Creating a Themed Magic Show

L Writes: I’m currently struggling with creating a themed magic show from the drawers full of magic stuff I’ve collected through the years (some of which I’ve never even opened!) I know the theme I want, but not sure I have the tricks I need to achieve my aim.

We’ve all been there… overwhelmed by the sheer number of magic tricks we’ve accumulated over the years. Those drawers filled with unopened gaffs, forgotten props, and half-developed effects can be both a blessing and a curse. Building a magic collection is fun, but if you are looking at the effects you have selected with no overall goal or direction while still creating a themed magic show. You may be struggling because you are trying to solve the problem the wrong way around.

Building your working material from what you have acquired over the years works OK for a general close-up magician, jumping from effect to effect with no overall theme or flow other than the pacing of the effects. But for a themed professional show, you need to do the following BEFORE you decide which effects you will use.

1. Define the Message of Your Story
The best magic acts tell a story. The first step in creating a themed magic show is to define the core message or story you want to convey.

Ask yourself:
* What do I want the spectators to feel or understand by the end of my performance?
* Is there a good lesson, emotion, or idea I want to leave them with?

The message serves as the backbone of a themed magic show. It could be a tale of victory over adversity, a journey of discovery, or a moral lesson… Whatever you choose, the message should be clear and compelling.

Example: If your theme is about the power of imagination, your message could well be, “Imagination can turn the impossible into reality.”

2. Set the Theme and Situation
Keep your message central as you create the theme and situation of your themed magic show. The theme is the core concept that pulls everything together while the situation sets the scene for your performance.

Consider:
* What world or setting does your story take place in?
* What atmosphere do you want to create?
* How does this setting support the message?

Your theme could be anything from a magical trip through a distant planet to a fantasy dream where technology comes to life. The magic should naturally occur due to the situation, making what happens a seamless extension of the narrative.

Example: If the theme of the magic show is imagination, the situation might be a magical land where the limits between reality and unreality fuse, with amazing events unfolding.

3. Identify the Protagonist
Next, we need to decide who the protagonist of your show is. In magic, the protagonist can be the magician, the spectator, or an external force that you interact with. Setting the protagonist will significantly impact how your effects are presented and viewed by the audience.

Think about this:
* Are you the one creating the magic, or is it happening to you?
* Are you a wizard in control of mystical powers or an ordinary person encountering magical events?

Understanding the role of the protagonist helps you make a consistent narrative when creating a themed magic show. If something incredible is happening to you, the tricks should feel surprising and a little bit out of your control. If you are the cause of the magic, the tricks should showcase your skill and magical prowess.

Example: In creating an imagination-themed magic show, you could be a daydreamer who discovers that they can shape the world with only their thoughts, making you both the magic’s creator and protagonist.

4. Develop the Story Arc
With the message, theme, and protagonist set, it’s time to craft the story arc. A well-made story arc keeps your spectators engaged and interested in your performance. Your act should have a clear beginning, a middle, and a climactic end:

* Beginning: Introduce the situation and the protagonist. Set the stage for the magic to happen.
* Middle: This is where the bulk of your tricks should happen. Build tension, introduce challenges or surprises, and show how the magician deals with them.
* End: Bring the story to a satisfying finish. Solve any conflicts, reveal the final twist, and reinforce the message of your themed magic show.

Example: In this example, the beginning might involve the magician discovering their newfound power to control things. The middle could have increasingly complex and amazing examples of magic. The end would show the magician mastering this power and finding the true potential of their imagination.

5. Select Effects That Build the Story
With a clear story arc, you can dig into those boxes of stored magic tricks and select the effects that best go with your narrative. Look for effects that:

* Align with your theme: The magic needs to naturally fit into the world you’ve made. Stay away from tricks that feel out of place.
* Support the message: Choose magic tricks that help tell the story’s message or move the plot forward.
* Enhance the magician’s journey: The magic should reflect the magician’s story, whether it’s their growing confidence, their struggle against the odds, or their ultimate triumph.

Remember, not every trick you own will suit this particular act, and that’s okay. Focus on quality over quantity—each effect should have a purpose in your story.

Example: Creating a themed magic show with an imagination theme, effects that involve visual transformations, impossible predictions, or objects coming to life would be ideal. For instance, a routine where a blank picture suddenly fills with colour could represent the magician’s power of imagination.

Creating a themed magic show is about more than just stringing together a series of effects you already own. It’s about crafting a cohesive experience that captivates and resonates with your audience.

Don’t be afraid to experiment, refine, and adapt your themed magic show as you go. The magic is in the details, and with a strong foundation, you’ll be well on your way to creating a magic show that entertains and tells a powerful story.

I hope this helps you.
Dominic Reyes

Table-Hopping – Guide to Restaurant Magic

by Merchant of Magic Leave a Comment

Table-hopping is a unique form of entertainment in which magicians perform tricks for restaurant patrons. It can offer a rewarding and dynamic career, a second income stream, or even a way to help fund college or university living costs. Let’s look at a few core points to mastering the art of table-hopping.

Understanding Table-Hopping

Table-hopping involves performing magic tricks for restaurant guests to entertain them without disrupting their dining experience. The goal is to enhance the patrons’ experience and encourage repeat visits to the restaurant. The essence of successful table-hopping lies in making the performance about the patrons and the restaurant, not the magician.

