It's the format most people picture when they hear 'iPad magician', and it's the one that gets a room talking fastest. No stage, no screens to set up. Just small groups, a few minutes each, and a lot of people staring at their own phones afterwards.
What close-up tech magic looks like
Close-up magic has always been about being right there when it happens. Tech magic keeps that and swaps the cards and coins for the things everyone already carries. So rather than watching someone else's props, your guests are looking at a screen they know, sometimes one they unlocked themselves a minute ago.
The kind of thing you'll see: a photo that changes while someone's holding the device, a message that shouldn't be there, a prediction that turns up on a screen. We won't spoil the set, but the common thread is that it happens in the guest's hands, not at arm's length.
Why it works so well for mingling
Roaming magic is a cracking icebreaker. People who've never met end up laughing at the same thing, then comparing notes about how on earth it was done. That's the real value at a drinks reception or a networking do. The magic gives strangers something to talk about.
It suits events like these:
- Drinks receptions before a dinner or an awards ceremony
- Networking events and client hospitality
- Wedding receptions, while the photos are being taken
- Parties where guests are spread across a few rooms or a garden
Practical bits
Close-up tech magic needs almost nothing from you. No stage, no AV, no special lighting. The Digital Magician brings their own kit and works in whatever space your guests are in. It's at its best when people are standing or sitting in small groups, rather than all facing one way.
Timings are flexible. A common pattern is roaming through a reception, then stepping back once dinner starts, but we'll fit around your running order. If you'd like a show for the whole room later on, the two formats sit together nicely. Have a look at the stage show.
And yes, the mask stays on throughout. Guests always ask.
A little bit of your brand
At corporate events the close-up set can carry a light touch of your company too. A logo, an app or a short message could turn up somewhere it really shouldn't. We'll talk through what's possible for your brand when you get in touch.
If the reveal is the main point of the evening rather than a nice extra, product launch magic is probably the better fit. It's built from scratch around what you're launching.
Who it's for
Honestly, most crowds. You don't need to be a magic fan to enjoy watching your own phone misbehave. People who'd normally hang back from a card trick tend to lean in for this one, because the tech feels familiar and the surprise feels personal. Pop us a message with your date and we'll tell you how it could work at your event.