Tricky affairs

Supporting Madari’s views is A M Khan,who owns Koregaon Park-based Dreams Entertainment. “It is true that magic shows and trick performers are a hit with adults. At Dreams Entertainment,we do have a varied range of performers targeted at different age-groups like children and even the elderly. We have lots of tricks up our sleeves,which always hit the right note with people,” reveals Khan,who claims to have about 150 individual performers representing him for such kinds of events. “I have honed my skills in the art of magic as I hail from a family which has had seven generations toiling effortlessly in this profession,” he adds.

Grown-ups prefer special kinds of trickery and illusions. Khan elaborates,“We take care not to humiliate or compromise the dignity of adults. So,most of the tricks meant for children or which require children as volunteers for a comic situation are ruled out for this very reason.” Madari explains,“The tricks most popular with adults involve the sudden manifestation of pigeons and artificial flowers from a magician’s sleeve or cloak.”

While birds and flowers are Madari’s USP,it is acts involving genuine and counterfeit currency which do the trick (no pun intended) for Khan. Hypnotising audience members is very popular too.

Swati Shetty,who hired a magician recently says,“I was searching for something which would lend a unique ambience to the party,as opposed to the conventional atmosphere. Magicians score with both children and adults alike and as expected,the magician was a big hit with the invitees.”

Be it the aura of mystery surrounding an illusionist or the slapstick comedy he offers through his tricks,performances with an element of magic will never go out of vogue,as long as curiosity and a need for light fun drives people’s attention towards it.