Most magicians start their careers on the street. However, this is not a bad thing. They perform magic and tricks for people, and what better way to perform than to go where your audience is. In fact, some of the best street magicians are known for their street performance and have reached a broad audience.
Street magic is not just the tricks you do on the street, but any trick done in an intimate environment or personal space. David Blaine was the one who defined street magic. The art was dead for some time, so he decided to do something about it and revive it. Back in 1996, David Blaine started performing on the streets. His aim was to reach a bigger audience and bring magic closer to people who didn’t have a chance to experience it before.
Since then, street magic has become very popular, which has led to many new names appearing and becoming popular in the magic world.
We decided to go over some of the best street magicians in the world. Some of these famous magician names might ring a bell, while others are still on the rise with the prospect of becoming the best in the magic world.
The 5 Best Street Magicians You Should Know About
1. Dynamo
Steven Frayne, better known as Dynamo, is probably one of the best magicians of all time. The mesmerizing street performer has performed some of the most mind-blowing and spontaneous tricks in front of his accidental audience. Some of the most famous tricks include walking on the River Thames, bench-pressing 155kg in the gym, and levitating on a London bus.
Being known for his authentic and well-performed tricks, he always leaves the audience with a dropping jaw. Dynamo was part of Forbes’ list of The World’s Highest-Paid Magicians in 2016 and 2017. Moreover, he had his TV show called Dynamo: Magician Impossible that aired from July 2011 to September 2014. In the show, he travels around the world and amazes everyone with his magic tricks. He also meets celebrities and entertains them with his magic tricks. In July 2012 he became part of the magicians’ society The Magic Circle and earned the Best Entertainment Programme award at the Broadcast Awards for his show.
2. David Blaine
David Blaine is probably one of the most famous magicians today and one whose tricks are often performed by his fellow magicians. As we already mentioned, he is the one who regained street magic’s popularity.
This illusionist and endurance athlete has performed some of the most mind-boggling tricks. Some of his most famous illusions include spending three days entombed inside six tons of ice, being buried alive for seven days, and suspending himself in a transparent box high over the Thames for 44 days. Nevertheless, his most outstanding trick is definitely his pavement levitation.
His television special, “David Blaine: Street Magic” gave magic a different light in 1997. His goal was to reinstall magic so it is as appreciated and loved as 100 years ago.
Blane is undoubtedly one of the best street magicians in the world known for his public imprisonments that don’t leave anyone indifferent.
See some of Blaine’s tricks he performed for Jimmy Fallon and members of The Roots.
3. Criss Angel
Criss Angel is another big name of the most prominent street magicians of our time. The Marilyn Manson of the magic world, as everyone knows him, has performed some of the biggest stunts ever. For instance, levitating between two buildings, walking on the Luxor Wall, and suspending himself from a moving helicopter with fish hooks through the skin.
As one of the world’s most famous magicians, he is mostly known for his death-defying and inventive illusions and stunts. This emo magician is probably one of the most famous street magicians on TV since he has used television to mass-market magic more than any of his peers. He was part of the TV show “Criss Angel Mind Freak” and won the Magician of the Year award by Magic Castle Hollywood for three years.
4. Mathew Knight
Mathew Knight is one of the most professional street magicians ever, and he’s becoming even more popular every day. He typically performs at events, such as parties and weddings. His audience is always awestruck and he doesn’t leave anyone unhappy with his performance.
Knight’s out-of-the-box thinking and creativity has given him 99% positive reviews. In fact, the audience who witnesses his tricks is left in awe, wondering about what had happened even several days after the event. His name might not sound very familiar now, but we assure you that he is next in line to become one of the most famous magicians today.
See some of his tricks and how the audience reacts here:
5. Jack Monroe
Jack Monroe is definitely one of the least traditional street magicians on this list. This charming magician doesn’t do magic the usual way. What’s unique about this performance is that he doesn’t just leave after showing his tricks.
Instead, he would perform tricks and stay to amaze the audience with his wit and humor. Moreover, he quickly became part of the Magic Circle and worked with The Ritz Club, BBC and HSBC. He is definitely next in line to become one of the best street magicians in the world of all time.
See some of Monroe’s tricks and how the audience reacts here:
Here they are, some of the best street magicians you should know about, from living legends (Dynamo, David Blaine, and Criss Angel) to popular up-and-comers (Mathew Knight, Jack Monroe). Make sure you look up some videos of their tricks and brace yourself to be flabbergasted.