Magic is often described according to various specialties or genres. on stage in a mind-reading performance, 1900
Stage illusions Stage illusions are performed for large audiences, typically within a theatre or auditorium. This type of magic is distinguished by large-scale props, the use of assistants and often exotic animals such as elephants and tigers. Famous stage illusionists, past and present, include
Harry Blackstone, Sr.,
Howard Thurston,
Chung Ling Soo,
David Copperfield,
Lance Burton,
Silvan,
Siegfried & Roy, and
Harry Blackstone, Jr. Parlor magic Parlor magic is done for larger audiences than close-up magic (which is for a few people or even one person) and for smaller audiences than stage magic. In parlor magic, the performer is usually standing and on the same level as the audience, which may be seated on chairs or even on the floor. According to the
Encyclopedia of Magic and Magicians by T.A. Waters, "The phrase [parlor magic] is often used as a pejorative to imply that an effect under discussion is not suitable for professional performance." Also, many magicians consider the term "parlor" old fashioned and limiting, since this type of magic is often done in rooms much larger than the traditional parlor, or even outdoors. A better term for this branch of magic may be "platform", "club" or "cabaret". Examples of such magicians include
Jeff McBride,
David Abbott,
Channing Pollock,
Black Herman, and
Fred Kaps.
Close-up magic Close-up magic (or table magic) is performed with the audience close to the magician, sometimes even one-on-one. It usually makes use of everyday items as props, such as
cards (see
Card manipulation),
coins (see
Coin magic), and seemingly 'impromptu' effects. This may be called "table magic", particularly when performed as dinner entertainment.
Ricky Jay,
Mahdi Moudini, and
Lee Asher, following in the traditions of
Dai Vernon,
Slydini, and
Max Malini, are considered among the foremost practitioners of close-up magic.
Escapology Escapology is the branch of magic that deals with escapes from confinement or restraints.
Harry Houdini is a well-known example of an
escape artist or
escapologist.
Pickpocket magic Pickpocket magicians use magic to misdirect members of the audience while removing wallets, belts, ties, and other personal effects. It can be presented on a stage, in a cabaret setting, before small close-up groups, or even for one spectator. Well-known pickpockets include
James Freedman,
David Avadon,
Bob Arno, and
Apollo Robbins.
Mentalism Mentalism creates the impression in the minds of the audience that the performer possesses special powers to read thoughts, predict events, control other minds, and similar feats. It can be presented on a stage, in a cabaret setting, before small close-up groups, or even for one spectator. Well-known mentalists of the past and present include
Alexander,
The Zancigs,
Axel Hellstrom,
Dunninger,
Kreskin,
Deddy Corbuzier,
Derren Brown,
Rich Ferguson,
Guy Bavli,
Banachek,
Max Maven, and
Alain Nu.
Séances Theatrical séances simulate spiritualistic or mediumistic phenomena for theatrical effect. This genre of stage magic has been misused at times by charlatans pretending to actually be in contact with spirits or supernatural forces. For this reason, some well-known magicians such as
James Randi (AKA "The Amazing Randi") have made it their goal to debunk such paranormal phenomena and illustrate that any such effects may be achieved by natural or human means. Randi was the "foremost skeptic" in this regard in the United States.
Children's magic magician performing "children's magic" for a birthday party audience
Children's magic is performed for an audience primarily composed of children. It is typically performed at birthday parties, preschools, elementary schools, Sunday schools, or libraries. This type of magic is usually comedic in nature and involves audience interaction as well as volunteer assistants.
Online magic Online magic tricks were designed to function on a computer screen. The computer screen affords ways to incorporate magic from the magician's wand to the computer mouse. The use of computing technologies in performance can be traced back to a 1984 presentation by
David Copperfield, who used a
Commodore 64 to create a "magic show" for his audience. More recently, virtual performers have been experimenting with captivating digital animations and illusions that blur the lines between magic tricks and reality. In some cases, the computer essentially replaces the online magician. In a 2008 TED Talk,
Penn Jillette discussed how technology will continue to play a role in magic by influencing media and communication. According to Jillette, magicians continue to innovate in not only digital communication but also live performances that utilize digital effects. The 2020
COVID-19 lockdowns ushered onto the world stage a surge of online magic shows. These shows are performed via
video conferencing platforms such as
Zoom. Some online magic tricks recreate traditional card tricks and require user participation, while others, like Plato's Cursed Triangle, are based on mathematical, geometrical, and/or optical illusions. One such online magic trick, called Esmeralda's Crystal Ball, became a
viral phenomenon that fooled so many computer users into believing that their computer had supernatural powers, that the fact-checking website
Snopes dedicated a page to debunking the trick. German magician
Wittus Witt performed interactive magic tricks live on TV from 1993 to 1997. Viewers were able to call Wittus Witt live in the television studio and perform a magic trick with him directly. In total, Witt performed this special magic 87 times, every other week.
