The Myth of Performing Anytime Anywhere

In magic, there are certain “myths” we convince ourselves of—ideas that quietly shape what we buy, what we practice, and even the kind of magicians we aspire to become.

Often, these myths contain a grain of truth. But over time, they might harden into absolutes—rarely questioned, widely accepted. Take, for instance, the myth of “perform anytime, anywhere.”

It’s the idea that a real magician should be ready to perform in any context. Always prepared. Always armed with the perfect effect for the perfect moment. Bonus points if it fits in your pocket and fools magicians, too—though that already touches on a few other myths we’ll save for another day.

And so, the desire grows: more gimmicks, more effects, more options—just in case someone asks to “see something.”

Soon enough, we’re spending too much on new magic. Or worse, we’re caught in a situation without the “right” effect—and the cycle starts again.

But here’s the real question: are the best magicians really the ones who always say yes to an impromptu performance?

Context is King

Often, if we look closely, the best magicians aren’t the ones who adapt to every context—but the ones who know exactly which context works in their favour. They know where they shine, and they actively choose to perform in those spaces.

Defining the context of your performance allows you to develop your repertoire and style with far greater focus. This is what the world’s top magicians do—including those who became famous for performing street magic with an improvised feel, like David Blaine.

But that doesn’t mean the anytime, anywhere myth is entirely wrong, far from it. In fact, it’s absolutely true—just not in the way we often interpret it.

It’s true in terms of the perception we want the audience to have, not necessarily the reality of how we prepare.