I have been performing magic for 50 years, primarily club, stage, and illusion. I have one of the largest traveling shows in the Midwest, which has appeared in 15 states. So does this make me a great writer? No, but it does give me a great deal of experience and knowledge of club and stage magic and show business. I will not be writing about tricks or moves, or sleights, but I will give tips, ideas, and suggestions on stage and club work. You may not always agree with me, but I do hope that you get something that will help you, as you travel on the road of magic. From the start, please understand that I do not have all the answers, nobody does, but I do have some, and you are welcome to use any that may fit your needs.

This first comment I will write on routineing a show or act.

1. Your opening should be your strongest and best, to grab their attention and set the tone, letting them know, from the start, that your magic is something special. This can be accomplished in different ways. If using music, be sure the opening fanfare is crisp and clear and lively. Your opening magic should be spectacular, and perhaps flashy. It does not have to be a great mystery or puzzling, but it should be a fast pace and maybe colorful. If you have assistants, a fast production of one of them is usually good, or a live animal, if you carry them. Fire effects are always an attention getter, if you are allowed to use them. And don't forget your first appearance is the most impressionable. This can usually be accompanied by a big smile, (unless you are doing a very serious and scary type of show) and clean and neat wardrobe is a must.

2. Your routine should consist of a variety of effects, placed so they run smoothly, and still not the same type all bunched together, in other words, not all animal effects together, all comical effects together. This could also pertain to speech and patter, one talking, the next silence.

3. If using live animals, be sure that your routine is planned, so assistants have time to load them, and be careful that birds and animals do not have to wait too long in apparatus. If you vanish an animal or bird, sometimes small children feel bad, so it is a good idea to have it reappear later.

4. Your performance should move rapidly without stalling. Audiences are used to watching TV where things move very fast, otherwise they will get restless and bored.

5. If you are doing a club or stage performance where your audience is a distance from you, then your magic must be large enough so they can easily see what you are doing. No close-up or parlor tricks unless you are on camera where they can zoom in on you.

6. Now you want them to remember you, so make your closing effect something FANTASTIC! This can be accomplished in may ways. I probably would not do a vanish here, instead, a glamorous production of some assistants, or a big flourish of silks, or a spectacular escape. These are just some suggestions, but remember to make it your very, very best.

A final suggestion is not to use an effect in your routine, just because it is your favorite. Use only effects that your audience will like. Remember, it is them you are trying to please. So long for now!