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Magician & Close-Up Magic Performance Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your act — stage illusions, close-up card magic, fire effects, sharp props or audience participation. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering every hazard specific to magic performance, ready for venues, wedding organisers and corporate clients.
Used by magicians, illusionists and close-up performers across the UK
🎩 Using fire effects, sharp props or live animals in your act? Mention it — we'll include the specific controls, safe audience distances and reference points venues and insurers expect to see before your booking.
Legal requirements for magicians and performers
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, self-employed performers and entertainment businesses have a duty to protect themselves, their audience and anyone else affected by their work. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require a suitable and sufficient risk assessment covering the specific hazards of your act — whether that's sleight of hand at a dinner table or a full stage illusion show.
Wedding venues, hotels and corporate event agencies routinely require entertainers to provide a written risk assessment and proof of public liability insurance before confirming a booking. Failing to provide one can mean losing the gig, regardless of how experienced you are as a performer.
Specific hazards in magic performance carry their own regulatory considerations: fire effects and flash paper fall under general fire safety duties, sharp props such as swords and blades create manual handling and laceration risks, electrical illusions may fall under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and any act involving live animals should reflect welfare obligations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Anyrisks builds each of these into your assessment based on what your act actually involves — see our guide on when a risk assessment is needed if you're unsure whether your act requires one.
How it works
1. Describe your act
Tell us the type of performance — close-up table magic, stage illusion, kids' party entertainment or corporate show — plus any props, fire effects, sharp objects or animals involved.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering every hazard relevant to your specific act and performance setting, using our AI risk assessment generator.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Send it straight to the venue, wedding planner or corporate client requesting it. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every magician risk assessment is written in full — covering every hazard specific to your performance style and props.
Fire effects and flash paper — burn and fire risk controls
Pyrotechnic effects and safe audience distances
Sharp props — swords, blades, needles and card throwing
Sword swallowing and puncture injury controls
Audience participation and volunteer handling
Slip, trip and manoeuvring hazards around tables and stages
Electrical illusions, rigs and lighting equipment
Live animal handling — doves, rabbits and hygiene controls
Manual handling of illusion boxes and stage equipment
Working at height for stage and platform performances
Crowd and audience proximity management
Public liability considerations for venue bookings
First aid provision for prop-related injuries
Lone working for solo performers travelling between venues
Works for
From intimate close-up magic to full stage illusion shows, Anyrisks covers every type of magic performance.
What customers say
"I do close-up magic at weddings every weekend and venues always ask for a risk assessment now. This gave me something professional covering sharp cards and audience participation in under two minutes."
Daniel R.
Wedding magician, Surrey
"My stage show includes a fire routine and a sword box illusion. Anyrisks covered both in proper detail — the hotel's events team accepted it straight away."
Craig M.
Illusionist, Glasgow
"I use doves in part of my act and was never sure how to write that up properly. The assessment covered the animal handling and hygiene points clearly, alongside the usual audience safety stuff."
Priya K.
Close-up and stage magician, Birmingham
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers fire effects and pyrotechnics | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers sharp props and sword acts | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers live animal handling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Audience participation risks included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Accepted by venues and event agencies | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do magicians and illusionists legally need a risk assessment?
Yes — if you are self-employed or run a small entertainment business, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require you to assess risks to yourself, your audience and anyone affected by your act. Most venues, wedding suppliers and corporate event agencies will also ask to see a written risk assessment before booking you.
Does this cover fire effects and pyrotechnics used in stage magic?
Yes — describe any flash paper, flame tricks or pyrotechnic effects in your act and the assessment will include fire risk controls, safe distances from the audience, extinguisher provision and reference to relevant fire safety duties. If you use professional pyrotechnics, you should also confirm your supplier holds appropriate certification.
Will it cover sharp props like swords, blades and card throwing?
Yes — sword swallowing, blade boxes, knife throwing and card manipulation all carry specific laceration and puncture risks. Mention the props you use and the assessment will include handling procedures, audience distance requirements and first aid provisions specific to sharp prop acts.
I use audience participation in my close-up act — is that covered?
Yes — audience participation is one of the most common risk areas for magicians, from trip hazards moving between tables to handling volunteers safely during tricks. Describe how your act involves the audience and the assessment will include appropriate controls.
Does it cover using doves, rabbits or other animals in a performance?
Yes — if your act includes live animals, mention this and the assessment will reference animal welfare considerations alongside hygiene, handling and audience safety controls, including compliance expectations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Can I use this for electrical tricks and illusions with power tools or lighting rigs?
Yes — describe any electrical apparatus, illusion boxes or stage lighting used in your act and the assessment will include electrical safety controls referencing the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 where relevant.
Will venues and event agencies accept this risk assessment?
Yes — Anyrisks produces a professionally formatted, regulation-referenced document in the style expected by wedding venues, hotels, corporate event organisers and public liability insurers. It is the standard format requested across the entertainment industry.
How quickly can I get a risk assessment before a booking?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your act, props and performance setting and Anyrisks generates a complete, ready-to-send risk assessment instantly as PDF and Word.
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment · Risk assessment legal requirements · AI risk assessment generator