So you've probably come by these words before but don't really understand them.

 

Here is an explanation to all of these terms...

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Close-up Magic

This is a highly interactive form of performance and is exactly as it sounds.

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Close-up and personal, strolling around the event.

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The magician walks around an event to mix and mingle with guests. He would aim to approach a crowd or build one (usually 3 - 10 people are ideal) and ask some or all to help participate as he performs. This performance is heavily based on the crowd of people, what they say, what they do and how they react. The magician can quickly adapt to the audience based on the feedback they are giving.

 

The props used are typically quite small and easily fit into the pockets. Such items could include cards, coins, pens, elastic bands, sponge balls, banknotes, etc.

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This performing style can best be utilised for icebreakers, cocktail receptions, walking around the tables (table hopping), promoting, and highlighting products. This is usually for a prolonged amount of time (few hours) depending on the type and length of event and number of guests.

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This type of performing type is the most common (and cheapest) but takes a high level of people skills and an experienced magic with charisma can adapt to any crowd. Typically used for birthday parties, Christmas celebrations, corporate AGMs, VIP events, branding and product placement.

 

Each crowd interaction typically takes around 5 minutes and suitable for an event of 5 - 200 guests.

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Stage Magic

A magic show on a stage. A grand performance to entertain all the guests at once.

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The audience would usually be sat at tables during a ball, banquet, gala, etc. The magician would perform with larger props and/or use a live feed system (use a cameraman to project onto a large screen on stage). 

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​The cost for this type of performance is usually the highest due to a number of factors:

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• The props are expensive and require storage or rental fees

• A team is required to help facilitate with transport before/after the event

• Stage assistants are required to help with moving props on and off stage during the performance and facilitate audience participation

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This act would be a lot shorter performing time than close-up. A typical stage show lasts anywhere from 5-30 minutes. A good timeframe is 15 minutes and suitable for larger audiences of 100-1,000 people.

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Parlour Magic

Magic is one of the oldest professions and therefore has a lot of history and old terms used to describe certain aspects. Simply put, parlour is where close-up and stage meet in the middle.

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Definition of the word parlour:

 

(from Merriam-Webster)

1. A room in a private dwelling for the entertainment of guests.

2. A conference chamber or private reception room.

3. A room in an inn, hotel, or club for conversation or semiprivate uses.

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Parlour also fits into the club and cabaret category. The magician would be standing on the same level as the audience or slightly raised on a small stage and the audience would be seated. Close-up and stage effects can both be used in this scenario, opening up to many possibilities. It typically would not incorporate such grand effects as a stage performance but has a mid price point between the two styles. However, the magic performed in this scenario is usually quite different and more relaxed, using effects that aren't normally used in either close-up or stage.

 

This would be suitable for an audience of 10 - 50 people.

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Illusions

Normally reserved for stage magic. These are extremely visual acts using props large enough to place people inside to cut them in half, teleport or make them disappear/reappear. Sometimes animals and airplanes are used (think David Copperfield!). There is so much that goes into these illusions, giving them the highest price mark and only reserved for those with a high budget and looking for that extreme "wow" factor.

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With that said, there some illusions that can be done close-up. Magicians have developed ways to create mind bending performances with cards, coins and other everyday objects.

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Mentalism

This is special and unique type of performance also known as "mind reading." Mentalism is when a magician creates the impression they can read thoughts, predict events, and control or influence decisions.

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This incorporates sleight-of-hand, misdirection, and showmanship to achieve these outcomes in a mysterious and equally impossible way. This style of performance is suitable for all types of events including stage, parlour, and even close-up. This style is often priced higher than close-up.​