Platform magic (also known as parlor magic, stand-up magic or cabaret magic) is

magic Magic or Magick most commonly refers to: * Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces * Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic * Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...

that is done for larger audiences than

close-up magic Close-up magic (also known as table magic or micromagic) is Magic (illusion), magic performed in an intimate setting usually no more than 3 meters (10 feet) from one's audience and is usually performed while sitting at a table. Sleight-of-hand, ...

and for smaller audiences than

stage magic Magic, which encompasses the subgenres of illusion, stage magic, and close up magic, among others, is a performing art in which audiences are entertained by tricks, effects, or illusions of seemingly impossible feats, using natural means. It ...

. It is more intimate than stage magic because it does not require expensive, large-scale stage equipment and can thus be performed closer to the audience and without a stage. Many of the tricks performed by platform magicians are sufficiently angle-sensitive as to make them impossible to perform as

micromagic Close-up magic (also known as table magic or micromagic) is magic performed in an intimate setting usually no more than 3 meters (10 feet) from one's audience and is usually performed while sitting at a table. Sleight-of-hand, also known as pres ...

. Most working magicians are parlor/platform magicians. Many magicians consider the term "parlor" to be old-fashioned and limiting, since this type of magic is often done in rooms much larger than the traditional parlor, or even outdoors. According to the ''Encyclopedia of Magic and Magicians'' by

T.A. Waters Thomas Alan Waters (also known as T.A. Waters) (1938–1998) was an American magician, writer about magic, and science fiction author. History Born to Thurston Alan Waters and Pauline Ruth (Kunkle) Waters, T. A. Waters was a professional magic ...

, "The phrase arlor magicis often used as a pejorative to imply that an effect under discussion is not suitable for professional performance." Parlor, or stand-up, magicians generally work without assistants (unlike stage magicians, who may have several in their crew – both backstage and on stage – and may travel thousands of miles between jobs). Performances of this category of magic include civic and fraternal organizations, business groups, private parties, youth groups, church societies, public dinners, and similar venues.

Common types

Common platform magic tricks include: * The "

Miser's Dream Miser's Dream is a magic routine where the magician produces coins from the air (and often other places) and drops them into a receptacle they are holding, usually a metal bucket. It has also been called "Aerial Treasury". It was invented in the 1 ...

" – a seemingly endless supply of coins is produced from thin air * Sucker tricks, like the "die box", where a giant die is put in a two-compartment box. The magician makes it vanish but the audience believe he simply shifts it to the other compartment. Eventually the magician opens both sides of the box and the die is gone. It has appeared in a previously-empty hat. * Audience participation tricks, like the breakaway wand, where a wand remains rigid for the magician but falls apart every time the volunteer touches it * Production effects, like the square circle, in which a bottomless, topless box with a screened front encloses a bottomless, topless cylinder. Both are shown empty and put together again. The magician then produces large quantities of silk scarves, fruit, bottles, and so on from the "empty" cylinder, inside the square box Many other effects could be considered to fit into this classification.

Platform magicians

Platform magicians are not as well known to the general public as stage magicians such as

David Copperfield ''David Copperfield'' Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work, see is a novel in the bildungsroman genre by Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from inf ...

and

Penn & Teller Penn & Teller, Penn Jillette and Teller, are American magicians, entertainers, and scientific skeptics who have performed together since the late 1970s. They are noted for their ongoing act that combines elements of comedy with magic. The duo ha ...

. Some better-known ones include: * David Abbott *

Steve Cohen Steve, Steven or Stephen Cohen may refer to: Sportspeople * Stephan Cohen (born 1971), French pocket billiards player * Steve Cohen (gymnast) (born 1946), American Olympic gymnast *Steve Cohen (judoka) (born 1955), American judoka and Olympian *Ste ...

Black Herman Benjamin Rucker (June 6, 1889 – April 15, 1934) was an American stage magician, better known by his stage name Black Herman. He was the most prominent African-American magician of his time. He appears as a major character in Ishmael Reed's 197 ...

Fred Kaps Fred Kaps (official name Abraham Pieter Adrianus Bongers; 8 June 1926 – 23 July 1980) was a Dutch magician, famous for being the only magician to become FISM Grand Prix world champion three times.

Jeff McBride Jeff McBride (born September 11, 1959), also known as "Magnus", is an American magician and magic instructor. He is known for his sleight of hand skills and specializes in the manipulation of playing cards, coins, and other small objects. His s ...

* John Mulholland * Channing Pollock * Alan Shaxon *

Larry White Larry David White (born September 25, 1958) is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in 11 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the o ...

References

External links

What is Parlor Magic?
{{Magic and Illusion Magic (illusion)

Common types

Platform magicians

See also

References

External links