Gone are the days of pulling rabbits out of hats and sawing assistants in half but magicians say a new approach is bringing a new boom in popularity.
Social media is driving a wave of more subtle performers — think small-scale tricks instead of grandiose performances in palatial theatres — those in the business told 7NEWS.com.au at the Sydney Magic Convention in Parramatta on Monday.
Magic store Grum owner Ari Phillips told 7NEWS.com.au he’s seen a continuous growth in interest in magic.
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“It’s getting bigger and bigger every year,” he said.
“I’ve been travelling across the world, we have magic conventions with thousands of people now.”
Phillips said magicians winning TV competitions such as America’s or Britain’s Got Talent has helped push an “edgier” style of magic.
“It’s not 1980s retro, it’s more classic stuff,” he said.
“You get the image of doves and rabbits and in hats but it’s now more common to see tricks with everyday objects.
“When someone sees tricks with rubber bands or having their ring appear in a wallet, inside another wallet, inside another wallet, they freak out.
“I think keeping it edgier and basic is the plan, not classic or cheesy magic.”
Phillips also noted a trend of social media creators debunking magic tricks, but is not that concerned as it means a younger audience can learn how to perform and bring joy to audiences.
“We’re living in a moment where everyone is on social media looking at a screen, to actually see something live is so different from seeing it on the screen,” he said.
“I don’t think it’ll ever die. It’s getting stronger, actually.”
Sydney Magic Club president Jack Sharp agreed, saying “magic is flying at the moment”.
“I think social media has a lot to do with that. TikTok, Instagram. Kids are loving it,” he said.
“I’m a professional entertainer for families and stuff, so I do a lot of kids birthdays and things like that … the young ones are right into it.”
Sharp added how useful a tool social media has become for aspiring magicians to learn new tricks, urging people to “just get into it”.
“It is a lot of fun, get onto YouTube, there’s plenty of magic on there.”
