Welcome to the close up magic guide. If you are looking to hire a close up magician London event planners trust you are in the right place. On this guide you can find booking tips, browse different performance formats and more.

We all have been that guest at a dull party who is plotting an early departure. So as a good host or event planner, you have a challenge: to be sure your guests are happy they decided to come. One way is to give them a special experience they will remember. Then you will be the host who gets thank you cards and texts saying what a wonderful occasion it was. Close up magic is a brilliant way to help you do exactly that.

WHAT IS CLOSE UP MAGIC?
Close up magic is small-scale interactive magic that is performed for small groups, usually between three and six guests at a time. Each group's close up magic interaction lasts about 6-8 minutes. (If you prefer a shared experience for everyone to watch together, check out the magic shows instead.)

WHAT ARE ITS ADVANTAGES?
The main advantages of close up magic are that it can also work flexibly around what else you have planned. This could be a drinks reception or at tables between courses. In a drinks or dinner scenario, it is a great topic of conversation for your guests who have just met.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR IT?
Close up magic is best early in the event to help kick things off. It should be wrapped up by the time a band or DJ kick off.

If you want to give close up magic to your guests as a special experience, your next step is to find the right magician for your event. Here are some factors to consider as you compare your options:

EXPERIENCE
A great close up magician is more than someone who knows a few ‘tricks.’ Hire someone who has years of experience.  That means they know what it really takes to make magic unforgettable. A magician with experience will hear what you have in mind, give you the best advice for your unique situation and deliver the wow factor you are after. Do not risk booking someone who is still learning the ropes.

CREDENTIALS
Book a full-time professional. That means you hire someone who has dedicated their life to the art of magic. They have nothing to fall back on if the show does not go well. That usually means you will get a better show and more a professional exchange. Make sure they are endorsed by The Magic Circle. Confirm that they are an Equity member with professional liability insurance. Read about their training and biography. Check their client testimonials.

RAPPORT
The magician him or herself is the single biggest factor in your booking being a success or not. A close up magician interacts closely with your guests. The audience must feel comfortable and in good hands. Watch the magician’s videos to get a sense of their personality. Look out in client testimonials especially for this detail. If all you can see is ‘they were amazing,’ you only have half the story.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
This rule holds true for everything. If you cut corners on price, the chances increase that you will ‘pay’ in other ways. This means you are more likely to book a no-show or be otherwise disappointed by what you get.

There are three different formats of close up magic available. If you are not sure which format would be best for your event, just get in touch for a bit of advice.

CLASSIC
Classic close up magic format works its way around whatever else you have planned. This could be reception drinks or between courses at dinner.

INTIMATE
The Intimate format adds intrigue. It takes place in a 'magic room' where small groups go in to have an exclusive 'command' performance.

DELUXE
The Deluxe format is when Christopher's comical alter ego Norvil sweeps through the party performing with his two amazing vedettes.

This site has a magic blog called ‘Magic in the Round.’ The posts relevant to close up magic are listed below. Each article touches on different aspects of the field…

MASTER OF MYSTERY
Eugene Burger is widely regarded as one of the most influential close up magicians of the last century. This article posted after his death in 2017 explores how it was to study magic with him and looks at the legacy he left for magicians today.
‍Read more about Eugene Burger.

YOUNG MAGICIANS TRIUMPH
One of the most outstanding projects in magic worldwide is ‘Breathe Magic’ by Breathe Arts Health Research in the UK. It teaches close up magic as occupational therapy to children with a physical condition called hemiplegia.
‍Read more about Breathe Magic.