Theatrical magic Theatrical magic describes a dramaturgically well thought-out performance that has been specially designed for the theater and theater-like situations. It is not about individual tricks that are strung together, but about logical connections of tricks that lead to a story. The protagonists of this magic stage art were the German magician
Fredo Marvelli,
Punx, and
Alexander Adrion. In the United States, they included
Richard Hatch and
Max Maven.
Mathemagic Mathemagic is a genre of stage magic that combines magic and
mathematics. It is commonly used by
children's magicians and
mentalists.
Corporate magic Corporate magic is magic performed at corporate events and can be done as straightforward entertainment, as is common for customer/employee appreciation events or holiday parties, or as a type of education or training as in professional development or teambuilding workshops. Pioneer performers in this arena include Eddie Tullock and
Guy Bavli.
Trade Show magic Trade show magic uses magic as a communication and sales tool and is commonly used to generate leads during events where there is steep competition for the attention of attendees. Trade show magic was pioneered by Bud Dietrich. Modern practitioners include Danny Orleans and Seth Kramer.
Gospel magic Gospel magic uses magic to catechize and evangelize. Gospel magic was first used by
St. John Bosco to interest children in 19th-century
Turin,
Italy to come back to school, to accept assistance and to attend church. The Jewish equivalent is termed Torah magic.
Street magic Street magic is a form of street performing or
busking that employs a hybrid of stage magic, platform, and close-up magic, usually performed '
in the round' or surrounded by the audience. Notable modern street magic performers include
Jeff Sheridan,
Gazzo, and
Wittus Witt. Since the first
David Blaine TV special
Street Magic aired in 1997, the term "street magic" has also come to describe a style of 'guerilla' performance in which magicians approach and perform for unsuspecting members of the public on the street. Unlike traditional street magic, this style is almost purely designed for TV and gains its impact from the wild reactions of the public. Magicians of this type include
David Blaine,
Steven Frayne ("Dynamo"), and
Cyril Takayama.
Bizarre magic Bizarre magic is a branch of stage magic that creates eerie effects through its use of narratives and esoteric imagery. The experience may be more akin to small, intimate theater or to a conventional magic show. Bizarre magic often uses horror, supernatural, and science fiction imagery in addition to the standard commercial magic approaches of comedy and wonder.
Shock magic Shock magic is a genre of magic that shocks the audience. Sometimes referred to as "geek magic", it takes its roots from circus
sideshows, in which 'freakish' performances were shown to audiences. Common shock magic or geek magic effects include eating razor blades,
needle-through-arm, string through neck and pen-through-tongue.
Comedy magic Comedy magic is the use of magic in which is combined with stand-up comedy. Famous comedy magicians include
The Amazing Johnathan,
Holly Balay,
Mac King, and
Penn & Teller.
Quick-change magic Quick-change magic is the use of magic which is combined with the very quick changing of costumes. Famous quick-change artists include Sos & Victoria Petrosyan.
Camera magic Camera magic (or "video magic") is magic that is aimed at viewers watching broadcasts or recordings. It includes tricks based on the restricted viewing angles of cameras and clever editing. Camera magic often features paid extras posing as spectators who may even be assisting in the performance. Camera magic can be done live, such as
Derren Brown's lottery prediction. Famous examples of camera magic include David Copperfield's Floating Over the Grand Canyon and many of
Criss Angel's illusions.
Classical magic Classical magic is a style of magic that conveys feelings of elegance and skill akin to prominent magicians of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Mechanical magic Magic /
Dream with a handheld pattern giving a reversed shadow by mirror symmetry. "It's all done with smoke and mirrors," as we say to explain something baffling.
Mechanical magic is a form of stage magic in which the magician uses a variety of mechanical devices to perform acts that appear to be physically impossible. Examples include such things as a false-bottomed
mortar in which the magician places an audience member's watch only to later produce several feet away inside a wooden frame. Mechanical magic requires a certain degree of sleight of hand and carefully functioning mechanisms and devices to be performed convincingly. This form of magic was popular around the turn of the 19th century—today, many of the original mechanisms used for this magic have become antique collector's pieces and may require significant and careful restoration to function. ==Categories of effects==