Choosing the Right Tricks

When selecting tricks for table-hopping, focus on effects that are easy to carry, quick to reset, and highly interactive. It’s essential to choose tricks that patrons enjoy, even if they differ from your personal favourites. Some recommended tricks include:

Sponge Ball Magic: Always a hit with both children and adults due to its visual appeal and interactive nature.
Thumb Tip Magic: Avoid overexposed tricks like the “Vanishing Silk” and instead use creative routines such as “torn and restored sugar packet,” in which a sugar packet is emptied into your fist and then seemingly restored.
Paddle Tricks: Simple yet effective, paddle tricks like “Hot Rod” can engage and amaze your audience.
Rubber Band Magic: Tricks like “Crazy Man’s Handcuffs” are easy to perform and leave a lasting impression.
Card and Coin Magic: While card tricks are great for adults, simple coin tricks can captivate all ages.

Approaching and Engaging Tables

Approaching tables confidently is crucial to table-hopping. Start by addressing children, as they are often the easiest audience. Make your presence known without being intrusive. Use humour and engaging patter to draw attention. When approaching adults, a prop like sponge balls can provide a smooth introduction. Always approach tables after the main course when patrons are more relaxed and receptive to entertainment.

Building Relationships with Staff

Creating a good rapport with the restaurant staff is essential. Meet the wait staff early, explain how your performance will not interfere with their duties, and assure them that your presence will enhance their tips. A supportive wait staff can significantly enhance your performance by recommending you to patrons and creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Financial Considerations

Charging the right amount is key to maintaining a long-term engagement with a restaurant. A typical rate for table-hopping is often 4 x one cover excluding drinks. So if an average meal is £20-£25, you would charge £80-£100 per night. Avoid hourly rates, as they can lead to shorter engagements. Instead, focus on demonstrating your value to the restaurant’s bottom line by increasing patron satisfaction and encouraging repeat business.

Managing Performance Time

Limit your time at each table to about 3-5 minutes, ensuring you leave patrons wanting more. This approach not only keeps the energy high but also helps in maintaining the restaurant’s table turnover rate, which is crucial for the business.

Table-hopping is a challenging yet highly rewarding form of magical entertainment. By focusing on the patrons’ experience, selecting the right tricks, and building strong relationships with the restaurant staff, you can create memorable performances that benefit both you and the establishment. Remember, the key to success in table-hopping is making each performance about the patrons and ensuring they leave with a smile, ready to return for more.

For more detailed strategies, tricks, and professional insights, Paul A. Lelekis’s e-book offers a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of table-hopping. Paul A. Lelekis, a seasoned magician with over 25 years of experience, shares invaluable insights and strategies for succeeding in this field.

I Don’t Want to Be a Magician. Should I feel Guilty?

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

By Johnny Royall

Does everyone who learns magic, have to want to be a magician?

I spoke to a magician the other day and she told me that she loved practicing magic and buying new magic tricks, but didn’t think she will ever perform for the public. She then asked “Should I feel guilty not doing anything more with it?”.

It’s fine for magic just to be a fun hobby; you don’t need to feel guilty. Whether it be playing a musical instrument, craftwork or even collecting stamps, magic can simply be something for yourself to enjoy. If you like messing around with a deck of cards or practicing the nuances of difficult sleights, there are no rules that determine that performing professionally for audiences is a requisite end goal. In fact, when I was younger, magic was always something that was my own little secret world that almost felt like a superpower!

There are more reasons to learn magic than performance but even just having the courage to show your mum and dad a trick, or your friends as well, can be very rewarding. It definitely gave me the confidence that I needed to socialise more and was a great way of connecting with other people. But that doesn’t mean that I am wasting my skills by not performing magic professionally.

For some, the thrill of learning is reward enough. I love puzzles, and whenever I see a new effect, I try to see if I can work out how something so apparently impossible is happening. In learning the secret, it generates a great feeling if correct, but often an even greater one if what’s actually happening is far more ingenious than I could ever have imagined.

Many people study the theory and history of magic such is the intrigue of those bygone years. Like any historical era there’s a fascination in the time and the place. Magic can reflect the political and social events of the day. It’s interesting to see how magic was regarded around the turn of the century when the world was experiencing the massive leap forward that came with the boom of the industrial and scientific changes being implemented. That magic as an art form was continuing to amaze and astound in this new age where anything was becoming possible, is a testament to its power to entertain, enlighten and subsequently inspire. Compare that to today and the current resurgence we are seeing on our screens and theatres, and it’s clear that the audiences of the 21st century are as transfixed and open to astonishment as they ever have been.

Some people choose to collect magic or playing cards, and there’s nothing like discovering a forgotten treasure in a dusty corner of some old beleaguered shop. Perhaps an old children’s magic set that you know once held such wonderment to its recipient. Vintage playing cards also possess that kind of charm as well. Like an old book from decades ago; the colours and texture are now faded but it still ‘breathes’ that mystery.

For the last few years, designer bicycle playing cards have become more ubiquitous than ever. The artwork and imagination on some of these are amazing and demonstrate the wonderful creativity that is flourishing within the magic community. Like the collectables of old, toy figures still kept pristine in their boxes, some decks aren’t meant to be played with..

Ultimately, magic is something that gives back whatever you are prepared to put into it and whatever you want from it. Be that as a cool little fun thing you keep to yourself, or as a way to communicate and give someone a special moment of wonder. So long as you respect it, in the end, it doesn’t matter which path you choose, it only counts that you enjoyed the journey.