Corporate event entertainment
“Will you come to our corporate event and do your close up magic around the tables after the dinner?”
“Nooooooooo!”
I have performed magic at many hundreds of corporate events, weddings and private parties. Every sit-down event follows a similar format:
The gathering period – usually a drinks reception lasting 30 – 60 minutes.
The sitting down period – guests split up into groups (of usually 10-12 people) to sit down and partake in a meal.
The sitting/wandering period – after the meal/speeches/awards some guests will get up and walk around; some will partake in casino games or other such activities; some stay seated where they are.
I have been booked as a walk around close up magician for after-dinner entertainment. It doesn’t work for two main reasons.
1. I sell my services as a magician with the emphasis on the atmosphere I create and the experience people receive. It is hard to create an atmosphere among people who do not know each other when it is towards the end of an event.
2. Guests are taking part in several other activities i.e. dancing, casinos, video games, drinking. With so much other entertainment at the same time, makes it very difficult to entertain everyone at the event.
The entertainment at a corporate event or private party should be structured to fit in with the flow of your event. It’s never good to have too much going on at once, fighting for attention in the room. When the loud music kicks in after the dinner, don’t book a close up magician to go round the tables to entertain those who don’t want to get up and dance.
While walkaround magic is not suitable for after-dinner entertainment, if you are looking for entertainment during this period then I highly recommend The Mystery Zone. This is a different style and format for close up magic. For more information about The Mystery Zone, click here.