Large event magicians have to perform in difficult situations. Low light and long tables of guests can be a challenge. Here’s some tips to make performing magic easier in those situations.

If you are performing magic commercially, sooner or later you will be booked to perform at an event that is not set up with a magician in mind. Low lighting, loud music and long tables of guests present several obstacles for event magicians.

Dominic Reyes recorded this video at an event with just those conditions. He describes how he deals with the situation to get the best results:

At loud, dark, crowded gigs, event magicians need to have sets of tricks that fit the following 5 standards:

1) Highly visual magic

2) Easy to understand without audible instructions

3) Quick lead in to the first magical event

4) Easy to stop and start if interruptions happen

5) Not dependent on table space

Here’s a few magic tricks that are tried and tested to meet those conditions:

Extreme Burn

Invisible Deck

Sponge Balls

Ring Flight

Chop Cup

Splash Bottle

The Key

Arthur

How Event Magicians handle long tables

A long table presents and interesting challenge for magicians. Access is limited, and becuase of the arrangment of the spectators, it’s simply not possible to present to the whole table, unless there are no distractions and you can perform to the whole table as a ‘show’.

The secret to working a long table is to break it into sections. Devide it into parts of around 6 to 8 people and treat that as it’s own distinct group. Perform to those people than move down the table to the next section. You need to perform 2 distinct sets of tricks, alternating them between sections. Because you are performing different tricks to the next secrion, the material is fresh for each group, and spectators from the pervious group that want to see more, can still watch more new magic. You will be repeating tricks 12-16 chairs down the table, so there is little danger of anyone seeing the same trick twice.