Adding Texture & Variety to Your Shows

I still remember the review for Max Maven’s show years later.

After a recap of the first half, the show continued after the intermission, described as “From there, it’s Max Maven with a deck of cards.”

Ugh.

I respect everything Max contributed to our field as much as anyone. But an entire second half of a show with nothing but card effects?

Based on that description, I never sought out the show.

True, it might have been amazing, but hearing it was a series of card effects did not appeal to me in the least.

I feel a magic show (yes, I know many people like to put mentalism in its own box, but work with me here) is best when there is texture.

Contrast that to a coaching call I recently had with a magician.

I’m going to be intentionally vague here so as not to put too many of his show segments ‘out there for all to see’ at this time.

I’ve been helping this magician develop a certain theme show for a certain adult market.

On our most recent call, he told me about his current lineup.

In the show, there is a body language reading effect, a ‘paper balls over the head’ type of effect (no paper balls but same concept), a prediction effect, and a variation on a cryptext type of effect.

All great stuff. Most importantly, it was all different. It gave the show variety and texture.

Then we discussed adding a certain classic of magic involving money to his show. He wasn’t sure what kind of message or lesson to tie it to.

I suggested using a theme similar to what I do in one of my shows, built around a very popular book on educating kids on a special (and worthwhile) theme.

I elaborated further: “Since this is a kids’ presentation, frame it like that. Tell the adults in your audience, ‘Why can’t we learn the same lessons we ask our kids to learn?’”

The magic effect (again, a classic) is so good and so timeless, I truly believe his audiences will go along for the ride.

Most importantly, it adds another layer of texture to his show.

I love variety in magic.

Growing up, I looked forward to Copperfield’s annual specials. While he’s known primarily for his illusions, I preferred his small effects.

The smaller effects just resonated with me more than the big boxes.

My favorite Copperfield special was all about the grand finale of a haunted house. Essentially, the big finish to the show was a beefed-up spirit cabinet.

Spirit cabinets, while impressive, are not seen as ‘big’ as making a plane or national monument disappear.

His spirit cabinet resonated with me because it was smaller and more intimate.

I realize all of this is simply my opinion and preferences.

But I maintain you’ll captivate your audiences more with a variety of material.

Even if you’re a mentalist and don’t want to add magic to your show. Or even if you’re a magician and would never think to add a mind-reading segment to your act.

So let’s cover a few ways to add variety and texture to your shows, shall we?

First, the simplest, is to vary your effects, alternating with effects that require volunteers with those that do not.

Already, we have texture.

We can go further. In some of my mentalism shows, I have routines that require five or more volunteers.

And I have effects that only need one person. I also have effects where a volunteer can remain seated in the audience vs effects where they need to join me onstage.

More texture.

What about music? Adding music to some routines but not others adds more texture.

Then there are different types of effects. Obviously, this is, in some ways, the easiest way to add texture to your show.

Here is where magic has the advantage over mentalism. There are simply more basic ‘effects’ in magic than in mentalism.

During your magic show, you can choose to perform vanishes, transpositions, appearances, levitations, restorations, and the list goes on and on.

What about puppets? Puppets immediately add texture to your show. I have a lot of puppet routines for my shows.

So, be sure to pepper your magic shows with different basic effects.

In mentalism, the trick (no pun intended) is tougher. You only have a few basic effects to work with.

One trap I see many mentalists fall into is making too many predictions.

Seeing into the future can get pretty repetitive really fast.

If you’re a mentalist, consider building a show around different types of mentalism: precognition, clairvoyance, telepathy, etc.

Yes, I know many mentalists refer to those who display too many abilities during a show as ‘Swiss-army mentalists.’

I completely disagree with this philosophy. People want to be entertained, nothing more.

Oh sure, if you’re an Uri Gellar-type and want to be perceived as legitimate, focusing on just one special ability may be more believable.

But we are talking about entertainment. And people like texture in their entertainment.

You can even add a puppet to your mentalism shows for some texture.

Don’t believe me? Check this out. I used the ‘puppet’ routine in this book for years.

It’s a presentation for the classic Tossed Out Deck.

The only reason I stopped using it is that my puppet fell apart after years of use. And I couldn’t find a good replacement anywhere.

But now they are back in production, so I’ll be using that routine again.

One final example…look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

For years, the producers used the perfect formula to build great movies with a lot of texture. You had great actors, great special effects, humor, drama, action, and more in one movie.

These days, the Marvel brand has fallen off a bit.

Why? Too much of the same thing. Not enough variety or texture.

To wrap this up, look at your shows. Where can you add variety and texture?

Many of us are reluctant to alter a show once it's locked in, believing we’ve found the perfect formula.

But I maintain that by looking at your show through the lens of variety and texture, we can give our audiences a richer, more satisfying experience.

And isn’t that what magic is about?

Have a great week!

--Cris

 
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