Building a Magic Act : How to create a show plan for your magic tricks

Dean writes:

'I'm struggling with routining my magic act. Working out my show plan and the story to go with it.

I've been working it backwards lately. Coming up with a story and working in the tricks to fit the story.

Do you have any advice on this?'

Great question Dean! I asked a couple of magicians to give some advice on this and I think this will help you:

Simon Caine Stage show or close up set? I can only speak about the latter.

Personally, I don't think you need a 'story' running through your routine (this depends on your character, however) but you definitely need a theme.

What is important is that your magic tricks flow into each other, so I would start there. Rather than creating a story or presentation and shoehorning magic tricks into it, try linking two or three magic tricks together that have a logical flow to them, and go from there.

For example, something like Chicago Opener flows nicely into a Colour Changing Deck, Invisible Palm is a nice lead into Cards Across. Once your transition between effects is natural, then you can work on a presentation to go with the routine.

Jonathan Nicholson Firstly well done for producing a show plan. Entertaining with magic should be more than one trick following another without them flowing between. Simons advice for close up is very good. Linking tricks makes for a transition and the links can be around a simple theme such as a gambling demo.

For stage/parlour a theme or act is more appropriate. I personally start with how I want the audience to "see" or perceive the show. This will involve how I want to present it/theme/speaking or to music etc. Then I usually have an idea on the finale so I know what I'm building up to. If I have a particular theme of the act I will look at how I can script my existing tricks to fit but don't force it. If your looking to present a mentalism act it would be difficult (but not impossible) to make a coins across effect fit so you may need to use other effects. Then I like to script it.

Yep. Actual writing down what I'll say, do and any actions or movements on stage. This helps iron out any lulls in the act.

Then rehearse the whole thing. Manage where props will be and where they will end up (dumping props in the box/case/bag that you then have to rummage in to find the next prop is sloppy and doesn't look good).

If you have friends or family that will give you an honest appraisal – use them for a test performance or you can video yourself and watch the film back.

Do you have some advice for Dean? Please leave a comment in the section below: