For a corporate event in Ottawa, the choice between a magician and a mentalist comes down to the feel you want. A magician makes things appear, vanish and change in front of your guests. A mentalist appears to read minds and predict choices. Both can work close-up among guests or as a show. Tell us your date, venue and guest count, and you can compare options with prices for acts who are available that day.
What a magician does
A magician can stroll between groups doing close-up magic, put on a stage show, or both. Close-up magic happens a few feet from your guests, with cards, coins and everyday objects. A stage show is for the whole room at once.
What a mentalist does
A mentalist works with your guests’ thoughts and choices: guessing a word someone is thinking of, predicting a decision, or revealing a detail they couldn’t know. It can feel more like a conversation than a trick. Mentalism can work close-up among small groups, or as a show where guests come up to take part.
Which suits your event
- If your guests are mingling with drinks, close-up magic or close-up mentalism both suit the room.
- If everyone is seated after dinner, a short show from either can give the whole room one shared moment.
- If your crowd likes puzzles and talking, mentalism can be a good fit. If they’d rather just watch something surprising, magic is the simpler choice.
Tell us the feel you want, and we’ll ask each act how they’d work your room.
Guests who take part
Both acts may bring guests into the performance. Ask how they choose volunteers, and tell them if anyone would rather not be picked, or if some topics are off limits at a work event.
What the room needs
For close-up work, guests need enough light to see, and the performer needs room to move between groups. For a show, check that everyone can see from their seats, and ask the venue whether there’s a microphone for a large room.
Questions to ask before you book
- Do you do close-up, a show, or both, and for how long?
- Is your act magic, mentalism, or a mix?
- Have you performed at corporate events before?
- How do you choose guests to take part?
- Can you send a short video of a recent show?
- What do you need from the room: a stage area, a microphone, extra light?
- If the venue asks for proof of insurance, can you send it?
What changes the price
The price depends on how many hours you book, whether it’s a Saturday or in the holiday season, a bigger show or a second performer, and travel outside Ottawa.
How booking works with AGNT
AGNT is a booking company. You send us your date, venue and guest count, and we check which magicians and mentalists in Ottawa are available that day. We send you options with prices. You pick one, and it’s booked once the deposit is paid. If your first pick isn’t available, we’ll tell you and suggest a similar act who is.
You can see more on magicians for hire in Ottawa.
How we put this together
We wrote this from what people ask when they book a magician or a mentalist: the type of event, how long, how many guests and whether they want close-up work or a show. It doesn’t list prices, because they depend on your date, your hours and the act you choose. You’ll see prices with the options we send.
Your next step
Tell us your date, venue and guest count, and we’ll send you Ottawa magicians and mentalists who are available that day, with prices: book a magician in Ottawa
Featured photo by Aditya Chinchure on Unsplash
