If you're planning an event and want something truly engaging, interactive, and unforgettable - close-up magic is the perfect entertainment choice.
Whether you're hosting a wedding, corporate event, private party, or formal dinner, close-up magic brings the impossible right to your guests’ hands. But did you know that there are different types of close-up magic performances?
As a professional magician based in Sydney, I offer three main close-up magic options, each suited to different types of events and guest experiences.
1. Walkaround Cocktail Magic 🥂
Best for: ✅ Cocktail hours ✅ Wedding receptions ✅ Networking events ✅ Casual parties
This is the most flexible and casual type of close-up magic. During a cocktail-style event, guests are typically standing, mingling, holding drinks, and enjoying canapés. I move through the space, performing short sets of magic for small groups gathered around.
🪄 The magic happens right in their hands — think card tricks, mind reading, vanishes, and visual surprises — all designed to amaze and get people talking.
🎉 It’s perfect for breaking the ice, especially when guests don’t know each other. It adds energy, laughter, and wonder to the room without interrupting the flow of the event.
2. Walkaround Table Magic 🍽️
Best for: ✅ Seated dinners ✅ Banquets ✅ Wedding receptions with assigned seating ✅ Corporate gala dinners
During table magic, I visit each table while guests are seated, performing a mini-show of magic tailored for their group. This style is ideal when guests are in between courses or waiting for food to be served.
🔮 Each table gets its own VIP experience, and the magic is customized to suit the table’s vibe — elegant, fun, or interactive. I stand while guests remain seated, so the show is smooth and non-disruptive.
🎩 This style creates a sense of personal connection while still providing magic to everyone at the event.
3. Close-Up Formal Show 🎭
Best for: ✅ Intimate dinner parties ✅ Private events with small groups ✅ Magic-themed nights ✅ Corporate VIP experiences
In a close-up formal show, everyone is seated, including me depending on the room setup. We gather around a central table or space, and I perform a structured 15–30 minute show designed to be intimate, interactive, and mind-blowing.
💡 Think of it like a mini theatre experience, but close-up — every sleight of hand is happening just inches away, with no stage, smoke, or mirrors.
This style is perfect for events where you want to make the magic the main attraction — a talking point that people will remember for years.
So, Which Close-Up Magic Style is Right for Your Event?
Magic Style | Guests Standing or Seated | Best For | Setup Needed |
Walkaround Cocktail | Standing | Casual mingling, cocktails, receptions, parties | None |
Walkaround Table Magic | Seated | Dinners, banquets, weddings, functions | None |
Close-Up Formal Show | Everyone seated (incl. me, most of the time) | Intimate events, focused entertainment | Small table or seating area |
Can You Mix Close-Up Magic Styles? Absolutely! 🔄
Many events aren’t limited to just one format — and your magic entertainment doesn’t have to be either. In fact, combining different styles of close-up magic can elevate your event from memorable to absolutely unforgettable.
Imagine this:
🥂 Cocktail Hour: Guests are mingling with drinks, and I’m weaving through the crowd performing walkaround cocktail magic to break the ice.
🍽️ Seated Dinner: As guests settle in, I switch to table magic, visiting each table between courses to keep the energy high and the conversation flowing.
💫 This flexible approach means your guests enjoy seamless entertainment throughout the entire event, tailored to the vibe and format at every stage.
Whether it's a wedding with both a canapé reception and sit-down meal, or a corporate event transitioning from networking to formal dining — I’ll adapt the magic to fit every moment.
With David Ung Magic, you don’t have to choose just one style. You can have it all. 🎩✨
Why Book Close-Up Magic with David Ung?
I’m David Ung, a Sydney-based magician specializing in interactive close-up magic that creates unforgettable experiences at events of all types. Whether you're planning a wedding, corporate event, or private dinner party, I’ll help you choose the best magic style to match your vibe.
✨ No stage. No spotlight. Just pure, personal, impossible magic — right in front of your eyes.
🎩 Ready to add real magic to your event?📲 Visit www.davidungmagic.com to enquire and lock in your date!
When planning entertainment for your event, hiring a professional magician can take your celebration to the next level. But did you know there are different styles of magic performances to choose from?
I, David Ung Magician specialise in both walkaround magic and stand-up magic shows—and depending on your event, one style may suit your needs better than the other.
Let’s break down the key differences between walkaround magic and a stand-up show, so you can pick the perfect style of magic for your next event!
What is Walkaround Magic?
Walkaround magic (also called strolling, roving, mix and mingle or close-up magic) is a casual, interactive style of performance where I move from group to group, performing magic right in front of your guests.
Key Features of Walkaround Magic:
Performed close-up for small groups
Highly interactive and personalized
Perfect for cocktail hours, mingling events, and casual parties
Breaks the ice and gets guests talking and laughing
Flexible and can happen anywhere — no stage or setup needed
Can cover time periods of an hour or two, or the whole event if you have a big function!
Walkaround magic is ideal for events where guests are standing, mingling, or moving around, like weddings, corporate parties, house parties, and private functions.
Think of it as bringing the magic right to your guests’ hands!
What is a Stand-Up Magic Show?
A stand-up magic show is a more structured performance where I perform for a larger audience at once, usually standing at the front of a room (but without the need for a full stage setup).
