Close-up magic, also known as table magic or mix-and-mingle magic, is magic performed right next to the audience. No stage, no scenery, no distance. The tricks happen in the guests’ own hands, with their own things, half a metre from their eyes. It is the kind of magic people find hardest to explain afterwards.
What is close-up magic?
With close-up magic, the magician moves among the guests and performs for small groups of 3–10 people at a time. Playing cards, coins, rings, banknotes and borrowed objects such as a bunch of keys or a mobile phone are typically used. Each little “set” lasts a few minutes, after which the magician moves on to the next group.
Because everything happens so close, it has an even stronger effect than on a stage. When a card you have signed yourself turns up in an impossible place, there are no mirrors or lights to blame.
When is close-up magic the right choice?
Close-up magic is particularly good in the parts of a party where people stand or sit in smaller groups:
- Welcome drinks and receptions. When guests arrive and do not know each other, the magic gives them something to gather around.
- Between the courses. At weddings and milestone birthdays, the magic fills the breaks where the mood might otherwise drop.
- Trade fairs and conferences. A magician at the stand draws people in and gives you a natural reason to talk to them.
- Corporate parties in restaurants. There is rarely room for a stage, but there is always room at the tables.
Close-up magic or stage show?
The two forms complement each other. A stage show brings everyone together around the same experience and gives a shared laugh. Close-up magic gives each individual guest a personal experience. For many family parties I therefore recommend a combination: a short show that brings the whole party together, followed by 30–45 minutes of close-up magic at the tables.
How many guests I can get round to depends on the time and the layout. For larger parties, we plan together which tables or areas I should focus on.
What makes good close-up magic?
The guest is the star
The best close-up trick happens in the guest’s own hand. When you are the one holding the card as it changes, the experience becomes yours, and that is the story you go on to tell.
Humour rather than showing off
Nobody wants to watch someone who is just showing how clever they are. Good table magic is relaxed and fun, and it makes even the sceptics laugh. Humour has been my common thread ever since I competed at the World Championships of Magic in the comedy magic category.
Respect for the mood
An experienced magician can see whether a table is ready for magic or in the middle of an important conversation. It is about giving energy, not about interrupting.
Close-up magic for weddings
At weddings there are often long breaks: while the bride and groom are being photographed, while the party moves to another room, or while the kitchen is getting ready. Close-up magic fills those gaps in a way that suits an elegant day. Read more about wedding entertainment with a magician.
Practical questions
Does close-up magic require any equipment?
No. I have everything with me in my pockets. All that is needed is enough light for the guests to see what is happening.
Can it be performed in English?
Yes. I perform magic in both Danish and English, and it works well with a mixed audience.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, but for children a stage show, where everyone can sit together and join in, is usually better. See magician for children.
Would you like close-up magic at your next party or corporate event? Call +45 22 32 19 52 or get a no-obligation quote. If you are curious about the price, read how much a magician costs.