You've heard about, and maybe attended, open mic events for stand-up comedians, storytellers and poets. But have you ever been to one that offers a platform to amateur magicians?
Karan Singh
You've heard about, and maybe attended, open mic events for stand-up comedians, storytellers and poets. But have you ever been to one that offers a platform to amateur magicians? Now you can, with Up Close and Magical, an open mic meant exclusively for the community.
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The show has been curated by Karan Singh, a Delhi-based magician. The aim of the event, he reveals, is to break stereotypes attached to the profession. "When I tell people I do magic, they laugh at first. They think it's just for kids. But the magic we do is modern. It's relatable, and can be enjoyed by anyone, irrespective of age," says the 25-year-old.
Akshay Laxman
The event will feature three city-based amateur magicians, Akshay Laxman, Shikhar Kamat and Sai Gopal. Singh explains that his personal brand of magic is a combination of illusion and psychology. "You could say I'm a mentalist," he chuckles. He adds that the others specialise in close-up magic, which involves approaching the audience, as opposed to calling a volunteer on stage. Singh hopes to make this a monthly occurrence in Mumbai and New Delhi.
Shikhar Kamat
He shares that there is a 100-member strong community of amateur magicians in the country, but only a few manage to make a living out of it. "We try to have meet-ups and festivals, and there is even a small cult following of people who attend all our shows," says Singh.
Sai Gopal
Finding the venue, a popular brewpub in Andheri, took Singh six months. "We are at the stage where stand-up comedy was, seven years ago. Venues were resistant then, too, but today, the scene has blown up. At some point, when people start looking for new forms of live entertainment, I hope they turn to magic."
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