I generally recommend hiring a magician for a birthday party when the children are aged 5 to 9 years old. However I have performed for all age groups.

Just as there is different music for different age groups, there are different magic tricks and routines that suit different age groups.

Children respond differently as they grow up.

One and two year olds: the whole world is magic. They are absorbing information at a very fast rate, learning all about the world we live in. Their interest in things they see will be determined by colour, sound, smell, taste, and will not be longer than a minute or two. They love seeing the bunny rabbit, and some of the more visual tricks with colourful props. However I recommend waiting a few years before having a magic show for this age group.

Three and four year olds: These children’s characters are starting to take shape. At this age children have a high level of understanding of social customs and acceptable behavior, but still learning. Performers who perform for this age group should not be absurdly loud or over the top. At least not at the beginning. The words have to be easy to understand, and the more entertaining tricks may not be the ones that are technically amazing. Three and 4 year olds get a kick out of seeing the performer getting startled by a sound coming out of the box of tricks. Another favourite for this age group is a misbehaving wand, that either falls apart, jumps around, or even melts whenever the magician looks away.

Five to eight year olds: This is the age when children are already gertting “worldly-wise” and are right into the type of humour and entertainment that you get in a magic show. They’ll be able to follow even more intricately constructed routines. Children at this age are very adept at reading intent, so this makes for great interaction as they play the game of wits against the performer. A seasoned birthday party performer will be aware of the game and will not attempt to argue with this audience but works the retorts into the routine to get production value out of it.

What about a mixed audience comprised of adults and children?

If you don’t want such a little kiddy show perhaps the “Tom Stevens Magic Show” is more what you’re after. See Tom’s other website about his magic shows at www.tomstevens.com.au

Preparing for this type of gig is a bit tricky as I have to decide what to pack. My goal is to bring enough variety without having to haul too much gear. Sometimes part of the aucience may stick around for hours.

I suppose it’s usually the case, from experience I have found that 15 to 20 % of the audience often sees more than one perfomance. Either by coming back immediately for my next show, or by dropping by again later after they’ve toured the grounds and decided to watch another one of my shows.

Even though a good routine can stand the scrutiny of an audience seeing a repeat performance, I think it’s good value for the audience to see some new material. I had a super spot to set up, and used my ultra sturdy piano stand and the table top I modified from the one I bought from Red Hill magician Brendan Croft.

Now you see it...Now you still see it.. Hmmm..Let me just check the manual...

Close up magic.

I found that setting up a table to perform close-up magic is the best way to make it work. If I would have to walk around when booked as a roving performer doing magic tricks, well, this presents specific challenges which limit the variety that can be included in the performance. So even this is classed as roving magic, I am actually stationary.

Having a sturdy table is very important, since children always lean on the table, with all their strength, too, it seems.

To date I have built 8 different tables for close up magic, but the $39 fold up table I got at O f f i c e W o r k s is just the thing needed to handle the weight.

Here I am at HiSense Arena at a Camp Australia event.

I mean look at these kids pressing on the table. You’d think they were trying to sink it!

Close Up Magic Side Show by Tip Top Tom

Magic is one of the art forms which has its own unique place in our world. Phrases such as “Aces up his sleeve”, “pull a rabbit from his hat” and referring to something wonderful as “magical” are firmly entrenched in our vocabulary.

And yet the opportunity for anyone to actually see a real skilled magic performance is rare.

The children who do get to see a good magic show may benefit in more ways than the immediate enjoyment derived from being in the audience at such an exciting event.

First and foremost benefit emphasised: an increased interest in reading.  

As a magician with over 1,300 performances I can tell you that demonstrating the impossible will immediately have the audience exclaiming: “How did you do that!”

Even though a magician needs to keep the audience in awe by not disclosing the secrets, and many cheeky answers will deflect the question, I still like to emphasise the secrets can be found by reading many books. This reinforces the idea in their minds that there are many great things to be discovered in the world of books. When I performed for the City Museum (Old Treasury) exhibition Hocus Pocus, in 2007 and 2008, I was able to perform alongside a veteran magician who designed many Silver Circus illusions, Ross Skiffington. He told me that books are by far the superior source for knowledge building. Superior to audio-visual products as these are only interpretations of the book knowledge. He was adamant that one should not skip those books which lack illustrations as the process of reading and carefully following the technical descriptions in one’s mind is the perfect brain training for improving one’s creativity.

Second benefit in my list: stimulate their curiosity to explore the world.

One of the lessons that many of us slowly learn is that many things in the world are not totally as they appear. In every discipline, from science to history to agriculture, not to mention politics, perspective can often determine how a conclusion is reached. This idea of perspective is perfectly demonstrated in a magic show where seemingly impossible conclusions are derived from the audience’s perspective. The development of a person’s ability to discern between something credible and that which is not credible can be clearly noted the more opportunity they have to see a live demonstration of a skilled magic trickster.

