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Hi everyone,

I have recently been asked by a family member to perform some close up / table magic for an upcoming family event for about 50 people. This will not be a cabaret style event, but a strolling act for the individual tables of which there will be around 8 tables.

I was hoping for some friendly advice, in particular, relating to length of time to spend at each table, how many tricks, how varied should the routines be from table to table etc.

I appreciate that the routines should have a quick trick / attention grabber for an opener, followed by a middle building up to a climactic end, but any help or advice would be most appreciated!

Many thanks in advance,

Stuart

I do about 2 to 5 minutes at each table and about 3 tricks. Some people say you need a big show stopper others says let them want more I am of the wanting more thinking. Unless you really want to impress then a big ol show stopper is what you need. One thing though learn something with business cards if you got them.

Thanks very much for the speedy response!

How varied would you make your tricks be from table to table, or would you repeat for each one?

Regards,

Stuart

Well you have about 12 tricks and then you cycle through them, So two tables next to each dont get the same tricks. Because if people on table B are watching table A then table B has allready seen it. When you go there although if you got a niffty rope routine and can stand between tables and get some one from one table to take part then the other table.

2 to five minutes isn;t long enough. You'll bartely get one trick out per table!

Firstly, as this is a family gathering the pressure is off as it will not be like a normal commercial table hopping routine where you would perform around 12 minutes per table, depending on the number of tables and the time that you've been booked for.

Normally you would have between 9 and 12 effects but in this instance you could push the boat out and experiment with a few more, perhaps taking a break to swap over for a whole new set of routines if you choose to and have enough tricks in your repetoire. Remember that you need a tight performance on each though.

Above all, have fun as there isn;t anywhere near the same pressure as performing to a hall full of strangers and as you said, they are family and although you will still want to make a great impression, you can afford to make the occasional slip without receiving any criticism.

Woops I ment, what dat said. About time

I tend to go for 5 tricks in a routine which is about 15 minutes. Sometimes this is too long so I'll cut it short.

I have 3 card routines which I cycle through and 1 mental routine involving some PK and mind reading which I sometimes throw in to spice things up a little.

My first trick is usally something intereactive so I can get to know the spectators and they can get to know me. I find that is a great way to ease my nerves as well.

I normally do 4-5 tricks and around 6-8 minutes. To be honest the time at each table depends a lot on how many tables there are to get around (and sometimes as to how well it is going at each table)

Markdini's advice is sound: have a bank of tricks in your repertoire, and use 3 maybe four of them per-table, lasting around 10 minutes.

Depending on the type of effects, 10 minutes can go quite quickly. But remember, even if things go really well, try and move around and don't dwell too long in one place.

All sound advice.....they key is everyone's advice is different, yet correct....you need to be somewhat fluid to the situation, number of people, reactions, number of tables, time, and anything else that can impact the performance.

I personally have a 6-8 minute range set to go, and then surround it with a variety of misc. effects that can be thrown in as an encore, to extend a specific tables performance, or to show new effects for those watching at more than one table......

I personally do 6-8 mins and take about 8 tricks with me. I usually only perform about 4 of them per table. I dont really change tricks unless the tables are quite close then you might have to depending on the trick. Sometimes i might change one or two of the tricks on a different table depending on the spectators and my moods. It really all depends on how many tables you have to do thoe if theres only 8 tables and you have got to do 2 and a half hours then obviously 6-8 minutes isnt going to be enough so youll have to adjust really. If i was you i would ask how many tables there is going to be then adjust the times accordingly and always take a couple more tricks than your going to use just in case.