[Arkady]

Very nice - good use of enhanced colour in the mono road shot - this technique has been done to death lately, but it works very well here.

As for paying street entertainers, do so if you wish, by all means, but don't be intimidated by these guys - they make a hefty profit out of the tourists - they have to pay for the privelige of working at the Covent Garden site after all - plus, they have to pass auditions too!
If you do fork out then expect (in fact, I would demand) that they do something special just for you - a particular expression or pose maybe, or interacting with a particular member of the public. If you pay them, they work for you.