What is the difference between a comedy magician and a funny magician?
My name is Alan Hudson and I’ve been a comedy magician (or a funny magician) performing at corporate events for decades. Over the years, I’ve often been asked about what makes a comedy magician. It’s a good question.
I would say the main difference from a comedy magician to a funny magician is in the intent from the performer. If the emphasis is on the comedy over the magic then I think that makes them a ‘comedy magician’.
Comedy Magician – Alan Hudson
I would say I’m a funny magician. For me, the magic always comes first and I then try to make it funny and entertaining. I perform in different places so the act is adjusted each time. If I’m performing after dinner for corporate event or at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, I make it as magical as I can (and then make sure it’s funny).
If I’m performing in a comedy club, the act will be different to the one I perform for a corporate event. In a comedy club, I become more of a comedy magician. I try to get ‘laughs per minute’ like the comedians. Essentially, people have come to see comedians and to laugh. People love magic in a comedy club but usually only if the performer is as funny as the comedians.
Here are a couple of videos of me performing as a comedy magician/funny magician. The first one is from 2020 on Britain’s Got Talent with TV’s Amanda Holden.
Comedy Stage Magician
A comedy stage magician is the perfect entertainment for corporate events. Straight stand up comedy can be tricky to please everyone. With magic, you have the added bonus that, not only is it funny, but it’s also amazing. Something for everyone.
If you are looking for a comedy magician who is funny for a corporate event or show, have a look at the video below. It should give you an idea of the type of thing I do. Then get in contact here.
Comedy Magician Fools Penn & Teller
Virtual Comedy Magician
Alan Hudson is one of the top comedy magicians performing online via Zoom, Teams, Google Meet. Not only does he perform amazing magic, but he also interacts with your guests in an hilarious way. He can get someone to draw a picture secretly off camera and he will tell everyone what they have drawn. Or he can get someone to think of their PIN code and reveal it to everyone! Absolutely mind blowing and made even more amazing that he’s not in the same room as them. No stooges – all the people are known from the company and chosen completely at random.
Companies like Google, Netflix, Twitter, Visa, Meta, Disney all regularly hire Alan to perform his comedy magic virtual magic show.
What is the difference between a comedy magician and a funny magician?
The answer is usually intent. Some magicians perform some great magic and are funny. For instance, Derren Brown make me laugh and I would say he is a funny magician. However, he’s definitely not a comedy magician. Paul Daniels was a comedy magician, his act was as much about the comedy as it was about the magic itself.
How much does a comedy magician cost to hire?
The price will depend on who the magician is, the location, number of guests, date etc. To see how much Alan Hudson is for your event, contact here.
Comedy Magicians are King
Most of my favourite magicians are comedy magicians. Paul Daniels was definitely a comedy magician. Mac King, who has his own show in Las Vegas, is definitely a comedy magician. Michael Finney is also a comedy magician. Finney and King both let you know by not only what they are wearing, but also the material they perform. Although, unlike Tommy Cooper, they are also great magicians. Paul Daniels used to dress a bit smarter, but was so undeniably funny and brilliant, the comedy used to be as strong as the magic.
For instance, when Tommy Cooper was performing, he’d have the emphasis on the comedy part. The magic was never very good. He wasn’t really a good magician (contrary to the popular belief that he was a secretly brilliant magician. He wasn’t). It didn’t really matter that the magic wasn’t great as he was one of the funniest magicians (or people for that matter) that ever lived. It would probably have damaged his act if the magic was amazing too. A bit too much of a mixed message for people.
We all loved Tommy because he was a loveable idiot. If he’d have been incredible too, maybe that would have changed how we felt about him? We liked it when his tricks worked, but that’s only because he was as surprised as us.
Penn & Teller are both funny magicians. The magic comes first, but they are funny too. They are fantastic magicians and the magic is always excellent and very fooling. They have a residency in Las Vegas at The Rio. An amazing show that I’ve seen several times and they fool me, and most magicians a lot. However, the magic is punchy because they are smart and funny. A trick on it’s own is good, but they often have a great, original presentation or angle to make it stand out.
The Magicians Magician
Most magicians get asked who their favourite magician is. The answer is usually disappointing as it is usually a comedy magician that the person hasn’t heard of. For instance, David Williamson is often quoted as a ‘magicians magician’. He’s certainly one of the people I looked at when I was younger. He’s a comedy magician with excellent magical technique, really funny and his intent is to make people laugh as much as possible.
Of course, you don’t have to be funny to be a great magician. You could have a brilliant, original character. You could be an amazing technician with beautiful sleight of hand. The scope is endless. The only magic/magicians I don’t really like are long story type (often quite boring) or performers doing standard tricks with no personality or humour.
