I's my turn to feel nervous.

I've just been arrowed to do a 3 to 5 min stage/parlour act for my company's D&D on friday. I need some feedback from you guys here as I know next to nothing about stage stuff.

Ok, firstly, I can't know how to do appearing canes, appearing doves, appearing silk, cards or balls manipulation... basically all the staple diet of stage magic and I don't have the luxury of time to train.

I have not seen the place but it's at a hotel ballroom with about 20 tables and no videofeed. So... I would need a "Easy To Master Stage Magic" effect or any parlour effect that is visible from a stage. And preferably something that's not "childish"... think you know what I mean.

Any suggestion?

How about mentalism effects?

For starters, consider Pseudo Psychometry or a Q&A routine.

Perhaps you could try the 3 card monte with the big cards one. Also, you could try balloon penetration magic or rope magic.

Rope routine can work in this setting.

Also, you may want to DIY your own cardiographic sketchbook gimmick as taught by Martin Lewis in his making magic DVD. It's visual magic for stage. You can use jumbo pop eye popper deck for forcing the card on stage. It's very simple that way.

Otherwise, a couple of those short and direct mentalism routines will work fine too.
Or how about bank night?

What about doing something which is simple like mouth coil/ snowstorm which does not require that much of practice? :)

P/S: Just re-read your post and see the word 'childish'. Some of you might think that mouth coil is childish, but IMHO, the presentation is the important part to make the mood/feel of the whole act.

Oh and personally I think if you don't have much time to practice, don't perform to music. That requires a much more structured act IMO. Use patter instead.

I would strongly recommend a mentalism act. It's relatively easier to learn, and boils down mainly to showmanship. For a 3-5 minute act, all you need is just one or two effects. If you have a rough idea in mind and would like help with it, please feel free to contact me. I'll be more than glad to help.

So how did it go? Assuming the event is over. What did you perform and what was the reaction? I dont like cliffhangers to stories. :P