Showmanship for Magicians

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Showmanship for Magicians, written by Dariel Fitzkee in 1943, is the first installment of the Fitzkee Trilogy, a seminal work still revered by magicians today. Fitzkee, born in 1898 in Illinois, initially focused on specific magic tricks in his early writings, such as Cut and Restored Rope and Linking Ring Manipulation. He also contributed to Genii Magazine, writing columns like "Thoughts are Things" and "Glimpses of Strange Shadows," along with a long-running review column. Despite his extensive analysis and contributions to magic, Fitzkee struggled to find success as a professional magician, with a touring act that faltered in 1939-1940. Frustrated with the mediocrity in magic during his time, Fitzkee criticized performers for clinging to outdated styles and conventions. He believed magic needed to evolve to remain engaging for audiences. To this end, he identified 39 "Audience Appeals" from various entertainment forms that could enhance magic performances. The subsequent books in the trilogy, The Trick Brain and Magic by Misdirection, delve deeper into the mechanics of magic and the psychology behind it. Fitzkee emphasized that entertainment is paramount for magicians, followed by skill development and understanding the spectator's perspective. His trilogy has left a lasting impact on the field of magic, influencing generations of performers.