Lay people experience a number of different types of magic show (as opposed to mentalism), and these we can break down loosely into the following categories: close up (strolling or formal small show), stage/parlour/cabaret, TV/online video.
Irrespective of the performance quality, I wonder which of these formats leaves the strongest impression on the audience? Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but on balance is there one from the list which is more impactful than the others? Let’s think about each one in turn for a moment.
Close Up. The fact that the magic happens so near to the spectators undoubtedly elevates the magic in their eyes. Lay people will often express amazement that it is possible to perform in such close proximity, even though we all know that sometimes it is easier to get away with certain things because of the closeness rather than despite it!
Close up magic is also memorable because it is easy to regularly involve spectators either as helpers or as a source of items to perform with. Magic that happens with an onlooker’s money, watch, ring etc, impresses because the audience knows the objects are completely normal. Plus, if a spectator is involved in the trick process (shuffling cards, examining props etc) this lends a further veil of mystery to everything that happens.
Stage, Parlour, Cabaret. The increased distance between the audience and the magician reduces the impact that the proximity of close up benefits from, but the extra potential size and scale of the magic production lends a more dramatic and theatrical feel to the performance.
It’s a bit like the difference between listening to music from a single harp and experiencing a concert by a full orchestra. Both may be of high quality, but the power and size of the orchestra creates a far more overwhelming experience. With magic this can also be true. Large scale stage illusions presented with exciting music, lighting and choreography can really make you want to jump out of your seat and can create a lasting and powerful impression on the audience.
TV, online video. We all spend an inordinate amount of our time staring at one type of screen or another, and YouTube offers anyone the opportunity to binge watch magic of all different types. The trouble is, when watching at home there is no atmosphere, no shared experience, no immediacy to what you are experiencing, and so even magic can fall a little flat.
I think TV magic generally also suffers from credibility issues. Accusations of camera tricks are sometimes hard to refute, and there is always a suspicion at the very least that all is not as it seems in front of the camera, which is a problem that live shows normally don’t suffer from.
However, filmed magic does offer infinite possibilities to create astounding illusions on an impossibly large scale (making the Statue Of Liberty disappear, for instance), and can create moments that people will talk about sometimes for years afterwards.
So which format offers the most? I suppose the truth is that magic, done well, is fascinating in one way or another to most people, and so it’s our job to play to the strengths of the show format we use.