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I have concentrated on card magic, with some coin added in for variety. I perform only for small groups of friends and family.

However, I have an opportunity to do a few private shows for small groups (40-50)--but tricks like McDonald's Aces etc. just won't work with a larger group!

Clearly I can't justify purchasing expensive props, but I am sure that the clever folk on the forum have some good ideas. For example, I just ordered a set of DLites, which I think might be a good start.

So my first question is: Any other suggestions?

Forgive my rambling, but I saw a magician perform the ID in front of 800 people--but I can't recall how he amazed an audience of 800, when only two or three volunteers on stage could confirm his revelation.

So my second question is: Any advice on using my collection of card tricks for a larger crowd?

Card productions, if you want to stick with cards.

Rope stuff (cut and restored, etc.)

Zombie ball

Cups and Balls

Linking Rings

TerryC wrote: but I saw a magician perform the ID in front of 800 people--but I can't recall how he amazed an audience of 800, when only two or three volunteers on stage could confirm his revelation.

So my second question is: Any advice on using my collection of card tricks for a larger crowd?

Many magicians have used the regular and jumbo version of ID for stage shows, i used to use the jumbo version myself. You can do some really good card effects with the giant cards and prices are really coming down. I purchased a giant deck for £10.00. And you can use regular cards, effects like cards across are ideal for the larger crowd.

sleightlycrazy wrote:
Card productions, if you want to stick with cards.

Linking Rings

Sorry to differ, but I strongly disagree with slightlycrazy and find this suggestion more than slightly crazy

Why introduce some entirely new magic that takes quite a lot of practice to do well. It is very important that the magic you perform is magic that you are comfortable with and have already tested in performance situations .

My advise is almost the opposite of what slightly crazy suggest. TerryC stick to what you do well, but try to find ways so the crowd can see. What is the set up? If it is a dinner situation I suggest you first show them one general effect (and maybe include a few gags depending on your style). I suggest that you then do some table hopping afterwards.

My best advise is that you stick to the tried and tested, but choose the best general setup that you are most comfortable with, and focus mainly on changing the presentation so it suits the performance situation.

If you are a good and confident public speaker you might
start telling them a short story and link it to magic, but if this is not your strength try something else.

If Macdonald's aces is an effect you are comfortable with and can do in your sleep, and you do not have that much else on your current repertoire you might decide to arrange the setup and still do MacDonalds aces for the crowd! If you do it well and are comfortable, you can still do this effect but might change it the following way:

Instead of having the spectator hold the ace and three indifferent cards under his hand ask the spectator to put the cards in the box.

After he has closed the box ask the spectator how many of the four aces are now the table? Do not rush it. Make sure every one understand there are 3 aces on the table and one ace in the box. You might (or might not) ask the crown to repeat: One ace in the box - thee aces on the table . Ask the spectator to go to the opposite corner of the room. Try to make it dramatic. Ask him to stand on a table so all can see. Also I would suggest that the spectator all the time holds the card box in straight arm high over his head. Explain him this is important since some might suspect he is an accomplished and that he might change the content of the box. It also ensures that he does not try to steal the show by opening the box prematurely. You might ask the crowd to repeat: one ace in the box, three on the table . Then you let the aces disappear and fly to the box.

I suggest you do the routines you are most comfortable with, but think of ways to enhance the dramatic effect and utilize the general performance situation.

In general its important that the pace is a bit slower than if you did the effect close up.

Something with fire!

But if you dont' want to burn the house down (literally ) I think big scarves and ropes would do just fine.

Take a look at Far Sight by Devin Knight

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic13790.php

This can work well in your situation with some good presentation skills.

TerryC wrote:Forgive my rambling, but I saw a magician perform the ID in front of 800 people--but I can't recall how he amazed an audience of 800, when only two or three volunteers on stage could confirm his revelation.

It's very common for stage performers to do this, especially in mentalism. A small group of 40-50 is 'cabaret' sized. I'd say that most card tricks work perfectly well for an audience like that. However, you haven't said what sort of show it would be, and there might be something about the set-up or venue that makes a regular card trick impossible.

I think Soren's post contains excellent advice on improving visibility (and on not doing something totally different from what you have mastered).

Another possibility is to use 'high vision' cards. Bicycle cards, and a few other makes are available with jumbo indexes (the cards are the same size as usual). They are meant to help people with bad eyesight, or to make sure people don't accidentally mess up a game of Texas Hold'em after a long night of playing cards! "Damn, I was sure that was a spade."

... Sorry...

I was just trying to think of routines for medium sized audiences that most close up people (meaning me...) are familiar with.

I agree that doing the linking rings without serious practice and rehearsal is a bad idea. To be totally honest, I was hesitant to include it in the list.

Doing material that's comfortable should be a priority.


Actually, I wasn't suggesting that TerryC should learn all or any of the routines I listed. It was to give an idea of 'bigger' tricks that worked through relatively basic sleight of hand. Not knowing TerryC's style or specialty, I just splattered a range of effects.

Not that Ive ever done it but my 2 pence would be
Cups and balls and rope!!

I did two performances over the weekend for audiences of about that size and did a rope routine, based roughly on Tabary's 3 rope routine and a sponge ball misers dream which both went really well.

You should try some of the fibre optics routine by Richard Sanders. It is a highly visual rope routine and its methods are genius. It gets an amazing reaction and is perfect for what you are doing.

soren said it best so I will just confirm that you can easily do ID or MacDonalds aces for large crowds you just have to know how to work the crowd.

Cards Across comes to mind for a stage performance with a deck. Plus if you stick to waht you know(cards) you should come accross a lot more fluent as many of the others have said. That said, Ive never performed to 40-50 people, but recognise this trick as one worth performing to larger groups.

For larger shows, visibility is key. However - that's not to say everything has to be jumbo sized. Visibility can also be attained with clarity of routining.

For instance - the Tossed out Deck is an incredible stage effect using a regular pack of playing cards. I would recommend it to anyone doing a stage show.

Richard Osterlind's Radar Deck is perfect for a group venue (I'm not sure a large audience, but your size would work).

The McCombical Prediction routine is a great effect, too. It's also offered in jumbo size, to make it more visible. Also, once you know the principle behind it, it can be adapted to even larger, more visual demonstrations (as one very famous magician has done).

I strongly agree with Soren - adapt what you know - don't try to learn something quickly and perform it (badly) on stage. It should also be noted that McDonald's Aces CAN be performed in the traditional way for a large audience. David Copperfield did it in front of thousands. Granted, you may not have access to a camera crew and screen for a large audience, but it can be done. Soren's idea works very nicely, and would be a killer.

I'd like to get a better sense of what you know. Can you possibly list some of your favorite card/coin/whatever routines that you perform on a regular basis? Here on in a pm is fine - I just think it's easier to see what we're working with before we can give advice on what you should perform.

I have done a few shows with that amount of people but as my shows are more of a Bizarre/Mental act it might be hard to give you any specific advice,
I Do agree Tossed out deck
Osterlinds Radar Deck

Or my fave People Across