Magic & Illusion

Photo © Can Stock Photo / stokkete 

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” – Arthur C.Clarke’s Third Law, 1973

Many shows have special props or sequences that demand the highly specialised services of an illusion designer. 
Aladdin has a number of transformations and a stunning flying magic carpet effect.
Beauty and the Beast has an enchantress who shoots a fireball, a rose that drops petals on cue, a tea trolley carrying a small boy playing ‘Chip’ who appears to have no body, and a final transformation sequence where the Beast levitates and transforms in mid-air into a Prince. 
Ghost The Musical has a number of illusions, including a character walking through a door. 
Matilda has a blackboard where chalk writing appears magically.
The Lord of the Rings had a number of vanishes. 
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is so packed with illusions and effects, it’s incredible. 
In & Of Itself was a new show taking magic to a new level


Tricks in Magic (1895)
[External Website]

Magic by Albert Hopkins (ebook) (1897)
[External Website]

History of Close-Up Magic (September 2020)
[External Website]

Houdinis Greatest Secret (July 2020)
[External Website]

Secrets of the Magicians Assistant (March 2024)
[External Website]

Notable Illusions and Routines

Video

Books

2018

The Prop Effects Guidebook
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2018

The Secret History of Magic: The True Story of the Deceptive Art
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2007

Performing Dark Arts: A Cultural History of Conjuring
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2006

Art and Artifice
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2005

Hiding The Elephant: How Magicians Invented the Impossible
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2005

Magic in Theory
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2005

The Glorious Deception
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2005

The Rise Of The Indian Rope Trick
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2005

The War Magician: The True Story of Jasper Maskelyne
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
2002

The Mechanical Turk: The True Story of the Chess-playing Machine That Fooled the World
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
1996

British Theatrical Patents 1801-1900
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US
1897

Magic: Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions, Including Trick Photography
Buy at
Amazon UK
Amazon US

External Links

Associations

Academy of Magical Arts Magic Castle [Hollywood, CA, USA]
British Society of Mystery Entertainers Mentalists, psychic entertainers, bizarre magicians, allied mystics [UK]
Society of American Magicians (SAM) [USA]
The Magic Circle [UK]

Illusion Designers

Jim Steinmeyer [USA]
John Gaughan Illusion Design & Construction [Los Angeles, USA]
Paul Kieve - Illusions for Theatre [UK]
Scott Penrose Magician and Illusion Consultant [UK]
The Twins FX Illusions and Animatronics [UK]
The Twins FX Special Effects Hire Large scale illusions [UK]

Makers

Artem Props, Special Effects, Illusions, Set, Practicals, Pyrotechnics [UK]
Creating the Impossible Props, Scenery & Magical Illusions [UK]
PropDog Professional Props for Magicians [UK]
ShowFX / David Mendoza Props, Staging, Effects [CA, USA]
Stolz Productions Set Design, Special Effects & Magic Consulting [Ontario, Canada]
The Magic Wand Shop Hand-made magic / fantasy-related props and costume [Sheffield, UK]
Tilford Illusions

Performers

Alex Cadabra Close-up and Childrens Entertainer [UK]
Chris Peskett Close-Up Magic [UK]
Criss Angel
David Blaine
David Copperfield
Derren Brown
Duncan William Close-up magician & mind-reader [UK]
Dynamo [UK]
Ed Sumner Close-up Magic [UK]
Harry Houdini
Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin
Kovari Magic
Lance Burton
Looch Mind Reader & Mentalist [Nottingham, UK]
Norvil & Josephine Christopher Howell [London, UK]
Paul Daniels
Penn & Teller
Richard Pinner [UK]
The Grey Man - Phillip Escoffey [UK]

Publications

Genii The Conjurors Magazine [USA]
Magic Magazine [USA]
Magic Week [UK]
The Magicians Podcast

Resources

All Magic Guide
Christopher Howell Magician Blog [London, UK]

Research

Guardian - Paul Kieve - Matilda the Musical & Hugo

Suppliers

Aaron Smith Magic Depot [USA]
Alakazam Sales [UK]
Arjans Show-Biz Centre [The Netherlands]
Ellusionist Training and Supplies [USA]
International Magic [London, UK]
Murphys Magic [CA, USA]
Practical Magic [UK]
The Magic Company [UK]
Theory11 [USA]
Top Secret Magic Sales [UK]