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Original poster

What can I do at a ‘talent show’ … help!

29 replies

FrenchandSaunders · 04/12/2023 08:30

Away with friends soon and a talent show has been suggested for one evening. I can’t sing and I’m fairly reserved … what the hell can I do!!

I was thinking of a magic trick or similar but what?

OP posts:
foulksmills · 04/12/2023 08:36

Are you any good with a yo-yo?

How long do you have to practice?

fernsandlilies · 04/12/2023 08:39

Recite a comic poem?

WellWellSaidTheRockingChair · 04/12/2023 08:43

A Pam Eyres poem recital might be good.

Or do you have a sneaky at cocktail making? You could do a mini masterclass on how to make one.

Fromage · 04/12/2023 08:48

I would do a disappearing act because I'm reserved too.

dontgobaconmyheart · 04/12/2023 08:48

This sounds like my idea of hell to be honest (no I'm not overly fun at parties etc etc).

Can you not just sit out and enjoy everyone else's if that's what they want to do?

Otherwise maybe learn some card tricks ahead of time?

TinaYouFatLard · 04/12/2023 08:49

I would stage a disappearing act - it sounds like a nightmare to me!

WrongSwanson · 04/12/2023 08:50

This sound like my idea of hell. I'd let the show offs take the stage!

worstofbothworlds · 04/12/2023 08:53

I am a lecturer so not that reserved but I would go with a comic poem. Wendy Cope is short...
If it was me, I'd practice my science standup (aka why my subject is unintentionally hilarious) but as I said, I'm not reserved.

Clydagh · 04/12/2023 08:54

Well, I’m not reserved or timid at all, and I sing well, but that still sounds like a terrible idea to me. It’s one thing to sing at a party, but I imagine most people would think a ‘talent show’ when on holiday with friends is a weird sign of anticipated boredom, especially when someone is suggesting well it in advance?

parietal · 04/12/2023 08:57

can you cook? bake a batch of biscuits in advance. when it is your turn in the talent show, produce the box of biscuits and share them around.

if you want to be fancy, print out the recipe on lots of little bits of paper to give out too.

SoupDragon · 04/12/2023 08:57

Fromage · 04/12/2023 08:48

I would do a disappearing act because I'm reserved too.

This is exactly what I came on to say. A disappearing act.

elQuintoConyo · 04/12/2023 08:57

Can you do the lipstick-in-the-cleavage trick like Claire in the Breakfast Club?

I wouldn't be able to perform a trick... Tell a rude joke? Some limericks? Could you make up a couple of them to include some of the people going?

I expect you're not the only one bricking it.

I've got disjointed elbows and can do a creepy dance 😆

Lifeinlists · 04/12/2023 09:02

A mini masterclass is a brilliant idea. It will keep you focused on the task rather than the audience. Depends on your skills of course but people do like watching and learning a new idea. Keep it short.

Bin85 · 04/12/2023 09:11

Put them in teams or do this individually.
Give them all scissors and an A4 piece of paper.
Challenge them to produce longest piece of paper in one piece by cutting.
Then you have to measure them Uses up a lot of time and is quite funny.
You can have a prize for the winners and it keeps spotlight off you even if it's not strictly fitting the idea.
You can call your talent ' Party Entertainer'

Dontcallmescarface · 04/12/2023 09:25

Could you offer to be the judge and give out a small prize to the winner?

AdaColeman · 04/12/2023 09:25

How about reciting a monologue, perhaps The Lion and Albert?
Or could you learn how to do a couple of card tricks?

idontlikealdi · 04/12/2023 09:27

I can't think of anything worse.

Monkeybrains192 · 04/12/2023 09:27

Learn how to say the longest place name in Wales

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

It's actually pretty easy if you break it down phonetically. You could then give everyone a portion of it to say and then try and put it all together eg:

Person 1: LLan
Person 2: fair
Person 3:Pwll

Etc or write each section on individual cards for them to read.

MrsSkylerWhite · 04/12/2023 09:27

Just say no 🤷‍♀️

erinaceus · 04/12/2023 09:30

I was taught to recite the alphabet backwards as a small child and have never forgotten it. I wheel that out for things like this, sometimes with a bit of pizazz (get a child in the audience to follow along a printed version to make sure I’m not making any mistakes, that sort of thing).

Do you have similar eg a silly poem or song lyrics you’ve never forgotten?

Not dissimilar to what @Monkeybrains192 suggested. Keep it quite small and simple; you might not win but you’ll show willing and get out of the spotlight quickly.

Original poster
FrenchandSaunders · 04/12/2023 09:32

Thanks all, the disappearing act is tempting to be honest 😁
I'll have a think about some of these.

OP posts:
erinaceus · 04/12/2023 09:33

Or offer to be compère (difficult if you’re reserved), judge, or even chaperone if there are kids involved. Or do the tech if you’re going to have an AV setup.

Offer to be photographer and make sure you get some good snaps of everyone in action? If you really do not want to take to the stage, try to take a positive step and pitch in in some other way.

Ollifer · 04/12/2023 09:37

Oh Christ I'm getting shivers just thinking about this 😭😂 sorry op but at least some posters have given some good suggestions!!

NectarinesAreNotTheOnlyFruit · 04/12/2023 12:11

What do you do for a living? I'd give a 20 minute lecture on how to do the job that I do.

That would teach them.

AmyDudley · 04/12/2023 13:20

Honestly, I would say, 'Oh I'm not doing anything, I'm not comfortable doing things like that, I'll be the enthusiastic audience'
I don;t do things that make me uncomfortable, when they aren't necessary. Your friend desire to stage a talent show doesn't trump your desire not to take part.

I personally wouldn't be bothered about taking part in a talent show (despite having no talent) but there are plenty of things I would decline, and I would never dream of forcing a guest or friend to do something that made them uncomfortable, I want my guests to have a good time no spend there time with me dreading an upcoming 'event' I have dreamed up.

People for some reason think they have to do stuff they don't want to just because someone else says they do.