Whether you’re a beginner or have dabbled in the world of card magic, one crucial aspect that can elevate your performance is the pace at which you execute your tricks. Spending time to be aware of your pace when performing card magic tricks can transform your performances from ordinary to extraordinary. Dominic Reyes recorded this tip at one of his gigs: Capturing Attention: When you start a card magic trick, your audience’s attention is critical. Setting a smooth and steady pace helps you command their focus and maintain control over the performance. Rapid or erratic movements may confuse y ..read more

A magician contacted the shop and asked about tricks for a magic club audition: Hi, I have a 10-minute performance coming up to join a magic club, and I am looking for a trick, preferably something new that few people have seen yet with a wow factor. Can you suggest anything? Thanks Dominic Reyes: If you are doing a magic club audition, the goal isn’t necessarily to fool the other magicians in the audience; it’s to show your skill at performing, delivery, presentation, and stagecraft. That’s not to say you don’t need good quality magic that you know fools spectators, but you have a strange an ..read more

As we approach the most magical time of the year, why not sprinkle some extra enchantment onto your Christmas celebrations? At the heart of the festivities, Christmas crackers have become a cherished tradition, and this year, we propose a delightful twist! Imagine the joy on your guests’ faces as they pull open their crackers, only to discover a miniature world of magic waiting inside. We at the Merchant of Magic believe in making every moment extraordinary, and our handpicked selection of small Christmas cracker magic tricks, inexpensive magic tricks is the perfect addition to your holiday m ..read more

Jonah asks: I am struggling with finding my unique style. I am quite laid back but don’t want that to come across as boring or uncharismatic. I am also not naturally intense like some of my favourite magicians, such as Nate Staniforth or David Blaine. I am funny but mainly in response to other people rather than through ‘jokes’. How do I hone my unique persona when it comes to performing magic professionally vs with friends?       Finding your unique magical persona can be daunting. It’s common for magicians to grapple with developing a persona that reflects their personality w ..read more

A wedding is a joyous occasion filled with love, laughter, and memorable moments. While all eyes are usually on the bride, the groom can also make a lasting impression by showcasing his magical talents. Adding a touch of mystique and wonder to the reception, the groom can entertain and engage the guests with a few well-practised magic tricks. In this blog post, we present five magic tricks that will leave everyone spellbound, making the groom’s wedding reception a truly unforgettable experience. The Linking Rings: This classic trick revolves around the concept of a wedding ring, symbolizing ..read more

We asked magicians on Facebook for their ‘first magic shop’ memories and got more than 350 replies. Here are a few of them. John Lenahan: In the UK it was Martin Breese’s place in Shepherd’s Bush, London. Great shop. Lovely man. James Fortune: Gamages, London, with Harry Baron. Mark Lewis: I worked in that department [at Gamages]! Did you know that Chung Ling Soo’s son was an executive in the store? I think it must have been 60 years ago! It was Harry Baron who told me it was Soo’s son. I think Harry told me, “He doesn’t like magic.” I know he never came near the department even once. He just ..read more

Sooty and Sweep are two of the most beloved puppet characters in British entertainment history. The mischievous duo has been entertaining children and adults alike for over six decades with their playful antics, catchy tunes, and mesmerizing magic tricks. If you’re a fan of Sooty and Sweep and want to learn magic tricks that you can perform with your own puppet, then you’re in the right place. We’ll recommend some of the best magic tricks for puppets and props that could be used by a puppet like Sooty. Card Tricks Card tricks are a classic form of magic that never fails to impress. As a pup ..read more

School talent shows are a great opportunity for kids to showcase their skills and creativity. If your child is interested in performing magic tricks for the school talent show, you may wonder how to choose the right tricks that will impress the audience and be age-appropriate. Here are some tips to help you choose the best magic tricks for a kid’s school talent show. Consider the age of the audience. The first thing to consider when choosing magic tricks for a kid’s school talent show is the audience’s age. You want to choose magic tricks that will entertain and engage the age group watchin ..read more

By Paul Osborne Regrets, I’ve got a few. Growing up, I wish I’d used my spare time more productively when practising magic tricks. As a teenager, I had no magician mentors. There were no magic clubs nearby where I could get guidance from other magicians, no magic shops; the internet hadn’t been invented, and my local library had very few books on conjuring. When I eventually got hold of some decent magic books – Dai Vernon, Lewis Ganson, Ken Brooke, etc – I found the card routines too advanced. So, a proportion of the large amount of youthful spare time I had was spent feeling disheartened wi ..read more

Can a musician teach anything to help magicians learn a magic trick perfectly? In my experience, playing an instrument can teach a lot about how to study magic.   Being a musician, one of the first secrets I discovered was the proper techniques for practice, and this can be applied when you learn a magic trick. I quickly realised that practising the right way can save you so much time and bring far better results than simply ‘jamming’ with a musical instrument without a plan. The key is structure.   I have just recently started taking up magic seriously and have applied a lot of the ..read more