Approach to Magic
ADDENDUM: Eldritch Theatre’s Approach to Magic
The use of magic as an integral part of theatrical narrative is an idea that has appeared
only very rarely in the history of magic, due in large part to an accident of history. Magic
came of age in the era of vaudeville, when few acts were permitted to run more than twelve
minutes, and thus the art’s founding fathers were little able to concern themselves with any
sort of pan-theatrical integration.
To better explain the concept of magic and narrative, I would like to illustrate several
examples using a simple trick, known by everyone. Now, in a traditional magic show, the trick might be played like this…
MAN: Ladies & Gentlemen! Behold! A penny!
THE MAN SHOWS A PENNY.
MAN: Watch it carefully!
HE MAKES THE PENNY DISAPPEAR.
MAN: Little Boy, could you step over here please?
HE PULLS THE PENNY OUT OF THE BOY’S EAR
However, when this simple little trick is placed in service of a story, it can become almost
anything. For example, it can serve as an emotional metaphor…
MAN: My father loved my mother more than anything. He said he could see the whole world
inside her eyes…
THE MAN SHOWS A PENNY
MAN: My mother died of cancer when I was 16 years old, and Dad was never the same.
HE MAKES THE PENNY DISAPPEAR.
MAN: But sometimes, when he looks into the eyes of my son…
HE PULLS A PENNY OUT OF A BOY’S EAR.
MAN: … Dad seems almost his old self again.
It can be used to develop character…
A MAN SHOWS A PENNY.
MAN: Harlan Potter was the wealthiest man in town. He seemed to have it all!… But appearances
can be deceiving.
HE MAKES THE PENNY VANISH.
MAN: Maybe, the luckiest fellow in town… The one who really had everything… Was a poor,
struggling young clerk, by the name of George Bailey!
HE PULLS THE PENNY OUT OF A BOY’S EAR
The trick can be presented as an actually act of magic…
A MAN SHOWS A PENNY.
MAN: This is the Magic Penny of Barad-Dur, young knight. It will aid you in your travels.
Guard it wisely.
HE MAKES THE PENNY VANISH.
BOY: Hey, Old Wizard! How can I guard that magic penny if you make it disappear?
MAN: The Magic Penny will return when you least expect it, and when you need it most.
HE PULLS THE PENNY OUT OF A BOY’S EAR.
BOY: Wow! That’s one magic penny!
And so forth. These scenarios are by no means exhaustive, and they can be applied to any
trick from levitating a steel ball, to sawing a woman in half, to transforming a monkey into
a drinking goblet. What becomes important in choosing and presenting the tricks, is no longer
merely the method, nor the presentation, but how the trick may best serve the story.