Bob Forrest, Family Magician

Constant training. A magician's life is filled with trade journals, books and lectures by other magicians from around the country. You never stop learning and you would never want to. Most folks don't realize the huge investment in time, money and study that builds the career of a full time magician. The study involves hundreds of books, DVDs and live lectures by the dozens. Then there's endless practice and rehearsal. Props and tools are also a significant part of a magician's investment in his career choice. The monetary investment climbs through the thousands. The training never ends.

After many years as a Boston radio personality, waking listeners up in the morning at WROL and WEZE, the changing nature of broadcasting caused me to re-evaluate my future. The pressures and multi-tasking that had become a daily experience were negatively affecting my health. For years I had been pursuing magic at the professional level and had planned to make this my transition career. The time had finally come. As a Life Member of the Society of American Magicians and an officer in the Salem Massachusetts Assembly 104, the transition was a pleasant one. Best of all, the decades of working in radio as a host, chief interviewer and conduit with the public and clients that had been the most enjoyable part of my career, has been replaced with the even more rewarding honor of entertaining them in their homes.

For the most part, I'm a family entertainer, specializing in birthday parties for children of all ages, particularly from four to twelve. I love the kids. They are the greatest audience in the world. It's a genuine pleasure to entertain them and then to see them enjoying the balloon animals my wife makes for them at our weekend parties. While I occasionally perform at adult clubs and parties, my life is family parties centered around children. I keep my close up magic skills honed by performing walk around magic for the grown-ups after entertaining the children. I specialize in children's birthdays, first birthday celebrations, day care events, Scouting, First Communion, YMCA events, Synagogue events, schools and holiday parties. My wife and I have done My Little Pony parties, Frozen parties, Despicable Me parties and more, with children from every culture. Indian parties are a particular favorite.

Beware of anyone charging too little and avoid paying too much. That sounds somewhat simplistic, but if someone is bargain pricing, you may regret getting what you paid for. Once you've settled on a price that you are comfortable with, look beyond the magic and consider what reviews say about the person themselves. Was the performer likeable, funny, warm? If others liked who they allowed into their homes, odds are you will too. Secondly, customers need to not confuse the "magic" they see performed on TV with the actual art of magic. Most of what has been passing for magic on television lately is a world of special effects that no local magician can duplicate in a customer's home or rented hall. TV producers need to boost ratings with things that appear impossible, because they are impossible without controlled studio planning, camera wizardry and editing. If some of the same magicians people have been impressed by on TV were to visit their homes, they would be surprised by how different the magic would be. Reality TV is not very real.

When hiring a magician, clients need to make clear any restrictions, such as limited time or performance area or parking limitations. If the birthday child is very shy, that too should be mentioned; it's usually not a problem for my wife and myself. Age is very important. A child's maturity level around four and five is very variable. Their attention level can wander. Know your child. If they become fidgety after a half hour or so, its best to move on to the balloons. Happily, most children in that age group stay with me for about an hour which has earned me a lot of respect at day care centers. Most importantly, if your child is only three years of age or less, don't bother hiring a magician for them. A three year old cannot follow magic and will naturally wander around distracting the children who can. They can't help it. A clown is more suitable. Parties celebrating First through Third birthdays should be planned to entertain the other, older children attending. That way, the magic works without distraction. Along those lines, placing babies and toddlers in the front row so that they won't miss anything is another mistake. The little ones three and under should be under their parent's supervision, a bit behind or on a chair or lap works best. No offense intended, but an entertainer cannot be a baby sitter.