The wonders of magic theater

BY ERIC SINDABI
In performing arts like music, ballet, dance, circus, opera, drama, mimes, concert, cabaret among others, only magic theater, according to critics, comes out extra ordinary because of its mystic nature.

According to literary critics, magic theater touches every corner of the world and is interesting, eye catching and to all-young and old and other cadres of humanity. In magic theater, the language of tricks, human dexterity and illusion is universal.

Magic as an art seems to have evolved independently in many cultures of the world. Rarely has it been studied that magic art as being borrowed from one either race to another nor society to another.

Deities

As early as the 14th century magic as an art in theater industry was already developed in areas like China, United Kingdom, Japan, India, America and in some parts of Europe. Interestingly, according to studies, links between magic and religion are very strong. In many cultures of the world, only people linked to deities or superstition were engaged to magic. The word magic itself is defined as the secret power of appearing to perform or do impossible things.

or example in African cultures witchdoctors and Devine rulers were believed to perform magic. In the Biblical Jewish society Prophets and patriarchs were believed to perform magic and were directly connected with God.

The original Jewish traditional beliefs of creation of mankind, according to the holy Bible, God created the universe from formlessness through magic.

In the modern and even ancient Christian world, prayers are believed to infuse miracles that are closely linked to the phenomenon of magic. Jesus Christ performed numerous miracles during his mission and even his dispels are believed to have performed miracles. To date modern Christians and preachers believe in miracles that is a direct communication between a worshiper and God.

Book

The first published book on magic theater called; Hocus pocus (The anatomy of Legerdemain) was published in 1630.Hocus was a Court magician during the reign of King James 1 of England. One of the greatest magic Theater heroes of the world was Giovanni Giuseppe Pinetti who conjured in leading European theaters between 1750-1800.The first theater dedicated to magic was set up in England at the old Egyptian Hall in London in the 18th century.

Illusion
An illusion that was called “The living half of a woman” was performed to show a beautiful woman appearing to have no legs resting on a raised flat surface. Another popular illusion in magic arts was running a sword through a person’s body.

Modern street magic theater artists are able to lie down and let a heavy vehicle pass on them. Others can act like eating fire, others walk on ropes, make people “give birth to eggs” and can “bisect a womb of a woman and expose internal organs. Others can “manufacture foodstuffs” while others can fancy piercing a sharp object through parts of a human body.

Society
The first society in the world devoted to magicians was born in 1905 in England. Under the British Magical Society magicians from all walks of England came together to market themselves and to uphold their rights and welfare. In America the Magic Guild caters for the welfare and rights of magic theater players.

In Kenya the Association of Magicians is responsible for the activities of magicians and traditional med icemen. Under the Ministry of Culture and social services, the Association issues Certificates to practicing magicians and bush doctors and monitors their activities. The association also champions for the rights of local magicians and prohibits exploitation and negative publicity of its members.

As much said and speculated about magic, it remains an art that is mysterious, catchy and universal. It has no boundaries or cultures of difference but is both wonderful and un exploited. To many, magic theater is non existent yet is all and about.