Key Features of a Stand-Up Magic Show:
One show for everyone to watch together
Includes bigger visual tricks, comedy, and audience participation
Perfect for weddings, corporate events, birthdays, and private parties
Great for creating a shared experience and a big wow factor
Usually lasts between 15 to 45 minutes, depending on your event
Stand-up shows work best when you want to gather everyone’s attention and create a fun, high-energy shared experience. It’s like a mini magic theatre, right at your event!
🎤 Imagine your guests laughing, cheering, and being part of the magic together!
Walkaround Magic vs Stand-Up Show: Which One Should You Choose?
Feature | Walkaround Magic | Stand-Up Magic Show |
Interaction Level | Personal, small groups | Whole audience together |
Setup Needed | None | Performance space/stage |
Best For | Mingling events, casual parties | Seated audiences, formal parts of event |
Event Flow | Blends into event naturally | Structured, a specific time slot |
Style | Close-up, intimate, conversational | Visual, comedic, theatrical, presentational |
Time | 1+ Hours | 15-45 Minutes |
Why Not Have Both?
Many of my clients combine both walkaround magic and a stand-up show to create a full magic experience!
🪄Walkaround magic keeps guests engaged during cocktail hour or dinner, and a stand-up show becomes the featured entertainment later in the evening.This way, your guests experience personal miracles up close and enjoy a high-energy group show that brings everyone together!
Add Real Magic to Your Event with David Ung
Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, birthday party, or private celebration, magic is the ultimate way to make it unforgettable.
I’m David Ung, a professional magician based in Sydney, and I’m passionate about creating interactive, amazing, and memorable experiences for my clients and their guests.
Ready to make your next event magical?
Visit www.davidungmagic.com or contact me today to discuss the perfect magic entertainment for your event!
When planning your wedding, you want every moment to feel special, exciting, and memorable. While live music and DJs keep the energy high, there’s one form of entertainment that truly wows your guests and creates lasting memories—a stage magic show!
A professional magician can bring mystery, amazement, and laughter to your big day with a high-energy stage performance that involves your guests and, of course, the newlyweds! But when is the best time to add a stage magic show to your wedding? Let’s explore the perfect moments for a little wedding day wonder.
1. After the Wedding Speeches (A Magical Transition to the Celebration)
Wedding speeches are heartfelt and meaningful, and if you have a great bridal party they're also hilarious and engaging. After sitting through emotional toasts, your guests are ready for something fun and exciting before the dance floor opens.
This is a great time (after a mini bathroom break) for a stage magic show!
🔹 A 10-15 minute performance filled with mind-blowing illusions, comedy, and audience participation can instantly lift the energy in the room and get guests engaged in the celebration.
A magician will often involve the bride and groom in a special trick, symbolizing their new life together in a way that’s both entertaining and memorable.
✅ Best for: Bringing energy back to the room and kicking off the night’s entertainment.
2. As an Evening Highlight Before the Party Begins
Once dinner is over and guests are ready for the night’s entertainment, a stage magic show can serve as a main event before the party gets started.
🔹 Imagine a high-impact, interactive show that amazes the entire room—followed immediately by the DJ turning up the music and the dance floor coming to life.
This setup works especially well if you’re looking for something unique and engaging to add to the entertainment lineup before the big party atmosphere takes over.
✅ Best for: Giving guests a memorable and fun experience before the late-night dancing.
3. A Late-Night Surprise Performance
For couples who want to keep the energy high all night, a stage magic show can serve as a mid-reception surprise.
🔹 If you’re planning a long wedding celebration, guests might start feeling a little tired later in the evening.
A magician can take the stage with a high-energy, fast-paced performance that re-energizes the crowd before the final round of dancing. It can serve as a way to cap off the night for those who prefer to leave instead of dancing.
✅ Best for: Reigniting the energy later in the night and keeping guests entertained.
Why a Stage Magic Show is the Perfect Wedding Entertainment
A live stage magic show isn’t just about tricks—it’s about uniting the most important people in your life and giving them an entertaining experience that will further solidify how amazing your wedding was. Unlike traditional wedding entertainment, a magician offers:
✨ A unique experience: Not just another DJ or band—this is something your guests will remember.
🎤 Audience participation: A chance to get guests involved and engaged in the fun.
📸 Amazing photo opportunities: Reactions of surprise and delight make for unforgettable wedding photo
🎭 Versatility: Can be lighthearted and funny, romantic and sentimental, or high-energy and dramatic—tailored to match your wedding vibe.
No matter when you choose to schedule a stage magic show at your wedding, it’s guaranteed to be a highlight of the night!
If a stage show is not suitable for your planned night of events, then walkaround magic throughout the night is a great option (or addition) that keeps your guests entertained inbetween meals, speeches and other events so the vibe never wanes.
Make Your Wedding Magical with David Ung
I’m David Ung, a professional wedding magician in Sydney, specialising in interactive stage magic shows that add excitement and wonder to your big day. Whether you want a fun-filled feature after speeches, an exciting pre-dance show, or a late-night surprise performance, I can help make your wedding truly memorable.
Let’s make your wedding magical—get in touch today to discuss your perfect stage magic show!
