3 minute read Bert Allerton’s second rule for close-up magicians is a simple yet powerful reminder:
"Love people to the point of sincerely being more interested in their enjoyment of what you are doing than the effect itself."
This feels both obvious yet counterintuitive, with a touch of hokey. But I believe it’s spot on.
In reality, magic is about people. A great trick performed with indifference to the audience will fall flat, but a simple effect delivered with genuine enthusiasm and connection can leave a lasting impression.
It’s why Eugene Burger was able to create genuine miracles with nothing more than dental floss gypsy thread. Incredible.
Let’s explore why focusing on your audience matters more than your expert sleight of hand.
The Audience is Your Stage Partner
Imagine a stand-up comedian delivering a joke without considering how the audience reacts. If no one laughs, but the comedian moves on without adjusting, the performance will feel awkward. We’ve all experienced this at local open mics. Magic is no different.
A successful magician treats the audience as an active participant rather than a passive observer. Their reactions, emotions, and engagement shape the flow of the performance. If they seem intrigued, milk the suspense. If they’re laughing, lean into the humor.
Eugene Burger was a master of audience management. He didn’t just perform tricks – he wove stories, used his deep, resonant voice, and controlled pacing to draw spectators in, making them feel like they were experiencing something truly mystical rather than just watching sleight of hand. #BeyondTheBeard
How to Become More Audience-Focused
1. Shift Your Mindset
Many magicians start by focusing on their own performance – learning difficult sleights and searching endlessly for cool tricks to get big reactions. While practice is essential, I believe the best performances happen when you stop thinking about yourself and start considering how the audience experiences the magic.
This wasn’t obvious to me at first; I had to learn it. How can you focus on their experience when you’re too worried about them catching your awkward slip cut force? Fortunately, by asking yourself the questions below, you may realize the slip cut isn’t necessary, opting instead for a presentation that connects instead of just misdirects.
Consider the following:
Are they confused or captivated?
Are they having fun or feeling pressured?
Are they excited for the next moment?
By observing their body language, facial expressions, and responses, you can adjust your presentation in real time.
2. Adapt to Your Audience
Not every audience is the same. A group of corporate professionals at a networking event may respond differently than a family at a birthday party. The best magicians adapt their energy, humor, and pacing to fit the crowd – never taking things personally.
For example, if you notice a group reacting hesitantly, you might slow down your performance, offering more warmth and engagement to make them comfortable (you know, instead of alienating them with lines like, “I too was shocked into stunned silence the first time I saw this”).
On the other hand, if a group is highly energetic, you can amplify your enthusiasm to match their excitement – opting for sponge balls or ambitious card instead of mental magic or card dealing sequences.
3. Make the Magic Personal
People don’t just want to see a trick; they want to see you, and to feel something. Whenever possible, personalize the experience:
Use their names (it’s the most important sound to anyone in any language).
Involve them, consensually, in the trick (have them pick a card, hold an object, or make a choice).
Relate the magic to their interests or experiences (torn & restored, ambitious card, gypsy thread).
Derren Brown, a master of psychological magic, is the perfect example. He often makes his performances feel deeply personal, which makes his effects all the more powerful.
4. Celebrate Their Reactions
A great magician isn’t just looking for applause at the end, they’re feeding off every gasp, laugh, and stunned silence. When someone reacts with amazement, acknowledge it. Smile, laugh with them, or build suspense with a pregnant pause before taking the trick further.
Your audience’s reaction is part of the magic. When you embrace it, they feel more connected to you and your performance.
Final Thoughts
The secret to memorable magic isn’t in the mechanics, it’s in the way you make people feel. If you focus more on their experience than on your performance, you’ll naturally create moments that stick with them long after the trick is over.
Question to ponder: Am I more excited about showing the trick, or about how they’ll experience it? That shift in focus can transform not just your magic, but the way people remember you as a magician. Thank you for reading. / Buck Bowen
Deuce Gala Magic