Many of us have a dream of going out into the streets, conquering it, making a huge crowd stop and watch us juggling, enjoying themselves, having fun, and finally, putting money in our hats. This article will try to explain how you build up such a show in the classic tradition.

First of all. Stand so that you are the one getting the sun in your eyes. This might be tiring, but better you than your audience, since they are the ones that are paying you.

Bring a LOT of stuff. Bring your unicycle even if you're not going to use it. It looks spectacular. Then use a lot of time putting it up, maybe put on some music and people will gather around and wait for you to start. You can do a little basic juggling once in a while while you're setting everything up.

The point of setting things up is almost the most important thing of all. You can't really start a show without someone watching. And if you just stand there juggling, and think "people will gather", they probably will, but leave again after a very short time thinking "now we've seen it all". You have to build up expectation! That's why you should should bring a lot of stuff and leave it so people can see. A lot of flammable liquids, some knives, anything that is spectacular! Also, wear a stupid costume if you feel that fits into your act. Street performers usually perform in the role of a fool. Have you ever done theatre? Well, this is the time to start. Make people dance to the music, flirt with the ladies, anything really that will make them stay. If you've managed to make grown-up people (children will stay whatever you do :o) think "I haven't got time for this. I'm leaving... ahhh... he is quite cute... no I'll stay" about three times, they probably will stay for the rest of your show. If you manage to make them do this thinking during your set-up, GREAT!

Next. Show people that you are a fool, but that you are a fool with some skills. Do some simple, entertaining, stupid juggling. Five balls might be more advanced but it doesn't look as good as a well set up jugglers tennis. Talk to the audience all the time. Practice improvising to anything that happens. If a cell-phone rings, offer to answer it, if someone doesn't smile, point it out to them, if someone drinks something, demand to taste, if someone shouts loudly to you... well, tell them not to steal your show. Anything that's funny is allowed. There is a theatre festival going on in my neighbouring town, and I'm really amazed to see how morbid and perverted humor people stick up with.

Example:
"Don't worry madam. If I kill one of your children, I'll personally help you make a new one."

Now you should start building up to your grand finale. This is the longest bit. You grand finale should be something which can involve a lot of people. Get up some people "the most macho people in Holland" and make them hold your rope, your unicycle, your torches anything. If people won't come up to you, DO NOT TAKE A NO FOR A NO! If you do, it'll be impossible bringing someone else up. Learn some tricks to bring people up. Go out into the audience to your victim, take her/his hand and ask them to stand in the front row then take them all the way on-stage. Do a lot of jokes about how dangerous this is. Not necessarily for yourself, but for the audience. Build tension! That is the alpha and omega of street-performing. You have to make people expect a lot. Please lie. Tell them this is the first time you've done the trick, even though the audience won't believe you, it will help build tension, and gives room for a lot of jokes.

Alright. Now, right before you are finally going to do the act. You've got 4 macho males on each side of your tight-rope holding it, you've got one sexy lady laying under it, and you've got another person holding your torches. Everything is set up. Become serious and tell them that you try to do this for a living and that you will, after the show, hold out your hat and ask people for money. If they've had a good time, please come down here and put some money in your hat. And children, if your parents don't give you an Euro to put in the hat, it means they don't love you. No that was a joke, it means they're not your real mum and dad (more of that morbid humor I heard at the festival.) End the speech with something funny to release the serious tone before completing it.

The finale doesn't have to be long. Many people spend 20 minutes building it up, and then they juggle for 10 seconds... might seem boring now, but juggling really gets boring after a while. We have to face it. If you're not a juggler you're not really understanding what is going on and how hard this and that is. You'll just see a lot of balls or clubs flying around. And that's impressive, but not for long.

Then put your equipment on the ground, take up your hat and hold it out. Be sure to "insult" people who are leaving without paying.