The Magic Dancing Necktie
Posted on March 27, 2026
This is one of my favourite opening effects!
I sometimes include it in my summer camp shows, but it’s really a mainstay of my theatre shows—and I always look forward to the chance to perform it.
The routine is inspired by a magical classic called The Dancing Handkerchief. I used to perform that version, but I never had much fun with it. This, on the other hand, absolutely brings down the house right from the start and lets everyone know that a WonderPhil show is something special.
The premise is simple: I explain that I can’t start the show until I find my tie. I search through a box… and somehow I’ve got everything in there except the tie. Even a snake. A snake! Really? What’s wrong with me?
At that point, I tell the kids I’ll have to go out to the car to get it… but just as I’m about to leave, the tie pops up—only to disappear again before I can see it.
From there, it’s chaos.
The kids can see exactly where the tie is, and they’re desperately trying to get me to notice it, while I keep missing it over and over again. It turns into one of those perfect “look, don’t see” moments where the audience is way ahead of me—and they love it.
And finally… well, finally this happens. Just checkout the video!
I posted this clip online earlier this year, and for some reason it really took off—hundreds of thousands of views at the time of writing this.
I think part of the appeal online is that the magic is immediate, visual, and easy to follow. Within seconds, you can tell something impossible is happening. But just as important, you can hear the kids having an absolute blast—laughing, shouting, and trying to help.
That’s always the goal for me. Not just showing magic, but creating a moment where the whole room is involved and having fun together. If you’re planning a birthday party, school show, or theatre event and want this kind of energy right from the start, feel free to reach out—I'd love to bring the show to you.