conjurors

Conjuror, or conjurer, is a performer who presents magic tricks, or conjuring. Conjurors rely on sleight of hand, misdirection, psychology, and the use of props or devices to create effects such as appearances, disappearances, transformations, and escapes. The term emphasizes that these feats are tricks performed through skill rather than real powers. In contemporary usage, conjuror is often preferred for traditional, craft-based magic performed for audiences in close-up, parlor, or stage settings.

Conjuring spans a range of formats, from intimate close-up performances to larger stage shows. Common repertoire includes card tricks, coin tricks, rope and knot effects, vanishings and appearances, levitations, and tricks involving gimmicked props, hidden compartments, or mechanical devices. Many conjurors also apply psychological misdirection, scripting, and coordinated choreography with assistants to shape the illusion.

Historically, conjurers have appeared across Europe and beyond since the early modern era, evolving from street performances to theatrical presentations. The 19th century saw conjuring elevated as an art form by figures such as Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, whose refined technique and showmanship helped establish professional magic. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the craft broadened into close-up magic, large-scale stage illusions, and mentalism, with practitioners prioritizing ethical presentation and audience consent.

Conjurors continue to be active in entertainment, education, and magic communities, preserving traditional techniques while embracing new methods and technologies. They are typically distinguished from performers whose acts focus on escapology, high-tech stage illusions, or purely mental feats, though many magicians incorporate elements from multiple disciplines.