Spotlight on magic

 

When we think of magic – it’s easy to think of the mystical world of witches and the paranormal.   In the corporate entertainment space the corporate magician is really more of an illusionist focussed on entertaining audiences by performing tricks and creating illusions.  The corporate magician is a professional performer with a wide repertoire of skills able to be tailored depending on the type of event.

For corporate magic events where the corporate magician is the key entertainer, the event is likely to be structured around a set performance time.  Unbeknown to guests, the corporate magician will generally have been mingling with the guests in the preamble to the main performance.  This helps the corporate magician observe ideal candidates who will be targeted in the show. In addition many magicians are masters at picking pockets. Small items may be pocketed and used as part of the performance.
                                                                                                         
In events where the magic show is the focus, much like street shows the focus will be on audience participation – usually with 2-3 participants playing a supporting role in the performance.  Experienced performers will have several tricks that make up the complete performance.  Generally the commentary will be subtly linked to the host company, executives and the product or service the company offers.  The corporate magician will also be finely tuned to the level of audience enjoyment ready to change the focus or increase the tempo where audience interest wanes.  As with street shows where the money offered as a donation is directly correlated to enjoyment, word of mouth is a strong influencer in future events which a magician has the opportunity to participate at. In these corporate events will largely be made up of cabaret magic or table magic.
Cabaret magic is generally performed in a stage type environment to large audiences. It is illusion based magic that uses large props, skills, ropes, and sometimes even rabbits. The most popular examples are the disappearing assistant and sawing a person in half. Table magic tends to be in smaller groups where the audience can be close to the corporate magician and is object based illusions using cards, balls, money and often audience possessions.
Alternatively the role of the corporate magician may be as a general performer, providing ancillary entertainment during pre dinner canapés like the new and modern alternative to the string quartet. This performance tends to be more in the background and may include table magic, stilt walkers, fire throwers and other activities usually seen during street shows.

The corporate magician also has a role to play as a family entertainer.  In particular there is a growing market in children’s magic which largely focuses on comedy.  This magic is often performed at birthday parties or school events.  Illusion based tricks will be complemented by balloon art and face painting.

Hollywood movies such as the Prestige and the Illusionist have bought the intrigue and curiosity of magic to the forefront of people’s minds and increase the popularity of corporate magicians and corporate magic events.

 

 

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