Showmanship, concerning artistic performing such as in
Theatre
Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...
, is the skill of performing in such a manner that will appeal to an audience or aid in conveying the performance's essential theme or message.
For instance, the
Canadian
Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...
stage magician Doug Henning
Douglas James Henning (May 3, 1947 – February 7, 2000) was a Canadian magician, illusionist, escape artist and politician.
Early life
Henning was born in the Fort Garry district of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and began practising magic at Oaken ...
used many classic illusions in his magic show. However, he made the old material seem new by rejecting the old stylistic cliches of the art (such as wearing
formal wear
Formal wear or full dress is the Western dress code category applicable for the most formal occasions, such as weddings, christenings, confirmations, funerals, Easter and Christmas traditions, in addition to certain state dinners, audien ...
), and by presenting them with a childlike exuberance that respected the audience's intelligence.
Profitable showmanship frequently appeals to
pathos. Showmen aim to display goods with tact in order to sell an object or a show.
Companies producing drama and entertainment claim that displaying fairness is necessary.
Notes
Theatre
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