After more than 40 years of performing magic, I've realised that the tricks aren't really the most interesting part.
I perform magic with people.
That might sound like I'm being unnecessarily clever with words.
After all, I've been a professional magician for more than 30 years. I've performed at weddings, parties, corporate events, dinners and celebrations. I've stood in hundreds of rooms, walked up to thousands of people and said something along the lines of, "Would you like to see something?"
But over the years, I've realised something.
The magic isn't really the important part.
The Strange Thing About Being a Magician
When people discover what I do for a living, one of the first things they usually say is:
"Go on then. Do a trick."
It's understandable.
That's what a magician does, isn't it?
Cards appear. Coins disappear. Minds are supposedly read. Things happen that shouldn't happen.
But after performing professionally for so many years, I've become much more interested in what happens around the magic.
The person who initially refuses to take part.
The person who is absolutely convinced they know how it works.
The quiet person standing at the edge of the group who suddenly becomes the centre of attention.
The couple who have never met before but are suddenly laughing together because something impossible has just happened in front of them.
Those moments interest me just as much as the trick itself.
Sometimes, considerably more.
I've Learned That People Are Far More Interesting Than Tricks
A magician spends a lot of time watching people.
Not in a sinister way.
It's part of the job.
When I approach a group, I have to work out whether they want to see some magic.
Are they in the middle of an important conversation?
Are they relaxed?
Are they enjoying themselves?
Is somebody desperately trying to escape because they've spotted the magician coming?
And yes, there are people who see me approaching and immediately say:
"Don't pick me."
I haven't even asked them anything yet.
I've always found that fascinating.
Because usually, I haven't come to embarrass anyone.
Quite the opposite.
I'm there to give them a few minutes where something completely unexpected happens.
The Person Who Says "I Don't Like Magic"
I've met plenty of people who tell me they don't like magic.
And that's absolutely fine.
I'm not going to try to convince them otherwise.
But occasionally, something interesting happens.
They watch a friend take part.
They see something happen right in front of them.
They start watching a little more closely.
Then they ask a question.
Then another.
And eventually, they're involved.
I think what has changed isn't necessarily their opinion of magic.
It's their curiosity.
And curiosity is one of the most wonderful things about people.
What Happens In The Seconds Before The Magic?
This is probably one of the things audiences don't see.
There's a moment just before something impossible happens.
From the audience's point of view, it might only last a second.
From my point of view, there's a lot going on.
Someone has decided to take part.
They're wondering whether I've chosen them for a reason.
Their friends are watching.
Someone is already trying to work out what I'm going to do.
Someone else is laughing before anything has happened.
Then the moment arrives.
And for a brief second, everybody is experiencing exactly the same thing.
They don't know what has happened.
They just know that something has.
That's the bit I love.
Magic Is Really About Trust
Think about what I ask someone to do.
I might hand them a deck of cards and ask them to choose one.
I might ask them to hold something.
I might ask them to make a decision that appears completely insignificant.
And they do it.
Why?
Because for those few minutes, they trust me.
That's quite an extraordinary thing when you think about it.
I'm a stranger who has walked over to their table.
Yet within moments, we're doing something together.
That's why I think close-up magic works particularly well when people are gathered together.
It's not a performance happening at them.
It's something happening between us.
The Trick Is Only Half The Story
A good magic trick can be remembered.
But I think people remember something else as well.
They remember who they were standing with.
They remember the look on their friend's face.
They remember the person who was convinced they knew exactly what was happening.
They remember the moment everybody shouted at once.
They remember laughing.
And sometimes they remember absolutely nothing about the method of the trick.
That's probably just as well.
After 40 Years, I've Stopped Worrying About Fooling Everyone
When I first started performing, I was fascinated by the mechanics of magic.
How can I make this work?
How can I make that disappear?
How can I make the illusion stronger?
Those things still fascinate me.
But after decades of performing, I've realised that fooling someone isn't really the ultimate goal.
Creating a moment is.
A moment where someone forgets about their phone.
A moment where strangers start talking to one another.
A moment where somebody laughs so hard they can't explain what just happened.
A moment where an entire table is suddenly watching the same thing.
That's much more interesting to me than simply making somebody say:
"How did you do that?"
So, What Do I Actually Do?
Yes, I'm a magician.
I perform at weddings.
I perform at parties.
I perform at corporate events.
I perform at dinners and celebrations.
But those are the occasions.
They're not really what I do.
What I do is walk into a room full of people I've never met and try to create a few moments they'll still be talking about after I've gone.
Sometimes that's through a deck of cards.
Sometimes it's through a borrowed object.
Sometimes it's through something happening in someone's own hands.
And sometimes it's simply through making people laugh.
The magic is the excuse.
The people are the point.
And after more than 40 years of doing this, I still think that's the most magical part of all.
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Why Hiring a Magician for Your Wedding, Party or Event Might Be the Best Decision You Make This Year
