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Performing magic since 1973

Hi. My name is Rob Mendell
I am a Magician. I’ve been practicing, developing, and performing interactive close-up magic with playing cards since 1973. I design what I do to give my audiences the feeling of being magicians themselves. During my performances, you won’t just watch me exhibit skills. Instead, you will discover your own magical abilities. It’s a beautiful thing and very enjoyable. I perform new versions of classic effects of card magic, and I create my own pieces that no one else does, including some that are specifically customized for clients or situations.

At small gatherings, I typically perform at a table. At larger events, I walk around performing “strolling magic,” tactfully creating and entertaining ever-changing audiences, either standing with guests or approaching their tables. Laughter or applause or “What?! How did that happen?” attracts new people to watch or get involved; often, word of mouth continues the momentum. I enjoy inviting people to partake in the amusement. I respect participants so they have a great time.

Interactive

You are the essential element. In my style of close-up card magic, the magic happens because of you. Your choices and actions shape the outcome, whether you reveal the four Aces or say the magic word that makes a card jump invisibly across the table. Every moment is interactive, personal, and surprising. Audience participation isn’t just part of the show, it’s what makes it special.

Close-up

Things you just can't explain happen right in front of you, sometimes in your own hands. You physically touch and hold and mix and then deal the cards, and somehow you say stop at exactly the right one; there are no camera tricks or hidden mirrors or editing. This is live and tangible. Often I hear, "I've seen this kind of stuff on TV or YouTube, but Wow, it's so much better in person."

Entertainment

The show is fun and memorably mysterious. You and I and the cards are having a great time together as you successfully surprise yourself and everyone who’s watching. The simplicity, familiarity, and “playing” that are innate to my tools -- playing cards -- let us focus on the joy of the moment. People remember how they feel.

I love the art and act of entertaining through card magic. I draw people into the magic in an encouraging and friendly way. My show is not one where folks sit back and observe me doing what I’ve done a thousand times already. I invite them to explore unlikely possibilities with me by getting involved, and in doing so they become the most important part of the magic — and magicians themselves — interacting with me and the cards. Throughout my shows, the audience will cut, shuffle, spread, deal, and imagine cards, as well as select cards in an interesting assortment of ways, call out numbers, or even read my mind… and then find the cards they want without knowing how they did it. My professional style of Card Magic is an astonishing game where everyone wins.

I see each interaction as an opportunity for connection, fun, and audience-generated randomness. For example, I ask Frank to shuffle half of the cards and Anna to mix the other half. Then I ask Lakshmi to make a shape by spreading out the cards on the table. I tell Margaret I'm going to turn away and she is to select a card from the table and show it to everyone, and then hold onto it so I can't see it when I return. I request Joe to watch Margaret; when she is holding her card, he is to ring the bell (because I've been trained to come back when I hear it -- this line often elicits a funny comment). By the time I come back, five people have been involved in ways that they can express who they are, and everyone knows something I don't know: which card Margaret chose. This brings the audience together and creates dramatic tension. Already we've experienced half a dozen participatory activities where audience members encourage one another and find humor in the play. After the card is returned there's more interaction, including shuffling, cutting, guessing, dramatic building of the tension, speaking a magic word, touching cards, and a revelation that can't happen without magic. People will ask me, "But, how? How did you do that?" I can answer, "Renée said the magic word, so ask her!" I facilitate the magic, and the audience makes it happen. It’s inexplicable and brings people excitement, wonder, and unexpected delight, in a respite from ordinary life.

I’m a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians. I look forward to bringing Card Magic to your upcoming event.