To find oneself totally convinced of an impossibility could prove to be a catalyst, making one reassess how we have formed the parameters we find comfortable, and adding the little spark of curiosity that will expand our thinking. And who can deny that a person who feels genuine curiosity within any topic will go the extra length to discover more, and as a result learn more, possibly even notice new things and bring an original contribution to the world.

A third and very interesting benefit, from my perspective: shy children find a hobby.

As a member of the Australian Society of Magicians and also having previously served as the society’s secretary (2006 & 2007) I have had the opportunity to speak with many professional magicians and also magicians who are hobbyists. Among the many varied motivations people had for beginning their development as magicians I found many who confided in me that they were initially lacking in confidence. They began to learn how to perform magic tricks in order to overcome their shyness. Magic has to be shown to a second party for it to be validated. A shy child may learn magic tricks and in demonstrating these to his audience of friends and family may discover a way to become “awesome”, giving them a marvelous confidence boost.

A fourth benefit: a highlight to look forward to.

Anticipation can be a huge part of the enjoyment of any activity. Life is comprised of highs and lows. We appreciate health when we have been sick. We appreciate light after having had a power cut. However, an inordinate amount of lows can result in unwelcome physiological and psychological states. By organizing a fun event such as a magic show we have the opportunity to orchestrate a high-point. Yet time wise this high point extends far before the actual event as the knowledge that it will occur creates anticipation. This anticipation of an enjoyable activity will already create better moods, sometimes in equal amount as the activity itself.

The link to it is included with every response to enquiries I send out, ever since 2007, and I’ve gotten only positive feedback. The ideas in it are gleaned from my experience. From the many parties I go to I am glad to be able to contribute to someone’s party flowing smoothly.

The information in “How To Prepare For a Great Birthday Party” complements the “Hints, Tips and Suggestions” I include in my confirmation email, which are more specific to having a performer. I have been using the “Hints, Tips and Suggestions” in my confirmation email since 2004 and it makes a huge difference to everything working smoothly.

My e-book talks a little bit about the order of events, but I am not too firm on if it’s better to have the show first and food after or not. I do think it works very well to have the show first and food after, however

I have been in touch with a magician on the other side of the world (UK) who is quite adamant that it should be food first and show after. He finds that the kids settle down after having something to eat.

I find that when the show comes first the kids aren’t as distracted during my show with remnants of food, drinks and sticky fingers.

It takes me 4 or 5 trips back and forth between the car and the venue to unload all my gear.

If I could come up with a more compact design for my show I would do it. But my set up works. I have never been given a space too small to perform in, even though last night’s show in the function room of the Nunawading Indoor Rock Climbing. was cutting it really close.

Tip Top Tom's Magic Show Setup

For me cost is derived from a calculated combination algorhythm of effort exerted (E), anticipated effort involved (EI) and preparation time (PT) plus time spent at venue (V). Location (L) factors only slightly, and demand (D) for any particular date and materials used (M) also play a minor role. Here is my pseudo-wiz calculation:
(E*110% / EI*120%) + (V*variable1)+ (PT/1.7)+ M + (L/.08 + D:4.6)

If you read that carefully you’ll notice that I put in more effort than is expected.

As I have heard some marketers say, Under-promise and Over-deliver.

Julian Franklin, a Texas magician who is always bristling with good ideas, came here to Australia in August 2009 and whose lecture I attended suggests to Over Promise and Over Deliver. While this is an interesting headline and makes for a new take on the Under-promise and Over-deliver credo, it can’t make sense to over promise and over deliver, unless you end up surprising yourself with how excellent your performance is after having over-promised what you bring to the table.

It is important for the client to get a good idea of what you can offer, so under-promising may leave the wrong impression, when you are actually much better than that.

So my take on the whole thing is this: Be direct and clear and then surprise them by looking better than you sound.

Tip Top Tom's Magic show February - 2009 - Mirror in background

Last weekend I was faced with just such an arrangement and fortunately everything went well. However even if there is nothing the audience can see in the mirror, a mirror is still a distraction and this scenario is best avoided.

Troy Piccone and I have created a comedy show which includes: Juggling, a ladder. very very advanced Coin tricks, a clarinet, and a guitar, dove and a rabbit, and magic tricks using coat hangers.

One of the attendees approached me after the show and excitedly told me that I had performed at her son’s birthday 3 years ago! She said “Wow, look at you now, performing for the convention!”

This was funny because I didn’t see myself as being any different whether on stage of performing for a 3 year old’s party.

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