Wizard

Right out of the 15th-century gate, ‘wizard’ was synonymous with ‘philosopher’ or ‘sage.’ Yep, you heard it right. Your average wizard back in the day was more likely to be found sipping tea and discussing metaphysics than hurling fireballs or summoning ethereal beings. The term itself is a smoothie blend of Middle English ‘wys,’ meaning wise, and ‘-ard.’ Essentially, a wizard was a ‘wise-ard’ or a smarty pants. Not quite as flashy as turning invisible, but hey, we can’t all be Gandalf.

Interestingly, our friend ‘wizard’ didn’t start dabbling in the arcane arts until around 1550. The Middle Ages were a wild time, folks. Philosophy and magic were like two peas in a pod, often getting mixed up in the public’s mind. Kind of like that time you mistook wasabi for avocado. Ouch.

And just when you thought our linguistic journey couldn’t get any more exciting, ‘wizard’ pulled a 180 and became slang for ‘excellent’ in 1922. Because why not? Language is a wild beast, my friends, and sometimes it takes paths as unpredictable as a wizard’s spell.

Witch

Ah, the witch! Not to be confused with your eccentric Aunt Sue who grows too many herbs and owns one too many cats. No, we’re talking about the genuine article here—the broomstick-riding, cauldron-stirring, spell-casting dames of yore. And what a fascinating etymological stew they’ve got brewing, perfect for spicing up any Christmas venue with a bit of mystical charm!

Emerging from the mists of Old English, ‘wicce’ originally denoted a female magician or sorceress. Not the kind who pulls rabbits out of hats, but the kind who has a cozy relationship with the devil and can whip up a supernatural storm before you can say “double, double toil and trouble.” Imagine the delight of such enchantresses as headline acts at your Christmas venue, casting spells that make even the most skeptical partygoer believe in magic.

The masculine form, ‘wicca’, referred to a male practitioner of magic, which just goes to show that gender equality was alive and well in the witching world. Well, kind of. By the time of good old Ælfred’s laws around 890 AD, witchcraft was firmly labelled as a woman’s game. Men, it seems, were too busy inventing the wheel, taking out the bins, or doing whatever it was men did back then—probably setting up early versions of a Christmas venue to showcase their latest inventions.

The term’s exact origins are as elusive as a will-o’-the-wisp. Some say it’s related to Old English words for divination and idol, while others suggest a link to a Proto-Germanic term for necromancer (which, by the way, means “one who wakes the dead,” not “one who takes coffee breaks with zombies”). Perhaps at a Christmas venue, these necromancers would fit right in, reviving the festive spirit with a touch of the supernatural.

Illusionists:

Ah, the grand illusionists – the rockstars of the magical world. Dressed all in black like a 90’s throwback, they pull in supermodels like they’re going out of fashion. Not because they have the latest designer bag or drive the flashiest sports car, but because they can make an elephant disappear quicker than you can say “now you see it”.

These aren’t your garden variety magicians who dabble in card tricks or coin vanishes. Oh no, these are the big guns, the ones who wouldn’t be caught dead doing close-up magic. They’re all about the grand illusions, the kind that require a stage, a captive audience, and a healthy disregard for the laws of physics.

They make tigers appear from nowhere, motorbikes disappear into thin air, and assistants teleport from one side of the stage to the other. They’re so good, they could probably start a new religion. Or at least a very successful YouTube channel.

Notable illusionists include David Copperfield, Lance Burton and Siegfried and Roy

Mentalists

I’ve always enjoyed the word mentalist – I’m a big Alan Partridge fan you see (if you know, you know) however in the world of magic, the word mentalist drums up some guy who can dip into your mind, extract your kinkiest of thoughts, pin number or first kiss and parade it around like last week’s washing.

Derren Brown is without doubt the leading light when it comes to Mentalists – a performer so convincing he’s managed to hoodwink a nation into believing he can do the impossible although he always tells the audience he can’t!

What’s his secret? Well, he’s just really good at what he does. No magic wands, no enchanted hats, just a keen understanding of human psychology and a talent for showmanship that could put Broadway actors to shame.

Hypnotist

Ah, the hypnotist – a character shrouded in mystery and often misunderstood. For those of us who grew up watching too much television in the UK, the image of a hypnotist might be intertwined with images of flashing lights, swinging pendulums, and people clucking like chickens on stage. A bit like a pantomime villain or that dodgy uncle at a family wedding who insists on performing ‘magic tricks’.

But let’s clear up some misconceptions here. Stage hypnotism is essentially just a theatrical performance, akin to a melodramatic soap opera or one of those reality TV shows where everyone inexplicably cries all the time.

Real hypnosis, the bona fide, scientifically validated kind, is a genuine psychological phenomenon. It’s a bit like taking a guided tour of your own mind, with a professional pointing out the sights and helping you make sense of things. It’s used in clinical practice to help with a range of issues, from anxiety and pain management to breaking bad habits

Magician by Genres

1. Escape Artists: These daring magicians specialize in creating and escaping from seemingly impossible constraints, making Houdini-style feats look like child’s play.
2. Card Manipulators: Masters of sleight of hand, these magicians can make a deck of cards dance in their hands, performing mind-boggling tricks that leave audiences questioning the laws of physics.
3. Stage Magicians: With grand gestures and larger-than-life illusions, stage magicians command the spotlight, transforming theatres into worlds where magic is real and anything is possible.
4. close-up magicians: Working their magic right under your nose, close-up magicians excel in intimate settings, turning everyday objects into sources of wonder and amazement.
   theatres

By Event Types

Party Magicians: Hired to ensure your shindig is more than a gathering of friends talking small and listening to tales of their two-year-olds

corporate entertainers: We all know how dry corporate events are – a corporate entertainer is a bit like a laxative – he can help get things moving so it’s less…turgid

Street Performers: A lot of professional magicians today owe a great amount of gratitude to the likes of Criss Angel, David Blaine and Dynamo. They made magic sexy again – parading the streets with cool magic that helped stop most magicians from being bullied overnight!

Wedding Magicians: The best thing since sliced bread said…the wedding magician. But seriously, a wedding magician is a sound investment with so many guests having to fend for themselves. They’re a social lubricant, an icebreaker, a conversation starter. They’re there to keep your guests from resorting to discussing the weather or worse, the chicken vs. fish debate

Trade Show Magicians: A great way of enticing hot leads with sleight of hand that loosens up delegates and decision-makers!

Cruise Ship Magicians: Combining travel and magic, cruise ship magicians offer seafaring audiences a delightful diversion from the usual onboard entertainment, with tricks as breathtaking as the ocean views.

Restaurant Magicians: These magicians add a dash of astonishment to the dining experience, performing close-up magic that leaves patrons questioning reality over dessert.