Travelling Magic Show
A travelling magic show takes many forms. Early in my career, for shows that were close to home, I sometimes used this unorthodox method of transportation. Not having handlebars to hold onto let me to carry my show in style. I always got some amazing looks from bystanders. And that’s a hockey bag on my back. So very Canadian.
A travelling Magic Show is essential to being able to thrive in the entertainment business. Unlike touring rock shows, I’ve never needed a fleet of tractor trailers. The largest show I ever toured required a five-ton truck. That’s about half the length of an eighteen-wheeler. There is always a balance between the amount of equipment for a show, the length of time it takes to set up the show and the size of vehicle to transport everything. Over the years, I’ve become very efficient at determining what’s essential and then learning how to pack it with skill.
Travelling by Car
All of my big travelling magic show days are behind me. As I’ve become better as a performer, I know that I don’t require all of the really big tricks to do an amazing job for my audiences. I liken myself to a big-name comedian who is able to present a fantastic evening of entertainment with only a microphone. My current shows fit into the back of a hatchback.
Weather is always a concern when travelling to a show. Many years ago, the alternator on my truck died and I gently coasted onto the side of the highway without power. Fortunately, I had CAA and the flatbed tow truck took me and my assistant to our show destination. We started the show only 10 minutes late. The following day, the alternator was repaired and we were back on our way.
Flying with a Travelling Magic Show
Flying to a destination for a show presents a whole new range of issues. A checked case cannot exceed a certain size or weight. That really reinforces the dictum of only taking what you need and making sure that it is well used. “Pack small, plays big” is a term that magicians use to describe squeezing the most entertainment value out of the minimal number of props. With those restrictions, it’s amazing that a really great show can be successful.
Travelling by Train
Sometimes a travelling magic show, moves by train. When I toured China, half of the travelling was by train and half by plane. The above photo was on a high-speed train. It was so smooth that the water bottle didn’t tip during the entire journey.
Trains load faster than planes, but the amount of space for cases is limited. Fortunately, I only had one large case and a carry-on sized bag. That was about all that could be accommodated.
On a plane, I would put my scissors in my checked case, but on the train in China, the case would be in the rail car. That was a problem as in China, all bags go through a scanner to remove restricted items. Unfortunately, the scissors needed to be left behind. The problem didn’t last for long, as my tour manager called ahead to the next city, Shanghai, and when we arrived another contact had a new pair of scissors for me.
On With the Show
When an audience watches a show, what they’re seeing is the tip of the iceberg. Moving equipment and getting to the tour destination is such a big part of performing that is never seen. Performers who are in the business for the long haul learn quickly how to pack efficiently and effectively to make the show run smoothly. It’s not something I anticipated in the beginning, but is a necessity.