Paul writes: 'Hi Dominic, how did you get around the Little Lillies tall table decorations when performing at the table, as this would be a decoration that couldn't be moved, would you perform for one half then the other?'

Owen and Anna Lavin at Little Lillies create some of the best floral display decorations I've ever seen, but magicians have never been fans of large decorations in the centre of tables. It's a magicians job to entertain the whole table, and that's a touch harder then half of the group can't see the action. So, how does my table magic differ in these situations? It doesn't.

Table magic should always be performed to the whole group

When I'm performing table magic, I perform for the whole group, rather than one half then the other. I want to engage the whole table as a group, rather than splitting attention and risking the possibility of losing the attention of the audience that isn't involved. That means I'm moving around the table all the time, addressing people as I do so. So for example, I ask to borrow a bank note whilst moving around to that person to receive it I continue to move around for someone else to sign it. Then move around to another position to have it change. As I move, I'm addressing the whole table, keeping the attention of the whole table. The movement creates energy, combined with conversation. The goal is to keep everything moving along so the group feels involved.

The space around a table is your stage

You don't need to stand in just one spot when you perform table magic. The whole circle of space around a table is your stage, and like any actor, you should use the space you have available. Next time you watch a comdian on stage, notice how they are walking around all the time. They pace about as they talk, moving up and down the stage. This makes people follow them with their eyes and helps to keep peoples attention.