can now do what you want, you're not locked into a show you stole and suck at.
In fact this is only one way, and only one strategy buskers use within Show Structure to get the audience to do what they want them to do. The more advanced the performer gets, and the more familiar he becomes with the structure of his show, the more he will figure out little tricks of the trade he can do.
7. The Final Call Forward. This is The part of the show where the Magi calls all the people forward, usually in a fun way to come and put money in the hat, and he keeps calling them forward urging them, until they have all paid or walked away. This is, in my opinion, and the opinion of the late Great Stuartini, the True Finale of the show.
Because if executed right, it is the climax of the whole build up of the show, when all the people come together to participate in joy, satisfaction, and support. The Final Call is very important if you want to get paid, so don't be shy, let them know they are welcome to pay, but say it in a way that makes them happy to pay. I use humor.
HERE’S A 5 MINUTE CLOSE UP STRUCTURE:
If you're a beginner, just trying to get started for the first time, and build your show from there, or a seasoned five minute close up guy, not looking to do big shows, simply follow steps 1, 2, and 3.
But on 3, just complete your best routine and Hat them...ask for the money! then just start over and repeat.
This article was meant to be very basic, but if you search around the site, I have more articles that go into detail.
I have also written a book on character and show construction, you can get it here - The Elusive Him. PDF -character and show construction.
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Your Pal Jimmy