The Transformed Magician: How Magicians Made Magic Horrible Again

Activity: Talk or presentation typesOral presentation

Description

This paper will explore how magicians in the 1970s radically transformed their
performance practice by turning their backs on the disenchanted mainstream of
vanilla conjuring and embracing the darker stuff of horror and the occult. It will
examine how they diverged from traditional conjuring’s emphasis on sleight-of-hand and glitzy spectacle toward prioritising narrative and psychological engagement. Continuing to grow as a movement across the 1980s and 90s these horror magicians drew inspiration from Gothic literature, horror films, and esoteric traditions to craft performances that would evoke a sense of the uncanny and supernatural. These transformed performances would blend storytelling, theatricality, ritual, and a few gallons of stage blood to create immersive and unsettling experiences for their audiences.
By examining key performances and publications the paper will unpick the genre's approach to the practice of performance magic, thus situating the work within the broader traditions of horror, the occult, and the influence of the growing fascination with the paranormal in the 1970s. The paper will examine whether the movement had any lasting significance on performance magic practice, or whether, as one practitioner suggested it was merely a fascinating failure.
Period27 Oct 2024
Event titleTransformation: Australasian Horror Studies Network
Event typeConference
LocationPerth, Australia, Western AustraliaShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational