First, what is close-up magic?

Close-up magic happens right in front of the audience, it is magic people can not only see but feel and touch. This intimacy is what makes it such a unique form of entertainment and so different from stage and cabaret magic.

Close-up magic involves more audience participation than almost any other form of entertainment – the audience is right next to and directly involved with the performance of the magician.

What props does a close-up magician use?

Close-up magicians use small and relatively normal props such as playing cards, coins, sponge balls and rope. When performing in restaurants and during banquets, magicians often use objects found on the tables, such as napkins and glasses.

Like stage magicians, close-up magicians make the same kinds of impossible things happen with these props; they change, appear, disappear, levitate, break and restore, and penetrate other objects.

What makes close-up magic so astonishing is that it all happens right next to the audience, sometimes while people are actually holding the props!

Common Close-Up Magic Effects

There are many common close-up magic effects. (Magicians tend not to use the word ‘trick’ as it suggests trying to be clever and ‘get one over’ on the audience. Good magicians try to entertain the audience).

The ‘Ambitious Card’ is a card effect where a chosen card repeatedly rises to the top of a deck of cards even though it is lost in the middle, and without the cards being shuffled or cut.

The ‘Sponge Balls’ is an effect where balls appear and disappear. Usually this involves someone in the audience and the balls suddenly appear in their hands, or even magically multiply.

Effects like these are easy to learn if you are willing to put in some effort. Anyone can search the internet and find books or DVDs that explain how to perform close-up magic, or even buy the props and standard routines.

What makes a good close-up magician?

What makes one magician better than another is the presentation they use. This is the key – presentation is what makes close-up magic entertaining. Top professional close-up magicians create their own unique magical style with an emphasis on entertaining the audience.

Good close-up magic can be funny, mysterious, surprising, and even thought provoking. More than anything, it is entertaining.

Where can you see close-up magic?

Close-up magic is a popular form of entertainment at many events because it is so versatile. You will see close-up magicians performing at weddings, parties, corporate events, trade shows, banquets, dinners and in the street – anywhere where there are people!

A close-up magician carries props with him or borrows them from the audience. He doesn’t need access to a power supply or public address system, or a stage. He just mingles with guests and provides the most unique form of entertainment – close-up magic.

Written by Dan Gifford, a professional close-up magician based in Leicester, England. Dan performs close-up magic throughout the UK at parties, weddings, corporate events and trade shows.